Where did September go?

Can you believe September is almost over?!? It's been a busy month...I just got back from spending the week in Vienna, VA. Vienna is about 20 minutes from Washington, DC. I spent two days sitting through 7 hours of class/day on how to pass the CCRN exam. The teacher was crazy funny and really helpful in preparing you for the exam. I received approximately 200 pages of nursing information. I hope to study through the information while recovering from my tonsillectomy.

While in DC and not in class, I shopped around a little, realized that most people do not have jobs as everyone was at the mall on a random Wednesday afternoon! I also learned how to drive in the city! Crazy! I can't even tell you how many times my GPS said "recalculating". It was defiantly an experience. Unfortunately, while driving and not knowing where I was I spent a lot of time sitting in traffic. But, the time spent sitting in traffic was well worth every minute spent in DC.

I have been recovering this past week from the common cold that everyone seems to have. No fun! I should buy stock in tissues! Hopefully it goes away soon!

12 days till my tonsils get yanked...

16 days till my 25th birthday...

Before you know it, it will be CHRISTMAS!!! I can't wait!

Best,

Jancie

9/11

I woke up this morning to watch the new coverage on 9/11/01. I can't believe it was 8 years ago. I can remember exactly where I was at that time. I remember sitting in 2nd period at East Rowan High School in math class. I remember a friend had gotten a phone call from her mother telling her about the attack. I remember being confused by what was happening...who could have done this...and why? School went about the rest of the day...some students went home early...but mostly we watched news coverage the rest of the day. I remember hearing about all the church prayer services that would be occuring that evening. After school I remember sitting at home with my family watching the horrible news coverage of the plane crashing into the buildings. Very sad day!

Last summer I was actually in New York City and we went to Ground Zero. I was there for a work conference, but we escaped class for some site seeing. I will post pictures from my trip. I remember seeing flowers, names, American flags, candles, and prayers left by the site. Construction was in process. It's amazing how one horrific event can change America!

My thoughts and prayers go out to those who lost loved ones during the attack and to those who had their life changed because of it! God Bless!

I love......

Just got home from the movies...went to see Julie and Julia today! Ever since I saw the previews it was on the "to watch" list! Such a cute movie! I always loved Julia Child...she was a real woman...one who didn't let things get to her...just laughed it off...wasn't afraid to try new things... Oh to be like Julia! During the movie I started thinking....oh to live in the city...to fall in love...to take on a new adventure! I'm sure I don't have the blog followers like Julie did...but this is me getting my thoughts down.

My next adventure...I have dreams, but have to wait for things to fall in place. Graduate school vs travel nursing. I could see myself doing either...I would love to travel to Seattle, New York, Chicago, Hawaii...and many more! But, doing the school thing would provide a better life down the road! Positives and negatives to both. Unfornately and fortunately, those decisions are not completely in my hands! Who knows...neither of those things may happen. I guess thats the uncertainty of life. You never know what may come your way!

Woke up this morning and thought...is Josh Groban going on tour anytime soon...new album...? So I went to his webpage and watched his video blog...how cool right?!? I love Josh! He's so talented and such a goober! I never realized how funny he was until my first concert! Sadly, nothing new coming out right now...but he's working on a album I think! So...in the future!!! Needless to say, my Itunes has been playing Josh all day! Love it, love it, love it!

The other thing I love is this weather we had today! I went out in jeans, a short sleeved sweater, and a scarf! Not a winter scarf...just a springy one...but still...the air was crisp, not sticky! Today is September 1st...where did August go? It's crazy...but I'm ready to welcome Fall! Pumpkins, Mums, Changing of the leaves, pumpkin pie, Halloween...tonsillectomy (not really ready to welcome that...but it will be here before I know it!).

That's it for now....I would say Bon Appetit, but nothing is being cooked...

Best!
Jancie

Studying

I never realized how hard it would be to get motivated and study again! I'm studying for the CCRN test (Critical Care Registered Nurse) and I'm just trying to get through the cardiac section! Ugh! 32% of the test is cardiac...just great...what I love!

Woke up this morning...looked outside to the blah cloudy day and said to myself, today is a study day! So, I'm sitting at the Chapel Hill Public Library (b/c what would I get done at home!) and what else am I doing besides studying...checking facebook, reading blogs, did a survey for a coworker, and freezing! Why does the library have to be freezing?!? I did do some work...made it through Angina...but there is plenty more of cardiac to get through!

September 22 & 24th, I'm heading to Falls Church, Virginia for a CCRN review course...which I hope will be helpful. Two days where I HAVE to study! I feel that I need to know a little bit before I go though! I don't want to look incompetent there!

Back to studying!

Update

Things have been pretty busy since my last post...just a short post to catch everyone up...

Mailed in one application for graduate school. I really am excited about the fact of returning to school and getting my Masters in Nursing. Well...let me rephrase, the school part will not be fun, but doing it now will be better than later! Getting my Masters is defiantly on the "list to do". Just waiting on a few more things before I mail my other application in. Getting into anesthesia school is really competitive, but I'm hopeful!

I watched "Notting Hill" for the first time this past week...what a cute movie! It's been a movie that everyone was shocked I haven't seen...but of course there are alot of movies I haven't ever seen...but that is checked off the list of movies never seen..and added to the list of favorites! On the list of favorites...You've Got Mail, Bull Durham, The Notebook, Steel Magnolias...etc!

During my yearly physical this year, my doctor said my tonsils need to come out...so this past week I went to see a good friend at UNC and he looked and agreed! So, the OR scheduler called and set up my date. I'm having my tonsils out October 7th. Right before my birthday...great! But, I told everyone I'd rather have them out in October before the holidays! So...say a few prayers for me! Hopefully the recovery will be fast! :-(

Tonight, I'm going to a goodbye party for a co-worker, Shani I wish you the best! Tomorrow I'm heading home to Salisbury for my Grandma Lowery's 80th birthday party! Can you imagine living to 80 years old? I feel like I'm falling apart before my 25th!

It's pouring down rain, I really need to run some errands, but the rainy weather outside makes me want to crawl back in bed with a good book!

Best!
Jancie

Salisbury weekend

This past weekend I headed home to Salisbury! I had an engagement party to go to for a high school friend. Andrea and Bryce are getting married next June! It was nice to catch up with friends that I haven't seen in awhile...some I hadn't seen since 2002 when we graduated high school! Wow...7 years already? Lots of good food, drinks, and friends! After the party, I went to the Kannapolis Intimidators (minor league baseballl) and saw some old ballpark friends. It was nice to see old friends and talk about how things use to be. They are celebrating 15 years this year, and I was there for at least 6 of those years as a season ticket holder! They had awesome fireworks after the ballgame too!

Sunday I went to church with mom, which is a huge treat for her. I realized that the last time I was home was for Easter! So, maybe I am a stranger to the church back home! We met up with my brother Josh for lunch in Winston Salem afterwards! My brother and his wife just put hardwood floors in their house, and they are gorgeous! It's amazing how different a house can look after you take the carpet out and put down hardwoods! The house looked so much bigger! Their little dog, Charlie, has a hard time running on them, but it's entertainment.

Speaking of dogs, I watched Marley and Me for the hundreth time this weekend, and I balled my eyes out again! That movie just touches my heart! Afterwards, I had to pay a visit to Gunny and MoJo (the dogs at my moms) and give them some love and attention...ie dog bones! I want a dog so bad at times, realistic...not so sure!

Anyways, time for me to get things together for the week ahead...work work work! Until next time....
Jancie

July 4th

This 4th of July was full of new and exciting things! I left on Friday and caught the Amtrak train to Alexandria. This 6hr-ish train ride was nice and relaxing! I spent most of the train ride crocheting and listening to my ipod (Michael Jackson of course). I got to the train station in Alexandria around 6pm and Peter was there to pick me up and get me checked into my hotel. It was nice to get off the train and see him there, since it's been a few weeks since we were together! We went to get dinner at Indigo Landing and sat on the patio overlooking the Potomac River! It was a gorgeous setting with the DC skyline in the distance. The Washington Nationals set off fireworks after the game and we were able to view them from where we were having dinner! Talk about perfect timing and a great night!

Saturday we spent most of the day walking about Old Town Alexandria! Such a cute town on the waterfront! They have a trolley that goes around the town which is super cute! There were lots of people out walking with their family and dogs! This really made me want a dog! A boat is on that wishlist too.... There were people on the sidewalk playing patriotic tunes, people doing magic tricks, and a parrot stand (why I don't know). The people watching was unbelieveable! We went to one of his friends house for a cookout that night...watched the fireworks and socialized.

Sunday we went to a Washington Nationals game, which they won! Exciting because apparently they aren't that good! They played the braves and won! The weather couldn't have been better the whole weekend! It was warm during the day with a breeze and cool at night!

Overall...I had a great weekend!!!