procrastinating

I think I forgot to put a title on yesterday's post... sorry!

So yeah, I should be studying, but omg I really don't want to. This professor has made it very difficult for us by being unorganized and unclear on her requirements. Apparently our very first professor was incredibly organized and well, anal, so we were spoiled by knowing exactly what was happening when and what was required of us. Right now what I'm griping about is that we were assigned an extra 100+ pages to read on Friday - not bad, right? Well, the class is split into 2 lab groups (MTu and WTh); the WTh group got all day today & tomorrow to read, while those of us in the MTu lab are cramming at the last minute. (#*&$)^@$!!

On the other hand, I've got most of my wedding planning done! I guess since I've always "known" I was going to marry William, I had an idea of what I wanted in my head... I was just waiting for a ring and a date. ;-) So far I've already decided on: the venues, photographer, color scheme, baker, and band. The dress I'm deciding between two in August; the florist, am visiting in December; and that's all for now. My mom and I are going to be working on the guest list as an ongoing project and other details will be taken care of as they pop up. My holiday break from school will be when everything really falls into place and gets finalized... so much for a break!

Ok, back to studying and trying not to be cranky... *sigh*

3 months = alot has happened!

Thing 1:
started (& ended) great job as unit secretary in NICU... I learned so much and am looking so forward to working there as a nurse in less than 18mo!

Thing 2:
I GOT ENGAGED!!!! Will asked me the same day as the Battle of Flowers parade. How sweet of those '09 ladies to have a parade just for us. ;) We're getting married Fall 2010 after I graduate.

Thing 3:
I started nursing school!!!! It kicks butt. I love being back up here, but boy do I miss everyone at home.
We did pharmacology in three weeks and now we're learning assessments (like listening to heart and mooshing on tummies) in five weeks. We're going to the hospitals July 14... a month from now!

Thing 4:
I'm hungry, so I'm going to go fix dinner. :)

new job

I started working in the NICU last weekend and it is fun, hectic, busy, and exciting!
Here's a list of what I usually do on a daily basis:

1. answer the crazy phones (up to 5 lines at a time)
2. admit/transfer/discharge babies
   
3. order labs
4. stock formula
5. restock besides with supplies and linens
6. clean equipment (cribs, isolettes, giraffes [special warming beds])

I definitely still want to be a nurse and this job is just a teaser. I get to be here for 8 weeks, meet everyone, go to nursing school and come back! There is another nurse who is 2 years older than me who is also a NICU graduate from the same hospital. She's been a nurse for 5 years and loves it.
I can't wait to be a nurse! :)

pharm

Pharmacology is interesting, but it's hard!! I've gone from central nervous system drugs to cardiovascular/renal (kidney) drugs and yikes, much harder. Mostly because I am not already familiar with any of these drugs. I'm studying for the rest of the evening (except House) and get up early tomorrow for my first day at the NICU.

I get to watch House tonight and that is pretty darn exciting. I feel like my head is going to explode with cardio/renal drugs. Hopefully I can convince myself to stay at this coffee shop until after rush hour (another 45min).

random ramblings... brain is kinda fried...

new opportunities

Life is just crazy right now and I love it. Here's an update in a nutshell:

1. am going to nursing school in May... yes, May, 2 months! So I'm busy trying to find an apartment, get rid of all the crap in mine that isn't absolutely necessary (Goodwill is my best friend), change my Jr. League status to non-resident active (less dues), finish my advisory duties, and finish at least one online course.
2. I'm working on finishing pharmacology online. I'll be taking it again this summer, but I want a strong background in drugs seeing as I'll be using them often. As a nurse!
   
3. I having been doing orientation for a new job as a unit clerk in the NICU (newborn ICU). My first official day is this Saturday! I will be in charge of making sure the unit runs smoothly from an administrative point of view (babies correctly entered as inpatient/discharge, transcribing doctor's orders correctly, ordering correct lab work and non-nursing instructions [ie: diet], as well as the usual phones, paperwork, and general job stuff). Needless to say I'm a little bit nervous, but extremely excited. This gives me a huge opportunity to watch and learn (my favorite). The hospital is awesome enough to let me work there for 2 months, go to school for 15mo in another city, and come back and work for them in August or September 2010.
4. Chi Omega is still a big responsibility and I'm shuffling my responsibilities around. Right now XO is on a back burner, but still there. At the end of this month, I'm heading to Memphis for a leadership conference put on by Chi O. It is really prestigious and I'm so honored to have been asked to attend. I will be teaching alumnae and collegians what I learned by being the speaker at our Founder's Day event.
   
5. Spring break... don't have one. My main plan was to organize some closets for Chi O - exciting, right?
6. Will & I are definitely on the road to getting engaged. I am hoping before we're separated for 15months. He'll live here, I'll live there. He is going to visit me once a month for 3-4 days and I hope to come home for major holidays (although at this point it's looking like weddings and Christmas are it). That's ok, it'll suck, but be SO worth it.
7. Oh yeah, I'll be working nights starting the 18th... 645pm-715am. Carter, I hope you have text messaging on your cell! ;-) Nights will be what I work once I get out of school, so I might as well get used to them now.

Hopefully I'll update again before nearly another 2 months pass!

I could have danced all night

After a night singing Defying Gravity in the shower, we got up early to head to the Metropolitan Museum in typical NYC weather - cold and rainy! Interestingly enough, we didn't spend very long there; just long enough for me to glance at a few pieces and lunch in the basement (which was surprisingly delicious.) Mr. Frick's house was within walking distance and, it was beautiful! I think I'm going to move in there; nothing like waking up and seeing priceless artwork near your breakfast table. Instead of breakfast at Tiffany's, it would be breakfast at Mr. Frick's.

Lobby of Lincoln Center

We came back to the hotel and promptly took an hour long nap before the ballet. Going to Lincoln Center was fantastic!!! Coppelia is a ballet I've seen before, but seeing it done by this company... amazing! The choreography and staging in the first and second acts were as remembered by Alexandra Danilova, dear friend of George Balanchine, because she danced the role of Swanhilda/Coppelia as her signature role with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.

Coppelia
(photo credit NYCB.com)

defying gravity

I recommend visiting the Cloisters in (way) uptown and taking the bus up there. It's a good hour+ ride, but you get to see Madison Ave. as well as Harlem (from the safety of a bus!).

A cloister

We saw Wicked!!!! Go see it anywhere! You will love it - guaranteed or your money back!