The Last Day of My Golden Year

So tomorrow is my 29th birthday, so today is the last day of my "Golden Year" (you know, because I turned 28 on the 28th) and I thought I would do a post about all the great things that happened during my golden year!!
I would have to say my biggest accomplishment this year was passing RN boards!!  I was pretty sure that was going to be the death of me!!  Finally I passed and was so ecstatic to finally be done and get to start my new job!!  I was then able to start my job as a labor and delivery nurse.  My dream job that I had been waiting for my whole life!!
Being the maid of honor in my little sisters wedding was such a blessing!!  She and my mom were amazing and this wedding was perfect!!  We all had a blast and I can't believe she's married now!! 
Had some really great times with friends going to the Carrie Underwood concert (my favorite ever!), getting together with all the girls at Lacy's, went to an 80's themed birthday party and had the biggest, teased out hair ever, spent a weekend in Nashville for Lindsay's bachelorette party, spent the weekend in St. Louis for Andrea's shower and then this summer started the 3 big important weddings I had...which I caught the bouquet at all 3! (Pretty sure I need to quit catching them, I'm thinking I've jinxed myself!)
Then of course there are all the times I've gotten to hang out with my friends and family.  Whether it was for a holiday or just because there was nothing else to do.  Or it was to plan something or just watch TV (my friends let me come watch their satellite because I still only have 1 channel).  Sometimes, it was to workout/walk outside because of course I'm always wanting to lose weight. 
It was a wonderful year and I'm so looking forward to my last year in my 20's (can't believe I'm already saying that...didn't I just graduate college??)

Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday
I spent all day on the couch because of this nasty stomach flu bug that has been going around.  It was awful and I hope I never get it again.....awful!  I managed to watch the entire 5th season of One Tree Hill and then watched Julie & Julia then went to bed. 

Saturday
This was the my first weekend to work at my new job.  I don't think I have worked a weekend since April....I've been a little spoiled!  I knew it was going to a rough day because of being sick, not because I felt bad but because I had absolutely no energy and I was worried about what I could eat.  I stuck with applesauce and saltines and did fine.  I ended up feeling a lot better towards the end of the day because of course 5 o'clock hit and we got busy!  I got to do the coolest thing yet though, I delivered a baby!!  Yes, it was my 2nd day and it would only be my 3rd delivery I was even in on!!  Of course, the doctor was right there with his hands right on top of mine but it was amazing!!!  As I'm on my way home it hits me how awesome it was!!  I had to call my mom and friends to tell them of course!!  Then I stopped by Deana's because she made chicken and dumplings and gave me some and also gave me this....

I have been looking for this since before Christmas!!  Walmart had it for $15 but has been sold out forever!!  I was so excited!!  Love her!!!  Thanks Deana, you didn't have to do that but I think I'll wait to volunteer my babysitting services till we know for sure the plague is gone!!  HAHA!!

Sunday
I pretty much felt back to my normal self this morning and I was so glad about that.  It was a very calm day at work.  I got to do 2 babies and feel like I'm finally starting to get the hang of some of those things.  On my way home tonight I was talking to my friend and it just kind of hit me how much I love my new job and how I really believe this is what I was made to do!!

On to BIGGER & Better Things

Well, today was my last day at Herrin.  My last day at my first nursing job.  My last day having to do EKG's all day long.  My last day doing an LPN job.

On to BIGGER & better things for sure!

I am so blessed to have had such great co-workers to work with.  They threw me a little going away party and gave me a wonderful card and gift.  Love them!!

Never have to sit here again 

Won't be sitting here anymore either 

That's a HUGE Italian cream cake!  Thanks Tarah! 

Mary & I ~ I hope to travel nurse with her one day

Tarah & I  ~ My workout buddy, although she's much better at going!  I'm gonna try harder Tarah I promise!!

Janet & I ~ She tried to play matchmaker for me a couple times, HAHA! 

Lori & I ~ Pretty sure she took me to Teddy's for the first time 

Heidi & I ~ A huge inspiration for me.  She has prayed and prayed for me and I know she will continue as I will for her.  Love her!!

I just want to say the biggest THANK YOU to everyone for teaching me so much and being a great first nursing job!!  I promise I'll come back to visit but you can bet I won't come back to do EKG's!!  Carbondale, here I come!!

Day 29 & 30

Day 29 ~ 3 Wishes

I wish to be happily married with babies!!
I wish to move out of my small tiny apartment!!
I wish I would've been the person who bought the ticket at the liquor store right by the hospital that WON 4.5 MILLION DOLLARS!!

Day 30 ~ A Picture

YAY!!!!!!

EXCITING NEWS

I PASSED BOARDS!!!  I'M AN RN!!!

It's been a year already

It's been an entire year since I started at the hospital!! I've been through a lot this first year of being a nurse. I'm looking forward to getting over some hurdles that I still have in front of me and move on to the next job. It's going to be another year before I know it and then I can really move on. Who knows what the future holds!

Funny story

Today, while I was at work, myself and one of the Doctors had a little conversation and I thought it was so funny!

Dr: Krystal, you look tired

Krystal: Yeah, I didn't sleep very well last night. It was hot in my apartment

Dr: You have central air?

Krystal: No just a window unit and I was cold so I turned it off and just turned the fan up

Dr: (totally serious) Oh that is not good. Krystal you need to get a new apartment. One with central air

Krystal: (laughing) Yeah, I'm working on it

Ok, so maybe you had to be there for it to be funny! He has an accent and that is what makes it way more funny. He is one of my favorites and is always asking how I am and so on and so forth. Very, very nice doctor, we are really lucky to have him!!

So, yeah, a new apartment would be nice and I plan on it soon........just one tiny little pesky test away from it!! No TV tonight, just studying, uploaded some pictures, did my blog thing then back to reading!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday

I drove to Evansville thursday night after work. I came home for the weekend b/c Lindsay got all her bridesmaids together and both mom's to go dress shopping Saturday. Friday I went with mom all day to do running with her. We ate lunch at Chick-fil-a! YUMMO!! I knew I would definitely be going by there this weekend!! After going to get groceries we went to Sonic. I got a vanilla Diet Coke and she got a chocolate milk shake!! We needed it and it was so HOT!! We got home then headed over to Michelle's to get the girls for Maddie's soccer game. I'm not a very good aunt, b/c I didn't take one single picture at her game....sorry! It was so hot in the beginning of the game and we faced right into the sun. By the end of the game it was really nice and the wind was actually cool.....can we say hello fall?!?!? It's coming, I know it!!



Saturday


We have been looking forward to this day for a couple of weeks now!! I have over 70 pictures from that day but I didn't want to post any of her in any of the dresses! So I picked just some random ones, funny ones! We all had a really good time. We went to 2 places and then had lunch and went to one more shop. She is still waiting on a dress to get shipped to the first store, so there will be at least one more dress shopping day! She still isn't sold on a bridesmaid dress either (maybe b/c I'm a teeny bit picky) so hopefully that will be chosen soon as well. Everybody had to get back home or other activites that were going on that day so we all parted ways about 3 or so. My niece's came back to mom & Gerry's so Michelle could go to work. We layed around for the rest of the afternoon and watched movies and maybe took a little nap. Mom made pancakes and turkey bacon for supper then the girls & I played cards. I'm pretty sure they were both asleep when Michelle came to get them.

Danielle & I

Funny!!! Michelle & I

The Beautiful bride Lindsay (in black) & Tonya

Sunday

I slept in!! YAY!! I started my laundry that I brought home with me then went out to wash my car. It was hot out there, but I was hoping to get some sun too! I think I need lessons on how to wash my car.....it seems to still look dirty when I look at it in certain light, I'm kind of obsessive about it! After that I tried to lay out and that lasted about 30 minutes, I was sweating like crazy!! I needed a pool! I needed to run to Michael's to get paper for some baby invitations I was making for a friend of mine who's shower is coming up in September. I came home, finished my laundry, Kelsey and Maddie were there so I sat down in the living room with them and realized that One Tree Hill was on.....for 4 hours straight!! Needless to say, we watched all 4 hours of it (except for the last 30 minutes of the 4th episode b/c mom made meatloaf and dinner was ready so TV off!) Lindsay got there a little after dinner was over. We were all playing Apples to Apples, Mom won. Lindsay & I took the girls home so they could get showers and be in bed at a decent time for school. Michelle got home a little after 9 and the 3 of us talked and looked at dress pictures from Saturday. I love spending time with my sisters!!

(I know monday isn't part of the regular weekend but it is for me)

Monday

Got up and got ready, packed up my car and headed back to So Ill. I went by Kathleen's bridal in Harrisburg and found a bridesmaid dress that we're gonna check out! YAY!! I had a dentist appointment then came home and got caught up on some stuff. I went to the gym and read some more from one of my NCLEX study books then came home and took a practice test. Exactly one week from right now it will be all behind me and I hope I'm feeling good about it!! It's definitely crunch time now!! I finished the last dvd in the 2nd season of Nip/Tuck and while I was working on the baby shower invites I had the movie "Adam" on. It was a good movie!! Now I need to get off here and get ready for my work week!

Hope everyone has a great week!!

P.S. I'm up to 5 followers!! YAY!!

Stressed with a capitol S

I really thought that when I finally finished nursing school I would have a lot less stress in my life...........but I was wrong, very wrong!! I know all of this stress is just the fact that I failed my boards the first time and I have to retake them, which is definitely more nerve racking than it was the first time. I'm not looking forward to it at all......hence the stress!!! And I'm sure that is where my headaches have been coming from day after day after day. I have headaches practically everyday anyways but these have been horrible and I'm hoping when the stress of taking boards is done the headaches will go as well!

I'll keep you updated....

The Number 3

As I'm sitting here watching TV, I all of a sudden realize how much the number 3 has shown up today (and pretty much everyday for some things) so I decided to blog about the craziness of it!!

1. This is my 30th post
2. I now have 3 followers! YAY!! HAHA!
3. Channel 3 is the only channel that actually comes in.....I'm too cheap to get satellite right now
4. I have 3 sisters
5. I work at least 3 days a week
6. I just finished 3 years of nursing school
7. I have had 3 cars so far in life
8. I always take 3 drinks to work with me (2 bottles of water and 1 diet mt dew)
9. I have my ears pierced 3 times
10. I have 3 remotes sitting next to me

SEE what I mean?!?! Things just kept popping into my mind about 3's!! This is definitely random but it just all of a sudden popped in my head and I thought......blog about it!!

Yes, I lead a rather boring life and this is what I think about. You gotta remember though, I only have one TV channel! It's at least ABC so it has good shows. I watch a lot of movies and tv on dvd now....thanks to blockbuster in the mail!! I read a lot too!! That is one thing I have gotten to do a lot of now that school is over. I really need to be reading books from school though because I will be scheduling my NCLEX (RN boards) soon so I can start my new job!!

Ok, enought randomness! Tomorrow is FRIDAY!! YAY!!! I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

GRADUATE 2010

YAY!!!! As of last friday, I am a 2010 graduate with an Associate degree in Nursing!! YAY!!! I only had one final to take and was studying my butt off so I could get an 81% on the final. I was like a hermit for a good week or so before that tuesday I had the final. I still didn't feel prepared that morning when we were all sitting in the hallway going over the notes one more time. To make things worse, our teacher was late. I am a nervous wreck and she is LATE!! I was freaking out even more! So she gets there, we all spread out, she goes over some things to finish up school and then finally passes out the test. I read the first question and know it, so on and so on......out of 58 questions I had 9 that I went back to and had to reread to pick my answer. I figured out that even if I missed those 9 questions I would still get an 83% on the final and pass. I finally turn it in, my teacher asks me how I think I did and I walk out. I head to work, totally freaking out still and pray that I did ok. I sat at work for a while and decide to check to see if grades were up even though she said it would probably be late afternoon or early evening. Of course, they weren't. So, I wait about an hour and figure I'll check again, this time it says I have a new grade, I click, it opens up and

95%.....I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!

I went running over to one of the nurses I work with and told her, jumping up and down then proceeded to call everyone I needed to let know. I WAS SO EXCITED!!!!! It was a really great day and I'm so happy to be done with school. The next 4 days of this week is board review and then I'll schedule my boards!!

New Job

Well, as most of you all know I got a new job! I've been working for 3 weeks and I love it! I have seen lots of stuff and I only see it getting worse. There are so many people coming in with flu symptoms....it's crazy! I got my flu shot and I'm drinking plenty of juice, getting my vitamin C. Did you know cranberry grape juice has a 100% of your daily vitamin C? AND its so good!

I guess I don't have much to say.....woops! All well short blog! I'm sure there will be a longer one soon!

I passed boards!!!

I PASSED PN BOARDS!! I AM NOW AN LPN!!!! YEAH!!

I was rather nervous because the minimum amount of questions the computer will give you is 85 so as I was hoping I would just go a little over that and be good. Well, the computer shut off at 85 so I was freaking out, I thought for sure I had failed. Come to find out most people who get 85 had passed and that's all the computer needed me to take. I had a job interview on thursday and I have another interview tuesday. I'll let you know how they go!

Also, pictures of the apt are still to come...I just shampooed carpets so I should be able to get my furniture now and I am still needing to put up different shelving in my closet in my bedroom before that room can be organized. It is coming together though!

It's July already....

I thought for sure by July I would have my own place to live! And there wouldn't be this much rain....it's crazy! I am on the waiting lists for the apartments that base your rent on your income but like I said, they're waiting lists. Hopefully one will open up soon...keep your fingers crossed please!

Some of us went to Blue Sky winery yesterday to get out and celebrate Niki's birthday, which is monday. It was beautiful and so much fun! I had never been there before. Then we went to Fujiyama to eat....amazing! Niki tried sushi for the first time....it was very good!

I came home today to see Heather Ann. She is still in a coma I guess you would say even though they have taken her off the medicine to keep her in one. She can take as long as she needs to come back to us just as long as she does! Her hair is already growing in, but she still looks like Heath when I look at her from her left side. Everybody has done so much and it is so appreciated. She is on so many prayer lists and so many people have joined her group on facebook, it is amazing! I am sure the bracelets will be gone in no time!

Like I said....it's july already, school will be starting soon. I'm not sure if I'm ready to go back. I'm gonna be "the girl who didn't pass" great huh?!?! I did have a job interview last week for an LPN job so hopefully that will work out. I think it would be good for me, it's a doctor's office so I think I would like it. Any experience is good experience! (I will try to post pictures from the weekend later on this week)