Monday, January 31, 2011

School... Because It's Just That Exciting!

Most of you probably don't know anything about my education, unless you've been creeping! So here is the complicated mess that it is.

I graduated high school having completed 12 hours of college credit plus 3 credit hours from taking an AP class. I went off to college to study political science, but after the death of my papa only two months into the first semester, I withdrew from school so that I would not mess up my GPA. So instead of graduating a semester early, I would be graduating on time. The next semester was great. That's when I decided I wanted to major in international business, and they didn't offer that major.

I continued taking classes there over the summer and at two community colleges to get the credits I needed to transfer to the new, private and expensive college. In the fall of 2007, I began my online studies at the new college as well as taking courses at a community college (it was a lot cheaper!).

In the summer of 2009, I started taking classes at another community college because I wanted to get a degree in medical transcription as a backup plan to studying international business. I type really fast (and with accuracy) and I seem to have a knack for etymology (shout out to my high school etymology teacher!), so medical transcription just made sense. At some point in 2010, I stopped taking classes at the expensive college because I didn't have the money to pay for it. And I could get a grant at the community college that more than paid for tuition and books.

Now fast-forward to this semester, spring of 2011! I will be finishing my medical transcription program at the end of the summer! And I couldn't be more excited! Somehow over the last few months, I kind of fell in love with the medical field. I have acquired so much more medical knowledge than I ever thought I would have. It really seems to come naturally. And it's just so much fun! I love the complicated terminology and figuring out exactly what a doctor's dictation means for the patient.

This is the part that very, very, very few people know about. I have applied to the nursing program for the fall semester. And I will also be applying to the respiratory therapy program this coming month for the fall semester. I feel led to go into one of those fields. The problem is that so many people apply to these programs, hundreds of people, that not everyone gets in. In fact, most people don't get in. For nursing, they accept 80 students overall. But that includes the second year students as well. So if they have 40 second year students, they will only accept 40 new students. I think there is a certain number of spots for respiratory therapy, but I'm not sure how many. I really believe it is 25, but I don't know for sure. They rank the applicants based on their GPAs, biology grades, the TEAS score (an aptitude test), and any previous medical degrees or certifications.

Anyway, so I'm hoping and praying that I get accepted into one of the programs! Will ya'll please pray with me over the next couple of months that God's will be done in this situation? To continue my current job, Matthew and I will have a long wait before I can finish school at the expensive college and before we can start a family (not that we're rushing). But to be able to have a degree in the medical field would open a lot of doors for us. Not only would the money help us out, but the flexible schedule these jobs have will be great for when we do have children to take care of. I will know in a couple weeks if I'm eligible to take the TEAS test. And then I will know in April if I was accepted into the programs! As fast as January has flown by, I know this won't be a long wait!

30 Days of Truth - Day 21

(scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got in a fight an hour before. What do you do?


Even though I haven't really spoken to any of my friends in months, I would most definitely be by their side. No matter what happens, I will always care about them.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

30 Days of Truth - Day 20

My views on drugs and alcohol...

Growing up attending a Christian school, I have always been against any sort of drug use. I'm not even a huge fan of prescription drugs or over the counter medications. But I struggled with my beliefs on alcohol use. I didn't really grow up going to church on a regular basis. I just went when my mom felt like going. And my dad never went. I was of course taught at school that drinking alcohol was wrong. But my parents were social drinkers. I was always confused as to what was right. And I was often ashamed for my friends to know that my parents were social drinkers.

I am not a drinker. I've had drinks in the past, but I'm just not a fan of the taste at all. That's just a personal choice to not drink. I'm still not sure where I stand on drinking. I do think it is wrong to be drunk. I don't think it's okay to drink every single day. And I certainly don't think it's right to be an alcoholic. But as far as being a social drinker, I'm just not sure. I just know that for me, the right choice is to not drink.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

A Couple of Requests

Last weekend, my sister's dog Tanner wasn't eating or acting like himself. He's been doing this off and on the last couple of months. They went out to run a few errands last Saturday and when they returned Tanner had thrown up a lot. They found bark in it that just happens to be from a tree that is poisonous to dogs. And he had been eating it! They took him to the vet where he stayed until Wednesday afternoon. The first diagnosis was kidney failure. But after doing an ultrasound, they diagnosed him with a cancerous mass on his spleen that had also spread to his liver. The vet let my sister bring Tanner home. He has been given less than 2 months to live. My sister has had Tanner for 12 years, through a lot of hard times. I can't even imagine how upset she is. This is her baby! So if everyone could please pray for Tanner and that God's will be done, whether that is a miracle healing or a quick and painless passing. Also, please pray for my sister that she will be comforted no matter the outcome knowing that it was God's will and it was the best for Tanner.

Also this week, my aunt and uncle's house was broken into. They actually walked in while the guy was there. He had money, jewelry, guns, and a tv all laid out to take. And of course the guy ran when he saw them walk in. The police caught him down the street. But since then, the windows have been boarded up and they are too scared to go back. The neighborhood used to be nice. But over the years, it's really gotten bad. This is the first time that anything has ever happened to them though. Just pray that they will be able to make the right decision, whether they should stay there or if they should move. Pray that if they choose to stay, that God will put a ring of safety and protection around them. Pray that if they should move away from that neighborhood, they will be given a peace of mind and financial means to afford to leave.

30 Days of Truth - Day 19

What do I think of religion? What do I think of politics?

I believe that religion and politics should go hand in hand. But they do not. At least they do not anymore. This country was founded on Christian beliefs and on the Word of God. I don't think there should be a separation of church and state, because that's not what this country is based on. How can you separate two things that are so innately tied to one another?

But because people with more liberal views have made their voices heard and made their reasons or points of proof for their beliefs so common sensical, the views of this country have been swayed. In the Bible, punishment was an eye for an eye. If you stole something, they chopped your hand off. You couldn't steal with that hand again! Somewhere along the way, somebody appealed to the emotional and sympathetic side of humans saying the punishment was too harsh for the crime. Now look at how things are going! If you steal today, you get a slap on the wrist and then you can go back home without a single consequence. Sounds crazy, huh?

This country is falling further away from God! If we had listened to our founding fathers, to those who believed in God, to those who followed his laws and not their own, we would not be in this situation. But Americans are Americans because those who came before us wanted freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Maybe some of those people shouldn't have said so much!

Friday, January 28, 2011

30 Days of Truth - Day 18

My views on gay marriage...

I believe in God; the one and only; the Alpha and Omega; the creator of heaven and earth. I attended a Christian school from first grade through twelfth grade. My brain and my heart have been drilled with the Word of God and I truly believe that gay marriage is wrong. According to the Bible, marriage is between a man and a woman. In the Old Testament, God allowed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to be destroyed by fire because of their homosexual sins. I do not believe that gay marriage is right. I do not believe that gay marriage is marriage, even if the law says that it is. I believe our country has become numb to the sins happening all around us. And now our government is saying these sins are okay. God's law is above all. This is how people become martyrs for what they believe in. We are to follow God's law above the laws of this world.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Diet Update

So I've been doing Weight Watchers for almost a full month now. And after last week's disaster of laziness and the complete lack of all motivation, I am happy to say that I have lost another pound! That's a total of 6 pounds! I try not to weigh myself except on Monday mornings. Otherwise, I would weigh myself every single day, maybe even a couple times a day haha! But to be most accurate you are supposed to weigh yourself at the same time every week. But I couldn't resist. I was trying to eat healthy this week. And I even rode my stationary bike last night! So I really felt like I had lost weight and I just couldn't make myself wait until Monday!

The one thing that has been hard with this diet is eating lunch during the week. Now if I wasn't so lazy, I would make my lunch ahead of time and take sandwiches with me. I've only accomplished this like twice. Sometimes I go out to eat with my friend from work. And sometimes I go through a drive-thru and go eat at my grandma's house. Of course with Weight Watchers, you can eat anywhere because you use your points as you want to. But my problem is breaking those old, bad habits.

I love Mexican food! I used to eat at the Mexican restaurant at least once or twice a week and sometimes as much as four times a week. And I never looked for the healthy options at the drive-thrus. I tend to look for the cheapest thing on the menu. So yesterday I did go eat Mexican for lunch, but I got a smaller plate than normal. And I didn't eat an entire basket of chips by myself. I did still get Mello Yello, but that's only because the tea made me puke one time so I'm also scared about the water.

Today I went to Bojangles. I wanted chicken supremes and mashed potatoes and gravy so bad. And I wanted seasoned fries and honey mustard and sweet tea and everything I shouldn't eat! So I looked on the Bojangles website before going to lunch to see what was healthiest. I had my lunch picked out. When I walked in and smelled that delicious chicken, I really almost changed my mind. But I did good and got the grilled chicken sandwich with just lettuce and tomato (no mayo and no bacon). I used a lot of ketchup to make up for the lack of mayo. And I got the cajun pintos which I had never had before. They tasted like chili and I wanted more of them!

I have to say that I am proud of myself for sticking to my diet (for the most part) and being determined to make good choices!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

30 Days of Truth - Day 17

A book I've read that changed my views on something...

That would have to be Where the Red Fern Grows. I read this book in elementary school. I think I read it for a book report. To this day, that is the only book that has ever made me cry. Before I read this book, I loved animals and I loved my dog, Bambi. But after reading this book, I had a new appreciation for Bambi. And I see pets in a completely different way. A pet is more than just an animal. They are family. I used to come home after school and tell Bambi about my day. If I had a bad day, I would hold her and sometimes I would cry. She would lick my tears and she always made me feel better. I still love Bambi very much. Even though I don't live at home anymore, whenever I visit my parents I make sure to make Bambi know that I still love her and I haven't forgotten about her. Now she is 14 years old, is on a special diet, and gets sick often. I know that she won't last much longer and I can't help but think back to when the dogs died in Where the Red Fern Grows and how sad I was. Those dogs were the boy's best friends. I cried because I felt so bad for the boy. And I know I will cry just as much when Bambi is gone.

Monday, January 24, 2011

30 Days of Truth - Day 16

Someone or something you definitely could live without...

That would be working all the time, as long as I had money in the bank to cover all of my expenses both necessary and unnecessary! haha Isn't that the dream?

Sunday, January 23, 2011

30 Days of Truth - Day 15

Something or someone you can't live without, because you've tried living without it...

I'm going to have to say my friends. Since I got married in June, I have barely spoken to any of them. I already wrote about my experience the week before Christmas at a wedding of two friends from high school. It was just awful. But I think a lot of the reason why it was so bad is that I have really missed my friends since I chose to stop talking to them. I am not going to say that I am depressed, but there are days that I cry about it a lot. And there are days that I get really jealous of them and all the things they are experiencing together. And there are days that I just want somebody to hang out with and something to do.

On Friday I got a text from one of those friends saying that she really missed me and wanted to hang out with me. I didn't reply. Then on Saturday while out with my mom I saw the girl's mom and sister, and then I saw her from across the room. I, of course, felt obligated to speak to her family. But then I felt really bad because I never replied to her text.

The truth is, I miss her too. But I'm just scared to go back to being friends. I'm scared that things won't be different. I'm scared to call and have my friends ask where I've been the last 7 months and what I've been up to and why haven't I answered their calls and texts.

30 Days of Truth - Day 14

A hero that has let me down...

Well my heroes are my dad and my PaPa. And neither of them have ever let me down! I think they are just the most incredible people ever. I miss my PaPa every single day and I wish he was here to see all that I've accomplished.

30 Days of Truth - Day 13

A band or an artist that has gotten me through some tough times...

Well I have no idea on this one. I don't know names of songs let alone artists. I just listen to music haha.

Getting Back Into the Swing of Things

After spending the week before last sick, I kind of let my diet slide last week. I feel really bad about it but I'm just more determined to get back on track this week. And since I've yet to start exercising, that is going to start ASAP! I really want to get back to my old self, when I was happy and outgoing. I really need somebody to keep me accountable with this whole diet and exercise thing. I also need to start cooking more and eating out less. It's digging a hole in my bank account! Cooking at home is so much cheaper, especially when I use my coupons!

I had my jewelry party on Thursday and it was a big success! I've never had any kind of product party, but I had a lot of fun and I'm getting a lot of free stuff! I sold over $500!!! That earned me more than $250 in free jewelry! Plus, I earned $75 in free jewelry by having more than 10 people at the party, having over $100 in advance orders, and by keeping my original party date! I also earned 8 half-price items! I think I ended up getting 14 pieces of jewelry for myself (I let my mom use one of the half-price items) for less than $150! I'm pretty excited about it.

And I did go to TJ Maxx and Pier One this weekend. And I did buy some lamps! My mom and I actually went to the Bulluck's sale first because they have a ton of lamps. But I didn't find anything I wanted or wanted to pay for. I found a lamp at TJ Maxx that I loved! But they only had one. I found another lamp that I liked, but I'm really considering taking it back. I have an issue with things being symmetrical and the same. And it's really bothering me that the lamps don't match. Dang that OCD! I will try to put pictures up this week of both of the lamps. The one I really like is a glazed ceramic base that's blue and cream and just amazing! I tried to find one online but I can't. So maybe I can go to Homegoods or another TJ Maxx and see what I can find.

Thank goodness it's a new week and I hope it's a great one!

Monday, January 17, 2011

So It's Been A While...

I apparently took a month off from blogging. I don't have a lot of stories to tell from that month. There just wasn't a whole lot going on. It was nice to have the last few weeks without any schoolwork and with lots of down time to just relax.

I did start a diet the first of the year. I chose to do Weight Watchers again since that is the only diet I have ever been successful with. Matthew is going along with the diet too! So far I've lost 5 pounds and Matthew has lost 16!!! We were both sick all last week. I was still able to eat, but Matthew really lost his appetite, which is proven by the weight loss.

School just started back last week. I will be done with my medical transcription program at the end of the summer!!! I am excited about finishing!

I am having a jewelry party this Thursday so we've been cleaning up the house all weekend. This house is a wreck most of the time and I don't even know how it happens. But it's always nice to get it back into shape and have it looking good again. And of course it makes me want to go shopping at Target and Pier 1 and TJ Maxx. Maybe I will go tonight and just take a look and see what I can find!

Yay for 2011 and a new start! I hope this year is better than the last.