FREEZING!!!

This weekend the temps dropped over night to around 40 on Saturday night and 32 on Sunday night. When I woke up in my apartment on Sunday morning the temperature was only 50 degrees. I went to church and never warmed up. Then when I returned I simply bundled up and got under my down comforter to keep warm. Our landlord had not turned on the heat yet, because here in NJ they control the heat, and they turn it off for the summer and early fall. This was our second cold spell but we had a warm spell in the middle so he didn't come over yet. Thank goodness my friend came over Friday and took out my air conditioner in my room, because my room stayed a little warmer than the rest of the house.

Well today our heat is finally working and we are at a comfortable 69 or so. I am telling you either in my getting older, or something I seem to not be able to manage the cold as well. I don't remember being this way before. People here make fun of me because I am already using my winter jacket and gloves. However, I think 40 here is colder than 40 back in Portland. In Portland there is humidity in the air, where here it is very dry, so it seems like it just cuts through you. Maybe I am wrong but all I know is I seem to be cold more often than not and we haven't even hit winter yet. I guess I need to go out and find a better winter jacket!

I was reading the farmers almanac for this year and it was saying that our area is expecting colder than normal and above average snow fall. NJ hasn't had a harsh winter in quite a while so I guess maybe I arrived just in time. The only good thing about it is I love snow. So as long as when it is really cold I get to see lots of snow, I will get through.

Pride comes before a fall!!!!

Well, I guess my lesson to learn today was that pride comes before a fall! I went into this test fairly relaxed, feeling as though I had studied my heart out, and was well prepared. Those of you who know me well at all, know that I am a major stressor (is that a word :-) when it comes to tests, so this is not usual. However, I met with a study group, and studied, studied, studied! Today I got my score and I dropped 10 points from my last score to a 70. How frustrating. I studied harder, and felt more prepared for this test and yet I did worse. Ahhhhhhhh!!!

I felt as though the test didn't really test our knowledge of what we went over in class! I don't know yet because I haven't seen the test yet but my guess is that it wasn't a knowledge based issue but simply making dumb mistakes! I guess I will see!

I am still not feeling well, so I decided that today was going to be a day to just get things done that I haven't had time to do because of school. I spent the day doing errands and tonight I am going to bed early!!! In fact it sounds really good right now. Last night after the test I had to work so I didn't get home till midnight. So as much as I am sure you are loving reading this note :-) I think that bed sounds to inviting! Good night my friends!

Test number 2

The stress level is much lower for test number 2 tomorrow! If you remember I pretty much made myself sick over the last test. This week I have been sick but I think it is unrelated. I feel pretty prepared for this test...or at least as prepared as I can be. I began studying for this test as soon as test 1 was complete. The past 3 days I have been meeting with my friend Leo. We spent more than 15 hours studying over the past 3 days. Today him, our friend Lillian and I all studied for about 7 hours. If I am not prepared now then I don't know what more I could have done.

So tomorrow is test number 2 out of 6. It is amazing how quickly time has gone. We are already into week 7, nearly 1/2 way done with this semester. Last week was our last week at the nursing home and this week we will begin at the hospital. We will remain at the hospital for the rest of the year. My group is going to be on the Medical/surgical orthopedic floor for the rest of this semester. After that we will rotate floors based on what we are studying.

Well, I am off to bed for a good night sleep and hopefully I am well prepared for our second test. If I can maintain my 80% I will be happy but I would really like to increase that.

Dogs and Bee's who ever knew?

Did you know that dogs could be allergic to bee stings? Well I didn't ever think about it till today. Today I had Faith at the park and was throwing the frisbee for her. Mind you it is in the 50's and low 60's but the bee's are still out. Well on her way back with the fris she pulled up and was freaking out. When I got to her I could see that there was a bee on her back hind leg. The bee must have kept stinging her or had the stinger stuck in her. I hit it off of Faith and she seemed fine other than kept looking at the area and licking it.

Well now 4 hours later she is in a state of constant itching especially where she got stung. I guess bee's can effect dogs like they do people. Now you have another useless fact for your brains to hold.

Have a good night and a great weekend.

Fall colors are finally coming!

Well it is October and the leaves are changing. So is the weather might I add. It is not the indian summer I am used to back in Oregon. It is a bit chilly already. Today as I was driving to school I noticed that the leaves are just beginning to change. This is one of my favorite times of year and the East coast is a great place to experience it.

I was reading the farmers almanac and they are saying that this winter for us will be colder and snowier than average. Considering they have had less than average winters the past few years I am sure this is not far from the truth. The weather already is in the 50's and low 60's. A friend yesterday explained to me that I am in for my first real winter. Considering I am already freezing this should be interesting. I love snow though, so as long as we get lots of that I won't mind.

Tomorrow is the end of another week in nursing school. It is flying. I just finished an exam last week and already I am a week out from the 2nd of 6. This one is going to be much tougher than my last one. The information is much more indepth. This year is going to fly by and all I can do is eat, drink, and sleep nursing school. Next semester when we get into the disease processes, it will be even more intense. Overall, I am enjoying it. So far we still have the same students we started with but statistically a good chunk will drop out by the end of the semester. Our goal is to have the largest graduating class this year. If we get through this semester intact we should make it.

Well that was my short study break...now back to work! I miss all of you and love hearing your words of encouragement and what is going on in your life. I might be busy but I love your emails and blogs...so keep me updated.