On the mend...

End of week three of classes and I am starting to frazzle a little. I thank the heavens above for me starting an ADN program last fall! It makes about 70% of all the stuff I am 'learning' now sort of like a review. I can't imagine the stress of it being ALL new... it's a lot. In the life side of things, my house is a wreck and there are piles of laundry to be done. I have LONG days on campus and by the time I get home I just want to relax. Relaxing is short lived due to the ever lasting need to study or review something. Just today I left my house at 8am and got home at 7pm, all for the love of nursing. They don't lie when they say nursing is not for the weak! Tests start next week and I feel pretty confident about some and less on others. Guess I should break down and really focus. I am aiming for A's so I can hold a high enough GPA throughout my nursing school to graduate with honor's, but we will see how far I get with that. No better way to 'beef' up that resume than to have 'Honors' for your BSN....as many employer's base new hires on GPA status : /

This past week and a half has been extremely trying. I am just now getting over what seemed to be the MOST painful otitis externa I have had in a really really long time. For those of you who do not know what that is, it is an outer ear infection, or 'swimmer's ear'. If you have never had one, feel lucky. Your whole ear canal swells and hurts like the Fire of Hades is residing somewhere down in there with the little devil in there stabbing his tiny pitchfork repeatedly into your tympanic membrane. It got so bad I couldn't even chew, or bite down for that matter, without a tremendous amount of pain. The swelling had traveled down my neck and all around my jaw. Apparently when it started I chocked it up to jaw pain related to my TMJ and it just continued to get worse and worse. Thankfully Student Wellness at UTMB fixed me up. Took a couple times, as the first prescription I had a reaction to and caused even MORE pain....go figure. I am finally recovering and all is well except for a slight muffle I still have. I have been told it will go away eventually, but I am starting to worry.

Oh and as for the diet thing...I am still 'easing' into it... 5 pounds down and still 30 to go. Only 91 days left to do it in too....

What a 'Crap'py Weekend...

This past Friday night was a crazy one. It all started with a quick beer after my hubby got off work. I met him at a local bar for a beer, which soon turned into 2, 3, then 4. We decided to go home so at least he could change from his work clothes. When we got home we started calling around to different people we knew to see what was going on around town.... Soon to find out that no one was really up to anything exciting we headed off to a cook-off that was hosted by some of his coworkers. Since it was a whopping 40 degrees out, we only stayed a short while, but did manage to scarf down about a half dozen ribs each and a few more cervezas. They were the most delicious, almost frozen, ribs I ever had, I might add! We got in the car and headed home. Somehow the idea of gambling came up. Next thing you know we are piling ourselves, our pillows and an overnight bag into the car and headed to Lake Charles, LA. 

We ended up at Isle of Capri where we each took our spots at a Craps table. I ended up playing about 18 hours straight.... It really didn't seem that long, as the beers flowed and the dice rolled.  I managed to double my $250 into $500 in that time frame and got my meal 'comp'ed at the end of my run... Sureley I consumed about 24 beers so that would have been a hefty tab had it not been free. Nick on the other hand, lost quite a bit, but did manage to finagle a free junior suite out of the mess. It was quite nice having a big room to go shower and crash in knowing I didn't pay the $200 a night going rate.  Apparently he just stumbled to the check in counter and drunkenly spat out, " I. Need. Sleep." and according to him, his head, that was propped up by his hand then slipped out and his face smacked the desk. He looked pretty pathetic and I am sure that we got the room out of either sheer pity, or for fear he was a lawsuit waiting to happen if he left. Either way that room was awesome and it was ALL free.

The weekend was a blur of alcohol, chips and dice. A total blast if you ask me!  I must say that Craps really is the 'King of the Casino' ! It is so much fun and tremendously addicting, especially when your winning. If you ever have the chance to learn it, I HIGHLY recommend it. Fun for all to be had. Back to the real world we go. 

On the nursing school side of things, my first week went great! Im making friends and all is well so far. Its a little intimidating, but I think I can manage. Labs start this week and we picked our clinical sites as well. I managed to get my top choice of Saturdays at UTMB. Its going to really suck not having my Saturdays  practically all semester (8 of them to be exact), but at least I won't be completely unproductive with school matters on the weekends now. My schedule is so obnoxious to explain that I won't even bother to try to explain...maybe some other time. Long story short I have 2 days off during the week every other week because I chose the Saturday clinicals. 

Guess I should get some sleep...going to be a long day tomorrow back in the real world. 

The Big day...

Tomorrow begins day 1 of my 15 month sentence in nursing school. It truly is hard to imagine that it will only be 15 months and I will be out and about in my career. Its been a LONG road to this point, and I have heard that was the easy part...YIKES! Ready or not here it comes!

I spent my weekend relaxing and ignored the 'reading assignments'. Not a great way to start this adventure I know, but figure I have Tuesday and Wednesday to catch up and I wanted to have some calm before the storm so to speak. Schedule is Monday and Thursday 9-4 ( Pathophysiology & Intro to Nursing on Monday and Health Assessment & Adult 1 on Thursday) with a 1 hour lunch. And that's JUST for lecturing!  Lab will be every other Tuesday and Wednesday for 4 hours, either 8-12 or 12-4 depending on which group I am in. Clinicals will either be the opposing Tues/Wed of Labs for 8 hours a day OR every Saturday for 10 hours a day for 8 weeks. I haven't fully decided on which I am going to 'try' to get...but I a leaning towards the Saturday one. My husband proves to be quite the distraction, so if I do my clinical on Saturday, I can spend more free time during the week studying, while he is at work. Its all done on a chance, but we can put in our top 3 picks... So here's hoping.

Orientation was last week (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday).....a bit informative, but overall was lengthy and boring.... The best part of all 3 days were getting my badge and parking situation figured out. It was nice to have some time to meet my classmates. We already have quite the group going. Its going to be interesting to say the least.

Other than the nursing school going on, my diet is in full swing. I had a couple 'cheat' moments...but I chalk it up to "easing" into the diet... Its hard to go from fast food and restaurants all the time to grilled chicken and lettuce all of a sudden, but I am down about 3 pounds, so it is a good start. I plan on getting on the workout train this week so  it should start to disappear faster.

That is all for now. Off to get my books, notes and lunch together for tomorrow. Its going to be the longest Monday I have had in a LONG time.

The Plan...

High protein/Low calorie intake, combined with Hydroxycut, to help curb my appetite, and a cardio intense exercise with some strength training... 4 months...40 pounds to go.  Hubby and I cleaned out the pantry and fridge last night and are on the road to skinny!I am taking my now pictures and measurements tonight. I won't be posting those until April though. My self esteem just doesn't allow it. 

Also, I just got wind of a volleyball league at UTMB that I might possibly be able to join in on if my schedule allows. Speaking of my schedule. I still don't have it! I'm registered for my classes... and know the section numbers, but still no days and or times.... Kind of frustrating if you ask me. Makes it really hard to make plans. Especially workout plans. Its just a matter of time now.

A new year, a new me...

I need a plan...2 days into the new year 2012 and I am not feeling so new. I am bound and determined to get this year going strong. The day after tomorrow marks day 1 of nursing orientation and then 1 week from today marks day 1 of nursing school at UTMB.  

I need a plan...

A goal without a plan is just a wish! 

Bah Humbug!

The above picture is my Christmas spirit captured in a single flash.... I have always LOVED Christmas and everything associated with it, but for some reason, this year, I'm just not into it.  I have always decorated inside AND out, baked cookies and cakes to give away and made gifts for all. I even had good intentions for sending out cards this year as well.  I guess it could be the fact that I was overrun by my own success with my online store or the fact that the general public has made me MISERABLE.

Everywhere I turn, people are mad dashing through the streets, parking lots, and stores just so that they can aimlessly meander through the aisles in hopes of finding that 'perfect' gift. Odds are they will buy some piece of junk that will be returned, broken or forgotten about in the next 30 days. I literally had a woman run me over with a cart while shopping for a toy for my nephew. I almost lost it.... Is it possible that Christmas music is to blame? Its meant to spread Christmas cheer, but in reality all it does is spread Christmas CHAOS! The amount of people bursting in and out of BayBrook mall is nauseating. It really sucks the fun out of anything when you have to get near it.  I literally cannot wait for the new year to begin so that all this cluster f*ck will be over. 

Just another Manic Monday....

I quit my current nursing program to save what sanity I have left and it has helped ease my stress level a little, only to be replaced by the sudden demand of crafty goods I provide in my online store... It took a lot on my part to actually call it quits at COM, but I guess deep down inside I didn't want to be known as the quitter. Soon enough I will be joining some of the areas most elite prospective nurses to attend UTMB. I have to admit I have never been as quite as fond of the color orange as I am now. I am terrified yet excited as it will be a long road to travel in such a short amount of time. 15 months to be exact. Only 15 months to be what is considered a competant nurse by the state of Texas. Seems kind of crazy if you ask me!

As of right now my world consists of redneck wine glasses and wooden signs. Sounds simple enough and in all honesty it kind of is. It definitely beats a horrible part time job where I would be undoubtedly doing something that was degrading or disgusting, or worse, dealing with the general public at this time of year! I am certain it makes better money as well. It does become a little mundane though.  In the midst of the craftiness craze, I am sorting through the wonderful world of financial aid and piles of forms to be had by my future university. They are the oldest nursing school in the state of Texas and one of the more prestigious at that, but when I look at their so called 'system' for application and admittance, you would think they just started out! Its ridiculous. The fact that they are still recovering from a hurricane that happened well over 3 years ago doesn't help matters either. I just hope the gulf coast can manage another year without a hurricane for my education's sake. 


As for my previous post, that whole working out and getting fit bit.....well lets just say its postponed.... the title was called 'procrastination' you know. I do, however, have a new found inspiration for getting in shape! Hopefully I can start soon. Dieting around this time of year sort of seems pointless when I know I will be surrounded by so many yummy things. As for now I still hate the way my pants fit...


Until next time...

Procrastination

If only it were easy...to look like this that is. Personally I find tone and strength to be more attractive than just thin. I know I can achiveive the look that I am wanting, but the question is rather more of do I want to look like that bad enough to endure the actions that it will require?The answer??? Yes and No! 

The thought of looking like this (see pic above) outweighs the thoughts of indulging in yummy cheese enchiladas or random slices of pie or cake. Getting there is the issue. Working out to achieve a rockin' bod is super time consuming! Not to mention the effort involved. At the end of the day, after my nursing school and studies and the house duties of being a wife, the last thing I want to do is strap on my tennis and go for a jog around the block or hit the gym.  I am an instant gratification type of girl and when I eat food daily with the flavor integrity of cardboard and am killing myself for hours in the gym and see no results it is too easy to just say WTF and climb onto the couch with a tub of Blue Bell and say, "I'm ok with being fat". With that said, I have lost the weight before and am determined to do it again! 3 years ago I was 30 pounds lighter and freshly married.  I had the wedding as my ultimatum as my wedding dress did not fit as of 5 weeks prior to the wedding so I jumped on the diet and exercise bandwagon and stayed on it for quite a while. I lost the weight I wanted and then some, but there was a point in time where my healthy eating habits stopped and my religious gym times became less strict and soon the scale seemed to be in the back of my mind which led me right to where I am at now. 

SO now that I am accepted into a BIG university and I get to achieve my bachelor's degree(something that quite honestly I had almost lost hope of getting since I am now creeping up on the prime age of 27) I figure it is time for a change. I promised myself that if I get accepted, I would lose the weight, buy a new car (as long as financial aid/loan amounts allow) AND book a cruise for my post-first semester break.  The weight loss definitely goes hand in hand with the cruise as it gives me about 6 months from now to get in tip top shape for 7 days of boat bliss. There is nothing worse than being on vacation and feeling overweight while trying to enjoy yourself on a white sand beach...NOTHING!

So as of November 1st, my adventure embarks. I will be hitting the local apartment complex gyms, because, YES I am THAT cheap! (Being a nursing student isn't free ya know!) I plan on walking at least 3 days a week and changing my eating habits drastically for about a month. Then, from there, I plan to add in 2 days of strength training to the cardio. If I make it past the first month, especially considering that Thanksgiving and Christmas are literally upon us, I know I will be able to continue and meet my goal of 30 pounds gone. 

Here goes nothing! Hoping to kiss my ass (as well as many other parts) goodbye....