friendship.

I have the hardest time at finding genuine friends. Sure, I handful of good people that I don't mind getting along with, but it is rare for me to find someone I can really put my heart into.

During summer, while I was at camp, I had a 'best friend'. We were just like the stereotypical duos you see in Hollywood movies.

But that was then, and this is now. Camp was the setting where our friendship flourished - not real life. It hurts to see times change and friendships fall apart. Especially when you find something that is rare. I suppose it is part of life of changing and continuing on, but why do friendships have to change too?

D.

one, two, and three

Three Harry Potter books in 4 days.

Harry Potter binge? I think so.

Harry Potter.

Maybe it's because of school, but I love love love fiction. It's an amazing get away from 'real life', and the predicable way of doing things. Who would expect a giant on a flying motorcycle, or a three-headed dog named Fluffy? Yes, that is from Harry Potter, btw. I started the series today, and couldn't believe how much I had forgotten!

HP was a big deal when I was in grade 5. It was so cutting-edge, so controversial that my parents didn't let me read it or see the movie. They were concerned about the witchcraft and cautious about the potentially-negative message. But, after a lot of bugging, they let me watch the first flick while I was at a teacher's house during a class field-trip. And holy poop, I was scared out of my freakin' pants!! For those of who have seen the first show, Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone, there is a scene where a black, hooded creature (aka Voldemort) drinks blood from a dead unicorn. After watching that, I couldn't sleep for a week. I kept thinking that something evil would get me while I slept. Oh, how I wished that I had listened to my parents!

Fast forward a handful of years. The HP series is probably one of the most popular set of books out there, and many many kids read them. Heck, it's even used for novel studies in school!! I'm glad I got over my fear of 'evil unicorn-blood drinking Dark wizards', cause these stories are so so good. Every book is great read.

I did eventually read the series (or what was published at that time), and hung on to every word. I got over that scene from the movie and came to really enjoy the books. But that was quite a while ago - I've read so many books since, so the details have gotten quite fuzzy or just forgotten. SOOOOOOO, I'm reading them all over again :D

Ok, so I think I've nerded myself out enough...

D.

books!!

Hellllllooo summer holidays. Classes are done, exams are done, school is done. Well, 'till next Monday at least. Pysch, but only for 3 weeks, starts and ends in May. But regardless, I'm still rejoicing the end the finals.

So now what shall I do? I'm not sure who is more afraid of what will happen when I have no school work to do: my mother or myself. Hopefully I can burn off some mental energy reading.

Speaking of which, I think it would neat to see how many books I can finish this summer. My summer break consists of 18 weeks - oh my, that seems so long! - and I think I could really burn through some good material by the time fall rolls around.

So here is the plan: read a book every week, then blog about it.

Guidlines: Rereads are acceptable, but it can't be one from this summer.

And 200 of the 201 pages in the book can't be filled with pictures. That's just silly.

What do you think - is it possible? I definitely think so.

However, I will set my goal at 16, for a few reasons: One, I have a three-week course in May. I may struggle to finish 3 novels in that time span. And secondly, if I reread the Harry Potter series, which I intended on doing, a few 700+ page books may be a tad more time consuming than other reads. That being said, it is 700 pages of absolute magic, so I may be alright...

There it is! My goal for the summer.

D.

PS - any good book suggestions???

mondaaaaay.

Class are officially over!! I can hardly believe that an entire semester is done. Or that I'm living at home again! I'm out of residence now, and all cozied up in my room at home. It's just lovely to be back in my familiar bed, with a clean kitchen and delicious food.

But I am looking forward to next semester already! I'm living with a bestie in a 4-person suite in fall. I'm hoping that our other 2 suite-mates will get along with us... it would be a bonus if we could all be friends!! Yes, I realize how cheezy that sounded. But still, it would be a riot if we all got along.

Online registration was an absolute gong show. At 12.01am, every single nursing student was able to sign up for their fall/winter classes. Basically, it means that WebAdvisor (the system you must go through to register online) was slower than a turtle, and would randomly boot you out of your account. Because of the massive amount of people online at once, it almost crashed. (Apparently, it had done this in previous years.) This made for a lot of confusion and a very late night. By the time everything was said and done, it was 2.30am. It took me that long to register.

The most annoying thing was how slow the system was. Often the class you were trying to register for would fill up as your browser was loading!! It was unreal. Thankfully, my timetable for Fall turned out to be pretty good, and I was able to snag my first choice for the Year 2 (winter) classes.

Now it's on to exams - 4 to go then I'm a free student. Bahaha, sorta. Psychology starts and ends in May. So technically I still have a semester to go. But I'll be working too! Tomorrow is my official interview at the seniors home. I'm happy to finally get the details decided, like my hours, my job, pay, etc.

It's odd adjusting to doing something else other than camp. I know it's not really summer yet, but still. Usually, just days after my last exam, I'm off to Nakamun. I'm worried that I'll regret not going back this year. At the same time, I don't know what it's like to live at home over summer - it's very possible that I will end up loving my job, get reacquainted with friends from junior high, and find an interest in things I wouldn't have expected.

I suppose this is where faith comes in. Faith to reassure me that I'm on the right path and doing the right thing.

D.

thursday.

I think I may have a caffeine hangover. Is that even possible??

I downed my regular zillion cups of jo, topping off with a iced venti americano around 7 last night. I was alert long enough to do everything I needed to do, but woke up this morning feeling like I got hit by a train.

I think it is a combination of too much caffeine and not enough water. I also ate a few pieces of this uber delicious apple-caramel cake thing thats laying around my apartment. I've got to chuck that thing out.

Regardless, that americano was delicious. My brain was more than happy to finally be fueled by strong coffee. No more of that Timmy Ho's crap.

I kid, I kid.

If I can't afford venti americanos every morning, I am in school. Duur.

Thursday?

• registration for next semester open tonight @ 12am. I must beat everyone. I want my perfect timeable!!
• finish that stoopid essay. the rough draft if done, so it's time to make it squeaky clean!!
• to gym or not to gym? I can't decide... plus, there's another wretch potluck this morning, aka carb overload. How long can I resist pancakes, bacon, scones from Cob's Bread and muffins from TH's?
• bah. just get through today wittha smile.

Happy Thursday!!

p.s. - I'm beginning to move out this weekend - SHEESH!! I enough clutter in my apartment for two moving sessions. That's almost embarrassing.

p.p.s - and yes, this entry looks different than the rest. the other font was looking old. it's also too early for functioning properly. I need a nap.

gameplan.

Here's the game plan:

Finish final English paper by Friday.

Learn all pelvic and lower limb bones/muscles/blood supply by Friday.

Commence insane, all-consuming studying for finals by Saturday.

(First final: Wednesday - Anatomy)

How, you ask?

By not wasting time watching Nurse Jackie, Lost, House, surfing Facebook, Tumblr, Blogger, and the related things. By drinking exorbitant amounts of coffee, sleeping while not drinking coffee, and looking ahead to summer time.

Cheers!

what's what.

Things are changing this summer. I'm saddened & excited all at the same time!

Exciting

• "summer" starts in two weeks, as soon as exams are done - heck yes for an uber long vacation!
• I'm almost 100% sure that I'll be working as a home care aide at a seniors home this summer. BONUS: good $$, walking distance from home, excellent future reference, and I get to learn life lessons from the lovies who live there. Can't wait!!
• on that note, sad part: I am not returning to camp this year. I can't remember a summer where I haven't been at Nakamun for some length of time. But I'm hoping next summer I can return as a the nurse - that would be sweet!
• seeing how I'll be at home, I'm going to start some projects: 1. learn how to garden; 2. relearn the piano (guitar too?); and 3. learn how to cook yummy dishes - fish, Italian pastas, and maybe some chinese too?
• and the library - oh joy joy joy!! I can read - all summer. I wonder how many books I can finish?!

I'm looking forward to this change. I'm happy that I will have minimal expenses living at home, and that my job will help me along my journey of nursing. It's a little sad to see things change and go, but I know I will enjoy this summer where ever it leads me.

But for now, I should concentrate on getting this semester finished. My first two finals are next week, followed by two more the following week. It will be over before I know it! WOHOO!

Cheers!

nakamun.

Nakamun, I am going to you miss you.

But maybe I'll be back...

As a nurse?

Ya, that would be nice.

Peace for now.

guest speakers.

In Nursing 170 we had a 'Nursing Roles' class, which is basically where you get to sit back, relax, and enjoy presentations about various fields in nursing put together by other nurses.

The first presenter was from the OR. She gave a basic run-through of what an OR nurse does. She (or he) is responsible for setting up and maintaing the sterile field during the entire surgery - from setting up before the patient comes in, during surgery, and afterwards. If a doctor or intern touches anything soiled, she has the power to give them the boot and make them scrub-in all over again. She is control of who comes in, who leaves, and what tools are being handled during the procedure. She is also responsible for prepping the patient beforehand, making sure they know what they are getting done, the risks, etc.

This area sounds so neat, and something I may be good at: patient interaction is present, but still at minimal; certain things need to be prepped, organized (yay!), and laid out prior to surgery; and the OR nurse has the ultimate say on who does what. (outside of the surgery itself, of course). Organization, responsibility, and bossiness = things I like!!

And no, I'm not denying that I like to be bossy anymore... :)

The next speaker worked up North for 2 years before settling back down in the city and getting his Masters. I think this would be so neat! He worked up in Northern Ontario where there are no roads, only sled-dogs, snowmobiles, and planes. There are typically no physicians in these areas either - one may fly up once a month or so. So, the RN is the 'doctor'! He was able to practice outside of his scope (outside of what a usual RN would do in the city/somewhere with doctors present) and experience nursing in a whole new light.

I think that would be such a fun adventure, especially for a year after I graduate. What a great way to be innovative as a nurse! Many things RN's do up North are prohibited in cities, so it would experience.

I'm so excited, and so happy, that I've chosen nursing. It seems like there are so many opportunities out there, whether it means staying in Edmonton or traveling around the world.

Happy Easter Weekend!

D.