Frazzled and Fried

Well, hi there!

Yep...the title of this post says it all. 3 more weeks until my first year of nursing school is done. Can't wait. Took too long.

End of line.

Spring is Coming!....sort of

Wow! I can almost smell the spring air as I look over snowbanks....yeah, I guess that's Northern Maine livin'.

I can't believe I have a month and  half left of my first year of nursing school! It has been the most challenging thing I've ever faced academically. I have been challenged every step of the way, had my ups and downs, and sometimes I just wanted to throw in the towel...but I didn't! I'm just chugging along and doing the best I can, and that will have to be good enough, eh?

In the spirit of Spring coming and me always wanting to make healthier changes in my life (some are successful, others not so much, but the effort is there) I have decided to do a 6 week "Life Boosting" program through NutriBullet (from the makers of Magic Bullet). I love the product itself because it's SO easy to clean by hand. I have no dishwasher so it was intimidating to me to buy a juicer or blender because of the bulkiness and the fact that there are many (sometimes hard-to-reach) places to clean. Anyway, I saw the ad for the NutriBullet and I was like, "hey, why not?? It looks to be the size and simplicity I'm looking for!"

So at the moment (while I type this and think of things to say) I am looking at all the recipes that will need to be made ahead of time (because of my crazy nursing-school schedule) and yes, I am intimidated. But, I'm willing to give anything that sounds logical and nutritionally sound a try!

Another challenge will be finding some of the ingredients listed in the recipes as I don't think they are sold this far north of nowhere. ;)

I will try to update at least once a week.

Ciao!

In Memory Of...

Today the world has lost a great man and I have lost a dear cousin. I am sad for my cousin Shirley's loss as Noel was near and so dear to her heart as well as ours. Their love was infectious and just being around them would lift anyone's spirit.

Noel battled metastatic melanoma for a year and a half. He was strong in his mind, body, and soul. We will never forget his courageous battle or his infectious laugh.

I'll never forget the times when I and/or my sister would stop in to see our cousins and we'd talk the night away. Once it was so late that we ended up needed to stay the night! We were always welcomed with open arms and the offering of food, beverage, and a place to sleep.

I love you, Noel!

Please pray for Shirley.

RIP
Noel P. Nightingale
November 21, 1940 - March 7, 2013
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

A New Year & Almost Time to Go Back to Reality

I was basically successful with my "no meat eating" for November. I stopped at Thanksgiving when my sister came up. I messed up three times and they were all innocent mistakes! I grabbed a buffalo chicken salad and after eating it I realized that the salad had chicken...I was thinking healthy! I forgot the other two times, but eh I'd call the diet change a success. :)

I ended my first semester of nursing school with all "B's." No complaints here!

I've been down home now for two weeks. In summary, it's been great! It's been filled with friends, family, and laughter. I have also had a good dose of relaxation the past few days...part of that was due to my truck being in the shop and I had no transportation. I've been out to my favorite restaurants which has been oh so delicious. I've done lots of shopping and I still have more to do! It's bitter sweet to go back up home (down home is CT, up home is ME). I love being here, but I sorta miss my routine and independence as well as my cousins.

I'm split between being excited for school to start back up and being terrified. I'll let you know as the semester progresses. To be continued...


New Years Resolution

I am going to (once again) move towards a "healthier happier" me. I have already gained confidence (and weight) over the past four months and now I want to move in a direction of taking care of myself...which is honestly really hard while in nursing school. It might sound surprising and you might say, "You're in nursing school and you're learning about being healthy so why is it hard?" Being in this school involves countless hours of sitting, hunched over a computer, book, or notes and sitting in long classes. At the end of the day it is extremely hard for me to want to do something active and very hard to avoid the comfort food.

But, as Alison Sweeney said on The Today show, "Take it day by day! If you mess up today, try again tomorrow!"

So there you have it! My New Year update! :)
Love to my friends and family! <3

Temporary Dietary Change & New Recipes

So here we are! It's November!

And with the change in the month, I have already made a few changes of my own! I have decided to not eat meat until Thanksgiving. What's prompting this change, you ask? A few things.
1) I'm trying to cut down on my grease intake (and for me, eating meat = eating grease)
2) Trying to be more disciplined in life (in general) and I could use a challenge...because apparently nursing school isn't hard enough???
3) This is part of the continuous effort on my part to try new things all the time :)
And don't worry, I know about nutrition so I'll be sure to get my balance.

Also in November, I have tried two new recipes! 
*One of them is crock-pot mac&cheese, but without pre-cooking the macaroni! You literally just throw everything in and let it cook for 2.5 hours (the recipe said 3-4). Click HERE to check out the recipe! (Note: I also omitted the egg...not a fan of custard-type foods.)

*The second recipe is called "Creamy Avocado Pasta!" I thought it was good although I would use a bit less garlic and lemon juice...but that's just my personal taste preference. I would make it again :) Also, I felt it was healthier in a way too, there wasn't cream or anything heavy in it and it wasn't a red sauce (for those that know me, not a fan of red sauce). Click HERE to check out this recipe!

Nursing school is plugging along. I feel like time is dragging by...I wish it would pick up a bit! Usually when things are crazy and you're crazy busy, time flies, right? Not for this woman...

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy the recipes! (The Mac&Cheese is SO convenient!)

Autumn Up North

It cold up here. Glad that's out of the way. With that being said, I've been adjusting to things slowly, but surly up here. I'd be lying if I said the transition from being around everyone to being around no one was easy. That's basically how it is up here. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm very much engulfed in my studies and that's what I need in order to succeed in this nursing program. However, I do miss my friends and family and I actually miss coming home to someone. I love my cat and she's great to come home too, especially because her greeting is so cute, but I miss the human interactions in the home-setting.

Alright, enough sappy stuff. My cousins found a home in town and are expecting another baby! It's so exciting and it's been great to see God bless them and their lives! :)

The foliage up here was beautiful and the weather has been decent although cold the past couple of days accompanied with a biting wind...brrrrr.

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength" -Corrie ten Boom

New Surroundings

Sorry for not posting in a while, things have been a bit crazy!

I've moved. Reason: Nursing school. I was accepted into the college in my former state and realized I didn't want to go to school there. So I applied to a school in Maine...and here I am! Semester starts soon and I can't wait.

People have asked me all along, "Will you really miss your family and friends?" I always answered "yes" and that still holds true, but I believe God has instilled in me the gift of adaptability. It helps that I have Skype and other means of communicating with people outside of the state.

I feel like I'm able to adapt to my surroundings and get used to things quickly. This was tested in Scotland last year, it was awkward being on the team at times, but I was totally fine with being away from my "normal life" at home. It has been tested since (minus moving here) with the different life-situations God has had me deal with.

We'll see how things go. I know I'm in for some adventures up here and I am so at peace knowing this is where God wants me to be (for now).

Changes

As I sit here this morning with a cup of tea, the rain softly falling, Josh Groban's voice in iTunes, my kitty purring at my feet chowing down on her breakfast... I am really starting to understand the meaning of "moving." My life is going to change. Not that it hasn't changed before, but this is a biggie.

Things are going rather smoothly, thank you God. There was a little hiccup with doctors appointments and due dates for the college and such, but I think that's all sorted out. Once I get my health forms to the nursing school I will feel so much better.

Leaving my immediate family, friends, church community...it's going to take quite a bit of adjustment and I'll miss them very much. I will have family in the town I'm moving to and I am so thankful for it!
Luckily I will be able to make it to my friends wedding! I talked with the school and they gave me the "ok" as long as I stay on top of my studies, which I'm sure won't be a problem.

Going through the process of finishing up my last semester at the community college here, almost done almost done almost done!

Time to take my final exam for my online class. I'm averaging a B+ right now...and considering the difficulty of the class I am VERY proud of that grade!! Let's hope my studying for the final pays off!

Ciao!

Semester Update

This semester is going okay so far. I'm taking an online class for the first time. I like it in the sense that I can do things ahead of time and I am sort of at my own pace, except when things are due. My Anatomy and Physiology II class is going okay too. I like it better than the first half of the class last semester. I feel like now we're getting into the good stuff with body systems and organs :)

My grandmother is moving. That's a hard one to swallow. She's been in her house for over fifty years! Her cat is going with her, which is a good thing...I guess. I really don't like that cat. I love animals and I love her cat as an animal, but I dislike the cat's attitude.

Change happens in life. Sometimes change happens all at once, sometimes it trickles in and out of your life. But change is there.

Spring is here! (speaking of changes lol) I have exchanged my winter-flannel sheets to regular sheets! Yay! I've been able to open the windows in the house and my car while driving and it feels wonderful!


Please be praying for my friend's mom. She has cancer and is going through the process to get better. It's not easy to go through for the patient and the family. Pray for healing in mind, body, and soul. <3

Peace!

My kitty is waiting expectantly for spring!

Need, Want, Wish

There are things I would like out of this life and sometimes it's hard to not get what you want.

I found this passage: "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19.

Notice how it says, "need of yours," not "want of yours." As a friend of mine says, "There are different categories for things: things you need, things you want, and things you wish for."

I did some thinking (scary, eh?) and I realized that God has taken care of all my needs! Shelter, Family (biological and Christian brothers and sisters), Food (too much actually!), transportation, funds for school, education, AND a country where I have the freedom to worship my God Almighty and to read His book freely!

Kinda puts things in perspective, eh? It sure did for me!



Every day is a gift from God! :)



F.R.O.G

I'm not usually one to encourage the acronyms such as "F.R.O.G" which stands for "Fully Rely On God." But it suddenly popped into my mind today and (being a woman) I thought about it and what it really meant to me.

At this point in my life, there's a lot of transition happening with my home, school, work, ministry, and in my social life (yes, all at once, because God never lets me be stagnant for very long) and frankly it's been building up in my heart. It's wearing me down physically and emotionally.

Where do I turn? I have my Bible, I read it. I have prayer, I talk to God. I have Christian brothers and sisters to turn to, I talk to them. Then it hit me... like a haggis on a hill... I hadn't been listening.

"Listening to what?" you might ask.
I've had this "nagging" on my heart (Hello God), to start relying and trusting Him to take care of me!

"Of course you should do that! It's what Christian's do, right?" you might inquire.
But let me tell ya, it's definitely easier said than done. For me, the biggest thing to give over to Him are my worries and anxieties.

I need to trust that He will take care of me! Sometimes I forget that and I want to control and run my life and balance everything...but really, who am I kidding? God is the Alpha and the Omega, trust me, He's the one with the power and He's the one I choose to let control my life.
Who's in control of yours?

"Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock," Isaiah 26:4.

Scotland and Fall Semester

I really cannot believe how quickly the summer went! I went to Scotland, worked full-time (thank you Lord!), and went to WyldLife camp up at Saranac Lake, NY!

Scotland was indescribable. I met so many wonderful people and teens while there and my host family was awesome!! :) Yes, I tried Haggis and it was REALLY good! I hope to someday go back, but I'm not sure when that will be...maybe Summer 2013? I can't go this year due to my Microbiology course, it goes straight through July.

I'm in the process of applying to Nursing school. Prayers would be appreciated. I'm taking Anatomy & Physiology I right now. It's tough, but God has gotten me though it (as He always does). I absolutely love learning about the human body. :) I'll start to tell my friends about it and I get wicked excited and enthused about it and they look at me like, "Oookkaayy..."
Right now, I'm on Thanksgiving break and there is a ton to do! I have 2 exams coming up after break and I'm going to study extra long and hard so I do great on them and boost my grade up as much as possible!! I'm also planning on scratching my creative itch again and do something creative or artsy.

Thank you, Lord, for being there with me and for me through life. I couldn't imagine going through life without  knowing who you are! :)

Until next time!

Overlooking Edinburgh, Scotland

Stage N Slam 2011

View of Edinburgh from Edinburgh Castle

Glencoe, Scotland

                                                           

Scotland Around the Corner!

Regarding Hobbits....oh no wait... ::ahem::


Regarding Scotland,


My teammates and I leave for Scotland this week!
I pray that our time there is a blessing to others and that we do God's will.


God called me to go on this trip and he has provided the financial means for me to do this. He has also opened certain doors that made it possible for me to go and one door that was specific to me that I couldn't ignore!


Pray that our team is not spiritually attacked and that the minds of the youth and people we come into contact with have open hearts and minds. Pray for our health and safety while travelling and while overseas. Pray that we will work together as a team, build each other up, and set a great example of what being a follower of Christ looks like.


Thank you to everyone who has supported me through donation and/or prayer. I greatly appreciate it! I'm so ready for this and God's got this!


Note: I do not know if I will have the Internet while overseas. If I do, I may hop on here to write a blurb about what's going on, but if not, don't be disappointed. ;)


Blessings!

Scotland, Quickly Approaching!

Yes, the title of this blog entry is very true! Tuesday was our last conference call with the group and I'm wicked excited about going (with a side of nervousness, of course. lol!!)


Life is going pretty well right now! I feel like I'm ready for some new changes (maybe when I get home from Scotland, that's going to be big enough for the time-being). I'm very interested to see what else God has in store for me this summer. It may be nothing more than what I already have planned or he may throw something in... you never know.


I've done some fun and cool stuff this summer. Along with working full-time (and getting some cash-flow again) I have gone on a couple of hikes! The last one we hiked was awesome and was a little more difficult than my first hike, but I did it! After we hiked, we went to a state park and swam in the nice cold water! and when I say cold...it was cold, but so refreshing!


Please be praying for me and my fellow teammates as we prepare to go on this trip for God. Please pray for me to stay calm and not let my nerves run over me! Also, pray that I have more opportunities to be active outdoors this summer.


Have a great 4th of July! :)

Life's So Good!

I've been getting more information from the Trip Leader about our expedition to Scotland! I've got butterflies already in my stomach! :) My support has been raised by the grace of God! This is definitely confirming that this is where God wants me right now. I can't wait to see what he is going to do with us in Scotland!


I am also working full-time at the medical office. Thank you Lord! I am so thankful for the job this summer and the willingness of my boss to let me take the time off for Scotland and summer camp, however there are hurdles in this job that I did not foresee.
1) I sit for 8 hours a day. It is literally killing me. My bones constantly hurt now, I have neck tension almost all the time, my knees and back also kill (and I went to PT for 4 months and I don't want to undo all the work that was done!) Some people can sit for that long...I cannot. I take breaks, but I feel it's not enough!
2) The office staff
3)The full meaning of working 40 hours a week, I have had to totally rearrange my appointments with doctors and times to do things. It's okay, it's just taking some getting used to after being on "college-time" for 2 years...


So that's that with work. Prayers for patience and pain-free days would be much appreciated. :)


Even though I'm not in school right now, I have been learning so much about different things, it's so wonderful! I pray that I NEVER stop learning!!! It's almost addicting, but in a good way ;)


I am continuing my journey in living a healthier life. I've had a couple set-backs in regards to exercising (it's either rain or extreme humidity) so walking isn't very good... my knee has also been another hindrance. BUT, I recently went on a 3 mile hike and I DID IT!! (and didn't die!)  That is a big hurdle and I am thrilled I did it! :)


Food-wise, I still don't eat things with HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup) unless given to me. Honestly, the stuff that has it, is wicked sweet (if a dessert.) Also, it's getting a little tough to not drink straight soda (as opposed to soda in alcohol)...I really get these cravings to Mountain Dew: Code Red that I really have to resist!!
HFCS free- 8 months
Straight soda free- 15 months


Life is so good right now! :) It has it's challenges, ups and downs, zigs and zags, but knowing God has your back and that he is always taking care of you is a comforting thing!!


Peace!

Hardware Gone...Among Other Things

After four and a half years, my braces are finally off!
~*~RIP Braces 9/2006 -5/9/2011~*~
I still can't believe it. I'm still in shock! :)  But that's OK. I have been indulging in gum (duh), almonds, walnuts, pecans, raw carrots, a pear and an apple and I have loved every bite of it!!! My gums are a bit sore so I have to be careful still of what I eat because I really don't want to irritate them!
But praise the Lord they are off!!!!


YLX Scotland is coming quickly! Support is still being raised, I am making certain preparations regarding communication while overseas, and I am continuing to pray about the coming trip and that the trip leader will be able to smoothly make the preparations he needs to before we can even get a plane ticket.
We had a conference call in late April for Mike (the trip coordinator) to give us an update on flight information and for us to ask him any questions that we wanted. It was great to put voices to the faces that I see on Facebook and the names in the e-mails!


Tomorrow is my final exam for Chemistry and it is the last exam of the semester! I pray that I do well and that I get a grade that will sustain my GPA, not drop it!


Physical Therapy is DONE!! Woo hoo!!! Praise God!! :)


I am so thankful for the time I get to spend with my brothers and sisters and I am so happy my life is calming down a little so I am able to spend more time with them!!


Last note: The Wedding of the Century is this weekend!! Congratulations to my dear cousin Shirley!!
I am also so thankful that I will have the opportunity to see family that I only get to see every 4-5 years!! :) It will be great and I look forward to every minute of my time up in MA/NH!!


Blessings!


"A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to" -Gandalf (Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring)

Levelling Out

Life seems to be sorting itself out.


Physical Therapy is almost done! I am so excited! Those 4 months went by so quickly!!


The semester is also coming to an end in about 3-4 weeks so that's also exciting! Trying to finish registering for Fall 2011, but they haven't listed all of the professors yet.


Still don't quite know the status of my braces...I just know that I want them off! I do, however, think I know when I'm getting them off. But I'm not telling anyone because there is a possibility that the day will come and my Orthodontist will say, "No, not today, there's one more thing I want to fix." And then after he wipes the blood from his head I'll ask, "Do you want to run that by me again?"  ;) lol


Young Life Expedition- Scotland 2011 is really coming along! I am now getting into contact with fellow team-members and am continuing to raise support. It's so exciting!! :)


That's my update. :)


"Rice is great if you're hungry and want 2,000 of something" -Mitch Hedberg

Amazing God

Over the past several months, my life has been...well, productively chaotic.


I have had to balance school (which I take quite seriously even though I'm only considered to be a part time student), physical therapy appointments twice a week along with other doctor appointments, ministry events and meetings, going to group events with friends, and also trying like heck to make individual time with friends (which has proven to be quite difficult, sorry!!). On top of all that, I had to compose a support letter for my Expeditions trip to Scotland and with that, make reply cards etc...this was a longer process than anticipated.


I'm not ranting; I'm just giving you an idea of what's been going on.


In all this, I had been praying for a job (crazy, eh?). My job at the local medical office didn’t need me (on a per diem basis) so I was praying and praying for something to come along!


Last week, the day before I was going to go to a near-by town to apply for a job in a Pediatric office (part time work) when my boss calls me! I’m thinking, “God? Is this you?”
My boss proceeded to tell me that her other office that she manages (OB/GYN) in a nearby city has a position open because the woman resigned. The position was for a scanner (put medical documents into the computer/chart system). We chatted briefly, I took some time to pray and I called her back and took the position. Get this (ready for a God-thing??) I will be working 15hrs a week Thurs and Fri and then when the semester ends I will be working 40hrs a week! AND, I get time off for Scotland and summer camp!! Oh yes, God is awesome!! Also, this is a company I have been working with for 3 years so I know the drill! All I need to do is get used to remembering which doctor wants stuff put in the system.

He is always there and does things in His time, not mine.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” Romans 12:12

Crazy Week!

It is now that I am truly thankful for lazy rainy Sundays.


This past week was quite a challenge for me physically and mentally! Lack of sleep, lots of appointments with different doctors and people, crazy assignments/quizzes/exams/and activities all due the same day, new info coming in about YLX-Scotland, and then add in every day life stuff and I have a big week!


This week looks to be calmer and sadly, I have nothing planned this weekend. We were supposed to go to camp with the middle school students this upcoming weekend for WyldLife, but no one signed up! They are all saving their money to go to summer camp :) (summer camp ROCKS!)


Things are moving very quickly with YLX- Scotland (YLX= Young Life Expeditions). I have to get a support letter drafted very soon (I'm a bit behind) and my lists finalized. I also found out that I am flying out of JFK to Heathrow Airport in London, alone. That's fine and I will be meeting up with the rest of the group when I fly into London and from there we will fly to Edinburgh. (I also made a mental note to ask the Trip Leader to NOT put me in the middle or inside seat!!! o.O;)


I have also begun to read the Bible in Chronological order. I love it so far! If I follow the reading plan, I will read the Bible in one year! Sweet!  


I thank the Lord for keeping me sane through the process that we call "life" and that he continues to bless my life and make me a better woman. :)

Time

Time is truly moving on quickly. But then again, isn't it supposed to happen?


Upon receiving the "Acceptance Packet" from Young Life Expeditions-Scotland, I looked through it and found a consent form. I looked at it and thought, "Wow, I have to fill this entire thing out??" But upon further observation, I noticed that it was for minors...I am no longer a minor. I haven't been one for 5 years now and yet it struck a chord in me that I'm an adult. Don't get me wrong, I see that I am an adult all the time, but sometimes (such as when I see a document I no longer need to fill out) it makes me stop and think about it.


I think about the time that has gone by in these 5 years. In that time so much has happened and I have grown in so many ways. I feel like yesterday I turned 21, the day before -18, and only a blink of an eye since I was 16 (and ready to drive!)


I have asked friends and family (of all different ages and walks in life) and they agree that time does seem to be moving on rapidly, almost too rapidly as some have told me.


One quote from Matthew 24:22 (NIV) says, "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened." Jesus is speaking about what is to come in response to his disciples asking about the End Times and what the signs will be.


Honestly, looking at what's going on around me in the world, it seems like Jesus is pretty close to taking us home.


If you are interested in reading about the signs to look for I encourage you to read Matthew 24 (Click HERE to read.)


He tells us what to be careful of and what to observe so we know when his coming is near! God amazes me all the time!