2 months later.

Heyo! The weather has been sooo beautiful, minus the 4in film of pollen on everything! It's been a busy 2 months. Been to the beach 2x, purchased a car, my cousin's getting married this wknd, etc! So much to share w/ you guys.

Still working up a storm. Kind of missing school. Not like the college experience, but the actual learning part. Whoa, I'm a nerd. Plus I don't like paying $250/mo in loans! hah. I' want to travel nurse, rake in the bucks, gain a ton of experience, & see some more of our great country. Looks like I better get it in before this "health care plan" passes since my paycheck is will go to crap. You need a yr or more of experience, so I'm just waiting until Oct. I need to get back into school too, though, so I just don't know what do w/ my life. UAB is the #1 nursing grad school in the US, but I would love to live in TN, too. The STRESS.

Speaking of this preposterous health care plan...the GOP has made several amendments (thank Heavens)...one which includes: Sex offenders will not be eligible for erectile dysfunction drugs. How ridic is it that that even needs to be stated?...but I love it. Makes perfect, logical sense!

I've been seeing a guy whom I met at our late beloved, Ben Trussell's tribute. Funny how things work out. He was a close friend to Ben too, so it's peculiar how we never met until the night of the tribute, Feb 14. It's different than anything before, so I'm soaking it all in. 2 months has seemed like 6 in a good way.

Car shopping has been a job. The '99 Honda has needed daily interventions, soo I thought it may be time to throw the towel in. I've been doing car research since Jan...wasn't going to let those car salesman get the best of me!! haha. I even asked to look under the hood!! Really the only things I knew to look for were where the oil dipstick is, where to add antifreeze/H2O, and if it had 4cylinders. haha. Saturday, I bought a new Altima (prob devalued about 4grand when I drove off the lot, but whatev) We were there from 1030-330!! C came w/ me b/c he's great (goodness knows I wouldn't want to sit through all that!). Well, wait a minute, it was about the hottest day of the yr, & during a test drive, he turned my heat warmer on. Punk. I was already profusely sweating from 'the Anxiety'. hahha.

We hadn't eaten all day. We were about to close up shop, doing a few housekeeping things like going over the inside of the car, ANDDDD the lady says, "Oh, hold on one minute, I've got to run to the restroom." WHATTTT? hahahha. I mean I didn't know if she suffered from IBS or overactive bladder, but come on! My stomach's eating my gallbladder, lady! hah. I love my new car, but she just doesn't have any personality yet. Hmm. Maybe w/ time? Then again, the Honda has too much personality...banged up on each side from curbs, buggies, cars, etc.

Remember the Aunt Mary's pants story? Well, that night MG, some buds of ours, and I went to play trivia. Funny enough that our team name was, "I didn't know I was playing trivia w/ the Situation"...mocking the announcer who looked like that Guido from Jersey shore. Needless to say, we started out on a bad foot. It's packed in there. They ask 3 questions, you score accordingly to the confidence of your answer 2-6pts. We never win, but hell, we give her a try! J is walking back from the bathroom. The Q is something about Jimi Hendrix's first guitar/song/something. J yells "SEATTTTLE!" Just guuuureat. "The Situation" yells back at him, "Thatta way, deusch." Uh oh. hahhahaha. So we weren't making friends, to say the least.

Alright, I'll be back soon! Love!

The Last Song

There are 3 types of overdose. Some ppl OD for attention, some OD in hopes to really end their life, & some OD b/c they think just one more hit will help them reach the ultimate high. Well, in this case, ultimate=death.

In my short 23yrs, I feel like I have been exposed to many different situations. The first 2 types of ODing, I have witnessed. I did the whole cancer thing as a child, both of my parents could have been on Intervention at one time, & I have a sister whom society might classify as handicapped. I don't usually play this card, but my parents divorced & I've dealt w/ stepparents, half-siblings. Not that these things have been bad, but when you go through that kind of stuff, you can relate to more ppl & you see things in a different light. Times have been rough before, & I'm still here. Life consists of trials & tribulations; you just deal w/ it. Even little things like growing up Catholic in the Southern of Southern Bible belt. Everything you encounter, you take something from it, whether it be -/+. Don't get me wrong, I've been negative about a lot of things, but I still have this mentality that whatever it is, you can get through it. I expect everyone to come out on top. The thing I most often forget is that not everyone has the support system I have. My family is the greatest in the world, & my parents instilled such great values in us. Everyone's got a little dys in their function.

What I'm getting at is that I hate to see someone fall when they could have been saved. Even when times hit rock bottom, there is still light ahead. Of all the experiences I've had, nothing could have prepared me for February 7, 2010 11:38am. The world lost a very special person that day. This is my story, how I see it.

At 10:57, I was driving my cousin's car to retrieve some things from my car from the Docks. My cousin A knew I would be out & about, yet he didn't know when, if I had left yet, or not. Pulling out of the parking lot where my car was, I get a phone call. "Can you go pick up V, they took Ben to the hospital." I was just about to pass the cabins that they were at, coincidence? Ben, a glorious spirit, talented musician, & humble 25y/o was one of our great friends from out of town, even though at times he seemed to be an original Scottsborian. He's been around since 2008. Throughout those 2 yrs, he had managed to play for my Aunt's wedding, my graduation party, my cousin's parties, & every few wknds at the Docks (Restaurant/ Night life). We would drive to Huntsville just to see Ben, even if we had just heard him the day before. He did a lot of covers, but he also shared many originals w/ us. The melodies he could create were unbelievable. Words would flow from his mouth like an angel above. To top it off, he had an amazing personality, cracking jokes, and being sweet when necessary. He became apart of our little family, & he brought his family around us, too. He was very family oriented. Not living in my hometown, my family & friends grew closer to him than I did, but it didn't take long to fall in love w/ him. Canoe trips, being on the lake, eating at Hooter's, having heart to hearts about our families, watching AU football, going to A & M's house to see Ben living on the couch for the past 3 days. He had a little bit of a gypsy soul.

So when I received that phone call about him, I quickly assumed drug overdose, pump the stomach w/ charcoal, & call it a day. Not that I should think so lightly of the it all, but w/ my experiences of OD & working at a hospital where I see about 6-15 ingestions/month, that's what I assume. Not sure if you guys remember but in a previous entry, I mentioned how the greatest musicians died early, esp from drugs. He falls into that category...more potential, talent, love than most. Addiction is a dirty disease, & if ppl could only reach out for help before it's too late.

When I got to the cabin, I realized it was way more serious than I thought. The firetruck was pulling out & there were a few police cars remaining. I've known Ben's family since this summer, but not well enough to be there at that time. Taking my nurse role, I assessed the situation, tried to calm everyone, & plan what we needed to do. His mom was still there, so I offered to take her to the ER. We get in the car, not sure if I should put on my flashers & get there ASAP, drive normal, what. V & his mom are about to hyperventilate in the car. I start saying Hail Mary's. It is 11:21am as we drive to the ER. We get there, I hop out ready to run in the hospital. His mom stops & says, "I'm scared." I grab her, doing my best to console in this intense situation.

My grandma has lost 2 of her baby boys, one who was 13 & the other around 44. Even though she is the strongest woman a lot of ppl know, all my life she has broken down about her Billy. Then at Uncle Andy's funeral, I witnessed her squeal harder than I could ever imagine at the loss of a son. No parent should outlive their children. I'm scared too as we walked in, in fear for his mom.

V, his mom, & I walk into the consultation room. I wasn't sure if I should go or not, but she didn't have any family there, so I knew V & I would have to be for now. This doesn't look good. The EMT's come in then a nurse asking about health problems & what not. I txt my cousin A, get here now, he didnt' have a pulse the whole way to the ER. Then the MD walks in & tells us. It's over.

We hold her. Some other friends walk in. The ER waiting room fills w/in minutes of his Scottsboro friends. His older brother gets there. His dad is on the way to town. We stay there for about 2 1/2 hrs just standing outside of the consultation room where his family is. Seeing a grown man cry that day was nothing surprising. The hold that Ben had on us was like no other. For him to leave us, really hit the group hard. This is the worst thing we've ever experienced. Nobody knew what to say, so we shared funny stories of him & cried & cried & cried.

February 6, 2010- E & T's Stock the Bar Shower...Ben played. After the shower, we all went to the Docks, where he also played. Anytime he was playing, you know we were all up dancing, singing out hearts out. He had to have hated us trying to out-sing him & dancing like we knew how. It came to the point where we wanted to hear more of his originals than covers. (Even though he DOES sing "Into the Mystic" better than Van Morrison, himself.) I never realized how precious he was until that day. He came up to me, told me he hadn't drank in a few wks, was eating right, & exercising. I cheered him on. It really was a phenomenal p.m. Half of my cousins were there, Aunt M & Uncle C, & all of my friends. Ben knew how to draw a crowd. The last time I never knew I'd see Ben was around 0230a Feb 7, 2010.

We are just a small portion of his friends. Ben played w/ many other talented musicians & acquired many fans, regulars, & admirers.

Here I am today still dreaming about him, reminiscing, mourning, & listening to his music every time I drive. I am mad he's gone for many reasons: he was too young to die, he should't have died that way, he had much more to accomplish & would have musically, he needs to be here this summer strumming his guitar when we're all on the boat. One thing about Ben is that if you ever asked him to play, he never said "Nah, I don't feel like it...Later." He didn't play guitar to look cool or get girls (which came w/ it anyway:) ), or to say I'm a musician, blah blah. He was the epitome of a humble man. You usually don't find that in a 25y/o. He is w/ God now though, which is the sweetest gift he'll ever receive.

We miss you, Ben... and in his own words: "There's people we lost, ohh people love, yeah. Some call it irony, but I call it signs from above."

Is your nose running? Better go catch it!!!

Back again. On this frigid 30th of Jan, I'm sitting here engaging in "Tough Love" (Vh1 Season 2. Kind of your He's just not that into You but w/ a we're going to tell you how to get a man so stop caking on your makeup & gold digging twist) & drinking coffee at 0532p. My roommate is gone so I have even more time to dwell on the embarrassing moments of my life.

I probably picked the wrong profession being the most awkward person ever. Every single job I've had, I've had to put myself out there, creating chances upon chances to be embarrassed. Should have been a telemarketer. Back in my vet tech days, I had dogs lose bowels on me in front of attractive guys or one time, a German Shepard rip my "smock" top from the waist to shoulder seam. Then the lady asked me to hold her BABY while she put the dog in the car. NO MA'AM! So he can go Cujo on me??! To top it off, all I could do was laugh b/c I was shaking uncontrollably after the mouth of JAWS came towards my flesh!

In the restaurant business, I began as a hostess. Not too shabby of a job for me b/c I love to smile and carry on w/ ppl. HOWEVER, not everyone wants to carry on w/ me. Can't see why?!? Then as a server, you have ppl jumping down your throat b/c they've chugged 47 Dr. Pepper's in 4 min, & you don't have time to refill or their food is late. You don't need all that sugar/caffeine anyway!I hate confrontation or anything that could possibly make me sweat, get flushed (which is about everything).

As a nurse, I do encounter extremely awkward moments on average- daily. They didn't tell us in nursing school that you also had to be an engineer. The cap never comes off the IV tubing after you've already prepped everything. Inserting catheters are A LOT different than practicing on mannequins. Wires tangle worse than Weeping willow on a windy day. Not too mention, I'm clumsy, ungraceful, and as hard as I try to not be, unladylike. What do you do?

Helping a nurse 2 nights ago drawing blood. X-Ray guy is at the bedside too. The team of MD's to my right. I'm leaned over the bed. (P.S. my nose runs nonstop once I enter the Hospital. It's clear though (sorry, super gross), so it's not an infection. Not sure why?) As I'm leaning over I can see what appears to be my nose running...Not sure b/c it's clear. Then I do see it hanging from my nose pass recovery. The other nurse says "Ohhhh." I said, 'Oh Gosh!" as I turn around trying to clean up w/out touching anything. FAILURE. I have to walk off, fix myself, wash my hands, & return. Redder than a cherry tomato, I attempt to make light of the situation & say, "Sorry guys, looks like I have the RSV!" NOT A SOUND. No one laughs, no one says 'oh, no prob', no one even says gross!!!!! MORTIFIED.

The 1st word of OCD is obsessive. That's what I do. I wasn't really close enough w/ the nurses to be like, "Whoa, listened to what happened to me. Say something to make me feel better", so I sit there for the next 11 HOURS laughing, almost crying, obsessing. Hahah. I really am such an odd bird. Probably should be on the OCD show on A&E. I pretty much have a complex about every inch of my body. I'm proportional but I do have my Dad's hands/feet. Size 9 1/2 isn't always the prettiest. I like to have my nails painted/manicured at all times b/c it makes me feel more feminine. Oh wait, I entered a profession where nail polish/jewelry is prohibited. To reveal my craziness, when I'm driving for a long time or making frequent stops, I get so anxious that ppl are looking at how big my hands are gripping the steering wheel, esp since my wrists are small, making the illusion worse. I ponder should I drive 10 & 2, one hand on the bottom, one on the top. It becomes an issue. Then when they don't see a ring on my finger, they're thinking no wonder- MAN HANDS (like the Seinfeld episode). In reality, no one probably notices, but I'm sure there's that one person. hahah.

It's been that way since I day one. I've always been so stinking obsessive-compulsive! For some reason wearing open toe shoes in elementary was a big deal. Not sure why, but I would not wear sandals unless my toes were painted, which wasn't on a regular basis. I can remember one night staying up so late (prob around 0930 ha) trying to get that damn iridescent purple just right! I probably went through an entire bottle of nail polish remover & cotton balls. I was convinced that their were alligators under my bed, probably a lot longer than I should have. I would never put my feet under my bed or hang them off the side, & I'm still that way TODAY as a 23y/o!!! Vampires? Don't even get me started. I slept w/ my covers tucked tight around my neck for my entire 3rd grad yr just from seeing Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Oh The Lost Boys. It came on last wk, & I still couldn't watch it!!!) I begged Mom to please let me have the garlic at Grandma's house. That is not healthy! hhaha.

Embarrassing story #2. Aunt Mary & my cousin Erin came to visit Tues. We had the best of time! Wed, we went shopping. I had finished trying on so I was sitting w/ E waiting on Mary. She came out of the room & asked us how we liked her shirt. We both loved it. I told her how cute it was, & then it went sour. I said, "Buy the shirt for sure, but I'm not soooo sure about those pants." My dearest Aunt says, "These pants are the pants I wore in!" hahahahhahahah UH OH. I said, "just kidding." Didn't work. hahahha. Dangit. Who am I? I have got to stop talking!!!!!

Luckily, she took it lightly, & honestly, w/ her shirt the pants looked just fine, according to myself, the fine fashion critic I am. ha.

Have a good wknd!!! Love!

You Can't Have your Cake & Eat it Too.

Here I am! There's so much to cover in this entry! We've had a the holidays, MY BIRTHDAY, & clearly, I'm a working woman now (haha). I'm now 23 with a full time job, health insurance in my own name, and putting a % of my check into a 401k. Whoa, that was a little much for me to say. In reality, though, I LOVE IT! As cheesy or trite this may seem, it really is amazing to have the job you've dreamed of for yrs & actually enjoy it. I'm now on the graveyard shift; sleep is tough, money is good. I'm young & might as well do it now! I worked in the burn unit yesterday. It was very upsetting & depressing. I respect anyone who can work in that environment. That's where my wonderful Grandma Dora started out at John Sealy in Galveston, TX!!

I'm kind of stuck in a place in my life wondering where to go. I know what I need & want, but I don't always do the things needed to get there. Most of my friends are still in college, so I'm still in that mentality. At least I was. I went to visit T in Auburn this past Friday. Auburn really is the most gorgeous college campus/town in AL. We make an appearance at a get together. We walk in & mingle like the little butterflies we are. For some reason, I decide to stand back & look around. I'm the only brunette, for one, & I realize everyone there is living up their Fridays b/c they were in class all day. There are freshman to 5yr seniors all around. No doubt that I had fun w/ my friends, but I was a little bummed. I mean I'm only 23, but I'm too old to be around those youngins. Hhaha. LIFE.

Story: getting put in my place. My birthday, which my mom & I think is the most important day of the yr was Dec. 30. I know I seem a bit obnoxious, but growing up, my mom made the biggest deals out of every one's bdays. Anddddd, actually you should. It's the only day you have to yourself. It need be celebrated & appreciated to have made it one more yr!!!!! I celebrate w/ my friends on the 29th. Being the loud & somewhat too intense person that I am, I let everyone know it's my bday starting on Dec 26-Jan 4. (Extreme.) On my actual bday my family (42+) go out for dinner. My family really is the limelight of my life. We're all so much stinking alike, there are plenty of us to go around, & we sure all enjoy a little R&R to maybe some wine, PBR, or Busch Gold. Yep, that's us. Well my cousin A & I make our way around town on this glorious day of mine. There's live music, phenomenal, but the crowd- what a dud. I decide to be my normal self esp a few brewskies later & announce to the crowd that it, in fact, is my birthday during a song break. Let's just say, it was so quiet I could hear the faucet drip in the bathroom. I become ever so offended, look around, & say, "WHO ARE YOU PPL?! REALLY?" Needless to say, I wasn't the coolest person of the p.m.

Can you have your cake & eat it too? Do you feel like that saying is a contradiction? If I have some cake, you better be sure I'm going to eat it. Probably all of it to be exact. However, it is a saying I throw out all the time in arguments or when I realize I'm being selfish. It's like not wanting a boy anymore, but you don't want him to be with anyone else either. I totally see how it applies to that, b/c as a female, I know we always feel that way. In literal translation, I don't think you would have a cake & let it sit there. It would mold, & then the icing will get hard & crusty. Hmm, maybe that's what would happen to the boys if you didn't let anyone else have them? By golly, I think I just figured it out!! hahahahha

I'm reading Liberty & Tyranny. Quite a delight it is. It's very informative & quotes the Founders/Framers of this country with what the Constitution stands for. I was reading it at work (400am), & being the nerd I am, I was highlighting & underlining. Some nurses asked what I was reading. When told, they were like, "OH, sure sounds good." Sorry, I only read non-fictional books, & I'm learning a hell of a lot!

I'll be back soon, promise! There are a few more funny/embarrassing stories up my sleeve! LOVE!

Can You Transfer me to Security?

Oh, how my memory failed me these last few blogs. I haven't even begun to enlighten you about all my car luck.

Labor Day Wknd. Friday- 332p, just got off work, still in scrubs & all. Just me & my poor 1999 little Honda on the road again. Make it 26 miles on the interstate, take my exit (I take the little highway- more scenic). After fillin' her up, I drive away. Temperature gauge is off the charts!! Hot as Hades. Grey smoke everywhere. I pull over into some sketch factory w/ buses and huge tanks. What do I do? I'm just a little 'ole girl? Start dialing numbers to alleviate some of the anxiety. Mom says to pop the hood. NOO, that's international sign for I need help. Seems weird that I say that, but could someone really do to help me? (I had had a mild incident w/ the temp gauge that Monday, & my gracious roommate gave me some Antifreeze.) I drove 1/2 mile down the road, had to pull over for 30+ min, try again, pull over, try again. I finally make it to a post office. It's kind of like I don't want be around anyone b/c I don't want them to offer to help me, & me just say no. Yet, I don't want them to drive by & not offer! I'm thinking, PHEW, I'm okay it's about 5p on Fri, the post office is closed. No sir. Ppl were flying in and outta there! I'm talking to MG on the phone, actively pouring antifreeze into my car, sweating in my purple scrubs. A lady pulls up like she's late for dinner w/ the Pres., throws that Benz into park in a HANDICAP spot (You can prob guess she wasn't handicap.) She approaches me. I begin to think, either she's really late in sending a letter or naturally concerned about her fellow (wo)man. She's on her cell phone too..."Excuse me, excuse me miss, I know you're busy, but can you tell me how to get back to I65?" A little appalled, I tell her how to get there as I'm wiping sweat from my brow. REALLY? I mean really, lady? Just by judging my 1st appearance, do you think I know what I'm doing & you want to ask me for DIRECTIONS?! Hahah. Oh, my life.

Eventually made it to a fire station- it was VOLUNTEEEERR so no one was there!!!!!! What? No one at the fire station? Ludacris! Every guy who stops to help me, I can't help but think they are Ted Bundy. My ride finally shows up 3 1/2 hrs later. I was about 400ft & a curve away from a car garage. Ha. I could have put her in neutral & pushed her there! Wait, who am I kidding? I'd die of a panic attack before that.

Yesterday, walking up the stairs in the parking garage that I lose my car in daily, I pass my car. Turn around, embarrassed, approach that little Racy Honda. Keys in the ignition, but nothing happens when I turn it...sounds like eeeeeeeesssdddeeraa. Oh no. People are walking by & OF COURSE they're looking at me...haha. I toss the anxiety aside & lift the hood. "Operator, can you transfer me to security? My car won't start." "Um, I mean, I can, but he's on another call. It'll be a while."..."That's fine! Thanks." Ummm, so you don't want him to come help me? Should I just walk home? Catch a Grey Hound? Who are these ppl?!!? He drives by w/ these crazy NEON GREEN flashers pointing at me, like is it you that is having trouble? Nooo, I'm just hanging out/soliciting in the Children's Hospital parking garage. Bless him, he really was sweet. Telling me how to get corrosion off my battery. The car starts! Time to hit up Auto Zone. I only know of 1 Auto Zone, happens to not be in the best part of town. I pull up, grab my wallet, LOCK THE DOORS, & walk in. I have just entered the most inner-racial group of ppl per ca pita in the US. (Not that's it's a problem, but there's so many different languages being spoken, & after wiping baby bottoms all day, I was still the cleanest person.) A cute little Mexican helps me. The battery is shot. Dead. No mas.

We go back into the store. I purchase a battery & ask him to install it. That's out of my league. I can check/add antifreeze, oil, water, butttt I really don't need to touch anything else. You remember that I'm pretty much a cluster? As he's working on my car, I can't help but think that he may be illegal, working well over 40hrs/wk to provide for his family, while all in the mix of getting caught up in a gang. (Too much Tru TV for me.) He asks me where I work since I was wearing scrubs. "Children's Hospital." "Ohh, so you work w/ children?" (Hhaah, aw.) "Yeah, I can tell b/c you know ppl who work w/ children are just happy."...I chuckle. He proceeds, "Which I guess is good b/c you don't want angry ppl working w/ children." "This is true." He has to go inside to get scissors b/c his tool bag did not have any. He looks at me, "Will you make sure no one steals my tools?" WHATTTTTTT? STEAL? You better make sure no one steals me!!!!!! I mean, he was serious as can be! Where am I?, I think to myself. Being observant of my surroundings, I'm like freaking radar, catching every little movement!

He also tells me my tires are low. Always something. I added air today, but think I may have put too much. Guess we'll find out tom, if my tires pop while driving down the interstate. haha.

It's probably about time to turn her in for a new one. This time, it would be wise on my part to invest in a SVU, something w/ tires of steel, & taller than most curbs. A dark color in case buggies randomly run into my door. Maybe a Humvee. Buttt w/ a depth perception problem like mine, I need it to comfortably fit in parking spots of all sizes & make sharp curves just fine. We'll see.

You need to see my license? Which one?! Driver's or Nursing?!

I have credentials now!!!! My initials are... M.H., RN, BSN! Yes! As I awaited to take my boards, I developed a few more stomach ulcers and added 10 yrs of stress to my life. I went in on a Monday a.m. Not sure what to expect. I pretty much went through security clearance. I had to take a picture. I wasn't sure if I should smile or not, until I did and the man laughed at me. Typical. So my pic is repulsive in the middle of a look of fret and half-smile. I decided it may be wise to no ask him to retake it. (Remember, Dora is my grandmother, so vanity is an issue).

For the NCLEX, you can have a minimum of 75 - 265 Q's. Everyone I have talked to in my nursing class had 75 Q's. I set myself up for about 90-100 Q's to attempt & decrease my anxiety (Anx- Nursing Abbreviation!). Well, 90 gets there, 100 comes, OH CRAP 200 Q's. I'm too scared to take a break b/c I can't waste 1 second! They wouldn't let me take anything in- no gum, water, tissue. Excuse me!? My nose was running like a freight train, my palms were getting sweaty, and my stomach was SCREAMING at me! 4 1/2 hrs later...I walk out. I just want to crawl out so that I don't have to make eye contact w/ other ppl. I knew they weren't thinking "FOUR HRS? Oh you failed!" Buttttt w/ the bldg being freaking CIA-Pentagon clearance, I had to fingerprint before I left.

2 days of agony; I knew I didn't pass. Everyone was saying, "Sure you did, Megan, you just have bad luck, so that's prob why you had the MAXIMUM amt of Q's" DUH, I have bad luck; that's why I have this blog! I was going to find out at 8a Wed by checking the AL Board of Nursing website. My name isn't up. TIME TO THROW UP. My friend txt me, The system is DOWN!!!!!!!" Not sure when results will be up. Really? I just think that maybe God is just waiting b/c he doesn't want me to be sad yet. 1112 rolls around. I PASSSSSSSSSED!!!!! I did a double take. I kept refreshing the screen to make sure that they hadn't made a mistake! haha!
Yesssssssssssssss!!!! Yipee! Can't believe it. (For the record, just b/c I had 265 Q's, I know I'm going to be a good nurse, so no worries!)

In orientation this week, there are only 3 newly hired nurses. Stinking budget. For those who have never heard my voice, wellll, it's a little on the raspy side. ESP in the a.m. Whoa. I range from sounding like Mini Mouse to a 60 y/o smoker. I start to clear up around noon. The nurse orienting us says, "Megan, do you sing?" Choking on my coffee, "Excuse me? I'm sorrrrrry." "Do you sing?" "OHHH NO." "Really? You sound like you have a voice of a singer." Hhahah. I crack up. I turn to another new nurse and explain I don't really know why I've sounded so hoarse all wk. She replies, 'Oh, you don't always sound like that?" -Murphy's Law.

In gunshot hearing, thief-filled Wal-Mart, MG & I decide to go shopping. There are cops, ambulances, handcuffs. Not surprised anymore. We're in the fancy bread section. I see what appears to be a big tortilla, so I state that exactly. Of course MG has already walked off, so I'm left talking to myself....I thought. This girl corrects me saying that it is "Taaiiiaia bread." (no offense, she was Asian. I could not understand.) "Excuse me?" "It's so-in-so bread. I know. My roommate is Indian" (Coulda guessed that). Oh no, missy, I have some ethnicity to me too! "Oh, it looks my Gma's tortillas." "No, it's so-in-so bread!" Whatever girl! You don't correct me! I don't know you!

Is it bad that I'm blogging to you guys listening to Cher? BABY IT'S ALL OR NOTHING NOWWWW! Just a little greatest hits, mostly from the 80's. When they sent my license to me- they also sent the picture!!!!!! Pretty goofy looking but I don't know if I can throw it away!? And by throw it away, I mean SHRED it! Ha.

Okay, enough is enough! I'm a working girl now, so I need to go pack my lunch for tomorrow. Hahha. Love!

Hey Guys! I know I have abandoned you, but I really have been thinking about you! Every time something embarrassing or funny happens to me (daily), I think about how I need to blog that story! I couldn't even go to sleep last night because of all the things I was trying to remember to blog! Some would say I'm kind of a nerd, but I blame it on OCD.

First things first, I graduated!!!!!!! No more undergraduate nursing school! Hallelujah! Now, just by the Grace of God, I will pass my boards (NCLEX) and have my nursing license. I will be working at Children's Hospital, the only one in Alabama! I consider it a gift to love to work with children AND adults because so many nursing pick one or another. I did my preceptorship (internship) on a Surgical ICU at UAB, working with primarily adults. I loved it, all 225hrs of it in 11 wks.

I won't lie. I struggled in my last class of nursing school- Leadership & Management, partly b/c I was so over school and also because, well just because. I had a ridic teacher. You think that's what they all say. For the past 2yrs, all of my tests have been online, except this class. There were 3 exams, and for the first 2, she didn't have enough copies. She entered the classroom w/ 30 copies, knowing there were 84 students. Of course, with Murphy's Law, I was the last to get an exam both times, heightening my test anxiety. I met with her and approached the topic. She said, "Now, Megan, when your first patient codes, you will get stressed out." OH, how I love UAB. I said, "Correct, but you can control how many copies of the test you print, so really, that has nothing to do with a code."

Anyhow, thank goodness, it's over with! For the first time, I feel pretty accomplished and confident in my knowledge (medical wise, that is). However, the train ride isn't over yet. I have that test still before me. Cross your fingers.

Last Tuesday, after a scrumptious dinner at my sister's and soon to be brother-in-law (YAY!), the guys were picking guitar for my Grandma and I. They were playing the infamous "Last Dance with Mary Jane". My 74 y/o Grandma Dora looks at me and says, "You know 'Mary Jane' is?" I said "Yes ma'am (chuckled)...OHHH that's what this song is about??!" Yep, that was me. BUT, in my defense, in the music video, there is a girl in it, who I always thought was Mary Jane!! HHahha.

Mary Merlot, you remember, my cat, has become quite the Miss Kitty. Beautiful as ever, may be a few lbs heavier, but she'll lose it. She stays inside. Never goes outside. She used to escape, but not anymore. She knows better. Do you think it's bad to keep a cat inside? I've debated the issue. We were sleeping the other day, and every little creek, sound, movement, she got freaked out. Now, you tell me, she's not too much of a scaredy cat to live outside. Eh?

Getting my nails done before a wedding, I notice, my manicurist staring at me. Everyone always tells me that ppl really aren't looking at me as much as I think they are, but this story proves that I am right. First of all, she poured something into her bottled water that resembled what the big black guy from Green Mile expels from his mouth to cure people. Ew. So they speak their language, which is already kind of rude b/c I may not comprehend it, but I pick up on when you're talking about me!! She gets loud talking to another lady- the lady replies laughing- the owner replies with a smile- and someone in the BACK yells back. My lady starts cracking up...hysterically. I look at my mom and mouth they're talking about me! "No, no, they're not" Yeah, she doesn't know anything. The owner man comes to me and asks, "You have your nose fixed?" I look at him in disgust. He asks again. My mom says, "No, she was born that way?" I'm like, "No, this is my real nose." He says, "She just tink it so pritty. Wonder if it fixed? Come up so high." I said, "No, this is my nose, OKAY?" Mom says, "Oh, Megan, she's complimenting you on how high your nose comes up." (Really, Mom?) He says, "Everybaudy get they nose fixed. Like Michael Jackson." Seriously, now? Everyone gets a nose job, and you compare me to MJ? (Rest his soul wherever he may be). In the past 22yrs, no one has ever said I've had a pretty snauze!! Not happy about it, no sir.

A few weeks later, it's time for another pedi and mani before my graduation party. My beautiful family is in from TX (the Hispanic side. I'll tell you Grandma Dora & Grandpa Bill knew what they were doing to create such great offspring). The same lady does my nails. Oh great. At least this time, she didn't have that freaky water that made me think we were about to enter the Matrix. Another lady approaches me with a phone and her ATT phone bill. "You know what tese $7 are for?" (No lady, I don't even know your plan, let alone your name.) She asked me translate for her on a 1-800 call! What a mess my life is. I was not even able to enjoy my pedicure b/c I was too busy translating a stinking ATT phone bill & the Deer Hunting game her son downloaded. Not to sound ill-cultured, but I didn't think Asians hunted deer?? Just saying. She didn't even give me a discount!

Well, I must pack for the weekend. Labor Day! Yipee! Going on an overnight canoe trip! Will return soon since school is over. Enjoy your weekend!

Love!