I Just Learned A New Word

New favorite word:  Mittelschmertz.


Its the pain/twinge that can be felt when ovulation occurs.


Now I just gotta figure out how to use it in conversation.


"The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children." Psalms 115:14 

We Call It Vloging

We have a YouTube Channel now.  Its called White Girls' Diary.  You can find it here.


I think we are really going to have fun with this one.


I have really reached a point where I am all into the technology thing, and I like it.  I like the internet.


"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." Proverbs 17:22

Getting Ready

I'm going to my first Med/Surg 2 clinical today.  We're on the oncology unit.


We visited the unit for orientation last Monday and it was quiet there.  Quiet, like there wasn't a lot of noise.  I'm not sure if I liked it or not.  It was nice because the unit was newly renovated and clean, and people were not running up and down the halls like on the Tele unit.  I think our instructor told us there were 15 beds in the unit and 3 nurses.  There are 7 of us students and one teacher.


There is a bunch, a Bunch, a BUNCH of paperwork for this class, due on Thursdays at noon.


I'm excited though.  I feel like this semester I know more and am more confident going into the clinical area.


Yesterday I realized that this summer is my last summer before I officially become and adult and have to get a real job.  I'm not sure how I feel about this.


"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

An Anniversary Not Worth Celebrating

Today is the 38th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade.  It allowed abortion to be legal because of a right to privacy.


Since then there have been many new laws restricting and regulating abortion.  

Here is a link to a website that has Virginia abortion laws.  Its biased.  But not my bias.  It is NARAL's website, I figured I'd put it here, so no one would tell me I was skewing the facts with my pro-life antics.


There is a new-ish law about parental notice and consent.  NARAL is obviously upset about it.  I think its a good idea.  But really, people, a 16 year old has to get parental permission to get her ears pierced but should be allowed to make the decision of getting an abortion all by herself?  Come on.

There is a March For Life that usually happens on the anniversary of Roe vs Wade in Washington D.C. every year to protest.  I've been like 5 or 6 times.  I always love going.  They didn't march today though, because they want to march when Congress and the Supreme Court are open, and today is a Saturday, so there you have it.

President Obama talked about the anniversary of Roe vs Wade today, saying "on this anniversary, I hope that we will recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights, the same freedoms, and the same opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams."  I just think everyone should keep their legs together until they get married.


There is more I could write.  I'm am very passionate about this issue, and I'm not sure why.  I think I just want what is best for the women and for the babies.  I've seen the pain it can bring.  Not that everyone must feel a certain way after an abortion, but there is a chance of that.  There's no going back really.  Only God can heal.  I've also seen God's healing after abortion.  And that is amazing.


"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:18-19

Failure Is Not An Option

I have a new idiom that I have been using lately.  I'm not sure why I'm using it, other than I think I'm pretty awesome and that I should do things awesome-ly.  


It is:  Go big or go home.


I usually use it in my everyday actions, such as, "I gotta clean up this apartment, go big or go home."  And this usually makes me bring out the vacuum


I use it when I'm questioning myself about asking questions in class, "just ask it," I think,  "go big or go home."


And I use it when I'm try to get up the courage to go to school.  Oh, not because I dread it or anything, just because sometimes I don't know if I can hack it, I love school.  I think to myself "what a wonderful world."  I mean, I think, "you can do it Katie, go big or go home."


You're thinking, is that really the whole point Katie?  No, its not.


My point and the story attached to this blog post it this.


We were taking our first Med/Surg quiz in, you guessed it, Med/Surg 2.  I was a bit worried about this quiz, but I proceeded to take it.  I was breezing though the questions, until one.  It was about blood values, hemoglobin, and altitude.  It was a multiple choice question, I crossed out two of the answers, and was left with 16% and 18%.  I thought it was a trick.  Because a 16 is a high normal, and 18 is out of the range of what is normal.  But go big or go home went though my mind and I picked, 18%.


I aced the quiz.  Bring it on Professor.  I know my stuff.  I read the book.  I'm ready for more.  Maybe I can hack it.


(I'm getting ready to go to the Senior Dance Recital at SU.  I think it'll be fun, but mostly because we got a group of us out for a free cultural event.)


"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

Two Other People's Work, I.E. Not Plagiarism

I aim to make my blog as little quoted as possible, but I just read this and want to share it because it really speaks to me.

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns -- 1/17/11: 

Even though your life seems to be transitional, begin to think of the steps you take as foundational. Don't think that your thoughts, words, and actions are unimportant. What you do now will actually frame and give meaning to your future. Give thought and consider carefully what is happening in you and around you and respond according to the leading of My Spirit, says the Lord. 

Deuteronomy 11:24a Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours.

I feel like this is exactly what I feel like right now.  I get this lady's emails sent to me, and they very often apply directly to my day.  I try and read it when I get to school in the morning before class starts.

And since I already broke my quote "guidelines", I'm going to cite another blog.

I really like this Peaceful Parenting blog, and they posted this one today.  I'm copying the graphic they had here too.  One of the reason some people think that vaccinations are fine/good for their children is because they got all their vaccinations and they turned out okay.  But look at this schedule:

Just something to think about.  I'm skeptical about anything and everything (especially if someone from the government, e.g. the CDC, is telling me to do something).

I'm just saying to be a "good Berean."

"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:10-11

Teetering On OCD

I Lysol-ed the bottom of my shoes when I got home from clinical.  That's not even the crazy part.  The crazy part is this morning before I left for clinical, I got the Lysol out of the closet and put it next to the front door, because I knew I would be coming home from the hospital, and knew I would want to Lysol the soles of my shoes.


I blame Kat.  She told me she did this.  I didn't even think about it before she told me this.


But really.  If you really think about it, it makes sense.


So you walk around the dirty hospital all day, then you walk around your house on the carpet and on the rugs.  The throw rugs in the bathrooms especially scare me.  I'm usually barefoot in the bathroom.


Not that I'm going crazy or OCD about all shoes, just my hospital shoes.


I really shouldn't be that crazy because this semester on Mondays I'm going to the oncology unit, and you can't catch cancer.


"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." Ephesians 6:15

Thinking When I Should Be Sleeping

I'm sitting here on my couch thinking about the time efficiency of taking a shower, listening to Taylor Swift on YouTube, and pondering my life choices.


I wonder what life could have been if things had turned about differently.


Even though I know, that I know, that I know that I am in the right place at the right time right now, sometimes I just think about it.


I just need to relax in God and trust him to lead me.


It easier said than done.


"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way." Psalm 37:23


"A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." Proverbs 16:9


I think these Scriptures have probably been up on my blog posts before, but they speak to me.  I need to remind my self more often.


"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11

Thoughts On Parenting

Since I can write about whatever tickles my fancy, I'm going to write about a concept that I think is silly (I would say stupid, but that's not a nice word).


Here's the concept.  Ready?


Let's go.


I've heard parents say, "I don't need to be a friend to my children.  I'm the parent.  Not a friend."


Now, I understand what they might mean by this.  Maybe they mean that they want their children to listen to them.  Maybe them mean they want they children to learn from them.


But I don't think that's what comes across to the children when they hear their parents say this or when parents parent like this.


When children are parented this way, I think children don't feel the love they need from their parents.  The children could not develop a close relationship with their parents if the parents are focused on being the boss.  Parenting is a lot more than just being the boss. (I'm a believer in attachment parenting, from home birth, to breastfeeding, and to homeschooling.)


Okay, now to relate my thoughts to the Bible.  God is Father ("There is but one God, the Father." 1 Corinthians 8:6).  We are a friend of God ("He was called the Friend of God." James 2:23).


Now if God can do it, we should strive for it.


"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." 1 John 4:7-8


P.S.  My parents parented me excellently.  If it weren't for their love, I wouldn't be able to do what I'm doing now.


P.P.S.  I think I'm pms-ing, and I'm feeling sappy.  I cried at the movie A League of Their Own and the very end of Holes today.

Must This Happen Again?

Well, I saw him again today.

"Him who?", you might ask.

The Creeper.  I first wrote about him in this earlier blog.  And again in this blog.

Kaywa and I went to Chipotle.  She wrote about it in her blog.  I really, really like Chipotle.  Before tonight, I hadn't been there in months.  Okay, weeks, but everything in my life either happened the other day or months ago.  We don't really go out on the weekdays that often unless it's Chic Fil A, so this was a success for me.

We walked in and got in line and I turned around to talk to Kaywa, and I saw him.  He and the Keeper were there, sitting together on the same side of the booth.  It was weird.  I told Kaywa that he was there, and she was excited and turned her head to look at them.

There was an awkward smile.

Being the kind person I am, I said, "Hi, how are you?"  But in my tactful, I-acknowledge-your-presence-but-let's-not-talk-anymore voice, NOT my I-haven't-seen-you-in-forever-how's-it-been voice.

He said hi, and we ordered our food.

Kaywa and I sat as far away from them as we could without sitting in front of the door that whenever opened blew bone chilling wind on whomever was in its way.  Ten minutes later they were up, and I could see them coming toward us in the reflection of the window.  I think, "Oh no, really?  Leave me alone, I don't know how to interact with boys, let alone boys that are creepers and think they like me."

Then I realized we sat next to the trash cans.

He threw his stuff away and walked out without saying anything more to me.

It was exciting.  I mean weird.  If he ever reads this he should feel special.  I think I probably only write about Kaywa more than him.

"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety." Psalms 4:8

Its The Little Things

I like it when teachers put smiley faces in their emails.

It's unexpected.

And I like it.

"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding." Proverbs 3:13

PPD Testing

I have to get a PPD test today. Its to see if I have TB. I doubt I do. But I worry because I have been places in my young life that I don't know what I could have pick up.

Last December when I got the PPD done at my Doctor's office at home, there was a really nice nurse there. I had to get two vaccinations as well. Let it be known that I am a skeptic of vaccines. The concept is good, but the practice, science, and follow up behind it I think it lacking, and I can say that now because I am a health care professional, but that is for another blog.

I told the nurse that I was leery (d. cautious or wary due to realistic suspicions) of vaccinations and she understood, at least she said she did. She agreed to give me one vaccination and the PPD shot that day, and the other vaccination when I came back to get the PPD check in two days. I was happy. She brought out the needle to give me the PPD test, she called it a "toxin", I laughed nervously, she stuck it in my arm, I didn't flinch because I'm more scared of needles moving around in my body that actually getting the shot, and she said, "Oh, that wasn't the best bleb I've ever done." Thanks Nurse, I appreciate you telling me that.  At least it is an example of what NOT to do when I'm practicing.

I didn't have TB (and don't, because I don't think I've been exposed).

Oh, I really burned my grilled cheese sandwich because I was writing this blog post.  Distraction can be worse than procrastination.

"For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD." Jeremiah 30:17

My First, Kind Of

Today was my first day of classes.


I was nervous; I'm not ashamed to admit it.  But I was prepared this time.  Third times a charm I guess.


I had my binders organized with dividers, and syllabi and outlines in tow.  I charged my Ipod and my computer.  I had multiple pens and highlighters in my pencil case.  (Don't you think its funny how we all call it a pencil case whether or not it has pencils in it.)  I had plenty of snacks and 3 waters bottles (one in my purse and two in my backpack).  I'm worried about dehydration during three three hour lectures, but funny enough, I only drank one. I even had a note card with my schedule on it so I didn't forget.


It was ugly weather this morning.  But I got out of bed at 7:15 and got ready.  I even had time to eat oatmeal this morning, which rarely happens because I usually run out of time and stuff food in my pockets and eat in the car or in class if I had to put my makeup on in the car.  I got out of the house on time, 8:30.  I like to be a few minutes early for class.


I got to school.  A lady stopped her car in the middle of the road, and I had to stop quickly.  I almost honked my horn, but then I thought, "NO KATIE, YOU DON'T KNOW  WHO YOUR TEACHERS ARE YET, THAT COULD BE YOUR TEACHER!!!"  So I didn't honk.  That would be a bad way to start out the semester.


I parked my car, and walked into the building.  My school does this funny thing where they don't tell us where our classes are going to be held until you get into class on the first day.  There is a computer screen in the Nursing Office/Lobby with a schedule of classes.  I went to the computer and wrote on my note card where all three of my classes were going to be and headed to my class.


Theory, Reason, and Research was first.  It was good-ish.  No exams or quizzes.  Just papers and projects.  She let us out early, so that was good.


Families/OB/Mother Baby - I've heard it called all these things, was next.  I really enjoyed it.  I like pregnancy/ women's health/ fetal development.  The teacher was really excited and made it exciting.  I'm glad, because I think I want to be a midwife.  I'm in the clinical section that meets starting in March, so I don't have to drive tomorrow morning at 6 am.  I don't mind waiting until it's a little warmer to go.


Lastly was Ethics.  We were supposed to meet from 4 to 7.  We started on time and went over the syllabus.  But they let our class out early because it was starting to snow/freezing rain.


I got home and almost fell asleep on the couch sitting up with my coat on because I was so tired.  Between classes then the stress of driving home (it wasn't that bad, just not very much visibility), I was tired.  Kaywa convinced me to play Wii Fit with her and then we ate dinner.


I think it was a pretty good day.  I'm excited for the ball to get rolling and everything to settle into a routine.  I'm a creature of habit.


"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Homework Already?

How can teachers assign homework before we've even had our first class?

I have 5 chapters I need to read before tomorrow.  About to get started.

I'm going to school to print syllabi and outlines, and put up the new SNA bulletin board, and exercise.

I decided I'm going to be excited about school instead of scared.  By spring break I'll be 50% done with nursing school!!!

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

Food and Handedness

Yesterday and the day before I made chili, beef stew, black bean soup, and bbq chicken.  I think my making all this is kind of like nesting for a baby.  I'm just nesting for my baby named Nursing School.  I'm just getting ready for the start of school.


I had to use a can opener a lot to take on this cooking project.  I hate using can openers.  I hate them because they are right handed, and I am not right handed.  I am left handed.  Its hard to grip the can opener so that it stays on the can.  Its hard to turn the turning thing on the can opener with my right hand.  I kept dropping the cans and then had to start over gripping them.


But I don't know if a left handed can opener would be something I would like.  I get so used to changing to the right handed world that when I get left handed things its hard to use.


I had a left handed calendar/planner once.  It opened from the back, and it read from the back to front.  It was too weird for me.


I like the left handed scissors though.


Quick dry pens are super nice too.


I feel sorry for left handed children when they want to use markers because mothers freak out when there is marker all over their child's hand, but its really just because they are left handed that there is marker on their hands.  Because left handed people drag their hand across the words they just wrote, that's why there is ink on their hands.


I bet Jesus understands and has stuff for me in heaven.


"In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also." John 14:2-3

I Think I Can

I'm preparing to go back to school tomorrow.


Well, I'm sitting here thinking about getting my stuff together to take back tomorrow.


I have a lot to take.  I had a full car when I came home from school for Christmas break.  But it wasn't really organized or anything; I just threw everything in there.  I had so much because I had to pack for like a month, and its freezing here, so I had a bunch of sweaters and sweatshirts and coats.  Now I have a new keyboard and sweaters and stuff to take back.  I even have textbooks to bring, because I ordered them from Amazon and had them sent here.  I asked Brother to make his plans for tomorrow later, so he could help me pack my car.  He said yes.  He is the best brother.


I think I'm ready for school to start.  I wasn't ready yesterday, so it was a good plan to stay an extra day here, even though it wasn't my plan.


"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:13

Literally

When I read the Bible, I read it very literally.


When I read, "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light," (Genesis 1:3), I believe that is what happened, just as it says.


When the book of Job describes a dinosaur, "Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron," (Job 40:15-18), I believe that Job actually saw a dinosaur.


When the Bible says, "And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured," Luke 1:28, I believe that there was an actual angel in the room speaking to Mary.  It wasn't a dream or a vision, but an actual angel.


When the Bible says, "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you," (Luke 22:19-20), I believe Jesus intended us to take Communion believing the words Jesus used "this is my body."  He said "this is my body," not it represents my body.  But I do believe the Bible when Jesus says, "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole," (Mark 10:52).


I think my point is that believing that Communion is the actual body and blood of Jesus is like speaking in Tongues.  Believing in the actuality of the body and blood of Jesus/speaking in Tongues isn't necessary for us to get to Heaven, but it makes Christian living a whole lot easier.

Already?

Oh my, okay, now I'm nervous about going to school.


I'm not ready to get up early and go to school and study when I get home.


Just thinking about carrying my book bag around makes me sweat.


I don't know if I'm ready to leave my home and my family again.


I'm ready for summer break already.


"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Deuteronomy 31:6

3 More Days

I'm excited about getting back to school and back to my apartment.

I miss the slow-ness of the town.

I miss my classmates and friends.

I miss the schedule of school.  Well, I'm not excited for 3 three hour lectures on Tuesday this coming semester, but I do like knowing what to do everyday.

I miss Kaywa too.  Lol.  She's so fun to hang out with.

I have big plans for this semester.  I just can't wait to implement them.

I'm going back Tuesday.  I'm planning on making food this next week and freezing it into meals so that I will have easy meals whenever I don't have time to make something healthy.

"I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love." Psalms 119:113

New Years Resolutions

I'm not sure if New Years Resolutions work to perfect our personhood, because I think that Jesus does that, but maybe He could work though Resolutions?  Someone told me they were going to give up making Resolutions.  Well, I think I'm too young to give up on Resolutions.  And by posting them here, I will be kept accountable.


Soooooo,

1. Write more funny blogs.
2. Write worship music.
3. Exercise and play games instead of watching t.v.
4. Read more books.
5. Call my Grandmothers more often.
6. Have more people over for dinner and studying.
7. Get grades I will be proud to post on my blog.
8. Not stall my car when there are boys around.
9. Study at the library.
10. See God in the little things.

"But the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice." 1 Kings 19:11-12