Sunday bike ride

So this morning I could not sleep. I don't know what it was, but I woke up at 4am and just laid in bed until 5. I finally got up.
I decided once the sun was close to up that I would go on a bike ride.
And so begins the journey...

It started in the bathroom, as most events do...


Don't forget the SPF...(me with no makeup, oh gosh!!)



My used Trek awaits me...



Getting ready to go and a quick check of the time. That is AM, of course.



As I left the parking lot I could not resist a picture of the sky. It just looked gorgeous. The older I get the more I love the morning. In fact, sometimes I wonder if something is wrong with me...I'm 24 and up at 5am on my own accord...I'm not 80!! Geez, anyway...





Finally, I was "off." I live on quite a busy road, so I mostly used the sidewalks, which I know is "wrong," but I've only had my bike for like a week and a half and have yet to purchase a helmet. I mean, I prefer to eat my food solid on pretty plates as opposed to just liquid form through a tube in my gut...got me? Playing it safe for now!!


"Tired and hot"





I made it all the way to Mirza's house!! I imagined everyone inside sleeping all soundly. It made me laugh to myself.

Right before I crashed....kidding.



I love the sunrise!





And finally I made it back home where Max was waiting for me on the balcony, as always...



Another check of the time!



What you didn't see was the black scruff marks all over my legs and arms from carrying that sucker up to the second floor!

It was probably only about 4.5 miles, but still fun and good nonetheless.

Product Review

I've been in the market for a facial scrub that is as close to "natural" as possible. For me, this would include things from nature and as few chemicals (ie-parabens) as possible. As some of you probably know, this is quite tricky. I've never really been one to purchase a lot of cosmetics or facial cleanser type things. In fact, I don't even really wash my face, except when in the shower and it gets wet! I have found the more I mess with my face, the more I get breakouts. I've never really had any issues with acne, just a few pimples here and there growing up.
Like I was saying, I've been on the search for something to exfoliate and get all the dead skin off. I do have quite a few bumps on my forehead that are practically invisible except to me. Price is also an issue. I did not want to spend like $40 on some high end product and then find out I don't like it!!
Since I've been using Alba's Sea Moss Moisturizer with good results, I decided I would stay with this product.

I went back and forth between the Sea moss products and the Alba Hawaiian and eventually decided on this:

The ingredients weren't too wild and the price wasn't crazy either.
I paid a little over $11.00

I just used it in the bathtub and so far, so good.
I can tell you it definitely has a great smell. Tropical. I like it!
The exfoliating beads aren't overwhelming.

I am thinking I will use it a few times a week and see what kind of results I get. Basically, I am looking to even out my skin tone and reduce some of the "invisible" bumps on my forehead.

Anyone have experience with this product?

pool, tennis, cake. not in that order

Today was a blast! First, we went swimming at my apartment complex, which we have never used. So much fun. Then we ate a great dinner and went shopping. He needed new pants. And of course then we had to get some cheesecake.

Later on, we played some tennis.

wee.

what was in the last one?

on a roll with the green monsters.

CCIP

I KNEW this would happen. I said it over and over. I just turned in my portfolio and then HR called me. She said my 'folio looked absolutely great, wonderful job, etc. She talked about setting up interviews with my top 3 choices, but then said it looks like they are only hiring for 3rd shift right now. That is night shift. I REALLLLLLLY don't want to do night shift. I feel like it is so unhealthy...when would I eat and exercise and everything else? I'm such a day person; I love the morning and all the going-ons of the day. This is such a disappointment. Should I do CCIP even if it is on nights or just say forget it? She asked me if this was okay and I said, No, I did not want to do nights, but that I wanted critical care, so I guess I would just have to.
I am hoping that once I interview then I can talk to the managers and things will be different.
I'm so annoyed at this point that I just want to give up and get my master's.

Oh She Glows "green monster"

This post was inspired by Angela at http://ohsheglows.com/

"Green Monster" included kale, blueberries, yogurt, ground flax, almond butter, banana...organic and delicious. Thanks Angela!

best blog

http://ohsheglows.com/

<---the best blog..my favorite read right now and probably for awhile. I love her site! She is so pretty and alive, that's why I like it. That and we have the same interests and get excited over the same things.

Today was a slow day at work. Actually, it has been pretty dead lately with all the snow birds flying back up north. A lot of people have been getting called off. I am trying not to get called off too much since I need my PTO for my vacation in July to see my sister in Boston. However, after working Sat, Sun with only Monday off and knowing I worked today and tomorrow, I asked if I could be on the list go to home at 3 and I made it! I can't tell you how much of a difference it makes to get out 4 hours early. I actually had to time to work out, relax, clean, and watch some tv with Mirza:)
This month has been awfully hard on me financially. I usually have like $300 left after each check (and of course money in savings that cannot be touched), but May has been the worst with purchasing the CSA (http://www.gatewayorganicfarm.com/), Mirza's Birthday, Mom's bday, sister's, mother's day...the money spending never ends! So basically, I am broke. Literally, like $60 in my checking account that can't be spent for pending transactions and nothing to eat.
I finally gave in and had to get some food after the gym tonight. I don't often eat sandwich meats, but I was dying for a ham and cheese croissant. They are so simple, yet delicious.



Gotta go to bed now, more work tomorrow!!

Restless

This is a bit more personal post than I usually do. I keep a lot of the really personal stuff for my LJ, but I just feel like opening up.
Lately, I have been feeling so restless about life. I feel so torn. Not that there is a lot to be torn about, so I think that is the wrong word....um, upset, frustrated, rushed. Mirza won't be graduating foreverrrrr from now. His whole schedule just got screwed with going to SPC, transferring and then when he didn't get inthe first time at USF, that put him behind by a year(he's in school to be a music teacher). Because he has so many more studio lessons to go through, he probably won't graduate until late 2011! ugh, why does this suck? Let me tell you:
- As long as he is in school, I don't see what sort of job he could attain that would bring in any sort of real income.
- I told myself and him (and everyone who asks) that I did not want to live together until we are both financially stable.
- But this sucks because then we won't be living together until like..um forever???????????????????????
- We've been together for over 6 years, we're both 24 years old, I JUST WANT TO BE TOGETHER!! I WANT TO LIVE TOGETHER AND START OUR LIFE.
It is like everyone else is living their life, going on trips, getting engaged, married, having babies....I DON'T WANT TO BE OLD WHEN I HAVE KIDS!! I am just upset because we are so incredibly in love and have everything a couple could ask for, but I feel like we are just separated and that we're not together until we combine our living situation.
-I guess I just always had this laid out plan in my head about the way things would go...like, I would graduate, live on my own for awhile, then when he graduates, we will find a place TOGETHER, our own place with enough room and start to really live together and be one. And then live together, work, travel, have fun and just be US and be alone and be in love like we are...Get engaged and married and save money and then buy a HOUSE and "settle down" somewhere, maybe out of Florida once we're both settled in our positions. Go back to school, etc. And then obviously start a family....but it's like...if he doesn't graduate for 2 more years, I will be 26...! too old.

i don't know what to do. It is really UGH, any suggestions?

Mirza's 24th BDAY

an update

To update:
-Tomorrow I have to do a "shadow shift" in the ICU. I'm excited, but they start at 5:30, so getting up that early is not what I'm looking forward to.
-I'm working diligently on my portfolio for the internship
-I got another raise at work! yay.
-I paid my $500 for the CSA and took a visit a few weeks ago; SO AWESOME!

CSA

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants

Gateway Organic Farms is going to be opening their membership for the next harvest. For the longest time, I've wanted to take part in a Community Supported Agriculture, but because it is a large fee up front (not a huge cost in the long run) I have never been able. However, I think now I can do it! And I'm so excited. The price rose from $400 to $500, but I understand the increase.
I feel like $500 is a huge investment in one installment, but will also be a huge investment in my health! $33 a week for fresh, organic, locally grown produce is an amazing deal and for me, it would be great. I spend a considerable amount on produce as it is; I will definitely get my money's worth. Of course, $500 is for half share, so it would be every other week, but I think it will definitely work out.
Now, to figure out how to pay for it...credit, savings, both? Sigh.

http://gourmetgirlmagazine.com/09/01/specialfeature.php

In case anyone is keeping up, I passed my ACLS course and now have my official "provider" card. Go me!
Now my focus will be on completing CEU for my critical care portfolio.
I don't like to think about back up plans because I feel it might jinx it, but if I don't get in this time, then I will try to go through the next progressive care internship, which is mostly just online stuff it seems, and then apply for the NEXT ccip, which I REALLLLLLY hope doesn't occur.
After my ACLS course I felt even more energized and motivated to get into critical care.

ACLS

I'm taking ACLS today. I'm actually pretty nervous since I don't know what to expect; don't want to look like an idiot, etc. I mean, I have studied and I did okay on the pre-assessment exam, but ...scary!
Wish me well. Hopefully I will come home today and be able to update this as an ACLS certified RN.:)

A lot to lose!!

HAPPY EARTH DAY EVERYONE!!!



It's a lot to lose.

I will be working 3-7 and wearing this cute pin:




---->Geek

Boston

My sister ran the Boston Marathon today!!!

Her first marathon ever, too. What an accomplishment. She is so amazing.

I just bought a Littmann Master Classic II stethoscope in ceil blue!!
I previously owned a Littmann Classic II SE in raspberry, which was misplaced when I was stupid enough to take it off my neck to eat in the cafeteria and I placed it on the chair. NEVER TO BE FOUND AGAIN! I am currently using a Littmann Lightweight II SE that my manager let me have when I LOST mine. It is decent, but the sound isn't as good as my other one.
!! I will never take my new one off my neck.

oh and all that crap about having a name tag will prevent it from being stolen...PFT!! I had one with my name NICOLE, RN in black stickers, very noticeable and obviously by someone who loved it and I KNOW someone picked it up and took it. bastards!
anyway, can't wait for it come in the mail!

ACLS

I am taking ACLS on Saturday and I'm so overwhelmed! I have not been studying like I should be. It's a llottt of info.

*breathe*

Critical Care

Well, the new Critical Care Internship Program will begin August 24th. Interviews will be June 22nd and 23rd.
They now have a new requirement. First, you need to have one year experience and second, you need to complete this extensive portfolio consisting of courses through CE Direct, an essay, letter of recommendation, a few other prerequisite courses, educational transcript, etc.
Since I graduated in August and passed my boards in September, I will be just shy of one year, so I need to really do everything I can to "beef" up my portfolio.
However, I am feeling discouraged and defeated in some ways. I feel I am quite capable of being an ICU nurse. I went to a great school and earned my Bachelors, which not a lot of nurses have. Also, a lot of my classmates went straight from school into the critical care without an issue, so for me, if I don't get into this CCIP and I need to wait until the next (February?) then it is going to just suck. A year and a half? I don't think I can last another 6 months in my current position. If that occurs, I might just give up and try to get into the master's program. I don't want to waste anymore time. I want my ICU experience, so then I get can get my master's...

sigh.

The thing that I have against me also is the fact that I look young too. I am young (24), but it doesn't help when 85% of my patients think I am 17 or 18 and they tell me and ask me!~ I need to everything I can to work just that much harder so people take me seriously.

time for another pie

When organic, local florida strawberries go on sale for 2.99, you stock up!!!