Oops

I forgot about the blog. My bad. I've been a little preoccupied.

Monday I started my 4th week of nursing school. The crazy weather that the south has received caused us to miss the first two days of school. Therefore we were behind. So instead of starting off a little busy we started off a LOT busy. To say we hit the ground running is an understatement. The three days I had 4 tests and a quiz. I was a little shell shocked after that first initial day. However, I LOVE IT!!! It is the most time consuming, brain using, hard to grasp thing I have done, and I absolutely love every minute of it. I have a test basically everyday, and I don't even care. It's like this program was made for me. We learn material, and as soon as we're done learning that chapter [and occasionally it's a few chapters at a time] we take a test. Sometimes it's that same class period, but typically it's the next day that we meet. It's the BEST! A lot of people in my class think I'm crazy because I'm so calm about everything. And I realized I am. I'm calm about everything. Hard test? Oh well I've got to take it, and I studied so I should be fine. Failed a test? There's more. No big deal. I think it kind of shocks them.

Here's the thing though... graduating from OBU I was learning material for weeks and weeks, and then I'd take a test over it that 9 out 10 times was an essay test or lots and lots of fill in the blank. These tests are always multiple choice [except for the math portion], and 9 out of 10 times the only fill in the blank we have are from the terms that we know are going to be fill in the blank. Therefore, even though I am by far a top student in my class grade wise, I think the test are pretty simple as long as you pay attention in class, and study the material. I have never been so happy. Some people have tried being a joy kill, but they aren't because I'm not doing this for anyone else but myself. Mostly because I want to do something important with my life and help people, but also partly because I wanted to prove I could do it. I always thought I couldn't do it because I was "bad at math and science", and eventually I was encouraged that it wouldn't be a good choice because of the same reason I was making myself believe. BUT, I'm doing it. And it's great.

The hard part is this... I grew up, and am still in, a very "Christian" town, and graduated from a conservative Christian college. I'm at a state school. Granted it's a branch off campus, but still... do you see where this is going? Let me enlighten you [or no one because I don't know who reads this blog]. I've become a little complacent with my walk with God... and I got use to not having to be bold in my faith. I definitely am not use to having to be an example amongst my peers. Well not anymore. There are about 32 people in my class, and I think 2 people, maybe, are believers. I forgot how hard it is to be the minority in your faith. I have to watch every single thing that comes out of my mouth, and every action I take. It's good for me though. I got in the bad habit of a potty mouth, and this has cleaned it up real quick. I also forgot how immature adults can be. Full fledged adults. We have a few under 21, but most are 25+. They party. They get drunk. They smoke. They sleep around. It has floored me. Out of all those people about 5 of us are childless. And of that 32 only about 5-10 are married. You do the math. I had been praying to God to help make me bolder in my faith... well I got my answer.

Maybe that's one reason I've been so positive. I am not your typical overly positive person. I'm a glass half-full kind of girl, but I'm not the cheerleader type, ya know? The more I've realized my honest to goodness effortless attitude about everything having to do with school though... maybe God gave me this to be a light. Because there is really no other way to explain it. I like it though. Joy makes doing everything a lot easier.

Well this was a long post, and I did it well for it being 6:30 in the morning and I've already been up an hour! I'll try to be more consistent. It's hard when I have a test to study for everyday though. But I'm not complaining... :)

my bad

No blogging. Christmas has had me crazy busy. Not to mention preparing for classes to start in January. However, Christmas has been over roughly 15 minutes. I guess I should blog better from now on.

Christmas was pretty great this year. Minus the fact that I'm sick. Getting to watch my 3 year old cousin open gifts she wanted, but wasn't expecting was the BEST. Little kid's faces lighting up is awesome. All it took was The Lady and Tramp dvd because cousin Megan hunted it down on Amazon for her. Sweet kid.

I've also not worked out since Thanksgiving. Oops. [insert sheepish smilie here]. Yet I've lost a pound. Not much, but at least I'm not gaining! I was just as shocked that I've not gained weight. I mean... I've eaten far more food then I have any right too. Plus my sugar intake has been in enough access to fatten up a third world country. I'm so sick of sugar, yet I can't stop eating it. Starting January 1st I'm gonna need to start a sugar cleanse. ASAP. I've done really well until I got busy... right around the holidays. Once again... oops.

I'm counting down the hours/days until I see my OMG BFF. Wednesday. All day. Me and her. I'm super pumped. I already don't want her to go back to CA, and I haven't even got to see her yet. That's how much I miss her. Too much. I've got good friends here, but there is no other Leasal. Ever.

Merry [belated?] Christmas bloggers! From me and Tessa.





And now for some bloopers...
This is Tessa's personality full out. In my face all the time. She has a lot of love to give.


She was not a fan of the antlers. They were a little floppy. She was a champ though.


This isn't a blooper. Just proof that my dog has patience like none other as long as food is involved. Love her.


Just for the record... Tessa NEVER gets people food. However, she got a hamburger that afternoon. Just meat and bread, but the girl was pleased.

hiatus?

No. More like a break. I really do get on my blog, and in less than 30 seconds go, "you don't have time to do this. There are more important things." Which is true. I've been running like a mad woman for the past couple of weeks. I will slow down tomorrow, but then I dog sit this weekend for two different people. Because of school I've reach a point where I can't afford to turn down dog sitting jobs. It's about to be my only source of income for a while until I find a job that will work with my school schedule.

I plan to finish the challenge... only I guess it's less of a challenge and more like regular blogging when you get 5+ days behind. Plus the fact that I'm going to play catch up on the challenge on my own sweet time.

I had orientation for my Practical Nursing Program on Friday. I think I'm less nervous now. In right about a year from now, if all goes well, I'll be a certified LPN. Then off I shall go to do my RN training. Just this semester, including clinicals that start in March, I'll be taking 21 hours. That's right. TWENTY-ONE! I could barely keep up with 15 or 17 at OBU. I think since it's spread out though I'll be okay. Granted taking 21, 19, and 17 hours all in the next year is going to be tough... I can't wait. What's really ridiculous it that I've already started studying. For class that starts in January. That must mean I'm dedicated. :)

The most fantastic news of all? MY ALEASA IS COMING BACK TO ARKANSAS TOMORROW!!! It's only for about 3 weeks but I'm so pumped to see her. It's rough going a year without seeing your best friend. I've not been this excited for something in a awhile.

Anyways... I going to try and blog better, but as crazy as my life is about to get in about 4 weeks... I'm not making any promises.

Talent

Day 19

I don't think of myself as super talented. I've also been told that denying a talent is false humbleness, and my mom use to tell me [oh who am I kidding... she STILL tells me this] "if you don't use your talent, you'll lose your talent". She's a big advocate of using talent that God has given you. So...

Singing. I love singing. I'm good at it. The only problem is I have some ridiculous stage fright. I was getting better at the stage fright... but I haven't been on stage in awhile to work on it.

Crafts. I make things. A lot. I just love working with my hands. Painting. Ceramics/pottery. The more poor I am the more likely you are to get something made as a present.

Kids. I've got a knack with kids. Someone said it's because I'm still a kid at heart. I'm okay with that. Hanging out with my friends and their kids is the best. Especially those sweet babies of theirs. I don't know what it is, but anytime I hold small babies they go to sleep. Maybe I'm comforting...

Animals. I'm also good with animals. I think it's a talent for the simple fact that some people suck at handling animals [and kids for that matter]. They just respond to me though.

Well... it's cold. My hands aren't working well. Keeping it short and sweet. Peace out.

What Wedding?

Day 18- My Wedding/Future Wedding/Past Wedding

Once again... what wedding? I haven't really thought about my future [very distant future] wedding. Honest. The only thing that I've really thought about are bridesmaids. And colors. That's it.

I'm not much for weddings. I don't know why. I just don't care for them. There are few weddings that I've really enjoyed. Two of those happened last year. 6 weeks apart. Both were dear friends and I was in both weddings.

I think weddings stress me out because they just remind me of what I don't have. Most of the time the single life is fine with me. However, because I do, in fact, have a heart and 2 X chromosomes... sometimes I get that ache to have someone else in my life. I didn't think you could miss something you've never had. You can.

Artsy Fartsy

Day 17 an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)

Okay... I don't have a picture of any art piece I've done except for a painting. I draw. Paint. Do pottery. I'm doing a stain-glassed class right now. I love art. It's relaxing for me. I have a lot of big pieces of pottery [ceramics] that I've done.

I'm about to start refinishing a quilt rack and a big wooden chair. OH! And a coffee table and a nightstand. You know... because I have so much extra time on my hands. ;)

I just love creating. For example... last weekend my mom wanted to figure out a way to use her pumpkins for Christmas. So... I took them. Spray painted them metallic silver. Then made one with a wreathe around the middle. One with polka dots. One with puff paint polka dots. One of with snowmen. They turned out SUPER cute. I brought two more from my work home so I can do those too. I'll post pictures when I'm done.

Anyway... if I'm suppose to have a picture... here is the one painting I've done in my life. It's of Amelia when she wasn't even a year old. It was her first trip to the beach. The original picture is too hilariously cute. Therefore I decided to try my hand at painting it...
This is the picture that I used to paint from. I can't find the picture of the painting though. I got an A though. So that's saying something.
I called the painting Beach Baby

I'm Not Really A Crier...

But Day 16 calls for a song that "makes me cry". It can also be one that almost makes me cry.

I use to have a playlist on my iPod that was called "break my heart". They did. Now that playlist has a revised, less emo, title. :)

Open Your Eyes- Andrew Belle. His song Make It Without You is fantastic too. In fact, the whole album is good.

Imagination & You Are On Our Side- Bethany Dillon

To Build A Home- The Cinematic Orchestra

Note To God- Charice

Sticks and Stones- Dave Barnes

Over the Rainbow- Eva Cassidy. Okay... this song doesn't break my heart. Eva Cassidy just does a killer job.

Fellow Traveler- Ginny Owens. This song has literally made me sob. I don't know why. It just breaks me.

Heart On My Sleeve, I Feel Everything, and Stand- Idina Menzel

Liberator- Jason Estrich

If No One Will Listen- Kelly Clarkson. Don't judge. She's solid.

What A Wonderful World- Louis Armstrong

Broken- Lindsay Haun

Not Guilty- Mandisa

Long Road to Forgiveness and Jody's Song- Melissa Greene

Finally Home- Natalie Grant

We Build, The Altar, Why, Every Season, Small Enough, River God, Gratitude- Nichole Nordeman. Can you tell I am obsessed with this artist? The song Why is probably my absolute favorite. Incredible.

Love Will Bring You Home- Nicol Sponberg. This song has legit made me cry too.

I Have To Believe- Rita Springer. This song too. Real tears.

City- Sara Bareilles

Unredeemed and I Will Carry You (Audrey's Song)- Selah. Weeping. Esepcially the second song that's because of this blog. Amazing faith this woman has.

Beauty For Ashes- Shane & Shane

If you read to the bottom of the list... you probably picked up on the fact that music touches me. Now not all these songs brought tears to my eyes [maybe at one point or another], but all of them kind of tug at my heart. Whoever reads this should go listen to these songs. For real.

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I woke up sweating this morning. Yay for heat that finally works at my house!!!