Quick Update

Just a quick note from Washington, D.C. My youngest brother Edwin (aka Chino) just became a father again for the second time. His wife had a little girl who they named Sarah. She is so cute... I can't wait to meet her.

Nurse Who?

I have great news; I finally got my nursing license. I took the NJ State Board of Nursing exam last Thursday and found out this morning (Saturday) that I passed. I am so relieved but nervous because now I have to really be professional and take charge of people's lives. I was at work today thinking about how this new job will affect my life. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy about it, but I just today realized that a small mistake on my behalf can really affect another person's life, possibly even end it. Imagine that?

I have total confidence in my ability to do the job. I went to a good school and received excellent training. It’s just a bit scary because this is for real now! No professor lurking behind me to make sure I don’t make a mistake.

long time coming

Sorry it has been so long since my last post, but life has been really busy. First, my computer crashed and it has been and out of the repair shop for that last six weeks. Second, Andy and went to Canada for a week three weeks ago and so I was not available to blog. Third, I have been busy studying my ass off (not really) for the State Board of Nursing Licensure Exam. I will be taking the exam in the next few weeks, and starting Saturday I will begin a review class (which cost me $500) to go over everything I learned, or was supposed to learn in nursing school over the past three years.

I know I owe RV3 pictures from Toronto/Niagara Falls. I promise I will get to it soon. Hope all is well with everyone and please saya prayer for me starting in August, I will take my licensing exam in August but I will not tell anyone when exactly. You are just going to have to pray for me everyday until I tell you I passed the exam.

Is there a nurse in the house?

The International Council of Nurses' Pledge

In full knowledge of the obligations I am undertaking,
I promise to care for the sick,
with all the skills and understanding I posses,
without regard to race, creed, color, politics or social status,
sparing no effort to conserve life, to alleviate suffering,
and to promote health.

I will respect at all times,
the dignity and religious beliefs of the patients under my care,
holding in confidence all personal information entrusted to me,
and refraining from any action that might endanger life or health.

I will endeavor to keep my professional knowledge and skill at the highest level,
and to give loyal support and cooperation,
to all members of the health team.
I will do my utmost to honor the International Code of Nursing Ethics,
and to uphold the integrity of the Professional Nurse.

Family

This weekend was great, I got to play host to my mother, brother Erik, nephew Erick, sister in law to be Kylie, and good family friend Gladys. They all came out for my graduation. It was really nice to have them here. My mother, Kylie, and Gladys have been to NY before but not Erik or Erick. We spent two days in NYC doing tourist things like going to the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, Fifth Avenue, and so on. We had lots of fun and did so much walking that my feet and hips are still hurting. It was great to see the look on my brother’s face when we went to the Empire State Building or Yankee stadium.

Unfortunate, I have come to the realization that Erik and I will never see eye to eye on most things. We did our usual arguing about everything from which side of the street to walk on, and how to treat animals. I’m not sure why we are always disagreeing with each other, but I realized that is just the way it is. I am glad when I move back to California it will be far enough away that don’t have to deal with him on a regular basis, I think we’d eventually kill each other. I must say though, it was great having them here. In the end we both know we love each other, but just too different to always get along. We are like night and day, sometimes it’s hard to believe we grew up in the same house.

Time Goes By So Slowly

After a long absence, I finally went to the local bar tonight. I felt the urge to dance and what better night to do it than on 80’s night. I had lots of fun, although I must say the crowd was a lot younger than it was the last time I went to a bar/dance club (maybe 1 year ago). I felt a bit out of place and not in my element, even though Feathers is a gay bar (as if that was not obvious). I almost wanted to leave around 11:30, but then the DJ started his usual Madonna marathon, and so I was convinced to stay. I must have danced for at least an hour and a half before I realized I was drenched in sweat and needed a Corona to refresh my senses.

When I tried to return to the dance floor because Paula Abdul’s “Knocked Out” started playing, my poor legs just would not let me. I stayed on the sidelines and gently bounced my head to the beat before I decided it was time to go home. I am glad I went out and had fun, even though my friend Ed did not show up as he said he would, or at least I did not see him.

The End

After years of anguish and feeling defeated, nursing school has finally come to an end. I took my last final yesterday and scored very well (a 92 if you must know). It was awesome to do so well because after receiving some bad news earlier this year, I failed one of my exams (I got a 71 which in nursing school is failing, passing is 75). I was very nervous because that low score brought my average down and so I had to get at least a 75 on the final just to get a C and pass the course. I ended up with a B- so I feel good that I was able to pull my grade up so much.

All of you should consider yourselves lucky that you were not around me this past week. Considering the stress and anxiety I was feeling, I was not a nice person to be around. I must say that Andy is a saint for putting up with me the last few weeks, and I am sure I will have to make it up somehow. He is an awesome husband and companion for all the shit I have put him through.

So now all there is left is to graduate next week and then I can get my license to practice nursing. We will stay in NJ for a year then we’ll head back to the sunshine state for a new life in Palm Springs. I hope the beagles like the hot weather…
Thank you all for all your support, I am so happy to have you in my life.