Life...or something

29 March 2009 @ 03:42 pm

sort of.   In an effort to ease the boredom factor and do something with the limited knowledge I retained from Anatomy, I've got Plan B in the works.

Tomorrow, I start my EMT class.   Yay! I'm totally jazzed, and slightly nervous already, but am thinking this is going to be really fun.   My new plan is once this class is over, to find a fire dept or even a private company to work for through the summer and part time while I'm in school - if THAT ever happens!   I'll be in the medical field and will hopefully be able to keep up my skills...

The soonest possible admission for school is now September. Not really sure what happened with Spring quarter as no one seemed to think returning my 7 phone calls was important. They FINALLY sent out the new admissions information - they'll do an 80/20 admissions - 80% from applications, being merit based and 20% from the wait list, not being merit based.    Apparently someone screwed the pooch big time when they changed the criteria and the board of directors refused to approve the new policy since it would mean a lot of people wasted a lot of time for nothing, since they don't have the grades to get in.    Whatever.    Am still going to apply to Whatcom (app is due next month...)   Am not sure when I'll hear back from SVC. The deadline has been pushed back to April 13 from the 1st...so it'll probably be June by the time I hear anything. Again, whatever.

I sat my state test for my NAC license a couple weeks ago...passed, no problems.   The writte was WAY easy - was done in 30 minutes and that was answering all the questions, then going back and re-reading the questions to make sure I didn't misread... The skills was a bit more stressful since someone was standing over you watching every move...well, not really. she sat at a table and barely looked up.   Oh well.   Took my CPR class the next day (how perfect was that since I have to have it for EMT and if I had waited at all, I wouldn't have been able to take the class until June!)

Am slightly awed by how easy it was to get into EMT, considering class starts on Monday and I didn't even start looking into it until last Thursday!   I kept waiting for something to happen to make it more difficult!!    Thank God for FedEx and fax machines!!!

Will try to update a bit more frequently, with how class is going and anything I hear regarding school...

My Mood:

excited

1 comment | leave your 2 cents

02 March 2009 @ 03:43 pm

school and the stupiditity surrounding...

so, i've decided that there's a mandatory crap factor involved in nursing programs.   the school must meet a certain crap level in order to receive funding, etc. that is the ONLY possible answer to all the crap i'm dealing with.

apparently, coordinating website information is extremely difficult.   apparently, there's a rule against people giving you all the necessary information at one time. there must be a call quota for each student.   apparently, it's completely ok for someone NOT to return phone calls.

i'm incredibly annoyed and depressed about the whole school thing. am wondering if i should be taking all the negative stuff going on as a "sign" and choose a different option.   i want to be a nurse though!   at this stage, i'm hoping to get my nursing license by my 75th birthday. here's hoping...

received my test date for my NAC license. Of course, it's on my birthday. I'll be at the facility from 7:30 until 4:30.   Afterwards, I plan to whoop it up and celebrate the hell out of the remaining hours.   Am a little bummed that they "picked" that day. Would rather spend it doing fun stuff.    Oh well.   Now, i need to start studying. Not really concerned about the written part as it seems fairly straight forward. The skills part is a different story.   Grrr.

My Mood:

frustrated

1 comment | leave your 2 cents

08 February 2009 @ 11:04 am

clinicals...suck

Am over halfway through the clinical section of my class and am dreading the last 2 days.   It sucks. The staff are ridiculous and completely rude. I feel like I'm in the 4th grade or something.   In the last 4 days I've been told to go away, get out of the way, find someone else and completely ignored. I've also been belittled (?) in front of other staff and residents (not that they'll remember in an hour anyway) and been talked about like I wasn't even there.   One NAC told a resident "not to worry about me because I'm just stupid."   Lovely. We were told that whenever we needed help with something, just ask. Yet, when we do ask we get all kinds of attitude.   One day, during rounds, another student and I were helping a resident when they went through. They talked about us like we weren't even there, yet we were right in front of them.   One NAC bitches that we only have 3 residents each and thought it was dumb and we should have more.   That's 9 residents that she doesn't have to worry about. No wonder she wants us to have more - so she can sit on her lazy ass and complain. Another day, during rounds, I was telling the oncoming crew that one of the residents was having a hard time bearing any weight on her one leg and that I had a hard time transfering her.   One of the NACs looked right at me and said, "well, that's not HER fault..."    That was the first time I'd ever seen this woman and she had that to say about me. I could have smacked her.   Instead, I told her, "wow. that was really nice. I'm so glad to have met you. You are such an inspiration to the human race. Piss off." and left.

The other girls on my wing have had the same issues. It is absolutely insane the pettiness and insecurity of these "people". I want to explain to them that they're not in any danger of having to work with me after clinicals are over because I'd rather shove nails into my eyes than spend any more time with them.   I don't know if that's the problem - they feel threatened by us, or if they think they're better than us, or they're just terrible people.    I absolutely hate being there - because of them.

My residents are great.   It's a lot of work and can be tiring at times, but they can't help how they are.   They are so starved for attention and are genuinely happy to see you. Even if I just come in the room to see if they need water. They're so grateful for the 30 seconds of attention you give them.   It breaks my heart.

I'm debating whether to bring all this up to HR when we're done.   I don't want to burn bridges, but I do feel like she needs to know how terrible her staff is. I understand that not everyone is a natural teacher, and I don't care if these people like me, but they DO need to treat me like a person and at least acknowledge my existance.   If this facility is going to continue to offer the NAC class, they need to get their staff on board. It's not fair to us, as students, to have to learn in such a hostile environment.

2 days left and it's going to be the longest 2 days of my life.

My Mood:

annoyed

1 comment | leave your 2 cents

24 January 2009 @ 10:50 am

Jan recap

Am mid-way through the lecture part of the CNA class. So far, it's been a complete snooze fest.   Started out thinking the class was full of annoying people. Have revised my thinking and now there are only 2 really annoying people. Unfortunately, they are SUPER annoying.    We learned how to do catheter care the other day (on a dummy) and one of the annoyers spent the whole time laughing and gigling.   She kept saying oh my god, i'm so sorry, i'm just soooo embarrassed.    (Tip - sweetheart, if you're embarrassed while working on a DUMMY ... do you think it's going to get LESS embarrassing?   It's not. Might be time to find a new career...)   If she continues, I might have to smack her.    We have 4 more days of lecture and then will sit 2 written tests - one for the NAC cert and one for the endorsement to work in assisted living.   Whatever. I'm not worried for either.   The week of the 2nd I start clinicals.   6am to 2pm. Meaning I'll be getting up at 4am.   OUCH!   Thankfully, it'll only be for 6 days. After that, I'll have the state exam consisting of a written and a skills test.   Everyone I know who's done it says it's pretty easy, you just have to concentrate and make sure you do things in the right order.     More to come on the CNA class as we progress...     Oh, I spent over $100 on scrubs yesterday.   But, they're actually kinda cute. Scrubs have come a long way...I've got cargo pants scrubs!!! yay!

Haven't heard anything "official" from SVC on spring quarter.   A friend went to an information session and told me that they're telling everyone to "go ahead an re-take any classes you didn't do well in b/c GPA is going to be an important part of the new admissions policy. And, don't worry, we won't penalize you by averaging your grades...we'll take the highest grade you get and use that one."    So tell me, how the HELL does this qualify as a merit based admissions system if you're letting people re-take classes????    I'm mostly annoyed at the non-logic about this, however, techinically, there's a possibility that I'll get screwed (again).     I got A- in both my anatomy classes... in theory, someone who got say, a C in those classes could retake both between now and fall quarter, get an A in both and get in the program before me.   THAT would probably send me over the edge.    Their logic - "well, people didn't realize that grades were important" um...hello, did you miss grades 1-12?   At EVERY opportunity, teachers, advisors, etc were drilling it into our heads that we needed to get good grades.    Morons, I tell you.      There have been other rumors going around as well - like they're not letting anyone "new" in off the list for spring quarter b/c too many people deferred from last fall; they're going to let in 2 classes for fall and 3 classes for winter; the new policy is going to go into effect for spring quarter, not fall...   etc etc.    I'm trying not to listen to any of it since it only ends up pissing me off more.    I called the waiting list lady and left her a message last Tuesday...have had no reply. I'll be calling again this week.

Andy is now in Texas doing more last minute stuff.   Sounds like the army is a bit disorganized when it comes to this particular group...very frustrating.   As of now, it looks like they'll be heading "over" in the first part of March.

The weather has been absolutely beautiful this last week...and unfortunately, i've been stuck in school. As soon as i'm done with this class I'm gonna get my ass up the hill and ski!

Just looked at the clock...I have to go to work in 20 minutes and I haven't even showered yet...Yikes.

leave your 2 cents

10 January 2009 @ 01:15 pm

(no subject)

am very surprised to say that I indeed got into the CNA class this month.   Finally something has gone right!     Class starts the 19th and goes for 3 1/2 weeks. Am also waiting for the letters to be sent out for spring quarter. If I haven't seen anything by mid-week, I'm gonna call that stupid bitch and see what the hell is going on.

have tried to see The Unborn twice now, with no luck.   The first attempt was Thurs.   The movie opened on Friday and we thought maybe there'd be a midnight showing. Alas, no. Since it's the valley and they suck, plus the fact that it's not a super hyped movie, they didn't.   Attempt #2 was last night. Met up with a couple people after they got off work for a pre-movie beer...which turned into several, and then we realized we missed the movie...   Attempt 3 is tonight. Although, I'm not sure how optomistic I am about it since I have to work and am a closing section, which means I won't get out of there until late... we'll see.

Work continues to be incredibly slow and incredibly drama filled.   One of our managers (33 yrs old) is "involved" (and I think we all know what I mean by involved) with an 18 yr old server. Oh, and the manager is just starting divorce preceedings with his wife of 13 years or something.   There's a policy saying relationships between managers and non-mangers is not allowed, but no one seems to really care. At least in the higher up positions. I think it's disgusting and is really starting to piss me off b/c she is now getting all the good sections/shifts and she does not deserve them. Especially now when money is tight for everyone, this blatent favortism is not ok. The biggest problem is that anyone who says anything to the manager involved, or even the GM suddenly finds themselves getting 1 shift a week instead of 7. So of course, everyone is freaking out and keeping their mouths shut.    I hate this place. However, until the job market turns around, or I find a CNA job, I'm stuck here. Grrr.

We sent Andy off on the 2nd to start his Iraq "adventure"...   He's in Cali for 15 days, then either Texas or N. Carolina for more last minute training then off to Iraq after that - probably mid-Feb or early March.

leave your 2 cents

04 January 2009 @ 06:40 pm

2009...all 4 days...

the last 5 days in a nutshell...

The 31st started with me at work. Nothing too serious - was out of there by 3.   Came home, busted out some browines, changed and hit the road towards Seattle - a party at friends' house.   It was really good - lots of people, lots of delish food, drinks, conversations....great fun.   Left there around 10 and headed to brother & sis-in-law's for a family party.   Played Texas hold em (with starbursts) for a while, then moved to apples to apples.   it was my first attempt at that game and have decided I love it!   Took a short break for champagne and to toast the new year, then it was back to the game.    Got home around 2:30.

1st - worked at 10...it was a very long, very busy day...didn't leave work until after 5. yikes.   made decent money though, so that's good.   Raced home to pack for the night, then mum, dad & i headed to seattle area again.   met up with both bros and sis-in-law for chow at macaroni grill (not impressed) and then moved to a hotel room for Christmas round 4.   Spent the night in the hotel.

2nd - picked up brother 1 and headed to SeaTac for breakfast with the whole fam, including in-laws.   Had a nice, leisurely breakfast and then headed over to the airport to see Andy off on his deployment.   Hung around chatting, taking pics, etc until it was time he went thru security.   Sis-in-law was able to go to the gate with him (very cool) and they bypassed the line at security since he was in uniform. (I think I might get myself a pair to use at airports...!!!)    we wished him well with hugs and tears and saw them thru security.    Headed home, with a quick retail therapy stop at REI, although nothing was actually purchased. I did find a new pack that I'm in love with, but need to try a couple more before buying.    Andy is in Cali for 10 days, where he'll have a deployment ceremony before heading to either Texas or Georgia for last minute training, etc before heading off to Iraq for 14 months.     I'd appreciate prayers, thoughts, etc in his general direction...as well as for all the soldiers stationed over there.

3rd - spent all day at work. Literally.   Got a lovely 20 minute break between shifts (thanks, guys.)   We were really busy for the day shift, but not super busy at night. Managed to get home by 10.

4th - spent all day lazing around reading books. Finished 1, then read another one entirely. Started a 3rd.   I'm impressed with myself.   Granted, none were hard reads...still!

Working all day tomorrow. Grr.   Have applied to another CNA class starting mid-Jan. Hopefully I'll get in. Haven't started re-looking into the Paramedic option, but am going to.

leave your 2 cents

22 December 2008 @ 01:43 pm

glitch

I'm seriously starting to re-think my career choice. It just doesn't seem like it was meant to be that i become a nurse.   nothing's easy and there's always a glitch... maybe i'll move to LA and try my hand at acting...yeah, right.

anyway...the newest snafu is regarding the CNA class.   I called this place a couple months ago and asked when they were going to offer the CNA class.   The lady i spoke with said they hadn't picked dates yet but she'd call me when they did. they'd also advertise in "The Herald".   Ok.    Fast forwad to today...I haven't heard anything so I called her back. Asked if they'd picked dates yet. She informs me that they'd advertised in "The Herald" for 3 weeks and have picked the applicants for the January class already.   That's strange, I say, I've been looking everyday in the paper and haven't seen anything...besides, you said you would call me with those dates.    She tells me to go online and fill out the application "just in case".   So I do.   It's one of those super annoying applications where they ask you the same 14 questions 30 different ways. Great.   I submit the app and call her back. Tell her I just finished it if she could have a look, etc. I then have a brain wave - when she said "the Herald" she meant the bellingham herald - not the skagit valley herald...which i tell her was where i was looking.     anyway, it sounds like they're waiting on a bunch of references that haven't come back - so they might be re-doing the class list.    i guess there's a SLIM chance i'll get in.   she also said she needed to talk to the lady in charge of the class b/c they had 25 applications for 10 spaces.    she didn't elaborate so i don't know if that means they're going to increase the class size or offer an additional class or what.    the other issue is that the class starts on the 5th. if i'm going to be taking that class, i need to switch my work schedule now since they're already doing the schedule for the week of the 1st.

I'm really annoyed and quite disheartened about this.   It really does seem like maybe i should find something else to do...

sigh.

in other news, the snow continues.   we have over 2 feet at this point. it's currently not snowing, and it does seem "warmer" so who knows. the problem happens when it hits below freezing at night.     i'm off to brave the roads to get into work.   Fun, fun, fun!

My Mood:

crushed

leave your 2 cents

17 December 2008 @ 03:44 pm

blizzard...

It has finally stopped snowing...although, it looks like it could pick up again any minute. It's been snowing heavily all night and all day today - we probably got a good 14 inches just today! yikes. will definitely make driving around town tomorrow a bit interesting!

i did break down at get the 4th twiligt book...and of course read it quickly. i actually managed to spread it out to 2 1/2 days. now i think i'm suffering from Twilight withdrawls. Reading all 4 books in a week probably wasn't a superb idea...oh well. in my own defense, i'm always a sucker (ha) for the classic love story. and, all things supernatural aside, that's what this story is.

ah, now it's snowing again...

My Mood:

cold

leave your 2 cents

14 December 2008 @ 03:44 pm

no news update...

so, since i made my fateful decision regarding school, i've discovered i have little to actually post about. well, little that actually deserves a post...     anyway, in attempt to quell my boredom, i'm going to post about nonsense.   Enjoy.

- Thanksgiving was good...had the whole fam dam at the rent's house - interesting, but good.   i made a new "corn casserole" dish that turned out suprisingly delicious.   so much so, i have the honor of bringing it to Christmas Eve dinner.    It's easy to make, so i'm totally ok with it.

- Have finished my Christmas shopping. Need to get a couple little things for Gram for her stocking (I'll take suggestions...???) but that's about it.   All I have left to do is wrap.   sigh.

- Wrote my Christmas letter one afternoon...to kill time. Then decided that I'm not going to send it out afterall...May or may not stick to that one.

- Cleaned out a closet full of boxes stored at my parents since I moved to London...found some really interesting things. Blast from the past big time.   Found a ton of old photos that I'm going to get scanned and could possibly post online. Depends on how bad I look!!!

- Finally broke down and read Twilight. In one night. Damn, that book was addicting. Unfortunately, the next day I ran out and got Books 2 & 3 and proceeded to read both in a matter of days.   Actually, I don't think addicting is the right word - it's WAY more than that.   Now I find myself 1)delaying buying the 4th book so I can stretch it out a bit more and 2)wanting to see the movie.

- Got a letter from Skagit yesterday, saying that they're changing the admissions process, blah, blah...the process will be finalized by mid-winter quarter, and will be put into place starting Fall 2009.   It could affect me afterall.     Side note - a girl from work who was in my bio class a long time ago (?) just put her name on the waiting list last quarter (i think)...she came bounding up to me at work the other day and was all excited and said "OMG, are you totally jazzed?" i asked about what and she said that we got letters getting into the program. i blankly stared at her and she said, you didn't get a letter?   i wonder why i did then.   turns out she was kidding...but i was so completely close to punching her in the face and then venting my anger on the admin people.   i told her i didn't think that was funny... later we all had a laugh, but wow...i feel like i could have easily beat the crap out of her and stolen her letter for myself.   Ugh.

- Work is painfully slow...and those who are going out for meals aren't spending as much, so tips are down as well. I would be seriously considering finding a different job - if there was something available. The Help Wanted page in the paper is ridiculous.

- Haven't heard the dates of the CNA class. Think I might call them again next week and see what the story is.   I'm going to need to revise my work schedule to accomodate the class...

- Think that's about all of my non-news.

My Mood:

good

leave your 2 cents

21 November 2008 @ 09:06 pm

decision made

I'm staying put. For the time being anyway.

I'm sad, and disappointed and slightly worried I made the wrong decision, but there you go. After looking at all the factors - time, money, etc. it just didn't really make a lot of sense to go. So, now I'm thinking I'll go AFTER i get my degree.

Still waiting to hear from skagit...stupid bastards.

My Mood:

disappointed

1 comment | leave your 2 cents

13 November 2008 @ 02:35 pm

today's goings-on

i'd love to have all this behind me and be able to think about something else for a while...

turns out my aunt's cousin works for a company that recruits foreign trained nurses to come work in the US.   My aunt spoke with her last night and got some information, and then asked if I could call her, which she said Sure!   I called today, but she was out of the office, so hopefully I'll talk to her soon.   However, she did tell my aunt a few things - the biggest thing, was in her opinion, it's not a good idea to go outside the country for school, unless you don't want to work in the US. She said that this CGFNS place is a real pain in the butt - it ends up being a very lengthy process of getting your education evaluated, as well as expensive. Plus, she said that 9 out of 10 people end up having to do more schooling before they can get licensed.   Once your education has been evaluated you can sign up (and pay a hety fee) to take a certification test - which they only offer in certain countries (NZ not being one of them - so I'd have to come back to take the test), then it takes 8-10 weeks to get the results and then you can sign up to take the NCLEX (state boards), which takes a few weeks to get the results. My original thought was that i could stay in NZ and work while i was going through the process, take the test and then come back to take the boards. Apparently, that's a no go.   On top of all that, I'd have to come back to take the extra classes, and wouldn't be able to work during the process.

i'm not 100% ready to give up on the idea - but it's looking more and more that I'll probably end up staying here for nursing school and then going over there to work for a bit.   Not the best scenerio, but possibly the most logical.

IF i do stay, i'll be taking a CNA class in January and then will hopefully be able to work as a CNA during the day and at the restaurant at night and get some serious cash in the bank.   That's my plan anyway!

No doubt, I'll post more when I've spoken with the cousin.

LATER:
So, I'm still leaning more towards doing my schooling here and then going to NZ to work.   I had a thought - what if NZ requires additional schooling? Or, even worse, retraining entirely (like they used to!). If that was the case then it would make more sense to go to NZ for school and then take a few extra classes here, than it would to go my schooling here and then have to redo the entire process in NZ. Looked into it, and it appears surprisingly easy afterall.   No retraining necessary. If you apply for registration in NZ immediately after you finish your degree, it's pretty straight forward. If you wait a year - then in actuality, you'd have to wait 3 years because they require 3 years work experience.   So...while it would be much harder to get in a social circle, etc. if i go after I get my degree, it looks like it'll be a much less painful process.

However, that said...I'm still on the fence regarding school. Staying here for school makes more sense financially, but not really for time (it's looking more and more likely that I won't get into school until September).   Going to NZ for school means that I'll be in school right away instead of waiting, but it also means repeating a year of science classes, and taking more classes to come back to the US.

I guess really what it boils down to (at least at this particular moment) is do i "temporarily" give up on a dream (going back to NZ) or do i blow being sensible out the window and do what i want, even if it doesn't make sense in the long run.

how the hell do i make that decision???????

My Mood:

stressed

leave your 2 cents

12 November 2008 @ 02:19 pm

more stuff

well...this isn't an easy process....   it would have been nice if everything could have been solid answers so i could make an informed decision.   sigh.

called the credit card...turns out, starting in Dec they're re-doing how they calculate monthly payments. yay! mine will be cut in half - almost! not bad. it will, of course, take much longer to pay off that way, but i'll worry about that later.

called the student loan place...unfortunately, they can't defer for student reasons if i go to NZ.   I can look into "economic hardship" in which case they can defer for a year. not terribly helpful, but there you go.   am not sure if after a year i could re-apply or if it's a 1 yr thing. it's based on income, so who knows.

am still finding that for every question i answer, two more come up. most frustrating.   am in the process of comparing costs - sort of a financial pros/cons list. not making much progress though.

it's getting to be a time crunch...soon.   i need to figure all this out and make a decision in the next week at the most. AGH!

I hate this!!!!!

1 comment | leave your 2 cents

10 November 2008 @ 04:03 pm

not looking good

well, things are not looking very hopeful in the moving to NZ for school department.

I spent 20 minutes on hold this morning with CGFNS (the orginization that evaluates education for licensing in the US) and got nowhere. The monotone woman I spoke with said they don't have that information and can't give it out. (So, do you have it and won't give it out or do you not have it to begin with?) I sent an email as well, hoping to get a bit further...no go. The email consisted of horrendous grammer...after about 4 times reading it I think I got the jist - the same as what the lady said. They have to do a evaluation of the education before being able to make a recommendation.   Which makes me think there might be a dual aspect to this - evaluation of the particular program as well as personal evaluation - how well did i do in the classes, etc.   That's my guess anyway.    So, no help on that front.

I called the pres of skagit and was transferred to the dean of nursing. left a message on her secretary's voice mail saying is there a chance the program admission criteria is going to be changed, if so, when?   After thinking about it more, there's no way it'll be changed in time to help me , seeing how they send out spring quarter's letters in january. Entirely re-doing the system isn't going to happen in 2 months.    So, no help on that front.

Haven't called the credit card company or the student loan company yet. Will probably do that tomorrow.

Mum says I have to make a decision based on risk really. Do I go to NZ and risk having to take more classes when I return (plus, I'll have the added bonus of out of state tuition since I'll have changed residency to NZ) or do I play it safe and wait until September to get back in school?   I hate big decisions...big decisions when you have all the answers are hard enough. Ones where you're flying blind are soooo stressful.

Oh yeah, and I spent all morning throwing up. Thanks stress. This is only the beginning as well. sigh.

My Mood:

anxious

leave your 2 cents

08 November 2008 @ 11:27 pm

decisions, decisions...

you know that feeling, when you want something really really really badly, you'll do everything in your power, including making yourself crazy, to get it?    I'm there.

I've still been going back and forth about moving to NZ.   But had a long talk with my WA BFF Sarah and she put it this way..."when you're 75 sitting on a rocker on your porch, looking back on your life, what are you going to regret?   Are you going to regret moving to NZ or not moving to NZ? Yes, it'll be difficult to leave for that long, and sure, you'll miss things here.   But you'll also get to experience things there. And we do have the internet."    What a great way to look at it. So, while I'm still wavering somewhat, I do know that if it all works out, I need to go.  The other sure sign - when thinking about the possibility of NOT going, I get sad and bummed out. Obvisouly, something deep inside me knows that I need/want to go. Problem 1 solved...sort of.

However, as I look into things more and more, I'm finding that I'm coming up with more questions and not many answers. I could get a student allowance (like a grant), but I have to have lived there for 2 years. I could apply for a loan, but I have to have an IRD number (like a SSN), and I have to apply for the loan at least 1 month before the term starts.   I can get an IRD number, but I have to be in NZ to do it.    So, it looks like the EARLIEST i'd get some money coming in would be the 2nd term - July maybe. The latest - would be the second year - Jan '10. The good news there is that it would be interest free, because I would have been in the country for 189 days.

I'm going to call the CGFNS people this week and try to get a straight answer about whether I'll have to do more schooling when I come back to be eligible to take the N-CLEX (board exam). I'm not optomisitc about getting a straight answer though.   I'm also going to call the Pres. of Skagit to find out 1)if there is going to be a change in the admission procedure and 2)when that change is likely to occur.    IF it's going to happen soon and quickly I could have a better chance of getting in spring 1/4. If not, it'll be fall (which, if I go to NZ, by that time I'll be almost through with my 1st year).

Let's recap:
a NO (dont need more classes) answer from CGFNS and a NO (there isn't going to be a change or it won't happen soon enough)answer from the pres. means as long as I can sort finances out, I'll be going to NZ.
a NO answer from CGFNS and a YES (there is going to be a change and it will happen in time to benefit me) answer from the pres.  means I'll possibly be going to NZ
a YES (will need more education)answer from CGFNS means i'll probably not be going to NZ.

if I can't get a straight answer from CGFNS, I have no idea what that'll mean. Do I chance it and go? Play it safe and stay?

Now, that's assuming I can sort out finances.
I need to call my CC company and see if they can lower my min. payment to as low as possible. If they can't, I probably won't be going to NZ.
I need to call the student loan company and see if they will defer my loan if the school I go to is outside the US.   If not, I probably won't be going to NZ.

I also need to figure out if I'm able to work at all while in school.   If not, then I'll need to figure out some kind of way to get some money until I can get a loan.

I could accept the place in NZ and buy myself some time while I sort this all out, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to decline later. I don't want to put someone else through all the not knowing and stress just because I can't sort my shit out fast enough.

Really, I haven't gotten very far with this. It's starting to stress me out. I'm running out of time rapidly. I could use any and all tidbits of advice, wisdom...whatever you've got. lay it on me. fast.

My Mood:

stressed

2 comments | leave your 2 cents

05 November 2008 @ 03:03 pm

5th of November...

Happy Guy Fawkes Day. Nothing like celebrating a guy who tried to blow up parliment.

I've also managed to post pictures from England. Not many unfortunately, and most were taken by my co-worker Bob since he seemed to be in one place on the boats more often that I was and had access to my camera. Anyway, check out my picasa page and have a look.

Nothing much else at the moment...

leave your 2 cents

04 November 2008 @ 09:31 pm

sigh.

First, Thank God this election business is almost over. No more stuipd campaign commercials, phone ringing off the hook with recorded messages, mailers, etc.   Phew.

What's new with me, you ask? Well...something potentially big.   I got accepted into a nursing program...in New Zealand.   It's official. I received my letter today. Yay and Crap at the same time.   Now it's decision time. There's some things involved that make it not cut and dry. First of all, I'll have to re-take all my science classes. The ones that I've spent the last year and a half stressing out about. Yep, all of them. Then there's the fact that I'll be gone for 3 years.   I'll miss babies, weddings, deaths, etc.   Knowing that if anything were to happen I'd be at least a full day of travel away.   Gram is getting progressively worse every week almost. Dad & uncle spent Sunday going through all her files, making sure her power of attorney and will and everything was in order.   Mum seems to think that she'll be in assisted living in the near future, and from there it's only really a matter of time. It would kill me to be gone when that happens. On top of all that, there's the financial issues.   I'm pretty sure I'll have school costs taken care of, but will need living/spending money...plus, I have bad decisions here that I'm still paying for (the evil credit card).   I'm assuming that I won't be able to work, much if any, so need to come up with a Plan or a lot of money very quickly. Does anyone know if you can defer your student loans while going to a school outside the US? Do they see school as school, no matter where? That would help...slightly. There's also the issue of whether I'll have to do more schooling when I come back to get licensed.   I've sent out about a million emails all over the place asking if people who have gone to the University of Auckland have had to have more schooling when they came here to work and no one will give me a straight answer.   Grrrr.    Oh, and did I mention that I have to accept or decline before I'll find out if I got in anywhere else? Yeah...bonus. Talk about putting all your eggs in a basket.

I've been going back and forth about all this. One minute I'll be gungho about going and then the next I think, what am I thinking? I can't go...      When I really think about it though, realistically, it probably won't happen. And that makes me sad.   I've wanted to go back to NZ to live for a while, and this is probably the best opportunity for it.

I'm not good with big decisions. And this is a big one.   I feel a headache coming on already.

My Mood:

distressed

leave your 2 cents

13 October 2008 @ 10:42 pm

boredom continues

celebrated Gram's 85th bday on Sunday with a family gathering over food & wine. Yum. Went to Anthony's in Everett where we gorged ourselves on all things seafood and fresh huckleberries for dessert!   Gram seemed to enjoy herself, and it was a good get together for the whole fam dam...

Haven't found any info on the CNA program yet. Am waiting to hear from my friend who told me about it.

The drama at work continues. Someone's bitching about someone else who's mad at yet someone else for being "mean". I feel like I work with a bunch of 4th graders.   Ridiculous.

haven't really done anything about a second job either.   Man, I'm lacking in motivation these days.   I can't believe I'm going to say it...but...I sorta wish I was in school this quarter!   Too much free time isn't good. For me anyway.

I can't wait for the election stuff to be done. I'm sooo over all the political BS.

leave your 2 cents

07 October 2008 @ 04:18 pm

time...and no time.

well.

here it is over 2 weeks since i arrived back in the US and i still haven't posted about the trip nor have i posted pics. i suck. i can't even blame school or work for my slackness since i'm not in school this quarter & i have plenty of days i'm not working. nothing but my own laziness...    apologies.

however, this will not be a post about anything trip related...i don't think.   in my unpacking frenzy, i've lost my maps & journal with all the info... so until i find, no post.

so, what HAVE i been doing, one wonders. in all honesty, i don't know.   i find that when i have too much time on my hands i get absolutely nothing done and am a complete sloth on days off. i do seem to have the urge to bake a lot when i'm bored...which is nice, except when it comes to waist lines and weight gain...i've been trying to curb that.   i do well under pressure and time crunchs...not when i have plenty of time to kill.

with that said, i did have a productive day.   in today's post i got a letter from the University of Auckland. I applied online to their nursing program last week. This letter was the typical "thanks for applying...blah...blah...blah. we still need the following: transcripts...blah...blah."   they did, however, give me my student number and online password for the system so I can log on and view my information at any time.   yay. So, after reading the letter this afternoon, I went and found all the information they needed, plus a few other things i threw in for good measure.   Got things copied, then notorized, then in the post back to them for review.   Hopefully, in the next couple of months, I'll hear something good about my status as a student.     Side note: I have yet to hear anything from Skagit or U Colorado, Denver about said status.

I also hit my bank, and another bank were I opened a new account. Since my bank was the first in financial distress, I got to thinking about how it's not always good to keep all of one's eggs in one basket, etc. Plus, i recently discovered when trying to exchange my Great Britain pounds into US dollars that my bank doesn't do it. Stupid.   Several other banks do, but you have to have an account there. That problem is now solved.

Work is, as can be expected, slow. Friday nights and Saturdays are still somewhat "busy", but the rest of the week is painfully slow. Am trying to decide whether I a) find another job partime for my current days off or b) increase my hours at the restaurant.   Neither sounds very appealing, but am wondering how likely it would be to find another job.   I guess now that the Holiday Season is just around the corner it could be slightly easier...

Am going to look into a CNA program in Bellingham, while I'm wasting time on waiting lists.   From what I've heard, they pay you an hourly wage while you're in the program, plus class is in the mornings only - allowing one to work evenings. Both sound like good ideas. Have heard, also, that they offer the program every couple of months, so it'll probably be January.

what else... um...

my youngest bro is being sent off to Iraq in January. all prayers, etc would be most appreciated for that.

can't think of anything else at the moment.

My Mood:

accomplished

leave your 2 cents

21 September 2008 @ 03:14 am

long time gone...

at least it seems a long time. yet, also, not so long. strange.

just a brief post to let y'all know that i survived the 4 weeks on the boats and am having a couple days in London before heading home tomorrow. i will (hopefully) do a bigger post and upload some photos in the next week. was hoping to have a couple "down" days at home before going back to work...but it appears i'll be back at work on tuesday...should prove to be an interesting shift... jet lagged and everything!
am off to a birthday lunch.

My Location: London

1 comment | leave your 2 cents

19 August 2008 @ 03:28 am

that really eats my lunch

headed off this am to sort out the internet thing for on the boat... had to go to the bank first to a)determine my account balance and b) deposit some money for the direct debit. Found the bank very easily, should have been my first indication...

Went to the atm to check my balance...and the machine ate my card! Not good. Went inside and spoke with a guy and he went off to retrieve my card. Came back about 10 minutes later saying he couldn't get the card because the account had been closed. By whom? I ask. The bank he says. Why I say. You hadn't used the account for some time. Ok, I suppose that makes a small amount of sense, and I haven't used it in 1+ years... When was it closed? Dec 7, 2007. Well, I know for a fact I still had a small amount of money in there. I'm sorry but there's no one here at the moment who can help you. Of course not. So, one more thing to deal with when i get back into town.

Meanwhile, I'm off to the boat, without an internet connection... Hanna says I can borrow theirs, but she'll need to be doing work, etc so not sure how often or how long..

anyway, i'm going to miss my bus if i'm not careful...

see ya when i see ya...

My Mood:

frustrated

leave your 2 cents

Advertisement

Advertisement