School is about to start up again, have I studied????

Pshhhhh YAH RIGHT!!

I know I know, I need to…I’ve been working 40 hrs. so I can have one last full-time paycheck before I take a hiatus from work and get back into the school mode.

Got soooo many things I have to do before going back to school:

1. Still gotta find out about the new uniforms. FINALLY, they’re letting us wear scrubs instead of the ol’ school 50′s nurse uniforms (all white uniform, NOT scrubs)


2. Need to buy new supplies for the semester (syringes, IV starter kit, etc.)


3. See if Kim can start Kindergarten rather than just Pre-K


4. Bring Kim to get her much needed SHOTS


5. Bring Kim to the dentist


6. STUDY!!


7. Shop till I drop to relieve stress from everything that must be done!!

As if I need anymore shopping. I don’t even remember the winter clothes I’ve put away from last year. I’m planning on selling whatever I don’t need/can’t fit, plus whatever Kim doesn’t need/DEFINITELY does not fit. I can’t believe how big her feet have gotten. She’s wearing a friggin’ size 10 in shoes now!!! Thats big to me considering how small body-wise she is. But yet…she’s such a big girl to me, I can’t believe how big she’s become!! I’m gonna scan her most recent school picture…THEY’RE PRECIOUS!!

I’ll be updating soon….hopefully SOON with pictures from our family road trip.

 

Finally time to update……..

The same ol’ same has been going on. Work, rest, eat, Kim. Thats pretty much what life has been lately. But thank God I’m going on a family road trip. A MUCH NEEDED road trip!! Gonna head to Seaworld as a family then to Port Aransas we go. On the way home we’re gonna stop off at the biggest outlet mall I’ve ever been to. Woohoo….TAX FREE WEEKEND SHOPPING!!

Life has been good though. Thankful for good health for both myself and my family. School is gonna start up soon and I haven’t even looked at any of the 350 medications I’m supposed to know and get tested over in some 3-5 wks. after school actually begins. If I don’t pass then I have to repeat the 2nd semester OVER!! Plus, my first test is over I think 27 chapters. Can we say…..WHAT THE HELL?!?!?

I just want to get away for now!! Get away from the same old thing and get a chance to sleep in late. Get away from worries even if it is for just a few days.

Kim is doing great. I need to go up to this elementary school near where I live and see if she’s eligible to register for this upcoming semester. She actually woke me up this morning:
       “Mommy, wake up…..WAKE UP MOMMY (shaking my head), I wanna go to school.”
       “But its Friday Kimmie, mommy is off today. Don’t you wanna stay home with me? I’ll take you to watch Sky High.”
       “No, I wanna go to school!“

By this time, my head is up….with sleepy unfocused eyes I look at Kim in shock. She actually wanted to go to school. Usually when she knows its Friday she wants to stay home and do whatever she wants to do. But…….why argue with her. She had picture day yesterday. I need to post up all the pictures she’s took with school so far. All of them cute, OF COURSE!! She can be a big ol’ drama queen and high maintenance, but….thats ok. Thats my lil diva!!

Quang and I are doing good. I’m wondering if he’ll even remember my 22nd bday. Why would I even want to remember it?? Before I know it I’ll be a quarter of a century, have even saggier boobs, more fat on my hips, and a whole lot more grey hair than I should have. One of my patients family told me I had nice skin though. But…..I think she was just being nice. It’ll be Quang and my 8-year-anni soon. 8 years. WOW!! Thats all I gotta say about that. Thank you God for letting us last this long so far. Whatever happens happens, but whats happened so far I am ever grateful.

Now…….who’s ready to get flooded with some pictures again?!?

== CLICK to ENLARGE ==

HAPPY 15th BIRTHDAY THUY!! Ohhh yahhhh, I caked her gooooood!!

I’m too lazy to put captions on all these pictures, lets just say we got hella messy at the picnic!!

[Top-Bottom][Left-Right]
1st row: me & the bday girl // me & Daddy
2nd row: mama Steph & me // Amanda (Stephanie’s youngest sister) & me
3rd row: mama-to-be Buffy & me // beautiful Van & Me
Bottom: Lil Kim & mommy

[Top-Bottom][Left-Right]
Top row: Charlie, Lan hiding, & Thanh being a camera hoe // the cute couple Charlie & Lan
Bottom: Van & Thanh

[Top-Bottom][Left-Right]
Row 1: Quang & his longtime friends Phuong, John, Angel, & Mike
Row 2: Phuong giving the thumbs up while he pisses, hehehe // Phuong & John (what a cute couple!! JP) // Angel stealing Kim’s car
Row 3: Mike laughing his ass off cuz he was drunk // Angel & Mike…lean back, lean back!! // Mike BEFORE taking a chug
Row 4: Mike AFTER chugging // Mommy-to-be Buffy & cutie Vincent
Bottom: Kimmie cruising in Daddy’s truck

This damn bug, I wanted to take a picture of it…it ended up crawling on my camera and almost on my hand. I’m bug-a-phobic…so of course I FREAKED out!! Almost dropped my camera. Thank God I shaked it off and it fell to the ground. Quang killed it cuz it jumped on him when it jumped on him. Funny as hell!!

I had such a great time at Thuy’s bday. I’ve never seen Quang and his friends joking like they did. Now I see how close they really are….gay ass mofos!! JP!! Everybody had sooo many water balloons. It was the biggest water balloon war we’ve ever had!! Thuy got caked, then I got caked…..everytime we get together when the weather is good we always have a water balloon fight.

I can’t wait till we go outta town. I’m sure we’ll all have as much fun as we did at the lake. Gonna be Quang, me & Kim…Thuy & Lan (Quang’s sisters)…Huy (Quang’s youngest brother) and Quoc & Stephanie, Fate & Vincent and more than likely Steph’s sisters (Quoc is Quang’s other brother). Yah…BIG ASS FAMILY!!

I asked work to get off the week prior to school starting & the 1st week of school. Bout time I get a break. Seems like all this summer has been work & spend time with family. I haven’t even had the chance to spend time with my friends. So…like I said…BOUT TIME I GET A BREAK!!

Next update will be about the trip with TONSSSSS of pictures!!

 

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!

Hope everybody enjoyed their 4th of July. I started it off with waking up & arriving at work late. The floor had only 2 techs, including me. So I had 13 patients to myself…including doing all the beds & baths on my own, passing trays, keeping up with all intakes & outputs, drawing blood….name it you got it. So…..by the time I got off of work I was damn tired.

But….I was excited cuz I had a trunk full, and I mean a TRUNK FULL of fireworks that were just calling out to me that whole day while I was at work. Quang, me, Kimmie, Uncle Huy-ner, & Thuy + Quang’s friends went to buy fireworks the weekend before the 4th. Went to a Black Cat warehouse where they hooked them up with a deal. They bought $600 worth of fireworks = 3 carts full of fireworks. For that they were able to get $200 worth of fireworks for free. So…..in the end spent only $400 on a SHIeT load of fireworks!!

I was tired as hell, and sore from work, but…..I had soooooo much fun making everything explode. Burned my finger, but it was well worth it!! Kimmie even lit up fireworks herself. I wish I could have took more pictures but the camera died on me and I didn’t have any more batteries.

Gotta give a special shout out to Kimmie’s Aunt Thuy. Girlllllll……you are a bad ass aunt. Taking care of Kim since this past Thurs. and the whole weekend. Although she did go to sleep wayyyyy past her bedtime, latest I heard was at 4:30 in the AM!! But…she had a great time with ya’ll in Arlington. Such a great time that she didn’t want to come home. You definitely show how much you love her, and although she can be a brat sometimes….you know she loves you. She’s growing up soooo fast and I’m thankful she has an aunt like you in her life. Somebody I know she will grow to trust and rely on, somebody she’ll tell all her secrets to. SO….YOU BETTER LEMME KNOW WHAT THEY ARE WHEN SHE TELLS YOU!! Or I’ll beat both your asses!!

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I can’t believe its already July!!

The summer is just flying by and all I’ve been up to is work & family. I miss hanging with the friends, but….hopefully we’ll get our time before the summer ends.

For the longest I missed spending time with Quang & Kim. Having our family time, but….distance does make the heart grow fonder. Quang has been so supportive of me working this summer and has really been a great daddy & bf/hubby. I’m hoping we’ll get the chance to take a family trip before the summer ends.

School starts again on Aug. 29. I’m looking forward to the 2nd semester since this will be my OB/Pedi/Neonatal + Medical/Surgical semester. I’m more looking forward to it ending. I’m hoping I’ll be able to handle working + going to school. Ugh…..Aug. 29 is just creeping closer & closer much faster than I had anticipated.

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Now then….pictures I’ve been wanting/needing to update xanga with. Click to enlarge…

[[SAN ANTONIO--Sea World]]

The Sea Lion show

Shamu & Family…the last pic is the aftermath of Kimmie getting splashed by Shamu, hehehe

Flamingos….THEY STINK!!

Kimmie & Mommy riding a ferris wheel. Yah, you can tell in the 1st pic I was freaking out. It kept turning from side-to-side & I HATE ferris wheels. But of course, had to do it for Kimmie. Look at my cutie patooty grandma, Kimmie’s great grandma.

[[4th of July 2005]]

Row 1 from L-R
pic 1: me totally cheezin’
pic 2: Quang & I
pic 3: MmMm corn

Row 2 from L-R
pic 1: the fireworks, not all of them could fit in the picture
pic 2: Uncle Huy-ner’s firework grand finale…he had a whole lot more than just that one

Row 3 from L-R
pic 1: Quang taking Kimmie for a ride, FREAKED THE HELL OUTTA ME!!
pic 2: Quang’s friend Phuong & his future baby mama Buffy. Looks like they’re going fast?? Nahhhhh, Phuong stalled out (MANY TIMES) and this is just one of them

Row 4 from L-R
pic 1: Susan & me, Quang’s friend’s gf/wife…isn’t she one cute Korean chick!!
pic 2: Angel, Susan’s hubby/baby daddy. He’s holding his chin cuz he’s embarrassed of his butt chin!! We kept slamming him all night cuz of it..hehehe!!

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Thats all for now….but of course I’ll be back with many many more. Hope everybody had a good time on the 4th. LOVE all my favorite xangsta mommies!!

No more training, been working on my own lately.

My first day working on my own I had 19 patients to myself. Iono whats going on with this hospital for evening shift. I work on a floor with a bed capacity of 40, they only want 2-3 techs working. Then for nights they only want 2 techs. CRAZY if you ask me!!

I got yelled at by a patient’s family my first day on my own. Can you imagine how my day went after that?? Yah…..not so great! She yelled at me for not changing her sister when she had been laying in her own bowel movement “all day.” Well….all I could do was apologize and tell her that yes, she’s right..there is no excuse for me not being there on time. She did apologize to me for yelling at me. She didn’t mean to take it out on me, but she doubts I would want my family member to be taken care of like that. I explained to her, you’re right. I helped take care of my father when he was disabled for 10 years.

There really isn’t any excuse for that. But honestly….ITS TOUGH AS HELL trying to make sure every single one of my patients is taken care of properly and with my full ability when I’ve got a big patient load like I did that night. I had taken care of that patient since this past Friday and I know how she likes to be taken care of. I of course felt terrible that I couldn’t change her on time, but…..I’ll just have to do better next time. Manage my time better. This was just another experience for me to better myself.

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Anywayyssssss……

Father’s Day……

Wish I could have had a picture of Quang’s face when he recieved his present. All $592.00 of it!! But…its worth it cuz that look on his face was priceless!! I got him a Dewalt 18.0V 4-pc. drill set. He was shocked to see that I got him the set. He prolly figured I would just get the drill. I figured….its cheaper to buy a set then every tool separately.

He got the rest of his Father’s Day present the day AFTER. The resssssst of his present [[wink wink]].

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Kim is doing GREAT…..

Too cute, everything she does is pricelss. I miss her when I’m at work. Thats the hardest part. I’ve showed her picture to my co-workers & patients. I talk about her all the time.

When I get home she’s already sleeping. Then in the morning its time for me to take her to daycare. I miss spending more family time, but I guess this is the lifestyle I’ve got to look forward to. Once I get my degree this is how its gonna be. Gotta make money for the family.

[[ my GOAL ]]

I want to be able to save up enough money working all summer, every break from school, and weekends for me & Quang to have a down payment on a house.

Not a big house, something modest. 2 bathroom, 3-4 bedroom, big enough backyard for Kim to run around, a playground. NO POOL!! I’m too paranoid. In a nice friendly neighborhood near Kim’s school. If at all possible a state or national recognized school with teachers that really do care. If it was up to me, I want Kim to go to private school. That way she’s not just focusing on taking state approved tests. Plus, private schools better prepare you for college.

God…I can keep dreaming. I’m taking action…hopefully it’ll pay off. Gotta keep aiming high, or else there’d be nothing to work so hard for.

Thank you God for Kim…..healthy, beautiful….my inspiration, dedication, motivation to keep striving for a better life.

Busy busy working. This is my last week of training. Get my FIRST paycheck this Thurs. Woohooo…better have lots and lots of numbers!! More numbers than I have ever seen in a paycheck in my life!! THAT WOULD BE NICE….

I got used to training during days, yesterday was my first time working evenings. It is a bit of a change, but easy to get used to. Had to take a stool sample, my first. OoOoOo weeee…..wasn’t bad cuz that patient is a SWEET HEART!! LOVE HER!! She didn’t want me to leave, felt bad going….

I know I know, I shouldn’t get attached. But its not like I want to be some cold-hearted bitch thats scared to show she cares. I do care for each and everyone of my patients and I do and WILL try my darndest to make them feel as comfy as possible, especially in the condition these people are in. Anything can happen to anybody at any given time, these people are no different from me. Its not about getting attached then being let down when something horrible happens, that can happen to anybody…most especially those we love. I’ve already gone through a lot of death in my life, after my father passed it seemed like so many other people were going. Its not like going through it more numbs you, but you do build up a tolerance.

Thank God I haven’t gone through that yet!!

I’m supposed to be working nights also. I already heard from MANY thats a tough shift. Gotta do daily weights during that shift plus thats when loads of blood draws are done. Plus cleaning any mess patients may make in bed, diabetic sticks, getting on the bed pan or help going to the restroom. Not only that, most of the time there’s only 2 techs working nights. So….that means each of us would get 20 patients each if the floor is full.

It doesn’t matter, as long as I get on the schedule. I NEED TO MAKE MONEY!!

2nd semester will be starting much sooner than I’m anticipating (Aug. 29). I’m hoping to work at least 40 hrs. a week up to Aug. 28. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!

I found out today that I got my first pick in clinical choices for next semester. WOOHOO!! I’m gonna be practicing Maternity/Med. Surg. (<–I think) @ the city hospital of Dallas. Its the #1 burn unit and one of the trauma centers for all of Dallas. How bad ass is that to be having clinical rotation there?!? Pretty F-ing bad ass!! I’m excited, but I know I’m gonna get one of hell of a kick in the ass. Before I know it, 2nd semester will be behind me. Damn…TIME FLIES!!

THANKS EVERYBODY THAT COMMENTED ON MY LAST PROTECTED POST!!

I appreciate everybody’s kind words of advice & encouragement.

I’ve been busy working, sleeping, spending as much time as I can with Kim. I’m definitely feeling Kimmie withdrawal symptoms. When I’m at work and any kid is in the conversation, I bring Kim up…of course!! I’m off on Friday then I work again on Sat. Pulled 40 hours this week. THATS A FIRST!! Other than school, when it comes to work I haven’t pulled full-time before. Yes I know, it sounds pathetic.

I took school slowly so I could help take care of my dad at home. Plus, Kim was still a newborn-1 yr. old and I didn’t want to just leave her at home for somebody else to take care of her. So, I did what I thought was best at the time. The longest hours I’ve ever pulled at work before was when I was preggo with Kimmie (38 hrs.). And this wasn’t like what I’m doing now. What I’m doing now….DAMN!! Nursing is hard as hell!! I ain’t even bout to sugar coat anything. I’m not even doing nursing skills right now. I’m just a patient care tech. But…we gotta:

• position patients (pulling, pushing, turning)


• cleaning patients (poop, pee, bile, anything & everything)


• change beds….while patients are in them screaming, moaning, groaning


• weighing


• keeping up with all intake & output


• emptying foley bags (urine bags)

…lemme just say dirty work + lots of physical strain. ITS TOUGH!! I come home with my body aching. My feet hurt, back aches, I have a hard time falling asleep cuz my body is just aching.

But….with all the complaining…it doesn’t matter!! HONESTLY & TRULY!! My patients are so important to me. Their comfort, cleanliness, and of course health is what the priority is. I look at them and I feel like I’m taking care of my dad all over again. I look at them and it reminds me, I’ve been in that place. I had a family member that needed this kind of care. This is my opportunity to help these people because most of them don’t have family members there for them. Its sad but true…they don’t have anybody but those of us in the medical field to assist them. Sometimes all they want is somebody to listen to them. I LOVE IT!!

So far I’ve seen & heard a whole bunch of things that I haven’t heard before. Assisted taking care of chemo patients, fracture patients, even a 19-year-old girl with cerebral pulsy. I’ve been able to draw blood already. And both times so far I’ve stuck them once and got blood. WOOHOO!! Definitely an accomplishment considering I learned how to draw blood in ONE day!!

Well…its bout that time and I need SLEEP!! Love you all!!

Recent “protected” post……………

Reminiscing on yesterday….

Its crazy to see how much Kim has grown, the things she has learned. You can’t slow down time, you can’t let it leave you behind. Gotta go with the flow….

She is my pride & joy…my purpose in life. My dedication, inspiration, and motivation for a better life. Provide for her things I never imagined. Hope she gains an education I never thought I’d ever achieve. Help her achieve her goals, while allowing her to gain independence. THATS THE HARDEST PART RIGHT THERE!! Gain independence. There are so many times where she is independent. I never thought I would miss her wanting me to wipe her butt for her, but I don’t mind doing it.

She still sleeps with me & her daddy. SO!! There will be a day where she absolutely will NOT want me to hold her hand while we’re out in public. I’m going to miss that hand grabbing for mine, wanting me to lead her. The day will come when she no longer wants to sleep in bed with me, or let me take showers with her, or give her a bath. She’ll want her own privacy, she’ll no longer want advice from me cuz she’ll think I’m just lecturing her. She try to pull all kinds of tricks on me as if I never attempted pulling every single one.

So….for the time being, I don’t mind her still wanting me to carry her around the mall. I don’t mind her wanting to sleep with us. So what if I still give her baths and take baths with her, wipe her butt, feed her. I’d rather enjoy each and every moment I’m able and allowed to do things for her all the way till the time comes where she no longer WANTS me.

((sigh))….how much my baby has grown, but she’ll NEVER outgrow being my BABY!!

Dec. ’03


2004


A few months ago

She will forever be my baby!!

My different hair color & lengths:

Pix from the past 2 yrs. (2003-2004)

I miss having short hair. Easy to fix, tame, do anything to. But..its has its limits. Not many styles, can’t put everything in a ponytail. Time changes, gotta change along with it.

Sorry I’m not updating as much as I used to. Since I’ve been out of school I thought I’d have a lot of free time. Ends up I’m just as busy as before I got out. I take my grandmother (Nanay) to her physical rehab for her knee every Mon, Wed, and Fri. The days that I’m not taking her to rehab I spend with my mom & nanay doing various things (shopping) or else I’m with Quang and Kimberly doing our thing (fishing).

Its been nice not having to study, but….I SHOULD HAVE been studying already. I have a Pharmacology book I have to read, drugs I gotta look up, and I’m waiting for my summer study guide from the school.

Now….with Memorial Day coming up I’ll be working nonstop. I’m going to get 2 days off a week and get between 35-40 hrs. a week working 2nd & 3rd shift. I know its gonna be hard for me, and I am actually pretty nervous about working. Its been since Kim has been born that I’ve worked. So….I’m scared how I’ll be able to adapt or NOT adapt. But..this is definitely going to be a rewarding experience. I don’t think I’ll be taking any courses this summer cuz I really wanna just save money for the future. I know the paycheck I’ll receive may seem remedial and insignificant right now, but every little bit counts. Quang and I don’t want to live with my mother forever. Its just hard….

Its hard balancing everything. Balancing the family I have with Quang and the immediate family I’ve always had. Trying to spend as much time as possible with both while not disappointing the other for not spending enough time with them. I feel TORN! I try to satisfy everybody by doing what they want even though its not what I really want. It doesn’t matter as long as I make whoever happy. Make Kim happy, make Quang happy, keep my mom & nanay proud…..ITS KILLER!!

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Enough about that….

Kimberly…..oh Kimberly

How fast she grows. She can whistle, snap her finger, cross her eyes. Hehehe…YES…I AM PROUD!! She’s more and more girly everyday. She already likes putting body spray on, lip gloss, have her hair in a ponytail. “Only one mommy, not two.” She prefers just a single ponytail rather than pigtails. I LOVE the pigtails cuz it keeps her looking like a little girl.

Its been pretty hard for her lately cuz Quang has been working nights. So she has a hard time sleeping. Now, I’ll be working evenings or nights and thats what  has been worrying me. When I go to work she’s going to be the only thing thats gonna be on my mind. ITS GONNA BE TOUGH, but she does have to deal with us working sooner or later. I can’t stay home with her forever. Why else would I be going to school to be a nurse.

We just got back from Sea World in San Antonio. She got splashed by “Shamoon“ (as Kim would call him/her). The look on her face after it happened was priceless. There was this kid playground with all these nets that kids can climb, slides, everything. It was like an army BOOTCAMP!! For me at least. I had a FAT ATTACK trying to keep up with her. She had a great time.

Be prepared….TONS OF PICTURES AGAIN!! CLICK to enlarge

New color for the summer + camera whore time

3rd pic: Kimmie’s first time interacting with cats
bottom rt: me & Ate (big sissy)
bottom lft: mommy & me

1st pic: Quang & I on our way to his friend’s niece’s bday
2nd pic: beautiful Kim
3rd pic: smashing up Blue

FISHING WITH THE GUYS
last 4 pics: Kimmie found a friendly lady bug

This entry is gonna be FULLLL of pictures!! **CLICK TO ENLARGE**

= Easter 2005 =

The kids hunting for them eggs.
1st 2 pics: Kimmie
3rd pic: Fate, Kimmie’s cousin
4th pic: Uncle Huy, yah…thats both their UNCLE!!

All the kids after they found all the eggs

Kimmie & Aunt Lan, FINALLY I get a picture of her. ISN’T SHE PRETTY?!?

Top left: Amanda & Vincent (Kim’s aunt-in-law & baby cousin)
Top right: me & Kimmie, thats when my hair was still ABLE to look funky, the back has grown out now
Bottom left: beautiful Kimmie
Bottom right: I look so gross in this picture, but there’s my booger head Quang

Overall Kimmie had a great time over Easter….YES I KNOW I’M LATE!! She was grumpy at first cuz she just woke up from a nap. But of course as the day went on she enjoyed herself. Aren’t her cousins sooooo cute!!

= Lake Grapevine =

my cutie patooty, she’s a great cook too!! That was the best stick I ever had!!

1st pic: Aunt Thuy (angelxbxtrippin) & Kimmie
2nd pic: Uncle Huy and Kim’s cousin Melissa

We always have fun at the lake. Kimmie poses in pictures for me now. ITS TOO CUTE!! Ever since fishing season kicked in Quang goes pretty much every weekend, every other day, sometimes EVERYDAY. I just enjoy spending family time and HEY…who can turn down a BBQ??

= Brunch @ Reunion Tower =

Kimmie was sitting in front of a waterfall in the Hotel that the Reunion Tower is connected to. I forgot what the name of the hotel was, eh, oh well. The waterfall was pretty, especially with Kim in front of it!! Hehehe!!

Mommy and my #1 girl

Daddy & his princess, Kim was tired of taking pictures..hehehe!!

This has got to be the MOST EXPENSIVE brunch I’ve ever had. I wish I took pictures of the set up in the Reunion Tower, but I was distracted & preoccupied with all the food and the scenery. It costs $28 a person to eat up there, but it is a brunch buffet and its not just eggs, pancakes, waffles, sausage. There’s ALL KINDSSS of food. There was a salad area, fruit, pork tender loin, sushi…ANYTHING & EVERYTHING!!

= Ft. Worth ZOO =

Quang really isn’t that RED, only when he drinks!! Hehe!!
Kimmie is such a great driver, she drove all the way to the zoo!

Me, Uncle Huy, and Kimmie in front of random animals (cheetahs, wild boars, Rhinos)

These were taken in front of the primate area. There’s Rafeeki & his blue butt, and an Orangatang waving at the crowd.

1st pic: Kimmie in front of a Silver Back Gorilla
2nd pic: there are monkeys in this area, but my flash blocked them out.

giraffes, elephants, and gazelles…OH MY!

Kimodo dragon & Alligators

This was funny…the turtle was riding the alligator, the alligator circled the pond twice with the turtle just chillin’ enjoying a free ride.

Look how brave Kimmie is holding that alligator’s mouth open!!

Kimmie got to pet a goat & brush its coat

They were able to pet sea urchins and other sea life, but Kimmie was only interested in looking.

These aren’t even all the pictures, I of course took SOOOOO many!! Kim had a good time. Its nice to take her to all these things now at her age because she enjoys it so much more. She’s able to take it in, comprehend whats going on, and her memory has progressed so much.

IT WAS SOOOO HOT THAT DAY!!

I wish there could have been a better aquarium area, but overall the Ft. Worth ZOO was fun. The animals were really cooperative and active. There was this baby Orangatang that turned upside down in their play area and peed while upside down. Everybody was laughing then to top it off, it opened its mouth and started catching the pee in its mouth!! It was disappointing to see some ignorant people throwing stuff at the primates. People wonder why they get so angry when they’re in captivation. Cuz of dumb ass redneck hicks that think its funny to throw stuff at them!!

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Thats it for family pictures, now its time to see my own:

= Last Day of Clinical =

My clinical group, first there was 10 and then there were 9.

1st: Maury & Gretchen
2nd: Chris & Maury
3rd: Tennesse & me
4th: Kelly, me, and Martha
5th: Susan, me, and Cathi
6th: me & Gretchen

1st 2 pics: we celebrated a belated bday & Mother’s Day our clinical instructor
Bottom: Martha, Mrs. Fields, Kelly, Susan, and Cathi

I was so fortunate to have such a good 1st clinical group. Before I started clinicals I was worried that we wouldn’t mesh well and have silent competitions going on. Like, “I want a higher grade than you, but I’m gonna keep that a secret,” kinda thing. I also thought we’d have a lot of BS talking, but it wasn’t even like that. Overall, we got along really well. I wasn’t the only mommy, and it was nice being in a clinical group with a really good friend of mine (Maury).

As you can see it was a mix between young-more experienced adults, minorities + majority ethnicity, different backgrounds. It was a bitter sweet moment to say good-bye on that last day of clinical, but…to find out some of the same people I was in clinical with have chose the same list of hospitals I have for this upcoming semester.

Its too bad we all didn’t make it to the very end, but majority of us did. There were 60 students in the nursing program for this past semester, in the end we had 50 or maybe less.

= Hanging Out =

Got a chance to hang out with Margaret & Stephanie. Watched the Mavs game (GO MAVS!!) at Marge’s before we went to Waffle House. Thats where these pictures were taken. IT WAS MY FIRST TIME!! I am in LOVE with waffles now. Especially when crimson tide is bout to roll in, oh yah, them waffles do me good!! Hopefully we’ll all have a chance to go out again.

I’m looking forward to getting this done this summer:

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  GO TO SEAWORLD!!
  
  
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  go camping as a family & a friends ONLY camping trip
  
  
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  have a luau @ mi casa for friends going away for college..BYOB baby!!
  
  
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  go to Shreveport, pretend I’m gambling while getting FREE drinks
  
  
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  go swimming as much as possible, even though I turn black when I’ve only been in the sun for 5 seconds
  
  
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  go to bars I’ve never been and drink while still being able to get home safe & sound
  
  
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  go dance my ass off at a club that isn’t Asian Invasion, no drama fo’ this mama!!

= Bare Escentuals =

before & after

I’ve become a devoted follower of Bare Escentuals. I’M IN LOVE!! I’ve ATTEMPTED to use powder/foundation/concealer, but it never worked cuz I always felt like my skin was sticky, heavy, just icky. When I use Bare Escentuals my skin doesn’t even feel like anything is on it. I know in the picture my face is lighter than the rest of me, but when you see it in person its a different. Regardless, I LOVE IT!!

I HATE the way I look without makeup. I feel like I look like a man. I really don’t have that low of self-esteem, but I just feel more comfortable out in public when I wear makeup.

Even if it doesn’t look right, I feel good with it on. If I could give testomonials to get free products I sure would!!

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I GOT GOOD NEWS!!!!!

I GOT A JOB YA’LL!!!!!!!!!

I got the call back while I was at the zoo this past weekend. While in clinical I asked the clinical coordinator & director of nursing if they had any positions available for my qualifications. Whats cool about this hospital is they focus a lot on the students. They have tuition reimbursements for $10,000 if you qualify. HOW GOOD IS THAT?? Plus, they start the nursing students patient care tech (PCT) positions starting at $13/hr. I know that may not seem much to some people, but I’m going from absolute $0/hr to $13/hr + $1.00 shift differential for weekends, evenings, and nights.

I’m a PRN position so I don’t get benefits. I’m allowed to create my own schedule, I can work whatever minimum hrs./wk, and up to more than 40 hrs. a week if I want. My shift is 2nd & 3rd, so alllllready $2.00 added to my pay. This will definitely help me keep my skills going for next semester plus help me develop my time management & organizational skills.

I’ll be checking the patients VS, drawing blood, changing patients, changing beds, feeding them if they need it, assisting out of bed, and pretty much keeping the patient comfy. I’ve been doing that for my clinical this semester but I only had 1-2 patients I had to care for. With this position, I can have up to 14 patients in my care alone. I’m nervous about that part!! Plus, I haven’t had a job since Kim has been born, so I’m nervous about that too.

Mostly…I’M EXCITED!! The pay is good, the hrs. are good for me to take Kim to school and somebody at home will pick her up. I need to save money for next year in school and this is gonna sound pathetic, but…..I gotta build up my credit also. Yes, I DON’T HAVE A CREDIT CARD!! Never have, I don’t even have a checkbook. Thats what I’m hoping to develop this summer also.

So….if I don’t update or comment as much as I used to, its cuz I’m gonna be busy busy busy!! When I have the time I’ll definitely leave comments. I still read everybody’s xanga, but I don’t always have the time to type out anything thats worth reading. So, I’M SORRY if I become a poor commentor. I still got mad love for all my MILFs out there though!!