Life Commentary From The EveryDay SuperHero-December 17, 2013

First thought of the day-Well that's jus major conflict wrapped in drama and dunked in “karma's a beeyoch” sauce.

1400-Let It Go… 3 of the most difficult words to live by.

1700-Well...it's been almost 9 yrs. It was bound to happen sooner or later. #damnit #supernurseproblems

2200-Gosh...The more I think about the whirlwind of the last few weeks, and its culmination today...I AM humbled. I am truly a very blessed woman. #Godisverygood #UhavingmybacksolidifieswhoIam #thx

2345-OMG it feels sooo amazing to be writing again. I have missed it terribly. Blog=Revived! 

2014 Bucket List

I never make New Year's Resolutions. I do however make a list of things I would like to accomplish or change about myself and my life. I try really hard in my life to better myself and to always learn and grow. So here is what my 2014 Bucket List contains so far:

1. No call in at work for the year.

2. I really want to turn blogging into a daily occurrence. So I plan to start using this blog to share the everyday musings and commentary I have on life.-Lucky you! LOL

3. Weekly manicures done by ME!

4. Every 3-4 months I would like to do individual girls nights with Both my SILs, my mommy, Steph.

5. Weekly bestie days with Julie.

6. Visit somewhere I've never been every 3-4 months.

7. Read a new book every month.

8. Learn at least 3 new skills ie sewing, painting etc.

9. Work 1 extra shift/month.

10 Do at least 1 conceptual photoshoot/month.

The Noise Of Life

My Only Hope is That My Words May Cut Through All The Noise Of Life And Reach Someone...

The Life I Have

I consider myself very lucky in my life. I have some amazing things and people that make my life wonderful. I try very hard to keep a positive attitude, and believe me, it's hard at times. With every day brings new adventures challenges and set backs. All of my life experiences have made the person I am today, so I like to view my past as a good thing. I like the person I have become and that would not have been possible without all the good, the bad and the ugly that make up my past.

The newest adventure in life is my new job. Now I thought I had seen a lot as a Neuro Trauma ICU RN. But let me tell you, working in an ER has opened my eyes to so many things I either never knew were happening...or maybe I jus chose to live in a happy little sheltered bubble, and be naive to the crazy world around me...LOL I get to step in to the lives, even for a brief time of the pts I care for. Their lives and experiences have opened my eyes significantly over the past year. Many of the things I have seen on the job have made me so thankful for the life I have. I see so many situations that remind me to stop and smell the roses once in a while. Sometimes I get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the daily grind that I forget to take a look around at all the blessings in my life. In 2014 I plan to try harder to appreciate all of the good things about my life.

How Do You Measure A Year?!

http://youtu.be/wsj15wPpjLY

Technically speaking:How do you measure a year?

12 months.

365 Days.

8760 Hours.

525,600 Minutes. 

31,536,000 Seconds.

Well I can tell you over this past 12 months I have truly been shown how to measure a year. I measure it in apologies, restored trust and hope, fresh starts, forgiveness,  reaffirmed faith, amends made, reassurances, old hopes/dreams remembered and restablished, new commitments, bonds renewed,  unconditional love reassured and sooo much more. You can never go wrong when you are measuring time in days of sobriety.

And These Are The Best Years Of Our Lives...Find Joy In The Journey!

      At the end of every year people look back and remember all the good things that happened over the past year. Most of us also assess what we could've done differently. That is usually when we start to formulate our New Year's Resolutions. Which let's face it, no one ever keeps...LOL


So this year, instead of a New Year's Resolution that I probably won't keep, I decided to create my very first annual yearly Bucket List.  I decided that 2013 was a great time to start this tradition because as of Dec. 23, 2012 @ 3:03 pm I will say goodbye to my 20s forever and will set out on a brand new adventure as a enter 2013 as a 30 year old. I want to make the best of this amazing time in my life, so I have compiling this Bucket list for the past few months. Now, I may add to this list from time to time as life happens or as I cross things off, but here is my list as it stands today: In no particular order of importance...BAHAHAHA

1. Do some DIY or Craft Project at least every month.

2. As of Jan. 1st-I will keep a jar (or some awesome container that has yet to be chosen-stay tuned LOL) as the year progresses I will fill it with awesome photos/notes/trinkets to remind myself at the end of the year how much stuff has happened!

3. Do a wine tasting.-I have always wanted to do this!!!!

4. Prepare a disaster kit.-With the ever changing world, it never hurts to have a plan!

5. Throw or help plan a Pinterest Party.-Jules?!

6. Grow my hair out long...AGAIN.

7. Keep a minimum balance in my bank account at all times-Amount TBD

8. No call-ins at work for all of 2013-This will be a challenge...HeeHee

9. Give Clean Eating a shot!

10. Blog a minimum of 1-2 Xs per week.

11. Do a 52 Week Photography Challenge-I am putting the finishing touches on the list now!

12. Read 1 new book per month.

13. Take a Bestie Vacation/Trip!

14. Get together with each brother alone every 3 months.

15. Babysit for Steve/Tiff every month.

16. Have a 1 on 1 girls night with each lady: Julie, Mom, Steph, Toby, Marci, Tiff & Katie every 3 months.

17. Work at least 1 extra 12 hour shift every month.

18. Learn about essential oils.

19. Get my arm tattoo done.

20. Document and blog as I cross things off "MY 2013 BUCKET LIST"

Wish Me luck!

The Plunge!

 I try to post to my blog regularly. But sometimes that is not possible. I seem to post when there is a change happening or a pivotal moment in my life. Those are the times I find myself in need of telling a story with my words. Well this is one of those moments. I am in the midst of  the biggest career changes since I became a nurse. Those of you that know me personally know that I have always worked at OSF Saint Antony Medical Center in Rockford, IL. I have also only worked in Neuro/Trauma/Burn ICU. Now don't let my lack of changing jobs/depts fool you. I have gained sooooo much knowledge and experience there in the last 7 years. For most of my career there was never a dull moment on that unit. I worked with some of the smartest and most experienced RNs out there. Not to mention those doctors that actually took the time and chose to take me under their wing and teach me. I am definitely a much better and far more experienced nurse than when I came out of nursing school...Obviously! LOL

But for those of you that are near and dear to my heart, I will give you a bit of background. I grew up in Elgin, IL since I was 9. It is the place I consider my hometown. Now, I have always wanted to be a nurse. All my life that is what I told everybody that asked me "What do you wanna be when you grow up?" So, when it was time to select a college I looked into local schools like NIU. I also looked across the country like ASU (jus cuz most kids do, trying to get as far away from their parents as they can-LOL) My big brother was already a student and a star football player at Rockford College. It was on a whim that I applied there thinking that it would be cool to go to school with him! I checked into their nursing program, and it turned out to be really good. I got accepted and so that is where I went! Fast forward 2 years, I needed a flexible part time job, and my mom told me the only job I was allowed to take was one in healthcare. I applied at the closest hospital to campus...Good ol OSF. I worked on the Medical/Oncology unit for my remaining 2 years in school.

I got to see and experience so many different types of nursing when I was in college. But it was not until my final semester that I had one specific type of nursing speak directly to my soul. I took a job as a tech in the ER at OSF. It was freakin' amazing!!! I loved it. But the crushing news came down from management that because this ER is a Level I. This means it provides the highest level of surgical care to trauma patients. It has a full range of specialists and equipment available 24 hours a day. Not to mention that it is a certified chest pain and stroke center. So in short "NO NEW GRADS ALLOWED!" I was told to apply for a residency (6 month intense orientation w/ an experienced RN) in the ICU and get 1 year of experience, and then come back. Well folks...that is almost exactly what I did. All except coming back in a year. After spending my residency and my first year as a nurse in the Neuro/Trauma/Burn ICU I was in love with my job! I loved it do much that I put my dream of being an ER nurse on hold, a looooong 7 year hiatus.

But I have been thinking alot about my life and my career lately. After 7 years in the ICU I have been felling a bit burnt out for a while now. Because of this I began to reevaluate what I want my career to be. I want to share my gift with the world in the best way I can. And of course my heart took me back to my first dream in nursing...ER!!! The time I spent in the ICU has given me an amazing platform to launch me into a new an exciting way to help people. 

So after much soul searching and cold feet/chickening out about a year ago (LOL don't ask) , I am taking the plunge!!! I have decided to not only leave my unit, but I am taking on an even bigger and definitely very scary challenge. I will be starting at a new hospital! Look out Sherman Hospital, cuz here I come! I am completely excited about my choice and I think this opportunity will challenge me in many new ways!

I am ready to help those that are in need. The reason I love the way an ER helps people is simple. It allows me to feel like I am really helping those in need and saving a few lives too. I want to show my skills to all those that need help, not just the ones with insurance. I need a much more selfless way to do the work that God put me here to do. And with this amazing opportunity...I CAN!

I have always loved the thought of being a member of an ER team. Because regardless of race or social class u get the same care. And I love that. It becomes about the patient, not a money making machine. We are the first people that a person/family sees when they need help. I want to be a part of that!