The Kate Update

Mary Westhoff, RN

2012-01-05T21:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, at 7:30 am, I entered the testing center in ABQ, NM. After finger prints, palm vein prints, a photo, turning my pockets inside out, patting myself down, taking my watch off, and locking all my stuff away...I started the NCLEX! I was freaked out the minute I got the first question. It was pretty hard. As I was taking it the test stopped and offered me a break. This made me realize that two hours had already past. Raised my hand and waited for the proctor to come a get me, walk me out, check my palm vein print again, and then I was able to go to the bathroom. I stretched in the hall, had a bite of my granola bar, few sips of water, had my pain vein read again, was escorted back to my computer, (which had a picture of me on the screen), put my ear plugs back in and continued on. On question 89 or 90, the test stopped and told me I was done. I started to freak. I had only been in there for 3 hours. The test could run 75 to well over 200 questions and last up to 6 hrs. I did not know what to make of it. After a panicked call to my mom, I decided to go to the temple. It was great and just what I needed.

The day before I had a job interview in Grants on the way to ABQ. I really wanted it and knew I had to pass the NCLEX to get it... or any job for that matter. This morning I was babysitting Nathan and got a call from them. They told me the job was mine pending I pass the NCLEX ("We mean WHEN you pass."). I knew then a lot was riding on my test results. Plus, I was not expecting to hear about the job till next week.

In New Mexico you have the option to pay $10 to find out your unofficial results two days after the exam. Then it could take weeks to post and be official. Then and only then can you legally work. Well, this afternoon I happened to look at my phone and saw I had an email from some person I did not know. I hesitantly opened it to read it was from a woman at the New Mexico State Board of Nursing office. "Congratulations you passed your nursing exam!" I could not believe it! "You have officially been issued a NM license. It can be verified on the NM Nursing Board website at http://www.bon.state.nm.us/ with in 48 hours." A friend and classmate tonight told me I was already on the website and here is the proof! I still can't believe it.
Thank you to my family for your love and support. Most of all thank you to my mom and dad! Thanks for believing in me even when I did not! Love you guys!
(and note that the license is a multi-state compact!)

Fall Class 2011!

2011-12-22T19:43:00.000-08:00

Well it's official, my forth and last semester of nursing school is over. Our pinning ceremony was on the 16th of Dec and as of today I am scheduled to take the NCLEX (nursing boards) on January 4th!!!! I can't believe it. I am so excited and freaked out at the same time. I even have a few job options already! Can't wait to see what the new year has in store for me!

My Free Scrubs!

2011-12-01T17:20:00.000-08:00

A long time ago I joined the Facebook page of my favorite brand of scrubs, KOI! They are such a great brand. They don't shrink or fade, they are soft, and so cute! LOVE THEM! Early in November I by chance saw a contest they were having on their page. I never win anything, but then again I hardly ever enter to win anything. In order to enter all I had to do was "Like" the post. Easy enough. I wrote a little something too about how I was a poor nursing student about to graduate and don't have a single pair of scrubs to start me off. I of course never thought I would win and by the next day had already forgotten about it...until I saw that they had posted the names of the winners and I was one of them! I could not believe it and had to read the post many times till it really sunk in. Still skeptical I emailed them my size and address. I did not go around telling people about it for fear it was not legit, but about a week later I got a package with a brand new pair of Koi scrubs! The top is from their new line and normally runs about $31 and the pants (which never go on sale) run about $30. They also sent me some other Koi nicknack's: a cute key topper, a bag, etc.... I'm way excited and have already bought a ton of tops (after I found out last seasons tops are 50% cheaper) and three more pairs of pants. So now I have a whole wardrobe and I'm ready to work in style!

Nursing Philosophy Paper: Med/Surg III

2011-10-24T23:47:00.000-07:00

Even though the term “nurse” has not always been around, the concept of a nurse has been around since the beginning of time. But how can one make this argument without truly knowing what it means to be a nurse? While doctors, medicine men, witch doctors, etc…may try to treat an illness, nurses care for people. To them the sick are not just an object to be studied, poked and prodded, to be cast off if no cure can be found. To nurses the ill are people who need love, support, and have rights. A nurse is a true patients’ advocate. It is my personal philosophy that when I take on the role of a nurse I am pledging to care for people; healthy or sick, rich or poor, young or old. To me, this is one of the noblest of callings. In an effort to convert readers to my philosophy I will expand by answering the following questions; “What is the purpose of the nursing profession? Who are the participants in nursing and nursing practice? What do you believe about the service component of the nursing profession and how will this impact your choice of employment?” And finally, “How will societies as a whole benefit from your contribution to the nursing profession?”
What is the purpose of the nursing profession?
The purpose of the nursing profession, I believe, was very well summed up by Virginia Henderson, RN, when she stated: “The unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. And to do this in such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly as possible” (Whitehead, p240). A nurse’s roll is to look at the whole picture. To not just care for a patient with an illness, but to anticipate potential problems that can come from having a certain condition and taking measures to minimize or prevent them all together. This I believe is true patient care.
Who are the participants in nursing and nursing practice?
If a nurse is going to be effective in their roll I believe it is important to know who the participants in the nursing and nursing practice are. I have always been a fan of the saying, there is no “I” in “team.” Nurses are a part of a team effort to care for patients. There are head nurses, shift nurses, staff nurses, LPN/LVN, and CNAs who all work together to see that patients are cared for in a timely and effective manner. It is, however, sometimes overlooked that the patients’ themselves are part of the actual nursing process. A nurse can care for and teach a patient till they are blue in the face, but if the patient at some point is not willing to accept responsibly in their own care then it will all have been in vain. One of Watson’s 10 Carative Factors is “Promotion of transpersonal teaching-learning” and gives the example: “This carative factor separates care from cure. You educate the patient appropriately while the patient assumes responsibility for learning” (Potter & Perry, p483). A person will not always be a patient in your care, but if you care/teach for them well and they take responsibility, then the torch is passed and your “care” will stay with them in their own actions.
What do you believe about the service component of the nursing profession and how will this impact your choice of employment?
My favorite thing about nursing is the fact that there is a huge service component and it is this that has helped me on my path of seeking employment where I might have the most opportunities to serve. Nursing was something that I had considered for years, but was never ready to commit to; however, I have always known that I wanted to help people. I obtained a degree in Health Science with an emphasis in Health Promotion and Lifetime Wellness and was trained to teach health promotion in the community setting. Excited to be a part of the health field I was devastated when I learned that I was competing with nurses for these jobs. My path eventually lead me to Hawaii where I was fortunate to find a job as the Education Programs Coordinator for the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii (NKFH). I did not know much about kidneys at the time, but I have two of them so I was excited to learn and educate others. I was able to set up educational classes all over the Hawaiian Islands, but because I was not a nurse or a renal dietitian I was not allowed to teach the classes myself. Over time I gained knowledge of what it was like to be a person with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end state renal disease (ESRD). When I thought about renal failure and being on dialysis I could not help but compare it to the failure of other organs. If your heart or liver fails before you can have a transplant you die. ESRD is unique in this since that if you can’t find a donor right away you can go on dialysis. Some people might think this is a miserable outcome, but think about when people who are dying experience the feeling “if only I could have just a little more time.” Dialysis is a little or a lot more time and I believe there is true beauty in that.
You might be wondering where the service comes in to play; the service is providing education to the people facing the prospect of dialysis. It is not uncommon for people with chronic disease to deal with some form of depression. I love the idea of helping people learn that life can still be fulfilling even when living with a chronic disease and being “tied” to a dialysis machine. For example; it was not until I worked for the NKFH that I learned there was a cruise line called Dialysis at Sea. The ship is staffed with nephrologists, renal dietitians, dialysis nurses and technicians. This is just one way that people with ESRD can feel “normal” again. Unfortunately, this cruise and other services are not widely advertised. I want to provide service to people with CKD and ESRD by proving hope in the form of education and recourses. The idea of helping to improve a persons’ quality of life through service is very exciting to me.
How will societies as a whole benefit from your contribution to the nursing profession?
I am only 30 years of age, but in my life I have seen and had a variety of experiences. Because I come from a military family I have lived in and visited many different places and have experienced many different cultures. I love learning about other customs and beliefs and even though I don’t practice them or maybe even disagree with them, I still respect them. I think that this is a characteristic that will benefit the different societies I may find myself working in. No one wants to learn from a nurse they fill does not truly care for them or their culture. Not everyone has the ability or desire to be culturally sensitive but I do. I believe this ability will make me a more effective nurse and let me have a bigger impact on the different societies of the world.
I believe it is always beneficial to take the time to decide what one’s personal philosophy is. If you do not do this on occasion how will you truly know what you stand for? I know what the nursing profession means to me, I know that I am a part of a team, I know what I have to offer, and I know why I am doing it. I know that with this knowledge I will be a more effective nurse, team member, teacher, and caregiver. Nursing is where I am meant to be and I mean to make a difference.

(Sorry about the bad formating. It's Bloggers' fault!)

Oh, it's on!

2011-09-20T21:49:00.000-07:00

Well, my fourth (and last) semester of nursing school is in full swing! It’s very surreal. It feels like only yesterday that I was at the nursing orientation two weeks before first semester. As I sat there I could not help but think “what the crap am I doing here? I can’t do this!” And now here I am starting IVs like an old pro, giving meds without a nurse over my shoulder, picking out a preceptorship, and planning our pinning ceremony with my classmates. I am so excited to be almost done and at the same time scared out of my mind. It will be a long time after I get my first nursing job that I will really feel comfortable, but I am looking forward to it.

For those of you who do not know much about nursing preceptorships I will explain. Most of the time it is referring to a 2 to 3 month period of working with a seasoned nurse at the beginning of your first job (a probation period). Here we have preceptor ships during school as well. Our finals will be mid October and then we will have about 96 hours one on one with a nurse (hopefully in the unit of our choice). My teacher will not know for sure what slots will be available to us till October. So I got on her “wish list” to be assigned to the ER. I have never really considered the ER before, but after spending this past Friday there during a 12 hour clinical, I have had a bit of a revelation. The ER would be a great place to get some more practical experience other than just giving meds (most of the time we are on the Med/Surg floor and that is all you really do…that and bed baths). Most people show up there with IVs, Foley’s, etc… already in place…boring! So if all goes well I will get in the ER and if after 96 hours I decide it’s not for me, fine. At least I will know for sure and I would have gotten some great technical skills.

I am very excited for the future and looking forward to seeing where my nursing career will take me!

(the chart above is of the 12 cranial nerves. I have to know then by number, name, and function for my next test. yuk!)

My favorites...

2011-08-03T20:46:00.000-07:00

Third Semester

2011-07-16T10:57:00.000-07:00

This past May marked the end of my third semester in nursing school. I was told before hand that it would be the hardest because we would have so much more to juggle with more classes and a lot more clinicals. Fortunately, I did not have to drive to another city this year for my Med/Surg clinicals, but I still felt all over the place.
This semester included Med/Surg II, Women's Health, and Pediatrics. Med/Surg was a lot of fun and I am starting to see and feel that I might actually be able to be a decent nurse. During women's health clincals I was in labor and delivery and got to witness a c-section...and yes I almost passed out. I have observed longer and bloodier procedures, but when I smelt the burnt flesh and saw so much blood quickly rise out of this woman's stomach that was it. Good thing there was a stool in the corner. It was embarrassing at the time, but now I look back and can't help but laugh.
I have been trying to narrow down what kind of nurse I want to be and this semester really shook things up for me. I got to experience a day in the life of a nurse in a clinic. I must say that a 9 to 5 job with an hour lunch break and weekends/holidays off seems really nice. Alas, I really think I need to step it up and get my hands dirty in a hospital setting.
I also got to spend some time in a dialysis center. For a long time I have thought of working at one and doing community education classes as well. After spending a year and a half at the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii there is a special place in my heart for people on dialysis.
Crossing the boarder into Arizona for clinicals was another treat. I got to spend the day at a special education school up by Window Rock. It was an amazing facility with modern hogans, a green house, art studio, etc.... it was nice to see people come together for these special kids.

So as I mentioned before this was a hard semester. I don't ever remember crying on the phone to my parents before...and I did it a lot. I spent the entire semester wondering if I was going to pass. My teacher decided to not give us study guides and we all suffered for it. I know she meant well, but when you are tested every week (sometimes twice a week) over so much information old and new, you are going to need a little help. Fortunately, I made it through!!! Unfortunately, some of my friends and classmates did not. They will be held back to repeat Med/Surg II and it is scary to think how close I came to not passing.
My fourth and final semester starts at the end of August. I am both excited and scared. There are six students who did not pass forth semester and will be in my class now. I am trying not to compare myself to them, but it's hard not to. Things will go fast and finals will come about a month and a half before the end of the semester. This gives us time for our preceptorships were we will be working one on one with a nurse. Ahhhhhh!! Breath! It's going to be a bumpy ride ,but I am looking forward to it.

Happy Father's Day Dad!

2011-06-19T12:35:00.001-07:00

Westhoff Family Reunion 2011

2011-05-31T16:01:00.000-07:00

This past weekend the Westhoffs got together in Utah for a family photo. Westhoffs came in from Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Missouri, and Germany. It was a three day whirlwind of fun!

Day 1: Swimming, pizza, and Krispy Kreme!

Day 2: The day started off with family photos at Smoot Park in Centerville, then off to Freedom Park for a picnic, and the day was topped off with more food and fun at the hotel.

Day 3: Sunday was Addyson's 8th birthday which means a baptism!
Good job Addyson!

It was a great weekend and so much fun to see everyone. Thanks to everyone that helped put it together by picking up and ordering food and such!!! I can't wait to see how our family photos came out!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

2011-05-08T07:36:00.000-07:00

Cathedral Music, Nuremberg

2011-03-03T20:17:00.000-08:00

This is the concert mentioned in the previous post.

Nuremburg, Germany

2011-03-03T18:47:00.000-08:00

Holy cow, it's already March and I am waaayyy behind.
So, for my first full day in Germany Stephanie, Jacob, Bryan, and I went to Nuremberg. It is a beautiful city with lots of great cathedrals and other cool structures to see. Unfortunately, I can't remember the names of half the things we saw. Guess that's what happens when you wait forever to blog.

It was fun to ride on trains again!

Even though the Christmas market was closed the city was still hoppn'.

This is the top of one of the first cathedrals we ran into. It was closed, but the outside was still pretty cool to look at.

View on the way to the next one.

It amazes me that they look newer then they really are. Most were build between 1200-1500 a.d. I think.

The door into the cathedral. Kind of creepy if you ask me.

This is a view from inside the walls of Nuremberg Castle. We did not go into the castle itself, but it was still fun to walk around the grounds.

View of the city on the way back from Nuremberg Castle.

After a long day we decided to come into this cathedral to try and get warm. Big mistake, it was colder in here then it was outside. But as luck would have it, they were having a mini concert up on the loft. It was so neat to be in a huge cathedral listening to an organ and brass instruments being played. So beautiful!

The man behind my first Nutella Crepe.

YUM!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2011-01-30T16:06:00.000-08:00

You're the best dad EVER and I hope you enjoy your special day!

2011 Baby!

2011-01-23T14:50:00.000-08:00

I know this is a little late but Happy New Year! I am very excited for 2011 for lots of reasons, but mainly because it is my last year of nursing school. This semester is going to be a little scary, however, because it is suppose to be the hardest of all. I am a taking Med/Surg II, Women’s Health, and Pediatrics. We have 96 hours of clinicals and tests every week, sometimes twice a week. If I can make it through this, I think I can make it through anything.
This year also marks the BIG 3-0! January 12th was the day of doom, but it turned out to be like any other day. Oh, except for the fact that I was in Germany eating bratwurst! Woop, Woop! Yes, for 2.5 weeks I was visiting Matthew, Stephanie, and Co in Germany. It was so nice to have a break from New Mexico. It was great to see so much of the countryside there. I think that is my favorite part of Germany just seeing all the little towns and driving on the country roads. Also, Stephanie and I went to Spain for 2.5 days! I don’t think I could ever thank her enough for taking me. Valencia is such a beautiful city and I think it was even more beautiful at night. I will try my best to post pictures of my travels, but it will take time considering all the studying I have to do. Thanks again Matthew and Stephanie!
Hope everyone has a great New Year!

Fall 2010 Review...

2010-12-22T21:21:00.000-08:00

…And so this marks the end of my second semester of nursing school. My last exam was on Dec 14 and I am officially half way done. It is so crazy to think that this time next year I will have my ASN and will be stressing over state boards. With any luck all will go well.
This semester went pretty well. I finally got to do clinicals in a hospital (first semester we have clinicals in a long term care facility). It was so great to be in that setting and to get to see in person so much I had read about. Along with meg/surg I had mental health and OR clinicals.
Mental health clincals were in Albuquerque at the UNM Hospital. A fellow student and I got to interview a young man with schizophrenia and a girl major depressive disorder. It was so interesting to interview a person in a acute care setting with schizophrenia who sincerely believes in the hallucinations they are experiencing. That was the first night we were there and I must say when we were locked in the unit it was scary. The setting made me feel like I was in prison.
The second day I was in a long term unit for kids ranging in ages from 13-18. I got to sit in on their goals meeting and listen to then give each other encouragement and constructive criticism. After the meeting I was talking to some of the kids as they stood in line waiting to get to go out to the basketball court when one boy asked me if I worked at the adult unit. I told him no and that I was just a student and I was only there last night to observe. They asked what it was like over there and I told them that they have very little privileges there, they could not even go outside. Upon hearing this, the boys were shocked and one stated that he would go crazy if he could not go outside. I found this a little ironic considering where he was and could not help but chuckle.
The sad part was when I finally got to read their charts and found out what they had done and all the crap that had been done to them. In the adult unit the patients suffered from real mental disorders. These children did not. They were the victims of all sorts of abuse and as a result suffered from depression and PTSD. It made me so mad to realize that if these children had been born into a different family/situation they would have turned out fine.
During the first part of December I was finally in the OR. In a previous post I told a bit about it and the lovely needles that I saw rammed into a woman’s pelvis. I must say though it was so much fun to start an IV.
One thing I have learned about myself is that I LOVE needles; giving shots, drawing blood, and starting IVs. One of my classmates joked that I must love hurting people, but really I think it’s cool that I can do it in the first place. I did not grow up wanting to be a nurse, it just kind of fell into my lap. When I am learning these skills it’s so surreal and I think “I can’t believe I know how to do this.”
So now I am half way done and I have to say that is even more surreal than anything else. It was a crazy semester, but I made it through and am continuing to learn.
As I said before my last test was on Dec 14, but my break did not technically start until today ( at least that’s the way it feels). As soon as school ended I started to work full time again at Cracker Barrel, I still enjoy it, but man the Christmas rush has been so nuts.
To celebrate the “start” of my Christmas break I tool Harker and Hyrum out to breakfast today. It is always fun to sit and talk with them. Then we went to Wal-mart and I let them pick out a toy. Tomorrow night the fun continues with Natalie coming for a sleepover. Disney movies and Happy Meals are on the agenda as usual.
On Christmas Eve I have to work for a few hours then I will be off to party with the Mangums and the Maynerichs. Then on Monday I am off to ABQ and Tuesday morning I will be on my flight to Germany to visit Matthew and Stephanie! I am so excited! I will be there for New Years and my 30th birthday. Although, I have to say I am not too thrilled about the latter. I will try to make the best of it with my travels. Europe is always a great cure-all!

(The pic is of me and my friend Erica during OR clinicals)

Showed up at my sister's house to find this...

2010-12-12T13:58:00.000-08:00

What is the world coming to?!
Poor Nathan. hahaha!

OR Clinicals

2010-12-02T19:58:00.001-08:00

I was in the OR for clinicals the past two days. I got to take a shot at starting an IV for the first time and to my surprise I did it! It was so easy and I was on a high until my second attempt on another patient failed. Oh well, the nurse with me told me not to let it get me down because even a practiced nurse will miss every once in a while.
That was yesterday, and today I got to see a cystocele (prolasped bladder) repair. It was painful to watch, but not as bad as when they surgically placed a sling inside of her to hold up her urethra. They jabbed these spirally needles into her groin and through an incision attached the sling to each needle, then pulling the needled out of either side made the sling taught. The sling will stay in her and the tissue will bind with it.
Very hard to watch this happen to a fellow female and I could not help but clinch my legs with every cut, jab, and suture.

This is a picture of the slings and insertion needles used. Now imagine these needles jabbed and twisted into your groin!

Happy 40th Anniversary Mom and Dad!

2010-11-20T10:15:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Decor

2010-11-18T20:03:00.000-08:00

One thing I have always disliked about the holiday season is that it seems to go from Halloween then straight to Christmas. Hello!? Thanksgiving! Well, I finally found a decent Thanksgiving piece. My little pilgrim nutcracker!
(made in China of course)

The Army: A Westhoff Family Tradition

2010-11-11T10:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Veterans Day! Thank you for your service!

TSGT John Kenneth Westhoff

Major John and LTC Neva Westhoff

Maj John Westhoff

Capt Matthew Westhoff

Post-Halloween Sales!

2010-11-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

OK, here is my last "discount" post for a while. I just can't get over the savings. So I went back to CB and bought some great stuff on sale and even ran into a co-worker who let me use her discount which is even more than mine. If none of this stuff was on sale I would have spent $203 (plus tax), with everything on sale it would have been $90, but I only paid $60!!!!!! I LOVE discounts! Oh, and this dog I got would have been $40, but was only $8! Cute!

Party at the Mangums!

2010-10-30T20:31:00.000-07:00

Tonight I got to help Rachael and Brad host a Halloween party for the kids and some of their friends. I LOVE Halloween!

I have always wanted to order a costume and this year I finally splurged! I decided to take advantage of my current hair style and be Snow White!

The kids looked great of course!

The manly pirate and ninja did not mind being seen with a princess.

The Princesses!

The party bunch!

Nathan trying to eat his donut as fast as he can!

I always knew pirates loved M&Ms!

Hyrum getting mummified.

Natalie getting mummified.

And the saving continues!

2010-10-29T21:49:00.000-07:00

I went back today to buy a witch cookie jar for mom and Rachael to find that all the Halloween stuff was now 50% off! So I picked this festive nightlight up for myself. Was $10, paid $3! Going back tomorrow and hoping everything will be 60% off plus my 20% employee discount!

Gotta Love the Perks!

2010-10-29T15:53:00.001-07:00

While I am in school Cracker Barrel is letting me get away with only working once a month. This way I can still get my employee discount and I still have a job to come back to over Christmas/Summer breaks. I have had my eye on this Halloween cookie jar for a while and it was just my luck they had three let for 40% off. Tack on my employee discount and what would have been $25 was only $10!! Oh yeah! Can't wait for the Christmas sales!

Halloween!

2010-10-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

So excited for Halloween. Here is a hint of my costume. Can you tell who it is? It's pretty obvious if you ask me!

Mid-term Review...

2010-10-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

It's finally here...mid-term. This semester has flown by so fast I feel like my head won't stop spinning. So many tests (and so close together), 80% more clinicals than last semester, and teachers who keep throwing last minute assignments at us! It feels like it will take a miracle to pass this semester. But then again, that is the way it felt last semester too.
Today I finished my forth day of clinicals. It has been a great experience to work with such a diverse group of patients. Getting to see things that I have till now only read about and really getting my hands dirty has made me feel so blessed to have my health. And at the same time reminding me that I really should make a few lifestyle changes.
For example: today I got to change a wet to dry dressing on the toe of a diabetic. About a week ago this patient had no particular problems on this toe and now it looks like it is ready to fall off. This patient seems convinced that it will get better on antibiotics alone, but unless they act fast most of the foot will end up being removed. It's hard when no matter what you say people won't listen and in the end the choice to take action is theirs alone. So what's worse getting your toe cut off or your entire foot?

Death to Blogger!

2010-09-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

Around the end of August I tried to post stuff I did this summer and right before I went to post it...half of it was erased. I was so mad I left the rest as a draft until today when I tried to add the missing pictures again. It would not let me so I just posted what I had for now not realising that it would be posted on the original date it was started. Anywho, if you want to see it you have to scroll down the page. Arg!

Happy Birthday Mom!

2010-09-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

Black is back!

2010-09-01T16:57:00.000-07:00

Viva El Paso!

2010-08-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I made this really big post to sum-up what I did this summer and right when I was about to post it half of it erased! Arg! I tried to add to it again recently but it won't let me so I guess I will have to do two posts.
In August I spent a week in El Paso with mom and dad. It was alot of fun to hangout with them and these are a few things we saw.

The grave of the famous outlaw John Wesley Hardin.

El Paso

The end of the Rockies.

Viva El Paso! The show that tells the history of El Paso and all who have occupied it.

For the record Dad...

2010-08-28T13:35:00.000-07:00

I tried to post about a week ago but my computer was giving me trouble. Anywho, this past week was the first week of my second semester in nursing school. I have so much to do. It's a little over whelming, but I get to do alot of fun stuff as well. We are required to do about 56 hours of clinicals, half in OR and half in Med/Surg. It's gonna be so cool and I'm so ready to get my hands dirty... or my gloves anyway.

Just like last semester I have a lot of reading to do and I was excited to get a jump on it, but the day before school started I got sick. Not only with cold like symptoms, but with some serious goop coming out of my eyes. Ever since Tuesday afternoon I have had fluid in my left ear that has yet to drain. Thursday morning I woke up to find the goop in my eyes turned green so I decided to go to the doctor. I am on two types of antibiotics and lots of Excedrin and Sudafed. I am feeling a little better, but still have so much sinus pressure. Needless to say it was very hard to pay attention in class this week. Just hoping next week will be better.

This week in lab we learned how to start an IV. I thought it would be as easy as drawing blood, which I did last semester, but man was I wrong. I did not realize that once you hit the vein you then have to push the catheter in as you pull the needle out. That it's easy to think you are in because you got a flash of blood in your needle, but you just went right through the vein. And just because you got in the vein does not mean that the catheter is going to stay in. I started to get nervous as I watched so may of my classmates try and fail. And of course how much pain their lab partners seemed to be in. But by the time I decided that I just needed to go for it we ran out of time and I could not stay late because of another class. My teacher said not to worry though, I will have opportunities in the OR.

All in all I very much looking forward to this semester. As long as I stay healthy I will make it out alive!

The BEST email ever...

2010-07-14T23:42:00.001-07:00

I am not the best at checking my email, but tonight I got one from Ticketmaster that I almost did not open. It looked like spam, had a red exclamation point next to it, and said something about a concert. I did not even realize it was from Ticketmaster until I opened it. Anywho,it was to let me know U2 is coming to the US next summer and the new date for my concert!!!!

I had tickets to see them in Denver last month, but the whole North American portion left of their tour had to be cancelled because lead singer, Bono, had to have emergency back surgery in Munich. On their Facebook page the band posted a home video with Bono stating after some good "German engineering" he is doing great.

I am so excited and will be in Denver May 21, 2011!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(And if the new date works for them, mom and Daniel will be there too.)

Holy gnats!

2010-06-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

Ever since I repotted my plant I have had a gnat problem. They drive me crazy and I have been looking for a way to get rid of them without hurting my plant. I got this one from a friend on Facebook. A small dish of vegetable oil set in the pot so it can get them as they grow.
HAHA! DIE! And this picture is only after one day. Yuck!
They say gnats are not harmful to the plant, but it's so annoying when I am dozing off just as one decides to fly up my nose.
I'm not gonna lie, they will not be missed!

Summer!!!

2010-05-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

May 14 was my last day of school and man does it feel good to be done. I only have three semesters left!! After school got out I immediately went job hunting and basically got a job that day at Cracker Barrel. I worked at one in high school and love their country store. I will be doing retail. The down side is I have already spent almost $150 for uniforms. Ugg!!
Anywho, last week I got to spend some time in El Paso with mom and it was such a nice break! I even talked her into buying a kiddie pool for the back yard. Ghetto, but great. It's soooo hot there!
So, now I am back and I start work tomorrow. It will be nice to have a change of pace after a long school year.

Four more tests left!

2010-05-06T22:44:00.001-07:00

I searched online for a picture to go with this heading. After typing in "test taking stress" this was the first picture that came up. Just thought I'd share the randomness of my online searching.

My First Blood Draw!

2010-04-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I signed up to help with blood draws for cholesterol testing at a local hospital. We were told that we would be taught how to do it there, but as that day got closer I started to freak out. I even went to speak to one of my teachers to ask if I would get in trouble if I did not go. She said no, but I sucked it up and decided I could a least go and watch. After seeing the instructor do it and then one of my classmates I was all over it. I only got to do one person, but it was a lot easier than I thought and so much fun. I have even been inspired to take a phlebotomy class this summer. Can't wait!

What's left of me...

2010-04-17T14:39:00.000-07:00

I know I have not posted in a while about school, but things have been so crazy and they are about to get worse.
I just finished four weeks of clinicals at a long term care facility. It was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Other facilities I have been in are not the cleanest, they smell like urine, and the employees were not very nice. This one, however, was amazing. It is run by an order of nuns known as the Little Sisters of the Poor. It was a great experience, but I realized how much back breaking work CNAs do. I would have to say my favorite part was getting to administer medications to the residents... and walking around the place with my stethoscope around my neck making me feel very official.
I now have four weeks of school left, six tests, three reports, two care plan concept maps, one presentation, and two simulations labs to finish. Needless to say I am very tired and am trying my best not to fall victim to burnout. Looking forward to a summer of reading, traveling, shopping, crocheting, and of course working.

Happy Birthday Rachael!

2010-03-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

Ok so your birthday is not until tomorrow, but I will be busy and I did not want to forget to post this picture!

I had to share this one too. It is my all time favorite picture of Rachael because of the look on her face as Daniel fears for his life in her arms! ahahahaha
Of course the look on John's face is equally creepy as he strokes his baby brother's head. How did he ever survive?

....Oh wait I forgot this post was about Rachael not Daniel. So...here is one more. Enjoy!

I heart CROCHET!

2010-03-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

About a year before I graduated from BYU-Idaho I got one of my roommates to teach me how to crochet. It took me forever to learn but she was very patient with me. I made a baby blanket and it was so lame because as I got better the blanket got tighter. Now it just looks stretched out on one side. I then started to make a new baby blanket, because I have ADHD and I never thought I could do a bigger one. Five years later I finally finished it! It looks pretty good too I must say, but now I have decided I should go all the way and make a big blanket for myself. I purchased 13 things of yarn and I only hope I figure out I need more before they discontinue the pattern. Don't worry in ten years I will be sure to post the finished product!

This is the blanket that took me 5 years. In my defence, I did not have it with me the year and a half I lived in Hawaii. Cute!

Ready...set...bring it on!

2010-03-10T21:17:00.001-08:00

Saturday, February 27 I got a call from mom about the earthquake in Chile over night and that it was supposed to trigger a tsunami that would head for Hawaii. I looked it up on the internet and found that there was an earthquake in Japan too. Fortunately, the tsunami did not materialize but it got me to thinking that I have never made the time to put together a respectable 72 hour kit. I started to make a check off sheet and ordered a few cool things online. The crazy thing about it all was the next day in church no one brought up the subject of these earthquakes, but there was so much talk about physical preparedness as well as spiritual. Creepy!

This past weekend I also decided to dedicate one of my cabinets to food storage. As I was doing this the thought came to me..."what happens if a meteor hits my apartment while I'm gone? There goes my food storage"...or "what if the second coming happens before I get to use my food storage?" Of course I know that the main point is that I am doing what the Lord has asked me to do and I feel really good about it.

I am almost done getting everything I want for my kit, including some MREs from mom. Tonight I went and bought a huge backpack to put it all in. It's way cool and even fits extra clothes. I'm ready!

(On Monday, March 8 there was an earthquake in Turkey too.)

The finished product.

My favorite purchase tonight!

My First Kate Spade

2010-03-05T16:32:00.000-08:00

With the arrival of my big fat tax return and having a stressful time at school I decide to treat myself. I could not think of anything I really wanted when, just for fun, I ended up on KateSpade.com. I have always wanted one of her bags, but they are pricey. So, it would be just my luck that they were having a sample sale that week! I got this bag for a discount of more that 50% off with only $5 shipping!!! It came today. After years of dreaming I finally have a Kate Spade and I LOVE it!! Thanks Uncle Sam!

Project!

2010-03-04T16:20:00.000-08:00

I have never been very good at keeping a journal, even though I like the idea of being able to look back and pass on my adventures to others. So I have decide to be like my sister and print out my blog. I am so excited, but it's taking forever to print. It will be worth it though and when I am done I am taking it to the UPS store to have it spiral bound. This is also why I have momentarily changed my blog title since I have not been a nursing student till recently.

I am also doing this because in January I was called as first counselor in the Young Womens. I did not complete my Personal Progress so I am taking the opportunity to do it now and lot of the work involves writing in a journal. So hopefully I will be able to stay on task and you get to see me bloom into a bright young women...or at this rate a bright middle-aged women. HA!

The saga continues....

2010-02-21T10:26:00.000-08:00

I have been in the nursing program now for five full weeks and I have to admit I keep going back and forth..."this is so much fun"..."what the crap did I get myself into?" So much reading, homework, and dare I say it...fast food! As I continue to teeter on the brink of insanity here is what has happened in the past three weeks:

Week 3: In lab I learned how to give a intramuscular and a sub-dermis shot. Sub-dermis shots are for things like TB testing. We practiced on hot dogs and I got some pretty decent blebs (pockets of the medicine under the skin: a good thing). But, alas...hot dogs aren't even close to being like human flesh and I injected my partner a little too deep. Not that badly done but, in my defence every time our teacher would observer a student administering the shot other students would swarm. Pretty nerve wrecking if you ask me. I did, however, do a fine job on the intramuscular shot. Which I think is more important considering I will have to do those more as a nurse. When it was my partners turn to give me a IM I freaked. I am not scared of needles, but knowing this was her first time I really lost it. My teacher was telling me to calm down the whole time. Once it was in and I realized, of course, it did not hurt I was all cool about it. Like I knew all along she could do it. HAHA!
After lab I got to give the H1N1 vaccine to two people. One the nasal spray and one via IM shot. Both way cool but, the pressure was on giving the shot because I got stuck giving it to a second semester nursing student who felt the need to comment on everything I did. I informed him that I was told to do it a certain way and he was a little butt about it. I hope I am not like that as I progress through the program! FYI: dont' be a butt to someone who is about to give you a shot.

Week 4: My first two tests were this week and can I just tell you I thought my brain was about to bust out of my head. It does not mater what the subject is I always freak out before the first test in a class. "What is the format?" "How detailed is it doing to be?" "What happens if I have to go to the bathroom?" You name it, I worry about it. All is well, although I really need to stop reading into the questions and stop second guessing myself.

Week 5: I was tested on performing a full body assessment in lab on Tuesday. I had been practicing on Rachael (a good sport) and felt pretty ready. I remembered all the important stuff and passed. Word! I have to admit I questioned my career path when I was looking up peoples' noses all day and realized "it's gonna get worse than this."
Did you know that no matter how clear you think your nose is there are still things "hanging out" in there? Things that come out of the nose: my archnemesis.

Sleepovers!

2010-02-11T08:32:00.000-08:00

I knew that I would be really busy this semester so before school started we had sleepovers! First night was Harker and Hyrum's turn. We ate pizza, played cards, told scary stories, and watched movies. The next night was Natalie's turn. We had Happy Meals, played Barbies, and watch princess movies. I know this is late but enjoy the pictures!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2010-01-30T16:00:00.000-08:00

I was sad I could not find one of you in the red leisure suit. But, these are good too!

Alive...for now.

2010-01-30T15:25:00.000-08:00

So, I have officially been in nursing school for two weeks and it has been an experience to say the least. I am so busy and I want to remember all that I am going through so that I can look back in appreciation. So, hopefully I will be able to discipline myself to blogging regularly for my enjoyment and maybe yours as well.

Week 1: The book for my Basic Nursing class was supposed to come with an "online" booklet complete with access code. It did not. When I realized that it did not I had already gotten homework for that class, requiring me to us the access code, and the bookstore was closed all weekend because of bad weather so I could not exchange it. Que mental breakdown. My first week and I was already behind! Tons of reading to do, bad internet connection, no access code, snowed in, and ...babysitting. It was like "The Shining" without actually busting my head through a door and yelling "Here's Mary!"

Week 2: Monday I went to the bookstore to get a new book with an access code. Something told me to check the bookstore before I left, but no... I did not listen. Walked home, unwrapped book...access code USED!!!! Holy cow, you have got to be kidding me! The bookstore had bought back a book with a used access code and I got it. The homework for it was due the next day. So, I stayed up late and woke up that next morning and got it done. Went to class and was told that the deadline was extended because so many people were having problems. ARG! Good news: I am almost caught up and in lab on Tuesday I get to give someone a shot! Oh yeah! Bad news: A nursing student will be giving me a shot in lab on Tuesday.

My New Shirt

2010-01-01T19:49:00.001-08:00

Army Brat Extraordinaire! Hooah!

Happy Birthday John!

2009-12-29T09:28:00.000-08:00

Sunday Night Haircut

2009-12-20T19:18:00.000-08:00

So my hair was getting really damaged in the front from my flat iron and being that I am a newly broke/cheap college student I decided to take matters into my own hands. Not to shabby if I do say so myself. I even got a discount for sitting still! Score!

Happy Birthday Matthew!

2009-12-04T14:51:00.000-08:00

A Special Piece of Mail

2009-11-21T11:09:00.000-08:00

After loads of studying, testing, and stressing it's happened...I have been accepted into the nursing program at UNM-Gallup. The program starts in January and will only take four semesters. I'm so excited! I already have an idea about what car I am going to buy when I'm done!!!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T17:20:00.000-07:00

While Rachael and company were out I took over their house to do my favorite Halloween activity...passing out candy to Trick-or-Treaters. I know it's dorky, but I love it anyway.
I even carved pumpkins (the painted ones belong to the kids'). My new idea was the small pumpkin on the right who is vomiting his innards. Love it!!!
Ok, I confess...I saw it on TV.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-09-10T18:20:00.000-07:00

I was super busy and did not get to this yesterday, but better late than never. Hope you had a great day mom! Love you!

Happy Birthday Daniel!!!

2009-08-30T15:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, so your birthday is not until tomorrow but I was to excited to wait after I found this picture.

When the cat's away the mice will play...

2009-08-29T14:02:00.000-07:00

Don't feel to bad for them. I had to shell out a buck fifty each. Poor Nathan didn't get a dime.

The Kate Update

2009-08-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

Holy cow, it feels like five million years since I have blogged. Here is a quick run down of what I have been up to. After spending a few weeks in Missouri I made the trek out west, continued my job hunt in Utah, took a break to visit Rachael and Brad, spoke to the nursing adviser at UMN-Gallup and decided to stay. Took a trip out to Arizona with the Manguns, mom and dad, and Aunt Audrey. Made a trip to Idaho to shop, visit friends and get stuff out of my storage unit.
Now as of last Tuesday I have been back in school getting ready to apply to the nursing program here. I am in a 10 credit class and the homework is kicking my butt. The only thing that is helping is the fact that most of it I already learned as a Health Science major. Anyway, life is grand and I even have free Direct TV with my apartment. And it's the expensive package too!!

I think this look best describes what it's like to live with Aunt Katie for a whole month.

The Indian dances that take place nightly. Very cool!

Some ruins in the Petrified Forrest National Park.

Me breaking the rules in the park. hehe, what are you gonna do about it Mr. park ranger?

My first visit to the Grand Canyon! I got sick as a dog not long after this picture was taken.

A meteor crater I can't remember the name of. I think it's called Meteor Crater.

I got to visit Stephanie and the kids in Utah. It had been over three years since I last saw them.

Jacob showing me his sweet moves.

I finally got to meet Sara. She is such a Q-T-Pie!!

Looking forward to visiting them in Germany!!!

Over due post...

2009-07-29T08:50:00.000-07:00

Here are some random photos from my 4th of July weekend with the Colorado Westhoffs.

Cute girls at the Rocky Mountains National Park.

I'm torn...

Oooh, Dallin's gotta crush!

We were driving around the park when I mentioned that it would be a cool place to build a hotel like the one from the movie The Shining. Daniel and Megan then told me that it was just outside of the park. Crazy! I had to see it!

Corn on the cob! YUM!

Kennadie sneaking out in the rain.

BBQ in the rain. We weren't the only ones out either. It was also my first time eating Gate's BBQ Sause. Pretty good!

Rocky Mountains National Park, CO

2009-07-10T17:11:00.000-07:00

So I have not had a ton of time to blog, but for now here is a picture of me and Addyson. Thanks Daniel and Megan for a great 4th of July weekend!!!

Daddy/Daughter Trip to the Shooting Range

2009-06-27T19:35:00.000-07:00

Dad raising the flag so that people know the range is "hot."

You talking to me?

Dad showing me up.

I preferred the revolver. Are you still talking to me?!

Dad said I did pretty good and I agree.

Dad quotes of the day:
"You are only allowed to shoot someone on purpose."
"Shoot the heart."
"If you shoot someone and they get back up...you're in trouble."

Taronga Zoo, Australia

2009-06-23T19:51:00.000-07:00

I am slowly forgetting what I have already posted from our trip to Sydney so I have decided that I should try to finish before the year is out.
There is so much to do in Sydney and it's a good idea to kill two birds with one stone whenever possible. After a little research we found out that you can take a ferry ride across Sydney Harbor to the Taronga Zoo. Score!

Bus ride from the ferry.

We're here!

We ran up to this exhibit so excited to see crocodiles in person. After looking at them for a while I looked at the sign and realized that they were North American Alligators. Arg!

Here's a crocodile. Note the more slender nose.

Star Tortoise

Long neck turtle. Weird!

Mama and baby wallabies. So cute!

I love this shot of a mountain goat over looking Sydney.

Who says zoos are just for kids?!

A Meerkat

This picture was so hard to get because it kept bobbing up and down.

A Binturong

Dingoes

Typical male just taking a nap.

This lizard was roaming free and totally caught us off guard!

This was roaming free too and I made sure not to turn my back on it!

Good News!

2009-06-22T15:50:00.000-07:00

Not only is it $3 per person to get into the Ft Leonard Wood pool, but we just found out today that it is open 7 days a week! Guess where we are going to be again tomorrow!!!

Saturday in the Ozarks

2009-06-21T10:57:00.000-07:00

Saturday we went up to visit grandma and do some exploring. We had to start the day out at Applebee's, considering I have gone a very long time not living near one. I don't think their food has changed much, but to me it tasted extra delicious.
Then we drove around Osage Beach and over the Bagnell Dam where grandma went on her senior trip. Next dad had to stop at some gun store, but it turned out to be pretty cool with neat antique gun displays and tons of taxidermied animals.
Last we went to the HA HA Tonka State Park (HA HA Tonka is indian for Laughing Waters). There was a really old European style mansion there that burned down along time ago compleat with carriage house and water tower (both of which burned as well).
The park had a lot of great trails we did not have time to explore, but we did make a point to stop at the natural bridge. We probably could have done more, but it was so HOT and HUMID! Other then that it was a great day and a fun visit with my Grandma Westhoff!

Driving over the Bagnell Dam.

The water tower.

Inside the water tower.

Last stop, the PCC.

2009-06-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I have officially left the "Aloha State" and am currently in the "Show Me State" (what they want me to show them I have yet to figure out). For your viewing enjoyment I wanted to show some pictures of our final trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center. We have been there so many times that we decided to just do the luau and the night show with some shopping in between. Good times!

Mom's Dream Come True

2009-05-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night mom and I got to eat for free at Ruth's Chris Steak House. I don't even want to know how much it would have cost. Thank goodness for baby formula reps with money to burn!

Mamma Mia!

2009-05-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

Almost a year ago mom got tickets to see the stage production of Mamma Mia and last night finally came. It was a lot better then I thought it would be. When we were in London back in 2002 I wanted to see it, but we ran out of time (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserable, and the Lion King were our nightly show priorities). Then the movie version came out and the previews alone left a bad taste in my mouth, but to my relief the stage production was very entertaining...slightly scandalous...but entertaining.

Weekend Beach Report

2009-05-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have had anything decent to report from a weekend beach trip, but the time has come and if I have to suffer so do you.

1. At least four men were spotted in speedos, all old. One liberally cleaning himself in the outdoor showers... nice.

2. Three very over weight women were spotted in string bikinis. Fortunately they had shorts on, but one of the girl's tops was about 5 sizes to small. Hello! This is a family show!

3. On a good note, mom and I were swimming when a turtle surfaced not more than 15 feet away from us. We could tell from the size of it's head that it was a big one. So cool!

You wanna be a what?!

2009-05-06T15:49:00.000-07:00

Today for work I took a group of people for a tour of a Whole Foods Market. I loved everything about the place; the locally grown produce, Hawaiian caught seafood, the homemade Gelato, and of course all the “granolas.”
Back when I lived in Boise I decided one day that I wanted to be a granola. I got a grip when I realized that such a lifestyle would cost a pretty penny. And a penny I did not have, let alone a pretty one. But I could not help it. All these feelings of save the earth, save the polar bears, save a tree lead to me spending over $9 on two small homemade bars of soap. What? Sure, I like being green…but I would rather save the green, my green. Now if you’ll excuse me I’d like to finish my organic vanilla nonfat yogurt and locally grown strawberries.

P.S. I still have ambitions to become a bonafide “granola” but of the low budget variety. Stay tuned!

Bondi Beach, Australia

2009-04-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

Pronounced Bond-eye, not Bondy you crazy Americans!!

More Australia

2009-04-01T16:35:00.000-07:00

The world's deadliest bird: the cassowary.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHAEL!!!!

2009-03-29T17:14:00.000-07:00

You are still smoking HOT!!!

Create your own FACEinHOLE

"Love Your Kidneys"

2009-03-14T18:49:00.000-07:00

March is National Kidney month and if you work for the National Kidney Foundation that means double duty soldier. World Kidney Day was March 12, so we had a huge screening in downtown Honolulu. Like all of our screenings it was free to the public and we had a great turnout. Mom and dad were among the volunteers.

Mom and me showing off our wicked gear.

Dad was not to happy about the plain, white front and wanted to wear it backwards to avoid looking like "a dork."

Yep, that's me dressed as Sydney the Kidney. That's what a four year degree will get you these days. ;)

Mom and dad were so proud. *tear*

Right on Target

2009-03-05T15:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Hawaii's first Target stores opened and one of them is near us! I was so excited I had to go on opening day. After driving there and finding no parking anywhere, not even on the street, I went home for a little bit and walked back. Yes, it was worth it(it's only a 25 minute walk). It's so big and beautiful too. I will not own up to how much I spent though.
Everything is perfect in Hawaii now...except we still need an Applebee's!

Was it fate?!

2009-03-03T23:26:00.000-08:00

I went to the mall after work on Monday and as I was walking felt this strange desire to go into the Disney store. There he was, staring at me as if we had met before. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I looked away, but quickly returned his child like smile. I could not believe it! After all this time, after all these years...after spending Halloween with people asking if I was Dorothy! Alas, never again shall we part. I will never lack a great Halloween costume again!

There's Always a Catch.

2009-02-24T19:52:00.000-08:00

So I signed up to get something homemade and totally free. The only catch is that I had to post something on my blog.

Here's how it works..... The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a hand made gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise. BUT, in order for you to leave a comment on my blog, you have to post this on your blog first. (That means that sometime during this year you will send a gift to 3 people as well.) Get it? So, the first 3 people to comment on this post will be the lucky ones! It's a race!

The Hilton Hawaiian Village

2009-02-23T19:48:00.000-08:00

This past weekend there was some Army ball downtown...which means nothing to me but mom got a great rate at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki because of it, so we were there baby! We have driven by it a million times and never thought much of it till we went inside and saw why they call it a "village." Tons of shops, restaurants, a beautiful white church, and even a pond with real penguins. All of this surrounded by six towers filled with rooms and timeshares. Plus five pools through out made it easy to forget we live only 20 minutes away. The tower pictured is the one we stayed in. I'm not a big fan of the Hiltons but man this place rocks!

Night view from our room.

We were out on the beach waiting for the fireworks they set off every Friday night to start and were pleasently surprised by all the sail boats. So pretty against the sunset.

View of Diamond Head.

It was only a 10 minute show but I was very excited to finally get to use the "fireworks" setting on my camera.

They have a man made lagoon you can swin and paddle boat in. We were so excited when we found out we could go stand-up paddle surfing there too. It was something we have always wanted to try and it is a lot of fun!!

It was a great weekend but still costly. Here are pictures of us with our $5 cokes. Can you believe that? $5 for a 12oz can of coke! Thanks mom...and Uncle Sam!

St. Mary's Cathedral and The Australian Museum

2009-02-18T21:18:00.000-08:00

It's true, I have slacked hardcore about getting all of our pictures from Australia up, but we took a million so can you blame me. Over time you'll get to see them all...well, maybe.

These pictures inside the cathedral were taken without a flash! Do I have mad skills or what? Or maybe just a really good camera? Both?

This was labeled as "The Bone Ranger."

"Bone Sweet Bone"

Cockatoos just like this one were all over the city. It was so weird to see such an exotic bird in a major city.

This bird is called a Cassowary. It is known as the deadliest bird in the world.

As if the threat of a lava flow wasn't enough...

2009-02-05T21:08:00.000-08:00

Big Island, Hawaii

Lava Tree State Park, Big Island, Hawaii

2009-02-05T20:33:00.000-08:00

Business Trip: The Big Island

2009-01-28T20:38:00.000-08:00

I had another off island business trip this past holiday weekend. It was in Hilo, which is on the Big Island, and since I had only seen a small portion of the island we decided that would be my birthday present. We stayed at a cute hotel on Hilo Bay and spent three full days driving around.
I once enjoyed a good road trip, but after living on the small island of Oahu for the past year and a half we did not get far each day before I would ask "are we there yet" or just pass out. Oh, and I was strugglen' in the 60 degree weather over there. Yes people, it snows on the Big Island. See snow shots below along with other random photos.
I really wanted to show off the old lava flows and black sand that make up the Big Island's great landscape. If some photos seem weird it was a little hazy a few days. Also the flower shot and weird animals in the water shot are to so off my new camera's wicked extreme close-up feature. Enjoy!!

Day After Christmas Fun

2008-12-26T15:32:00.000-08:00

This is the first time I have gotten to play in the snow in years. We don't get too much of it in Hawaii, as you can imagine, and you can see my nephews suffered the consequences of my built up, lack of snow play frustration.

Christmas Eve with Applebee's and Sonic

2008-12-25T09:12:00.001-08:00

Two of my favorite places that we don't have in Hawaii.

Christmas Eve Eve at the Mall

2008-12-23T18:49:00.000-08:00

The little girl in front of me cried but I wasn't scared. I went to sit on the armrest of Santa's chair when he insisted that I sit right on his knee. He handled it pretty well I must say. I was only comfortable with the idea due to the fact that he is my sister's father-in-law.

Aboriginal man playing a didgeridoo...

2008-12-07T22:41:00.000-08:00

Trust me it's not as easy as it looks. I have one and it hurts my lips to play it to long. You do not blow because there is somehow a natural wind current through it. You just put your mouth to it and buzz your lips. This man was at the Blue Mountains National Park when we visited. Very cool!

Sydney Harbor Bridge

2008-12-07T17:44:00.000-08:00

Views of The Sydney Opera House

2008-12-07T16:51:00.000-08:00

Halloween

2008-11-17T19:59:00.000-08:00

So besides the fact that I look like a freak, I think mom did a pretty good job on my dress. Everyone was so impressed at my office. The best part was when two stupid chicks in the hall asked if I was Dorothy?! Thanks again mom and thanks Rachael for mailing me the tights!

We have a winner!

2008-10-29T15:33:00.000-07:00

Go Angel! I will be Alice in Wonderland for Halloween, although not as cute as Kenna. Believe it or not I was able to talk mom into making me an Alice dress. It is so cute although due to the high waist I will look like a prego Alice! Anywho, Angel you just won yourself some chocolate covered macadamia nuts!

Halloween Prep!

2008-10-11T00:21:00.000-07:00

So, I have been getting things together for my Halloween costume this year and as you can tell it involves a wig. I thought it might be fun to make a little game of sorts out of this...the first person who correctly guesses who I am going to be for Halloween will get a box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts mailed to them!!! If no one comes close soon I will give more hints. In fact, I'll give you one now...it is someone that is BLONDE! Good Luck! Oh and since mom and Rachael (maybe Brad) already know they don't get a guess and they better not help anyone else!

Kaua'i Adventures: Take Two

2008-09-08T23:27:00.000-07:00

On Kaua'i there is an old sugar plantation with a pretty good-sized irrigation canal through it. To build it they shipped over a bunch of Chinese men from, you guessed it, California. I can’t remember how long it took them to dig through all the hills, but at one point we were under 50ft of rock. The canal goes through five very cool tunnels. The activity is called mountain tubing. Basically, you get on a tube wearing a hard hat with a light, sit back and enjoy the ride. A Kaua’i must!! And no the sugar plantation is no longer in service.

Testing...

The water was brisk baby! But here we go!

Some lady asked us if we were sisters. What?!

In the "play area" they let us get off our tubes.

End of the line.

Huh?!

Kaua'i Adventures: Take One

2008-09-03T00:44:00.000-07:00

I had yet another business trip to Kaua'i which happened to be on Labor Day weekend so, mom and I decided to make it a four day weekend adventure! I took a ton of pictures so it will take me a few different posts to get the whole weekend up. It will also come to you in no particular order. Our zip lining adventure was one to remember. Nothing better than flying through the air over river valleys. Please forgive the poor photo quality. I did not want to take a nice digital camera. We bought one time use cameras for the hardcore activites. Enjoy!

Dumpster Diving Roosters

2008-09-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

Giselle

2008-08-14T15:21:00.001-07:00

Saturday night mom and I are going to see the ballet Giselle. I had never heard of it so I decided to look it up and it sounds like an entertaining story. It should be fun!

Synopsis:
In the first act, a young, innocent village maiden named Giselle is in love with a man she knows only as Loys. In reality, the man is Albrecht, a nobleman disguised as a peasant, who is betrothed to Bathilde, daughter of the Duke. When Giselle discovers the deceit, she is inconsolable and goes mad, then dies; one version says she dies of a broken heart while another says she commits suicide in her madness.

In the second act, her undying love for Albrecht saves him from the wicked magic of the wilis, vampiric ghosts of betrothed girls who were betrayed by their lovers and died before their wedding day. Though their leader, Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis, forces Albrecht to dance again and again, Giselle intervenes long enough to spare his life and allow him to survive until the dawn. At sunrise, the wilis must return to their grave; Giselle must return as well but not before showing Albrecht that she forgives him for his treachery. The two pledge their love to each other and she descends back into her grave. Sadly, they will forever be separated; Giselle is now a wili for the rest of eternity.

Weekend at Bellows Air Force Base

2008-08-07T21:48:00.000-07:00

Last weekend mom and I stayed at Bellows. It has my favorite beach. The sand is so soft and the beach is flat so it's perfect for long walks. There are no big rocks in the water so it's great to swim there too.

This is a picture of our cabin/duplex. Not very fancy, but it gets the job done. Plus we were right on the water! Such great views and the water so blue!

View to the left. The island to the left is the one the mom, Matthew, Daniel and I have all kayaked out to. Talk about a workout!

View to the front. It was so clear the whole weekend that we could see Molokai. Very cool!

View to the right. This picture does not do these mountains justice. They are so beautiful in person!!!

Mom took this picture of the sunrise Saturday morning. I was fast asleep...ZZZZZ

We found this dead crab near our cabin. All of the meat inside was gone. We think ants must have cleaned it out. It was purched peacefully on a tree stump.

Mom under attack! It's alive!

Peace be with you my little friend.

Dinner on Saturday! Good job mom!

Something to do...

2008-08-06T18:24:00.001-07:00

Well, I left a comment on my friend Julie's page so I guess I should do the same and post this.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses.If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments

Weekend Beach Report: Bellows Air Force Base

2008-08-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

Old man in Speedo sighting: Painful
Chick with giggly butt in thong sighting: Scary
Not getting stung by Portuguese Man o' Wars or
bitten by giant(6 in.) centipede: Priceless

That 70's Show

2008-07-31T16:51:00.000-07:00

So today was my boss Victoria's birthday and
since she was born in the 70's she wanted a
themed party. This is my attempt without
spending to much money.
And no I am not drunk in this picture!

And the winner is...

2008-07-31T16:39:00.001-07:00

Paul McCartney (The Cute Beatle)

Ok, so I admit I voted twice but considering I am the biggest Beatles fan ever I figured it was only right. Thank you fellow participants.

Help!

2008-07-28T17:44:00.000-07:00

My co-workers swear up and down that eating ketchup with eggs is totally the norm. I'm not saying I have never done it or that it is weird, I'm just saying that not everyone on the mainland does it. Help me out people! Who, on a regular basis, puts ketchup on their eggs?

Excuse me...I believe I ordered the LARGE can of Coke.

2008-07-13T23:49:00.000-07:00

Business trip to Kaua'i

2008-07-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was spend on the island of Kaua'i for work. I have know visited all of the Hawaiian islands that you are allowed to visit (one is privately owned and one is a wildlife preserve). It was a pretty nice island. Very green and had a lot of nice hotels. We are going back for Labor Day weekend and have loads of stuff planned. So, stay tuned.