one year. 12 months. 365 days.

It's been 2.5 years since I made the life-changing decision to actually return to what I couldn't really wait to finish the first time around ... COLLEGE.

Today, I sit here in somewhat disbelief that I actually 'went back.'

It's been 365 days since I stepped into a conference room for nursing school orientation, where I saw 23 unfamiliar faces.

Today, those faces are the faces of friends - and a special, unique family that could never be replicated.

It's been hours upon hours of work, learning, and many times just scraping by. (As in the words of my classmate 'B,' "Cs get degrees!")

Today, we are done. Not even another book to look at or another lecture to sit through.

It's been a one-year journey of laughter (lots) and some humiliation along the way (having to strip down in front of my class ... a familiar story if you followed my other blog.).

Today, I have a lifetime of memories that we will always remember and cherish.

It's been a ride filled with uncertainty and change.

Today, we begin the next chapter - undeniably still filled with uncertainty and change.

It's been 12 months lived as student nurses.

Today, we lose the 'student' part.

If you haven't guessed yet, I am graduating (again). It's a beautiful thing and I can hardly believe it. It's also a very hard thing to leave the familiarity of the family of 24 that has changed, blessed and made my life better.

Bittersweet. I think that's the perfect word for this moment.

In an effort, however, to stop the sappy, I'll just say ... YAHOOO!! The day is finally here :)

fetch ... jamie?

I am a mentor for a six-year-old little girl.

Today, while we were having a picnic outside on this BEAUTIFUL day, she informed me that her family is getting a dog.

Naturally, one of my first questions was, "Do you know what you're going to name the dog?"

To which she responded, "Yes. Jamie." People. I know I moved my blogspot to be more anonymous, but what gives. My name is Jamie.

She was serious.

Now, there's a slight chance I may have been mistaken, since there is a language barrier between the two of us and perhaps "Jamie" was the only utter from her that I correctly understood. But. I think I interpreted correctly.

While I am honored by this 'compliment,' I'm not really sure what to think. I've never been one to have grandiose dreams of having a building, monument, street - anything - named after me, but now, there will be a dog running around with my name. Awesome.

The saving grace? The dog is a golden retriever. At least it's a blonde.

facebook stalking success.

Stalking Facebook can be a useful pastime. Amidst my daily discoveries of who got a new hairdo, who is now 'in a relationship,' and who just ate a peanut, I actually stumbled upon something that was useful, which I will reveal in a blog second ...

As you may recall from this post, my utter denial of how out of shape I am was smashed and I suddenly had no other choice but to embrace reality and get my booty into shape, literally.

So there was no better timing for my Facebook discovery that there is a place nearby that consists of stairs and trails through sand dunes leading to - wait for it - the beach. Blissful. And I thought to myself, "Self, this is a workout you will love!"

And love, I did. Today, my rockstar car repair friend (mentioned here) and I ventured out to conquer said trail. After a mile 'hike' through the woods and sand dunes, the trail spit us out onto the beautiful beach, which - may I add - after a long winter, was the most glorious sight I have ever laid eyes upon.

While I remain out of shape (stairs were killer), this is something I am going to make into a frequent routine. I am already recruiting more people to join me. Firmer booty? Check. God's beautiful creation? Check. Great workout buddy? Check.

Sounds like a winner to me. Thank you, Facebook.

just about the cutest thing.

It will never cease to amaze me how easily entertained kids are.

Example? Yes. I have one.

This particular example took place this morning while I was helping out playing with the kids at church. Two of the boys were balancing on these - um - balancing blocks. I can't think of a better way to describe them, but think a cross between skateboard/surfboard/teeter-totter. In my most excited voice, I said to them, "How about I count to see how long you guys can balance?!"

Oh. So excited. They were all about it and tried extra hard to get steady before the counting started. (By the way, they are just way too cute.) And so, I started counting and within no time there were about 12 kids joining in the fun and waiting in line for their turn. Their goal was to be able to balance for two minutes. If they fell off, it was high fives all around from yours truly.

The smiles and excitement on their little faces was irresistably cute and hilarious. Next week's goal: 3 minutes. The kids' response to that goal? Clapping, jumping, and a resounding, "Wow! That is such a long time!" Oh, to have the mind of a child ...

Another highlight was while we were watching the large group skit. While we were learning all about Jesus and singing songs, one of the little girls sitting on my lap suddenly looked at me and put her arms around me to give me a hug. She looked up at me and the convo went something like this: "Do you have a boyfriend?" Nope. "Do you have a husband?" Nope. "Do you have a sister?" Yes, I do. "Can I wear your ring?" Well, sure.

A natural progression for a conversation, no? :)

But with these kids' genuine hearts also comes brutal honesty. I've got an example of that one, too.

During snack time, one of the little girls accidentally knocked over one of the boy's glass of water, which was like two drops. I quickly cleaned up the spill and got the little boy a new glass of water. All good, right? Right. Until about five minutes later when the little boy made an announcement to all of the kids at our table saying, "All of you are invited to my party. Except that girl."

Needless to say, a little impromptu lesson on forgiveness followed.

After his open invitation, several of the kids came up to me and said, "He said I could go to his birthday party!" It's safe to say his parents are going to be quite surprised by his expanded guest list ...

just call me random.

A few things I'd like to share:

1. My effort to drink the recommended daily amount of water has been dramatically halted by Micky D's annual installation of $1 any-size soda, soft drink, pop. I'm obsessed. It's like candy. Seriously. What do they put in that stuff? Is it just because it's cheap, or is it actually that good?



2. I was thisclose to parking my car at class today when I was rear-ended at a stop sign. Not one of those 'I slam on my breaks suddenly and car behind me can't stop' fender benders. More like I have been stopped here for a good 30 seconds patiently awaiting my turn to go and THEN comes the hit. How does that happen? May I interrupt this message to remind you that this was, for once, not MY blonde moment. Resume story ...
   
   Since I just spent a fortune to replace my brakes, I was a tad nervous to look at the damage. So I was thrilled to discover no scratch, dent - nothing. I happily went on with my day until my friend/classmate who knows things about cars informed me that there could be unseen damage underneath my car. Lovely. Luckily, said friend rocks. In her nice dressed up clothes, she climbed under my car to check out the situation (as in, the issue, not the Jersey Shore person) and thankfully, still found nothing. Did I tell you she rocks?



3. With the exception of a couple more finishing touches, I am basically done with College Part 2. That's right. DONE. More to come in the near future about this, but I can hardly believe it!

buh-bye, britney.

For YEARS, I have been consistently told that I look like Britney Spears. (This is not a compliment) I have a few fairly entertaining stories surrounding this, but I'll spare you the details - except for one incident.

As I was trying on sunglasses on Chicago's truly magnificent mile, a lady approached me in a too close for comfort kind of way. She looked at me somewhat creepily from every angle before telling me she thought I, in fact, was - Britney Spears. Ummm. No. But may I add that at the time, Britney Spears was about 8 months preggo. And I - may I remind you - was obviously, not. Awesome.

So, this brings me to present day. Relieved that I have gone close to a year now without being told of this resemblance, my heart sunk a little bit yesterday when I was at the children's hospital and a mom of one of the little kiddos told me I 'reminded her of someone.' Please, no. Please, NOT her ...

"You look like Carrie Underwood."

Best. Compliment. Ever. And although I do not see any resemblance (Carrie's hair will forever be an unattainable dream of mine ...), I will gladly accept this compliment. She even said she called her husband to tell him that Carrie Underwood was taking care of their son. Woot!

So, to that lovely lady, I say - thank you. You're crazy to think I look like her, but thank you for breaking the trend. I'm not gonna lie. I secretly hope this trend continues ...

how i wish i could defy gravity. (or just sing on key)

I admit it. Although maybe not common knowledge, I am somewhat of a Broadway musical freak.

It started when I saw Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for the first of eight times. You read that correctly. Eight. In fact, I saw it twice in two weeks. I think it was the hawt-ness of Joseph's brother Asher that did me in originally. Donny Osmond? Psh. And I do love me some Go, Go, Go Joseph sing-alongs.

Since then, I have seen somewhere around 15 musicals - sadly and pathetically, never on the actual Broadway. Someday ... I have also encountered a new favorite in Wicked and seriously dream of playing the role of Glinda. Girl has a phenom wardrobe.

Have I embarrassed myself yet? Not quite? Well, let me add that I give performances of a lifetime in my car and when I'm home alone. This may sound fun and cool (or not), but I should probably tell you that I cannot sing. At all. It's somewhat devastating to me to know that I have about just as much chance to sing on Broadway (well) as Kate Gosselin has to crack a genuine smile while dancing (well) on DWTS. But alas, you - audience - have been spared. Be thankful.

After this preface, you may be shocked (as am I) to learn that I do not watch Glee. I can't even believe it myself. I think it's a brilliant concept, but I just cannot get hooked. Side note: I am watching it right now in an effort to give it a second chance, and is that Idina Menzel? Things may be looking up ...

Perhaps it's my subconscious boycott of a show that won't allow the fabulous Kristi audition for a role. Now THAT would be a show I would watch.

Do YOU watch? What is YOUR dream Broadway role?