Hiking

I like to hike. I'm a regular Dr. Seuss with my rhymes. No seriously, I've always been an outdoors gal. In fact I headed for the mountains as soon as I had the good sense to get the flock out of the bay area. Everytime we visit, Torg always asks the inevitable question: Who lives here???? And my answer is always the same: waaay too many people. I mean, no offense, I just have terrible road rage and if I still lived there, it would be in the pen.
So, we hike. We found a sweet trail right out of our back door (okay, front door if you want to get technical), and it begins with a little something I like to call the beast.

Danny tackling the first leg of the beast:
This is our view once we complete the first leg. It seriously goes straight up hill for about 1/4 mile:
Pretty deceiving, you think you're up the hill, but you've only just begun...
Still climbing the beast, this kid is something else!
We were pretty impressed that you can see Jacks Valley Elementary (Danny's school) once you get up over the first half of the trail.
Still going...this is the point in which I usually am able to jog again when I am by myself.
This is the view once we get all the way to the top:
Not bad for about 20 minutes of climbing. This is the trail marker. I suppose it's actually a dirtbike/ATV trail, but we like to go the old fashioned way. There are many, many more miles to go on this trail, and eventually we will find out where it leads. Stay tuned...

I'm on a mission

So as of this week, I have been running. Alot. Sunday I logged about 2 miles- almost half of that was with the kiddo. We got to run outside and that's really my ideal run. Monday, 2.5 miles. The weather did not cooperate, so I used the treadmill, not my favorite but it gets the job done. Tuesday I took a lil break and went on a "hike" with Amanda and the kids (pictures to follow as soon as I get off my lazy butt and do it). Wednesday I went 3.5 miles, again on the treadmill. In the garage. Not the most fun I've ever had, but I first attempted Tae Bo with Mr. Billy Blanks and I almost broke my tv, so I decided the treadmill was safer. Plus, there's a tv out there and I can watch cool movies while I'm running like Spaceballs, Freeway and Spinal Tap. That was today with the Spinal Tap (this one goes to eleven). I logged four miles today and I feel great. Now I am going to the bay for my nephew's birthday and hope I can keep going with this. Get outta my way, got a package people!

Nursing school, aka Life consumer

Well, that's about the size of it. So much for a housewarming party. Hmmm, mebbe a Christmas party is in order. It's finals week and I am surprised to have a free moment. I guess because the worst is over and I actually have a week where I don't have a paper due, and I'm not in clinicals until damn neat 9pm. It's been a wild ride, to say the least. The mantra that has gotten me this far (in my half sane condition, which is the best I could ask for) is: "If it were easy, either everyone would be a nurse, or patients would be really scared" haha. No, it's not easy, but I don't believe that any health care education should be. If it is, you're either a genius, or you don't know what you are doing! Here's a photo of our linical group and our instructor. I'll keep updates posted, and I'll be partying for the next month or so...starting this Friday.

Seriously

This is no joke. Not that I thought it would be. But when someone told me that they spent a grand on books for nursing school, I thought it was an exaggeration. It's totally not. Those books you see are just for the first year. Well, I'm very near a grand in just books now and with my uniform, it puts me over. Add in all the immunizations, CPR class, and background check (yes, background check, as in criminal...just be assured that your nurses are not ex-cons), and I don't know my total exactly, but it was enough to apply for a student loan. I just wish someone would have sat me down and told me straight up, "Hold on to your shit because this is going to rock your financial world."
Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. Other than my finacial status, I am over the moon. I put on that uniform that says "Nursing student" and I am as proud as I was the day that my son was born, or the first time he spelled his name. It's almost indescribable. I always said I was going to be great, but I didn't know it was going to feel this good. I'm doing it! I may never be rich, or famous, or a Pulitzer Prize winner, but I am going to be the best damn nurse you have ever seen. Just as soon as I pay off these loans...

Optimistic, but still bittersweet

Moving forward is a part of life, but no one ever said it was easy. I have been with Tahoe Keys Resort since November 2000. If you're doing the math, that's before the kid, the wedding, before I grew up actually. Just because you're 18 or 21 doesn't mean you're grown up. I was very immature when I started with this company and the age of 23. Although I can't credit them soley with helping me along, this company has been a huge part of my life over the years. The reality that I will no longer be a Tahoe Keys Resort employee after the 15th is kinda bittersweet. Don't get me wrong, I am SUPER excited to start nursing school, leaving a job where I feel like a family member is not easy. I've met lifelong friends and learned so many things along the way. Helping people is part of who I am, and helping people plan a vacation has been such a blast. I am going to miss it dearly.

It's been awhile

The story goes:
1. I got accepted to Western Nevada College's nursing program...not Yale, I know, but all the naysayers told me basically I'd never get in on my first try.HA! In your face! Nooo, not bitter at all, why do you ask?
2. The rough patch about kindergarten. Please see me for details, I have major problems our public school system that are too in-detail to get into here. Long story short: I'd homeschool if I had the resources...it's that bad.
3. We are oficially moving as of today. No, we are not buying just yet. We are renting a sa-weet home in the Indian Hills area of Carson City. Stay tuned for house warming bbq party details, there will be more to come. You Tahoe people didn't think you'd get rid of us that easy, did you?

This just in...

A real conversation heard at the bar today:

"yeah, she was in earlier, you know her, she's in here every day"

"Oh, the one with the face that looks like it caught on fire, then somebody put it out with a brick?"


"That's the one"

HAHAHA! I have no idea who they were referring to. Maybe Hatchet Face is a regular.