In the Home Stretch...

Well, I am officially nearing the end! Wa-hoo!!! I will be graduating in one month! It seems like it has been an eternity! As I am typing this I am actually taking a study break. I have a test this coming Thursday and NCLEX review today through Wed. Ugh! Just to give you an idea of how crazy my life is right now...

I am required to get 201 clinical hours between October 18th and December 3rd... So I am having to pretty much work a full time job. I am in the Labor and Delivery Unit and LOVING it! So far I have seen about 10-15 beautiful babies come into this world! =D Although it is stressful having to leave at 5:45 in the AM and not get home until 8:15 in the PM just to eat, shower, sleep and do it all over again, I am loving where I am at.

To make things even more crazy, I have had to do a journal each week, a daily clinical log, projects every other week and two tests in between all of that... Ugh! I can't even take much time to breathe! 

I have been trying to make time for myself amidst all of this chaos, but it's definitely been hard. Thank goodness we have friends like the McHams, Castenedas and Badeaux who are gracious enough to cook us meals every now and then! We LOVE you all!

In the midst of all of this craziness we still manage to have a life. Tong has "started" his photography business... Take a peek at http://UtakritPhotography.blogspot.com! He is so awesome! (Ok, I may be just a little bit biased!) But, take a look for yourself... you'll see! I, on the other hand, have started selling Mark Kay. I absolutely love doing this and it has been rewarding already! It has been so easy to do this even though I am so busy with nursing school. Since Tong has his special website posted, I get to too! hehe! Go look at my awesome website: www.marykay.com/Leigh.Utakrit 

I also took a Comprehensive NCLEX Practice Review and it said that I have a 90% chance of passing my NCLEX the first time I take it! =D Yea! Crazy to think I may actually be putting RN behind my name here in the next few months! Yikes!

Life has been crazy, but God keeps us on track and grounded! If it seems like we haven't talked to you in forever, it's not because we don't want to... it's because we don't even have time to talk to ourselves! yikes! We love you all lots! Thanks for your continued prayers!

Update...

Well, this semester started off with a bang... again! I found out the night before I started back, at 10 pm, that I was actually supposed to bring a lunch the next day AND the I would be there until 2:30. We knew that we were to be at the State Supported Living Center, but we just knew to be there at 8:30. As if that wasn't enough, we got there and it seemed as if no one had communicated and no one knew what we actually were supposed to be doing. Good grief! 

I have been going there on Monday and Wednesday and have been pretty bored. We are not allowed to interact with the individuals and really we haven't even been able to observe. We did, however, get to sit in on an admit meeting today which was kind of interesting. It was a delight to hear the individual say he was happy and looking forward to living there.

For those of you who aren't familiar with a SSLC, it is a place (like a college campus) where individuals that have mental retardation can live. It is such a joy to see the smiles on their faces! There are things like horseback riding, swimming and workshops where they can work for money. They all really enjoy living there and they feel safe and secure!

Next week we start our rotations in the schools. I'm really excited!!! I could be placed in an elementary, middle or high school. Im really looking forward to it!

Tong is keeping up with his grad school and teaching. They opened up the brand new middle school this year and he is loving it! Here are some pictures of the new classroom... notice the loverly solar system above the cabinets! =D

He said the students are good, just need to be trained! lol Sounds like my hubby!

Other than that we are great! Just relaxing! Hope all is well with everyone! Love to you all!

I Can Do ALL Things Through Christ...

Well, as you can see it has been a while since the last time I have actually had a second to breath. This summer has been incredibly busy and I am getting so close to being burnt out... Thank goodness I have a two week break coming up! This summer has been just a bit stressful. They crammed a 3/4 month semester of what is already an accelerated program, into a 2 month summer. On top of that, it seems like every time I am out and headed to school, everyone else is out having fun. Stinky! It definitely has been a trying summer and I have had to learn that God is definitely my strength. 

In the midst of all this craziness, I actually was able to be a part of an amazing woman's last few months on earth. I was able to experience what it truly means to be thankful. One of my patients, we'll call her Joy, was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. After looking through her chart, I learned that she had gastric cancer and had had her stomach removed, yes, all of it. She was doing very well, but ended up in the hospital because of the pneumonia. I spent time talking with her that day and she was actually ready to be discharged and head out shopping the following day! =D When I returned to the hospital two weeks later, I was disheartened to see that she was back. I picked her again and went to see her and let her know that I would be back the next day to take care of her. I walked in the room and was immediately stunned. With a smile on her face, she was lying in bed, skin yellow and muscles weak. I began to talk to her and her family and then she told me the news... the news I didn't want to hear and wasn't ready to hear... the cancer had come back, and it had spread throughout her entire body. She wasn't going to make it much longer. 

After taking a deep breath and holding her hand with all my might, she reminded me... "It's ok. God has plans for me and I am ok with that." Wow... what a Godly woman. Lying in bed, dying, with a big smile on her face because she was going Home. Throughout the day we talked and shared stories and laughter. Her daughter gave me a bracelet that was specific for gastric cancer. Saying goodbye that day was quite possibly the hardest thing I have ever had to do. It is one thing saying goodbye to a patient that you know is going to get better. But when you have to say goodbye and you know that that will be your last goodbye, words cannot express. 

When I returned two weeks later, I was shocked... she was still there. Then I heard the news... she was not expected to make it through the day. I was able to share the last few moments with the nurse that was caring for her and her family. God had a special place in heaven for her and she smiled all the way there. Through laughter and tears, her family said goodbye. One of the most special things I will always remember is them walking down the hall, thanking us for being so kind. 

I will always remember Joy and her smile and strength. Her laughter and jokes will always be a part of my heart. I was incredibly blessed to be able to be a part of her life and will forever be thankful! On my way home that day, a song came on on KSBJ...

Cry to Jesus

...And Live

Dance for Jesus

...And Live

Fly to Jesus

...And Live

Not once did she complain. Not once did she frown. She just smiled. 

I then saw a dove flying to heaven and I knew she was reminding me it was ok. She was ok. She was dancing with her Jesus...

I am sharing this story with you because I know she would have wanted everyone to know that we are special and that we can get through anything with His strength and help. God loves you and will always be beside you. 

Smile...

Semester One Complete!!!

Yes!!! It has been completed! And... I am happy to report that I came out with 3 A's and 2 B's!!! An overall GPA for the first semester of Nursing School as 3.6!!! =D I am VERY happy with myself and definately think that they pulled this one out of someone's booty, but hey! I will take it! 

Currently, I am taking my 2 week May minimester course and LOVING it! The professor is very organized and very insightful! The book that we are studying is called "Closing the Chart" by Dr. Steven Hsi (she). It is about a physician who is diagnosed with a chronic heart disease and how he feels as the patient. It is one of the best books I have ever read! And if you know me, you know that is hard for me to say! lol You definitely should check it out! 

Well, things are great as of right now, but next week is the beginning of a new semester... so pray hard! =D Love to you all!

Minute by Minute

Well, unfortunately NOTHING has gotten any better. For example, for out skill lab today we normally get the prep materials on the Friday before skill lab... for today... last night at 8:30 pm. Need I say more?
  At this point I am cramming as much as possible into my days and trying to take it a day at a time... well a minute at a time. I can't really do much else. The good thing is I guess you could say, my birthday is during finals for this semester so I will really be able to celebrate the next weekend! =D Well, I need to get to work but I just wanted to give a quick update! Again, prayers are much appreciated and we love you all!

Good Week =D

Hi all! This week was a pretty good week, and to top that off I got an 86 on my test today! Woo hoo! Despite the feeling of being overwhelmed, I actually had almost a completely "stress free" week! God is good!

The week started with learning how to do injections, which I have already done so I really actually for once had an idea of what I was doing. Then Tuesday I didn't have to go on campus so I got quite a bit of work and studying done. Wednesday we had a "Pedi Clinic" clinical which was quite fun! Although, there is a butt load of work I have to do for it this weekend. Oh well! Guess I can't ask for too much! Thursday was just a day full of classes... boring! But, when I got home Tong and I ate and watched an episode of NCIS while we ate, then I got to work studying. I think I studied from about 6-11 that night (well I guess that was last night, huh?) Gosh time flies! And as you read before, I got an 86 on my test today and according to the statistics of the test I was in the 97th percentile with about 6-8 students left to finish theirs. To reward myself, I cleaned/organized our pantry... yes I know... reward? Well, if you know me then you will understand! lol

My goal this weekend is to get as much paperwork done as possible and feel accomplished because we have very special guests coming in for Easter! =D

Well, I better get to work! I love you all and thanks again for the prayers! Please feel free to keep them coming! Tong and I are VERY grateful!

I Spoke Too Soon...

Well, as you can tell it's been way too long since I posted last. I wish I had more time to sit and post, but unfortunately I think I'm realizing just how much time I do not have to sit and think! lol Sorry to those of you who check our blog every day waiting for a new post. Chances are, if you want to know how it's going call Tong! lol He is the poor person who gets the brunt of my stress and still smiles back and says, "You can do it!" 

School seemed to be going a bit better, but then I had the week from "you know where" a couple of weeks ago and I felt like it was all coming crashing down again. Now, as of yesterday I think I have some kind of a bug or something. I have an achy body, a head ache and a really upset tummy that doesn't seem to be ok with me right now. I thought being sick in general was hard, well I was definitely wrong! That's nothing compared to being sick and still having to get tons of work done! Oh well! Why complain! 

I have had three tests now and am studying for my fourth one this week. Please pray! It is my Pharmacology test again and I think I might go crazy! Although, in a weird sort of way I kind of find it all interesting. I have been doing pretty well on my tests, but of course that really doesn't mean much right now. I feel like I should be studying a whole lot more, except the hours in the day run out before I can.

The drive is getting a little more repetitive and not so annoying... although I do have to remind myself sometimes that I should just be patient and remember to breath! 

Tong found out last Friday that he is for sure going to be a teacher at the new middle school, Woodcreek Middle School! =D He also found out that his whole 8th grade science team is going with him! He will be a Lion and their colors are Red and Black. He brought home two T-Shirts and a sweatshirt yesterday and it made it all real! We are very excited as this will be a really great opportunity for him. 

Just to brag a little bit... Tong has made this year of Nursing School doable for me. There has been days, especially Thursdays, that I have come home and for no reason except my stress, have burst into tears. He just comes over and smiles and asks what he can do for me. =D There are also days where he will walk into the kitchen and start the dishes or start dinner without even saying anything. He has also been great about doing the laundry! I have the best hubby in the world! He may need a call of encouragement every once in a while too! lol

Well, gotta get back to work! Thanks for reading and I love you all!

Nursing School Update

Well, I think everything is starting to calm down a bit. This week seems to be going much easier than previous weeks and I feel a lot less stressed about it all. I have figured out that the way I am going to be successful this year is to step back, get organized as much as I can from what they give us, and go directly to the source for anything and everything! Yesterday during skills lab I talked to my clinical professor about our first Med Surg clinical and what to expect. Needless to say, I am looking forward to my first clinical in the hospital now! Whew! HOWEVER, my first clinical at Harris County Psychiatric Center is tomorrow and I don't really know what to expect. We have certain forms we are supposed to fill out each day and our prof still has not posted the updated ones. =/ 

I have my first test this Friday... YIKES! Luckily it is online and I feel a little prepared at this point and still have two more days to finish getting prepared. It's in Pharmacology. I'm kind of nervous because this will be the first test in this program and class and I really don't know what to expect!

God has blessed me with a group of awesome friends who have the same work ethic I do and love to have fun. Every now and then we give each other looks in class and just laugh on the inside. It's good to know I'm not the only one that feels like I am going to nursing school for nurses on Mars! We are all under extreme pressure, but we love to go through it together! 

Tong is still doing his grad school stuff. He's at Open House tonight for AMS, then home to study! We're such an exciting family right now! haha! 

Well, that's all for now... breaks over, ugh! Please continue to keep us in your prayers! Thanks for your support and encouraging words! We love you all!

So Much To Do, So Little Time...

Well, as most of you can tell by the lack of energy in my voice or the lack of response on the phone/text messaging... I have officially gotten run over by Nursing School. It's only the third day and the drive is KILLING me! I almost burst into tears in the traffic today! All is well, just a little frazzled by the amount of material I will be learning and the amount of stinkin' reading I will have to do. SO... if I don't answer your call or your text message... I do still love you and I am not ignoring you... I am either sleeping, reading, crying, studying, etc...

Well, that's all I have time to write now, but when I have a little more time to breathe I will give you a more detailed update! Love you all! Please remember my sanity in your prayers!

Yes, We Got Sucked In...

As I am sure you are thinking as well, yes, we are now sucked into the world of blogging. Unbelievably enough, I am now typing my first blog. Crazy! And as I type, Tong looks over my shoulder and states, "No Comment..." BUT...

I decided to start this blog for all of you who would like to know what is going on in our lives as busy students! (And a teacher!) This will be a way for you to check up on how my nursing school is going and how Tong is doing on his Master's degree while teaching. Hopefully I will still have a few minutes every now and then to let you in on a day in the life of a Nursing School student. And maybe every now and then Tong will stop by and let you have a taste of a teacher's life compiled with grad school.

Nursing School officially has not started; however, I did have the orientation on Monday and let's just say I have about 500 pages to read by next Tuesday. Need I say more?! YIKES! So, if you wouldn't mind a prayer or two sent our way, we would greatly appreciate it! Also, good news... I received a $650 scholarship! First scholarship in my life.... thank you very much! I am very proud of myself! =D Hopefully this will be enough to cover my gas for the first semester. We shall see!

Well, that's all for now! I will try and get back to you on Tuesday.... first day of the rest of my life!