I am tired. My legs hurt. My arms hurt. My back hurts. My throat is starting to get scratchy.

No, it's not the flu but something of my own doing. Two jobs, two classes, and little sleep.

I knew it would take getting used to and I know that I will find ways to make sure I'm getting rest (preferably not by skipping class because I didn't wake up like I did yesterday) and taking care of myself but right now . . . I gotta admit, it's tough. Whether it's dealing with difficult residents (difficult or no, they still make me smile and I love them) or difficult LPNs (definitely don't make me smile), I've had a difficult week at the nursing home. Really, I gotta say, the difficulty is coming from the LPNs. One, I think, is trying to be helpful, but the other night when I got stuck a hall that had multiple fall risks so they need to get to bed quick and multiple residents that shouldn't sit in their wheelchairs too long so they need to get to bed quick, I was frustrated beyond all get out at her "help." I'm still learning the routine, I'm still slow and I can't put 5 people to bed at once! Then there's another one that likes to just order me around like I'm stupid. But when there's someone else who's supposed to be doing something they don't say anything. Or when there are a couple of CNAs who just disappear for large chunks of time, nothing is said. Grrrr....ok I know I got myself into this and I really do enjoy it. I love taking care of the residents. I will somehow deal with the other people and try to be patient.

Classes are going well. I did well on my first test in pathophysiology. It was a LOT easier than I expected it to be. I have a quiz tomorrow in the class I slept through yesterday. . .the quizzes are tricky; it's not just memorize info and get the answer right. It's essay questions that you have to think a lot about and explain it well. I'm used to that though; that's what all my Bio tests in college were like. And right now all the material is stuff I learned already in Bio so I just have to review it basically.

Oh and I'm still attempting leading Bible study although we haven't had anyone come the last few weeks. And I started teaching a Sunday school class.

So yes, a lot going on and I am tired for sure (I do still get 7 - 8 hours of sleep a night so really I can't complain too much, I guess) but overall, it's all good. I may have to take a day off at the conference office soon just to try to rest and get some things around the house done. My room is an absolute mess and driving me crazy. Hmm...same with my desk at the office. . .I should work on that now, you know since I'm here! ;-)

A lot going on...and I'm exhausted

This is the second week of the all-consuming crazy life that I have willingly put myself into. I am taking 2 classes, working 20 hours a week at the conference office, and 40 hours a week at a nursing home. I work Thursday-Monday, 2nd shift.

I'm exhausted. Last week I manged to oversleep for my 8:30 class all 3 days we meet. Eek!

It's not all bad though. I really do like the nursing home. It's difficult at times and my back and feet hurt but I do really like it. It's one step closer to being a physician's assistant. That reminds me, I did get my application turned in! Now I will wait to get a supplementary application then hopefully get to go in for an interview in January. I'm excited even though I know it may be really difficult to get in the first time around. It's a really competitive program.

My roommate and I are foster parents for 4 kittens (3 young ones and 1 older one from a different litter). They had been hanging around our office and a few people started causing a fuss about it so we decided to catch them and take them home! We're trying to socialize them and wait until they're a bit older and then take them to the humane society. The older one, though, we're going to try to keep. I already know it's going to be hard to give them up!

I've been fighting the feelings of wondering if I'm really going to be able to handle all that I'm doing. Those feelings seem to like to creep up when you're tired, exhausted, get mad that you can't find your keys, and don't have time to clean your room. But I'm trying not to buy into all that. I know I need to give myself time to adjust to my new schedule. Hopefully next semester won't be as bad. I should be able to schedule my classes so that I can work a more normal schedule at the nursing home and not have to work every weekend.

Ok that's all for now. I still am going to try to post pics from when I went to WA. . .man that seems like so long ago. . . .

I'm sitting here watching Stand Up to Cancer. It's on NBC, CBS, and ABC.

Hearing the stories makes me tear up.

And it makes me want to be a part of the research. It makes me want to be a part of treating those with cancer. It makes me want to be a medical professional who will be caring and compassionate and fight like hell to fight a way to help them.

I hope that I'm on my way to that....I will start on Monday at a nursing home. My application for the PA program is almost finished. I will get that turned in on Monday probably. I will hope for an interview although I know I may not get one. It's a really difficult program to get into. We'll see! I'm excited though...I'm taking two classes: Microbiology and Pathophysiology. So far, I love the classes. I wasn't sure I'd like Micro but I have quickly changed my mind. And Patho. . .is so interesting and challenging. And my profs are really great and not just because they didn't make me buy a book. :-)

I am so excited to finally be beginning my path in the medical field.