Kate's Final Hurrah

A wise woman once said, "We're all in such a hurry to grow up.  We're so busy trying to get out of that nest, we don't think about the fact that it's going to be cold out there.  Really fricken cold."  Only a couple of weeks stands between Kate and her graduation date.

 

The past four and a half years have been so exciting.  Some days more than others, but all exciting.  Whether it was Kate celebrating her acceptance into Nursing School or her difficulties with her freshman biology professor, I am so grateful to have experienced it all with her. 

I admire her passion and determination more than she will ever know.  There was never a time throughout her college career that I didn't think she'd make it.  And the moments that brought her to her knees when she swore she wasn't good enough, those were the moment I knew she was more determined that anyone else to make it through. 

 

On December 15th, 2012, my Kate will graduate with her Bachelors in Science-Nursing (BSN) from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.  Since November 15th, 2012, we have been filling out dozens of applications and tweaking her cover letters and resume.  From working as am EMT to her nursing clinicals, she hasn't had much time for anything more than showering and eating; however, she has never been more happy than she has this past month. 

 

Just recently, she began her clinical in an ER, which is her dream job out of college.  As if I haven't heard enough blood and guts stories from her EMT job, this clinical has provided me an opportunity to strengthen my stomach to blood, NOT!

 

Kate is such an inspirational human being.  I just can't believe that she's let me experience all the moments of triumph with her over the past four and half years.  I will forever be proud of her. 

 

Although she didn't expect it to be so cold in the 'real world', she put on her winter coat, pulled up her snowpants and battled the blizzard of the college of nursing. 

 

Congratulations my dearest Kate.

Passing Score!

One word.  Passed.

That is what is officially next to the spot on my Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) admissions transcript.  THANK GOD!

I cannot thank the people who support me enough.  I had my head held high walking in to the testing center.  Why, you ask, especially after sounding so nervous for the past few months? Love.  So many people love and support my decision to go back to school that I couldn't let them all down.  Talk about inspiration!  I have had over 300 hits on my blog thus far. 

YOU GUYS ROCK!

All I can say is that I am serious this time, and even if I did feel like quitting, even for just a minute...I have you.  All of you.

I keep typing out a way to thank each of you but I just keep deleting it because words just aren't enough.  I love you. All of you.

Thank you.

Accuplacer

TGIF is how I usually start my Friday.  Not this Friday.  No Sir. 

This Friday, I take the Accuplacer (The test that stands between my acceptance into the Occupational Therapy Program).

Nervous?  More now than when I took my ACT.  Why?
Because this time I care.  Because this time, it matters.  Because this time, I want it.

I get unlimited time to take the exam and I need to score 70's in all areas (arithmatic, algebra, reading comprehension, and sentence structure).

I have had an app that I have been using to take practice tests almost every day during my lunch at work that help me increase my knowledge and my ability to answer the accuplacer questions correctly.

Fingers cross, lucky underwear on, I need this.

Thanks for all your support. 
-b-

Open House!

The Fox Valley Technical college community open house is tomorrow evening and I am going to be applying.  I will gain acceptance provided I schedule and pass the Accuplacer Test in late October/Early November. 

The best part about this open house is that they wave the $30 application fee if you apply in person!  That's crazy, right?!  I mean, who wouldn't want to save $30 by just handed someone a couple of pieces of paper.  Not to mention, it's on my way home from work (a gas saver as well) DOUBLE BONUS!

It makes me feel so blessed that as I am getting closer to my admittance back into school that Katie is anxiously awaiting her graduation from Nursing school at UW-Oshkosh.

So many chapters in our lives and this one is one of the greats.

That's all for now. Short and sweet.




Video Inserted for Enjoyment and Inspiration.

Looking back at yesterday

Even though remembering my past can be helpful in my present, as I reach for the future, can spending too much time reflecting on my past while, in my present, hinder my future?

Is it possible for me to forget about my past or pretend it did not happen and still be able to progress in my future? Or do I think because I have something unfinished in my past, it prevents me progressing in my future?I have to ask myself, do I want to look back to yesterday?

The answer: I think I have to.

Frankly, I did not put my best foot forward while attending the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.  It was over my head and I was uninterested, not to mention, I lacked a serious amount of passion.  I am fearful of failure as I approach the finals steps of entering back into college.

As cheesey as it may seem, I think of my five younger siblings when my going gets tough.  Liz, my oldest younger sibling is expecting a baby and I would love to be there for her and show her that it's never too late to turn things around in life, even when it's not the easiest of tasks.  Evan, my oldest younger brother, just entered into high school and I feel he could greatly benefit from my going back to college.  Not to mention, I would be the first college grad in my family.  That's pretty cool.  Levi, Madison, and Joshua are my three youngest siblings and although I would like to believe they are far from their college years, kids grow up faster than we'd like to think.

Looking back at yesterday can only make me stronger while also making my knees shake.  I was young, selfish, and immature when I first attempted college.  And now, I am an adult, confident, and loved, which makes all the difference.

Best Wishes Until Next Time.

Side Note: I got a tattoo this week that symbolizes my five siblings. The flower that has five petals represents each of my siblings and the two sets of leaves are the four parents that my siblings came from.  I love it. It was perfect timing as I am collaborating everything for my entry back into college next semester.  Picture below! 

FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Nightmares.  As a young girl at the ages of 2-10, I had nightmares but they were no where near as scary as filling out a FASFA application.

I have had the damaging displeasure of filing with FASFA five times now.  Every time, I encountered a new phrase or question that I have no understanding of, and no paperwork to help me.  Tax questions alone should only come during tax time, not twice a year! Each time I have filled out FASFA, I feel like I'm taking an old wooden staircase that could crumble beneath your feet without any warning.

Fortunately, I have had much better luck this year.  Over the past two years of being out of school, I have learned the importance of helplines, customer service, and links to guide you to the answers you seek.  Ask questions.  I have to admit, asking for help has never been my forte.  In school, I would ask questions last minute or I would get so scared that I was asking for help that I could not formulate a question to make sense to a teacher or peer.  This has been a huge accomplishment, for me, in the last couple years.

A very wise teacher that I had in high school once told me, never be afriad to ask questions because if you find the proper person to ask, you will always find the answer that is best fit.  He was a genius.  (Mr.P)  Thankfully, I figured out how to use his wise words instead of just ponder what they meant all of these years.

This week's blog is short but it's truly all that has been going on around my reintroduction to school next semester.

On a side note, I am extrodinarly proud of Kate.  September 5th was her last first day of school.  I can't even beging to explain how proud I am to be her partner and to have been with her on her journey prior and during Nursing School.  Lots of tears, fears, and cheers!

Mark and Wilma

Have you ever had a particular person or situation inspire you so much that you couldn't get them or it out of your head?  That's how it all started for me.  His name is Mark.

Mark had an awful headache one night so he went to bed to lay down.  That night he suffered a brain aneurysm.  That same morning, doctors told Mark's wife, Wilma that he may not make it through the night, which confused her because it was already close to early morning hours.

Miraculously, Mark survived; however, his brain suffered terrible damage.  An occupational therapy assistant worked with him every single day so he could relearn almost all small and large motor functions.

During the camping road trip I took this past July, we stayed at the cabin of Katie's parents friends.  This is where I met Wilma and Mark the previous year.  This year's visit with Mark hit me harder than the first.  He loves Bosco (our dog).  He kept looking at him and smiling.  He asked how old he was and what his name was multiple times a day.  On the last day, Mark remembered Bosco's name.  A couple of times throughout the trip, Mark would follow me as I took a walk around the cabin with Bosco.  He talked to me and laughed and we just talked and walked along the lake.  There was something about him that was so blissful.  So gentle.  Later that same night, I got talking with Wilma.  She told me Mark's story.  I was changed.

Although I have only met Mark and Wilma twice.  Each time I have been intensely inspired.  Never having felt like that about someones situation before...it got me thinking...I believe I could do that.   I am patient, willing to wait for results, and most of all...I actually feel passionate.

I am not naive.  I know that every client won't be as kind as Mark and not every family member will be as patient as Wilma, but God planned for me to meet them.  He planned for me to feel inspired enough to try school again.

Ready or not, here I come.