50 Years.

Bronze Statue in the United States Capital - photo from my family's D.C. trip August 2013

"Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: - "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I haven't organized my photos or my reflections on the fabulous road trip that my family and I went on this month to Washington D.C. However, I couldn't see a time more appropriate to share my photos from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial than on the 50th anniversary of his famous and important speech at the March on Washington, "I have a Dream". I pray and hope that in the next 50 years and for future generations that people can continue to make progress and change in our culture that create equality and equity for all people no matter their race, ability, sexuality.

"The moral arc of the universe bends at the elbow of justice" 

Photo taken at the National Memorial of Martin Luther King Jr. - Aug 2013

Unfortunately, the memorial when we visited was still being completed and had 24 hours of construction workers to have it completed by today's 50th anniversary, so all of my photos of this memorial had scaffolding around and the mountain out of white stone that he is carved out of was not visible. It beautifully overlooks the tidal basin and is across from the Thomas Jefferson memorial who was one of the primary writers of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States. Jefferson himself owned slaves and after visiting his home in Monticello, it became clear to me that arguably one of his biggest accomplishments but also a source of personal moral turmoil was his participation in owning slaves and running a plantation. In conjunction; how Jefferson held great personal regret of the mistreatment and inequality that non-white people received in this country through his lifetime, but near the end of his life stated, "this will be a problem for the future generations to solve". This burden that Thomas Jefferson had was carried to his grave. I pray and hope that our country in my lifetime can change and I can be apart of change towards equality for all, so I too don't have to carry that burden to my grave, part of that change is never forgetting the sacrifice and people that laid the pathway before me to be where I am in the world I am in today.

"Law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress" 

   

Family Summer [2013 Ed.]

My dad and mom at Temperance River in northern Minnesota, July 2013

(L) Ryley (20 y.o.) and (R) Zach (16 y.o.) at Canal Park in Duluth, MN

(L) Zach and (R) Ryley.

I know that I've been quiet this week on the blog for two reasons, one I didn't want to fill this space with too much stuff so that it gave an opportunity to read about the Trayvon Martin verdict as well as just have a moment of silence for all the people in the United States and abroad that are hurting because of loss, injustice, disease, unfortunate events, etc. There are so many parts of my life that I can be really critical about, and "aren't going my way" but then I realize that  I really have been given SO much. Right now I have the opportunity to spend and invest time in my family and be present in this phase of my life even if it is very much limbo between childhood and adulthood. If it wasn't for the four people in the above photos I would not be where I am, or living situation I am today. I am so thankful for my family. We don't always get along, we usually don't agree on everything, but they love me and I love them. There's something so satisfyingly lovely and comforting about a family that loves me unconditionally. I know this is not the case for everyone, and that on the other end of the spectrum family is a source of pain, guilt, and hardship and for that I pray that I can walk humbly and not take for grated what I have been given.

My dad comes home tomorrow after being out of town on sabbatical, in some ways it feels like it went by fast and in others it felt like forever! So I am glad he'll be back and the five of us will be under the same "roof" once again....at least for a little while.

Happy Weekending Everyone!

Bachelor of Science in Nursing// RN [a metaphor]

As I reflect back I realize that the blog posts from the month of May onward there are a lot of details left out of events in my life. Now that I have more time on my hands, I mean... I feel that now is an appropriate time as any to share some pictures from the past months leading up to now, especially today, where I am officially able to say, "I am a nurse".

The above photograph is the picture taken of me before my undergraduate baccalaureate pinning ceremony in front of the entrance to the chapel on campus. I did have one post mentioning pinning ceremony {here}. 

Nursing school, and really the entire undergraduate college experience is a chapter of life that is very unique and like no other I have experienced thus far. In regards to being a nursing student it really feels like the iron man triathlon race made up of three parts the swimming portion, biking portion, and ends with a marathon (running 26.2 miles). However, the race really began before the getting to the "starting line" - with a lot of preparation and practice. 

Metaphor   

Sign-Up: For me this was before I even started college and was embedded in my process to choose a university. Which really is probably a separate post in itself. However, for both the iron man and nursing school step one is to choose to sign-up and put your name on the dotted line that says, "Yes. This is what I want to do!"

Practice makes perfect: Once you commit, you gotta do it! Both with athletics and nursing school it's not about the one day you wake up and you're ready to race, you gotta prepare yourself for what's to come. In nursing school this means (at least) two years of prerequisite courses in math, social sciences, lab sciences, and other liberal arts required courses (for me this took 3 years). This is the part of school where you learn, or after not-learning, learn again how to study, perform on tests, and memorize an obscene amount of facts that at the time just seem unnecessary. This is where I had to prove to my university and the nursing department that I was an eligible student for their program. 

First year of nursing school// swimming: You start out nursing school feeling on top of the world! I had just gotten accepted into the program I wanted (and felt like I deserved) and was ready to race through the next two years and be done with it!....well as you may imagine I was quickly taught a lesson in humility because this "race" is long and requires a lot of patience, hard-work, and perseverance. If I was going to be successful in nursing school I needed to take it one week, one day, and sometimes even one assignment at a time. Along the way I was introduced to some very crucial professors and friends that helped me up when I was down, and were my cheer leaders when I really needed (because they knew exactly what I was going through).  It was a combination of my stubborn nature, and determination that really got me through this first year of nursing school.

Second year// biking: This is the part of a triathlon that I think sneaks up on you, has potential for wipe-outs, and is the first test of endurance. I went into my second year of nursing school feeling confident, being told that the first year was the hardest and thinking in my head that it would be all "down-hill" from here...oh boi was I wrong! I to this day will tell anyone who asks, I LOVED the first year of nursing (well-it's all a mater of perspective). Put nicely, the second year was rough. BUT, I learned a lot about myself, what capacity I have, and solidified that nursing was the right career choice for me.

I have a feeling (never attempting a triathlon myself) that after biking you want to be able to celebrate a moment, over halfway!...but then again, that one part left is really the most important one, ...the ultimate test of the preparation and hard work you've done to get to where you are. So celebrations are short-lived, like graduation and pinning rehearsal I felt like I could only allow myself to celebrate within reason knowing what was yet to come.

Preparing for NCLEX// marathon: This parallel of comparing NCLEX to a marathon was introduced to our nursing class quite early on in the second year of nursing school. NCLEX-RN is an exam that was going to take an immense amount of effort, emotional perseverance, and time. Preparation for this exam would need to be done in small pieces over a long-period of time, like running a marathon (it really takes a long time!). Every time a teacher said this my stomach turned. I am for one NOT a test-taker, testing and Ashley just do not mix. Yes, I knew that at the end of my schooling I would need to take an exam but up until this point ignorance was very much bliss. This is my identical feeling to running, I hate it, and for sure not in a million years would willingly sign up for running a marathon, let alone an iron man...but I wanted and felt that it is my call in my life to be a nurse...so I had to keep going; so I did. I studied starting the Tuesday after graduation up until the day before the exam. For this very reason is why today I can say I not only passed my exam, but passed it on the first time. Not because it was easy, not because testing is my thing, but because I worked and worked my ass off to pass giving up a lot for the month of June to make taking this exam a once-and-a-lifetime experience. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Woah, that's a lot of words...I apologize for being long-winded (hopefully it makes up for a lack of blog-posts in June). Even now as I look back over the past 5+ years, I know this isn't the only..and probably not going to be the hardest "race" in my life, but it is certainly one I will never forget. It's these experiences in life that test our tenacity, perseverance, and ethic that can make the most impact. Even though it has been a few days since I found out I passed I still find myself reflecting back over the experience and the journey which is what made the "end" so special.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I start the next "chapter" in my life as a "young-adult"/ "20-something", there is a lot of unknowns and still a lot of learning and growing to be done.The next which I will begin relatively soon will be applying for my first professional job that will be the start to my life-long career in nursing. I don't know how long or how short it will take to find a job, but I pray that whatever comes ahead of me is the right fit for me right now in this time in my life.

As I sit and type this all out, I really once again am filled with so much appreciation and gratitude of all the people in my life that have supported, loved, and cheered for me along the way to make this whole journey a success. I will be forever grateful and in awe of how God provides exactly what I need when I need it.

I say thank you to you -if you are reading this and were apart of making this happen. Whether you were my elementary school teacher, boss, co-worker, teammate, friend, or family member, I am so thankful for having you in my life. This is also an invitation to get a cup of coffee, go to the beach, and spend time together...well one because I have a lot more time on my hands than I have ever in my life, and two because I want to be able to be there for you too!

What got me through nursing school especially was a quote I found early on in my college career;
Ralph Waldo Emerson:

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense"

The blog-posts for the remainder of this week will be mostly filled with pictures of celebrations and happenings surrounding pinning, graduation, and NCLEX
{Consider this your warning ;-)}

Throwback Thursday {Almost graduated!}

Since college is quickly fading into something of the past, and that one month from today I will be walking across the stage at graduation I thought I would throw in some photos from the past 5 years of a crazy journey that has gotten me to today.

Move in day for my first year of college - September 2008

My family and I on move-in day.

"Halloween Practice" Freshman Year - 2008

Julie & I on J-term training trip to the Florida Keys January 2009

Sophomore Year Roommate Julie & I 2009 - 2010

January 2010 - swim team training-trip to Costa Rica

Roommates Mary & Bridget in our room in Costa Rica

Jump forward to January 2011 - Training trip to the Florida Keys again; para-sailing with Alli!

March 2011 - MIAC Conference Swim Meet with Lena

Brother's High School Graduation - June 2011

First day of nursing school clinicals - Fall 2011

Senior Meet - January 2012 (Last year of college swimming!)

On the African Safari in Botswana - January 2013

This is only a glimpse of all the memories I have from the past 5 years and how much I have accomplished, it's crazy to think that in 5 short years I may have accomplished and traveled even more places and grown even more.

What an exciting journey it's been; can it be May 25th yet?!!!

Back to where I call home {Safe & Sound}

From Minneapolis to Lusaka, and back again!

So I am home, safe and sound where there is ice, snow, and frigid temperatures. As I sit and write this I look outside to land that looks far different than that I have spent for the past three weeks and with amenities that many of the people I was with would only be a dream to them. I am thankful. I am thankful for safe travel, thankful for long layovers to visit friends, thankful for a family that is supportive and yet not too overwhelming, thankful for the opportunity, and thankful for this time in my life. In the next few weeks, or however long it takes me to formulate thoughts and reflection on my experience I hope to share with you a culture of tradition, hospitality, authenticity, hope. I hope to share photos (seeing as though the last posts have been vacant of that). I hope to learn through my reflections.

I am blessed to have had this opportunity, I have learned a lot about myself, and even with this experience started to take a glimpse into what may be my future outside of being a student.

Have a good weekend, and I promise as I download photos I will share them.

Feel free to browse my immediate ramblings {here} to get an overview of what this class and experience has been, and I'll continue to un-package them in this space as well.    

Family Time {Thanksgiving}

 

Grandpa & Grandma {in the middle}

Thanksgiving Day 2012

11 Grandchildren

For the first time in a long time my dad's side of the family were all together in the same house for Thanksgiving, celebrating all that we are thankful for. Two were not able to attend, and that's my dad's oldest brother and his wife due to living over seas in Papa New Guinea, but a Skype session was in order, and success! 

My grandpa's 85th Birthday was the following day, so there was so much to celebrate. I don't know off the top of my head, but my grandparents have been married over 60 years. I am so blessed to have such an awesome extended family.

   

My lovely Grandparents!

 

Mom & Pops with the boys (minus Dave - abroad living in PNG)

 

My favorite from the day, me and my Grandma :~)

Seriously, these people are my glue. It's not just my immediate family, but my extended family on both my moms {here}, and dads side of the family. My lineage is filled with love, faith, and support and I know that I have benefited and that's not everyone's story. 

I am refreshed and plan on going in to my final month of my second to last semester of my undergrad career finishing strong.

Have a good start to the week, and don't ever stop being thankful for the good things you do have! 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

unknown source.

Today we're going all out, my entire dads side of the family that is living within the continental United States will be arriving at our home in t-minus 35 minutes. This in total equals 25 people! I am so thankful for everyone in this family, and cannot wait to spend time together.

Much love to everyone on this holiday, and take a moment to be thankful and share that gratitude with everyone around you.

If you were wondering..., today will be filled with many laughs, prayer, family, football, and good food! I wouldn't want it any other way.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday's Thanks{giving}

 

Seriously, I was waiting for this moment since I woke up this morning.

Today was a long day, partly to be expected, partially more so than I was expecting. And still I find myself going through the day in my mind, thinking what could have gone better, what are things that are out of my control, what did I do well at. So I'm processing, and sometimes that part of post-clinical can be the most draining. (Thursday's are my clinical days for the remainder of the semester). Though, I try to keep my mind positive and know that everything happens for a reason, I can learn in every situation, and some days are going to be better than others. And that's okay.

So today, I am thankful for an awesome instructor, and good nursing friends that help with the little things. Knowing they're there to help, and back you up if you need it is a good feeling. It's good to be back into acute care, and I feel like after another week I'll definitely feel like I'm getting back into the swing of things, and have a better routine on this unit.

It's the people I depend on even in the hard days whether that be at work, school, clinical, home...that really help me stay focused on the goals and knowing that bad days happen and we can move on and forward. Here's to hoping 3rd times the charm, and next time will go even better, I will learn through it all and be a better nurse because of it.

Thank goodness, it's almost Friday!

Thursday's Thanks{giving}

I'm taking time to write this, because I know that I need to remind myself that I have a lot to be thankful for despite the long list of stressful things that are on my to do list.

 

source.

I'm thankful for today for the God-given gifts, talents, passions, strengths, I have. I am thankful that I have discovered these things at a fairly young age so I can start a career that fits me perfectly like a glove. So far in my experience at clinicals and my job alike I have been tired, or hungry, or otherwise, but not once did it for a moment did it cross my mind to ask myself, "why is it that I am here? or that I am doing this?".

That's truly amazing, and I am so grateful!

So many people in this world work for money and go home, I don't think I could ever be happy with myself or my life if I did that. I know how I am, and I just don't think I would be fulfilling everything that I was born to be if I did that. So even though I have a long list of studies to do, I'm exhausted, and not as much time as I would like, I know that in the end I will be so happy that I made these sacrifices now to be in a career where I can help people when they need it the most.

And if it is only for that I am grateful, I know that everything will work out in the future with a greater purpose than my own mind can even imagine or dream of.  

Thursday's Thanks{giving}

 

source. {pinterest}

In some respects this post is some what predictable, cheesey,...as if I couldn't think of anything else to write so I thought this was a good idea. But I don't want it to be any of those things. As I mentioned in my past post {here} & {here}, that last month was rough and I did my absolute best to finish out the nursing class strong, but that wasn't easy. HOWEVER, it was in the bad days that if I could look to things in my life that were good, and true, and supportive. I was able to look past the moment of frustration and see that my life is more than this class and I am truly blessed with many good things too. So I want these posts to have meaning, and encourage others (...whoever reads this blog...) to find a moment to be thankful for the good things that they have. 

I am so thankful for an awesome immediate family, and extended family. If it weren't for their love, prayers, support I wouldn't be who I am today. If it wasn't for my dad who I could call 36 hours before a paper was due to read over and check for structure and grammar, if it wasn't for my mom who would willingly switch her schedule to figure out how I can go grocery shopping for the week, if it wasn't for my brother who I love to watch compete in swimming in college, if it wasn't for my youngest brother who I love planning surprises with...I would not be the person I am today. Then there's my extended family of grandparents (yes I still have all 4 alive and well today who have both stayed married their entire lives!), aunts, uncles, cousins, who I love and adore and even if I cannot see them all the time I know that they are there for me. 

 

Mom's side of the family - Grandparents have been married for 51 years!

  Dad's Side of the family - most recently all together was in 2010 I believe at the eldest cousin's wedding! (Unfortunately my mom & brother aren't pictured they couldn't make the trip!)

This November, and Thanksgiving I am thankful for Family. 

It is my family's tradition to spend Thanksgiving with my father's side of the family. I don't know why but I would believe that Thanksgiving might be my favorite holiday! Anyways...I found out that for the first time in a while that my dad's family from Connecticut will be coming in town to celebrate alongside all of the 3 oldest cousins and their spouses, it's going to be a packed house, but it will be the majority of the Kramka family and I am excited. This will also be the first year without my dad's oldest brother and his wife because they are living as ex-pats in Papa New Guinea (and they couldn't make the trip!). We'll definitely miss them!!

{After making this post...it came to my realization that photos will need to be taken, especially my dad's side of the family!}

it's is official! I have a job [student nurse technician]

 

source. somewhere on pinterest...

 

I don't even know where to begin, other than start by saying what a journey that I could have never predicted. You may or may not have been following my story of trying to find a summer job in a hospital {here}. If you have you also might have noticed you have not heard anything about any job at all since July 16th. Well this is for many reasons, but I will try to simplify and explain my journey up to today.

Early on starting out nursing school it became apparent that if I wanted to get a full-time nursing position out of college I would need to find a job, no not an aquatic facility job, but one in the health care field [read more about this {here}]. So that was the day I started applying anywhere and everywhere, I even broadened my search to nursing home, rehabilitation centers in the area and nothing came up.

I had two interviews at one location and never heard back from them. Then (finally) on July 16th I got my first interview at a local hospital, for a position called "student nurse technician" which is even better than just a certified nursing assistant. My job description would give me the opportunity to work alongside registered nurses and get the hands-on experience I would need. Little did I know that this would be over a 2-month journey for the hiring process for this particular hospital, on top of a 6-month process of applying for jobs! It's been a job-hunting-marathon.

As I mentioned earlier that this originally started in search of a full-time summer seasonal job. As you can tell, being it now September, that "ideal" opportunity didn't present itself. Through this entire process I have been continuously reminded that my goal is to be a nurse, and that my timing is not always the best timing because I can only see a limited view of what my life has in store for me. Well in the past 48 hours it has become the most evident that God has been in this journey from the beginning and that everything happens for a reason. I have grown personally, professionally, and spiritually. I hope that I have become more patient and grateful for my blessings.

This morning I received my official offer letter & will be starting as a student nurse technician THIS Monday, September 24th. I've waited long for this, and I feel like I just opened the best present on Christmas day. I hope I never forget the perseverance and patience that this took for something better than I expected.

Thanks to everyone in my life that was apart of this journey, and this chapter has only just begun!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[An aside...]

As I was writing this post I received a text message from someone I have known for a while, 

"hi ashley. My mom had surgery yesterday. i'm at the hospital. I truly cannot believe there are people in this world willing to be nurses. You are an amazing breed, and i'm proud to say i know one of you. Thanks"

This is why I want to be a nurse. For the people that truly need someone to be the foundation when their world is crumbling around them; at their most vulnerable, and help them unconditionally expecting nothing in return. This message to me was a kind reminder that even though everyday school is hard, work is hard, time management is hard, but there are people that their circumstance is hardER. I know I won't be the nurse I am capable of without the support of people around me, and I have been truly blessed to be surrounded by such an amazing support net up to this point.

My prayer is that someday when I have a bad day/ a patient that is particularly a struggle; doesn't say thank you, wears me down to the ground, and demands everything out of me; I will remember the thanks from this text today or others. I will keep going forward, because this is my job, my passion, my vocation to help others even when it's not easy.             

This is my journey. Thanks for sharing in it with me.

my heart is full

 

source unknown.

I don't think at this time of night I can really express how thankful I am tonight for the little things of today. Last night I went home so that I could borrow the car today & do errands. I was talking with my parents last night and a lot of reality hit really hard all at the same time, I went to bed emotionally exhausted and unsure what to do with the reality of my personal life. Today I received a phone call that truly demonstrated that I am not alone, God has not left, and that what I can see is a very narrow view of what life has in store for me, what God's plans are for me. It has been a test of patience the past 2 months and I'm starting to maybe see the light at the end of this momentary tunnel.

I have so many people in my life that sacrificially love and care for me and would do anything for me, but provide the pressure of high standards so I can reach my maximum potential. I truly am blessed. It's moments like these that make it really hard to believe that there isn't a God in the world that has the bigger picture in mind that doesn't love me and care for me like I was the only one that existed.

The second moment of the day that was truly a day-brightener happened when a family-friend that that works in my dads office gave him a gift for me, as a belated house-warming gift. It was perfect, everything about it, just the encouragement I needed. After that happened I felt like the world was giving me one big fat hug and that even though there is stress, confusion, frustration,... I know that everything happens for a reason and sometimes not always awesome things. But that time is temporary and I just have to keep moving forward.

I'm going to bed more at peace with my circumstance, and truly thankful for everyone who was a part of my day & my life.

Sometimes, I think to myself. Oh the life of young-adulthood...maybe someday I might actually miss all of this craziness!

hungry at six o'clock [yepp]

So I haven't spent a lot of time on blogger, or the computer lately. Thus there hasn't been blog posts.

So instead I will share in light of labor day weekend, and the summer coming to a close a list of things I've enjoyed.

 

House/ dog-sitting a certain pup for a few occasions over the summer. He goes by Sirius :)

 

Taking photos of my two younger cousins fishing/ but at our family reunion in general. They're at the perfect age to get some awesome candid shots! 

 

Seeing Brynne perform @ Soundset to start off the summer was a great memory. Love this girl, know she'll be doing big things wherever she goes!

 

Saoirse & I at Soundset.

Other things not pictured:

- The variety of music coming from cars by the park become the best backdrop to summer nights on the porch//in my room

- Time spent with my mom, much more than summers past 

- Progressively moving into my first rental house!

Summer 2012 - you weren't what I was expecting, different than any of the others I've had in the recent past. However, you were definitely a keeper! Can't wait to see what the school year holds, last school year as a kid!

Patience is a Virtue

 

I know I just wrote a whole post on "if you really knew me" {here} however, I may or may not have mentioned how patience is really, really NOT my strength, especially when it comes to my personal life. 

With that being said, I think that this summer is giving me a dose of learning and growing in the whole patience department. So far this is what I have learned....

- You may have a plan, and a way to execute your part of the plan, but there are a lot of variables that you cannot control

- Just because you have made the right decision doesn't mean the results are going to come immediately 

- Just because getting a job is my "emergency", doesn't make it the employers "problem"

- During this time of lull in my life (something that may not happen again for a long while), I have been able to truly slow down and relax, and do things I had to say no to before...I am learning grateful for this, this is the first summer that has been this way since I was 14 years old (you can do the math)

- My prayer is that what I have learned in the silence, and time of slowness (if that's even a word), I will be able to take and fit into my life in the future

- I never knew what it really meant to slow down until I was given the opportunity to not be busy

- I thought I knew what I needed (a job where I worked 40+ hours a week to help pay for school...), BUT really the space to have moments of peace and silence was really the best gift I could have been and was given by God at this time in my life

I have more times than not learned how to be patient with people outside the context of my personal friends and family, but I hope that I will continue to bring that patience into my interpersonal and personal life as well. 

Continue to wait for what's ahead, and pray that during this time I can learn and grow so I can be prepared for whats to come...

[Swimming Lessons] [Story]

In the past week...
I have been in and out of the water approximately 14 times (for lessons),
I have taught multiple dozen people in the water,
Smiled, winked, made goofy faces at kids that are in the pool,
but the most significant story this week...

A young adult male who signed up for lessons because he has a deep fear of water,
not just because he wasn't exposed to the water, not because his family didn't give him the opportunity, but because when he was 2 years old he lost a sibling to the water, his sibling when he was 2 drowned, he never really got to know his sibling and has no memory of them.

That fear of drowning and of water is with him today.
This is why I teach people how to not only swim, but be SAFE in the water. 

Well I was observing one of my favorite photo-blogs and ran across this tonight;

 

via. observando. 

As I told this man as I was supporting him in floating and putting his face in the water that I myself have never personally had a fear of water as long as I can remember I have "known how to swim". However I have taught many people that are deeply afraid and I respect that, but I don't personally know how that feels. Yet I have a innate passion and love for the water and want to do everything I can to share that love with others. 

I myself would think drowning would be awful, and a horrible way to die. Especially for me as a competent swimmer. So even though I am not afraid, I am afraid of drowning. And with that I relate to him and others that I have taught to swim.

Like I tell all my swimmers, "don't fight the water you'll only make it more difficult to swim"...

In my life right now I am trying to live in the moment, take nothing for granted, and not "fight" with where I am at, instead control what I can control of my circumstance, be thankful for things I have, and leave everything else up to God.

That is what is on my mind tonight.

Goodnight all. Have a good beginning to your week!

Welcome to our Home {'Tis the Season}

 

Merry Christmas from my family to yours! 

Christmas 2011

Sunday, December 25th

Minneapolis had a brown Christmas, these are far and few between, so I was happy to take our family photo outside without having to put on appropriate clothing, boots, mittens, and jacket to stay warm. The last brown Christmas according to the weather people was 2006, with a wopping 32 in the history of Minnesota. Like I said, I think of it as a lucky Christmas. We had a beautiful day topping out with the temperature in mid 40s, clear skies, and sunny!

Some of my favorite Christmas traditions include, but not limited to:

• Christmas music while opening presents on Christmas Eve with the Kramka side of my family
• Christmas Eve service @ Church, followed by potluck styled meal with our church and guests of our homeless shelter that we have
• Watching our family cat bounce and bound between wrapping paper, bag, and etc. 
• Sleeping in
• Christmas Breakfast
• Games with cousins

This year was all this and more, and it may have been my favorite Christmas in many years. We had two additional friends that I can safely say are apart of our family. One was a friend of Ryley's from college, and the second is our most recent addition to our family, our exchange student from Amsterdam. My mom can now say she knows how it feels to be a "mother of 5". It was a packed house, and I loved every minute of it!

My wish for everyone is during this holiday season of rushing and busyness that everyone will have a chance to sit back and take a moment to live in the moment, cherish the times you can spend with the people you love, and do something for yourself (go workout! or take an adventure, do something you've always wanted but never had "time" for).

'Tis the Season 

Meiko Christmas Photo 2011

Filled with Gratitude

Things that I am thankful for;

v  A family that is loving, patient, kind, and accommodating

v  A full day off of nothing to do

v  Pedicures that just make everything better

v  Summertime transitioning into fall

v  So far no major incidents of injury at the pool

v  A full-time job in the summer to help pay for school

v  Getting accepted into nursing school

v  Beginning to enjoy “senior” year of college

v  Summer nights spent in my room with my kitty  

Thank you for {Sometimes Sweet} to remind us to stay thankful for the good things we do have!