Find Strength; not Fear

1 week! I've successfully completed a week of blogging. I really need to go to sleep though; hopefully I can manage a meaningful post and still get to bed before 11pm.

{Week 1}

Day 1, Wednesday:The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)
Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something youknow alot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)
Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable
Day 4, Saturday: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it
Day 5, Sunday: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about areal-life friend or even a family member
Day 6, Monday: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?

Day 7, Tuesday: The thing(s) you're most afraid of

All day I have been trying to determine what are things that scare me (for purposes of this post). When I continued to think about it I realized that I don't really have a deep-fear of any objects/ animals/ situations. Yes I have things that make me feel uncomfortable but not make-me-want-to-vomit-or-faint FEARFUL. So I said to myself, well dang it how am I supposed to write this post?

I started to realize what I really fear is coping and living after loss. As I have mentioned in the past I hate goodbyes. Going into a career choice such as nursing, and being in a hospital as much as I have for the past year, the hardest part of my experiences so far have been spending time with individuals and families who are losing people that are the closest too them. This can be losing loved ones through death, or certainly losing their health status (whether that through dementia, debilitating illness, memory loss...), to the point where they have to cope with the person staring them back from the bed is not the person they had loved and known.  I still tear up when these family members are saying goodbye without fail.I think this gut reaction to their loss has more to do with my fear of when I have to be in that same place with people close to me. I have been extremely blessed and lucky to have not experienced a major loss in my life, but I know that loss is apart of life, apart of the journey of humanity. So if I was being honest, even with having a real belief in God, an afterlife, and redemption it terrifies me to have to live any day without someone that is apart of my intimate life. This is where the title of this post comes in and the quote I found on my pinterest board {words worth reading}. Even though I know this about myself, I really try to not let these emotions overcome me, I try really hard to live each day to its maximum potential and not fear the losses, in my case, of tomorrow. As I focus more on that it provides me a new inner strength to face each day with purpose. Additionally, for me it's a part of my faith journey that I am on and continue to ask God for support and peace in my heart that only he can provide. 

That is what I have for that topic. I struggle with some of these posts more than I thought, and I hope that through my writing this is not only therapeutic for me but others that may or may not read it. 

Check out Jenni's {here} to see what all these crazy posts have been about!

#BlogEveryDayInMay

        

...what is it that you do again?

source.

{Pause}

I do want to get to the later half of this post for #BlogEveryDayInMay. However, I want to be honest, today has been the most draining day both physically, emotionally, and mentally. The even harder part is, that I feel like I keep saying that more than ever in the last semester of school. It is like a snow ball rolling down a giant mountain, it keeps getting bigger and gaining speed. It's one of those days where I want to throw my hands up in the air and say, "kick me while I'm down, why don't ya?!".

Nursing school is hard. Nursing is hard.

No one ever said it would be easy. 

But sometimes, what's even more frustrating is when I'm trying to play by the rules and I still get knocked down.

I am trying to stay positive, but I'm running out of steam. 

I will continue to do the best that I can, with where I am at, with what I've got left. My mom used to say that all the time, "just remember,...I'm doing the best that I can, with what I have, with where I'm at!"

{19} days until graduation. 
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Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)
Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)
Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable
Day 4, Saturday: Favorite quote (from a person,from a book, etc) and why you love it
Day 5, Sunday: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about a real-life friend or even a family member

Day 6, Monday: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?

What do I do? Well without using my job title, or the sweet little box that I've checked for 19 years of my life "student" the description could be something like this:

I am a hard worker, by necessity, and try to keep up with the curve balls that are sent my way on a daily basis. I have two calendars that I am constantly double-triple checking to make sure I didn't double-book myself. I am trying to master the artistry of being a successful multitasker, to try to accomplish everything I have signed up for. I am a learner in almost every role in my life. Learning is the highest priority, may that be in the hospital, a swimming pool, or classroom. I am an independent thinker and problem solver trying to stay ahead of complications and stress so that it works out better for everyone involved. I am a lover and loyal to all of the people in my life because life is far too precious to take for granted. Ultimately, in everything I do I try to live in the moment and do the best that I can in everything that I do. I strive to be the best "Ashley" I can be.    

So how about you, what do you do?

Check out Jenni's blog {here} to see what all these posts are about?!
#BlogEveryDayInMay

Daddy's Girl

Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)
Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)
Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable
Day 4, Saturday: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it

Day 5, Sunday: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about a real-life friend or even a family member.

I haven't officially met any bloggers or keep in touch consistently, so I suppose I still would be a "secret admirer". So to avoid being creepy, I will profess how much of a Daddy's Girl I am.

You know you're a daddy's girl when...

• My dad's number in my cell phone is listed "My Daddy"

• I get my love of driving from my dad, the best part of this semester has been driving with him to and from clinicals.

• When on a fairly consistent basis people respond, "oh you definitely sound like your father".. 

• When I go shopping for clothes I like to have my dads opinion, and like shopping with him

• Ever since I was a little girl the biggest thing I look forward to is the "father/ daughter" dance at my wedding

• I always would check in with my dad after every race in swimming before talking to my coaches...

So here's to my dad, and continuing on #BlogEveryDayInMay

View Jenni's blog {here} if you're curious about the link up! {THX for the idea!}

#BlogEveryDayInMay

Words that inspire. speak truth. make us think.

It's Saturday! The end of my third day shift in a row and I'm exhausted. I think what I really needed was to go home to my parents to dinner on the table and spend time with people that I love most to find a source of hope and peace.

Continuing on this blogging marathon...

Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)
Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)
Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable


Today:
Day 4, Saturday: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it

I love love love quotes. I have a full board on {pinterest} dedicated to them. Another blog I find quotes that I like is in my BlogRoll already in the side bar - i can read, so feel free to visit and be inspired to think!

The quotes that I love the most are the ones that catch me off guard when I least expect them, make me think, and then return in my thoughts later. There's something to being able to learn from others wisdom that always keeps me yearning for more. 

This one is something that I keep returning to, that I think many people in my generation seem to be missing, and I know this is not true of everyone and every situation; however, I hope that I am not intimated by the next best opportunity for me because of what it appears to be. 

 
I think this has definitely been true in my life, and I'm glad that I have people in my life that constantly challenge me and support me so I can grow and leap into new things that may be really difficult to see the fruit of my labor initially. 





 

View Jenni's blog {here} if you're curious about the link up! 
#BlogEveryDayInMay 

And then there are things that just make you squirm!

What's on the docket for today's topic of discussion...thought you would never ask?!
Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)
Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)
Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable

unknown source.

When other people are uncomfortable.

When the bathroom (toilet, sink, and shower) hasn’t been cleaned in over a week

Running out of the essentials; ie. Milk, shampoo, laundry detergent,…

Saying goodbye to people; no matter if it’s a close intimate relationship or someone I just met…I HATE it…kinda makes my job choice difficult at times. {Usually involves me tearing up}

Dancing. I won’t elaborate

Being disappointed, or disappointing someone else (if I know I have).

Other people’s sweat// sweaty people. (I do sweat, however it takes a lot…generally I go for a fair length of time being “hot” before I sweat)

Mouths! Teeth!...the oral cavity, especially dentures. That’s a fact! 

There you have it; what makes you uncomfortable?

View Jenni's blog {here} if you're curious about this link up!

#BlogEveryDayInMay bloggers I like to follow...

{Day 3}

Taking Notes...Coast to Coast

Trial By Sapphire

House of Glass

(They definitely had good lists, some that I almost wanted to steal...but then I didn't!)

On another note, if you're curious how my actual day went it was quite similar as that of May 3rd, 2012. Tomorrow will be better right? It was nice when a patient today reminded me to just take life one day at a time...lately it seems easier said than done.

How to//

So here goes the continued quest of posting something everyday in May!

Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)
Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)

...so this was a challenge for me because I don't really ever write "how-to's" or "DIY" posts at all, so I had to search in my brain for ideas. What do I know like the back of my hand and inside out?...Swimming, water, Lifeguarding...CPR...So here ya go; lap swimming etiquette!

1) Choose the lane with swimmer that look the most like what you are interested in doing to work out in the pool; if you plan on aqua-jogging to jump into a lane with swimmers swimming laps, if you know all the competitive strokes and plan on getting a work out in-don't get in with swimmers that are doing side stroke!

2) HOWEVER, if you're coming to the pool during a busy time of day, assume you're going to have to share the lanes. You don't pay to have a lane to yourself, so buck up and share. No one likes swimmers who mean-mug them getting into their lane, and hopefully they'll be pleasantly surprised because you observed rule number 1!

3) If you're not sure of the schedule, or are new to a pool ask the lifeguard! They usually will know what lanes are used or reserved for various activities. They also know who has been swimming for a while, who the regulars are, and which swimmers aren't going to last very long.

4) Once you've decided to get in always get in on the right side of the lane and stay out of the way of the middle of the lane. If there is a swimmer already swimming wait until they stop to clarify how you're sharing. Assume you'll have to "circle swim", swim down on the right, back on the right (like you're driving!). If there's two of you splitting a lane is okay where each of you take a side. Regardless if you're taking a break on the wall stay out of the way! Otherwise the other swimmers can have every right to flip-turn right on top of you.

Those are the biggest things I think in working out in the lap lanes at a pool. Most people appreciate if you mind your own business and don't get in the way of their workout, because then they'll do their best to get out of the way. Being polite and accommodating is always the best policy! I've seen a lot of situations at the pool escalate because people just weren't very nice, which then makes for a very grumpy lifeguard!

View Jenni's Blog {here} to see what this is all about!

#BlogEveryDayInMay Bloggers Posts I already follow...

{Day 2}

Taking Notes...Coast to Coast

She is Moments

House of Glass

Pieces of Me

Hey...so usually I'm not big on trending blog posts. BUT, I decided that if I can't think of anything that I really wanted to say/ post I would feel ever so inclined to jump on this bandwagon that this beautiful blogger is suggesting {here}. We'll see how it goes!





Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)

Since every post needs a photo...this is the FIRST photo I was ever tagged in on facebook. Bottom row, right. Sophomore yr. of high school swimming (2006).

I was born to two loving parents and am the oldest of three kids, with two younger brothers. I have been raised in Midwestern United States the majority of my life. I was a water baby from birth, started in swimming lessons at 8 months and never stopped. I competitively swam starting when I was 8 years old for a club team. When I started high school I swam on the varsity starting freshman year, and then went on to compete in division III swimming for NCAA in college. I grew up going to public schools my whole life until college, where I decided a smaller environment would be more conducive of my learning than a large university. I knew I wanted to be a nurse starting in middle school and haven't looked back. At the end of this month I will be graduating with my bachelor's of science in nursing, and be taking my licensure exam to be a Register Nurse post-graduation. I love to be busy, sometimes to a fault. I have been employed consistently since I was 14 and currently am managing 3 part time jobs in addition to school and clinical hours. I can’t wait until I graduate and “all” I have to worry about is 40 hours a week of work with the rest of the time for myself. I have traveled to 3 continents; the most recent trip being to Zambia, Africa. Looking forward to what my next chapter in life has to offer! 

That's it! 250 words exactly, see Jenni's first post {here}....there's a link up on her post as well if you're interested too!

Other blogs I follow as part of my almost-daily reads that are participating:
Taking Notes...Coast to Coast
BusyGirl
Trial By Sapphire
She is Moments
the doctors fleming
House of Glass