MOVIE REVIEW

Hola-
  My Christmas Break has been full of movies. Since all of my friends live far away - and when the parents are at work and the siblings are off at work and hanging out in Virginia... I have to fill my time somehow - so I watch movies. Unlike my roommate who cannot stay awake during a movie - I really enjoy them. I love going to the movie theater - getting a soda, sharing popcorn with someone (since I don't want to spend ALL of my money) and usually another snack - such as Sour Patch Kids :)


I just realized that I have been to the theater 4 times since being on break.... there are A LOT of movies out there!


Movie # 1: How Do You Know.
     This movie was ok. Lindsey and I sat there as the credits were rolling - and we weren't sure what the title was asking. How do you know what? We did appreciate how awkward it was - there were no smooth lines. It felt good to see the actors look uncomfortable - since they normally seem very confident. On a scale of 1-10... I would give it a 7.


Movie # 2: Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
      I liked this movie - it continues the series well. The cousin was SUPER annoying - but I think that was the point - so that worked well... but he was SOOO ANNOYING! Not wanting to see him again would keep me from seeing this again right away - but I would definitely see it again.... just not right now. I would give this movie an 8.5.


Movie # 3: Little Fockers.
     This was a funny movie - Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro continue to work well together - very funny. I love it when all of the original actors return to a series. Jessica Alba was kinda weird though. I would give this movie a 7.5.


Movie # 4: Tron.
     I was a little concerned about this movie - b/c the night before I saw it - I had a nightmare about it - and then the earthquake happened... but it ended up being a good movie! The special effects were really cool - it would have been interesting to see in 3D - but I might have thrown up. I was still able to follow the plot - even though I didn't see the original. I sorta wish I was able to see some more of the technology that the original company - just to see what they could come up with. I would give this movie an 8.


Well - these were the movies that I wanted to see while on Christmas Break - and overall - I was pleased! Now I'm looking forward to all of the superhero movies that will be coming out soon - and Breaking Dawn - that needs to come out soon! :)

FONDUE

FONDUE IS DELICIOUS!!!!

My Dad made a wonderful fondue dinner for my friends and I on our last night at school for the semester.

I enjoy being able to go home - and bring my friends with me!!!! This is something I haven't been able to do in YEARS!!!!!

This picture is our appetizer - a cheese fondue. 

For the main course - we had different meats that we cooked in broth - along with various veggies.

For dessert - we had marshmallows and rice crispy treats to dip in chocolate and caramel :)

We all felt like we were going to have to be rolled away from the table.

IT WAS AWESOME!!!!
If you have never had fondue - I definitely encourage you to try it.

THE MELTING POT.

Seriously - GO

Take your wife, girlfriend, friend, sister, roommate. anyone. you'll love it.

This was what the rest of the caramel turned in to - cement. I was able to pick up the bowl just by holding the spoon. We aren't sure how we'll get it out of there........

So just a hint - you may need to add condensed milk to the caramel - isn't that what you were saying, Dad?

OVERALL - it was such a fun night - apparently this will be a weekly event from now on.

FINALS WEEK!!!!

FINALS WEEK!!!!!

---------------SICK-----------------

Well at least is HAS hasn't been awful or anything.

I know I will be whistling a different tune next semester.

Critical Care.

RESEARCH.

:) stained glass :)

Professional Transitions

It's looking to be TOUGH!

But it'll bring me back to my roots - studying.

I'm looking forward to a semester not FULL of clinicals

It was fun - but took up A LOT of time. 

So far - I've completed Community Health Nursing - yahoo!!!!

On the docket for tomorrow: Personal & Family Finance and Leadership & Management - it's looking to be a fairly easy day (now that I have memorized committed to memory all of my memory verses.) Then on Wednesday - WORLD LIT. I am so super duper excited about my WORLD LIT final - I wish I could retake it next semester......................................

But seriously - I'm really happy that this is an easy semester for finals - I REALLY need to enjoy it while it lasts!

Then on Thursday - it's off to ARIZONA!!!! 70 degree weather - here I come!!!!!

WHOOP WHOOP!

It's the Holiday Season...

Well folks - it's that time of year! The snow fell yesterday - the roads got all nice and icy - and that means people lose their ability to drive well. I think it's just that the whiteness floating around is very distracting. It may also be the fact that they are all so used to following way to closely.


But that is not the reason for this post (even though I did have fun experiencing it last night). At school, McConn hot drinks are in high demand, final projects are due, and the dreaded FINAL COMPS and HEAD-TO-TOE exams are here for Sophomore nursing students.  

If only it was that easy.  As i put my Nursing Portfolio together - the one that holds all of my accomplishments for the last 4 years - I ran across my Head-to-Toe grade sheet - and my skin began to crawl.  In speaking with a person of authority that I will not name - He/She agreed that the amount of work required for the Head-to-Toe is unrealistic since nurses don't even do those type of assessments. Now Nurse Practitioners - definitely - but that's what Nurse Practitioner school is for. Let me just say this now - "I feel soooo sorry for you Sophomore Level Nursing Students. I know you want to curl up in a ball and cry.... but we had to do it too."

This should be the chant all Soph. nursing students say everyday - "This too shall pass - as long as I pass."

I found some awesome Mouse Pads online - and think they are GREAT!!!!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!   :)

Technology - I hate you sometimes

I've determined that we are COMPLETELY DEPENDENT on technology. This clearly wasn't an epiphany that I had in the recent past... but something I have come to understand... and hate... during this time.


There is a new website that has become popular in the last 24 hours at our school. Like A Little is it's name - and I'm not a fan. The point of this website is so you can anonymously flirt with someone - without giving their name... or yours. Just Male of Female - and their hair color. (but some people have turned it into an inappropriate website.... just to warn you)


Technology has made it so we are unaccustomed to speak to people in real life. How do you think our parents met each other. By TALKING. shocking - I know. There was no texting involved - or emails - or facebook stalking. - it makes me wonder how I'm even here today.


The last time that I approached a boy and told him to his face that I liked him - was in 3rd grade. He responded by saying that he did not like me - and that is why that was the last time. Anywoo - all I'm saying is that writing letters, and talking, and meeting in person - that's how it's supposed to be. Maybe I just should've been born in 1950. (and the boys should pursue the girls - just sayin.)


so if you want to write me a letter :) my mailbox number is 2023!!!

What I'm Thankful For

Since it's been a lifetime (at least it feels like it) since I've posted on here. My roommate and I currently looking up how to say phrases in Japanese... it's pretty cool. Did you know that goodbye in Japanese is Sayonara? hmm... I sure didn't!


Anyway - back to the current topic.
So we had an extended break from school for Thanksgiving break - and I was thinking about what I am thankful for (shocking I know). But I decided that I would like to write out a list of people - and say specific things about them - and tell them why I appreciate having them in my life. So here it goes!


Mom - patient, kind, understanding
Dad - slow to anger, generous, funny
Nate - super witty, caring, smart about things that I don't understand
Staci - sweet, outgoing, awesome :)
Amy - honest, my best friend, cracks me up when she talks to Barkley
Jon - considerate, GREAT at impressions, so funny
Kenneth - kind-hearted (underneath that little brother shell), funny, outgoing
Grandma - caring, generous, wise
Grandpa - sensitive, best fisherman EVER, allowed to call me Jessie


Abby - funny, messy closet great roommate!, EVEN BETTER friend!
Kendra - totes awes, honest, passionate
Colette - strong, brave, jokester
Alyssa - down-to-earth, comical, future baker
Brie - sensitive, joyful, brings a smile to my face


As you can see - I have a GREAT group of people that I'm surrounded by - and I truly am blessed to have you in my life. I love you all so very much!


Now a few pictures from decorating and family fun (and also older ones...) - Christmas pictures will be coming.

 We decided to make homemade pizzas - delicious:)

Mom and Dad create a mean spread!

 LOAD 'EM UP!

 Oh Alyssa :)

 Roommies

 Michael - such a pain joy in our lives

 Barky & Daisy - just chillin' with the kids

 The boys hard at work with Amy being lazy in the back

 Barley's temperment is much better with his gentle leader on. Puperoo!

 The newest addition to the Woods family in Indiana - Doodad

 Barkley really wanted to tell Staci something

Nate didn't think the Santa hat would fit him... it ended up fitting.

I should have taken some pictures of the finished tree and la familia - next time I'm at home I guess!

P.S. - Eclipse comes out on Saturday!!!!

Time to Reflect

    Senior Year is rapidly progressing.  Two weeks from now will be Fall Break - and Fall Semester will be half done.  It is an interesting experience to go from one extreme of loving school - to counting the days until I turn my last paper in.  Maybe it is just the strain of fitting in 160 hours of clinical and being completely scatterbrained when it comes to due dates. But there are other things that are feeling much more important to me. First off - praying for my friend who will be undergoing surgery in a month... praying for a complete recovery and also praying for understanding from the university to allow her to continue with her courses. It is definitely a shocking experience - but one through which God is/will work through. Secondly - getting involved in a church again. Since I've been in college - I have attended church - but that was it.  I haven't been INVOLVED. Doing service projects, being on leadership, singing... these are all things I have missed so much - and I'm so happy to be getting back in to this.
     And now I have turned the ripe-old age of 22.  Things aren't where I thought they would be when I was preparing to leave high school - but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.  I have made GREAT friends, GREAT memories, and plan to keep doing just that. I have learned a lot about myself, God, and plan to keep doing that too. I think it's kind of fun to just sit for a while and think back on all I have accomplished - what I still want to do - and work towards those things.
     Now about fun stuff that will be coming :) Soccer game tomorrow night. AWESOME. CRAVE after that. [Christian Rave... if you were curious :)] And great times with friends. Then bright and early on Saturday morning - Special Olympics. I haven't helped out with this before - but I think it's going to be pretty cool!

That's all I have for now - here are some pics from my birthday

Delicious Sushi Lunch :)

Twenty-Two

How to celebrate your birthday? - DCs

Best Friends...

Roomies :D

Colette would only be in the photo if we were gansters

Classy

Awesome

The classic jumping pose

Remnants of my little doggie-shaped cake - originally it was very cute