Howdy Dowdy!

I seem to be having some sort of blog identity crisis. I've opened a tumblr account a while back and while that's all fun, I honestly believe it's more of a picture blog than writing kinda blog.

I was in the mood to blog tonight, but didn't feel like using tumblr as a means to satisfy my need. I have not forgotten about my blogger, I just rarely have the time or want to update. Tonight, I do.

There is less than a week left of 2010 and I really feel a little weirded out that a new year is already upon us. 2010 was a good year for me and my family and I am a little sad to see it go, especially after such a rough 2009-- worst year of my life.

So 2011, how do I feel about you? Honestly, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about you. I feel good things and there's a little undertone of fear in there.

..I will be starting the nursing program after all.

OH YES, you read that correctly! FINALLY! I started this blog around the same time I started my college career and I am just now finally going to start my school's registered nursing program! Praise Jesus!

So it was a year and half of working on pre-requisites and two semesters of waiting. In those two semesters of wait, I decided to pursue another degree and your girl is officially a college graduate. I've got a Liberal Arts degree in math and science and it's going to look really nice hanging on my wall. (Haha)

It's so nice to finally have the finish line visible. In two years, you could just call me Jenn the RN. :P

#161

That is my current number on the waiting list of my school's RN program. At only 40 students a semester it's a pretty steep number, about a 3 semester wait. I don't really care. I have been working my hind end off since Spring semester of 2008 JUST for that number.

I remember envying people on the waiting list. Well, here I am just idly twiddling my thumbs until I can finally say that I am no longer a pre-nursing student. I guess I'm not really twiddling my thumbs doing nothing. I'm currently taking Spanish, Statistics, and Political Science. Pretty chill semester, but still keeping me busy which is what I need to be doing! Actually, after one more semester I will be eligible for transfer to a CSU AND graduation with my general associate's degree. Will I file for it? Probably not. I don't know. I started this college game for nursing and will finish it with nursing. I mean, it wouldn't be so bad just to have something to hang on the wall in the mean time, but I don't really feel like I earned it. Hard to explain, but I just want to be able to hang a degree on the wall and when I look at it, know exactly how much blood, sweat, and tears I've put into it.

This is also my first blog of 2010. I know I know! The new year has been an okay one so far. Health, finances, and love are blossoming. I actually promised myself no new makeup or clothes for 3 months. Seriously, after some Spring cleaning I realized just how much stuff I have! A majority of my clothes and makeup are either new or barely used! I'm hoping this 3 month break will allow me to rotate things. Sigh. I've only made the promise less than a week ago and I'm already lemming for a trip to Sephora. Hahaha.

This year has also really opened my heart and eyes to my TRUE friends. Friends that I'm almost certain I will grow old with- making those nursing rounds as little old Filipino ladies. :] They're just the kind of people that I'm able to completely open up to without the fear of being judged. They criticize, yes, but constructively. They're REAL people and they're exactly what I need in this point of my life.

My son is blossoming into a precocious little boy. At this moment he is playing with his DSi and saying.."Ya want that?? HI YAH!" Excuse him, he's playing his 'Kung-fu Panda' game. <3

I still need to put together his Easter basket for this year! I'm not sure if I want to put together an actual basket with little toys or if I just want to dye eggs with him this year and hide candy filled plastic ones. Those cute little novelty Easter toys are cute, but they are just low quality. They're either broken or lost within 2 days and I go crazy stuffing his basket with those things! I'm hoping to spend Easter at nearby Apollo park which has beautiful lakes, fishes, and ducks. Achilles can even fish! Lots of potential photo ops as well. :]

Well, thus is life right now. Sweet as honey, but we all know things can go sour just as quickly. So I'm savoring it all.

Until next time,

Jenn

In an ideal world..

..your skin would be glowing and you'd have dark, thick, luxurious and shiny curls on top your head. You're plump and happy. You'd smile at me and say.."Neng, good job."

I'm getting there, Ti Menchie. Everything you wanted for me, I'm making progress to get there. It's hard not being able to just dial your number and tell you that I passed my classes for the semester- or better yet, that I'm finally able to sign up for the nursing program!

We'd talk about our plans for the holidays, what we are getting for our kids, and you'd tell me not to worry about buying anything for your daughter..but like every year, I do.

This is so unbelievably difficult. In less than a week, it's Christmas, then soon after, New Year's! Major holidays without your cooky customs for good luck, health and prosperity. Major holidays without your voice..but most importantly, just you.

I'm wearing one of the perfumes you gave me. You couldn't stand the smell during your pregnancy and even after Hope was born! It's a little bit comforting though, that your hands once held the very same bottle, your finger pushed down on the very same spritzer, and you smelled the very same as I do now.

You wished the best for me so that I may take care of my family- Achilles, your grandson. You always urged me in my studies to become a nurse, that that's what I needed to be. In all honesty though, Tia, what I need to be..is like you.

You had a heart of gold, pure gold, bound by the finest sheets of silk and velvet. You had a face that was kind, warm, always welcoming and your generosity was beyond peaks I've ever known. That is what I need to be, Tia. A nurse? Yeah, maybe one day, but to mirror the same aspects of humanity that you did....that would surely be something I'd be more proud of.

Losing touch..

..with this blogging thing, aren't I?

WELL, Christmas and New Year's are upon us! December also marks the end of the fall semester. This semester is special to me though- it's the last of my pre-requisites. I'm just waiting on my school to mail me my official transcripts so I can finally sign up for the nursing program. :]

Yeah, I'm stoked.

So, this holiday season is going on swimmingly. Usually they stress me out with the gift giving and shopping. BLEH. But this holiday is also my first without my Tia Menchie (RIP) so I'm taking a lesson from her death and trying to enjoy as much of life as I can. I have to admit, although I miss her like crazy even more so because of the holidays, I'm feeling pretty festive this year! Especially since my son is older and able to grasp this time of year more. It's so cute how he asks me about Santa, presents, and how excited he is!

It's crazy how when I was younger I was all about presents for ME. Now that I'm a parent I could care less about what I receive, but rather what I'm going to get for my son!

WELL, since there will be a wait to get into the nursing program I am going to go ahead and start working on my classes to transfer next semester. I'm pretty excited about taking Spanish. I've always enjoyed that class in high school. You know what? I'm just excited to take other classes that are not dealing with biology PERIOD. Can you say 'over-saturated'? Yeah, that's me in a nutshell right now.

I'm taking the winter off! It'll be my first REAL vacation since Spring of '08. I have close to 2 months off! What am I going to do with myself??

Until next time, I assume. I ran out of things to talk about.

A little perturbed..

My life has been throwing me one curve ball after the other. Most recently I found out that due to budget cuts my school's nursing program went from admitting 80 students a semester to a meager 40. My heart is broken.

I've been working my ass off the last year and a half with the necessary pre-requisites. Of course with my luck, only a few weeks before signing up, they pull this shit.

UGH.

Alas, it will happen in due time I'm sure. As much as I feel like giving up, I know I just gotta keep on trucking.

Just keep fishing..something a little blue fish in a well known Disney flick about a little lost clown fish would say.

Autumn is on the horizon.

I'm excited. It's my favorite season, although in the area that I live in I probably only get about 2 weeks of true fall weather. I savor those weeks. :]

Started fall semester on the 24th of August. I've been given a new set of batteries because I'm really feeling the vibe of this semester. Yes, it seems like quite the work load, but with this new found bounce in my step I think it's doable. Physiology seems technical and tedious, but I have the hotts for my professor, so it makes it bearable. Hah! Philosophy is an interesting class. My professor expects us to write in graduate levels so I figure it won't be a class I can easily..BS. lol

I'm really thinking about starting a video blog. I need a hobby! It seems my life revolves around being a mother, a girlfriend, and a student. I give little time in between for myself which is sad. I think a video blog would be the perfect outlet for me, plus it sounds fun! All I would need is a webcam since my laptop took a crap and died. It's cool, my birthday is coming up with a quickness this November. I've added the webcam to my birthday wish list and have submitted in the requests with boss man. <3

Ah, 20 minutes until it's Achilles' nap time. Nap time = heavenly. I guess I better rustle up the heathen kid and get him calmed down for quiet time!

Just wanted to put in a quick update. Until next time!

Menchie Mendoza Tran

After a long fight with cancer for the second time in her life, my aunt passed away on August 24th, 2009. She was only 37-years-old and will forever be missed. I love you so much and sometimes I wonder how I'm going to get through the days, but I know what you wanted from me and I promise you..it'll be done.