hummph

So, I'm feeling overwhelmed with everything I have to do....not doing as well as I wanted to on 2 of my 3 tests last week...wondering what more I need to do to do well- I mean, with the amount of studying I did last week, I feel like I should have done better. And I don't know what else I could've done better, study-wise. It overwhelmes me that I feel like I'm going to need more studying time- and I truly don't have that much more time to give, between work, school and having a small life.
I dunno....I wonder sometimes if I've bitten off more than I can chew. I would love to have a day off and not worry about school and not study...
And then I'm reminded that I'm not supposed to worry..."Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything with prayer and supplication present your requests to God and the peace of God will transcend your hearts and minds..." so, I wish that would be the case. I don't feel peaceful. I feel like something is always hanging over my head in regards to school.
I just want to do well on tests. I've never had a problem doing well and now, all of a sudden....I feel like I'm treading water.
But then I think, "This is only for a year. Really, it's less than a year at this point. Most programs are 2-3 years. So be greatful that you can do this program!"
So, please pray that God would give me peace and that I would figure out the swing of things....

fun things...read sarcastically

So, this week class has been a little interesting. Here are the highlights so far:

- on Wednesday, doing a male genitalia exam on a "surrogate"- basically a guy that gets paid to let us learn on him what we're supposed to know. Ya know, "drop your drawers." Fun. VERY awkward, especially when you're married.

- on Thursday, doing a female genitalia exam on a "surrogate" - see above for definition of surrogate, but insert female. I mean, this poor woman (granted, she's getting paid), but seriously- 45 minutes in stirrups?? And 9 different people examining her while we're all standing and watching?? You could not pay me enough money. However, I would say doing this exam was much less awkward than the male. And, props to my OB/GYN for being fast. I now truly respect that.

- Thursday afternoon, we learned how to look in each other's ears and eyes with our new toys (otoscopes and opthalmoscopes)- so, all through out life, I've had a problem with wax accumulating in my right ear- it's had to get removed professionally, etc. So, as my friend was looking in my right ear, she goes "Wow, there's this huge piece of wax down there. I mean, I could just reach in there and get it. It's huge." Great. So embarassing. So, after she removes the otoscope, my hearing has significantly diminished. I mean, significantly. So, I go to my director, Terry, and tell her what happened. She looks in my ear and sees this giant wax mass and goes, "She probably pushed it closer to your ear drum. Let me try and remove this." So she takes some q-tips (NEVER use q-tips to clean your ears, btw) (we didn't have the special ear wax removal things) and got some out, but there is still some left. Then she told me not to let anyone else look in my right ear. It was fun.

Oh, the joys of PNP school- there is never a dull moment!

New member of the family!

Marcos came home a couple of weeks ago and brought his new wife, Paige, to meet us. She is so sweet and we all loved getting to know her. She seems perfect for my brother! We are hoping that after Marcos gets out of the Marines that they will decide to move back to Dallas and live closer to us. :)
Marcos and Paige

Serna tradition is for each girl to have a ceramic parrot... so, we inaugurated Paige with her own parrot, fresh from San Antonio, courtesy of Elena

Jack C. Binion Elementary School

My Granddaddy was the first principal of Glenview Elementary School in Hurst, TX, when it opened in the 50's. He was a long-time educator and was known and loved by so many. Right before he passed away in 2003, the school board decided to re-name the school to Jack C. Binion Elementary School.
Since the school was over 50 years old, they decided to tear down the school and rebuild a new one. In August, we all attended the grand re-opening of Jack C. Binion Elementary School!



The Serna Kids and spouces
Grandmommy cutting the ribbon

Grandmommy with Granddaddy's picture (the pencil sketched picture at the top)

seriously?!

While reading my nursing theory book (I know, you're so jealous you don't have one to read!), I came across this sentence and thought, "There is no way." Here is the quote:

"Epistemology is the study of the theory of knowledge."

Really? Is that really necessary? And, who stays awake while trying to theorize knowledge? I would need loads and loads of coffee to try and stay awake while trying to attempt that feat.

And that is why I am not a nursing theorist.

i'm fine

So, as I was watching The Italian Job at Melanie's house tonight, one of the quotes in the movie struck me as true/funny in regards to this past week: "I'm fine. What does fine really stand for?"
F: freaked out
I: insecure
N: neurotic
E: emotional

Love it.

I made it through week one....

I am officially a Vanderbilt grad student. My back hurts, my eyes are tired, I've eaten at SATCo, and I walk about 15 minutes one way from the parking garage to class.
So far, so good, (minus a breakdown on the phone with Mike on Wednesday night) just overwhelmed at the amount of work and tests I will have between now and Dec. 17th.
So very thankful for Melanie, letting me borrow her otoscope/opthamoscope, books, bedroom, house, letting me practice my reflexes on her and picking her and Anna Brown's brains for the best way to be successful this year.
Today we had to do physical assessments on one another in front of the faculty. It was a bit nerve-racking, but we could use notes, so that was helpful. I feel like in undergrad, they taught us all these different types of assessment skills, but you don't use every single one of them in real life, so I had to try to remember how do to certain parts of assessment that I haven't had to use in over 5 years. It will come. At the end of October, though, we have to perform a full physical exam on a child infront of faculty without notes, so I'll be a little stressed out when that comes around.
So, if you have children and you are my friend, I might need to assess your child so that I can remember all these little things I have to know how to do. :)
And, if you see me with otoscope in hand, please let me look in your ear :)