Camping, Adventures, and Open Fire Cooking

You guys! I am so excited, I was finally able to use my new camping/hiking gear that I got as a gift for Christmas from the BF.  I have been waiting for a weekend where we could pack up, take off, set up camp and enjoy everything there is about nature!  Since Clinton State Park has two different camp sites open year around, that's where we headed!  Besides an annual bike race and a mean game of Irish bowling going on (that was interesting)...it was pretty open which meant more space for us!

We found the perfect location too, away from all of the campers and cabins but with a view of the lake and right next to the trails for a little adventuring.  We did it up good too...tent, sleeping bags, campfire cooking, cutting our own firewood, and even finding a few treasures to display at our site while we were there. Rodney and Wilson, keep reading and you will see who I am talking about. We also took Lola for a swim in the lake and she loved every minute of it!

First off, I can not get over my new hiking pack by Osprey...one word, orange.  He did good with a matching sleeping bag and a comfy cushion to go underneath. Funny story about those cushions...they self inflate, which I didn't realize until we were ready to go to sleep but hey, one tiny turn of the air valve and poof, inflation.  Note to self, read directions.  Can I just say I was unsure how warm I would stay but the sleeping bag, rated at 20 degree's, kept me nice and cozy!  Plus, we had an amazing blanket from Tyler Kingston Shop that is just the right size for two, although I am guessing I had it most of the night.

It was a great weekend to get away and enjoy being outside and live pretty darn simple for two days. We had these great meals from Backpackers Pantry and Mountain House and the most handy cookware to use over the fire. We tried the red beans and rice for dinner and for breakfast a blend of hash-browns, sausage, eggs and peppers.  Enough for two people per meal and very filling.  We cooked oatmeal, made hot tea, hot dogs, and s'mores...because you can't go camping without s'mores. That is a staple!  I was very impressed with these meals and they will be great for future trips!  Don't worry, we had water and maybe a few cans of beer too...we stayed hydrated!

To those people who tell me I don't look like the "camping type", think again! It was seriously one of the best weekends I have had recently and I spent it with one of my favorite people.  Just the outdoors, sounds of nature, trail walking, treasure hunting, and star gazing...and it's only just the beginning.

The World Is Beautiful, Go Enjoy It!

Shona

Nursing School~Blood, Sweat, Tears...Coffee and a Few Beers

I am not sure what was harder...going back to school after being out for almost 2 decades or the fact I wanted to go back to study nursing.  Nursing wasn't even on my mind until a friend of mine started working at a local Hospital and told me to join her, that I would love it! I was getting a bit burnt out of my current career and was feeling the need to do something more to help people.  Why not I thought? What's scary about leaving a good job, decent salary, 4 days a week or knowing it wasn't going anywhere? Everything!!  But I did it! I applied for a Clinical Associate position, got the job, gave my old job a 5 week notice and in February of 2014 I started a whole new path!  One year later, I knew I wanted to apply for Nursing School and fortunately I was accepted my first time around. 

Happy tears as I read that letter stating that I made it in!  It was a small chance even with a good GPA because I didn't live in the county the school is located in and they only accept about 10% of us outsiders...call me lucky! I also applied for an Endowment Scholarship that could possibly pay my entire tuition for the first year...guess what? I got it.  Not only had a left decent paying job, I was going to be working part-time and going through school...and students at my age still have bills so this scholarship was something I needed! It was a relief for sure!  I knew the next two years would be hard...studying, financially, giving up things I had been used to for so long but the end result would be worth it, right?

I am now entering my last 8 weeks, where has the time gone? I remember the first day of class, I remember what I wore and I remember how scared shitless I was.  My life has taken some major turns and this one, although a positive step, made me question if what I was doing was the right thing. What if I fail? That has crossed my mind so many times...I wouldn't say I am a negative person but I have seen it happen, I was trying to be real with myself.  I'm not sure I should use the word fail, I am very strong headed and usually strive for and achieve my goals, but I knew this was going to be one of the hardest challenges to date.

First semester, not too bad, passed with a B.  I had to tell myself, "Shona, it's ok to not be an A student". Second semester, sucked ass, literally.  It was so hard. I was actually failing Pathology until the very last test, which would determine passing this class. However, this was a class I could retake and still move on, but who wants to do that?  Fortunately I passed, with a C, but hey it beat having to re-do.  I wanted to flush that semester down the toilet and I did too.  Third semester, cake walk, literally. Spoiled for sure...I had the nursing course and Pharmacology and ended the semester with a B and an A which I needed after that damn C in second semester.  Fourth semester, first 8 weeks. Scared.out.of.my.mind.  Three tests, your average has to be a 76% to pass. So basically I needed to do well on the first test to have some cushion. The way I looked at it, if you F up on the first test, you are playing catch up on the last two...I did not want to deal with that.  Last Thursday, I took my final test of the first 8 weeks and ended the class with a solid B. I can breathe again.

My last 8 weeks are soon approaching and I as prepare for my pinning ceremony in May, I can finally see the end.  I now know that I am going to successfully complete Nursing school and start working as an RN, upon passing my NCLEX, this summer. But here's the thing, now I finally feel confident that I will pass both the last 8 weeks and the NCLEX, which is a whole different test taken after you graduate.  Before now, entering every semester, I was scared to death and many times doubted myself through this process.  Thankfully, I have had amazing support from friends, family, and the BF...who has seen me through 3 whole semesters!  I have cried, laughed, rolled my eyes...a lot, and felt fear. Encouraging words have definitely helped me through and maybe a few times, hugs...sometimes hugs help too.  I am so grateful for everyone who has stood beside me. Did I mention, I have had the BEST study group....and since First Semester!

So, as I write this over what appears to be my last official "spring break" as a student, I am ready to begin this new path of helping others more than I already am.  It's time to give up the royal blue scrubs and start wearing navy and white!!

Cheers to May 23rd!
Shona, Future RN.

Make Your Own Rules

This subject is a touchy one but I am going to address it anyways...after all, that's what I intended this blog to be, those little thoughts running through my head, to address anyone who may not have a clear understanding of who I am....and so much more. Sometimes I just get the feels to share beyond travels and adventures!

I get asked this question a lot. "Will you ever get married again?" My initial response to those people, "No"...and they always seem so shocked by that answer.  I have been asked this ever since my divorce, which was two years ago.  It used to piss me off that people always go to "that" question. But now, I answer them straight up.  Ask and you shall receive.

Honestly, I don't know if I need that again, I never say never so who knows! I am not for or against it.  And by that I mean, the legal piece of paper that is tied to marriage.  Am I opposed to marriage and what it means to people, absolutely not.  I think it is great but that doesn't mean I have to have it to be just as loved or in a relationship that is just as committed as those who have it.  I have had many a discussion about this with people who don't agree with me and with those who do.  People have gotten pissed off, but I am guessing it's because I shared light on the subject and my beliefs weren't what is deemed "normal" in our society.  But guess what, there is no right or wrong.  Society, families, traditions, religion, or whatever it may be, has lead a lot of us if not most to believe that marriage is a part of life.  I mean, I believed it and went through the steps myself.  You meet someone, fall in love, marriage, a life, possibly children.  That's a whole different subject.  But life happens and maybe you get divorced, maybe you live and learn and maybe your thoughts change about the whole subject. Does that make you wrong? Hell no and if someone thinks you are, well, that's their problem, not yours.

Being engaged, that represents that you are getting married, that you are in a relationship, right? But what about having that symbol to just represent commitment...and I don't mean it's "just" a commitment, that's a huge and very important part of being in a relationship!  I actually love the idea of having something to represent being committed to someone...but again, that is something you can decide. Maybe it is a ring but maybe you wear it on a non-traditional finger, maybe it's a tattoo, maybe it's nothing but knowing you have that special place in your partners heart. Here's the thing, we can make our own rules...and that doesn't mean we just exclude marriage and do what society tells us how it should be.  Make your own rules!

I had a recent convo regarding this topic in the parking lot of Aldi...sometimes the best discussions happen in the car anyway.  It really lead me to wanting to discuss this and share my thoughts and feelings on the subject.  I had debated it for while, probably because I was worried about what people may think, but I realized it's perfectly normal to not think like everyone else.  And I know not everyone will agree and that's ok, but regardless, I make my own rules. And whatever those are, I am sure I will be just as happy as anyone else.

As the picture reveals, I am living and loving life and making my own rules, one day at a time.
Shona