so proud...

You have got to check this out...

Pulmonary Embolism



Starring:
Molly as "The Pregnant Lady"
Beth as "The Nurse"
Stephanie as "The Baby"


So we had free reigns for creativity for our group presentation on - you guessed it - Pulmonary Embolism...

We did a power point presentation as well, and Beth and I made 'Pulmonary Embolism' Rice Krispie treats by dying the (strawberry!) marshmallows even more red, and making them in to balls instead of squares...PEREFCT! A BLOOD CLOT! They were a hit.

You know when you had group projects in school and it always seemed like the other groups came up with awesome ideas, and you always sat there thinking "man I wish my group would do something that fun"

Yeah, that was us today.

I am so proud of this video it's kind of ridiculous. Molly deserves the credit though, she edited it to the amazing piece of artwork it is.

I know of 3 people who read this blog, so I hope you 3 enjoy it! But I really hope if anyone else stumbles upon it, you will enjoy it also.

Nursing School isn't ALL studying...sheesh...

What wonderful memories we made. I can't wait to show everyone I know this video. Although I am sure no one will think it as nearly as funny as us nursing students do!

now back to dysrhythmias...

Oh, P.S. - Can I just share, that today, during Women's Health (which is the class we had to do this presentation for) We were learning about newborn assessments...so our teacher brought in the baby bed with warmer and such, and of course, 2 dolls...so during the break, I go up to the front of the class and start holding one of the babies like it is my own. And I'm just chatting away with everyone while holding this baby. And I proceed to hold that baby (DOLL) for the REST OF CLASS!

what in the world is wrong with me?!?!

Veteran's Day.

So, I just realized how unappreciative I have been today.

I was reading Melissa's blog, and I'm going to steal all of her ideas now. So, thank you in advance, I hope you don't mind!

Nicholas Conan Mason (12.21.04)

First of all, we all know how this affected our small town of King George. What a sad, sad day that was. And I still remember thinking "nah, it's not Nick, that would never happen..." But, almost 4 years later, I still have his silver fallen hero bracelet...it's scratched, and bent all out of proportion, but always worn with pride and joy - especially when I get to explain it to others, and I wouldn't have it any other way...

Sgt. Searles
OIF 2005-2006
OIF 2008-2009 (currently)

Not many 22 year olds can say they have completed 4 tours in Iraq...(a tour is 6 months)
But he will be able to.

He often says he is just stuck in a 22 year old body, but feels like he's 40. I always brush it off. But, I've never experienced the things he has, nor have I seen the things he has, that I know he will never forget.

From what I understand, his first deployment was awful. A lot of "action". Not this current one. He is tired. Just plain bored. Not much going on where they are, and they've moved once already.

I mean, could you imagine?
- Being dirty ALL THE TIME...and there's no point in showering every day because you'd just get dirty 10 minutes later...
- Carrying a plastic bag to the 'bathroom' with you to poop in, only to tie it up and carry it out with you?

- pulling all nighters just to talk to the one you love, only to have to go straight in to a mission on no sleep (there's an 8 hour time difference)
- sleeping in a sleeping bag. (that in itself would drive me crazy, they always get twisted up and end up at the bottom of the bed)
- sleeping in the same clothes you wake up in, go to the gym in, and then go BACK to sleep in...
- no ginger ale when you get a stomach bug. no one to make you feel better, not even a nice bathroom to keel over in...
- being with the same people day in and day out (i guess it's like marriage, except for you don't necessarily love those people in that way...haha)
- what I'm getting at is, the high stress situation + people you may not really like = misery.
- a time limit to even get to talk to those you love ("NUMBER 14, YOUR TIME IS UP" or "You have 3 minutes of call time remaining" - I am so tired of hearing that)

Well, I couldn't live like that. I'd be utterly miserable, and I'd probably make everyone around me miserable too!

So, that is why I am so proud of Jason. He endures the monotony and bullshit every single day, and has before. He puts his life on the line every time they go out on missions, and who knows, maybe just by being there period. He doesn't think a thing about it either. He's so humble, and gracious, and thoughtful, even in Iraq.

Bravo Company
1st Platoon
2nd Squad

I feel like I know a lot of these guys, even though I don't. But he talks about them all the time. And from what I hear, he talks about me to them all the time. I think they love it! But I try to send them fun stuff. Just recently, he requested Oreos. And boy did I send him Oreos. 6 packs to be exact, every single type they make.

Yes, they're bad for you. But when you have dust for dinner, what's the harm in 80 oreos?


And who can resist a man in uniform? Especially when he is this cute?!
I mean, really...
I LOVE YOU!

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!

(i'm proud of all you guys!)

If it's Bolded, I did it...

(Thanks, Melissa!)

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink

02. Swam with dolphins (well if the ocean counts...you know they're in there somewhere!)

03. Climbed a mountain (old rag. many times. and all the times i walk through campus, it sure feels like i'm climbing a mountain!)

04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive

05. Been inside the Great Pyramid

06. Held a tarantula

07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone

08. Said "I love you" and meant it (Yes! I say it almost every day! if we get to talk that day, if not, i at least think it!)

09. Hugged a tree

10. Bungee jumped

11. Visited Paris (with the love of my life - the only way to do it)

12. Watched a lightning storm at sea

13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise (oh many times, sometimes drunk, sometimes not!)

14. Seen the Northern Lights

15. Gone to a huge sports game (well, the CAA National Championship in 2004 counts to me! And Maryland Basketball!)

16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa

17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables

18. Touched an iceberg

19. Slept under the stars (I've been camping a few times)

20. Changed a baby's diaper (Love it. can't wait till they're my own! And I worked at a day care. So it was basically my day job. haha)

21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon

22. Watched a meteor shower (oh man, the last one I remember, freshman year of college...well, Melissa and I partook in some recreational *things* and couldn't stop giggling the entire time. good times.)

23. Gotten drunk on champagne (ANDREEEEEEE! nicole's favorite.)

24. Given more than you can afford to charity

25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope

26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment (all the time. in class, when someone is speaking, when someone is trying to be serious, etc)

27. Had a food fight

28. Bet on a winning horse

29. Asked out a stranger

30. Had a snowball fight (hasn't everyone?)

31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can (I worked at a camp where I had to get the attention of at least 250 9-12 year olds, plus their teenage counselors. I had some creative ways to get their attention, but it ended up with yelling haha not in a bad way, just to get my point out there haha)

32. Held a lamb

33. Seen a total eclipse

34. Ridden a roller coaster (Love them! I remember the first time I went on the Shockwave, I was scared. Oh and the indoor one that busts your head up...)

35. Hit a home run (well, if we were playing wiffle ball in my front yard, then yes)

36. Danced like a fool and didn't care who was looking (story of my life. but really i'm not that bad of a dancer, but dancing like a fool is always fun)

37. Adopted an accent for an entire day

38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment (they are rare moments recently, but they're there)

39. Had two hard drives for your computer

40. Visited all 50 states

41. Taken care of someone who was drunk (isn't that what you're really supposed to learn in college? i'm the old person in college now, so i'm usually the DD)

42. Had amazing friends (I really honestly always seem to find the best friends EVER. Well, usually)

43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country

44. Watched whales

45. Stolen a sign

46. Backpacked in Europe

47. Taken a road-trip (aren't all the trips to the beach, school, parties, etc considered road trips? hell, i'd consider a trip to the sheetz a road trip.)

48. Gone rock climbing (not real rock climbing unless you count that one fun part in Old Rag, but we have a rock wall at our gym...i've been a few times, oh and at camp)

49. Taken a midnight walk on the beach (maybe not midnight? oh, we went swimming when we got home from the bar once, that was scary!)

50. Gone sky diving (I'd love to go again and I highly recommend it for everyone)

51. Visited Ireland

52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love (story of my life, seriously, fall hard or don't fall at all)

53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them

54. Visited Japan

55. Milked a cow

56. Alphabetized your CDs (well, I don't really have CD's any more, but I alphabetize my buddy list, and i color code my closet)

57. Pretended to be a superhero

58. Sung karaoke (The Pub. Mistake. it was with a big group, so you couldn't really hear me thank goodness)

59. Lounged around in bed all day (it really is the story of my life. it's quite sad, i'm so lazy and unhealthy its insane. that's what i do with my weekends, especially since jason bought me a tv to put in there! and of course its a given if i have a hangover)

60. Played touch football (powder puff...but i was really bad at it)

61. Gone scuba diving

62. Kissed in the rain

63. Played in the mud (we used to make mud pies, "witches & ditches")

64. Played in the rain (i'm sure i have.)

65. Gone to a drive-in theatre

66. Visited the Great Wall of China

67. Started a business

68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken (my current handsome, and i'm positive he'll never break my heart)

69. Toured ancient sites

70. Taken a martial arts class

71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight

72. Gotten married

73. Been in a movie

74. Crashed a party (um. does that mean you go to someones house that you don't really know? because that's what you do when you're at jmu. you walk around and find a large group of people and even more red solo cups on the ground, and you go in and find the keg...seriously)

75. Gotten divorced

76. Gone without food for 5 days

77. Made cookies from scratch (chocolate chip, all the time!)

78. Won first prize in a costume contest

79. Ridden a gondola in Venice

80. Gotten a tattoo (i have 3. i only like 1.)

81. Rafted the Snake River

82. Been on a television news program as an "expert"

83. Gotten flowers for no reason (I don't know if they were for 'no reason' but i've gotten orange roses, and pink ones)

84. Performed on stage (at least 2 dance recitals a year since i was 3. the nutcracker every christmas)

85. Been to Las Vegas

86. Recorded music

87. Eaten shark (i think i've tried it at Mako Mikes)

88. Kissed on the first date

89. Gone to Thailand

90. Bought a house

91. Been in a combat zone (I'm going to consider myself in a combat zone by association because he's there, and I talk to him every day, and well, I'm just as much there)

92. Buried one/both of your parents

93. Been on a cruise ship

94. Spoken more than one language fluently

95. Performed in Rocky Horror

96. Raised children

97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour (Well we haven't follwed their entire tour, but every time they come to Baltimore, we go)

98. Passed out cold (once, i stood up too fast, low BP, and probably from drinking)

99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country

100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over

101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge

102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking (haha yes sometimes)

103. Had plastic surgery

104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived

105. Wrote articles for a large publication

106. Lost over 100 pounds

107. Held someone while they were having a flashback

108. Piloted an airplane

109. Touched a stingray (I think so - at the Aquarium?)

110. Broken someone's heart

111. Helped an animal give birth

112. Won money on a TV game show

113. Broken a bone (does a hairline fracture in my foot count?)

114. Gone on an African safari

115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears (i have my tongue pierced. i love it. i don't know why)

116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol (I taught children how to shoot at camp. All day every day all summer long. I shot too. I love it.)

117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild

118. Ridden a horse (yes, and then it decided to run, and i was scared shitless, and once i fell off, but it was more like i just kinda rolled off haha - this was at camp too. i was trying to get in to the whole horse thing. but turns out, so not my deal)

119. Had major surgery (eyes? is that major? i don't remember it, i was 18 months)

120. Had a snake as a pet

121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon

122. Slept for 30 hours in a 48 hour period (oh i'm sure i've done this)

123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. States

124. Visited all 7 continents

125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days

126. Eaten kangaroo meat

127. Eaten sushi (for the first time a couple weeks ago! at Kyoto with Nicole.)

128. Had your picture in the newspaper (maybe the local paper for sports or something in high school)

129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about (I try. It never really works. So i guess this shouldn't be bolded.)

t130. Gone back to school (holy cow. Bachelors Degree #2 comin right up!)

131. Parasailed

132. Touched a cockroach

133. Eaten fried green tomatoes

134. Read The Iliad and The Odyssey

135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read

136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

137. Skipped all your school reunions

138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language

139. Been elected to public office

140. Written your own computer language

141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream

142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care

143. Built your own PC from parts

144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you

145. Had a booth at a street fair

146. Dyed your hair (um. it's a new color every other month. i never know what color to even say it is!)

147. Been a DJ

148. Shaved your head

149. Caused a car accident

150. Saved someone's life

it's a beautiful day...

I think this tree is b-e-a-utiful! ALL the trees this autumn are! I don't know why I never really noticed it before. But recently I have been blown away by the beauty of them. It's sad though, it means more cold weather is coming. Boo. I really hate cold weather. But, on a happy note, this weekend was Homecoming & Halloween. Always a good time. Melissa and Nancy came back, I haven't seen them in a while! It was nice to look at old pictures and reminisce. The tailgate we were at had a lot of babies, so it was much more subdued this year. Bummer. Even bigger bummer for one who has baby fever, bad. Man, I want a baby!

Okay, so I'll put the rest of the pictures on Facebook. But let me tell you, I do not want to leave this place. I love it here. I feel like its my second home. I have a lot of second homes. That's a good thing though, right? I will leave, but I won't like it. This is MY Harrisonburg, MY JMU, MINE! It's so wierd coming back after being gone for a while, especially now, because they're building so many new things. I want to be part of them all. I want to experience them all. But, sadly, I have to grow up and move away. I can't live in a sea of red solo cups and smashed pumpkins for the rest of my life. I mean I could, but it wouldn't be a very good place for a baby! The best part will be that one weekend in October, that one weekend that we can revert to college life, and try to drink like we used to, and tell old stories and laugh a lot. I can't wait for next year. Next year will be my first REAL homecoming. Finally, no longer a student...yikes.

Just for kicks, we decided to take the drunk bus home Friday night. It was hilarious. I still go here, and I forgot how insane it is. I just don't usually go out like we used to. And we went out hard. Here is a small small piece of how it is.

I can't even describe to you, the amount of people that were out this weekend. You have to be careful driving, because they all walk in the roads. We almost hit someone running in to the middle of the road to get his shoe. What? Yes. His shoe. Nancy says "What are you, an idiot for Halloween?!" You can always count on her for a funny remark. Oh, and we shared our corny jokes - Melissa's was the best

"Hey did you hear about the circus in town?!"

"It's in-tents"

Anyway, there was no picture I could've taken that would capture the mass chaos this weekend. You just had to be here to see it. Truly incredible...and I don't know if that's a good thing! But it's what makes me love it here. Where else would you ever ever EVER see such things?!?!?!?

Oh, and it was Halloween.

Bethany and I dressed up as "fruits". I guess you would call them that. But basically my who-ha showed all night because that dress thing kept flipping up. But I had cute little shorts on, so it's whatever. Besides, I'm in college, we show our who-has. Haha okay, I don't know how credible that statement is, but it makes sense in my head.

So - good weekend. I missed Jason a lot though. A lot more than usual. I just wanted him to be able to experience that with me. He didn't really even know what Homecoming was!! Plus, all the babies...well, you know.

Now we're in November. Craziness! Ah! I just remembered it's our 9 month anniversary! I always forget that...whoops! haha. He forgot too though, because I've talked to him for a while today and he didn't say anything. But it's okay, he doesn't really have a calendar. I think all the days kind of mesh together for him. I know he's bummed about missing everything, but I keep telling myself that it's for the best because right now I'm incredibly busy with school. We're doing everything backwards, but I like backwards.

There was a lot of talk of engagement rings this weekend also. Nancy is getting married in June. We're growing up. We're getting married. It's weddings now, not unicorn birthday parties.

I suppose that's all I can really say for now. I have been laying in bed all day. Contemplating watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. But I have to try to restrain myself until it gets closer to Christmas...but I think I might just watch it anyway. I love that movie. I ate McDonald's too. I have got to start working out again. I don't like myself right now. Yuck.

Okay, now I'm just rambling. Enjoy the last hours of your Sunday. Back to the grind tomorrow. And now it's dark all the time!

Aw mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.....