it's a new dawn, a new day...

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel... for this semester at least. One more week left of classes, and then finals week, and then I'm DONE for the summer! Granted it will be August... but I will appreciate any summer break that I can enjoy. And I will be taking full advantage of the time off, planning trips up the coast to New York and possibly Philadelphia, and maybe making my way to Bethany Beach in Delaware or down to Virginia or North Carolina. Why not?? That's the beauty of living on the east coast - freedom to drive and explore different states. I love adventures and I plan to make the most of my time while I'm living here! But let's focus on the past couple weeks... I'm not sure I can even remember what happened, everything seems to blur together these days...

Classes have been tapering off a bit, finally... it has been quite the grind the past month - constant stream of papers and projects and skill assessments and exams. Every night I come home and find myself at my desk reading or studying one thing or another. But the beauty is that through it all, I have not felt the slightest hint of bitterness or frustration that I am spending my entire summer confined to the inside of the Pinkard building or to my study nook in my bedroom. I find myself lost in the pages of my notes and books, learning about the neurological system assessment, then switching gears to review how to install and monitor central line medication and nutrition, and then find myself preparing for a professional poster presentation discussing the importance of appropriate verification technique when administering medications. Each class presents such intriguing and crucial issues and topics for discussion, and I have learned to appreciate the various perspectives and input from the diverse group of my classmates. The classes are all focused on the foundations of nursing, and we have gained critical knowledge and skills that we will carry with us throughout our careers. And I am keeping that in mind as I study - this information, albeit basic, is what I will have to refer to and implement into my regular patient care. That is what is making learning so much easier - I WANT to understand the material, so that I will have more confidence in my abilities when I am thrown into clinicals this fall and transitions rotations next summer. Our professors are wonderful as well - they are truly passionate about teaching us this information, and it is conveyed in their teaching styles. I love sitting in class and listening to their lectures, even when we are into our 6th hour of class on a Friday afternoon. Let me think... I have already told you about my course enrollment for this fall, but this past week I learned about another elective that I have chosen to take: Faith and Health. It focuses on the various world religions and how these religions view health care, and we will also learn certain important aspects of care for patients that practice different religions. I am quite excited for this course, as I do love studying religions. I hope I'm not taking on too much... but there is just so much that I want to learn about!! I feel that if I am interested in learning the information, rather than just taking the course for elective credit, that I will make time for studying. We'll see what happens though.. This fall will be intense material-wise, as we are taking both Pathophysiology and Pharmacology. But I have a basic understanding of these subjects, and I am hoping that they will be more manageable than students are making them out to be. The information will definitely be complex, but again, I am excited to know and understand it all, so I am happy and willing to put the time in to studying. I will say that more than anything, I am extremely excited for clinical rotations! We find out at the end of August where we will be placed for Psych, and I am hoping to have exposure to patients with substance abuse... possibly in a community setting. Could be quite the experience, learning how to interact and work with patients who have been managing a lifestyle centered around substances for the past 10+ years. If placed at this site, we will be working on patient education and running groups with these individuals to discuss various health care topics, and I think this type of experience could be an invaluable opportunity to prepare me for dealing with a wide array of patients in the future.

Aside from school, life in Baltimore has been moderately low-key. Amy and I went to an Orioles game last week with some people from church, and it was a true Balmer experience. The O's aren't that great... but it was fun to go to a good old-fashioned baseball game. I can't wait for Ravens games this fall! Baltimore locals are CRAZY about their Ravens... they bleed purple out here. haha. Amy and I did survive quite a difficult change over the past couple weeks... we decided to move from our previous living situation into an adorable row house in Fells Point. It has been a huge stress in both of our lives dealing with this upheavel over the past month, but we are so much happier now that we have moved. Our new house was built in 1857, so it is part of the Maryland Historic Society (or something like that) that recognizes various neighborhoods in the city that were founded in the 1800s. I am excited to have a little bit of a "yard" as well -- our landlord has promised us a gas grill for our little deck! And some pots to plant flowers! I feel like such a nerd. But I am so happy with our new location, and I want it to feel more like our own little sanctuary. It's a work in progress :) We are about a block from the water as well, and we actually have a boat slip for the marina - so we can head over to the club and use the pool and the gym facilities there! Quite exciting. Amy and I are looking into the possibility of getting bikes to ride along the waterfront -- it's a nice 3 or so mile ride around the harbor. And we now have the good fortune to walk to school, a 20-minute jaunt through the tiny streets and past the quaint row houses of Fells Point and Butcher's Hill. I love connecting with the city in this way - I feel much more at home now that I live in this area. We have decided to throw a little "house warming" party next weekend, and also to celebrate Amy's birthday - our little group of friends share a general sense of understanding and balance in our lives that keep us sane throughout the rigorous schedule we've been enduring. And I can't wait for our new arrival to get here -- Amanda is moving to Baltimore, and she will be here tomorrow (FINALLY)! From California to Utah to Maryland... what a journey our friendship has made. And we have so many adventures left ahead of us....

Amy and I are in DC again this weekend to dogsit for her brother, and we made a trip up to the rooftop pool in his complex to lay out today and soak up some sunshine -- my first time actually experiencing "summer" so far. Ridiculous I tell you! haha. But I will be making up for lost time when I land in Athens in 3 weeks... cannot wait!! Well, I guess I shall leave you now... we are trying to fit in some studying while we are here, to lessen our load once we get back to Baltimore... so, until next time.... xxL