Diamond/black diamond necklace from hubby :) for either our 1 year or my birthday we are going to put a diamond in the center of the black part on the bottom :)

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resolutions and a year in review: 2011

Last year I did a new year's meme reviewing 2010 with 3 top goals for 2011. Here were my top 3 goals:

1. pass my NCLEX on the first try! - check! I was so scared I wouldn't pass the first time around. I kept my test date a secret from everyone I know - even from my immediate family and my husband. Everyone kept trying to get my test date out of me, but I wouldn't budge. I remember my roommate asking me, "are you at least taking your NCLEX sometime in April?" and I replied with "yes" but in reality, I was taking it that very next morning! Must have been playing a good poker face there.

2. land an awesome RN job in either the ICU or ER. - I didn't get a job in the ICU, but I got a job in an ICU stepdown/telemetry unit, and honestly, I couldn't be happier. Maybe I will try the full-fledged ICU once I gain more experience. And I'm really glad I didn't start out in the ER. Again, maybe some other time. I may stay in progressive care for my entire nursing career, or maybe I will switch around. Only time will tell.

3. continue to perfect my cooking skills. - check! I'm no Martha Stewart but I think I can cook pretty well. I still have a lot to learn, though. The next test will be Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day dinner!

So, I would say, 100% :D Which never happens. Kudos to me!

And now, 2011 in review:

2011 Accomplishment - passing my NCLEX and becoming an RN! That was a huge accomplishment, I think.

2011 Discovery - hmm, I honestly do not know about this one. Last year I mentioned taro bubble tea hahaha. This year? I'm drawing a blank.

Favorite 2011 vacation/holiday - The only "vacations" I took were the 3 trips I made to Fort Leonard Wood, MO to visit hubby during BOLC. We were going to make a last-minute trip to Vegas but decided not to go because it was too expensive. We decided on Vegas once our good friend (who was also the best man at our wedding) comes back from deployment. I was going to make a trip to Ohio with hubby but couldn't because of work commitments. And I think my favorite holiday this year was Thanksgiving. Even though we were away from our families, it was nice to spend our first Thanksgiving together. I made an awesome Thanksgiving spread. We were invited to hubs' 1SGT's house, which was fun - a lot of delicious food and us wives just sat around talking about random things, including our Pinterest addictions haha. There was no Bunco at this gathering, however. Apparently Bunco is very popular among military wives and I have yet to attend a Bunco gathering.

Best dining in 2011 - probably Landry's in San Antonio. They have other locations, too, but this place is right along The Riverwalk (which is gorgeous, btw!) and the seafood is so fresh. I took my in-laws there on Veteran's Day weekend and they really enjoyed it. Landry's has the best appetizers. If you ever have a chance to go, try their shrimp en brochette and their jalapeno poppers. You won't be disappointed.

2011 regret - honestly, I cannot think of a single regret I have regarding this year. That is amazing.

Magic moment in 2011 - our wedding :) I wish Pinterest existed at that time because I see SO MANY cute ideas regarding weddings, but I consider our love and marriage more beautiful than the wedding itself.

What states did you visit in 2011? - Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas.

2012 Goals:

1. Read more. - I feel like I didn't read much because I was too busy studying for my NCLEX, and then when I got a job I still found myself studying. I am currently studying for some certifications related to my field, but lately I have also found more time to actually read things I enjoy. I am currently reading Confessions of a Military Wife by Mollie Gross which is HILARIOUS, btw. If you haven't read that book yet, you really need to. I also started reading The Hunger Games, the first of three books. Although aimed at younger adults, this book is so captivating. I cannot wait to read the other two books in the series. I also have a long list of books that I am just dying to read!

2. Learn something new. - as a nurse, I learn something new every day. This "learn something new" goal applies to something not related to my job - it could even be picking up a new hobby or "craft." Things that would be interesting: scrapbooking, knitting/crocheting, or amateur photography (I really need to invest in a GOOD camera, though, and not just a point-and-shoot one).

3. Volunteer. - I would love to volunteer on post. And by doing so, maybe I can finally meet other Army wives that I can connect with, but of course that wouldn't be the sole purpose. I love helping others and doing good for others (after all, "Do Good" was my sorority's motto!)

4. Work out more. - This has been a constant resolution of mine and a constant battle of success and failure. I was on a yoga kick for awhile, then I stopped. Then I started again, attending the free classes on post, but then I stopped because of work...I end up working the days they have yoga classes. I really like yoga, but I really enjoy bike riding, too. BLORA (stands for Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area) has a fierce mountain biking trail that I would probably never attempt, but maybe I can find some more "relaxed" trails around here to bike on. When the weather gets warmer, of course.

5. Go on a missions trip. - Every year, my hospital plans a missions trip to some area of the world. In the past, they have gone to Haiti, Costa Rica and Honduras, among other places. This year they went to Guyana, South America. I really wanted to go on this year's trip, but couldn't because of finances. I would love to go this upcoming year if finances allow and also depending on hubby's military duties.

6. Become more spiritually connected through God. - Growing up, I didn't go to church or anything. The only time I go to church is on Christmas Eve or Easter or something. To be honest, religion just seems awkward to me. Maybe that is because I don't really know about it. I'm not very familiar with The Bible or anything. I believe in God, but that is pretty much it. I really want to see myself grow spiritually.

7. Learn a new language. - I know random words and phrases in different languages, mainly Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean & Polish. I took Spanish in high school but all of that went down the drain and now that I live in Texas, I regret not knowing it. I would love to learn any language, really. My husband keeps asking me about going to Germany or South Korea, which I wouldn't mind either and that would give me a good "excuse" to learn either German or more Korean :)

What are your resolutions for 2012?

boredom

If you’ve never been clubbing, do you think you’d enjoy it or not? Why? If you do go clubbing, what do you like about it?
I don't like clubbing. Too hot, stupid drunk girls are all over the place and the music is so loud you can't have a conversation. Plus I don't really like dancing and I couldn't bust a move to save my life haha

What are you planning on doing for New Year’s Eve this year?
Spending it with hubby :) No plans to go to a party or anything. Thankfully I am off, but I work New Year's Day.

When you’re upset do you tend to eat more or less than usual? Is there anything else you do differently when you’re upset?
I eat less. I also tend to get quiet, but being quiet could mean other things, too...like I'm tired or something.

Can you recommend a good movie you’ve seen recently?
It came out in 2006, but Apocalypto. Probably one of the best movies I have seen in very long time. It is entirely in Yucatan Mayan language. It had me hooked from the very beginning all the way to the end.

How many people do you give gifts to at Christmas? Do you receive more than you give?
Immediate family, including my in-laws. And close friends.

What would your dream kitchen look like?
I never really thought about it, as long as it's big. With an island.

Are you a very tactile person? Do you enjoy physical contact with your friends, family etc?
Only with my husband ;) I don't mind hugs from family, though.

Do you think you will gain weight over the Christmas period?
I always gain a few pounds, but then I lose them so it's not a big deal.

What name do you go by?:
Melissa. or Mel.

Look past your computer screen, what's in front of you?:
Coffee table, TV.

Who was the last music artist you listened to a song by?:
Helena Beat - Foster The People ♥

Have you driven anywhere today?:
Yep. Went to the post office, Old Navy, the PX and the K-mart (Korean mart).

What are your plans for the coming weekend?:
It's Christmas, so doing Christmas-y things :)

Who was the last person you spoke to in person?:
the cashier person at the K-mart.

Do you prefer wearing hoodies to coats?:
I like hoodies. Nothing wrong with being comfortable. I like coats, too, tho!

Is there anything written on the shirt you are wearing?:
Nope

Do you own a tie dyed shirt?:
Actually I do. It's pink tie-dye and the front says "Friends don't let friends miss clinicals" and the back says "Akron Nursing" haha.

Did you make it yourself?:
nope

Have you ever been to another continent?:
Nope. Maybe one day...

Have ever had more than $500 in cash on you at one time?:
yeah

Do you ever go out of your way to avoid someone?:
oh yes hahaha.

How much was gas the last time you looked?:
$3.21, I think? And that was for 93. I have to put premium in my car.

Is there someone who would support you no matter what?:
Absolutely.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
Probably in Fort Leonard Wood lol...maybe still here. That would be nice. And probably with a kiddo.

Is there any actual chance you could be pregnant right now?:
Nope.

Do you still get carded when you try and buy things you're old enough to?:
Oh I get carded all of the time hahaha.

What was the last movie you saw in theaters?:
The Thing!

Is there someone you'd drop everything for if you could see them right now?:
Yes!

What is your birthstone?:
Pink Zircon, Opal.

Do you have any relatives who were born in another country?:
Yes, quite a few, actually. My grandparents (dad's side) are from Guangdong province, China (aka Canton)...my mom's parents, great grandma, my mom, my aunt and my mom's cousin and her husband are all from Poland. Eddie's grandma I think is from Czechoslovakia.

Would you rather visit Iceland for a week or Rome for a day?:
Rome..

Who was the last person you rode in a vehicle with?:
My husband.

What were you doing at this time yesterday?:
Probably also sitting on the couch on my computer.

What was the last thing you cooked?:
ravioli

When was the last time you slept in a bed with someone else?:
Saturday morning.

When was the last time you slept in a bed not your own?:
Not since May...

When was the last time you slept on something other than a bed?:
I don't know, probably a week ago?

What is in your pockets right now?:
Nothing. Don't have pockets.

What will you probably be doing at this time tomorrow?:
Getting ready for work.

Who do you look more like, your dad or your mom?:
My mom, I think.

Do you get along with your parents usually?:
Of course.

Where is your best friend at the moment?:
In OH-IO.

Are you an optimist?:
I try to be.

Military Monday!

Happy Military Monday :) Be sure to go to Life With My Littles to link up!

Books!

Hubby is back home in Ohio while I am stuck here in Texas. I tried so hard to get some time off so I could make a trip with him, but that didn't happen. Only one of my coworkers (so far) could take one of my shifts. I still let her, because honestly, the more time I get to spend with hubby the better since we are getting closer and closer to deployment time.

Hubs didn't want to leave me here by myself, but I told him I would be fine. Besides, I am a pretty independent person. I guess that's a good trait for a military wife to have. We'll see how that fares during deployment, however, seeing since I don't have any friends or family out here. But, I digress. I didn't want him to miss out on a trip home because I couldn't go. I forced him to go on his own for a week lol.

I really want to get a Kindle. I can't decide if I want the Kindle Keyboard of the Kindle Fire...the Kindle Fire is more fun but I also like the simplicity of the Kindle Keyboard.

I downloaded the Kindle app for my Macbook. The first book I downloaded happened to be this one:

I have been wanting to read this one for awhile now. I love this book! It's funny and so far everything is so true! Except my trips to the Commissary aren't nearly as horrifying haha. I started reading it earlier today after I came home from the airport and I am already halfway through. I highly recommend this one if you haven't read it already.

I have a whole list of other books on my list that I want to read, too:

* Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption - Laura Hillenbrand

* Left Neglected - Lisa Genova

* You Know When the Men Are Gone - Siobhan Fallon (I think I might read this one next...it's another military-themed novel, following the lives of several wives at Fort Hood, TX)

* The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

* Separated by Duty, United By Love - Shellie Vandevoorde

* I Love A Man in Uniform: A Memoir of Love, War and Other Battles - Lily Burana

* The Help - Kathryn Stockett

* The Making of a Nurse - Tilda Shalof

* A Dog's Purpose - W. Bruce Cannon

* Critical Care: A New Nurse Faces Death, Life & Everything in Between - Theresa Brown

Does anybody have any other suggestions?

Military Monday!

Be sure to link up at Semper Wifey's blog! :)

I hate coworkers who will say to you, "that's not patient" and therefore they won't help you. Nursing is a team effort. I try to pitch in and help those who are "not my patients" when I have the time. Not only will your fellow coworkers be thankful, it also earns you brownie points with your team and management. Not that I'm in for it for just brownie points. I truly enjoy helping others. Obviously, because I'm a nurse.

Work has been hell lately. We have one side where ALL of our totals as well as patients with sitters/in restraints are. I typically do my shifts in threes and of course I got stuck on that side for all 3 nights. I didn't really say anything except on my last night, telling the charge that side really needs to be split up. I mean, 3 out of my 4 patients were totals. It was awful. One night one kept climbing out of bed and became very agitated (and even a happy dose of Haldol only worked for about 30 minutes) and that went on until around 0500 when my "special bed" finally arrived (the other nights were fine thanks to my special bed :D)...my other patient down the hall was confused and kept pulling all of their wires off (thank goodness they didn't pull out my IV!)...and then of course my other patient was a 150kg bed-bound patient who can transfer from bed to chair (including a bedside commode) but decided they just wanted to lay in bed, oh, and they were going through a bowel prep...with a bleed. -_-

Speaking of bowel preps, I can't help but laugh at the names of those prep solutions. Especially "GoLytely." Seriously? haha.

Yesterday I took my ACLS course. For 10 hours. Normally they split the course up over 2 days - videos/teaching/practice and then the second day you do your skills test and written test. In this class we did the whole thing in one day. It was a very long day, but I passed my megacode and everything else and now I am ACLS-certified! Just don't go and expect me to run a code haha. Docs typically run them, anyway. By the time we find a patient and initiate CPR and get them hooked up to the crash cart, the ER doc is already in the room leading everything.

And I wish I didn't have to get recertified in BLS every 2 years now. They test you on BLS in ACLS, so having a BLS certification in addition to ACLS is kind of redundant, IMO. Oh well...

Next up is NRP (neonatal resucitation program) and PALS (pediatric advanced live support), even though I refuse to take kiddos on my unit.

Christmas survey

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate all the way! I cringe at the thought of egg nog...yuck!

Colored lights on tree/house or white? I love them both, actually, but I think I like white lights a little more. Our tree has white lights :)

Do you hang mistletoe? Nope. I can kiss my husband any time I want to ;)

When do you put your decorations up? Typically after Thanksgiving.

What is your favorite holiday dish? pierogi :) my aunt's tastes like the bomb dot com haha...she makes 3 different kinds - potato & cheese, saurkraut and plum. The plum ones are my favorite. She also makes this mushroom soup with these VERY expensive mushrooms from Poland - I'm talking $80/lb! I always feel bad because I never eat the mushrooms (never have been a big mushroom fan) but the flavor of the broth is fantastic. This is your "typical" slovak Christmas Eve meal.

Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Coming down the stairs and seeing the living room OVERFLOWING with gifts. I know, sounds a little materialistic, but I was young at that time haha.

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I realized Santa's handwriting looked just like my mom's haha.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Growing up we did. Sometimes it would be after midnight so it was technically Christmas Day by then haha

How do you decorate your Christmas tree? with lights and ornaments :P

Snow! Love it or Dread it? Dread it. I only like it when I am inside cuddled up in a blanket and not out in it :P

Do you remember your favorite gift? the N64 we got was really cool. My brother & I didn't quite react like "The Nintendo Kid" tho lol, but we loved it!

What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Pumpkin pie! Mmmm :)

What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas Eve dinner that I talked about above. That is only when I go to Connecticut for Christmas, though.

Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? They're okay.

Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Vacation haha.

Saddest Christmas Song? Oh, I dunno. I like Christmas music.

What is your favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night and Silent Night.

Friday Fill-in

It has been awhile since I have done one of these. Be sure to link up at Wifey's blog!

1. If I could be on any reality TV show, I would be on...The Amazing Race.

2. This past Thanksgiving was...my first Thanksgiving cooking! The turkey was phenomenal - so tender, moist & juicy with flavor! I was very impressed and hubs told me I did an awesome job. We celebrated our Thanksgiving on Sunday (11/27) because of work and hubs had to pull overnight staff duty on Saturday. I ended up turning our turkey leftovers into a very delicious turkey pot pie. I guess I can cook after all ;)

3. I'm looking forward to December because... it's our first Christmas as a married couple :)

4. One thing I would like to accomplish this month is... pass my ACLS course with flying colors! It's coming up on December 11th. Still have studying to do!

5. To me, winter is...I don't like winter. I hate being cold all of the time and I only like snow for a little bit and then I get sick and tired of it. Lucky for me I live in Texas now and even though it snows here it won't be anything like Ohio :)

this too shall pass...

Finally got our tree up! And of course my favorite ornament on our tree:

Bought it for $10 at Target the other day. Money goes towards charity for books and things to help children of deployed soldiers help cope during that time.

And speaking of deployments...hubby is deploying, and relatively soon, too. We lucked out, though. He's only going for a few months as opposed to 8 or 9 because the unit he is going to is already there. Hubs jumped the gun and was able to work it out so that he can go over there.

He really wants to deploy. I don't blame him. You don't go through 4 years of ROTC and 4-5 months of MPBOLC to sit on staff duty for the rest of your military career. I'm so proud of him. He thinks I should be happy about him deploying, but I'm not. I'm happy for him because this is something he has been waiting for and with things sort of toning down in the sandbox and Mr. President slowly withdrawing our troops, he's afraid he will never deploy as a PL. From my point of view, though, I don't think any milspouse can be thrilled about a deployment. Even though it is only for a few months as opposed to 8-9 which I am so thankful for, a deployment is still a deployment, and I'm still very scared.

Lots of thoughts racing through my head...