Is that an elephant or are you happy to see me?

This was the elephant of the park. He didn't look too happy, but then again, what does a happy elephant look like?

No monkeying around

I know this isn't the best picture, please take in account, it was a disposable camera, and there was glass in front, so the flash wouldn't be effective if I had tried it! This monkey looked at us, and I swore he was begging us to let him free! It was so cool! Unfortunately, we could not free him. He wasn't happy with us.

Long necks!

This is me and the giraffe, George! I just named him! I loved the giraffes, they were the coolest. We didn't get to see any lions, and the tigers were sleeping, and the bears were hiding.

Karaoke and an animal or two!

My friend Mara was in town this weekend. We had a great time. When she first got here we went and saw Bewitched. It was really good. Then went out to lunch and went shopping.
Glad to reoprt...I did NOT buy a thing.
Well, I lied....I almost got out of the mall without buying a thing, but....there were socks...
...with pigs on them...
...and they were pink. (See above)
I could not resist....they were on clearance for $2.30, so I bought them.
But I swear...I never bought anything else.
Enough about that, the more exciting part is after night fall....and so the story begins....

The first night we went out karoake-ing. It was great. I would love to tell you all about this, but Mara is way better with words....she put it all in her blog, and tells the story great! Please visit In Portland from Mara's blog.
Today we were headed off to the baseball game I had free tickets for....but we kept finding things we needed to do first.
We had to eat.
Didn't feel like eating at the game, so we went to Costco for a hotdog and drink for $1.50. Can't beat that!
Then, I had forgotten to remind her to check-in for her flight, so we went back to my apt, to do that online, so she could get on the plane first! She got to get on the plane first, so it's good we went back and did it when we did!
Then, we had to go get some money. But...it is Sunday, ATM's only dispense $20 bills. If you go to the MAX station with a $20 bill, you get $18 in change...I'm talking change! (Suzy and I learned that the hard way a few weeks back!) So, we stopped at Albertson's to buy something little to get some change. Then we were off to the MAX. By this time we are already 45 mins late for the game, and the train ride is at least another 25 mins longer. So we get on, and headed off. We get to Washington Park, and I mention this is the Zoo...!
M: "Zoo??"
K:"Yeah, the zoo!"
M:"Do you wanna do that instead?"
K:"Well, we could, we're already an hour late for the game....might as well."
So, we do...we get off and go to the zoo! We didn't bring my camera so we figure we'll get one at the gift shop, right? They have to have one at the gift shop we say.
Well...they do.
A glorious 27 exp disposable camera for the cheap price of....
$12.99
What the f#^%?
Yeah, Rite Aid sells them for cheaper...I think around $4. But, no....the zoo needs to sell them for $12.99. I really wanted pics, so I bought one, Mara refrained. (good job Mara!)
And we proceeded to the zoo.
It was fun, not alot of sights at first, we must have looked at 4 or 5 cages before we actually saw a live animal. I was beginning to think they were all retired for the day. But, we did eventually get to see a monkey or two, a bear, an elephant, a peacock running wild, and I believe a rat ( or large mouse) ran across our path. I did get 27 photos of various animals. I will post them as soon as I get them developed. I can't just plug them into my computer and upload...nope the disposables have not come that far yet! I have to wait for film processing.
Overall, I had a great day. It was fun, I got to see cool animals, I got to hang with a great friend for two days, and I had some social contact!! Thanks Mara!!

Some of the cool fireworks...I couldn't get very many good pics, but this is a pretty good one! 

This is me! I got burnt from the day before, so I wore a baseball cap to help prevent more of a burn! Aren't I cute? 

This is pregnant Jen at the fireworks show! 

Joel's neighbors all playing poker...I got out a long time before this!

Fireworks

I had some fun at the fireworks show in Vancouver. Me, my sister, her husband, and several neighbors all went to the largest firework show west of the Mississippi. It was so much fun! We went there at about 4 or 5, sat around and played games, walked around, and just hung out till 10:10pm. Then..........we had 20 glorious minutes of fireworks. It was so fun though, they played music to the fireworks, and it all went together. If the music said skies of blue....blue fireworks went off. It was fun, but hot though, man....was it hot!
The day before, Jen, Joel, Dave (Joel's friend), and Joel's parents all went to the Willamette Jet Boat excursion, that was the coolest. We went out on the Willamette for two hours in this huge jet boat, that held 20-30 people. It went pretty fast, probably about 50-60mph. Also, we did 6 or 7 360 degree turns, some while going really fast. That was the coolest. I did get burned pretty bad, but it was still really cool!

4th

Nothing exciting going on over here! Jen's parents-in-law are here, so she is busy with them. Joel's bday was Fri, so we might celebrate this weekend. I think we are gonna go see the fireworks on Monday night in Vancouver, but other than that, nothing exciting. I baked some cookies yesterday, that was fun! What are you doing this weekend??

hmmm...

I should've posted the previous post a LONG time ago, I got my ATT today. I scheduled my test for July 18th, that was the earliest I could! So, I have a couple, okay 3 weeks to start studying. Hehehe, yeah right, but really, I should! I am also trying to get my EMT certification transferred, so I can join Tualitin Valley Fire & Rescue. I live pretty close to one of the stations...so I am looking forward to getting back on with a department. I need to start running though, or I won't be getting anything but a swift kick in a$$, as I am getting kicked out. I so need to get into shape again, it is just so hard to get going!

Testing!

So, i have to just sit and wait for my authorization to test (ATT) from the board of nursing now. That is required before I am allowed to sit for my boards. They have to make sure I really did graduate and not just say I did. They can't have jsut anyone sit for boards you know. So, while I am waiting, I should be studying, right? WRONG! (well I should be...) I am not! I feel I am gonna forget everything by the time they get around to letting me test. I know I won't, but I haven't even thought nursing since school ended. Graduation was it for me....time to start thinking .....laziness? Boredom? Sleeping? Yeah, that sounds good! Kidding! Okay, so I just got word from my friend Pam....she passed!! Yeah! She took the test on Monday and found out today! I am so excited for her! Now, I have to sit here and wait......and wait....and wait....for my ATT. I can hear the clock ticking...and the hands just zooming, like in the movies...tick, tick, tick.

Concert with Kenny!!

So I went to the Kenny Chesney Concert last night! It was awesome. I have to admit though, I was a little dissapointed! All he had was loud music, lots of lights and he danced around the stage a bit. He didn't talk much. Don't get me wrong, it was so much fun, and I wouldn't trade it for anything...but Reba's concert was way better. That's ok, they can't all be better than than the previous ones. He did alot of signing autograph's at the end too, which is way cool! No, I wasn't even near him, he was about an inch big from where I stood. But.....I could hear him!! (well....through the mic...not without) Gretchen Wilson was there too, she put on a great show....I was pleasantly surprised...nothing fancy, she didn't even dance around the stage much, but she is a great singer and I was impressed. Pat Green was there too, he didn't sing much, about 5 songs. Wave on Wave is the only one I recognized...didn't even know who it was until we were leaving and I saw his T-shirt for sale...then I realized it was the guy who Mara made me a CD for. She is great, she sent me three awesome CD's. I had never heard of him before, but now I have!! So, overall the concert was great, I had a blast! Oh....and NO Renee sightings! Too bad, that would've been cool!

At Home

I move out....then I go home to visit....then I don't leave! End of story! Seriously, I came home on Friday for Father's Day, and I am still here....on Tuesday. I have nothing to get back to, so I figure, why go back! It is nice to take a long, relaxing vacation. I know it isn't the Bahamas, but it is relaxing. I get to sleep in, watch tv all day, write emails, play games, I don't HAVE to do anything. I think I will go home soon, but I am gonna stretch this "vacation" out as long as I can. Soon, I will have to go back, and my life will start, and I will get so busy again that I have no time to do anything fun, so I am going to have fun and relax now. I have great plans to start running again, but for now, they are just plans. I have went out walking some, but nothing serious. Maybe mom and I will go for a walk tonight. I am trying to convince her to go to a movie tonight....she is Mrs Betty Homemaker, so we can't do anything till she makes dinner....grrr! I might have to go alone, cuz I can, and I will!

Pinocle

I got to have my first get together tonight. My sister plays pinocle once a month at various friends houses...apparently tonight they were short, so they invited me! I was so excited! It was nice to go and meet some people. They were mostly all accountants, but it was still fun. She provided dinner...well breakfast! We got to eat breakfast and a ton of fruit. It was really nice! I was in the winner circle on my first game, then the two winners from each game go to play the championship round....we lost...that's ok. The winners each get a little something...this time it was some notepads and some blank notes....like I really need more junk to crowd my already filled apt! It was still fun to play...I haven't played pinocle in a long time, they had to help remind me how to play...it's just a gme though!

Neighbors

I just met a few of my neighbors. I went to take Charlie out and they were all smoking outside. They were really nice and let me through, and showed a genuine interest in Charlie, that was nice. One of them, her name is Jaina...she wants me to watch her dog for a month. She has a female mini-beagle. I love beagles, but I really don't think it is a good idea to watch a dog for someone else. She says she will pay for everything it needs, but I don't know. I guess her boyfriend (my neighbor) can't have dogs (I am assuming either he hasn't paid the deposit, or his kids have allergies....I dont know!), and something about something else. I think it would be a fun playmate for Charlie, but I seriously do not need another dog. It is so hard to say no to people, especially when they ask the way she did. She doesn't even know me, for all she knows, I could beat on my dog and starve him....hmmm....kidding! I don't, but she doesn't know that I don't! She must be deperate to find her a home. Her dogs name is Langley. She sounds like fun, but I can't watch her dog!
I might have a part-time, part-part-time job. I saw an advertisement on the mailboxes for a bbsitter. A baby- a two-month-old baby! They just need someone from 3:00-3:30 and 6-7pm daily...one and a half hours, and they are willing to pay $90/week. I could use that money for just a few hours of my time! Its not like I have anything better to do. I have been running some errands these last few days, and I have been trying to unpack, but I jsut don't feel like doing that all the time, so I don't. I am gonna go play pinocle tomorrow night with my sister and her friends...maybe I will make a friend of my own....!

Portland

Well, I did it! I graduated, I moved, I'm here! I like my new apt. I have a ton of stuff, bust I have already gotten most of it unpacked, now i just have to organize a few things. I think Charlie likes it here too, but I am not sure if he still thinks it is temporary. I go in this morning for my pre-employment screening....drug test, TB test, paperwork, you know! Which reminds me...I need to be there earlier than I thought, gotta go!

Interview 2

Had my interviews today....two of them. Yeah, I am totally stoked. The first interview was for a small hospital close to home in the critical care unit, which is where I wanted to end up eventually (might as well start there!!). So, I nailed the interview, answered everything with what she wanted to hear. I nailed the critical thinking exercises. Then we went for a tour (normal routine) and came back to her office she asked if I liked the hospital and if it sounded good. I said yes, I was really impressed. Then, get this.....she offered me the job, on the spot!! That's right! I had a "im completely shocked" look on my face and I was speechless. She was great, and said I should think about it. I didn't need to think about it, I was hooked. But I graciously accepted her card thanked her and left. Then went to y second interview.....that was a breeze after I knew I had a job already....it was ok, but I was not impressed and I accepted the first interviews job posistion the second I left my second interview. So............I HAVE A JOB!!!!!!!! Woohoo! I am so excited. The plan is to start working in early Aug, but maybe late July. That part totally sucks, but I am totally excited!!!
I started moving into my new apt too. I got the keys and have moved about 8 boxes in. Q is coming up this weekend and she is going to help me get started organizing, so when I move officially next weekend.....it won't be so chaotic.
I think I am going to love it here! This weekend I am hanging out with my friend Q and my sister. Tomorrow morning though, my sister is having an AC guy come out, she doesn't want him to be here alone, so I am house sitting while he is working. I am gonna bake and I have some movies to watch. It will be so great not to have to think about school or work or anything, I can just RELAX!
Oh yeah, today, official last day of nursing school.....I passed!!!!!!!!!!!
Today truely is the best day in the world, too bad I didn't meet Prince Charming today also. Oh well!

An Interview!

Hello,
I know it has been way too long. I just don't have that exciting of a life rigt now. WIth school and work, thats it. I have my last two clinical days tomorrow and Sunday. I can't wait for that. I graduate in three weeks, totally can't wait for that. and I move then too. But the best part...well let me step back a little. I have been getting very nervous about moving, 1) it is scary, 2) I don't have a job yet, and 3) it is very scary. Good news for problem #2....I got an interview! Yeah, it is June 2 (Suzy's b-day!), I can't wait. I hope it turns into something. I am interviewing for a position in the critical care unit. How great is that? I have two weeks, so maybe in that time I will get another interview too. I really don't care where I work, I just need a job! Please keep your fingers crossed, keep me in your prayers, whatever you believe, just do it!
Oh, Good news....Dodgeball Tournament went great....please visit Mara's Blog for details. There are about 10 really good pics on there too!
No bf's yet, too busy. I will be looking forward to meeting lots of new people in Portland and have ltos new friends! I will not be picking and choosing anytime soon. I really just want to make great friends, then, later, maybe find me a good man. I need to get settled first. As in, settled into my new job, my new apartment, and my new life! I am very scared (reference problems #1 and #3 above), I know this is a life changing thing, and it is still very exciting, but I am very scared. I am leaving my family and friends that I love very much. I know it isn't goodbye, just goodbye til later, but it is still hard. I haven't started packing yet, I need to start!
I guess now is the best time to start....I'm off then to pack!

Ding Dong the witch is dead...

So, maybe not the witch, but school is almost over. It is drawing nearer. T Minus 6 weeks and counting til my big move. I will be finalizing an apt at the beginning of June, and move in the middle of June. I so cannot wait. I will be so close to Jen, and she is starting to show. We all think she is having a boy. One month to find out for sure.
I am on a dodgeball tournament coming up in May. I can't wait! I think it will be so much fun. Thanks Mara for thinking of a fun activity to do. Nothing exciting in my life right now. I ran a half marathon this last weekend. It was a good run, not nearly as fast as I would have liked, but I finished and I ran the whole way. I haven't ran since the race, but I figure take a good week off, that way I don't get injured. Next up....Bloomsday! I also signed up for another half June 18 in Eugene. I have joined portlandfit as well, so I am planning to run Portland marathon in October.
No job yet, but I have applied to several Portland area hospital residency programs. I am hoping to get a job at one of them. I should be hearing from them soon, I hope. One program deadline was today, so maybe next week? Let's hope! Please keep praying for me!
Well, nothing else exciting going on. Doing alot of work, school, and clinicals. Not getting much work in Spokane, but then again, haven't been trying.
Enough for now.....