Summer 2010

It has been a long time since I have blogged. So sorry! It it very weird to say that the summer is over. I don't feel like I ever had a summer. I guess thats what happens when you get old and are working?! So updates:

I moved into a new apartment at the beginning of August. I am living by myself and like it much better than my old place. I just recently got cable and internet, so that's one excuse for not being able to blog! I finally have DVR now which is big news in my life!!

My job is going well. I'm not sure if I have talked about it, but I am working on an orthopedics/med-surg floor. I see a lot of older people with knee replacements, hip replacements, and falls resulting in all kinds of broken bones. I see a lot of younger people with sports injuries. And I have seen way too many car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bike vs car, and people vs car. I have even more anxiety driving cars these days because of it. Then we get an assortment of pneumonia, pancreatic problems, COPD, gum shot wounds, cellulitis, gall bladder issues, etc. So I have gotten to see a lot, and I have definitely learned a lot.

It is so different from being in school and reading books. I remember being in clinical and if any issues come up, you tell the nurse. Thats about all you can do as a student. It never really mattered so much at the time. But now, my license is on the line at all times. It adds just that much more stress to an already stressful job! I have had a lot of ohhh thats why you have to do that moments. I still have a lot of learning to do, but I'm getting better.

It is weird not being in school right now. I love it, not having to study, go to class, stress over tests, etc. But I also don't know what to do with myself! I feel like I need to be in school! I do plan on starting grad school in the near future though. Possibly in the spring or next fall?

I was in two weddings this summer, and I plan to make a post about each hopefully soon! I will hopefully be having a lot of update posts soon, such as where my weight is (ahhh), etc.

Life in the Sun

I was off this past weekend (I work all this weekend, happy 4th of July for me) so on Friday night I decided to go out with a friend and just have a good time. I don't think I've been out like this in a long time. I put on a dress and some heels and actually went dancing. It was fun and needs to happen again soon!


Then on Sunday, I went with Stephanie, her sister, and 4 kids to the "water park" in Lubbock. I had never been, so I wanted to see what it was like. It's pretty small, but it was very relaxing. They have a wave pool, lazy river, a little kid area, and two slides. It was definitely worth it to go, except I got majorly sunburned. I put on sunscreen before and once during the day (I was there for 5 hours). I guess I should have put on more, but I got severely burnt. It is finally getting somewhat tolerable.

Here is a picture with me and one of the babies on the slide. I'm not sure who had more fun...me or the kids!

Graduation and Next Chapter

On May 22, I officially graduated from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Anita Thigpen Perry School of Nursing (I hope this is the last and final time to write that out!)I finished the last semester off with a 4.0! (On my to do list) My parents, brother, aunt (a Tech alumni), grandparents, and Kristi came to Lubbock to celebrate the day with me.

With my mom:

With my dad:

With Kristi: (Lubbock wind makes for beautiful hair...NOT!)

With my grandmother:

With my aunt:

With my grandparents:

With my brother: (More lovely hair...)


So I always wonder what God has planned for me because I am not doing what I had planned or wanted. I am staying in Lubbock for a little while longer to work where I have worked the past year as a nurse tech. I love the people I work with and the hospital, but I would really prefer to be out of Lubbock ASAP.

I took the NCLEX last week and passed!! So, I am officially Erin Hammett, RN, BSN!!

Easter Sunday

Maybe I will catch up on my blogging soon. I've been busy with school and living in a hospital basically, working the night shifts, which is one reason I'm awake right now I guess. So, on my to do list was to dye Easter eggs. So, before Easter, Amanda and I got some dye and boiled a bunch of eggs and had some fun. I'm entirely not an artistic person, so my eggs look like a 1 year decorated them, but that's fine. I had fun either way.







Easter day, a few of us girls that stayed in Lubbock wanted to go to church together. We went to FBC where we normally go, and the 9:30 service (college service) was cancelled. They usually cancel it around breaks, but we thought surely not on Easter. We found out it was cancelled, so we drove across town for the 10:00 service at Experience Life. Experience Life is a newer church in Lubbock that I have been to a few times and love. The service is set up each weekend in a skating rink and they completely focus on God and not the politics that many churches fall into. It was a great service and time to worship.

Then we planned on cooking lunch together. We wanted breakfast, so pancakes, fruit, and chocolate milk was on the menu. We went to one of the girls house to get to baking. The pancake mix was ready to go when Amelia noticed something in it. Bugs! We looked at the package and there were plenty of live bugs crawling around. I wasn't needing any extra protein for the day, so we loaded up and went to this hole in the wall place called the Breakfast House. I felt completely like the Christmas Story (holiday meal ruined, find a place that is open to eat). I was really surprised by the number of places that actually closed for Easter Sunday including Sonic (WOW). The food turned out good, and it ended up being a great Easter.

Remainder of Spring Break

So, this is way past due, but just the story of my spring break, with some things to mark off my list. After Rhonda and I ran the marathon, we helped with her church youth group on a mini mission trip. The group actually worked one of the water stations at the marathon, then the rest of Sunday we all pretty much relaxed. Monday, we helped take down a fence and paint a wall. Then we went to the Nelson Center, a home for kids waiting to be placed in foster care or unable to stay in foster care. We had a cook out for them and played basketball. This trip made me feel entirely too old with all these kids, but it was fun. I did a lot of hair braiding!






Then I went home for a few days. I met up with my blind date man in Henderson, (we also had dinner one night before the marathon) We pretty much see each other in a different town each time. Such is life. So the next weekend he invited me to a wedding in San Marcos. It was a pretty crazy weekend. We met up with his second family pretty much and had dinner at Benihanas in Austin. Then Saturday, the guys went to play golf while me and another girl went shopping.

So, I'm in San Marcos, great shopping place, and everything is fine. Well, the first store we go into is the Gap. I get my stuff and am standing in line to check out. I remember getting really hot and taking off my jacket, and the next thing I know I am passed out on the floor. Not good. Emily called JR, who called Stephanie (the girl who set us up), who called Amanda, because basically none of these people know me well enough to know if I have medical problems. And I am just completely embarrased by the whole thing. Never in my life have I ever passed out. I have no significant medical history. I have low blood pressure, plus getting really hot (vasodilation, lowering BP even more), plus maybe running the marathon 6 days prior, not really sure, but I fainted. I refused to go to the hospital. I was fine other than the nasty bruises on my entire right side.

After this whole fiasco, I went back to the house and took it easy. Had wedding rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, then went bowling (this is on my to do list!) Sunday was wedding day. Then Monday, I drove back to Lubbock.

So anyways, what a spring break...And wouldn't you know, I left my camera in lubbock, ugh!!

Half-Marathon

Half-marathon: Complete!

I get to take another thing off my 101 list of things to do! I did the Dallas Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon and it went absolutely amazing. Two weeks prior to the race, I was freaking out and did not want to go. I finally relaxed a few days before the race and was really excited once it got to race day.

We got up bright and early to get out to the race. It was pretty chilly in the morning, so I wanted to run just to warm up. We started running, and I felt very good, but I was starting to get concerned that I couldn't finish the race because I had not even made it to mile 1. Somehow, I missed the mile 1 marker. So, I was nearly to mile 2 before I even knew I had made it a mile!

Then I just began to run and countdown till the end! By mile 7, I was starving! My goal was to finish the race in 2 hours 30 minutes which is a really fast pace. I trained at a 12:30 pace and sometimes slower. At mile 10, I knew it was possible to make my time, so I picked up the pace and finished in 2:24:56! I had a 11:04 mile pace which is crazy because I usually can't run a mile in that time and to run 13 miles that fast!! I was told you run faster on race day due to the excitement, etc, but I didn't really believe them, but I guess it works.

I felt really good after finishing the race. I was really sore for about 2 days, but I would run again!!


Crossing the finish line with a smile!

Got my medal...and looking like I ran 13.1 miles!

One Year

It is amazing how fast a year goes by. I remember when I was little dreaming of going to college and thinking it would never get here fast enough. And now I am about to graduate college, and I kinda want life to just slow down a bit. This semester has been crazy so far, but it has gone by extremely fast. My birthday was this weekend, and I was looking at pictures from last year. It is insane how much my body has changed in a year. I am only 2 pounds away from my goal weight. I made my goal weight, simply as a goal, but never thinking I would really reach it. But I am about to. And I will be running my half marathon on Sunday!! Pray for me!

Last year, 21:



This year, 22, (and 22+ lbs lighter!!):



I spent my birthday weekend at Amanda and Stephanie's apartment. We talked about making a trip somewhere, but we were all kinda sick, so we decided to stay and do stuff in Lubbock. But the rule was I had to stay at there house all weekend! It was so much fun. We went out Friday night, got kinda crazy, but you only live once right?! We played wii, bingo (felt lucky, but didnt win), and watched the Hangover on Saturday (my new favorite movie, and birthday gift from Amanda). Then we went and watched Alice in Wonderland on Sunday. It was fun! I think it will be repeated soon just to hang out!

Life

I've been kind of MIA in the blog world. Sorry! This semester has been crazy only because I stress myself out. I was pretty much going crazy with anxiety and stressing over what to do in the future. I guess not what to do, because I know that, but getting the job I want, where I want. I got an interview with UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas this past Monday, so I went home for the weekend. I decided that since I hadn't slept good in nearly a month, my goal was to try to sleep, in my own bed. So, I caught up on sleep and got to see my family.

On Saturday, I went to a red neck racing event. Not sure what its really called, but thats what I'm gonna call it! My brother and cousin are part of a team, and they did there thing. It was somewhat entertaining.

On Sunday, I was going to go for a run at the track. I got ready to go, and the dogs thought I was gonna take them running. They went absolutely crazy. It's weird how they know things, and they associate me with running (that seems like a joke) Here's me and two or the four dogs I took for a run. It's not a good pic, but oh well.




Then Monday morning I made my way to Dallas for the big interview. I really want to work at UT Southwestern, and they said it would take up to two weeks to finish interviewing everyone, and then they are picking two interns for the particular floor I interviewed for. Two, 2, only 2! That's what scares me. So, I am anxiously waiting, and feeling worse as every day goes by, but I can only hope. I will probably cry if I don't get this job because after that I don't really know where I want to go.

After my interview, I had to make the 5 hour trip back to Lubbock. But before that, I got to mark something off my 101 things list. So, the one thing I put on that list as a joke and with little hope in the world is the first thing I will be taking off... I went on a date. And I pretty much went on a blind date. If you know me well, you know I would never do this, but for whatever reason I chose to. So, a friend of a friend one day just randomly said I should date this guy she knows. He currently lives in Weatherford, so against my better judgement, and everything my mom has always told me, I met a complete stranger, and I was about 4 hours in either direction from people I know. I know, not so smart, but again, I decided to do this. I haven't been on a date in forever, and I've been against dating for a while due to the past, and I typically require M.D. behind the name (hence I'm single, but I can dream right) So, get the picture? I decided to take a chance and just do it. So, I walk into this restaurant where we were meeting, and I saw this cute guy and thought dang I wish I was meeting him. Then I called him because I had never seen him. Yea, he was the cute guy. He was nice, thank goodness, and not a creeper, and I was nice and safe. Dinner went good, we have texted some since, and I'll let you know if anything happens. The big problem is just distance, so we'll see what happens in the future. I wish I had a pic for you...and for me :)

After this, I started my trip back to Lubbock. It started snowing about 2 hours from Lubbock. I hate driving in rain (I will pull over and wait for it to stop) so obviously I hate driving in snow. The roads weren't too bad till I got about 30 miles from Lubbock. Then I had to drive about 40 MPH because you couldn't even see the road anymore. I probably should have gone even slower...I couldn't see at all, I just followed the truck in front of me, hoping that person knew what they were doing. I made it home safely, but it sure took a while!

Don't SWEAT It!

So, I apologize now, this post is pretty gross, but memories are memories right? Back in the day, when I worked out, I would get absolutely beet red in the face and would not sweat a drop. I always thought I would end up having a heat stroke one day because I just wouldn't sweat. Since then, I'm not sure if my body has changed or if I'm putting that much more effort into my workouts, but I sweat, way too much! I've always heard the phrase "there should be sweat dripping from your elbows" and I thought it was just something instructors say to get you to work hard, but no I have found out that sweat can drip from your elbows. So, I leave the gym now covered in sweat from head to toe and it makes me very self-conscious because it's pretty disgusting. But I guess it means I had a good workout, or I have a serious problem! I no longer worry about heat strokes though, just dehydration. So, of course, I took a pic. This is the FRONT of my shirt after doing a zumba class. Sick!(And I had to share)

Sunshine go away...

I feel like I am beginning the next phase of my life. Working the night shift. As a new grad, 90% of jobs are working 7P-7A. I knew this way before I got into nursing school, and I am ok with it for now. I do have my ICU clinicals at night, and tonight will be my first shift. I am so excited!! I hung up a blanket over my window, so I could try to sleep today. I stayed up till 2:30...and I woke up at 9:30! I just can't sleep when I need to!

Ice skating?

On thursday, we got a lot rain, then sleet, then snow. I love snow, but I hate the ice!! I am terrified to drive in the bad weather too. I finally got out on Saturday, and I had to try really hard to get my car out of the ice patch it was stuck in. Kinda scary! It was quite a show to watch I'm sure. The sun came out, so almost everything is melted, except places in the shade. When I walk out of my apartment, I have to slide across the side walk. I am surprised I have not hurt myself yet on this ice. The other day I did so well, made it to my apartment, then nearly busted it when I walked in the door! Hopefully, we will not have anymore bad weather this winter. Here is what I see when I walk outside...

National Cheat Day

Saturday (yesterday) was national cheat day. I usually have one cheat and control myself fairly well, but this time I went completely overboard. I had all my meals planned to go overboard too. I am going crazy this challenge...I just want to eat sweets!! I think the Christmas break messed me up because I ate whatever I wanted, and now I am having to say no.

Breakfast: Low fat cafe mocha (this is not healthy by itself, but I tried to spare some calories due to the rest of the day)

Lunch: Wing Stop: 3 piece chicken strip meal (they gave me 4...and I ate all 4...a temptation I couldn't say no to) with fries and a dr. pepper

Snack: Sheridan's frozen custard...I actually just got a regular instead of the large

Dinner: Little Cesear's pizza, crazy bread, Pepsi, and wine



Amanda was kind enough to join me in my day of eating. We finished the night off with watching He's just not that into you, and an older movie that was really funny but I cannot remember the name of it (it had Bruce Willis, Goldie Hawn, and Meryl Streep)It was a good night. Then we tried to take a snow pic, but you can't see any of the snow!

101 in 1001

I got this idea from other bloggers...101 things to accomplish/do in 1001 days. So, here is my random list, and I will keep you updated as I get some of these done.

1. Read the Bible from cover to cover
2. Complete a half marathon
3. Get a 4.0 this semester (I’ll try!)
4. Get an ICU internship
5. Have a mother/daughter vacation
6. Complete a yearly daily devotional
7. Reach my goal weight
8. Maintain my goal weight
9. Go to a Tech football game
10. Cook dinner for a week
11. Be financially independent from my parents
12. Go on a medical mission trip overseas
13. Ski
14. Start grad school
15. Get my own apartment/rent house (roommates are acceptable, but they will be of my choice, aka Kristi)
16. Put money into savings
17. Water ski
18. Go camping, like in an actual tent, make a fire, eat smores
19. Jog in just a sports bra and feel comfortable doing it, ONLY ONCE (and look good too)
20. Get a small dog (Chihuahua or yorkie)
21. Get an Iphone (or whatever is the best at the time)
22. Get a Mac
23. Go on a cruise
24. Stay at least one night in the Bellagio (I love it, but it’s soooo expensive)
25. Go to Washington D.C.
26. Susan G. Komen 3 day walk for breast cancer
27. Get a new stethoscope
28. Be in a wedding
29. Go to a Friday night football game in Henderson, TX
30. Muddy buddies
31. Buy a new swim suit
32. Go hiking
33. Get a bike
34. Go to a Cowboys football game
35. Go to a Rangers game
36. Get TIVO
37. Have a game night
38. Go to the drive in before I leave Lubbock
39. Go to medieval times
40. Watch Twilight: Eclipse with Kristi
41. Learn to play tennis
42. Play racquetball
43. Volunteer somewhere
44. Workout in the AM for a week
45. Encourage my brother to go back to college
46. Be patient
47. Make somebody smile
48. Buy someone else a meal
49. Tithe
50. Leave a large tip
51. Go on a wrecker call with my dad
52. Go to bed by 10 for a week
53. Put 1000 piece puzzle together
54. Dye Easter eggs
55. Feed ducks at the park
56. Go to Schlitterbahn
57. Float the river in New Braunfels
58. Go to a friend’s wedding
59. Cook dinner for my parents
60. Go on a road trip
61. Pass the NCLEX – on the 1st try!!
62. Get ACLS certified (hope so, otherwise I will fail a class this semester)
63. Weigh less than my mom (for the 1st time in 10+ years)
64. Lay out and watch the stars
65. Go fishing, catch my first fish
66. Watch the sun rise
67. Watch the sun set
68. Climb a rock wall – Tech has one for free, I’ve been too nervous to ever try it
69. Learn some more Spanish words – esp. medical terms
70. Take a moonlight walk on the beach
71. Swim in the ocean
72. Make a sand castle
73. Thank a veteran
74. Bake a cake
75. Get a pedicure
76. No soda for a month
77. Monthly self breast exam –how many of us actually do it each month? It saves lives
78. Get my eyes checked
79. Floss daily
80. Eat something new at a restaurant
81. Go to movies and eat popcorn for dinner – this is really bad, but I used to do this when I was little
82. Play putt-putt
83. Go bowling
84. Learn to play real golf haha
85. Babysit for free – sometimes parents just need a break
86. Plant a flower
87. Find a Sunday school class or church group
88. Go on a date
89. Get a family picture taken
90. Let my hair grow out
91. Be a vegetarian, for ONE day
92. Go to Beaver’s Bend, Oklahoma
93. Get a printer
94. Develop some pictures and hang them up
95. Get a new watch that won’t break
96. Get new running shoes
97. Get new shorts (My old ones will no longer fit, yay!)
98. Buy a new CD
99. Attend a concert
100. Take a nap
101. Be happy

Rock 'n' Roll

I have officially signed up for a half marathon! I was starting to get some doubts about doing this, so I signed up so that I won't have an excuse not to do it! Now I have 7 weeks left to really get my training going. So far the most that I have done is 6 miles. I got some endurance to build to be able to finish this thing. But through blood, sweat, and tears, I WILL finish this(even if I have to crawl a mile or two...)

Awake!

My clock says 2:41 AM. I layed down at 11 and by 12 when I couldn't fall asleep I got up and have been playing on the computer. I may have to partake in Nyquil tomorrow night. I did sleep in today till like 10, but that shouldn't cause this problem. If this continues, I hope I end up with night clinicals! I will then have something productive to do at night. I stressed out today (like everyday I guess) about getting a job but then I came across this:
If you want to make God laugh, just try and make plans for the future.- Ron Litzler

Self Control

Self control...I lack this. I have pretty much become obsessed with working out. Probably to an unhealthy point and my body just aches. So, I was thinking about why I do what I do, and I thought "well I can control how much I work out, but I can't control what I eat" But, I technically can control what I eat, but it's soooo hard!!! I have had 3 cheats since Friday. Not good. I thought being in Lubbock would be better, but so far it has been a lot worse!! I have to get back into control, eat right, and not kill my poor tired body. (Sorry for this craziness, but this is what I've been thinking about!)

Another problem, I can not sleep. I haven't been able to since I got back to Lubbock. Probably school related anxiety...who knows. But I need sleep!! And my body needs rest! My goal for tomorrow is to sleep in.

What to do with an EXTRA hour?!

I am officially back in Lubbock, Texas, awaiting my last semester of college to start next Tuesday. Yep, LAST SEMESTER. This is exciting and scary all in one. I am so ready to be done with school, but then I don't have a clue what to do with my life. The more I think about grad school, the more I dread going down that road, but I really think one day I'll regret it not to have my masters. So that is still a possibility. Where I will be after graduation...only God knows at this point.

I got back to town around noon and had to be at work at 5:30. My plan was to try to get as unpacked as possible, work out for an hour, shower and go to work. I took a lunch break (eating peanut butter out of the jar, real healthy I know, I have to restock my grocerys ASAP) and goofed around on the computer only to look at my clock to see that it was 4:00 already!! I jumped in the shower, etc. I looked at my phone later and it was 3 something. Yep, I never changed one of my clocks back from the time change. (How long ago was that?!)

Needless to say, I had an extra hour on my hands. I couldn't workout unfortunately because then I would get all sweaty, etc. I really need to work out too because I haven't since Monday. Then, to top off my day, I checked my email finally and found out I got a scholarship!!! I couldn't be any happier and it really helps me out financially, and I won't have to stress about having to work so much, etc. I nearly cried tears of joy.

Earlier today, someone told me they got the scholarship notification and I blew it off thinking I won't get one, I never get anything, etc. I was being negative. I then did my daily devotional which was about having positive thoughts. God was speaking to me today. Thinking about it, I am a pretty negative person. It's a way I cope, not a very healthy way. If I think the worst, then I am always prepared and if something better happens, well great! So, I am going to work on this and try not to dwell so much on the negatives and think positive thoughts.

On a positive note...I had a great time being at home for the holidays. I was there for nearly a month! I was able to see Kristi for about 2 days on my way through DFW. We planned to use a cheat to get a sprinkles cupcake. I have heard about these cupcakes for nearly a year and every time I'm in Dallas something happened and we weren't able to get one. Finally I was able to get one and it was amazing!! and so worth the cheat!

2010

Well, it has been a very long time since I last blogged! It is hard when I'm at home because we don't have a computer in the house (yea, i think we're the only family in the US this way) so I have to use a computer when I can find one! I completed challenge 3 successfully for once. I met my goal and felt good about the way I was eating and working out. Since I've been home, I've lost my self control and kinda went overboard with my two weeks off from the challenge. Challenge 4 starts tommorrow, thank goodness!

I know I have to be accountable to other people and that really helps me. Also, I think I missed the support and emails from everybody. I don't feel like I have a single bit of support here, and I'm ready to get back into my school routine and buying food for myself (and not buying the bad stuff that is at my house) I don't know how I'm gonna make it through the first week of the challenge at home without using all my cheats!! I may just have to go shopping for myself, kinda pitiful, but necessary.

I'm not real big on new year's resolutions, simply because I never keep them. But I thought I would post some of my goals for this year, so maybe I'll be more accountable.

1. I want to have a daily quiet time with God. I got a devotional that I really like so far, and I plan to read the entire Bible this year. (That is also on my bucket list) I tend to push God to the bottom of my priorities and that needs to change this year.

2. I want to focus on my health and continue trying to eat right and exercise.

3. I want to run a half marathon (also on my bucket list)

4. Make decisions based on what is best for me, and not what everyone else thinks (Remind me to look back at this when I am choosing where to work)