Identity Crisis

I finally got excited about pinning ceremony and graduation in the last two days. From the last day of class till now, I've had somewhat of an identity crisis. I have been a student all my life, never had a "real job". Now all of a sudden...school if finally over...forever. I didn't know what to do with myself. The job hunt is not exactly going pleasantly and I hope to have a job by January/February. I was seriously feeling kind of depressed and feeling useless as I felt I wasn't using much intellectual power. I know the day will come when I get a job and enter the "real world"...finally after all these years.

I hope this last extra few years of schooling will lead to happiness in the future. I see my friends who are my age and have been working the last few years after getting their bachelor degrees and I am envious that they are established, saving money for a future. And here I am...freaking out about how to pay my student loan when July rolls around. That very expensive USF tuition have better been worth it! Well, I guess it has seeing I met some very superfantabulous people during nursing school. I can't believe these next two days are the last we'll all be together...for a while. It's going to be difficult to get together for a reunion with everyone present. I wish everyone a successful future. We are all great nurses and I truly believe the world is a better place because we are a bunch of overachieving, compassionate, and freaking smart nurses...and of course we will ... "utilize our degrees as masters prepared nurses" =P

Tis the Holidays!

All I have to say is that I am super excited about December. And end of November. To kick off the holidays, we'll have a big yummy dinner on Wednesday night. Yes Wednesday, cuz Thursday we're going up to Reno for a Chinese concert! Raymond Lam, man! Woohoo! So maybe we can bring our leftovers up there and a microwave lol. j/k. And of course our annual black Friday shopping. Just cuz Jessica and I are in Reno doesn't mean that'll stop us. The outlet at Sparks, NV is opening at midnight on Thursday...technically Friday. So we'll be there. Just be sure we buy from national retailers so we can return stuff when we get home. Shopping with lack of sleep (or drunk) usually leads to unnecessary purchases....or more so than usual.

I believe there is some snowboarding on Saturday...which for me just means I can bring a good book and ipod and read in the cabin while I people watch. My fave activity...or non-moving activity.

And then....last week of class...and then just lots of birthdays in Dec and GRADUATION of course! And hopefully somewhere in there, I will find a J-O-B. Can't wait to bust out those wines we purchased in Napa! YUM!

Shopping ban failure

Well my shopping ban didn't last long. It lasted 10 days. I am not even talking about the $37 I spent at Schecky's GNO last night. I just bought something on Forever21.com. Argh!! Cuz I "needed" it. But in my defense...and to rationalize...I am returning a pair of shoes that costs about the same amount as my new purchase. I need help. My closet has no more free hangers and I am definitely not saving money. As a matter of fact, it's amazing if I don't dip too far into my savings. Okay no more shopping!!!! I don't "need" anything....except some new yoga pants and a black cardigan (which is so darn hard to find). I wonder if I got more clothes to sell....maybe I'll just start shopping/trading my clothes at Crossroads.

Shopaholics Anonymous...here I come. My name is Chrisy and I can't stop shopping...."Hi Chrisy....."

JUICE-CEY!

I love the little Juicy Couture charms. I hang them on my purses. It just brings a bit of color and sparkle and you can change it up all the time depending on your mood. Jessica brought to my attention a new charm...and I WANT IT!!! I looooooove sushi! I'd die if they made a salmon nigiri one.

Life Passing Me By

I feel like life is passing by so quickly. I don't even know where the time goes. Week after week, it seems like Monday comes faster than that guy running in the Comcast commercial. It's starting to scare me that graduation is coming, which means I am finally entering into the "adult world". Although excitement probably trumps the fear I feel. I cannot wait till I get a job and live life without homework and have a paycheck! I've been bummed about the lack of job prospects but at the same time, I realize it's just another life process with a lesson I can learn from. Hopefully, the rough job search will make me stronger and more appreciative of the job I will have in the future.... although sometimes, I hope a job will just fall into my lap. As much as I love challenges and overcoming them, it'd be nice to have good things just come my way sometimes. I am veeeery anxious to experience the joy and pride I will have when I finally land a job because I know I have worked hard for it. So until then, it's finishing the last few weeks of school, assignments, and practicum.

Which speaking of graduation, I am still bummed my grandpa is not around to see it. I know he would be the one most proud and appreciative of my success in academics. Unfortunately, he never even made it to see my high school graduation, much less college and now grad school graduation. I know he's proud, but I just wish I had the opportunity to see his face at least once as I walk across a stage in my cap and gown.

Fun > School

This summer was awesome. It was a much needed break filled with fun times...besides the numerous rejection letters in response to my job hunt. I have gotten so much closer to many of my friends. Nursing school was definitely impeding friendships, considering I spent most of my time spewing out papers or buried in a book.

However, I am having waaaay too much fun for my own good. I have extended Summer for an extra 4 weeks by now and should probably get my head grounded into the idea of WRITING MY COMP EXAM! Senioritis...or whatever the grad school equivalent of that is totally kicking in. Not only am I graduating soon, but I don't have to be in school ever, ever again in 2 months and 29 days or something. With that idea looming in the near future, how am I suppose to flip my brain back on one last time?

Turning 25...it's quite depressing actually. I have been in school forever. I don't think turning 25 would be as bad if I was working and feeling more productive. I mean, school is productive...but I'm ready to be in the "real world." Although thinking about the process, like interviews and such, makes my stomach churn and makes me wanna vomit like I did on my birthday. Haha. The only positive I can think of for growing old is that my future birthdays will consist of more fun activities since I'd have a paycheck. Oh and hopefully, I'd be wiser. And my wisdom tells me I should go work on my comp now...

But what's a post without some pictures hahaha. Visual highlights of summer:

Trying on these stretchable clothes at Walgreens.

Ice-skating on Cheryl's birthday!

Dinner for sept. nurses @ Hotei

Post-ugly pics.

At a very small bar.

Beating the Dodgers.

Giants game #15 or something

#16? with crazy bleachers people!

quarter century birthday

Miss Lovely who goes disappearing for weeks at a time!

The Vegas Crew...next weekend! Man, so much for getting back into school-mode!

Postcards

I absolutely looooooooooove getting postcards from my flight attendant cousin (and from myself when I get to travel!). I am so jealous of how many corners of the world my cousin has seen. Lucky for me, he sends me a little piece of whatever city he is in....some of the time haha. But over the last 3 years, I have collected so many postcards, it no longer fit in that little bulletin board I originally purchased. Thus, I came up with this $3.00 solution.

- Bamboo stick: free from the backyard....my mom had leftovers =P
- Twine: $1.50 from Daiso
- Mini clothespin: $1.50 from Daiso.

I like that it's not very structured and I can definitely fit more postcards. I'm pretty sure I was inspired by the seashell display featured in the backyard post =P