Saturday, March 31, 2012

Do you know how to eat an elephant?

One bite at a time.

I know that's completely random, especially since I haven't posted on here in nearly a year. We're still here. We're finally within shouting distance of me finishing nursing school and our family resuming a less hectic schedule. T-minus 35 days & counting until graduation day -- only 30 days until I take my last test for school (still have to take the boards some time this summer for licensure). And, just to make myself feel better, that 35 days includes 5 more lecture days, 6 more tests, 2 more labs, and 2 more clinicals. Wow, it feels so good to be so close to finishing! When I started (taking prerequisites) three years ago and then the nursing program at JSCC two years ago, it felt like it would be forever. It has both flown by & crept by like the slowest turtle ever. When people ask me how I can be going to school, working semi-full time (I work 30+ hrs/week when school is in session & take annual leave to fill in), and taking care of two kids & a husband, I usually answer, "I don't get much sleep, and I drink too much caffeine." It's the truth. I should probably add, "I only get to see my extended family on holidays; I haven't been on a real date with my husband in three years (except b-days); my house & home (those are two different things to me) is in a nearly constant state of chaos; and I feel like I am an octopus and something is pulling on every one of my arms/tentacles." Yep, that pretty much covers it. I am waiting for a little while to say whether it's all been worth it. I'm really hoping it has been. :)

Anyways, I was reminded of that joke from this post about Organizing Life on Simple Mom, and wanted to share it. My friend and classmate, Lauren, and my sister-in-law, Lynsey, and I adopted the saying, "Just keep swimming," from the Finding Nemo movie as our nursing school motto. It was fitting, and so is this joke. The only way to get through something so overwhelming (whether it's school, a huge project at home or work, or a tragedy), is to take it one step (or one bite) at a time while keeping your eye on the goal.