I have a job!!

Well, I passed all of my tests! Now I will drive my company car! HA! :) Today is the last day and we are practicing our doctor calls. I have completed one, only 6 more to go!
Tomorrow I am headed home--I am ready to get back! Hopefully I will get to move in the next few weeks...I am so ready for some extra space--I will need it with this job and all of the materials we have to store!

Passed the First Test

So, I passed my first test, but tomorrow there's another one and it's a biggie! I really hope I pass it! Nothing like spending 1 1/2 weeks here and then bombing a test...it's got so many numbers on it--I just hope I can keep them straight! I am ready to come home...it's been a long 1 1/2 weeks and I know the kids are missing me (well, I hope at least!)...
Well, I gotta get back to studying...I HAVE TO PASS THIS TEST!!
Say a little prayer--it's at 8 a.m. Wednesday!

Test Prayer

Dear 8 lb, 6 oz baby Jesus,

Please let me pass my exam tomorrow!

Thanks!

Tomorrow is Test #1!!

Well, I have spent today studying...hoping to pass my first test tomorrow! I am so nervous--I hope I can remember all of this stuff! I am about to go to the bookstore and buy the "Diabetes for Dummies" book so that maybe some of the basics will click! I feel like such a Dummy!
I still have some papers to write for Harper's class too but I have had ZERO free time! I REALLY hope he's understanding...this is such an intense 2 weeks. After this, I think things will be a lot better! I am on the home stretch...only one week left here--but it's our busiest week!
I bought the kids some Chicago postcards yesterday and I think they will enjoy the pictures! Weston's is of course Wrigley Field since it's teeball season and he is engrossed in teeball. Kylie's is just a picture of downtown Chicago, but I think she will like seeing where Mommy is at.
On a personal note, I am growing and coming to some realizations...but I am trying to keep a steady pace at them. I can't afford any distractions while I am here--this is my job, my livelihood...So, please pray that my eyes will be opened as well as my heart in a few areas.
Well, it's back to the books--I tried osmosis already and it didn't work!! :)

The Windy City

Well, I am still here...it's Friday night and I am just trying to "veg" out and relax. It has been so busy and demanding this past week. But it has flown by. Our test is Monday a.m. I am going to try and study a little bit at a time and hopefully I will get it by then! We have 7 diagrams to draw, essays, fill in the blank, and multiple choice...I am petrified!!
So, today I found a horrible varicose vein on my leg. YUCK. Might as well turn 30 right now if I am going to get all the "kodger" benefits early!! I can tell what my first bonus check will be used for!! :)
It's weird sitting here all by myself...the gang went downtown tonight to eat and have a few drinks, but I just didn't have it in me. I guess all of the stress has just drained me. I've also been sick this week, so I guess I am just worn out. I am behind on my school work too...I pray Harper is forgiving. I will have to show him our binder of study material for this test--that will evoke empathy in anyone!!

Training in Chicago

Well, I am on Day 2 of training here in Chicago! It is going wonderfully--I think I am really, really going to like this company and like my new job! The company's culture is very relaxed and family-oriented. They want you to feel comfortable, enjoy yourself, and have fun. Why? Because they know that you will do a great job! So, I am glad that this opportunity came my way!
We just got back from dinner--some Bob Chinn's Restaurant? Anyway, it was great! I had tilapia (of course)!
On a personal note, I am ready to get into my new home, have an office (which is vital for this job), and spread out a bit. I am ready for my space, ready for some windows!

Leadership Assessment

Well, I am busy writing my leadership assessment for class. I have been so frantically busy this week--and I haven't even left my home! Crazy! But between the two beasts (school and work), I have been reading and typing my little fingers to the bone. Anyway, I have been doing my leadership assessment and amazingly (ha) I scored low in the balancing tensions area. HHHMM...Ok, so it's probably right. With questions like "Do you embrace uncertainty?" and "I don't like my job to have too much structure." it's obvious that I am going to score low. I like knowing the future, having a handle on things. It's just my comfort level. I don't like surprises...hey, I was the kid that knew all of my Christmas presents BEFORE Christmas. Why? Not because I was nosey, but because I couldn't stand the thought of getting something I didn't like--my disappointment would be written on my face. So, I would peek, practice my surprise (that masks the disappointment) and go on. Anyone that knows me knows that my feelings are usually written ALL OVER MY FACE!

Quote of the Day

"If you think the grass is greener on the other side...maybe you should water your lawn."

Without a Doubt

Doubt--it's such an awful feeling. It creates anxiety, fear, and is just plain miserable. It's this small burning feeling that something isn't as it seems, that you just can't take someone at their word. It's an emotional roller coaster--because your body literally tries to fight it. Your mind says, "No really, it's OK." But, your heart says, "Yeah right, you fool." Doubt is that friend that keeps you from making the biggest mistake of your life. Doubt is also the enemy that won't let you relax and enjoy the view.
I have doubt. Doubt about a lot of things. And this doubt won't leave. I ask one person about my doubts and they affirm them. I ask another and they say I am just overreacting. Why? Because only I can face doubt on my own. Doubt won't back down to someone else's rationale.
So, I will fight my battle until I can't fight anymore. Then, I will look my doubt in the face and walk away from it. Because the truth about doubt--I can only take so much.

Behind

I swear I am a day late and a dollar short these days...geez. I can't seem to get ahead--I might get close to catching up at times, but I don't do that most days. So, today I am buckling down and kicking it into gear--I have to catch up on my reading for work, I have laundry that is clean, folded and ready to be put away that WILL be put away today!
This past weekend was quite interesting. We went to Branson to Big Cedar for Easter and I felt like I was running in circles the entire time. Between the two kids, I was exhausted. First Weston puked his way to Branson on Friday--boy, was that fun. About every 10 miles, we were stopping for him to try and throw up. Funny thing was he never did--until we couldn't pull over. I heard it coming--the big burp was the clue! So, I threw a sack back at him just in time and here it came! I felt so bad for him--but happy, too. He had been trying for 70 miles to get it out!
Once we got there, he felt better--but then Kylie decided to show her true colors and act like a toot. So, I was off to my next battle. The rest of the weekend was a little better, but I was so far behind on rest and relaxation that by the time Sunday got here--I had no nerves. Not a one.
So, here I am--alone and ready to study, maybe I can catch up today!!

Drowning in diabetes

I know I said this post would be about Guatemala, but I really want to discuss that when I have more time to do so. Right now, I am in a break between writing a paper for class and studying my work stuff. I am really panicking on this test--there is a TON, I mean a TON of information!!! I am drowning in diabetes. I can't keep all of the "G" words straight--guess I'll have to make myself some flashcards. I really need to soak this stuff up! So, if you are reading this, please say a little prayer for me--specifically pray for peace (in all areas of my life right now), good study habits, retention, and an awesome test score!! Thank you in advance.
So, anyway, it's day 4 of home study. I am enjoying the time outside of the corporate environment and I know that I will really enjoy this job. It will be so nice to be out and about and meeting new people. The demand of school and studying for this work test is killing me though. But I can't quit school now--I am way TOO close. So, I just have to use my time wisely!
Well, that's all for now--it's back to studying for me.

I'm BAAAACCCKKK!!!

Ok, SO sorry about the extremely long delay between posts--it won't happen again, I promise. I has just been crazy, crazy busy lately. So much tell, but I don't know if I have enough time to get it all in. So, we'll start with my birthday weekend. I had my official "last" birthday on March 9th--no more. I REFUSE to turn 30. I'm not joking, so quit snickering. No more. 29 is enough. My birthday was pretty good I must say. I got $50 from my little brother (I'm still trying to determine what he is sucking up for!!) My parents got me a portable printer for 4x6 prints--it's awesome! No more driving to Wal-Mart for ONE print--I can do it at home! :) BUT, the best birthday present of all....a NEW job! YEAH ME! Yes, I finally landed the coveted drug rep position that I have been desiring for a long time. No more corporate life for me. So, I put my notice in first thing Monday after I found out (on my birthday) and that's when the fun began...talk about black-balling. I was not Miss Popular that's for sure. My boss was mad because "she was the last to know." HHMMM, let's see I think she was warned twice about being cut off from my personal life. Plus, who tells their boss they are looking for other employment?? So, my last day was last Friday and NO going-away party!! What jerks. I thought it was rude....well, let me clarify one thing first. My coworkers wanted to do something for me, however my boss (who I guess was offended by the "last to know" syndrome) told them no. So much for 6 loyal years. I'll remember that. OH well...it made leaving all the easier--I checked out of there around 2 that day. No need staying for that stuff. Ok, back to birthday weekend. So anyway, went to dinner and a movie (I didn't pick the movie and it was obvious--Reno 911! Hey, I thought it was MY birthday weekend??) Jokes aside, I did have a good time on my birthday--it will be a memorable one. 29 isn't so bad, but signs of 30 are already creeping in. I guess I will live it up while I can.
So, this new job--I started today!! I really think I am going to like it. I just have to get past the first month of training and the exam. You are required to make an 85% or you are terminated. No pressure. I have two weeks of "home study" where I get to study on my own and then I go to Chicago for two weeks. If I can just pace myself, I think I will be fine. Well, that's enough for now. I still have school homework to do not to mention that studying I just told you about. Ok, I promise my next post will be about Guatemala and I will put a picture in there too!
That's it for now--I promise no more delays!!