Saturday, June 28, 2008

Web Cam

I just got a web cam so I can stay in touch with family and friends while in Spain! It has some silly features that I had to play around with. Here are some "GREAT" photos for your enjoyment!



Also, I took the GRE this morning. I am so glad to be done and I got a score that I was hoping for. Unfortunately I woke up with the worst stiff neck. It hurt throughout the exam and is now moving into my other shoulder. Hopefully it will be gone by this evening!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Notary

Notarizing things is a pain in the butt. I had to get my nursing boards application notarized and get a money order. The government sure puts a lot of red tape into an easy process.

Anyway, it was quite a challenge getting the notary. The first couple of places (banks) didn't even have a notary there. Then I went to one bank and I had accidentally signed it beforehand (I know...not very smart of me). I pleaded, even asking if I could sign again or anything. She said that would be breaking the law. Then I went to my other bank, which happens to be right next door to the other. The woman was completely pleasant and she had me resign and she notarized it.

Now, if I was smarter, I would have noticed that I needed a money order. I ran home to place my app in the mail and realized they didn't take personal checks. BOOOO!

Now for good news:
1.
I'm a part of a market research team and I get paid $50 for my time to smell things and use free products and get interviewed. This time I smelled some fragrances and answered a questionnaire in 30 min and got $50. I need that since I'm going to take a summer class that will probably cost me $1000.

2.
I met with my prof concerning my master's degree and she had to shuffle classes around and I will graduate in Dec '09. It was a miracle b/c there is a set schedule, but it so happened that some classes were offered certain quarters, so she worked with me to make it happen! I'm quite excited!

Now for the GRE on Saturday and NCLEX (boards) in early August!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Our Visas

Dan and I went to St. Louis for his high school reunion. Even though he went to high school in Portugal, the person that set up the reunion lives in St. Louis. It was my first time there and I really enjoyed the city. It is very beautiful but extremely dead. The architecture is beautiful, but there was no one in the city.

I met Dan's classmates and they were all very kind. It was a great pleasure to put faces with the stories that I had heard and meet some wonderful people.

On our way out of St. Louis, we were able to stop and my aunt and uncle's place. They are a fantastic family with 6 kids. They are going to be living in Italy this year, so we are hoping to meet up with them this fall! They cooked dinner for us and we had a lovely time chatting about living in Europe and creating blogs. I'm sure their's will be much more up-beat :)

We went to Chicago after our MO trip. Monday we learned how to play "Rock Band" drums, guitar and sing. I had such a fun time. I might have to get that game someday...along with Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart, Mario Striker...

On Tuesday we had an interview at the Spanish Consulate at noon. We were 2 hours early and they let us in after a short wait. I was impressed that it went so quickly. They took all our paperwork and said they'd contact us when it's ready. Unfortunately, we are dealing with southern Europe. We have to go back to Chicago to pick up the visas in 5-6 weeks. That's a lot of traveling, but it is always great to see our great friend, GRANT! He is always quite hospitable and we enjoy hanging out with him.

Today we got back to Cincinnati. I have to study for the GRE, so I ran through a practice test. I'm not impressed with my scores, but they should be sufficient.

Dan is off to play soccer, so I'll go back to studying for a bit.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Chillin' Out!

So, y'all have to forgive me for the previous posts. I was in an emotional state (when am I not?) and I wrote down everything that I was feeling. Now I will be a bit better. I'm not guaranteeing that the content will be interesting, but I am opening up to the public.

I hope to capture the summer:

GRE
NCLEX
packing for Spain

and then eventually:
Spain

I wish I was quippy! I know that isn't a word. How about witty?

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Spanish Visa

The last thing I thought would happen after graduation is more stress. Today I met with the Student Health Insurance ppl. They were nice, but couldn't help me do a thing.

I had my travel physical and the NP was very kind. She didn't do anything really. She'll write me a letter for the visa.

The Meds Pub NCLEX review is going on now. Two days done, two to go. It's been a bit boring. I was hoping for more content, but she just goes over questions. I LOVE studying!

As for the GRE, I'm getting nervous even though I don't have to get a great score. I wish that I didn't have to take it, but it will be great when it's over.

As for now, I'm going to finish the math studying. The essays are what I'm scared of.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

I'm a Nurse!

I am done! I was finished with my last final at noon on Tuesday. I was so happy to have completed the year with 3 A's. Dan and I celebrated by going out to lunch with Bob and Juanita Prugh. They are a loving couple at our church and I was so thankful to spend the afternoon with them!

This week has been a bit lazy. I have been trying to get the rest of my paperwork in for UC grad school. I also registered for the NCLEX (can't set a date yet) and organized stuff for the GRE. I should be studying, but I find other things to do.

I am in the process of ordering a library book embosser for Brian. We went out to dinner with him and Victoria and told him for graduation that we wanted to get him the embosser. It's a hard gift to pick out because it's so personal, so we let him pick the design. Now we just have to order it.

I got Office 2007 and it had a note program that I'm quite interested in, but that took a couple of hours of my day. I really need to study!

The Sowers/Thoman Wedding is this weekend. We'll go tomorrow morning and try to be of use. I'm excited for them!

Also, the Euro is going on. Portugal won their first 2 games, so they are through to the next round!!!!

Time is flying by. Matt and Marah are going to visit over the 4th of July. I'm quite excited.

Time to work again and time to plan Mom and Dad's trip to Spain!

Friday, June 6, 2008

the stress is settling

I am done with my presentations and 1 final so that means I have 1 final left on Tuesday and I'm done with my undergraduate degree!

Two days ago I got the acceptance letter from UC that said that I was admitted in the master's program. It will be an online program so I can move to Spain with Dan and take classes as well! I'm very excited, but I need to find funding!

Dan just finished teaching, so we can focus on cleaning up and packing our apartment. I will also be studying for my nursing boards and GRE. I'll be taking the GRE on June 28th and hopefully the boards at the end of July or beginning of August.

oooo...craziness. What am I doing?