happiness :)

So I'm sitting here on a Saturday night, bored and done with work, but happy - for several reasons.

First reason - I set a goal tonight of $80 in tips tonight, which would not only pay off the rest of my classes for the spring semester, but also my phone bill due on Monday. I made $82! SCORE! Even though paying for things isn't so fun, it's always nice being able to actually pay them off by myself, with my hard earned (very hard earned...) cash :)

Second reason - I talked to my long lost friend, David, and he's conducting the pit orchestra in a musical called "Into the Woods" in March. I'm going to play the flute/piccolo part! Since deciding and going head first into nursing school, I haven't had time for anything music related, which makes this an incredible opportunity. Not only do I get to do something that I love and miss and get to hang out with old friends, but I get paid for doing it! :)


Third reason - On Wednesday, I took my 2nd to last lecture exam and lab practical for anatomy! Do you know what this means?! I am officially three quarters of the way DONE with human anatomy (AND medical terminology)!!! I cannot believe how much I've learned and how much confidence I've gained just since late August, and it's all thanks to this class and my professor, Dr. Pikul (yes, he pronounces it "pickle", ha!). This class has pushed me to my limits in every aspect possible, but I am so proud of myself for getting to this point. I've never felt this smart before, never been so proud of getting A's on my tests, never ever ever studied this hard for anything in my life. It's funny to think that just some class has boosted my self-esteem, but it truly has and I'm so glad that I've benefited from it so much! I still have several more prerequisites to take before the actually "nursing school" part, but I'm looking forward to everything I still get to learn. I'll be taking microbiology, communications and nutrition next semester, then after will come chemistry, physiology, human development, sociology and psychology. So much learning = so much fun!


Fourth reason - The happiness that came from my Kauai trip with Frank and his parents still hasn't worn off. I cannot physically describe how incredibly amazing it was. I fell even more in love (if that's possible) with Frank, had a blast getting to know his parents better, saw so many wonderful things, got to experience new things like snorkeling, eat delicious food, swim in the ocean almost every day....I could literally list off things for days. Frank and I want to eventually live there (seriously) - it is so gorgeous. One week there was much too short and I was so sad to leave and come back to reality and life. It was just wonderful to take a break from everything, spend quality time with people I love on a gorgeous island. I can't wait to go back! ...and I will, you'll see!


And so, to end tonight's entry, here are some pictures from Kauai - yay!

first glimpse of Kauai!!

coconut grove right next to our hotel!

looking over 'Spouting Horn'

SNORKELING!

us at a luau!

sue and i at the luau :)

traditional hawaiian food, including poi!

right outside (and downstairs) from our room!

looking out over the gorgeous canyons

hanalei bay...amazing!

i could LIVE on this - eggs, hashbrowns and SPAM!!

sunburnt :(

sitting on the beach, AT NIGHT, looking at the stars and listening to the waves...absolutely perfect

hawaiian shaved ice is incredible!! WAY better than snowcones

frank literally spent 3 hours tearing away at a coconut. he got it open, only to find out it was rotten, lol :(

hawaiian NENE'S! :)

local hawaiian farmer's market!! i got to try starfruit and sunrise papayas...yuuummm

the beach right outside our hotel :)

looking out at the lighthouse

at the top of Kauai...so gorgeous :)

...and the ones who made this incredible trip possible :)

BEST TRIP EVER.