Delightful

I was working out upstairs when I looked out my window and saw my dad, brother and his son washing the boat to prepare it for summer. How delightful!

Utah Decision

On the positive side, I already decided (and am very excited) to go to UA regardless of what the U said. On the negative side, getting in would have been a huge ego boost. I didn't get in. I guess 2 out of 3 isn't so bad. I suppose it makes my reasons for going to UA a lot easier to explain and I get a lesson in humility!

Contacts Update and Sequoia Trip

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement for my new contacts. I went for my check-up on Tuesday and the prescription was wrong. I'm not totally surprised. My eyes were super watery and blurry from having a foreign object in them - it's amazing they were even close. The new contacts are much better and my doctor ordered one with astigmatism correction for my left eye. The problem we have is my astigmatism is not quite bad enough for them to make contacts to correct it but bad enough that it really bothers me. My left eye is pretty close though so my doctor wants to try the contact as my eye will make less of an adjustment with it than it currently does. So I'm sticking with it and each day is a bit better.

Other than the contacts, it's been a pretty exciting week. Last weekend I went to Sequoia National Park with some church friends. It was so nice to get away! We drove down on Friday night and went to the park on Saturday. Amazingly enough, no adventures to report - we didn't get lost, have car trouble or any real drama. Almost felt like something was missing... Four of us managed to wear bright red/orange shirts so we looked like a family at an amusment park. Anyway, I would highly recommend visiting Sequoia and would love the chance to spend more time there. The trees are amazing - my description wouldn't do them justice so you'll just have to go yourself.

My friend Kristen invited me to go climbing in Yosemite the same weekend as Sequoia and since I'd already committed I convinced her to take me another time. I've been nervous about this climb as it's 3 pitches and 200 (or so) feet and thus motivated to practice. This week I climbed a 5.8 on one of the high walls at City Beach. For those of you who don't know - that's pretty dang great! You can all revel in my coolness - it's okay.

Last, but certainly not least, today I was rearended. Yes, someone had the audacity to hit the back of my employer's car while I was driving. I don't think it's going to be a big deal - but it certainly made for an exciting day!

Shouldn't I see better???

I got my first pair of contact lenses today. You'd think I'd be able to see better but I think there must be a disconnect between my eyes and my brain because I have to stare at something for a second before my eyes focus. That, and I feel like every muscle in my head is actively trying to thrust the contacts out or keep them attached to my eyeballs. Very odd I must say. I've had an overwhelming desire to close my eyes for the last 3 hours. Only 1 more hour to go...

New Baby Dayne!

We have a new baby in our family!!! Dayne J. Maren was born Friday, March 9. The J. represents all the "J" women in her life and heritage (I'm one of them!). Last week was crazy and I didn't manage to blog but I'm so thrilled she's here, healthy and beautiful.

Accepted

It's official! I am heading to Tucson, AZ for nursing school and will be sponsered by Tucson Medical Center (TMC). I've known for a while that I was accepted due to some hints from a certain employee but I couldn't be excited (or make plans) until I knew for sure. I've been stalking my mailbox for a week now so I thought it would be anticlimatic but I still cried. My mom felt the need to take pictures that I will probably feel the need to destroy. I had just finished working out so I was sweating and crying. Lovely. For those who are wondering about the U, I haven't heard yet. They said they would send out letters in the beginning of April. Regardless of their answer and barring any unforeseen angelic manifestations, I am planning on going to UA. As for my reasons, they are many and varied.

1. They pay for my tuition, books and fees. That's $27500 I don't have to borrow.
2. I have a job waiting for me when I graduate.
3. I am really impressed with TMC (that list is very long and boring for most people).
4. Tucsonites were the friendliest people I've ever met.
5. It's a fun new adventure!
6. I probably won't have the allergies I have in SLC.
7. There are lots of fun things to do including a National Park.
8. Most importantly, I feel really good about it.

Okay, there are lots of other reasons but my brother just came over and people are talking.

**I should have posted these photos when I first returned but here are a couple pictures of the UA campus. Beautiful, don't you think?

It's taken some getting used to but I really enjoy my job. Yesterday, I went to the zoo (I loved this giraffe). Today, storytime at the library and McDonald's playland. Last week, a long walk and tree climbing in Sycamore Grove. Games, tag, reading, parks... ahhh, being a nanny is definately a lovely thing. It certainly helps that the girls I watch are sweet, well-behaved, and (generally) easy-going.

No word yet from nursing programs. I expect to hear from UA any day now. We had a false alarm on Monday. My mom called and said I had two big envelopes from the admissions office. Seems they just wanted to send more transfer information. Then today I woke up thinking, "Today's the day". I felt very confident about it until I came home and NOTHING!!! I called the U today and they aren't sending letters until April! Great. In the meantime, I'll continue to stalk my mailbox. I hope the US Postal Service isn't getting nervous about me...

And lastly, in a couple of weeks I'm going to Sequoia National Park with some friends from my ward. Roadtrip!!! Roadtrip!!! Roadtrip!!! (You'd think I hadn't been on one for a while. Oh, that's right. I haven't) Roadtrip!!!

Tucson

I never finished writing about my Tucson trip. The short version, I really liked it. The people were super friendly - everyone I met gave me a recommendation for something to do and a place to eat. Needless to say, I'll have to go back to do all of it. For the more curious, here's the rundown...

Sunday: I went to the 3rd ward, late (of course) because I couldn't find a place to park. My neighbors (in the chapel) introduced themselves and welcomed me. I thought it was a good start. I was obviously inspired to attend the 3rd ward because all the people I knew were in it. Jennifer (the UA Nursing Admin) introduced me to her cousin Teresa who invited me to dinner at Jennifer's family home. Seriously, you have to be the friendliest people ever to invite a stranger to family dinner!

Monday: Friday night at the hospital orientation meeting I made arrangements to shadow in the trauma unit at University Medical Center. IT WAS AMAZING! I really, really liked it. We had 4 level 2 (white) traumas. 2 of them were kids who fell off 4-wheelers (note to self). A guy who was in meth wash-out and rolled his truck into a bar (ironic, slightly funny and seriously pissed off the resident). The last trauma was a car accident but nothing too serious. At that point I was more interested in the head injury that was causing excitement. I got to help hold him down for a procedure he wasn't too thrilled about. Anyway, when I made the arrangements to shadow they said most people stay for about 2 hours, I was there for 7. At that point I decided I'd better go before I passed out and became their next patient. But, as my brother pointed out, the biggest indication of my complete bliss during those 7 hours - I only went to the bathroom once. I know, it's amazing. I wouldn't believe it either.

So after my amazing day at the hospital I went to dinner with Teresa and then to FHE. I still don't have a strong grasp on what the single world is like for the older crowd but I really enjoyed Tucson and I'm hopeful. At this point I'm leaning (heavily) toward UA. I'd be a new adventure. I think I'm ready for that.