The Endocrine System

I can tell you a lot about it. Ha! Did you know the hypothalamus in your brain controls lots of your hormones? It is the 'brain' of hormones. Then you have your pituitary glands, thyroid, adrenal glands, etc. All this and I wish I could have gone to Disney today.

At least I played with my blog between work. Breaks are good. I think I'm out of anatomy brain cells for the day. I'm gonna go light some candles and take a bath.

New template!

I thought it was time for a change. I will most likely put my other one back up after the holidays and/or winter.

Pressing question! How do I center the picture in the header? Thanks if you can help!

UPDATE: I figured it out while taking a break from schoolwork. :)

Update Update: I'm not sure I like it. It doesn't feel as spacious. I like space. What do you think? Be honest!

Picker Noser

Nose picker. Have one, two, or even three of those? I have one.

She picks her nose at night and fills her bed with her treasures. The problem? I don't know. Is it really a problem to sleep with boogers? It doesn't seem to bother her in the least. My problem? Well, I don't have to sleep with them so they're no bother to me. My sister's problem? She sleeps underneath Bug in a bunk bed. Still not that big of a deal since they are contained relatively well.

Then what's the point of this post? Ah yes, well there is a dilemma. How do I safely and effectively change her sheets without all her delectable treasures falling onto my sister's bed? Therein lies the humor and problem. It's not really my problem but I do threaten my sister with Bug's boogers.

Bug's sheets are in the washing machine right now. I hope not too many landed on my sister's bed. {wink}

Race!

At midnight tonight, I can register for my spring 2010 classes. I'll see how it goes but I'm thinking I will stay awake to register. Classes are competitive. I will be registering for Chemistry for nursing majors, intermediate algebra and ethics that will count as 45 contact hours towards my RN.

I'm nervous about how insanely busy I will be. Not just because I will be taking 13 units but because I will actually be taking 14 units which will equate to another 100 hours on my biology internship. This will roughly be another six hours a week on top of my other three classes. Chemistry alone will take up my entire life.

*If I'm not registered in at least 12 units (full time), my financial aid status gets modified and my aid will be downwardly modified accordingly. While this wouldn't be the end of the world, I'm comfortable with the money I *know* I will be getting. I don't know how much less I would get. Ideally, I'd like to just take chemistry and my biology internship. I don't need intermediate algebra or ethics to apply to the nursing program offered at my school. However, I will be applying at multiple schools. Each of which has their own set of criteria classes they would like to see I've taken.

The other two major classes I need to complete is physiology and microbiology. I will take physiology during the summer and microbiology in fall 2010. I should then be able to apply to the nursing program at my school which has a 2 year wait list. I will keep applying to surrounding schools as I meet their criteria. I should have my AA after I complete physical education.

So, yippee for midnight! The race is on!

*GASP*

I've barely picked up my camera this month. I know, I know. I do have some pics to upload. I will try to share soon.

Shame. Shame. Can I float my camera to my computer like Harry Potter so I can upload my pics now without getting up? Ah yes, I digress. I will do it soon.

Did you notice in the sidebar I finally updated our pics? I mean, it's only been what, six months?

Here are a few pics from the girls' Christmas modeling shoot and don't take my word for it on how cute these pics are. See for youself:

A trying day

I am laying in bed right now. Cheese is sleeping peacefully by my side. Her leg, always over mine. Candles are burning.

And here I am, pondering life. I wonder when this "canker sore" (a metaphor) will ever get better or go away. It reared it's ugly head today. I don't want or need this stress. This constant open wound that never heals. Eating at my very soul. How much more can I take? The anxiety has crippled me at times, leaving me feeling hopeless. And yet, I fight. I have no choice. I have to put one foot in front of the other.

Cheese had a play date today with a little girl from her preschool class. This was a big sacrifice for me. I felt pressure. The mom and I had been talking about getting together for three weeks. Of my own fault, we hadn't been able to get together. So today I sacrificed a quiet morning at home with Cheese and I chillin' in our pjs and me doing schoolwork to go play. The girls had a great time but it literally took up the entire time before I had to pick Bug up from school. From there I had to shower and go to my speech class.

I have yet to do math which I will have a quiz on tomorrow. And frankly, as I'm snuggled in bed with candles going, why would I want to get up and do math? I am drained from my emotionally exhausting day due to my "canker sore." The last thing I want to do is something that will challenge my brain. I just want to veg.

Tomorrow is a new day and I am thankful for this. May God be walking along side me tomorrow as I really need to feel him right now.

The Climb

Remember when I posted this? This song brings me encouragement in relation to my journey through school.

I can almost see it
That dream I’m dreaming..

I can. I see the end in sight. My hard work, it's paying off. I have three more major classes to complete and then I can apply for nursing school: chemistry, physiology, and microbiology.

I Got to keep trying
Got to keep my head held high
The struggles I’m facing,
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes they knock me down but
No I’m not breaking
But these are the moments that
I’m going to remember most yeah
Just got to keep going
And I,
I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

I am pushing on! I am doing this. I am a single mumma setting an example for my girls. I have two more semesters and I can apply for nursing school! The end really is in sight.

Not only is the end in sight, the end is in sight for this semester. I will be completing anatomy, math and speech.

I can't wait.

Another day is gone

I'm still all alone. How could this be? You're not here with me. You never said goodbye. Someone tell me why. Did you have to go and leave my world so cold?

Then, something whispers in my ear and says, "You are not alone. I am here with you, though you're far apart, I am here to stay." ~excerpts from Michael Jackson You are not alone.

Dear my beloved R,

I know you are with me. I feel you everyday. I sense you watching over Bug and I. Bug is all your dreams come true. She is a beautiful and amazing little girl. Me? I wonder every single day what our life would be like as our happily ever after. You were the perfect compliment to me. The person who completed my sentences, the person who understood me as no one else did. I await the time we will reunite in heaven.

Love, your fiance

A depressing post, eh? That's what happens when songs move me. Here I lie (lay?) in bed, unable to sleep. I am listening to music on my iPod. Reminiscing to happy times with my best friend, my lover and father of our child. Eight and a half years later and here I am single and without him.

My only complaint is having him absent in our lives. We are otherwise happy. I thank God everyday for the incredible blessing he bestowed upon us. I don't take one minute for granted. Life can change in a few seconds and I'm all too aware.

Not me! Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

This week I did not wait until the very day I was to give a speech to write it. Not me!

Cheese's crib turned toddler bed (in my room) most certainly is not used for clean laundry. Nope, because she sleeps in it every night. She does not sleep with me and I therefore do not relish every night at the opportunity to co-sleep with her. Nope!

I did not feel just a little gypped of my time with the girls yesterday by doing an unplanned event that took me away from home for six hours of our day. The event that took me away most certainly is not the most awesome opportunity ever and I'm really (really!) not complaining. Not me!

Bug did not go to school in Cheese's clothes because I was not home to dress her. Nope! That would not have happened if I wasn't already at school.

Car Seat Speech Today

Today, I have a wonderful opportunity to educate a class about the benefits of extended use of a 5-point harnessed car seat. Today, I have to get up in front of a class and give a speech. And while my speech will mostly fall on deaf ears as the mean age of this class is between 18-21 years old, it will fulfill a need inside me to educate the uneducated.

It is a speech, nonetheless. A nerve-racking experience for me all the same. As usual, my outline is the only thing I've done. I have much work to do before 5pm to write my speech and memorize it. No rest for the weary.

Is there any pertinent links I should look at? I would love to show a video of what a booster seat looks like in a car accident but I'm not sure how to incorporate that into my speech yet.

There is so much to say and only 7 minutes to do it in.