The End Is Near....

ok ok...Im not talking about the end of the world....

I am talking about the end of my training to be a Nurse!

As some of you know, I had my Nursing School Exit Exam last Friday. In case you don't know...I PASSED!!!! I felt so relieved on Friday! I had been studying for the last few weeks like a mad woman. Every moment I wasn't in class or at work, I was reading a notecard or a chapter in a book. I have never studied so much for just one test.

It was a 165 question, computerized exam over anything that we learned the last 2 years. It took me more than 3 hours to complete. After taking the test, I felt so discouraged. I wasn't sure about whether or not I had answered enough correctly. I had to wait about an hour to get an email letting me know if I passed or not. It was the longest hour. Shaun tried so hard to calm me down and in my head I was preparing for failure.

I was wonderfully surprised when I read the email saying that I had achieved a grade that was enough to be considered as passing! Relief swept over me and I broke down into tears! It was a wonderful feeling! I had a permanent smile on my face for the rest of the weekend!

The next thing that I had to do to graduate was complete my clinical hospital hours with my preceptor nurse. In this semester alone, we had to do a little less than 400 hours at the hospital. I was doing mine with a nurse at Mountain Vista Medical Center. Yesterday, I finished all of my hours!!! According to my college, I have completed the two major things to be able to graduate (complete hours and pass the exam)!

What's next? you may be asking....

-My Graduation date is March 23. It is called a "pinning ceremony." It is a traditional ceremony that most Nursing schools do.

-I am hoping to take my State Boards before April. I am continuing to study for those. I am taking a Kaplan Review course the next few weekends.

-Finding a JOB!

I am so very excited for the next month!!!!

Valentine's Day

I hope everyone had a great day of Love!

Shaun and I spent the day together. I woke up to cook breakfast for Shaun and I, and when I walked downstairs I found a lovely bouquet of roses. The rest of the day was spent going church, watching the olympics, making a wonderful steak dinner, and going to a movie. It was great!


- Posted from my iPhone

My Life These Days

As graduation is fast approaching, this is were I am spending my days. :(
Next Friday I have my first chance at passing my exit exam. To graduate, I must pass this almost 200 question computerized test. I am getting really nervous and trying not to think about it.

Well, I must get back to studying...wish me luck!!

-Posted from my iPhone

Wedding Dress Shopping!!!!

I got a call right after class today from my Mom, asking If I could please get in the car and drive to the bridal shop! Jess went on an spur of the moment dress shopping trip because this was the last day of their dress sale. She had found 3 dresses and wanted our opinions, of course! I hopped in the car and drove to the bridal shop.

She looked beautiful in all three, and ended up picking our favorite! She is going to be one beautiful bride! I am so excited for her!

We Dickison girls don't waist our time finding a dress when it comes to our wedding! I found mine on my first trip shopping too!

Here is the only picture from the day that I can show you......

Jessica is Engaged!!

My sister, Jessica, is now a bride-to-be! Her fiance, Andrew, popped the question on Saturday night in Old-town Scottsdale. Andrew asked me to be the photographer for the evening, so I hid in the bushes and took pictures when he got down on one knee!

Later that evening Andrew surprised Jess by having all of the family at PF Chang's for dinner. We enjoyed talking and eating wonderful food! The Holemon's then had us over to their house for coffee and cake. It was a wonderful evening celebrating Andrew and Jessica's exciting news!

They are thinking about dates right now, but it looks like it will be sometime next winter. I am very excited for the year to come!

THE BLING!

Hrabak Wedding and my Birthday

On my 23rd birthday, my high school friend married the love of her life! It was a beautiful wedding out in Fountain Hills on a golf course. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding and I returned the favor by being one in hers!

Bachelorette Party: December 31

Rehearsal Day: Jan 1st

Wedding Day: Jan 2

Photo taken by Cherise Kiel

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Hrabak!

Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day!

Visit with family in Cali

The day after Christmas my family caravanned out to San Gabriel, California to visit my Mom's family. We had a great time visiting with my Aunts, Uncle, Grandparents, and Cousins.

We went to Disneyland, visited Hollywood, did some shopping, exchanged white elephant gifts, and enjoyed a Vietnamese foot massage! It was so great to visit with the family. I can't wait to go back!

Hope, cousin Laura, Philip, and Jessica on the tram into Disney Park.

The whole gang at Disneyland. None of the parents came...it was an all cousin trip to Disney! (plus one of Philip's friends came)

Taken on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Right before we got into line for this ride, we were chosen to be in a parade! :) it was a fun experience. Hope loved it!

The girls in line for Space Mountain. This was Hope's first time at Disneyland! :) She was sooo excited!

At the Observatory in the Hollywood Hills (if you look closely, you can see the Hollywood sign)