2017

I literally have not blogged in two years. Probably because I have nothing interesting to say very often, so I have to wait a really long time, like two years, then I've had enough time to think up something somewhat readable.  So, I thought I would write about this past year, since we just had New Years.  2016 was great, really. It was a wonderful year, probably one of the hardest years I've ever had, but definitely one of the greatest. My biggest accomplishment was graduating nursing school. Eighteen months of pure Hell, but so worth it. Nursing school taught me so many things. I can differentiate Arterial Blood Gasses, calculate the Parkland formula for burns, somewhat read EKG strips, but I also learned a lot about myself. I learned that if I push myself, actually try, and (grudgingly) leave my comfort zone I really can do anything.  There were a lot of tears and stress and wanting to quit, but I am beyond happy and quite proud that stuck it through. Plus, I made a few friends as well. Chantel, you are amazing and smart and so funny and I still laugh at all the snapchat videos we made in St. George. Plus you passed your NCLEX already and are a nurse and I am so proud! McKayla, you were my very first friend at school and we didn't talk to anyone else haha, but I am so happy we sat by each other. Friends till the end! And dear Caitlyn, I feel like we knew each other in another life, and even though you're a Hufflepuff, I will still be your friend forever.

I'm very grateful for my family, especially this past year after my dad had so many health problems and hospital stays. Life is hard and exhausting sometimes, but it gets better and we grow from the trials. I have the most positive and hard-working parents that seriously can get through anything. They've been so supportive and helpful while I've been in school. Good thing I'm an only child, because the other kids wouldn't have liked me being the favorite. 

I turned 22 this last year and had a bit of an existential crisis.  My friends and I always talk about how old we are getting, but it's true. It was a fun year with them all. One of my best friends got back from his mission, and my other best friend moved back home from Cedar City after being there for 4 years. The gang's all here. We're all getting close to actually starting our adult life careers, which is so weird. Adult life is lame when you're 14 forever at heart. 

Another big step I took this year was quitting the job I had had for almost five years. I talked about quitting that job for a long time, but I was very comfortable there and didn't want to start over somewhere else. Being a CNA is hard, and it really sucks sometimes. You deal with crazy patients, a lot of bodily fluids (that sometimes splash in your eye...), angry family members, death, the list goes on and on. But I really can't think of a more rewarding job. I learned more over the past five years than I thought was possible. I'm positive I could write a novel on all the craziness from that place. Some of the people that I was able to take care of changed my life. Many of them were like grandparents or friends. One thing I had to learn there was accepting death, because even though you'll miss them, it's good to see them go. Saying goodbye to people you love and took care of is never fun, but knowing the kind of place they're in now is comforting. I also made a lot of friends over the years there, too many to name, but you all know who you are. Moving on as a nurse in a hospital is really exciting and also terrifying. I'm super grateful of all the experiences I've had that have prepared me to take on the next phase of life.

2016 was amazing. I think I said this in another New Years post, but every year is relevant, it's the way you choose to spend that year, and I'm pretty content with how things are going right now. Very thankful for all the people in my life that have been there forever, I also met a couple new people this year that I'm excited to continue friendships with.  It's weird to think that 2017 is already here, time flies when you're having fun (or crying over tests). I have a feeling it's going to be a great year. Love you all!

Mak.