Chattanooga, TN & First Weeks of School

Hello all,

I know it has been foreverrrr, right? I was laying in bed last night just thinking I hadn't posted in a while so I figured I would give everyone a bit of an update. First I wanted to talk about my mini- vacation that I took with Madi and his family to Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was awesome! Chattanooga is definitely one of my favorite places in the world and I have so many good memories there with the Franek family as well as my own family! We were only there for three days and we drove up as we usually do. The first night we went to McKays bookstore, which if you haven't been there you are totally missing out! It is literally a huge old warehouse full of used books, movies, CDs, video games, and old records. It is so legit. They have a bunch of books that aren't even made anymore like The Boxcar Children series and The Babysitters Club to name a few of my personal favorites. We also ate at Lupi's Pizza Pies another place that we always go to. I swear it is the best pizza you will ever eat. Their crust is perfect and the sauce is just right! One of Madi's best friends Michael and his girlfriend Lauren came over that night and joined us for the LONGEST game of UNO ever! We didn't even end up finishing it but it lasted over an hour and a half hah!

The next morning Madi and I got up and Michael showed us around the campus of University of Tennessee- Chattanooga. We got to sit down with admissions and talk about their physical therapy program for Madi which gave us a better insight into the cost and what the program plan was really like. Later that day we headed over to the Tennessee Aquarium which has both a saltwater journey and a freshwater journey. Of course we did both! They had the cutest animals and a butterfly garden which reminded me of the butterfly garden that is on Mackinaw Island in Michigan (another great spot ;) ). Lauren and I took our cameras with us and got some great pictures with the butterflies. Definitely my favorite spot in the museum. Unfortunately the next day we had to leave but it was such a great vacation and so much fun. Lately all I've really been doing is going to school and work! In school we have been learning to give insulin shots and how to give certain medicine doses. I know scary right? I'm not afraid of needles or blood but I am afraid of hurting some one. Ouch. Other than that nothing too exciting to post about as of now but I'm sure I will be posting again soon.

Thanks for keeping up with me!
-Olivia

Happy New Year: 2013

Hello all,

I hope you all had a safe, fun, and happy new year last night! I spent my evening at two of my friends' gorgeous wedding before curling up on the couch with my man to watch the ball drop (and J. Biebs performance of course ;) ). As many people do I thought about what the new year may bring and what I've accomplished this past year; so I decided to share my thoughts with all of you!

2012:

1. I got my first book published!
As many of my friends and family know this is something I have wanted to do for such a long time, and it was something I had on my bucket list. I had such a blast working with the publisher and design team and having a signing was really icing on the cake for me. Such a great time.

2. I got to travel to  Las Vegas, NV and see the Grand Canyon

This was also something that was on my bucket list and was such a fun time. I loved spending the weekend with my cousin and my mom exploring the strip and traveling in the helicopter not only above but through the Grand Canyon. 

3. I completed the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk

60 days of walking with my best friend/ boyfriend in the hot sun and staying the night in tents definitely taught us patience with each other. Together we raised about $5000 for breast cancer. This was added to my bucket list recently about a year and a half ago when my mom got sick. Such an amazing learning experience. Nothing feels as good as crossing that finish line!

4. Getting into USF's College of Nursing

Talk about a relief when I opened that email and it said I was accepted! There have been laughter and tears but what an amazing experience it has been. I 'm so blessed. I also got a $1000 scholarship from the nursing program which was such a financial relief as many of you know I work my butt off to keep myself in school since I pay for everything on my own. 

5. I celebrated my 4 and 4 1/2 year anniversaries with my boyfriend

We've had quite the ride together but that boy has always been here for me and surprises me everyday in the ways that he has been maturing. He's such a blessing and I thank God every night for putting and keeping him in my life.

Those were really the main points of 2012 and here are my goals for 2013:

1. Go to the gym once a week

I would like this goal to be more like go to the gym two or three times a week, or lose X amount of pounds in X amount of time but being a nursing major I need to be realistic and set a goal for once a week. I did start it off well today by doing a 5 mile run so that is good ;)

2. Get a 4.0

I mean this is always my goal for the school year so I want to achieve it this semester!

3. Take a trip to NC with Madi

This is something we've wanted to do for a long time so I am hoping that we will be able to as long as finances are there!

4. Finish and publish book #2

I really want book two to come out this summer so I am hoping that I will be able to make that happen between now and then!

5. Do more volunteer activities with nursing or USF in general

I want to be super involved before I start my last year and things get super crazy! It also will look great on my resume once I graduate and so I need to go through with everything. 

So that's it! Let the year commence! Share your resolutions or goals with me I can't wait to hear :)!

<3 Olivia