Welcome to the West Wing

I am in the middle of watching the entire series for what I think is the 4th time. I know it's fantasy (a republican lawyer as part of the democratic staff, yeah, right). Yet, each and every episode makes me cry. These people have flaws, and they are smart, funny and are fighting the good fight.

Is it jealousy?

I'm on facebook stalking an old classmate that just got a job to see where she's working. I'm happy for her and I'm curious, she's one of the best and brightest and I hoped she got a job in a hospital, but no, she's working in long term care. Then I noticed that one of my favorite teachers from nursing school congratulated her. When I got my job, all she did was note that I didn't post my title correctly. Geeezz.
Like Rodney Dangerfield, I get no respect. I volunteer for both the Red Cross and Rotocare free clinic as a community nurse and I'm an adviser for the college honor society. Did I mention I'm in graduate school, too? The first one in my class to make it to grad school. No one I know has applied to the BSN program, they're still taking prereqs! So what is it about me that does not garner respect from people who are now my peers? What am I doing wrong? I wasn't the top student in my class, but that had to do with choices. I chose to do other things like volunteer and be an officer in the honor society so that I would have a well rounded education. I guess that might have done it, I don't know. Anyway, I'm still hopeful. Or if I'm lucky, these instructor's will need to retire in the next 5 years, then maybe I can get in there.

White House Drama

My secret passion is West Wing. Every time it came on my heart stirred and I found myself wishing what I saw had some semblance of truth, more than just how accurate the interior of Airforce One was. I just got finished watching Commander in Chief with Geena Davis and though it's no West Wing, it stirs those memories. But more important to me is why does this show get to me as it's not the same caliber. Then it hit me-it has more to do with my interest doing public good. So I'm going to look for opportunities that will take me to Washington.

I need a goal - and I have one

My friend David is getting ready to retire within the next year. I love him dearly and he really needs to do something else, not necessarily retire. That's the problem. I've just started a new career and got my first paycheck and I have a goal.

There have been times in my life where I've been unemployed, had not money and was miserable. Not in the sense that I didn't know where my next meal was going to come from. That I knew. I've always had resources and very supportive friends and family. So at this moment, I'm happy and reasonably well, with a great job.

So here are my goals for the next school year.

First up is the writing test.
I'm not studying but I've always done well enough that I think I can manage to pass.

To get and A in my Graduate classes.
I'd like to get A's in all my classes, but as usual, I'm over committed and have to ration my time. I'm also taking Spanish at the local JC. So grads aren't important. I can take it credit/no credit and I will. It's a great weight off to know I can learn the language and not worry about the tests. I will be taking a writing requirement for the grad program and hopefully it won't be too boring.

To get be invited into Sigma Theta Tau.
I kind of fingure this is my last opportunity to have fun with this. I really enjoy committee work and achieving something for the greater good. I like working with like minded people who want to achieve something in there life beyond what they do for themselves. In the past, I will admit that I've slacked on my grades to to achieve this as well as the respect of my instructors, I need to not finish in the middle of my class as I tend to do. To that end, motivation and organization will really need to step it up! I'll need to take at least 12 units before I'm deemed worthy.

Keep my job.
Not easy this year working for a school district that needs to cut 10 million dollars from their budget by December. I can only hope that I pull my weight and garner the respect from my fellow nurses so that we can have a good working relationship. It is quite possible that 2 nurses will be leaving but they may not be replaced. I don't know. Luckily I'm in grad school now, that gets me many kudos and possibly two steps up. Our lead nurse is looking for some depth, people who want to continue in the organization. I'd like to bring enthusiasm and order. We'll see how far I can get in a year.
As part of keeping my job, I want to work on the School Nurse competencies for the certificate program.

Learn more Spanish!
Especially now, I need to work on my Spanish. This Semester and next will get me far, I hope. Then there is Guatemala in the summer and to work in a different clinic while I'm down there. So planning the trip (on the cheap, of course!) is what I'll need to do in March.

That's it. Not much for the next nine months. I just wish that I could have gotten credit for all this work in the graduate program under clinical nurse specialist, but alas, it was not to be.

Welcome to living cheaply

Catch-as-catch-can!

Those who have been out of work for awhile, this is what they do. They live off their savings and live on the cheap. It's tough out there especially if you live in an expensive place, like the San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Cruz. This blog is about how I enjoy life on the cheap, when I have bills to pay and no money for fun.