welcome to adulthood

I left Saturday to go down to Illinois for an interview in Springfield. I figured if I was traveling through, I would seize the opportunity to stop at Aaron & Alysha's for a night. It was fun spending time with them, and seeing Manny. We endulged in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2yv8aT0UFc that video several times, laughing HYSTERICALLY. And now Aaron finds it necessary to speak like Batman at all times now. It's hilarious to me, but I know Alysha will get sick of it fast. We also watched us some Shark Week (why do sharks have an entire week dedicated to themselves? Why isn't there turtle week or giraffe week?).

Sunday I drove to Bloomington and met up with Hanna, which was sooo good. We went to Chipotle for dinner, and went to Cold Stone for dessert :-) Delight. We drove to Ande's house late Sunday night, so I could be closer to Springfield, and wouldn't have to leave so early in the morning.

I wasn't able to sleep really well Sunday night. I slept in Ande's bed while the rest of them slept in the living room. They were trying to give me a good night's sleep. But really I just kept thinking about the interview; questions they would ask, intelligent answers to respond with... ya know, typical jitters. I finally crashed sometime after 3 and was wide awake at 5 freaking 30! So I got up and got around. I wasn't nervous as I was getting around. In fact, I wasn't nervous until I pulled into the human resources parking lot that morning. I think it had to do with the prayers; all of my girls texted me that morning/afternoon saying they were praying for me, and Ande's mom prayed with me before I left (which meant a lot to me).

The interview(s) went well- with human resources & with the unit director. I felt completely comfortable being myself around the director; she was soooooo friendly and energetic, wanted to get to know ME (not my nursing capabilities or qualifications, she asked a lot of questions about ME; she can read about my qualifications on my resume). She showed me around the unit, and I felt a peace. Everyone was soooo friendly. Oh my word, one of the most laid back atmospheres I've seen in a hospital.

I met up with Hanna for lunch afterwards, and my mom suggested I stay another night and spend some time with Ande, since I only saw her for a few minutes before I went to bed. She was excited to have me stay again. We spent time with her brothers watching movies and watching their baseball games before we went to bed. I left shortly after I got up the next morning. Gosh, it was incredible to spend time with her and get to know her family. They are incredible people. It's always encouraging when you see a healthily functioning family. THEY DO EXIST! haha. Praise the Lord.

On the way home I debated if this is the job I wanted. It's so far from everyone, except for Ande, but that's still an hour plus drive. I want to work with peds, and this is strictly an adult unit. But the more and more I thought about it, the more I think this is my best option. I am no where NEAR ready to deal with confused, scared, upset parents. I think it will be best for me to get experience with different treatments, and skills before I enter pediatric oncology.

So with a lot of prayer and support from family and friends, I accepted a full-time position at Memorial Medical Center today. I start September 8th, but I have to be moved in and sign papers August 26th. That is just over three weeks away!!!! Oh my word...... I've had so much on my mind lately; I have so much stuff to take care of before I go. I have to get a bunch of papers and documents around for the hospital, I have to find and make a payment on an apartment, I need to keep my eyes peeled for a car, I have to take my CPR recertification course.... I'm reminded of a song right now... good ole' MXPX "Responsibility, what's that? Responsibility not quite yet. Responsibility, what's that? I don't want to think about it; we'd be better off without it." You punk-ers might remember that song.

I'm an adult... with a REAL job. And before I know it (ready or not), I will have to start making payments; apartment, student loans, car, insurance, phone....... it stresses me out to think about, quite frankly. But I need to be prepared.

Please pray for me. As exciting as this is, I have a lot of emotions. I'll be moving away from close friends, out of the house I've lived in for 22 years, and lonely as can be for the first few weeks probably, until I start making friends and getting involved in a church. I need to be covered in prayer right now as I embark on this journey, and I thank you ahead of time for being faithful to pray.