Bittersweet Reprieve

Today is my last day of work at Children's Hosptials and Clinics of Minnesota in St. Paul. I am sad to be leaving this unit. It has wonderful people and an amazing layout (private rooms, ahhhh...). I am forever indebted to this unit for its patience and kindness to me in training me up as a brand spankin' new RN right out of the college chute. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated not being "eaten" by my fellow, wiser nurses. I gleaned from the wisdom of those around me and hope that I have proven that I can be competent and skilled. I wish that I could extend a hand and continue working here while I chase other new adventures. Better yet, I wish I could just transport the unit into the Air Force, but alas, wishes do not often come true. Therefore, my launch into a new adventure is met with a bittersweet reprieve. A embarrasingly large display of thanks to all who have invested in me and believed in my talent as a nurse.

The Battle of the Cookie

Christmas cookies have now become my worst enemy. If I had a hit list (maybe I do, maybe I don't), Christmas delights would be smack dab at the top. Yes, ladies and gentleman, I am speaking of those crunchy (or soft...which ever you prefer) morsels that melt in your mouth, linger on your tastebuds, and plan, old-fashioned tantilize your tummy so that you feel that there is a party going on in your mouth. Last year, I made many a treat to give your belly a hiccup, but this year my wonderful Father has declared that, "We don't need all those treats!" But I just don't know if I can do it...I like sweets. I admit it, I have an incurable and unprofessional desire to succumb to the wrath of my sweet tooth. Any support would be greatly appreciated. I think I may need a sponsor...

For many weeks I wondered why it was taking so long to swear me into the U.S. Air Force. I began to second guess my decision. I wondered if I had made the worst mistake of my entire life. Read below...

10.29.07
Journal entry...
I asked the Lord this question, "What do you want to say to me about praying with an idol in my heart?"
He said to me, "Lindsay, you often pray with an idol in your heart. An idol that goes unseen and unnoticed by many. It is your own hopes and dreams. It is your wishes for your life, rather than the plans I have for you."
I replied, "Lord, I repent of this. I ask that you would breakdown this idol, breakdown this self-admiration. I humble myself before you. I want your hopes and your dreams. Lord, do you want me to enter into this adventure [in reference to the Air Force]?"
He said to me, "Yes, I want you to go, but I want to be clear that I am sending you. This is not your decision. It is mine. I send you where I want you to go. I am at the core of your endeavors. I am with you every step of the way. But, you need to act like it. You have to give me the credit, even when you don't want to--when you think it is akward or when people ridicule you. Give me the glory. I have sent you, I have released you, I am at the center. Remember, you answer to me."
I surrendered my military career to the Lord right then and there. I gave up my right to control and take the credit for what He desired me to go after.

The next day, my recruiter called and asked when I was available to take the oath.

Offical Acceptance

I am officially accepted into the Unites States Air Force. I will be taking the oath within a week and will officially have the title of Lieutenant. Exciting, huh!? I will be stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. I am pumped! I will not be leaving until January 12th or so...Officer's training begins January 15th. Hopefully, Jason and Alisha will be letting me stay at their humble abode until I find my own fine home to live in (no on-base housing for single officers). So, here starts my adventure. Look for updates, they may be few and far between until January, but I will try to keep you entertained. Smooches.

The Preverbial Air Force Base

Every nurse applicant is required to be interviewed by the chief nurse of hospital squadron. Yesterday, I had my interview.
There are two Air Force Bases within close proximity to the Twin Cities--one in Grand Forks and the other near St. Louis, MO (but it is actually in IL). I went to Scott AFB in IL, and of course it was a 9-hour drive.
The colonel that I spoke with has been in the USAF for 23 years (that is how old I am :)!). She never planned it that way, it just happened. She told me of her experiences in Iraq. She said that going to Iraq was the single most influential endeavor that she was privelaged to participate in. She told me stories of congenitally deformed children who are brought to the USAF hospital bases to be "cured" by the Americans. It was really sad...
It was interesting being on a base...it's like a small city, about 10,000 people. Every amenity you can think of is available to you...even renting a plot of ground so that you can garden in your free time...CRAZY! You can rent RVs and camping equipment and all kinds of stuff. You can even learn to fly...way cool!

Sweet Success

Yesterday, I weighed again for my physical inspectection for the Air Force after 3 days of modified fasting. Basically I drank over a gallon of water a day with lemon (lemon is a natural diuretic) and only ate protein. Not to mention, I ran with a plastic bag on under my clothes (that was a blast). Actually it was very interesting...I discovered that I would never be a successful anorexic. Not only that, I love food...I like the social aspect of eating and everything. But...after almost 4 1/2 months of arduous jogging and portion-cutting, I have reached my goal...I am offically physical fit for the military.

Living in No Man's Land

Loneliness, loneliness, loneliness...I have discovered how sad it is to move back in with your parents after moving out. I miss Becca and Nicole, who are my roommates before I had to abdicate from our lovely home. See...I don't think you are fully grasping how grave this situation really is...and its all my fault. I'll explain the situation:
Our lease was up at the end of August. I am leaving October 16 for the Air Force, therefore no one is going to want to give me a lease for 2 months. Our landlords did not want to extend the lease within the amount of time that was reasonable for us and my roommates and we could not find a replacement for me. So, you see, it really is my fault.
Anyway. My parents live in no man's land, 45 minutes from anything that is dear to my heart. Well, maybe only 30 minutes. But, that's beside the point, it is now a 42-mile commute to work, one-way, and I miss my close proximity to my best friend. Not only that, but our house was beautiful. Built in the 1930s, huge bedrooms, large closets, my own kitchen. I think tears are really starting to fall down my face.
All of my stuff is now in storage and it is costing way too much and I don't know if any if it is really worth keeping, but.... oh well.

Icing on the Cake

I am currently trying to enter the Air Force. Unfortunately, this has been complicated by the weight Nazis at the M.E.P.S. center at Fort Snelling (really, they are just civilians who enjoy a power trip). By the way, M.E.P.S. stands for Military Entrance Processing Station. It was a real experience trying to pass the physical for the Air Force. First off, you have to get up at 0430 hours (a.k.a. 4:30 A.M.). Breakfast can be eaten, but if you are like me and a little tight on the weight, you dodn't get to eat breakfast or drink any water. Then, you are hearded onto a school bus. By the way, I am still unable to fit perpendicualarly into the seats, my legs are too long. So...I had to squish myself into a seat made for a twelve-year-old and then proceed to listen to the blatant immaturity of 30+ 18-year-olds. It was fun! (make sure you hear the sarcasm in my voice) Then, you line up and walk quickly everywhere you go. You are forced to listen to unfortunate men who swear because their vocabulary is not big enough to sustain any intelligent adjectives. Anyway, you finally enter the medical area, where you are made to wait for 1/2 hour before anyone addresses you. Then, you get to go to different stations to complete each part of the physical. Through this process, I have learned that I have no depth perception, perhaps an explanation as to why I was so bad at hand-eye coordination activities, meaning... almost all sports. In addition, you get to (mind the operative...get to...) pee in a cup in front of another girl. I guess I should be thankful that it was not a man. Then you get to do the underwear olympics, which is a series of excercises that seem utterly pointless in front of a little doctor man who is no larger than Danny DeVito, though not quite as rotund...yes, it really is humiliating, no matter who tells you any different. Anyway, I made it through all of that just to learn that I didn't pass because there was a 4 lb. discrepancy between my scale and their scale. Oh, I also forget to tell you that I had to wait almost two (yes that is right, count them, TWO) hours for the other girl to pee before we could do the last part of our physical because you perform it as a group. That was THE icing on the cake.

Wonderful Breadsticks

So...I did it, I broke down and ate something not good for me! I ate breadsticks from Olive Garden...and let me tell you, there was nothing in the world that tasted so good! But alas, I had to go home and face the fact that I had eaten too much and had gained back 2 of the pounds that cannot be stuck to me in order to pass my physical...but, it is OK because it just made me run in the rain, which felt good for a change.

Not Talking About Food

So...I have my physical for the Air Force next Wednesday (yes, you can all pray for me). And unfortunately, its all I can think about. But I don't really want to talk about it. Why, you ask? Everytime I do, people either order great food and eat in front of my and/or they choose to talk about their latest kitchen creation. I am starving. I am downright, good old fashioned hungry for everything I cannot eat. For example:
1. Biscuits and gravy-- a perfectly acceptable food, I mean really, it goes well with any green vegetable, especially okra, I love okra, has a protein (if you make the gravy with burger), some carbohydrates on the side, amazingly good!
2. Tortellini-- cheese filled, mushroom filled, spinach filled, spinach and cheese filled...I mean 101 combinations...they are like little food-filled inner tubes that are bursting with flavor, and not only that, if you eat ones that you don't know what is inside, it's like opening a present when it's not even your birthday!
3. America's version of Chinese-- let's face it, to anyone of you who have ventured outside the United States, America's versions of "ethnic" foods are always so ethnic...I think it is mostly because you and I are unwilling to eat something that we ride for entertainment (such as horse and donkey) or something we chose to have around as a means of making our lives seem more fulfilled (i.e. cats, dogs, iguanas, boa constricters...)
But, bottom line, I am sick of talking about it, listening to eat, ect. After I have my physical I am going to eat something really good, I don't know what is yet, but it is going to be delectable!

Creative Display

This article recently appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, I thought it humorous:

Tainted: To the individuals who displayed their creativity by placing St. Paul Water Utility marker flags all over my vehicle that was parked in MY driveway early morning on Aug. 4. You caused major damage to my vehicle in your clever display! Maybe it is time for you to show your creativity in a more productive way. My advice to you is to go back to school, get a job, volunteer or maybe just get a life, but please do not use my property to display your creativity.

Blog Vows

I vow to be interesting for all you sad, poor folk who decide to indulge my thoughts on life.
I vow to not become obsessed with blogging (which could easily happen).
I vow to remain hilarious.
I vow to mention scooters at least one time.
I vow to remain objective when anyone comments on my page (transaltion...I won't judge you).
I vow to be clean.
I vow to spell correctly and use correct grammer (this one's for you, Mom).

What is this thing called blog?

I have decided to create a blog spot. What does that mean? Does it mean that I have become what I have feared, a true dependent upon the computer system that entwines our current universe? Do I now list among the millions who are internet dependent? Am I to be counted with those who I have...sadly, but truly...belittled in my pea-sized intelect? Will I indeed become a sad, lonely girl who spends her nights and weekends reconfiguring the blog spot that she has created for the sole purpose of staying connected with her friends and family?