Monday, November 21, 2011

God is great at throwing curve balls!

When I was in high school I was set on being a teacher. What a great career! That dream didn't last long once I was out of high school and had started college. I had a new dream job! I was going to open a doggy day care! Drooling dogs are way better than screaming bratty kids! After a while that faded out too (yes, I am very indecisive). I had left my job at a dog kennel and was determined to get a job in the school district. After about 3 months of desperately applying for every opening at the school district and other random jobs, I got an interview at Zeiter Eye. I got the job and within a few months I knew I wanted to be with the company until I retire. I should mention that after being at Zeiter eye I received a phone call from the school district and they wanted an interview. It was hard to say no since I thought it would be a great opportunity but looking back I am SO happy I declined the offer and stayed at Zeiter Eye. Not only do I love my job but I'm sure I wouldn't be employed today if I would have gone with the school district. After two years of being at the Zeiter Eye Lodi Clinic I was moved to the surgery center. This is where God decided to show me what I'm really supposed to be doing with my life.
I work closely with the nurses at the surgery center. About a year ago a few of them started telling me that I would make a great nurse and that I should look into it. I thought I was too old to go back to school for 4+ years and I certainly didn't want to leave my wonderful job/company. After a while I began to realize how much I truly love helping people and even though I get to have patient contact now, I don't get to be directly involved in their care as much as I'd like. So I have decided to go back to school!!! Of course there are other reasons I want to become a nurse. I can make more money, have more flexibility, job security, and there is SO much you can do as a nurse. I am so excited at what this will mean for my future family. I will be able to spend more time with my children and provide for them better then I could if I didn't go to school.
I have wonderful friends who are excited for me and supportive. I have a wonderful boyfriend, Eric, who is prepared (as much as he can be) for the stressed out, possibly broke, girlfriend that he is about to have. And I am especially thankful for my parents who are allowing me to move back into their house (yup, they thought I was finally gone for good!). They are also being very supportive. I appreciate all that my parents have done, and continue to do for me. They really are the best parents!
This is going to be a long road, especially since everyone has decided that nursing is for them which means that classes are filled quicker than they open and the program is very competitive to get into, but I know with the love and support of my parents, friends, and Eric that I will be successful!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Just the Beginning

              I've decided to start a blog. I've always thought it would be a little silly to have a blog for just myself since all of my blogging friends are married and most have children. What in the world will I write about? What I cooked myself for dinner? Which dog toy is Jordyn's favorite this month? I've always thought that I would finally be able to start a blog once I was engaged....at least there would be something interesting to write about. Who doesn't like reading about someone elses wedding planning drama?! I guess you could say that's how I got the name for this blog, "Life...not as I planned it". If you know me then you know very well that I insist on planning every detail of my life. From small events like birthday parties and girls night out to big events like my non-existent wedding. I drive my boyfriend, Eric, absolutely nuts with my obsessive planning. While we were driving in silence one day I asked him "What are you thinking about?". He hesitated then responded with "Nothing. I can turn my brain off, unlike you." He was completely right. I was probably planning out the days events. There is no turning off my brain! It probably drives everyone a little nuts but Eric is the only one that has voiced it. I actually very much enjoy planning most things but I have to admit it's getting pretty old.
            Besides planning events I also plan out my life, even the littlest details. I always thought I would go to college to become a teacher, be married by 21, and have at least one child by 23. Well, I quit college after one semester, I've had the same boyfriend for the last 9+ years, and the only thing I have that's close to a child is my wonderful dog, Jordyn. I should mention that I just celebrated my 25th birthday yesterday. Yup, definitely not as I planned it. I try to remind myself daily that God is the only one that has the RIGHT plan for my life and I need to let Him take control instead of playing tug-a-war with Him. After all, every time I have placed my life in His hands things have always worked out better than I had planned.
             There are some very exciting things that will be happening in my life in the next few months and there is no way any of it would happen if God hadn't taken the reins. I'm trusting Him that after this roller coaster is over I will get off it, stand on both feet, with my hair still perfect, standing even stronger than I was before I got on. Stay tuned!