"Just wait 5 more days..."

I called 12-15 times today to talk with BON, but the automated system just says they are experiencing "high call volumes and cannot take my call at this time" after which it hangs up on you.

So, I began emailing everyone I could at said BON. I finally got a call back from a lady there who told me to wait another 5 days because there are so many graduations all at the same time they are swamped.

WHO DO I CALL TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FRICKIN' BON???

Seriously, this is ridiculous. I've been waiting on them for 2 months. They have lost my paperwork and they are not keeping their promise about finishing each step in 10 business days. Seriously people, you know graduations happen at least 2 times a year... HIRE MORE PEOPLE!!!

Honestly, you know how it gets, so why is now the normal time to be "understaffed" but not do anything about it. Get more people on the phones, get more people processing mail, get more people processing licenses and permits. For goodness sake, double your staff for 2 months around May graduations and another 2 months during December graduation and your life will not suck so bad when said graduation times come around.

For the love of Pete, somebody find the person I'm supposed to complain to so that I can get shit done for the people coming after me because this is COMPLETELY unacceptable.

My "cousin" (mom's cousin's daughter-in-law) had to wait 3 months for my state's regulatory agency to process her radiation tech licensing because they were moving buildings and took their sweet-ass time while also putting everyone else's life on hold who is depending on the agency to process their paperwork in order to start making a living. Seriously, there is no way to be able to prepare for this stuff besides hope that you have enough life savings to deal with the bullshit that is dealing with governmental agencies.

Today I need a Haldol...

Otterbox Case Advice Needed!

Do any of you have an Otterbox case for any electronic devices? I was given one by a family friend, but I am looking into getting the stronger version for my iPad. They are so expensive! My goodness! I just want a pink one, camo or just the bright pink, it doesn't matter, but I don't know if I can fork over $90 for a case... On the one hand, they are very good at protecting electronic equipment. On the other hand, they break my budget for the next 4 months.

So, I am turning to you. Yes, all of you out there on the World Wide Web. Are Otterbox covers worth it? Do you know anywhere where I can find one cheaper (preferably some form of pink)? Do I need to start selling my kidneys, parts of my liver, and maybe some plasma just to scrape together the funds for this thing or are there better ways to spend my money?

Also, I am looking into getting an iPod touch for clinicals because we are required to have some app thing with a drug guide and a bunch of other stuff. Therefore, I will likely get an Otterbox case for that because I have a feeling that it will be put through a lot of not so great circumstances. Plus, the cases for iPods are significantly cheaper. But maybe I can just use my iPad with the Otterbox cover? I don't know. Any input?

Thank you all!

Labor Day Weekend

Did you do anything fun for the extended weekend? Our university gave us Monday and Tuesday off so we (my brother and I) went home to see our parents. They surprised us with futons! Normally we had been crashing on the couch because we took our beds with us to furnish our apartment. However, they wanted us to be comfortable so they saved up and bought us futons, blankets, pillows, sheets, and everything so that we would be more comfortable. It was so sweet but I feel bad that they keep buying us so much stuff. My parents are always sending us money in the mail, buying us things for the apartment, coming down to buy our groceries, giving us gas money, etc. I know that they care for us and they just want us to not have to stress but I know that they don't really have the money to be able to do that all the time either. Still, they give us what they can even though they raised us not expecting help so we are fine without it. Maybe someday I will understand why they do it. They say that they feel bad that they can't pay for all of our college and bills but I don't think that they should have to. This is what being an adult is about. We have to learn to stand on our two feet, fight for what we believe in, and learn to live within our means so that we can invest in our education/future.



Another one of my friends got married...



Work wasn't so bad but I desperately need a new job. Something that allows me to think like a nurse. Maybe something that doesn't require me to only wipe butts...



I went to church again. That makes 2 weeks in a row!



I have to go study. TTFN (tata for now; Yes, that is from Tigger).

Full Moon

As y'all know, I was skeptical about rumors of strange behaviors during the full moon before I started working in healthcare. Now that I am immersed in it, and in an elderly care facility, I very much believe that it is a real thing. Today is proof of it. Everyone was upset with everyone else. People were screaming at each other and many were convinced that their families and our staff were conspiring to kill them or to make them think that they are crazy. Needless to say, today was insane! To top if off, it wasn't even the complete full moon today. No, that happens tonight or tomorrow night, so we should be in for some more big fun the next 2 days that I work. Tomorrow I even work a double... I really have to start looking at a calendar with the moon phases before I schedule myself for shifts.

When I went into work today I wanted to quit. As I left, I still wanted to quit, but I somehow had more compassion for my residents at the end of the day than I did at the beginning. I'm pretty sure G-d changed my heart somewhere along the line today, I'm not sure when He did, but I'm very glad He did.

Nursing school: Now that I've been accepted, what else do I have to do? I have to get health insurance, the flu shot or a medical exemption, tons of books (totaling about $1000!), and I have to send in loads of paper work. This will be an interesting month getting everything ready for nursing school seeing as I don't believe in getting the flu vaccine and I don't have health insurance.

Daily Thanksgiving: I had a decent day at work and I got to talk to my mom today. I was accepted into nursing school and G-d will allow all of the insurance and vaccine things to work out somehow.

Minor Shock

I just ordered textbooks for the nursing program and it came out to over $1100! I almost had a heart attack and I'm still in shock. Why is this so expensive? It would be nice if all of the nursing students got together and one class of students bought all the books then they passed them down to incoming students for a small fee. When the books are deemed "outdated" by the school then the students who actually own them can sell them on amazon or something because there is always someone using those books. Let's beat the system people! I am going to find someone in the incoming class to use my book next year and I will charge them maybe $50 to use the whole lot of them and then they will give them back at the end of the year so I can find another person to use them the next year. I will do this all 3 years and make just a tiny bit of money but it will save so much money for the other people! Co-op folks! We're all being forced into this ridiculous system of buying overpriced books anyway so let's work with each other and find a way around their ridiculous prices.

Sorry I'm getting so worked up, I don't like spending so much money on anything let alone silly books that would have been cheaper if I didn't have to buy from the bookstore just so that I can use my student account instead of my credit card (which is pretty much maxed out all the time now). Plus I am frustrated with other life circumstances right now that I cannot talk about right now. I called my mom last night to talk with her, but she had to go. She promised to call back but she must have fallen asleep.

In happier news, I bought some new music when I finally got my paycheck and I love it! Addison Road is one of my favorite bands and I just got both of their albums on amazon. Definitely check them out. Stories, This Could Be Our Day, and so many other songs have been on repeat for the past few days. I found them on Pandora and I couldn't be happier with the purchase to finally have their music for myself.

Daily Thanksgiving: My coffee date went well yesterday and my friend brought to my attention some interesting things about my country boy's situation. She is so honest and doesn't beat around the bush. It's hard to hear sometimes, but she is good for me, I think. She brings a new perspective to my struggles and isn't afraid to hurt my feelings or offend me. I got to talk to my mom. I was pretty productive yesterday and still had time to relax and watch my shows. I get to volunteer tonight and I found out how to volunteer to go hold babies!!!