celebration!

My friends and I have just finished summer quarter. we had a girls night out and went to the cheesecake factory! it was a blast. we all had something different and yummy. I have known these two girls since we were 5 years old. these two girls are pretty much the greatest friends i could ever have. we have been through pretty much our whole lives together. I couldn't ask or better friends. its interesting. though we go to different schools, we still manage to spend time together. I cherish our memories and look forward to more in the future!

L-R: Michelle, Karuna and me :)

bang bang chicken and shrimp

Cajun chicken and shrimp jambalaya pasta

Chicken Medisa (i think that's what its called)

Red velvet cheesecake! we celebrated Karuna's birthday

here's some pictures :)

Chicken Noodle Casserole :)

Well I have my first recipe for you all to try.

I love to cook, but being a college student, i don't have A, the time and B, the money. When i am at home though, i can cook what ever I want. Most of the time i make Chinese noodle soup and such, but i love trying new things. So lately i have been making random foods and using recipes i get everywhere. When i was working the front desk at the hospital, i would take some of the food magazines and take their recipes. From there, i have gathered my recipes and have made my own little cookbook. I have all types of foods that i love to make. I have each section labeled for side dishes and main courses. Anyways, last night i felt like i wanted to cook, so i made some cookies (for my nursing class) and than i made a chicken noodle casserole. I think it turned out really good and was yummy.

Chicken Noodle Casserole:

*preheat oven 375 degrees*

cooking things you will need:

• medium pot to cook noodles in
• stir sticks 
• small- medium casserole size dish 

Ingredients:

1. 1 can of cream of celery (6 oz )
2. 1 can (12 oz) of canned chicken, tuna or turkey meat- you can also use cooked chicken, doesn;t have to be canned 
3. 1/2 cup of frozen peas- i use frozen, you can also use raw peas as well as other veggies
4. 1/2 cup of rice milk- you can use milk or even soy, i use rice in most of my cooking though 
5. 10-12 crackers (i used ritz crackers, you can use bread crumbs as well if you want)
6. dash of salt
7. dash of peppers
8. 1/8 tsp. of paprika
9. 1/8 tsp. of cayenne pepper- or as much as desired  (if you don't like spicy food, DON'T use this pepper)
10. 1/2 lbs of Penne pasta-or any that you enjoy 
11. 1 Tsb. butter, margarine, or butter substitute- i use smart balance

Steps:

1.  first pre-heat the oven
2. cook the pasta noodles and drain them after they have been cooked.
3. open the can chicken and drain the juice, then put the chicken into the casserole at the bottom
4. add the noodles and peas/ veggies and mix them all together
5. in a separate bowl, mix the cream of celery, rice milk, salt pepper, paprika, butter and cayenne pepper
6. add the celery mixture into the casserole dish and stir all together 
7. crumble the crackers together and pour all over the chicken noodle dish 
8. put into the oven and cook for roughly 30 min, the sauce should be bubbling and the top should be a little crunchy 
9. enjoy!

Great served as leftovers too :)

  

Done with Clinicals!!!

Oh My Goodness! I have finally finished clinicals :)

My certificate :)

last day of Clinical

Now all i have to do is take the exam and i will become a certified nursing assisting. I had a great time in the class, as well as being in the assisted living helping out people. This defiantly showed me that nursing is the way to go :)  If any one is looking for a good school and you live in Washington, i would recommend Lake Washington Institute of Technology! They do a great job in preparing us for everything that we will have to deal with.

After clinicals i baby sat my favorite twins :) 

the twins and raccoon friends :)

busy busy shenanigans!!!

Wow, these past few days have been hectic. First, lets start with my clinicals.

I have so much to say, but don't know how to say it all in this tiny space. Clinicals has been a great experience. I loved working with the residents there and are grateful to the amazing NAC's they have working there. I first would watch the NAC do a certain task, then when i felt confident enough, i would try the task on my own. It's amazing to see the things i have learned in the class room being put to use in real life. I got to meet many of the residents and have come to grow fond of several of them. Just talking to them is so amazing. The stories they have go way beyond this 19 year old's brain. One lady i met has 18 great grand children. She is so sweet, but if you don't speak up and tell her who you are, she will go tell your teacher and have a chat with you. I have learned to speak clearly and slowly to each resident and tell them what they are about to do. This has been a humbling time for me. Cleaning the residents and helping them eat their food reminds me of the time when my grandmother was in the hospital for swallowing issues. As you work with each of the people, you slowly see that they aren't just sick old people, but human beings that want to be treated just like you and me. They have the same wants and needs, it just is a little harder for them to achieve those needs.  I am so glad i have gotten to have this chance. i know now that my heart and passion is drawn to the sick people and i really want to care for them and provide them a positive environment. I want to be there for people, like the nurses who were there for my grandma and grandpa in times of need.

Next, well there isn't much else that i have done, except attend my nutrition class every Monday and Wednesday. That class is so fascinating. i have enjoyed learning how to have a more healthy life style. yesterday i got to spend time with some great friends. My boyfriend's cousin came over from New Jersey and i got to spend some time with them. we went to watch a movie, "The Odd Life Of Timothy Green."- a tear jerk-er mind you, but overall a good movie. Anyways, here's a picture of our shenanigans :)
Well, after waking up before 6 for the past week, this girl is tired. I am going to be signing off.

We got matching glasses :)

blessings to you all!

First day of Clinicals!!!!

z

Sleeping.... i was tired!

Well, today was my first day of clinicals. waking up at 5:15 in the morning to get to Emerald heights. we got there and signed in and got to see some patient contacts. it was so exciting and different. Though i know that i don't want to work in a retirement home, i am grateful for the experience. i don't have many stories, but i have enjoyed this time today. a good first day. here is a picture of the aftermath of clinicals...

Clincals!

Well, I have finally made it to the last part of my summer school. This Friday, I begin clinicals!I get to work in a long term care facility! We are shadowing other Nurse Assistants. I'm excited to get to start my journey of nursing. 

Before this, I was taking Nursing classes in preparation to this. I finished my my studies and just took my final exam! Hopefully i will pass :)

As of now I am excited to get to actually put everything I have learned thus far into real world scenarios!  

some more pictures of the girls :)