current update

Hi All,

Wow it has been a long time since i have written anything. Well let's do a little update shall we. Currently i am out of school and on my summer break. It hasn't been much of a break because i have been working quite a bit. I am still at Emerald heights as a nurse aid and am enjoying spending time with my residents. They really do brighten my day and make i an enjoyable place to work. I also enjoy my co-workers. Sometimes my residents compliment me n my care and support for each of them. It touches me that they would say these things when most people might think to say something sweet, but don't.

Another note: I have been hiking quite a bit. I have hiked Tiger mountain, little Si, Bridle trails, Poo Poo point (yes it really is named that) and my greatest accomplishment thus far in the hiking arena, Mount St. Helens!  You heard correctly, i have indeed hiked my first mountain!. 8,400 feet of elevation and going up boulders, skrii (slippery sand) and having no trail to follow was difficult and you needed all the determination you could get to get to the peek, but it was worth it. I had a 360 degree view of mount Rainier. mount Adams, mount Hood and mount Jefferson. Mount St. Helens used to be taller, but in 1980, it erupted causing the mountain to lose 1100 feet off its top. I really enjoyed this hike and seeing the wonder and splendor of nature.

Camping... I love camping and going to camps. When i was younger, i loved doing all the traditional camp things: boating, ropes course, hiking, playing games... and all that jazz. This year was my first year of being a camp counselor. This camp was a little different though. I worked with campers who had MDA.  MDA (muscular dystrophy) is a genetic disorder (40 different types) where the patient lacks certain muscle proteins that enable the child to grow muscle. essentially, the patient can't develop muscle, so the body decays and the patient slowly loses all ability to do tasks you and i take for granted. I was given a camper who was not able to walk and could not stand up. This was difficult for me honestly. The camper was challenging and trying to help the camper do tasks used a lot of creativity. overall, my experience with this camp was good. I loved how the camp tried to make the camper's experience as "normal" as possible, even if they had to get medications and perform tests on the campers. 

two of my campers :)

Dating life: Well I am still dating my best friend! We have been together for almost 5 years! Wow its odd writing that out. Anyways, he is doing an internship at an ultrasound company. He makes me so proud. Many of my friends constantly ask me when we are going to become engaged or even married (going to a private christian school does that to ya ;) ). All i can say for now is we have talked about this and are waiting until both he and i are done with school to get married. However, when he proposes is still a mystery. He says he wants to propose right after he graduates or something like that, so we shall see.

Nick and I in our younger high school days lol!

Family: my family is doing well. nothing new to report hahaha.

well after i have written an essay, i am going to go off now.

blessings,

Anna 

current update

Hi All,

Well I am coming to an end to another year of University. I have been currently working on getting ready to present my findings for my baby lab study in my Psychology research internship class. I have also been studying for my two exams coming up this next week. This past weekend, my mom, sister-in-law, her mother and I completed our first half marathon. This was on mother's day. I am so proud of our accomplishment. We had a nice time together. I treasure the memories i have with my family oh so very much. I am excited to start nursing school this fall and am looking forward to having some more hours at work. Anyways, I guess it is back to the books for me :(

Happy Easter!

Hi All!!

I hope you all have had an amazing Easter! He is risen! For Easter, I played for three of my church services. We then had my sister-in-law and her family over to spend some time together. After that my parents drove me back to Seattle Pacific and i took by boyfriend's sister out for her birthday dinner. I am truly blessed. I have so many people around me that i cherish.

blessings,

Anna

And here's the bunch :)

 

nursing school!! yea!

Hello all,

I am writing to say that my last quarter as a Psychology student has just begun. I am taking history courses, anatomy for psychology majors, advanced statistics and independent research. I am so excited to also write that i was accepted into NURSING SCHOOL!! I was so excited when i opened my letter :)  anyways, that is my exciting news.

over spring break i went for the first time on a chair lift to go snowboarding. my friend took me to her sister's house and from there, we went to the mountain near her house. I must say that snowboarding is an exhilarating feeling. I was excited to go down a mountain fast and trying to stay up right. i think that i did pretty well for a beginner. anyways i think that my break was good. now i am off and running.

blessings,

Anna

my thoughts in life

Hey all,

As of now, I am sitting in a University library with my housemates trying desperately to study for finals tomorrow. Well, my brain is done for now with the studying. Seriously, i can't really function well past 8:00. Like, i can read my material, but it tends to leave my brain as soon as i say the words in my head. Anyways, i though of writing in my blog instead of trying to study. Now let's see what big things have happened? Well i went to support my brother in the polar bear plunge. this is a plunge to raise money for the special Olympics. the people involved mean so much to me. when i was in high school, i got to teach 5 children with mental deficits. they are some pretty cool people. maybe i should do a list... yeah i think i will!!

top 5 reasons to help with mentally disabled

5. never a dull moment! seriously these guys are funny and curious.

4. always encouraging. these kids i worked with are so encouraging and uplifting. it doesn't matter where you are, if they see you, they will say hi to you and give you a big hug! so worth it!

3. gain patience and understanding. i have learned to be patient and loving to them. there will be days you want to pull your hair out, but in the end you can see that you are really helping them and they appreciate that you will take your time to be with them and hang out with them

2. you can stretch out your creativity. i had to think of creative ways to teach my students. they aren't at the same capacity of learning as i was, so i had to come up with different ways to teach them basic concepts.

1. you gain new friends. these kids are great. we still talk and love to hang out and spend time with one another.

I highly recommend working with this people. you won't regret this decision.

blessings,

Anna  

thoughts

Well hello again,

Sometimes i am not really sure what to talk about or blog about. I guess that sometimes i feel that people who read about my life may think it is boring and slow... After all, i am a college student who really doesn't do much in terms of fun except go on to pinterest, netflix, and hang out with my house mates. we usually just talk and stuff, nothing exciting. I don't go on random trips to anywhere on the whim. I spend time reading and cooking. I guess those are things that i find fun. let's see what can we discuss. well, recently there have been news about Ukraine and China. I haven't really kept up with what really is going on. All i know is that both of these countries need prayer/ guidance. I have realized that our world is a hard place and not something relaxing. When people get ready to go out into the world, we need to become prepared. I feel sometimes the classes people take at my school don't prepare us. I wish we had classes where we learned practical things, like learning how to budget and learning taxes. I almost think that people aren't ready for the real world by the time they graduate, so they have to grow up really quick. Oh my i lost track again. I was talking about China and Ukraine but got onto a different topic on school. Let's see what i do know about China is that there was a knifing incident that got 29 people killed and many others injured. Ukraine, i am not really sure what is going on except that many people are having riots and it is really dangerous. one of my house mates has friends serving over in Ukraine and they had to leave for safety reasons. As a student in US, i can't really do anything except for pray for them and try to offer support to people i know who are feeling the effects of these problems.

I guess i can tell you all about my work! I work as a Nursing assistant. I am in charge of 10 residents and my job is to take care them and help them get through different tasks, like use the restroom, dress, brush teeth, eat...etc It is such a rewarding job. Each resident has a character that just brightens my day. they make me happy to help them and make me like going into work. sometimes it is difficult for me... some of my residents are heavy and hard to move, and me being 5'2'' is somewhat a challenge to move them, but i figure out different ways of moving them. i absolutely am blessed to have this job and see this as a great stepping stone for me in my nursing journey.

other news is that i recently had my nursing school interview. it was interesting being asked questions. i was put into a big group and we were asked questions about our lives and our history. i am not sure how i did, but i will find out in a few weeks if i made it into nursing school. If i don't make it into the school, i will be finishing my psychology degree this year and will graduate which is somewhat scary and exciting i guess, but i rather stay in school and get my nursing degree.

I hope you all have a restful rest of the day. blessings :)

Anna
 

Books and more books :)

The Literary Heroine 

I remember doing this last year and was thrilled that it has come up again :)  

you can spot it all the fun  here

~ The Questions ~

1. Introduce yourself!  Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!
• Hi I am Anna. I am a Junior/Senior in college studying a double major in psychology and Nursing. I love to cook, 1930's-1960's musicals, being with my friends and having so many opportunities at my school to serve. i aspire to become a nurse and work with children. something random, hmm i play the oboe and have since i was 13, so about 7 or so years. i play at my church in the orchestra and have always enjoyed the challenges oboe brings.  

My brothers and me

1. What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine? 
• a true heroine.. hm one that defends what she knows is true. a person who won't back down from something even if she might be scared that someone might think badly about her. someone who will stand up for the truth and will be bold. someone that isn't the "cookie cutter" person. she should be strong and witty. 
2. Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to. 
• ok i think this may be similar to the one i made last year.. but my four heroines
1. Elizabeth Bennett: I love her spunk and how she isn't like any of the other girls during her time period. she didn't love someone for the money. she loved them for their character. she is strong-willed and quick-wit. she is one of my favorite characters :) 
2. Jo March! Jo, Jo, Jo, my tomboy Jo. i love her personality and the way she carries herself. i feel most connected with her because we are so similar. we both liked doing boyish stuff more so then being a girl. i love her independence and courage.  
3. Five of your favorite historical novels? 

1. Little Women
2. Pride and Prejudice
3. The Little Princess
4. Oliver Twist
5. The Prince and Pauper

• Out of those five books who is your favorite major character and why? 

• this is difficult, because every time i read the books, i like the main character in each the best. i guess i would say my favorite is Jo March. I love how similar she is to Louisa May Alcott. Little Women is by far my favorite book. i just love the historical aspects to the book and how save Beth, they all end up with the ones they love. I love Jo is so strong and becomes the man of the family when her father goes away. i love her spunk and i love how charming she is. 

• Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why? 
• Charles Bingly. though he isn't shown that much in Pride and Prejudice, i really like him. he is so charming and really sweet. i will admit not much is really known about him, but he had such a strong love for Jane. 
• If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there? 

• dream place... hm maybe go on a world tour. first go through England than go to Rome than go Israel and last go to China. I love the history of all the places. i would just spend time going to all the sites each hold. i have always wanted to see the Colosseum and go to the places where Jesus preached/ lived
• What is your favorite time period and culture to read about? 

•  period: middle ages and culture: european

• You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of? 
• play piano- honestly i am not much at recitation or comedy, but i love to play the piano and sing songs. so i would play songs and sing. 
• If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent? 
• ouch... hard, i guess i think i would come as Jo March. I love the time period costume and i think i could pull her off :) 
• What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?
• eh... i like it to an extent. i like dark chocolate or mint chocolate. other than that, me and chocolate have an ok relationship. 
• Favorite author(s)? 
• Tim La Hayne
• Jerry B. Jenkins
• Jane Austin
• Louisa May Alcott
• to name four...
• Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land? 
• camera, currency of the area, sun block, translation books, maps of the land, popular picks for places to see, guide books, sunglasses
•   
• In which century were most of the books you read written? 
• 18th- 19th century 
• In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is… 
• t
• Describe your ideal dwelling place.
• a cottage with a lovely garden and a big back yard so i can have dogs running around. i like a little cabin/cottage that has vines and flowers all around it. 



somewhat looks like this, but with a big back yard and more flowers

• Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence. 
• Quick, cute, modest-ish 
• Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name? 
• no, i feel that takes away from the story if you change the name 
• In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is... 
• someone who fakes being truth, but then turns around and stabs the person in the back. they start as being friendly, when really they are evil and want to harm the character. 
• Three favorite Non-fiction books? 
• crazy love
•  the Bible 
• autobiographies
• Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon? 
• sit out on my deck with a book in hand and read with my dog sitting beside me, then take a nap on said deck with said dog beside me. or go out with my friends and go get yogurt and enjoy one another company
• Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character. 


• dream hat haha i am terrible at explaining.... i think pictures might be good XD hope that is alright!!



essentially, i love flapper- 1920's style hats. i love the look. i would like hats that look like these but maybe add a bow or a flower on the hat. :)

•  
• Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year. 
• deciding to do a double major
• my brother getting married
• my close friends getting engaged

• Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.
• i get so worried about everything in my life. this verse is really encouraging and helps me remember that i am not alone in life :) 
  ²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[a]?
  ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
  
  ~Matthew 6:25-34 
  
  
  
  
  blessings, 
  Anna

meet the house

Hi again, 

I know 2 in one day that is a lot to handle... but i haven't been on for a while. anyways the images above are all the wonderful ladies i get the privilege to live with. each is special in their own unique way. i want to tell you a little about each one, but still keep their name confidential. i will go in order from top to bottom left to right. anyways without further ado :)

lady #1 (i am going to skip me...) she is seen posing at i think one of the retreats we have. this is actually a world war 2 base in washington. anyways, this girl is pretty awesome. she is a physiology major and is wanting to go into the field of nursing. one word to describe her.... well there isn't on word.. haha she is comical, insightful, smart and talented. she is pretty awesome and is a great room mate. I feel blessed to have her in my life. sometimes she might not think i appreciate her especially when i am cross, but knowing that she is there is really nice and she is someone i can trust:) 

lady #2 lovely one standing next to the infamous gum wall in seattle. how to describe her, oh my goodness, this lady is awesome. she is a history major and man she knows her stuff. in addition to being the history junkie in the house, she is also great at having deep talks, but at the same time keeps you on you toes. she is silly, serious, intelligent, hard-working and determined. i love her spunk and pazaz she adds to life. i have grown fond of her and think of her as someone i can come to and talk with. i love how attentive she is to details in life and i appreciate how she looks out for every one of her friends. 

lady #3 the lovely one in the red. this girl is so sweet and funny. she is quite at times and sometimes i'll be honest have no idea where she is throughout the day. she is also very busy. she is a psychology major and hold two jobs. regardless of not seeing her much, she is a character. she sometimes has those days where nothing to her makes sense, but she is able to come out of those types of situations and laugh about it. i'll be honest, i don't know her as well as i know the other girls in this house, but what i do know of her is that she is very determined, hardworking, funny, sinister in a good way and all around a lovely lady to have in the house. 

lady#4 the one in the middle bottom posing with her sister. this girl is something else. she is a double major in linguistics and rusian. she is ambitious. not one to hang around in one spot, she wants to go around the world and work. she is an amazing person. she gives the best compliments and always is there when you need her. she is so strong, funny caring and determined. i am so thankful to get to live with her this year. everyday is an adventure living with her. she keeps us all on our toes and all laughing at some point of the day due to her random shenanigans. i trust her so much even though sometimes she acts like a hyper child. she means so much to me.

lady#5 the last one in the beautiful Hawaiian sun... no fair XD. This girl is pretty awesome too. she is a sociology major and is always an interesting sort to have in the house. she can be a total goof, and then be serious at the right times. i like how she doesn't hesitate to try to explain concepts. she is very funny and has an eye for fashion. this young lady came from hawaii to attend school in Seattle and am happy that she did come over here. i have enjoyed getting to know her more. i love her quirky personality and her vocabulary. i love how insightful and strong-willed she is. 

these girls mean a lot to me. sometimes just knowing they are around helps me through tough situations. i know they are all willing to listen and be there for me and i am so grateful to them all!! to you girls, you are the best. i am blessed so much to have you in my life.  

blessings,

hello world!

wow,

Hi all,
It has been a long time since  i have been online. I should catch you all up on some things. I am in my Junior year of college pursuing a psychology degree. the course load has been daunting at times and sometimes i just want to pull out my hair. Anyways, My boyfriend and i have celebrated our 4 years of dating and my it has been a whirlwind. Sometimes it is hard for me to remember that i have been dating this long. anyways, i wouldn't change anything for it. Currently, i just applied to nursing school and went through my interview... that was interesting. i was asked questions like, "Why do you want to be a nurse?" "Name an experience where you used teamwork to get a task done." "What is a weak quality you have, and how have you been improving on that quality?" well you get the picture, they are very interested in who I am as a person. I really just tried to answer truthfully and relate to my work, life, and school areas. I am hoping I did well, fingers crossed (i hear back in march!!) 

Let's see, hm well i have had several friends get engaged. One is getting married this June and the other is getting married in July. I guess i must go to a private christian school. you know the stereotype "Ring-by-spring." so common at my school to hear couples getting engaged. I think both couples will be fine, even though they are rather young. they both are quite mature and compose themselves and have their priorities set. i would say though that getting married while in college can't be easy. I for one wouldn't be able to handle it well. I guess the best i can do is be there for them and support them. i am excited for both couples though. one of the couples is a really good friend of mine and Nick. We have know this friend since sophomore year of high school and are rather close. we started a bible study together and have kept in touch. i actually write his fiance and have enjoyed getting to know her, so i am soooo excited for their big day (plus, i get to see nick in a suit since he is a groomsmen ;)). the other couple is very sweet and fund to talk to as well. we met in college. it has been weird seeing college friends getting married, but it is inevitable. 

currently, i am researching with one of my psychology professors. we are looking at babies and seeing how they react to certain stimuli. given two pictures, one of nature and one of man-made creation and distorting either images, we have the child look at the pictures. judging at how long he looks at one determines which one he found most interesting. overall, i think it is interesting, though sometimes a bit disorganized. the babies are always adorable and fun to work with, so i think this is a win-win for me. 

last, I find that it would be important for me to say i am living with 5 girls and it has been a blast. though we have had many ups and downs this year i wouldn't change anything. 

anyways, tis very late ya'll but i hope to have another post up. until next time.

blessings,

Anna