The Adventure of LIfe

Almost 10pm on a Monday night. Not often anymore do I sit on the couch at this hour trying to accomplish anything. I have been thinking about a blog post for a few days, and when I first came home at 8:30 tonight, it was my plan to have this done before I go to bed. Lots going on, lots to write about, and lots to reflect on.

Considering the fact that it is getting to be my bed time, perhaps I will try to keep this concise for now and can always expand in future posts.

I know you have all likely heard me say before that I truly believe "Life is an adventure." Here's jus a few things about my current adventures in life and how things are beginning to change. Change is a part of life. Moving forward and seeing where life takes me.

Seasons are changing. It's still a bit weird for me to think about how this time last year I was still sweating in 90+ weather in my bedroom in shorts and a t-shirt at 6am in the morning. I do love the colors of fall, but winter is definitely knocking on our door. Here is one nice photo I grabbed of the sun rising with some nice fall colors. Every day I wake up I have things to be thankful for.

My Uncle Chuck had an accident a few days ago falling off a ladder out on the farm. He shattered a wrist, which he had surgery on today, and has a bruised spinal cord. I have not had time to pay him a visit yet with my crazy work schedule, but I will be seeing him this week. Thanksgiving plans have changed, but I shall be with family. Makes you remember how things can change in an instant. My younger cousins are currently living with my parents as Aunt Paula will be spending a lot of time with Uncle Chuck through recovery. It's hard for me to picture Uncle Chuck lying in a hospital bed. Pretty much as hard as it was to see my Dad lying in a bed after a heart attack. Knowing Uncle Chuck, once his strength becomes to come back he will persevere through this. Gotta be thankful for family, that's for sure. I've been a pretty lucky girl.

For a few months now, I've found myself thinking about the idea of "Nurse Jessica". Yes, me Jessica. Jessica Boschen. I've been in a transitional phase of my life after returning from Samoa, but I know I want to be doing more with my life. Some recent things have really made me think seriously about it. I really do want to help people, and this may just be my next calling in life. The handful of people I have spoken with about it so far think I could be a great fit for it.

I've been researching programs to become a Registered Nurse on fast-track, as I do already have a Bachelor's Degree. If things continue to fall together, I will likely be working on applications for such schools over the next few months, with hops of starting school up again within a year. It's really feeling like a good thing right now, and I see so many possiblities with it. Things that are getting me excited, but once again, things can change, but it's a goal I am seriously looking at pursuing.

This led me to a new job I have accepted. I will be starting as a Universal Worker for the Good Samaritan Society in Syracuse, NE. Some various nursing assistant responsibilities beginning with a lot of time spent in the Assisted Living wing, but I may also pick up some shifts and experience in the nursing home. I am very excited about this job, know i will learn a lot, am anxious to get started, and know it will help me decide if becoming an RN is the right thing for me. Taking the opportunity, going on a new life adventure.

Yes, another life adventure. There will be some familiar faces, though. New job, new town, but old roommates! I am moving in with my good friends Andy and Karena. Yeah, you know who I mean. They own a house in Syracuse and have offered for me to move in, which all three of us are excited about. December 11th = Moving Day.

Here's their house. 1234 Walnut Street.

My new job at the Good Samaritan Society. This is the assisted living unit, where I will be spending a lot of time.

Two experiences this week, where I have that great feeling of not seeing a great friend in a while, but you talk like it was simply yesterday.

First one, Mr. Matthew Trisler. Matt and I have been pretty good friends since our sophomore year of college. Matt currently lives in Papillion, NE, which is about 30 minutes from where I currently live. We both graduated with Biology degrees and have been simply working lately and looking at moving forward. I spent Sunday afternoon at his house with his little family and some other friends for a little "Friendsgiving". I haven't seen him in a few months, and it was so great to catch up with him. We may not see a whole lot of each other, but he is still one of my best friends. He even served as a reference for me on my latest job application. We reminisced about many things and discussed our current pursuits.

Matt's son Sebastian is now 7 months old. Growing up so fast. Matt even made the comment, "Just think, Jess, in a few years we'll all be sitting around here with more kids running around." Aye, weird to think about, but it could easily be true. Little Sebastian fell asleep on my shoulder after while, and he is just one lovable little guy. He's got some great parents, too. Nicole has become a good friend to me, too, and I was so excited when they invited me over for Friendsgiving.

This was the first day I met Sebastian. He was already 2 months old by the time I moved back Stateside from American Samoa.

"Grandma Mary" is excited for me and my new job pursuit. Living with her really was one thing that got me thinking about nursing. It has been so wonderful to watch some things change in her life, while I've been here, too. We are an interesting pair, but we have been good for one anther. Although, our time living together may be coming to an end, we have no doubt built a friendship. A loving friendship. This was the photo my mom took of Mary and me the day I moved in with her.

Back to another catching up with an old friend. I have not seen Cassie in a few months now, either. We got together for some coffee and chatted for at least an hour. Was just like yesterday. What a wonderful feeling. She was one of those friends that was waiting for me at the airport when I returned from my year abroad. College really brought me to some of the best friends a girl could have ever asked for.

Final thoughts for today. There really are some pretty great people out there. People who respect your boundaries. People who go out of their way to be nice. People you enjoy spending time with. People who just seem to get you. People you want to get to know the real you. People who make you want to be even better. People you can picture in your life for many years to come. People that simply make you smile. Three here - a brother, a best friend (and soon-to-be-roommate-again), and a friend you are getting to know.

I love making people smile, and it's always fun when something brings a giant grin to my face, as well. Remember that guy I mentioned in my last post who paid for another table's meal anonymously. Saw him again this week, and we got to chatting about various things. A genuinely nice guy, and I told him how thankful the ladies were and how cool it was for me to be a part of, as well. He wished me luck on my new job, and that was a really great moment for me again being reassured about kindness in the world.

If anyone has any input on my potential pursuit of becoming a nurse, let me know. I love chatting when I can, and I am excited about my new journey. Moving to Syracuse, NE for a while, working, maybe applying for school, taking some classes, and doing good things for the world. All possibilities, but I am taking it one day at a time for now. Exciting stuff, though, no matter how it all plays out. I miss volunteering so much. Service. Life. Adventure. Journey.

Hope you all have a wonderful week! This post sort of jumped around a bit, but hey that's just how it goes. I'm a bit organized, but I also just roll with it. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

A Mighty Fine Day as a Waitress

I enjoy being a waitress. I meet new people all the time, spend most of my day smiling, and am moving about for hours straight. 

A day like today, though, is one that makes my job even more fun.

Came in this morning a bit nervous about how the day may go as our kitchen manager was gone helping at a new location. Clocked in at 7:30am to find it rather slow for a Sunday. Still never seemed highly busy overall, but toward the end of the day I was covering tables all over the restaurant. Most customers didn't mind. They appreciated that I was still taking the time to help them.

I thought I saw the grandparents of Miss Mya walk in the door at one point when I was running around. My little friend Mya orders a hot chocolate every Sunday she comes in with her mom and grandparents. I got her hooked on our salted caramel hot chocolate. After helping her family a few times, I finally asked her name, and I told her I would remember. Last week when they were in, I was fortunate enough to actually have them sit in my section. She was all excited when I remembered her name.

This week, grandpa flags me down when Mya is off at the bathroom. He and mom asked if I would come say hi when I had a chance, as Mya had been watching me all day. She came back out, I walked right up, and I said "Hey, how's my friend Mya today?" She showed me a new quilt her grandma had made for her, gave me a hug, and we chatted a bit. Makes me smile. :-)

At that same table later in the day I noticed a few familiar faces. Not faces from Omaha, but faces from my hometown Newman Grove. I walked right over, said hello, and sat right down next to Arla. I served Arla coffee many a times at the City Cafe back home. We chatted for a while, I gave her a hug, and said it was so great to see her. Not every day I run into people like that. Another big smile for the day. :-)

The husband in an older couple I was helping was a little hard of hearing, but I made sure he heard everything I said. Also enjoyed speaking with his wife. They were both so kind. When they got up to leave, the husband say, "Now you stay out of trouble." His wife said, "You keep on smiling." Another smile. :-)

One of the guys from my Wednesday morning party will come in with his family often on Sundays. The second Sunday now I have had the pleasure to help them out. They all remember my name, and Mr. Bruce is beyond kind every time I have the opportunity to serve him.

I enjoy a little fun with the cooks back in the kitchen throughout the day. Dante, Oscar, Bryan. Keeps the day fun and everyone's spirits up even when we get busy or we begin to tire. After being on your feet for 7 hours straight, you need some pick me-ups.

Another couple I helped out today were super friendly. After a while the gentleman told me he wanted the bill for these ladies sitting a few tables away from him. He had no idea who they were, and I said, "Oh we're doing one of those anonymous ones. How great of you! This is a cool thing to be a part of." After he and his wife had left I went to tell the ladies that their bill had been taken care of. They asked of it was the guy sitting a few tables away as he had said "Have a good day" as he walked by. They said they wished they knew who he was so they could have thanked him. What a cool thing! I've heard of people doing this before, and it was such an honor for me to be right there. Another smile for Jessica. :-)

Last major smile for the afternoon as a waitress at the Egg and I. New personal tip record for a day! Such generous customers today. Sure the little extra money can be nice, but it doesn't beat all the smiles and good moments I experienced. You always remember how people made you feel. 

Hope everyone has a great week!

Moments

Thinking about how neat it is how life just takes you places, things fall together, you meet just the right people, you learn things as you go, and you experience the world.

I think about moments. Some can be small - the little things. Some snowball together in what can turn out to be one awesome day in the life. 

I look back at how I missed an entire month of blogging. What happened? I just got caught up in some things and forgot how much I truly enjoyed journaling and letting my thoughts roll. Found myself coming home tonight thinking about how I've had some really great days lately and noticing so many moments I wanted to share. Some are backtracking a bit, but I hope anyone out there who reads this enjoys.

Moments. Some are the little pick me-up you needed, some are the out of this world fun you are having,  some are those heartfelt thank-you's you receive, some where you just take it all in. Here are a few moments from many good days in the life.

These descriptions may be short, but I intend for you to take them for what you will. Use a little imagination and think about the story that could surround each moment I mention. I hope some bring you smiles like they have me. I have photos to accompany some.

That moment when you find yourself with three adult friends at the pumpkin patch posing on the wooden train. Child's spirit and random fun.

That moment when you find yourself with knees hitting the steering wheel while pedaling but loving every minute of it racing rolling around the track.

That moment when you pose in the brig just to be silly.

That moment when Farmer Brown reminds you a bit of Paul Bunyan for some reason, so you pose on his shoulder.

That moment when you're babysitting for two wonderful kids that remind you of you and your brother at that age.

That moment when the mom calls you back and tells you how much the kids enjoyed you and asked if you can come babysit again soon.

That moment when you find yourself successfully changing a burnt out brake light in your SUV. All by yourself. In your dress. So simple, yet a life experience!

That moment when you donate a pint of blood, knowing how that 45 minutes of my day can go to make a difference in someone else's life.

That moment when your roommate's granddaughter hops out of the car so anxious to see you with a big hug ready and the words "I missed you."

That moment when your lovely 6-year old friend cuddles up with you at the movie theatre during Free Birds and you take a deep breath.

That moment when you invite a friend from work (who's birthday is one day before yours, and she made you hold an umbrella with her for the Banzai photo) to play on a coed softball team you've got on and she agrees to come out.

That moment when that same friend is so excited about the game after not playing for many years and immediately asks to play again and thanks you with so much happiness.

That moment when one of your best friends drives 40 minutes to spend the entire afternoon with you just doing our thing from watching the Husker game to driving around to walking around stores to chatting about life to playing softball (and having an absolute blast!) to bowling to enjoying the heated mattress pad on your bed.

That moment when you snag a throw from left field at 2nd base for the forced out and your opponent compliments you on the great play.

That moment when the pitcher tosses you the ball with your foot on the base, you turn, and you launch it to first for the double play.

That moment when some new friends ask you to join them for bowling and you bring an old friend along. Then, you all have a great time, joking around, being a bit competitive, and bowling over 120!

That moment when your parent's boss from work eats at the restaurant you work at, asks about you, you walk over, and he snaps a photo to send to your mom.

That moment when you serve some friendly customers from Austin, TX to find out that the husband once danced the Samoan Siva in Hawaii after telling them you lived in Samoa for a year.

That moment when as a waitress you find $10 on the table from two customers, when you on average expect to see $4 or 5.

That moment when you trip on the steps and your friends chuckle about it.

That moment when the GPS tells you to make a right turn only to make a U-turn when you totally could have simply made a left turn at the light. Silly GPS sometimes.

That moment when you take a 15-minute power nap.

That moment when you enjoy a cup of white hot chocolate with that best friend of yours.

That moment when you meet the right people at just the right time.

That moment when someone gives you a compliment and truly means it.

That moment when you run into one of your regular customers from the bank at the restaurant, and she recognized you too.

That moment when a second customer from the bank is at the restaurant on the very same day and the same thing happens.

That moment when one of your students from this past year starts messaging you and asks if you know who they are. You say "yes, marine science class." "Yes, but do you remember me." "Of course I do. Fale. You sat in the front row often next to Chardine. What are you up to these days." "Getting ready to move to Hawaii for college soon." Teacher moment.

That moment when you call your dad to tell him about your softball game.

That moment when you call your mom to tell her about a simple thing that made you smile.

That moment when your brother sends you a photo from grocery shopping.

That moment when you receive a card in the mail with a hand written note.

That moment when you tell someone your middle name.

Moments.... so many moments. So many memories. So much laughter. So many smiles. So many experiences. So much living each day. Life.

Hope everyone has a great week, and I sure am going to try to keep up with my blog a bit better again. It's important to me. Hope you enjoy my style this post and take from it whatever makes you smile. Mucho amor to you all! Mucho amor = much love in Spanish. :-)

A Few Quick Things

Hard to believe that this time last year, I was regularly posting on my blog 2 or 3 times a week. Today, I find myself not having done it in maybe 3 weeks. Oye. Just a few quick little things of some recent days in the journey of life.

Last week I came across some more good quotes to write down in my journal. One in particular stood out for me. After my recent presentation back at home talking about my experience as a volunteer teacher and some meaning in my life, I found I connected with these words spoken by Oprah Winfrey really well.

"I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint, and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it o others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you." -Oprah

Next, I went to a concert last Tuesday night. Only the third concert I've been to in my life. Went with some of my great friends I met back at Morningside College. This particular day happened to be Karena's birthday, and we had purchased these tickets back over the summer. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. Now, I don't listen to much rap, but I do highly respect the work these guys have done. Karena introduced me to Macklemore a few years ago before he was even known at all. One song has become one of our favorites.

A few lines for you: --And we danced, and we cried, and we laughed, and had a really really really good time. Take my hand, let's have a blast, and remember this moment for the rest of our lives.--

A phenomenal concert! They put on a really great show, and I enjoyed every minute of it with Karena, Andy, and Jessie. Before the show we took a few random photos like we always used to. Making memories, loving life, and enjoying ourselves.

Halloweeen night I attended a series of plays put on by Red Theater Omaha. A friend I met through Karena has become part of this theater group here in Omaha. Together we attended one of her shows over the summer. I decided it would be a fun thing for me to do that night. If you came in costume, you saved $1 on your ticket. I figured why not. I decided to get a little creative on my costume, though, using only things I already had at home. I went as "the ocean". I liked my little outfit, and I am glad I went to the show. 30 short plays in 60 minutes in a random order, a live theater. Lots of fun.

Saturday I had a hankering for pizza all of a sudden. Homemade pizza. Just for fun I thought I'd make it vegan style, too. I found some cheese made from rice, which was absolutely delicious. Tomato sauce, spinach leaves, tomato slices, mushrooms, and rice cheese. Yum yum. Just look how delicious it looks. It was also a beautiful afternoon, and I enjoyed my late lunch out on the deck. Sweet bliss. Just enjoyed the moment. Don't mind if I do. :-)

Doing the daily crossword puzzle has become one of my things, which I believe I have mentioned before. So many good words, building my vocabulary, using a little logic, and enjoying the puzzle. Tuesday morning, many good words throughout. Many make me smile, but one in particular stood out today. My third home. American Samoa. Wow. First time that has popped in the puzzle since I started doing them a few months ago. I posted these photos on my Facebook page with a comment about sending my love to Am Sam today, third home. I received many "likes" and a handful of comments from my friends back down there.

I will return some day, at least for a visit. Beautiful place, a great third home in my life. Oh crossword puzzle, way to remind me of that again today. Although, I do think about my time there often.

Have a great week, everyone. If you're like me, you are finding it hard to believe it is November already, and that s-word is well on our horizon. Oh boy....