Spontaneous Excursion

Saturday turned out to be a much more eventful day than I would have originally guessed. The plan was to ride with the Danners to Auburn Saturday morning for the girls' basketball games - one at 11am and one at 2pm. I ended up having to go to work at 7am. I lucked out and was able to leave at 1pm to make it to Auburn in plenty of time before the 2pm game. Karena has been helping coach one of her younger sister's teams, and I was really hoping to make it to their final game as I had only been to one other this season.

While I was at work, I noticed how nice it looked outside. I was thinking that since I was already heading southeast and would now have my vehicle with me, perhaps I would continue further southeast from Auburn after the game for a little visit to Indian Cave State Park. One of these nice days in February, and it is one place my family and I talk about some great memories from camping years ago. 

When I asked Karena if she wanted to go with me, she immediately agreed. Her family has gone camping there, too. It turned out splendidly that she came with me. Don't get me wrong, I'll take any day just walking around in the woods, enjoying it, and maybe doing a little reading. However, all these memories may not have sparked so much had I not been there with this best friend of mine. I also would not have taken quite so many fun and silly pictures all by me lonesome, savvy? 

We had a fun afternoon reminiscing, talking about life, being silly, and making memories at Indian Cave State Park. Here come quite a few of the photos we took throughout the day. I will only be leaving a small caption with each, but I hope you can see some of the fun we were having together in so many ways. :-)

Is it spring yet?!

Check out that old-fashioned wooden fence. Hmmm.

Posing in the hallow, where I once rode on the Haunted Hallow Hayrack Ride as a kid.

I love nature.

Wooooooooooooo!

Now isn't that cute?

Tree roots!

Had to stop at the lookout.

Just gazing.

Smiling at the scenery.

Cheeeeeeeese.

Greased Lightning, anyone?

Poor attempt at being Lewis and Clark.

I fail. hahaha

Go stick your head through that grill.

Thank goodness for self-timers.

Circles and smiles. :-)

Karena spotted some beautiful light when we were playing on the picnic table.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Nice colors down by the river.

The rabbit face I remember seeing in the cave area as a kid.

Indian Cave!

Bahaha

Just a couple of dweebs we be.

Posing on the boardwalk.

Down by the river.

Eeeeeek!

Beautiful sky over the fields as we were heading out.

We stopped at a small cafe for dinner on our way back to Syracuse.

Mmmmm homemade colewslaw!

Great food at a great price and a great little spot - the perfect end to our adventurous afternoon.

What's a girl to do?

I have learned that some times it is best to let things go and/or accept them for what they are. No matter what, we strive to do our best and make things work; yet, some cookies just crumble where they may. What's a girl to do when she has this boy that seems to like her a lot, but she can't see it as more than friendship? She has to let him go. Sooner rather than later. So, she did. Good things came, she learned, and now she continues on life's journey.

Moving along the journey we often reminisce. What's a girl to do when she really doesn't talk to anyone from high school anymore, but the one person that she does sends her a message one day? She writes back, and they do a little catching up. This happens about once every three months it feels like. When they admit that they now live rather close again, it would be nice to actually do a little catching up in person, as they haven't seen one another in at least two years.

A few days later, that friend asks when she's coming to visit. She asked for a suggestion, and the next night she was on her way to Lincoln to catch up with that hometown friend, meet some new people, and enjoy herself. All of the above worked out for her, and she is very glad she went. I mean she watched three fun-loving guys sing karaoke, got up there herself, and enjoyed their company.

Now what's a girl to do when she is invited to be a panelist at her college nearly two years after graduating herself? She happily goes prepared to be the person in the room that talks about her varying experience and how she is still along a winding path.

She slides into this awesome bargain dress she found on clearance a few weeks prior, and she feels absolutely powerful in it. She couldn't help but take a few photos with it. It is currently her new favorite dress. She is also loving her short hair more and more every day.

The panel went really well, by the way. She was invited by the psychology honor society to speak at their panel on "What comes after graduation". The only panelist in the room without a formal psychology background, but she does have some practical experience. She was asked to speak about her experience as a volunteer teacher overseas, which was fun. She decided to also speak about how she is taking more classes now, really wasn't sure she wanted to do for the longest time, and is open to where life takes her. That was fun!

What's a girl to do when she doesn't work until later on Saturday and a few of her little Syracuse friends are playing basketball just over in Nebraska City? She wakes up, puts on a Syracuse T-shirt borrowed from her roommate, sits in those bleachers, cheers them on, and grabs a photograph with them.

What's a girl to do when she wants to spend the afternoon with her brother, carpool with her roommates to town, but get some homework done in her free morning? She packs up her bag with her computer, Kindle (which contains her textbooks now), notebook, and a pen. She pulls up a chair at a coffeeshop and gets to work.

It's beginning to look a lot like college again. She had done this from time to time while a full-time student at Morningside with her first degree. Now she works on a few pre-requisite courses before she goes through the accelerated nursing program next year. Lifelong learning!

Speaking of lifelong learning.... What's a girl to do when she finds out there's a introductory karate class being held in a small town just 7 miles away for one night a week for the next six weeks? She and her roommate sign up. It's a new life experience, where they are learning some self-defense, new muscle control, some exercises, and having a good time. They even have to do wall-sits up against one another's back, which is improving! Not to mention their wax on, wax off move is really getting there. :-)

What's a girl to do when she is walking around the old hay market district in Lincoln and decides she's a little hungry? She walks into this place called "The Mellow Mushroom", where she orders a mushroom, spinach, and cheese calzone. Hippie colors everywhere, and it was a fun little place she enjoyed for her late solo lunch.

What's a girl to do when she makes it home after her day in Lincoln to find that the wind has gone down, and it actually feels like that 50 degree weather they've been talking about? She laces up her shoes, throws on her sweatshirt, and heads out the door for a little run out on the country road before heading to Karate class. She snags a photo of the sun going down and the beautiful sky along her way, as sunsets are one of her favorite things.

What's a girl to do when her clumsiness and slight stupidity catch up with her on her planned morning run before going to the gym for a bit? She's jogging down the street, decides to make the loop around the park, runs through some puddles, sees one coming up that looks a little longer, thinks about veering off into the grass, but decides a little more water isn't going to hurt her. She takes one step onto that "puddle" to instantaneously find herself slipping, falling, breaking the thin ice, and thinking, "You dork. Now look what you did. You have some scratches on your leg and a little blood.  Smooth move."

She contemplates just going home, but she remembers that she once fell and sliced open her knee, which was gushing for a while, only to continue on her hike up to the top of a waterfall. She can continue on to the weight room. She jogged on, and yes she has been lifting weights a few times a week lately. Pumping a little iron. She thinks she feels like her biceps are feeling a bit firmer. haha

What's a girl to do when she is sitting at home with a little free time on her hands before a meeting at work? She decides to sit down and write a blog post for the week. Hope you enjoy and have a great week!

One Minute to the Next

Last night on my walk home from work I found myself noting many instances where things took an interesting change. From small changes to larger ones. 

One minute I am going with things, and the next I know exactly what the right thing to do is.

One minute I'm running on a slight incline with the wind working against me, and the next I am picking up speed on the straightaway home with zero wind.

One minute I'm taking a nice photo of the family at the Nebraska Wrestling dual, the next I am taking a random photo with Aunt Kristin.

One minute I'm in the kitchen getting lunch started, and the next I am watching one pretty active lady being taken by the rescue squad.

One minute I'm thinking I'm just going to crawl on the couch, and the next I am slipping on my neon bright shirt for a quick night run.

One minute I'm visiting with "Grandma" Mary in the hospital, and the next an old gentleman in the stairway asks me if I'm just heading home from my shift at work.

One minute I'm listening to elderly life stories while I help them shower, and the next we receive a phone call that the lady on the stretcher had a massive stroke and passed away.

One minute I'm speed walking home, and the next I am taking my leisurely time under the blocks of light to those in the dark.

One minute my alarm is sounding at 6am, and the next I am rolling over shutting off the 9-minute snooze.

One minute I'm walking to work in the dark of the morning, the next I am walking home from work in the dark of the night.

One minute I am one hour away from ending my 8-hour shift, and the next I am being recruited to stay for the next shift.

One minute I'm about ready to head to my bedroom, and the next I'm going to play cards with some friends.

One minute I am shutting my eyes, and the next I am having a late-night conversation with one of my few friends from high school.

One minute I am work doing my thing, and the next I am thinking nursing really is going to be a great thing for me.

One minute I'm scrolling through some articles online, and the next I'm really enjoying some messages from this one I have to share. What Students Remember About Teachers

Just some reminders this week to live each day and enjoy the ride when we can. Appreciate the little things. Hope you all have a great week!

Books, Munchies, Running Shoes, and School

All week I was ready to make this particular 5x7inch piece at our craft party with the girls. I saw an idea online to Mod-Podge a page from a book onto a canvas and paint a black silhouette on top. I was on the hunt for a good bargain book at a thrift store, as I would not be the type to just rip a page out a good book I already own in good condition. haha Found a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which is the first of that seven-book series. I already own one copy of this book, but like I said can't be ripping out of that cop. (Besides, it is also sitting on my bookshelf back at my parents' house right now.) I grabbed it from the shelf and figured that would work.

Later that day I realized this was actually going to be perfect for my project. This particular book is one of the first I remember reading when I began enjoying reading for fun when I wasn't at school. Then, I wanted to rip out a good page. Not just any random page, but a page with a worthy quote on it. I ended up choosing the page where Professor Dumbledore says, "It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends." This is a noteworthy quote from the series.

My original idea was to paint some sort of tree on the page, and I did a little idea searching. Decided I would attempt to paint a tree with a girl on a swing. I'm actually pretty impressed with my painting skills this time around. I'm pretty proud of this little project, and it is now hanging on my wall in my bedroom. Actually next to another Harry Potter craft I made, as suggested by Karena's little sister. Passerby may not understand the significance of the whole thing to me, but I know it. This little project says "Jessica Boschen" in many ways.

A certain cousin of mine sent me a message the other day asking if I had read a particular book.  I replied I had not, but I had a feeling he was suggesting I should. He sent me a copy in the mail, which arrived a few days later, with a note saying how much laughter it sparked for him. I kept reading and was enjoying it, so I sent him a message saying as much. I love book recommendations and discussing them with others when I get the chance. I have not read many memoirs in my day, but I'll admit this one was enjoyable. I may not have laughed as hard as Cousin Aaron, but it still made me smile, and I flew through it. Fey covers all sorts of ideas in the pages.

I also had found a little recipe for some Nutella cookies I wanted to try making.  We had a little party like I said on Sunday. Crafts all afternoon and then sort of watched the football game. We went for mini everything. Mini cookies, mini pizzas mini tacos, lil smokies.... you get the idea. Here are my bit-size Nutella cookies. Good if you like chocolate or Nutella, and they have a sprinkling of sea salt on top, which I thought added a nice touch. Great size, too.

The munchies come at us from time to time. When I have the munchies these days I usually crave some yogurt, fruit, or nuts. My nutrition class makes me even more conscious of what I eat, as did my Food Policy course a few years ago. Found myself laughing the other night at a moment where I was sitting on the couch with a plate of carrots, apple slices, and banana slices with a bowl of melted peanut butter for dipping. All while my roommates munched on processed candy and chips. Sure sure, I maybe enjoy those things from time to time, but the moment made myself laugh. Fruits are my candy! :-) Here's a grape, vanilla yogurt, and granola parfait I slapped together for another little meal one day.

Found myself a new pair of running shoes with some bright colors on clearance a few weeks ago. I've been putting them to good use with one of my latest hobbies I'm sure many of you have read about already. All I will say is that I find them to be much more fun outdoors than running laps around the tiny track at the fitness center or on the treadmill. I have myself a membership for the fitness center here in Syracuse for the month, and it is nice to have. When that wind is too strong, I don't like running outside. Some cold air is alright, but not the wind.

I also enjoy some swimming laps in the pool. Alright, so the Syrcause fitness center does not a full size pool. This is a little fitness center that is part of the hospital in town (soon to be relocated actually, though, as the hospital expands I hear). However, I still enjoy swimming some laps and doing strength conditioning exercises with the resistance dumbbells.

I've put my running shoes to use on streets with a little snow on them, but today I tried them out while the snow was actually falling. I've read it can be fun, and I was ever so exhilarated after some news I received earlier that morning (which you shall read about down below). The temperature was still nice, so I figured if I wanted to go 10am was better than later in the day when snow would become heavier and the wind would pick up. You'll notice not much snow on the ground yet at the park, but there is definitely more now as I sit and write this at 8pm.

It was a fun little jog. :) New life experiences! Gotta love some hobbies with new twists.

Already at mid-term with the winter term at Southeast Community College, where I am currently taking Basic Nutrition and Intro to Psychology. I spend hours throughout the week with my digital textbooks, notebook, and cups of hot green tea. At first it was a little weird doing homework again, but I do enjoy school and learning.

These are a few courses I knew I needed before I could start up in a nursing program for a Bachelor's degree. I also laid out the list of what I have left and checked the classes posted for next term. I also picked up conversation again with student services at University of Nebraska Medical Center. Mid-morning (prior to my little snowy run,) I received an e-mail containing a letter. This led me to signing my agreement for Honors Admission to the UNMC College of Nursing Accelerated BSN program. So excited! This means I am guaranteeing myself a spot in the limited program, contingent upon maintaining my high GPA in my remaining pre-requisite classes.

It is too late for the program this year, but I am gaining a spot in the program to start May of 2015. I will then graduate in May of 2016 with my Bachelor's of Nursing and receive my RN license after examination. This will be good timing for me. A year may sound like a lot, but I know time keeps flying. I can't believe we are in February of 2014 already. In the mean time, I will continue to take the remaining pre-reqs I need and gain some different work experience. Made my day to receive this letter, though! One step closer to making this nursing path a reality. :-)

Stay safe if you are in snowivlle, stay warm, and to everyone... have a wonderful week!