Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts

Again this week I'm linking up with Bookishly Boisterous to bring you ten bookish and not so bookish thoughts.

Me in my scrubs. :)

1. First off, I totally blew it in my Monday post and said I was reading Mary Poppins in the Park when I was really reading Mary Poppins Opens the Door. Forgive me my many faults! At least I had it right on Goodreads! :)
2. I got a ridiculously low amount of reading done this week. All I did was finish Mary Poppins in the Park. It was a long stressful week.
3. I did download a bunch of books to my iBooks app yesterday so hopefully I'll get more reading done with that as I don't always remember to bring a book when I'm going places and now I can just whip out my phone. :)
4. I got a ridiculously low amount of sleep this week so I'm looking forward to sleeping in on the weekend. :) For the first time since I've been in college, I don't work or have class on Friday, which is amazing! I am finally experiencing that three day weekend you people speak so highly of. :)
5. My mother has made twice this week so I am getting a constant supply of her bread, which is AMAZING! However, probably not best for me trying to lose weight... but it is whole wheat... so that makes it fine...right? ;)
6. So far this week I've worn my scrubs more than my normal clothes. :) 
7. I have to do major studying but major relaxing this weekend. I imagine with trying to find the balance I'll to too much of just one of them... most likely relaxing. 
8. I started my nursing clinicals this week. My first rotation is peds but since I'm at a small hospital I may or may not get peds patients.
9. I'm tired... did I mention I was tired? 
10. I think I need some coffee... I can't think straight... if there's errors in this post I contribute it to being coffeeless. 

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Ten Bookish and not so Bookish Thoughts :)

Today I'm linking up with Bookishly Boisterous with some bookish and not so bookish thoughts. :)

1. I am so relieved to be done with my first test of second semester nursing. I stressed out over it more than I have stressed out over a test since Anatomy and Physiology (my long time readers remember how I used to stress out about those). However I'm done with it now and I did alright. If you want to know a few fun facts about childbirth I'll be happy to supply. :)
2. I got two snow days this week, which really messed up the school schedule but was good for getting studying done for aforementioned test. I seriously did study most of the time and did not go out in the snow at all. That was more due to a hatred of the cold than a love of studying. 
3. I discovered I actually can read multiple books at a time successfully despite always having thought I couldn't. I had four books going for awhile and then three and now finally I'm at an easy two. However, I foresee myself getting up to four again in the future. :) 
4. I've decided while re-reading the Mary Poppins books (after being inspired to do so prior to watching Saving Mr. Banks) that while the movie of Mary Poppins is good, it doesn't nearly capture the imagination the books inspire. I know those are children's books, but let me tell you they are good children's books. A sure way to tell a good children's book is to come back to it when you're an adult and still enjoy it. 
5. I've decided, though I have not yet quite finished it, that I like Ender's Shadow better than Ender's Game... though they are both good. 
6. I learned how to put an IV in today! If you catch me staring at your veins, don't be alarmed.... I'm imagining sticking a needle it. ;)
7. I started listening to an audiobook of The Warden on Sunday. It is the first in the Barchester Chronicles. I had already read Barchester Towers, which actually comes after it, and I had always wanted to read The Warden but never could get ahold of a copy. That's where free audiobooks come in handy. :)
8. I may or may not have had multiple geeky conversations with my mother about her pregnancies in the last few days.
9. Labor and Delivery is definitely the specific field in nursing that I'm leaning towards right now. However, I have yet to have clinical experience with it so I may change my mind. 
10. I might (Lord willing) be going on a short term mission trip to Puerto Rico for a week this summer. I'm very excited as I've always wanted to go on a mission trip to a Spanish speaking country so I could practice my (limited) Spanish as well as be able to serve the Lord in a foreign country. 

Have a fun week! My school week is over now. :) 

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Monthly Resolutions- February 2014

January went by really fast but also really slow. However, it's now February which means school starts really picking up! Fun!

Read or Re-Read Five Books

Last month I listed which books I wanted to read that month and we know how that turned out. So.... what I'm hoping to read/re-read this month is Ender's Shadow, Mary Poppins in the Park, The Swiss Family Robinson, The Wind in the Willows, and The Children of Hurin. I also started listening to The Warden last evening via audiobook but I'm thinking that will take longer than a month to listen to. We'll see how it goes! :)

Memorize Scripture

Next up are verses 3-4 of Psalm 31. Hopefully these will be as easy as the last two verses. :) 

Pray Daily

Same as last month.

Do one crochet project

I doubt I'll have the time this month to go overboard and crochet fifty hats... okay it wasn't fifty, but it was a lot! 

At least two blog posts per week

Sometimes I do more, sometimes I do none, but I'll at least try for two blog posts per week. :)

This month will be quite busy enough so I'm not getting fancy with my goals. My clinicals for nursing school start up in a little over a week. I'm very excited for this semester of Pedes and OB. :)

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

The Best Part of my Day

By the time I get home from school/work it's normally about five, maybe later and I've been gone from my house once about seven thirty that morning. I'm tired, normally somewhat cranky and very hungry. Without a doubt, if everything goes how I want it to, I'll eat supper and watch an episode of Doctor Who… because Doctor Who makes everything better. That, there is my best part of the day. It's the de-stressing moment of my life. If I get to eat popcorn and watch Doctor Who that's even better. For me, what makes my day great is when I have a chance to relax after an emotionally tiring day. On Wednesdays when I go to prayer group that is the best part of that day because it is a great time to let go of all my worldly concerns and spend some time with God, remembering that He's in control of those and He'll be taking care of them, not me.
So that's the best part of my day. Today I'm linking up with Mama Kat. Be sure to check out her blog.

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Goodbye First Semester of Nursing School!

I know that I woefully neglected my blog past week but I was incredibly busy preparing for my nursing final and my Grandma ended up in the hospital as well (she's fine now). However, I am very happy to say that I am finished with my first semester of nursing school! It's been a really crazy semester and lots of fun but I am so glad to be done. There's so much that I want and, more importantly, need to get done before school starts up again and I'm guessing that I'll be lucky if I get half of it done judging from past breaks. I spent yesterday afternoon after my final watching a lot of Doctor Who, as I had stopped two weeks ago after the end of the fifth season so I could focus on studying. Today I managed to not wake up until about 1:30… I didn't set my alarm and when one lives only with a sister who works until midnight so naturally sleeps in always, you can sleep for a very long time. Who knows how much longer I would have slept if my sister hadn't woken me up. Because I slept away valuable Doctor Who watching time, I have only been able to watch two episodes today so far. Instead I have been doing the many dishes that accumulated whilst I was studying, cleaning up my room, and doing laundry. There's so much more I need to do besides that but I'll get there. I have family coming on Friday so I have to get my house all spiffed up before then.
I'll just close with a little list of things I want to get done over the break. :)

1. Write on my book… because I have not done any writing since starting nursing school. 
2. Read a lot… because I should and because I'll have the time, and most importantly BECAUSE I LOVE READING!!!
3. Finish all current episodes of Doctor Who…. because I'll have the time, and because it's awesome. :) 
4. Crochet something… because I'll have time. 

Notice how those all are "because I'll have the time"… yet I imagine that despite my having the time, the only one that is for sure going to get done is the Doctor Who one…. :)

P.S. If you haven't liked my blog's Facebook page be sure to do so! The link is in the bar on the right hand side. :)

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Monthly Resolutions- November 2013

I have two tests this month! One this coming Monday and one right after Thanksgiving (if ever I am a teacher I will NEVER do that to my students). Prayers appreciated! :)
So resolutions!

Read the Johns, Jude, and Revelation

Read or Re-Read at least 10 books

Why so many? Well way back in the day (otherwise known as the beginning of the year) I made a goal on Goodreads to read 50 books… I have currently read only thirty so if I want to complete that goal I need to read twenty more books… ten this month and ten next month. It's really just a simple matter of mathematics. ;) The math may be simple but me reading that many books with this busy of a schedule isn't so simple. However, that's what I'm going to have to do so bring it on!

For fun, I made a deal with two of my little siblings this evening. They each picked me out a book to read and I picked them each out a book to read and we have until next Saturday at midnight to complete them. It really just started out as a ploy to get my sister to read a harder book but it turned out giving me two books I have to finish by the end of next week. Not hard books, but still. To make sure we actually get it done, if you don't finish your books, you give the other person a pack of gum (we're kind of gumaholics in our family so gum is our currency of choice). 

Write a blog post per week

Pray Daily

Failed last month but doing it this month. I remember last November and I've seen it popping up this November too people were daily posting things they were thankful for on Facebook. I want to incorporate that into my prayer time as well… taking the time to thank God for all he has given me. 

Study

Two tests… I've got to study. :)

Memorize some scripture

I'm thinking Psalm 31 but I'm also thinking that there is no way I'll get the whole of that memorized in a month… so my goal is at least to get started on it… a few verses or something. 

No free time this month!
Linking up with Keli at She Learns as She Goes. 

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Monthly Report Card- October 2013

It's been a crazy, long yet short October. Yesterday was Reformation Day. Normally my family would have a cookout and read the story of Martin Luther but it's been raining for the last few days so that didn't happen. However, we were able to watch half of the movie Luther instead. Does your family have any Reformation Day traditions?
So resolutions…. yeah…

Read through Philemon, Hebrews, James, and 1&2 Peter-A

Yes I did! I had a freak out moment where I thought I was supposed to get through the Johns as well and started reading 1 John but then I looked at my resolutions again and realized it was not so. :)

Read or Re-read at least three books-A

Achieved…. just barely. I read The Pursuit of God, The End of the Third Age,  and Mere Christianity. If you know anything about those books you'll know they're very skinny short books. Kind of wimpy reading this month but at least I read! HOWEVER, do not underestimate those books! They were all very good, especially The Pursuit of God. I highly recommend it. 

Write a blog post per week-A

Achieved! Probably not very interesting posts but one can't ask for everything now can they?

Pray Daily-F

When I say F I mean F. It was a failure in the highest extent. Need to whip that goal back into shape next month!

Study!-C

I don't feel like I did so well the first half of the month but the second half I did better. I had a conversation with my tutor from A&P/Microbiology/Pathophysiology (best tutor ever) and she told me more or less I needed to get my act together and work harder if I wanted to do well. I needed that. She's the best. :)

Stay more organized-A

I think I did quite well with that. I have some gel pens now that I have way to much fun using to write in assignments and stuff in my calendar. :) 

Keep up with my Spanish-C

Okay… I ended up stopping getting the Spanish devotionals as they were beginning to clutter up my inbox as I never had time to get to them. So not so good. Maybe someday when I have more time (like that's ever going to happen). 

Not too terribly this months for goals but room for improvement. It's been incredibly busy and I really didn't make it any better by deciding to start watching Doctor Who (which is amazing and you should become obsessed with it too). However, I made a very mature decision to not start the next season until my next test is over… which is this coming Monday so I really don't have to wait that long but it seems like a long time to me. Does anyone know the Doctor Who withdrawal symptoms? I'm pretty sure I'm experiencing some… anxiety, depression, moodiness…. ;)

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

A Little Bit of Everything (Especially Memes)

I know you were concerned that I wouldn't have a blog posts this week and that therefore your week would be woefully incomplete! I didn't want your week to be woefully incomplete so I am giving you a blog post. :) As mentioned in the title, this blog post will just have a little bit about everything (especially memes). So brace yourself!

School

Not going as well as I want it to but it's going. We started clinicals recently and I'm surprisingly really enjoying them. I am giving you some nursing memes today that are pretty good. :)

Tea

As I mentioned in a previous post, I've kind of been in the tea drinking mood recently. I bought some tea actually... haven't bought any in awhile. I now have two different chai teas (one black and one green), an herbal ginger tea, and a blueberry acai green tea. They're all really delicious! I also have some tea memes for you! 

Blogging

You may have noticed I added a whole bunch more tags to my blog posts. This is for two reasons, one to make it easier for y'all to find a post on a specific topic, and two, I'm given to understand it increases blog readership if you have a bunch of tags as the tags are used as keywords in searches... or something like that. I even have a blogging meme for you today! 

And just a couple more random memes to brighten up your day! :)

P.S. Notice my new blog layout? How do you like it? My brother is taking a HTML CSS class and he put the border around the date header. By the time he's done with his class I'll really have some fancy stuff on here. :)

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Monthly Resolutions- October 2013

October brings pumpkins, apples, and harvest! For a lot of people Halloween is the main attraction of the month but in my family we always celebrate October 31st as Reformation Day and we'll have a campfire, roast hot dogs and s'mores, and read the story of Martin Luther.  A new month also brings new goals... so here are my October resolutions!

Read through Philemon, Hebrews, James, and 1&2 Peter 

I'm really enjoying reading through the New Testament. I actually started doing it on my phone's ESV bible app instead of reading from my bible. That only started because I accidentally left my bible at my parent's house so all I had was my phone and then I really liked that because I could put notes on verses and favorite verses and it would save it all. I really don't like marking up my real bible. 

Read or Re-Read at least three books

That seemed to be a good number for me last month. I feel like I have a pretty good rhythm of reading right now. I normally read my Tolkien while I eat lunch... just a chapter maybe more depending on how much time I have. Then in the evening or if I have free time (haha) I'll read my other book, which is more leisurely reading. Normally I don't have two books going at the same time but I'm making it work right now. Also, for fun and to keep me motivated, my younger brother and I are doing a challenge for the month of October to see who can read the most pages. I would do books but that's not always fair. We'll see how it works out. He has a lot more time to read than I do but I read a lot faster than I do so maybe it will all even out. :)

Write a blog post per week

I felt like this goal was really good for me last month as it kept me on a schedule. So I'm continuing it this month and hoping for good results.

Pray Daily

My list of things to do when I am bored of studying.
Hoping they'll make me think twice about pausing my studying
as well as keep me focused on still doing
something beneficial if I'm not studying. 

I really want to get to the point with my praying where I don't have to make a goal of it... I just do it. As I mentioned in my September report card I am also attending a weekly prayer group where we pray for about an hour which I have really enjoyed. 

STUDY!!!

Self explanatory. I have no elaborate goals for how many hours I should study every day or week this time. Let's just say... a lot. I didn't do so well on my last test so I really need to delve in a lot deeper in the future. 

Stay more organized

Last month I become more organized this month I need to keep that up and stay more organized. I need to put it on the calendar, set a reminder if necessary, put it on my to do list, put it on my grocery list. Whatever it takes.

Keep up with my Spanish

Since I am not taking any Spanish classes this semester... and maybe never again, I want to try and keep up with my Spanish myself to the best of my ability. My newest endeavor to do this is getting Spanish devotionals through Bible Gateway. I am forcing myself to translate those and I think it is actually helping. :) On a side note, I just recently signed up to get daily devotionals from Bible Gateway and I really like them! I would highly encourage you to get the Charles Spurgeon one and the C.S. Lewis one. Those are my favorites. :)

So those are my goals for this month... what are yours?

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Monthly Report Card- September 2013

It has been a busy September with nursing school. I used to think I had no life... now I KNOW I have no life.

Read through 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, and Titus

I actually was able to get through them a week before I needed to. Obviously my counting skills need some work as I thought the number of chapters was going to end up perfectly with the number of days in the month.

Read or Re-Read at least three books

I read The History of the Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard,  The Book Thief, and The HIstory of the Lord of the Rings: The War of the Ring. I'm also currently reading Wives and Daughters. 

Write a blog post per week

I did it... twice a couple weeks! It came to a total of seven blog posts not including my resolutions posts! :) I actually have felt really good about my blogging this month. I know I mostly gave y'all recipes but I don't think that is anything to complain about.

Pray Daily

I did better about that then last month but I still didn't quite make it daily. I started attending a prayer group at my church weekly which I have really enjoyed. We pray for about an hour. This has really put me in a great mindset about prayer. 

STUDY!!!

Working on my calendar/planner while drinking some tea.
I'm in the tea mood right now. :)

I did alright. I know I didn't get fours in every day for sure. However, I think I got enough studying in... though I know I could have gotten in more and would have benefitted from it. 

Become more organized

Well my whole daily word document diary fell through after about a week but I have become a lot more organized now. I've been sure to put things on my calendar and set reminders on my phone/computer as well. All in all I think it was a success. I even went ahead and put my schedule for Worshipers in Training (my church's storytime) into my calendar and set reminders so I wouldn't get taken unaware. Now that my schedule is all organized I guess it's time to work on my room.... :(

So there's my month. Not too bad but definitely room for improvement! I'll be back later today with my October resolutions. :)

DON'T FORGET TO LIKE THE BLOG ON FACEBOOK!!!! :) 

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Favorite Food Blogs/Websites

I just got done with my second nursing test. I'm SO tired! Whenever I have a test I go to bed early and wake up about four so I can do some last minute refreshing before the test. So right now I'm running on coffee and post-test adrenaline. Today I give you a very lazy post because I have no time because I'm in nursing school (in case you hadn't noticed).

Y'all know I love to cook... especially bake... cookies cakes, brownies... yum! I just thought I'd share a few favorite food blogs/websites so you can enjoy finding some great recipes too! :)

Sally's Baking Addiction
Probably my favorite baking blog right now. I get a lot of my "healthy" recipes from there. However, when it comes to Sally, her healthy recipes don't taste healthy. Love it! :) Don't be fooled though, there are plenty of unhealthy recipes on her blog too. :) I got my healthy brownie recipe from there and my Mediterranean dip recipe.

Ambitious Kitchen
Another new favorite food blog. It has a variety of different kinds of recipes some healthy some not so (but absolutely delicious).

Food Gawker
This is kind of a recipe center. If I can't find a recipe for something I'm looking for on my other go to food blogs I go to food gawker and search and I always can find at least one recipe for what I'm looking for. Most all of my other recipes I have found there.

Picky Palate
Another great food blog I was introduced to by my cousin. I got my gingersnap cookie recipe from this blog.

Annie's Eats
This is the food blog from which I got my pumpkin snickerdoodle recipe which is a absolutely amazing. :)

Do you have any favorite food blogs?

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Monthly Resolutions- September 2013

I made it simple last month and I am going to make it simple again this month.

Read through 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, and Titus

I look at that and notice that they all begin with T... because I always notice the important details first. ;)

Read or Re-Read at least three books

That seems like such a minuscule amount as compared to what I normally will read per month but with school I don't want to overwhelm myself. 

Write a blog post per week

I'm going to try to keep up with my blog a little more. I hope this won't drag me away from my studying. 

Pray daily

Same as last month. I want to make a daily habit of praying.

STUDY!!!

This nursing school thing is hard and time consuming. I want my goal to be that I study for AT LEAST four hours daily (except Sunday). If it is the day after the test or something like that I'll take it down to two hours. I want a total of at least 24 hours studying time per week. I've just got to dedicate myself and keep at it. 

Become more organized

I've made a lot of progress with this. Last year I forced myself to keep some sort of a calendar to keep track of when school things were due. Now that I have an iPhone I set reminders and make to do lists. What I have the most trouble with though is keeping track of things outside of school. I have a confession to make, I missed a doctor's appointment... because I forgot to put it on my calendar! I felt really dumb and I'm resolved never to do such a thing anymore. In the past I have always relied on my mom but with being at school so much I don't really communicate with her a lot. And, as she has told me many times, she can't keep track of everything that all nine of us are doing. I just need to take a little responsibility for my own time. I have come up with a plan to keep a daily word document diary and then a weekly word document diary. This was roundaboutly inspired by Hayley at Victorious Heroine. We'll see how it goes. 

So all the same goals with one new one. I really think that since doing these monthly resolutions that I have done a much better job of getting things done and trying new things. So even if you aren't much of a goal maker, you might want to try this... maybe just do weekly goals and see how that works out. 

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Monthly Report Card- August 2013

The end of August has come and here's how my resolutions went.

Do the thirty day shred- B

I am still currently doing it but due to some unforeseen circumstances I missed three days so I wasn't able to finish it this month but I'll be done in just a couple more days! It has definitely challenged me a lot. I think that once I'm done with it I'll keep doing level one every other day or something just to keep the muscle I built up. 

Stick to my diet- B

I have done pretty well. Again, due to the same unforeseen circumstances, I had about three or four days straight where I cheated but besides that I've done well. 

Read Galations, Ephesians, Phillipians and Colossians- A

Achieved! I appreciated only having sixteen chapters to read, which made it far more relaxed for me.

Read or re-read at least three books- A

I finished Dragonhaven (which I can't exactly recommend... it was okay but had some problems). I also read The Return of the Shadow and Psmith Journalist, which I do recommend. :)

Write at least three more blog posts this month- A

Yes I did it! I wrote this one about my obsessions, this one that included delicous recipes that you should all try, and this one that was about how my first week of nursing school is going. 

Pray Daily- D

I am working on developing this into a habit. I didn't pray every night but I did pray some nights. There have been many things that have been going on in my life right now that have given me reason to pray but it is good for me to remember that even if everything is going well I should still be praying. 

Start of school well- A

I was planning on being really on top of it and having stuff done ahead of time but unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, that didn't get done. However, despite that I believe I started of pretty well and I am keeping on track of all that I need to do.

Bonus!

I crossed two items off my bucket list.... I learned to swing dance and I learned to waltz. I'm not saying I'm good at swing dancing or waltzing, but I know how to. Proficiency is yet to come. 

Final Grade- B (I'm guesstimating on that but I think I'm right) 

Life has been busy, hectic, and stressful but life goes on. My grandparents did get into the assisted living home they were hoping to so last week we moved them in and so far it is going well. My sister and I ended up moving back into their old house again, this time though because my grandparents want someone living in it and keeping it up. 

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

First Week of Nursing School

In my Butler Student Nursing Association shirt.

In my scrubs that I will
wear for clinicals.

School and my first semester of nursing school started this past Monday and oh my has it been an experience! First off, I can't believe I am FINALLY IN THE NURSING PROGRAM!!!! Sorry, my enthusiasm just spurted out of my fingertips. But seriously, it is such a weird feeling to know that I am really in the program and well on my way to being a nurse. It has been quite time consuming so far and I certainly haven't found myself with spare moments yet. When I'm not in class there are power points to listen to or text books to read and of course if I finish up with those there is all of the extra credit work that I know my grade will need. My first test is this coming Tuesday! (insert panic attack here) Hopefully I'll do alright on that. :)

It is odd not having several classes to balance my time between. I am so used to having several different teachers, several different groups of students, several everything. Now, whether I like it or not, I have the same teachers and the same students (the students for the next two years!). Thankfully though I like my teachers and fellow students. I imagine I'll have a lot more adjusting I'll have to do in the future as the nursing program goes on.

So far I am learning about the basic nursing process, ethics, terminology... all that fun stuff. About mid September I'll start my clinicals (insert another panic attack here), which will be a very interesting (definition of interesting is up to you but I think you know what I mean) experience.

I'm still working at the library but only twelve hours a week thank goodness! I don't know what is going to happen when I am done with nursing school and I have to work as a nurse and leave the librarian profession. Shriveling up and dying seems likely. Don't get me wrong though, I think I'll like nursing. If I didn't think I would, I wouldn't be going to school for it. But I love my work, I love my bosses, and it will be sad to leave. Once a librarian always a librarian I say!

So who else has started school? Is it fun? Challenging? Boring? Comment below and let me know! (notice how that rhymed? Yeah, I'm just clever that way. ;))

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Monthly Resolutions- August 2013

I'm making this as simple as I can so I won't fail miserably... like last month. Here goes.

Do the thirty day shred

So I hit a plateau in my weight loss and it was recommended to me to try some more intense workout to kickstart losing weight again. So I chose Jillian Michaels thirty day shred. I did my first day of it yesterday and I'm pretty sore right now. I'm not really looking forward to these next twenty nine days.

Stick to my diet

Besides the normal calorie counting I'm also going to try and cut down on processed foods. I really don't eat too many of them already but I'm going to try and cut down on them even more. 

Read through Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians

If I counted the chapters right that should only be sixteen chapters, which isn't much but I'm trying to take it easy this month. 

Read or re-read at least three books this month

Only three. Hopefully I'll do more but I am really just bogged down with so many things that I'd like to lower my goal for this month.

Write at least three more blog posts this month

Just three. I can do that... right?

Pray daily

Self explanatory.

Start of school well

I can't believe that I'm going to be starting nursing school in just a couple weeks!!!! I want to be well prepared, have a cheerful attitude, and start off with a bang. 

I'm trying to make it simple this month with the same goals I normally do but just less intense... except the thirty day shred... that's intense. :(

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Monthly Report Card- May 2013

May was long, stressful, fun and joyful all rolled into one. Some months are just like that.
VERY BIG NEWS.... I just found out today that I got accepted into the Nursing program for this fall. Those of you who have been following my blog for awhile no how long and how hard of a journey it has been to get to this point. I wrote this post last year about this time after I had graduated from highschool and in that post I said that I hoped that this time next year I would be writing about being accepted into the nursing program... and it is so cool to see that it came true and that all of the hard work did pay off. Anyways... here's how my resolutions went.

Study REALLY Hard- A

I think I did a good job with this though the last week or so I probably didn't work as hard as I should have because I knew I was in a position where my grades were secure pretty much no matter what I did. However, ironically enough, I scarcely studied for my last Pathophysiology and still only got six out of fifty wrong and one of the 5 extra credit questions wrong. I'm just that smart. ;)

Get all A's!!!- A (that isn't ironic at all)

Yes I did! :) 

Read or Re-Read at least 5 books- A

I read Around the World in Fifty Days, Journey to the Center of the Earth, From the Earth to the Moon, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. I also re-read Out of the Silent Planet. That would be 5!!!! :)

Exercise in some form at least three times a week- A

Way to easily achieved. I will probably be upping this goal to exercise every day, or every day of the week except one.

Stick to my diet- A

I have stuck to it, I had a couple graduation receptions that messed me up some but besides that pretty good. I ended up increasing my calorie goals because I was afraid I was eating too little and I'd lost enough that I felt a slower weight loss would be acceptable. 

Lose 4 Pounds- F

Not achieved. I think though this was largely due to the fact that I started lifting weights and as you all should know, muscle weighs more than fat. I have nice biceps (let's not talk about my triceps though) now so I should be happy nonetheless. Just to clarify, I did lose one pound... it's not like I gained weight. :)

Cut down on electronics time- C

Eh... okay.... not the best. Average.... that's what a C is after all.

Make a Summer bucket list- A

Completed as well as a summer reading/re-reading list.  

Write at least three more blog posts this month- A

Achieved with honors (whatever that means). Book Questionnaire, No Stress Finals Week, Summer reading/re-reading list, Summer Bucket List, I'm a Barista.... and a Librarian, and Bookworm Questionnaire. That makes six MUST READ blog posts. :) I really should have gotten more done... but I didn't. Oh well, there is next month. :)    

I think that makes a B... I didn't really calculate it. 

In other news, we got internet out at my grandparents. :) Makes me happy. 

Have a great last few hours of the month and looking forward to June!  
Linking up with Kelli at She Learns as She Goes. 

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Mid-Month Progress Report- May 2013

Already it is the middle of May... which is really hard to believe. The months just keep rolling by. I'm in the middle of finals week right now, but as I mentioned in my previous post, this is a no stress finals week! So here's how my resolutions are going.

Study REALY Hard

I did tolerably on this. I kind of tapered out at the end of the semester because I knew just how much effort I needed to put into my classes and that is all I put in.

Get all A's!!!!

As far as I know I am going to!!! My finals are completed (I actually waited to post this so I could say they were). It is a really wierd feeling to know that next time I will be going to school, it will most likely be the nursing program!!! :) I should be hearing in early June, by the way, whether or not I got accepted.

Read or Re-Read at least 5 books

I've read three already (Around the World in Eighty Days, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and From the Earth to the Moon all by Jules Verne) and I've start a fourth Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain. Yes I know they are all easy books but still I am pretty proud of myself. I also re-read Out of the Silent Planet, which I remembered so little of it that it was more like reading it for the first time. 

Exercise in some form at least three times a week

I am really doing this well. Next month I am going to up it to exercise every day... since that is what I already do. I try lots of different types of workout including, lifting weights, a ten minute cardio exercise and an ab exercise as well as a 5K training and my normal T-Tapp. No, I am not actually training for a 5K, I am just trying to work myself up to the point where I can run for longer than a minute without dropping down dead. I also did P90X Plyometrics for the first time in awhile and I was really happy with how well I did with it. I am told I am obsessing over working out.... possibly. 

Stick to my diet

I've been doing pretty well on this, though a my boss's retirement reception and a graduation reception kind of messed me up.

Lose 4 Pounds

I haven't been able to weigh myself consistently this month as I have been at my Grandparents. Last I knew though I lost a pound. I need to get to work on this.

Cut down on electronics time

Not so good.

Make a Summer Bucket List

This is made and you can view it here. PLUS I made and posted a summer reading list.

Write at least three more blog posts this month

I have four (Book Questionnaire, No Stress Finals Week, Summer Break Reading List, and Summer Break Bucket List/To Do) done and several drafts rotting. 

Doing pretty well but there are some goals I need to pick up the pace on.
Be sure to vote in the poll in the sidebar!!!

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

No Stress Finals Week

That's right.... I think I might be the least stressed (school wise that is) person coming up on finals week. I have zero finals... I'm being serious. One of my teachers offers the option to not take the final if you have missed no classes but one, another teacher doesn't give a final because she knows we'll be busy with others, then another teacher just has a final presentation (which I have already completed), and then my Pathophysiology teacher doesn't have a final, just a last test, which I could flunk and still get an A in the class.... don't worry though, I won't flunk it. :)
So I am honestly just sitting around, writing lame blog posts, playing games on my iPhone, and reading while everyone else if frantically studying, finishing up papers, ect. I have never been this unstressed out coming up on finals week. It's amazing. :)
However, I have had plenty of other things to stress out about. Things aren't going so smoothly at my Grandparents as I had hoped they would. It is improving daily, I think, but it is still very hard. My Grandma seems to be doing pretty well, but my Grandpa, who has Parkinson Disease, is always worried about everything so my sister and I are having to continually having to reassure him, re-explain things to him, ect. Please keep both of my Grandparents in your prayers as well as my sister, who is getting the brunt of this.
Thank you and God Bless!

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Monthly Resolutions- May 2013

Finals are creeping on me. :(

Study REALLY Hard!!!

Finals and final projects are closing in on me and I need to study hard and finish strong.

Get all A's!!!

I have worked hard all semester and I think that I should get all A's. Hopefully!

Read or Re-Read at least 5 books

I think that hopefully I can do better about this as I'll be finishing up school and have more time to read. I was definitely picking up on my reading at the end of last month so hopefully that will carry on over to this month. I grabbed a bunch of Jules Verne books when I was at home last that I hope to read and I'll see what else I can get done.

Exercise in some form at least three times a week

Whether it's walking, biking, or whatever I do. Just three times a week... but hopefully more.

Stick to my diet

Stick to it! Of course I'll have a couple days where I'll indulge in something delicious (not to say eating healthily isn't delicious) but overall I need to stick to my veggies, fruits, and GREEK YOGURT!!! Love that stuff. I'm also a little addicted to jicima. 

Lose 4 Pounds

Again, a pound a week. I got my first complement on my having lost weight from a non-immediate family member the other day! :) Made me happy. 

Cut down on electronics time

Computer AND iPhone.

Make a Summer Bucket List

I don't know exactly what it will involve yet but probably will have to do with reading and writing. :)

Write at least 3 more blog posts this month

I was planning on upping it to five but since I don't have internet at my Grandparents I decided not to.

Changing it up a little this month but mostly sticking to the tried and true goals!
In case you missed it in my April report card, my Grandma was able to come home a little less than a week ago and my sister and I moved with them to help out. Also, I got an iPhone.... an iPhone 5 to be specific!
Linking up with Kelli at She Learns as She Goes.

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Report Card- April 2013

The end of April and almost upon finals. :( Big news! My Grandma was able to come home last Friday! My sister and I have moved in with my grandparents are helping them out. So far it is going great!
Also, some more big news... I got an iPhone!!!!! It's amazing. Just saying. :)
So here is how my month went.

Study!!!- A

I think that I did well on this. I have had a successful month for grades in my various classes and I believe that is a reflection of my studying. 

Read or Re-Read at least 5 books- D

I re-read Northanger Abbey, finished The Silmarillion, and read Far From the Madding Crowd. So only three books. Epic, epic fail. 

Exercise in some form at least three times a week-A

Easily achieved. I still am not fond of exercising but I am getting more used to it.

Stick to my diet-A

As I mentioned in my mid-month progress report after I gave blood it kind of messed me up and I had to eat more. Besides that though I have been really good. I have really gotten into lettuce salads and greek yogurt. I am always trying out new things though so if you have any suggestions about delicious healthy foods let me know! I recently got some hummus and carrots.... which was super good! I also tried some jicima, which is not to everybody's taste but I enjoyed a lot.

Lose 4 Pounds-A

At my mid-month progress report I was worried this wasn't going to happen, but it did! Four pounds gone for good!

Cut down on Computer Time-A

I actually did quite well on this. For me keeping to it was doing little things like when I was at school even though I had my charge cord with me not recharging my computer once it ran out of battery. And other times I just forgot my charge cord... and not on purpose either. Also, I now spend tons of time on my iPhone instead of my computer. That worked really well. 

Write at least three more blog posts this month- A

Easily achieved! I need to up it for next month. I wrote this post that included a recipe for "Healthy" Brownies, this post that was a review of the 1980 version of Pride and Prejudice, this post that just told a little about my life, this post about The Lizzy Bennett Diaries, this post about the 2008 version of Sense and Sensibility, and this post on the 2007 version of Persuasion. So all in all five posts!

Bonus!

I knocked an item off of my Bucket List! I gave blood! 

So all in all a really good month except my book reading. :(

Linking up with Kelli at She Learns as She Goes.

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.