Nursing School List '13 Revised

I have done more research. Added, taken away, considered new places and am currently going with this list (not in order of course):

My Top Choices - based on location, price, program 
(almost all of these apps HAVE to be completed by November 15, 2012)

1) SUNY Stony Brook - Long Island - has campus apartments, could still keep my car, child care center near campus, still in NY (not 5 boroughs tho), state school, 12 month program
*I am also applying to their 2 year traditional program just in case. BSN only

2) Pace University CDP program -bsn + msn to be FNP/ also has a 2 yr option and can still apply for MSN

3) Columbia ETP program - have to also take GRE for this. what seems to be an amazing program that would allow me to get my BSN, work for 1 year and then return to get my MSN and become an Family Nurse Practitioner which is my goal. From there I would delve more into what I would like to become my Fitness Nurse specialty. I think this would be the best professionally, but not the best logistically and financially which of course are MAJOR considerations

4) Lehman (now y'all know I'm a little anti-Bronx, but they do have an accelerated program that again would be at those great CUNY rates)
The info online about their program is vague, so I will have to do some more research and request info.

5) NYU- prices are ridiculous but it's worth a try. I need options

6) Still applying to EKU anyways for their accelerated program (not so accelerated at 21 months!) - not as enthused about this b/c I would certainly have to go elsewhere for my FNP

7) UK-again not accelerated, but what the hell


8) UMass Boston - I would still be in the Northeast, prices are pretty comparable to the other out of state programs I'm considering


9) U of Cincinnati - I'm not a Cincy girl AT ALL, but would qualify for their metro tuition (same as OH in state and they have an accelerated pathway program for BSN/MSN)


10) Drexel University in Philly - has a seemingly good program that would also allow me to get BSN/MSN. 


IF anyone has 1st hand information or knows anyone else who went to these schools, don't hesitate to comment/contact me about it! :) 

Looking Up, Out & Ahead

After the amazingly shitastic week I had last week,the tides have certainly changed. Once I snapped out of moping and really put some things into perspective, my mood and my week headed for the better. I have been trying to do something new every morning. My goal is to, upon waking, thank God for five things in my life. It can be anything, but I just have to do it.

This morning:

1) that I'm alive
2) Liam's sleeping, healthym happy body next to mine
3) that I have come so far in this weight loss journey
4) that mom and dad are ok
5) that I had enough money to pay bills this week and buy myself and Liam something extra

So let's recap the good this week:
1) got asked to do a DVD review for my blog for the company Copy-Kids. REALLY excited about this because I am totally behind the company's mission which is to get kids eating healthier by copying other kids eat their fruits and veggies. Since I'm on my lifestyle change, I'm all about this!

2) Got a little OT at work

3) am in the process of FINALLY reaching a settlement agreement with the Other (Liam's sperm donor). I'm hoping and praying for this to work out. That would mean no trial and much less money I'd have to spend.

4) Good grades

5) had some amazing workouts!

6) bought some much needed new and cute clothes (i'll do a style post)

7) got to bond with some of the kids at my library job

8) felt damn good about myself

9) got to spend some extra QT with Liam :)

"A journey of a 1,000 miles begins with a single step"

title quote by Lao Tzu.

Someway, somehow this weekend I got a wild hair and decided that I am running one of the most popular 5Ks in Lexington: A Midsummer Night's Race on August 11, 2012...Umm wow! I am sooo excited and soooo nervous ALREADY lol.

I know that this type of challenge is necessary in my weight loss journey and for my life.I have had some experience in overcoming obstacles (especially those unforseen ones). This race would come at a great time symbolically and practically in my life. Symbolically, it will be right around the time last year that I began my weight loss journey. Practically, it's a couple of weeks before school starts and I can corral my family and friends to come out and support me.  Now, I am setting myself up purposely for a huge challenge. Mentally I am ready, physically it will take ALL of the next 2 months to get there.The training begins this week.

I have Google'd "running a 5k for beginners", "running a 5k for fat girls" and a plethora of other queries. I have found some great info and very positive encouragement. There is still a part of me that thinks I'm nuts.This is my inner fat girl. She's screaming out #girlbye lol. But this is something I truly feel compelled to do.

My goals for this race are simple: 1) to RUN the whole time 2) to finish 3) to survive it lol. I don't care about placing, I sure as hell am not trying to win the thing. I want to do it for me, for Liam, for everyone that reads this blog, for my friends, for anyone on a weight loss journey, for my future clients when I become a nurse personal trainer/health & wellness  nurse.

When this year began I said I wanted it to be different than last year. I made my dream board. I kept vlogging about my weight loss journey to be held accountable, even when I gained weight. I told myself and envisioned this year as different and better than ever before. I said I'd give love (well at least dating) another try.  I wanted to be fearless, determined, dedicated, finally make some dreams come true. I am doing it! Struggling and slipping sometimes along the way, but I am doing it. Since January 1 (not counting Aug-Dec 2011), I have lost close to 30 lbs. I started doing my prereqs for Nursing school knowing that this is the path I was meant to take. I started working on being a better mom and being more present in Liam's life. This is a great feeling. I can't wait to look back on this post, my future 5k and see how far I have come.

There is a quote that has been especially inspirational to me as of late: "We must let go of the life we had planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us" - Joseph Campbell.