Thankful Thursday | 75% done!

This week, I am thankful:

that third semester is DONE!

I am officially 75% of the way through my nursing program now; just one more semester to go.

And I ended with an A again, so crazy enough, I still have my 4.0. I was so sure I was gonna lose it before now but here we are!

I still recognize that I might end up with a B in fourth semester, but that is ok. I am pleased with myself for keeping my streak of A’s alive for this long already.

for five weeks off

I don’t think it’s quite sunk in that I am free from school; I am so used to the nagging feeling that I should really be studying!

I love this about college: that on the winter break, you really are free because the fall classes are done, never to be seen again. There’s no work carrying over into the break.

We do have some suggested things to review over break:

But honestly, I probably am not going to do a ton of work over the next five weeks.

I’ll probably listen to some nursing/medical podcasts on the systems listed on the slides, but I can just easily do that during some of my walks.

that learning a language is not an all-or-nothing proposition

As I alluded to yesterday, I sometimes get discouraged when I think about all that is involved with becoming fluent in Spanish. I think, “I will never get there! This is too hard.”

But then I remember my why: I am trying to be able to do some basic communication with my Spanish-speaking patients. I don’t have to get as fluent as I am in English. I don’t need to be able to pour my heart out in a poetic way.

I just want to be helpful!

And I already can ask things like,

• “Necesita ayuda?” (Do you need help?)
• “Necesita mas tiempo?” (Do you need more time?)
• “Quieres mas agua? Con o sin hielo?” (Do you want more water? With or without ice?)

Also, I can introduce myself: “Hola! Me llamo Kristen. Hablo un poco Español.”

And I know how to ask someone if they are cold or hot: (“Tienes frio o calor?”) I can also ask them if they want their coffee with sugar or cream (we make Very Fancy Coffee at the hospital, using instant coffee packets. Ha.)

Anyway, in my discouraged moments, it helps me to realize that while I am not fluent, I do have some basic functionality already, and that’s something. 🙂

that the tree that fell in my backyard is not my problem

The top half of a neighbor’s tree fell into our backyard; it seems like that neighbor should take care of the cleanup, but even if the neighbor doesn’t, the problem still is not mine to deal with.

This is the upside of renting!

for little green mosses

One of the trails I walk on has so much moss all over, and I appreciate the bit of winter green the mosses provide. It’s a nice addition to the brown that is so prevalent at this time of year.

that my printer is so easy to refill

I’ve had this Canon printer for several years, and this is the first time I’ve had to refill the ink tanks. Guys, it was so easy!

The refill tanks and bottles are designed so well, it’s almost impossible to spill ink (and trust me, I’d spill it if it were possible to do so).

This is the printer most similar to what I have and I cannot say enough good things about it. The big tanks are SO much more frugal than those pricey little ink cartridges.

that I didn’t get sick all semester

What a blessing that was; I didn’t have to miss any lectures, labs, or clinical days!

And this was despite being at the gym 4-5 days a week, having clinical days at the hospital each week, and also working my job at the hospital.

I send gratitude to my immune system. And also I’m grateful for hand sanitizer and soap.

for the joy of getting rid of semester papers

I love being able to recycle most of the papers I accumulate over the course of a semester; most of them are entirely unnecessary to keep, and it feels so cathartic to be able to clear them all out!

What are you thankful for this week?