- ACAD. I got hired with the ambulance service in Kirksville. I really like it here. I like the people here, and I like that people actually care about providing good patient care. I like that people are willing to put effort in to their jobs and take on extra responsibilities to make this place better. Not perfect, but always better. I also like that I can be myself here, say what I think, listen to SpiritFM without getting jeered, and also talk to other believers. I like that there are more church-goers than not, and I like that there are some that are outspoken about their faith. I think I've really needed to be in company like this, and I'm thankful to have such a blessing.
- Mercy. I liken working here to being aboard a capsizing ship. Everything, and I do mean everything, here is negative. I didn't like myself when I was here. Bickering, gossiping, backstabbing, complaining, arguing, whining, and on and on and on. And I was in the middle of all of it, I admit. I had to get out, and I was hoping to take a great friend with me. It didn't work out that way, so for her sake I've stayed PRN on the roster. I think I'm a different person after leaving Mercy, and I know I am much happier. I learned a lot, and I'm thankful for the opportunity, but I will not miss much about this place.
- Physics. I came, I saw, I conquered. It wasn't an A+ performance, but it was acceptable. One more hurdle behind me on my obstacle course toward medical school.
- Chrismukkah. Isn't that just a fun word? We didn't do the traditional Charlie Brown miserable-looking-Chrismukkah-tree this year, it was just too yucky if I remember right. But we had a good time anyway, and I propose we make up for it next year with by playing dreidel with Christmas candy while wearing our yarmulclaus.
- Paramedic. Or, as I like to refer to it, paramagic, it is my crowning achievement of the year. I somehow convinced ten proctors in 12 stations that I was not a moron, and was also able to persuade a computer to give me a P for pass as well. I've been turned loose to jab people with sharp objects, so be advised that if you should become ill while in the area you might consider driving until you reach the next county.
- Wedding. Ashley, my 20 year old sister, got married in June. I'm still adjusting to this, but I'm happy if she's happy and wish her all the best. Besides this one, Aaron and I attended approximately 137 other weddings this summer. We apologize in advance that we have no money for your Christmas gift, we spent it all on registry items at Bed, Bath, & Beyond.
The King Fam
Aaron and I at his former roommate's wedding in Kansas City.- Crash. Someone decided, rather inconveniently, to merge in to Aaron's Pontiac Torrent on Ashley's wedding day. Fortunately no one was injured, including the carload of flowers that Aaron had safely buckled in to the front seat. The car was crunched but driveable, and as of yesterday it is repaired and looking good thanks to Uncle Brad.
- Dave Ramsey. A coworker at ACAD had been talking all the time about this great financial plan this guy has, so Aaron and I decided to check it out. Whatever system we were using wasn't working so well; I knew we were making enough money, but I never could figure out where it was going. I hate paying today's bills with tomorrow's paycheck. We've been pretty dedicated to Dave's Total Money Makeover and its going wonderfully. We are free of credit cards, and have closed in on our final two debts: Aaron's car and student loans. The car, which we bought in August 2008, will be paid off by December 2009. The loans are our biggest challenge, but doesn't seem all that impossible with all we've accomplished since starting the program in April. We've both been working our tail-ends off to get to where we are, but it has definitely been worth it. We don't overspend on food, we know exactly how much we can spend on clothes, and every six months there is exactly enough for the car insurance without wondering how we're going to come up with it. If you can't figure out where your money is going, I would definitely recommend picking up this book and giving the program a try.
- Des Moines University. Last fall I was accepted into the Masters in Healthcare Administration program at DMU. I was really frustrated with the way things were done at Mercy and thought that if I knew more about it...something would be different. I don't really know what I thought. I'm finding that I don't find any of it interesting unless it has to do with finances. I just finished a class called Health Information Systems and Decision Analysis. The last half of the class dealt with quantifying big decisions in order to choose the right option based on an arbitrary number. What? How is that useful? I'm far enough into the program that I don't want to quit; if I give up now then I've wasted a huge amount of money. Not that I plan to use the degree, but you never know. This semester I'm taking the second of two classes on Healthcare Financial Management, and I'm actually looking forward to this one. There are also two more courses this semester that are just hurdles. I anticipate finishing next August, fingers crossed, just before entering medical school.
- Biochemistry. I just started this class today (well, yesterday technically) and I am both excited and apprehensive. I'm told this is the most difficult class on campus, and I am quite rusty on my biology and my chemistry. However, the professor seems like a ROCKSTAR, she is a tiny Asian lady that is bursting with energy, and I think that with her help I will survive. She can't be any older than 30, if she is she has me fooled, and her enthusiasm had me smiling all through the hour today, even when I had no idea what she was talking about. By the way, not a good sign when you are lost on the first day.
- Miscellaneous. Aaron and I did manage to carve out a little bit of time to have some fun and enjoy the married life this summer. Aaron's boss and good friend Patty kindly abused us on the lake at Thousand Hills State Park a few times. Aaron's tubing skills are much improved and I think his arms have bulked up a little in the process.
Daredevil Aaron--Don't make me come drag you out of the water when you break your neck. I'm off duty.
Aaron would pop up over the wake and tap my tube, and I would fly. How rude.
This has turned into a much longer post than I intended, so I will end it here and save anything I might have left for next time. You know, a year from now.
