pieces of me

LAST SEMESTER EVER....or at least for now ;)

2010-05-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

Spring 2010

to my surprise...the last semester at csuf wasn't as hectic as the others...

507 - don't remember much...only thought is that i bought a book and didn't even use it once....

507L - dealt with a lot of drama in my group...worked with people that are not part of my cohort...so it was challenging...

lame group work - legislative visit

595 - so i finally finished my STD curriculum....got it reviewed by school nurses in the OC....it was about 100 slides long...very time consuming...but in the end...i was proud of the end product....

poster gluing day - we met at ash's house to put our posters together....i seriously didn't think it would take ALL hands to put together one poster....kat was the aligner...mel was the measurement girl....ash was the cutter....dee was the spray glue girl...and i took the role of drawing the straight lines to be cut...haha! it seriously took about 7 hours to get all posters together....it was a good bonding experience....

stti induction - got inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International, a nursing honors society. We also presented our projects there. it was crazy to see all the other posters...some people spent a lot of money on their posters...i was a little intimidated by some of the posters i saw....but dr. weismuller told me later that i was one of the semi-finalist for the poster contest. i was shocked...

514
my leadership rotation was at st. jude's. i worked with the educator from the critical care unit. she was really cool...very passionate about being active outside of the hospital...she encouraged me to join other nursing associations and network...i'm still thinking of what organization i want to be a part of.

externship
i'm so happy i continued my externship...i loved working with my preceptor...gained a lot more confidence on the floor in this 2nd semester...i'm sure it'll help me out when i start officially working.

interviews
oh my...let's just say...it was more challenging getting my portfolio ready...scrambling for letters of rec was the worst...

GOT HIRED!
Praise God for a job in the OC...i'm so thankful that i don't have to drive thru crazy traffic in LA...i much rather drive in traffic in the OC...and the hospital that i will be working at is BEAUTIFUL!...right near the harbor...and the best part of it all is that 4 of my friends are working there as well! :)

Graduation - MAY 23, 2010!
I never thought I'd get to this day...our program went from 65 students to 16 students graduating...i seriously could not have made it through the program without the love and support from my classmates, family, and friends...i will definitely miss being a "student"....but now it's time to join the workforce ;)

THE LAST 16 standing :)

THE BACKROW ASIAN CREW....my girls!

dec 2009- jan 2010

2010-02-08T20:14:00.000-08:00

yay!!!!!! this was the first break i had where i didn't really have to worry about school....(at the end of the winter break i did work on my non-thesis project...but i was able to take my time)..

christmas day

it was a busy one....spent christmas morning with chi's family...chi's younger brother made gourmet hamburgers....they were good...and we opened gifts....

then...we headed to my house..there was soooooo much food...we weren't even hungry...but of course we had to eat again :) pretty much the whole day was spent eating

jan 2010

NYE - stayed low key...didn't feel like being out and about with the rest of the world....

jan 18-20 - VEGAS with NURSING GALS

despite all the rain....the back row asians went to vegas...it was a really fun trip...

highlights - 1st night - gift exchange and XS
2nd night - chippendales for kat's birthday
3rd day - before heading home....we did a little gambling at the new hotel ARIA...it was a beautiful hotel...since we're unemployed we went to the 5 cent slot machines...i sat down...and pulled the lever 5 times and won $165!...right away i cashed out...haha! so that was a very short gambling adventure...we finally decided to drive back home....and got stuck in victorville due to road conditions....but made it home in 6 hours

we made a pact that we'd have an annual nursing friends trip once a year...and since we had a penthouse...we promised to not downgrade since we should be working nurses the next time we go on a trip ;)

my 28th birthday - chi took me to flemmings in newport...it was our first steak house...man...we felt out of place....good thing we dressed a little nicer than we normally do...we ordered raymo's favorite lobster tempura and bone-in rib eye...it was awesome!...oh man...i'm salivating just thinking of that night...haha!

NOW.......

it's the start of my last semester in grad school....

and i'm already feeling overwhelmed....

the asians are trying to meet at least once a week to do hw together to cherish every moment....

i'm already starting to miss them....but i know that i made sisters for life :)

a little look at the past....

2009-12-31T15:08:00.001-08:00

Fall 2009

This semester has been a whirlwind of school stuff that it’s so hard for me to look back and remember the things that happened….so this entry might not make any sense because it’s going to be random thoughts about the semester….

508 – vulnerable populations….never had sooooo many people dislike a teacher so much. She really made people feel uncomfortable about assignments and fear plagiarism…oh! And I hated doing discussion boards for this class….it’s like we had one EVERY week….and she expected so much….it felt like writing a paper every week for that class…gahhh!!! So glad it’s over

508L – the only thing good about this class was that it my group members and I a reason to get together and visit agencies and go to ROSCOE’s! haha! It was fun ray and kat J

511 – all I have to say is….that SYNTHESIS paper was a waste of time!

551 – the semester started off rough with almost half of the class dropping to go into another pharm class….there was only 12 of us left in that class…thankfully our professor lightened up and it wasn’t a horrible class after all…yay!

595/597 – don’t really have much to say except that I didn’t do anything for my project during the semester….but now that I am not in school and clinicals…I need to really step it up and finish up my project during this break….

Externship – I was very blessed to have an awesome preceptor….MS. AMY A….i learned a lot from this externship….i can’t imagine not practicing my skills for a year and trying to get a job….even with a week off…coming back to work was hard…I’m praying that the next semester isn’t TOO crazy that I’ll be able to juggle all the classes, leadership preceptorship….and externing….LORD! BE MY STRENGTH!

I have to say it again…I really don’t think I could have finished the semester without my friends…in this program…you really need a good support system…and I am so blessed to have my nursing friends….and all the people around me praying and loving me…THANK YOU!

And of course…thank you LORD for being my strength and continuing to bless me with these life challenges that make me stronger…

Some pics from the semester...

minority conference at UCLA

and this is how we ended the semester...

this is how we studied for pharm.... :)

summer session 2009

2009-08-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

summer session was 11 weeks....

i was not looking forward to having a class on a friday...but having class on thursday and friday actually worked out...

i took nursing research, advanced pathophysiology, and nursing economics

nursing research was cool....dr. vaughn was really nice...this class was mainly focused on beginning our thesis or non-thesis project...so of course....everyone chooses to do the non-thesis project because nobody in their right mind should write a thesis ;)

so my project is designing a STD module to be implemented into a high school....we'll see how the end product comes out later in the upcoming months....

advanced pathophysiology i thought was going to be a good class to learn things...BUT...it ended up being crap....why? because our professor didn't really teach....she expected us to read at least 12 chapters in one week....she couldn't even lecture on ALL the material because there was so much....so she would just give us diseases to know...which is soooo vague...because there's so much you can leran about each disease....so each lecture we sat around...played on facebook...finished homework for other classes...we did everything but listen to prof. jordan.....

nursing econ SUCKED!...that's the class i hated the most...i don't even want to write about it because it brings back memories...and it really raises my blood pressure...haha!

after the final day of class...a group of us went to cantina to relax....i really have grown to love these people...i love how we are all in this together...supporting each other through this grueling program...i seriously couldn't imagine myself finishing this program without these people...WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS!...

R&R in VEGAS

2009-07-22T12:14:00.000-07:00

saturday, july 18, 2009

i went to vegas with chi and his family....

we stayed at the monte carlo...pretty decent...
it was 115 degrees in vegas that weekend....and it rained and there was sooo much lightening...it was scary because on the way to the strip...we saw lightening every 30 seconds...it was really scary because the lightening was so close...we even saw one almost hit a car...

after this trip..i never want to eat at a buffet again...lol...i felt like we ate a buffet for every meal...it was gross...but i had to suck it up because chi's brother just came back from iraq so he wanted to eat well this weekend...

on sunday...we got tickets to ZUMANITY...oh man!...i felt a little uncomfortable at the beginning because of the "adult content"....but some parts were beautiful... :)
on monday....we ate lunch at SERENDIPITY 3 at Caesar's palace...man...that place was delish! at first i was kind of hesistant to go there because i wasn't sure if their food was good...but it was awesome! chi's steak sandwich was the bomb!...i'd go back there just for that sandwich...the hot dogs were gigantic too!

we then headed to mandalay bay to watch THE LION KING!

it was really good!...music was awesome...and the costumes were amazing! i loved it!
i didn't get home til 4 a.m. on tuesday....the drive home was hard...it was sooo hard to stay awake....but we made it home safely! :)

thank you chi for the best weekend ever! <3

A reminder to myself (and others)...that life is short...

2009-06-02T12:56:00.000-07:00

May 9, 2009

i get a text from paul and he says that his dad, brother, and stepmom died from a car accident....

i was in shock because i can't imagine losing my whole family in one day...

that morning was mother's day...and i went to church...looking around hoping to see the romey family sitting on the left side of the church as i did before...but they weren't there...

my heart breaks for paul and the family and friends they left behind....

to paul...i know it's cliche to say...but...continue to be strong...and know we love you...we will all reunite one day in God's kingdom of heaven...

Patrick was going to graduate in a few weeks....he died the morning he was suppose to attend prom...He had attended the private Catholic high school, St. John Bosco, since freshman year, and was popular and well-liked. Patrick played basketball and volleyball, and had plans to attend college.

R.I.P....Maynardo, Lucy, & Patrick Romey

here's a youtube video from HIGH SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5v44BGETkM

My 2 weeks of summer vacation - 2009

2009-06-02T12:27:00.000-07:00

after the most grueling semester by far...i couldn't be more excited for a little rest & relaxation...

i told myself i was not going to read any kind of book or write any papers...(even writing this journal is demanding on my brain...)...but i thought i'd write in my journal because i doubt i'll be able to write anything else in the summer....

so what did i do during my vacation.....

1) I SLEPT!!!!!!! i would wake up around 9....fall asleep again and officially get up at 11....

2) I NAPPED!!!!! i took naps around 2:30 (even after i woke up at 11)

3) I CAUGHT UP ON ALL MY TV SHOWS...and watched korean drama...haha! yes! i watch asian dramas now... :)

4) Cleaned my room....threw away a lot of papers...study guides...etc...i'm sure my parents are happy about that....

so that's what i did in a nutshell....

but here are some highlights with photos :)

May 30,2009 - ACS reunion at JUMPA THAI in garden grove

ACS (my old work place at csulb) had a little gathering...it was more of the newer generation there...i was considered the oldest since i graduated in 2004...our boss lady wanted us to invite more of the older peeps...so hopefully they'll come out even though they don't know the newer generation....

funny story - not everybody knows that Chi and I are together....so we were placed on different tables...the boss lady is pretty close to Chi so she wanted him to sit near her, of course...lol...so later during the meal, CHI and the BOSS LADY have this conversation...

boss lady: so chi...are you dating anyone?
chi: yes....
boss lady: oh really? why didn't you bring her?
chi: uhhhh....she is here...
john kim: oh yea...she's here with you in spirit?
boss lady: really?!?!?! where?
chi: there...(and points behind to where i'm sitting)
boss lady: where?!

lol...i think it was hard for her to believe that we got together...i'm still in shock myself :)

May 31, 2009

we went to the SAN DIEGO ZOO!!!!!!!

i haven't been to the zoo since the 1st or 2nd grade...i didn't know how much fun the zoo was... :) i felt like a kid again

i know it's late...but december recap

2009-05-27T17:59:00.000-07:00

i told myself i'd update my blog at least once a semester so i can reflect on things

but here's a 6 month overview...lol

december 2009....
finished my last semester before taking nclex....

these were the 2 last projects we had to work on...a group change project and a patho chart for critical care....

this is some of the class getting ready for a group photo....
on the last day...after our critical care final....a group of us went to eat at boiling crab....mmmmmm!

december 20 10 a.m....pre-pinning gather at my house...

it was a time for all the believers to get together and recite the original nightingale oath...

it was awesome...we had a short praise and worship session....we heard words of encouragement from students and faculty....we recited our oath...and the people supporting us recited an oath of support...and kuya jon closed up in prayer....

PINNING CEREMONY

we were limited to only 8 guests...but i had exactly who i wanted to be there...my parents...my older brother (little brother had work...i forgive him)...my lovely cousins....and kimi and jim....these people have stood by my side...and encouraged me when i felt like giving up....thank you!

post-pinning after-party...the asians headed to downtown fullerton for some drinks and dancing :)

this is our 1st picture as an official couple :)

my bestest carpool

my backrow asians...(missing kat)

CHRISTMAS 2008

gathered with the penaflor family....this has been a tradition for 9 years....and this may be the last time i go there for christmas :(

i was surprised when i got the invitation...but i was hoping it would give me closure....it did give me some closure...but it also broke my heart because i love this family...and they've been a huge part of my life...

i pray that we can still continue to have a relationship..because they will always be a big part of my life....

CHRISTMAS day...was spent at my house...

it was awesome to be around the people i love...

no party is complete without rock band :)

NEW YEAR'S EVE 2009....

spent the day with chi...unfortunately we don't have pics :( boo!!!!! we bought annual passes...it was awesome...i've never been out on new year's eve...hopefully next year we'll do something bigger...like vegas ;)

JANUARY 2009....

studied for nclex...gag! it was not an excited winter break when i was going to kaplan everyday for 2 weeks...

JANUARY 23rd....my 27th birthday....BLAH! i'm old!

the ladies treated me to happy hour in downtown fullerton....

cousins surprised me and made my night complete

theresa treated us to dessert at cheesecake factory...that was my first time having cheesecake there...my cousins were a lil bothered that i was being a plain jane...and just getting strawberry cheesecake...lol...but i'm a plain person...haha!

shhhh!!!! i rather have cheesecake from costco...i guess i like my cheesecake a lil more frozen or solid...rather than soft and fluffy... :)

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS @ DISNEYLAND with joe, kleng, jim, pops, char, elok, maddie, and krystal...

it was seriously the best time at disneyland ever....the whole day was filled with laughs...

w/ joe, a fellow january birthday

the january babies by the castle (jim, kleng, me, & joe)

MARCH 2, 2009

took the nclex....stopped at 80 questions...felt like i failed...

waiting for 3 days was the worst!!!!! i couldn't sleep or focus...i get a text from raymo at 645 a.m....saying that results are up...

I PASSED!!!!!!!! PRAISE GOD!!!!

Spring 2009

we officially begin the masters portion of our program...they told us before we entered the program that the first 14 months would be the toughest...and then once we get into the masters portion it would be easier...

THEY LIED!!!!!!!!

it was the worst semester of my life! i seriously felt like dropping every week! i've never cried so much in a semester....

the workload was ridiculous...so many people dropped or dropped to part-time...

i was only able to finish this semester because of the help from my friends...if it weren't for them...i would have failed...

sometimes we would get together to do homework...but take some time to vent and of course....eat! hehe!

rite-aid ice cream (cuz we're broke)

celebrating dielle's birthday :)

he makes me laugh :)

Coming to an end....

2008-12-11T15:31:00.000-08:00

thanksgiving recap:
it was awesome being around family...only downfall was that not all my girl cousins were present...and to my surprise...i didn't eat much either...i wasn't in the mood to eat turkey...but it was a good day :)

with my cousin theresa

Last day of critical care recap:
WE SURVIVED!!!!!!!!! i never thought this day would come...it was a struggle but we all got through the good times and bad times together :)

my last patient was really cute...she was an older filipino lady...she totally reminded me my auntie luming....we talked a lot about random things...it was nice to end the semester on a good note...

after clinical we all ate dinner at claim jumper...MMMMmmmmm! i love ending a long day with a delicious meal :)

Critical Care Group Fall 2008 - West Med Santa Ana

the past week has been crazy!....finished 2 group projects in 4 days....i was so stressed out...but seeing the end product was awesome...

now...need to start cracking down on my change project....grrrrr!!! i really don't want to write it...and somewhere in the middle of writing that paper i have to make time to study for finals...haha!

fall semester 2008: a semester of change...struggle...and faithfulness

2008-11-13T09:00:00.000-08:00

the fall semester has been such a blur....

for one thing...i lost my best friend...one of the people i trusted with all my heart...the person i called when i was happy...when i sad...when i needed someone to talk to...i knew he was always there for me....but things have changed....his heart changed...he's changed...9 years has come down to nothing...

but it's ok...i know things happen for a reason...

God has really shaken things up in my life...but i know it's for the best...

this semester has been the toughest for me...i was expecting this semester to be easier...but it's been the most challenging..

God has totally been my strength...

here's a quick summary of how my classes are going...
1) epidemiology - waste of time
2) leadership - waste of time
3) critical - takes too much time

and that's it!

picture time!!!!! they made me smile and laugh when i didn't want to :)

FINALLY....THE END OF SUMMER SCHOOL :)

2008-08-12T21:36:00.000-07:00

the first 6 weeks of summer school flew by so quickly....but then the 2nd session (pediatrics), which was only 5 weeks felt like the longest rotation EVER!...

it was seriously the most challenging 5 weeks of nursing school i went through...the lecture wasn't bad...i learned a lot...the exams kicked my butt...and each clinical day i felt like sticking my multi-color pen in my eye :)

so here's my rant...i think i would have enjoyed my peds rotation more ...IF...my instructor put a little more energy and enthusiasm into the group....she was kind of a "debby downer"...haha!...but i was sooo blessed to be surrounded by positive people...and God was truly my strength...

usually i have pictures from my rotation...but after this one...NO PICTURES were taken...NONE!...ZERO!...ZIP!...sad :( ...all i have are memories in my head...which i'm sure will be swept away when the critical care rotation comes along :)

so....after a long rotation..."my posse" of friends...or as some people would call us "the asians"....decided to throw an END OF THE SUMMER BBQ BASH!

BIG THANKS TO DIELLE for opening her house to us....

here are some pictures :)

so now...i have 2 WEEKS of FREEDOM!!!!!!!!

and you know what's crazy?....i've actually been studying for the nclex everday!!! i know i'm crazy...but i seriously doubt i will study in the fall semester...and that will only leave the few weeks in december to prepare....but i don't mind studying during this short summer break...because....I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP AS MUCH AS I WANT!....AND...i've been watching the SUMMER OLYMPICS!!!!...

it seriously has been an awesome break...to just be able to wake up to my natural body clock...not worry about what drama is going on in the nursing program....and to just be HOME :)

GOD IS GOOD!

Graveyard shift, Deep Fried Food, Awesome Music, & Reuniting with Friends

2008-07-15T13:26:00.000-07:00

7/11/08

Friday night - The UCI group had to do a graveyard shift. 5:45 p.m.-7 a.m.

challenge for the shift ----STAY AWAKE

i was in the NICU taking care of triplets. this is basically what i had to do: give meds, feed every 3 hours, change diapers every 4 hours, make sure they kept breathing.

by the end of the shift i was a walking zombie. i felt like throwing up...right when i got home i plopped into bed and slept til i had to get up for the OC fair

7/12/08

Dielle was kind enough to invite melanie and me to watch ONE REPUBLIC with her and her boyfriend. Before we entered the arena, we bought FOOD!....we ordered chicken fingers, garlic fries, the FRIED vegetable platter, and FRIED AVOCADO!...man...it was DELICIOUS!...

First on stage was Phantom Planet (they sang the theme song from the show, the o.c...."california"). they were really good. then one republic performed...MAN!!!!! they were soooooo good!!!!!!!!! i recommend getting their album...their music is sooo chill

after the show....we bought FUNNEL CAKE!...you can't leave the OC fair without getting funnel cake...MMMmmmmm!

it was a great night to relax...yummy food, good music, and awesome friends...can't beat that!

7/14/08

the mission team FINALLY reunited...it's been a whole year since our mission trip to the philippines...it's awesome how we can always come back together and reminise about what GOD did in the summer of 2007...

we celebrated Ate Deb & Ate Knatz's birthday and our 1 year anniversary of going to the philippines...

i'm looking forward to 2009...i am TOTALLY going on another mission trip...

GOD IS AMAZING!!!!!!!

in 2007 before boarding the plane

reunited in 2008

the whole team!

Little Miracles

2008-07-10T11:19:00.000-07:00

I just finished my labor and delivery rotation...it was seriously the best 6 weeks of nursing school i've been through...

i was able to be part of the beginning of 12 little babies' lives....it was such a blessing...to be able to be one of the 1st ppl to hold them....and hand off the baby to their anxious parents....and to be able to see the look of the parents as they gaze with astonishment into their little newborns eyes....i never got tired of it...

i was working at mission viejo hospital....the drive was far but oh so worth it...i've never been in a hospital that was faith based....the people working there are seriously uplifting and supportive...it was awesome!...to start conferences with devotions blew me away...it gave me a picture of where i'd like to work when i'm done with the program...and my instructor was amazing...she's actually married to a pastor...so she always gave us support when we needed it....GOD IS SO GOOD!...

(my 1st set of twins)

(in OR 1)

our last day together :(

Forget your troubles and just be HAPPY

2008-04-30T13:52:00.000-07:00

ok...after 13 weeks of lame lectures...where can one go to forget about your troubles?

when watching what you eat doesn't exist....

Where you can drive without a license.....

where you can go on rides til you turn blue in the face.....

where poo...is in regards to winnie the "POOH" (sorry...nurses care about BMs)

and where being on your feet for 12+ hours doesn't really matter because it was fun times....

there's no place like
DISNEYLAND with awesome people!

what you should do after a med surg exam?

2008-03-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

GO TO HAPPY HOUR!!!!!

if your school is 5 minutes away from downtown fullerton.....why not?

so...the few of us who didn't have clinicals the next day decided to "cheer up" after taking our 2nd med surg exam....

so we headed to some grill in downtown fullerton for happy hour...couldn't remember the name...but they had some pretty good "tiki shots"...haha! some kind of punch with a shot of 151...so of course we couldn't drink on an empty stomach...so we ordered 8 appetizers... :) i was very "happy" by the end of the meal

so after stuffing our faces with heart attack food...we decided it was time to raise our heart rates and do some cardio....

so....we walked to continental...and danced!

then....we walked to zing's....ran into poles along the way....

did some ninja kicks in the streets....

then we danced more....

it was a great way to end the night....good times w/ good friends....we should do more outings like that to remain sane in this nursing program :)

what did i get myself into?

2008-03-17T19:58:00.000-07:00

i remember when i used to journal everyday on xanga....but after seeing this program and how easy it is to insert pictures here...i've decided to convert....and...possibly start blogging so i can remember what i've done in the year...

here's a link to my yester-years...
www.xanga.com/jenverscsulb