T minus 44hrs.

"I will study and get ready and, perhaps my chance will come."- Abraham Lincoln

 "Never regard study as a duty, but as the enviable opportunity to learn to know the liberating influence of beauty in the realm of the spirit for your own personal joy and to the profit of the community to which your later work belongs."- Albert Einstein

How much information can you squeeze onto an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 "help sheet" for a final exam?  Answer:  It depends on how small you can write.

The view from my study chair this evening.  The ISO played at Zionsville Lions Park as a part of their free summer concert series.  It was very enjoyable with great weather and music to boot.  Definitely a nice change in pace from my corner at Starbucks.

Registration

I registered for fall semester classes today.  I'll be taking 3 credit hours.  One class will be on campus and one will be an online course.  It was Nursing Focus Day and most of the students were either transfer students or incoming freshman.  It is still a strange feeling...this whole changing of careers.  I wonder and ask God at times, eh,  all the time if I am on the right path.  If this is still what He wants me to pursue. Come January the following 16 months will be very intensive.  I'll be tackling clinicals and coursework in double time for 3 semesters.  Historically, when others have told me that something is rigorous I've always had the attitude of "bring it".  The competitive side of me wants to go at with full force.  Then, then I find myself at the place where I am drained.  The point where  I've committed to the activity where it's too late to turn back but I don't really want to go forward either.   I don't want that to happen here.  I believe that it is my calling to help people, to work in the medical field and after a few years of trying different things, I think nursing is it.  That's just the thing though, I think this is it.  I don't know for certain.  In my mind I have a nice idea laid out if I end up pulling this off.  

 I was thinking about the story where Jesus is walking on water and Peter wants to do the same.  Peter gets out of the boat and begins to walk on water.  After he saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink.  Peter called out, "Lord, save me!"  Jesus reaches out to him and replies, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"  Who is Peter doubting?  He's not doubting Jesus; he is doubting himself.  I find myself in Peter's position.  I am doubting not Jesus but myself.  I am doubting myself because I know my past attempts, failures, and the past fears that are still wrestling within me.  You know what though?  Jesus knows my past too and yet He doesn't doubt me.  Rather then focusing on the 'why'-an explanation that is far beyond human comprehension, I'd rather focus on the simple fact that He believes in me and leave it at that.  Isn't that all that is needed?  The King of the universe believes in me and you; and that is enough.  

When this expedition first started I made it very clear to God that if He wasn't a part of this-if He wasn't in it then it would fail- I would fail.  I said the same thing to Him again today after I had registered for classes.  "If you're not in this, if this is not what you want me to do, tell me."  Walking by faith while being patient for God to orchestrate His plans takes trust, risks, and communication with the Author.  The payoff though is adventure, love, and complete freedom.  

Hydration

No, the title of this post has nothing to do with chemical reactions thank goodness!  I am taking a break from the books and flash cards tomorrow.  I have not been able to ride as much as I would like to, mostly due to scheduling conflicts but also because I needed to get a new CamelBak.  The one I had was about 6 years old and the tubing was really gross and the replacement parts are no longer made for the model I had.  Today, though at work I found one that I like and picked it up earlier this evening.  That means tomorrow will be a long ride with plenty of hydration!   :)  I haven't decided what circuit to conquer, but I was thinking of maybe heading up north.  I'll lay out my gear tonight, check the bike tires, charge the iPod and pack some snacks.  I'm excited!

Watch this one!

I was able to visit with Orion over the 4th of July weekend.  We played with trains, ran around the yard, watched fireworks and Orion rode his tricycle too.  At times he would stop riding, turn and look at me and say "I want to run."  So Orion would run and I would carry the bike back to the house.  Thanks, Orion for training me in the duties of parenthood. 

Being silly.

"I want to run."

"Meghan, watch this one!"

Seriously, this statement is his new thing.  Every 25 seconds I would be cued to "watch this one!"

Orion took this picture of the two of us.

I didn't realize how I was holding the camera while I was filming, which is why you might have to look side ways.  You gotta admit though, it is pretty cute. :)

In this last video Orion is on his bike and is dilly-dallying around and making small talk rather then pedaling.  What you don't see in this video is Orion steering his bike off of the sidewalk and into a shallow ditch.  That is why you will see me reach for the handle bars and try to keep him on the sidewalk.  He's not quite able to carry on a conversation, pedal, and steer yet, but we're working on it!

Chapters 9-13

Chapter 9

Nuclear Radiation

Nuclear equations

Radiation measurement

Half-life of a Radioisotope

Medical applications

Chapter 10

Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Alkanes

Alkanes with substituents

Properties of Alkanes

Functional groups

Chapter 11

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Alkenes and Alkynes

Cis-Trans isomers

Addition reactions 

Aromatic compounds

Chapter 12

Organic compounds with oxygen and sulfur

Alcohols, Ethers, and Thiols

Properties of Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers

Aldhehydes and Ketones/properties of...

Chiral molecules

Chapter 13

Carboxylic Acids, Esters, Amines, and Amides

Carboxylic Acids and their properties

Esters

Amines

Amides

Chapters 1-4

My first test is on Thursday and I had to finish chapter 2 homework that is due tomorrow.  I had penciled in study time for earlier this afternoon but ended up taking a 3 hour nap.  I guess I can't study in my bed. :(  I had another study time at 7pm and I succeeded in keeping that commitment.  Without further ado, here is the review material!  Edited to add:  Chap 4 is kicking my butt :(

Chapter 1 

What is matter?

Measurements

Conversions

Metric System

Temperature/density/specific gravity

Chapter 2

difference between kinetic and potential energy

Heat energy- determine how much is needed to change the temp. of water.

Food energy-kcal, calorimeter

understand the meaning and relationship between various states of matter

heat of fusion: 80 cal/g (of water)

heat of vaporization: 540 cal/g

Chapter 3

Atom structure

determine atomic number, mass number and know shorthand notations

Isotopes

Electron Configurations

draw orbital diagrams

understand valence electrons

Chapter 4

Periodic Table

Periods vs groups

atomic size

Ionization energy

Elements of Life

O,C,N, H-major elements

K,Mg, Ca, Na, P,S, Cl-macrominerals

Fe, Cu, Zn, I, Mn, F- trace elements

Know the octet rule

Ionic bonds

Covalent bonds

Electronegativity

Polyatomic ions

know how to write chemical formulas for ionic and covalent molecules and how to name the chemical compound if given the formula

know the valences of Fe, Cu, Sn

1 week down, 5 to go!

Winds of Change

I've returned from a great trip with wonderful friends.  Five of us spent 8 days traveling Route 66 from LA to Chicago.  The trip was filled with numerous "firsts" and many laughs and meaningful moments.  This trip also marks the beginning of a season of change for me.  In just 40 short hours I will be returning to school.  I've decided to pursue a BSN degree (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)  I have only 3 prerequisite courses to take.  At the end of December I can apply to the School of Nursing.  Should I be accepted, I anticipate on graduating in May 2011.  In addition to this endeavor, at the end of September I will leave for Nariobi, Kenya on my first mission trip.  

As you may imagine dramatic change and unpredictable chances are not things that this gal has been known to take.  However, the freedom and excitement that has come from these commitments have been so rewarding!  On the flip side, with this eagerness and anticipation comes anxiety and thoughts of doubt.   "Will I make it?"  "Am I good enough?"  

There are some uplifting verses that I've found are helpful in simmering the negative self talk that can so easily entangle and snarl this new and uncharted path.  

•  "This is the confidence that we have in approaching God:  that if we ask  anything      according to his will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us-whatever we ask-    we know that we have what we asked of Him."
• "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed."
  
• "Do not dwell on the past."  Isaiah 43:18
• "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

I know that the third bullet point will be the hardest for me.  Not dwelling on the past--moving forward--accepting the failures and mistakes that happened, learning from them and pressing onward.  I am looking forward to the days ahead and sitting in a classroom once again learning a new craft and sharpening old skills.