Good News! (and bad)

So the best news is that I was able to visit with all my sisters (and Em, who's PRACTICALLY a sister genetically) over the course of 2 weeks. That doesn't happen often, so I feel very blessed. From enjoying delightful foot soaks and sister talk I went on to helping with a new baby, playing 4-square and making faces at a camera. Then, back home I went on to water park fun, jewelry making, swing sitting, and story time on the top bunk. Just look at these great kids! Now I get to cuddle with Lioness and eat mulberries! Summer is great!

I also took the NCLEX-PN. It is the big national test to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Though I've been studying nursing for years, I did have some last-minute cramming hours the night before the test (okay, I'd been perusing another review book for a few weeks, while having the fun explained above, so I obviously wasn't too focused on studying.) However, the next morning during the test, I was not feeling completely positive on enough questions, or even very sure enough for my liking. Anyway, this test may take up to 5 hours, but is an adaptive computer test, so what questions I get are based upon how I've answered previous questions. I'm not sure what a typical time is, but I was cut off at 2 hours. The papers we were given specifically state that no conclusions about either passing or failing can be drawn from the test shutting off quickly. So I just hoped it was not a bad omen for real. Two days later, I grudgingly paid the $7.95 with a credit card to check my score online. (man the states and centers milk you for every cent! I'm surprised I wasn't required to rent the chair I sat in to take the test...oh, wait I probably was, just beforehand.)Thus, I discovered.....


I PASSED!!!!

I'm officially a nurse! (even if only a "Little Pretend Nurse", as I like to say)

The bad news is that I don't have a job, so that license isn't getting put to use just yet. I've applied to several places and checked in person at the closest place, a plasma donation center close by here. My plan for tomorrow is really get in to other locations in person, as I'm pretty sure the man who's present is more likely to be the man with a job. (depending, but it shouldn't hurt) Of places where I've applied, I'd really like to work with a company that makes home health visits to help with diabetes control.

I'm also trying to decide which singles' ward to attend. The bishop from my old ward (where I was all last year) has made it clear I'm still welcome, even though I don't live exactly within the borders. That's very tempting, as I already have friends there, it's really close still, and I'll just be moving into a new ward with my new apartment in 2 months anyway. However, I feel like meeting new people can be a great thing, as well as some obligation to attend the ward to which I should pertain geographically. Even if only one person asks me who I am each week, I'll at least meet 7 over the time I would spend in the ward....luckily I talk to people. So the other bad I guess is that I'm indecisive, but the great part is having options.