it's about that time...

it seems that a monthly update is in order...i hate that i don't get the chance to write more often (or make the time), but now seemed like a good time to catch up.

a lot has been going on-- big surprise there, right? (so much so that i have 5 voicemails that have been waiting on my phone for nearly two days--haven't had a moment to check them! although i am taking the time to update i suppose...ha.) i've made a few trips to lexington in the last month and finally made a decision about a housing situation. ben and i will both be living in an apartment complex called raintree and i was really pleased with the price for the quality. ben's front door is about 50 ft away from mine which will come in handy when i need my closets to be checked for bad guys. seriously. (i'll explain more about my creepy nightmares in a moment!) i'm not exactly sure how often we'll really see one another, as i work nights and sleep during the day and he has class in the afternoons and evenings. we'll see. i suppose it does help that i'm only tied up three days a week and he only has class four; i just hope they're not on opposite days! anyway, about those nightmares...i'm sure they're happening because my mind runs wild while i'm awake. even with my parents in the bedroom next to me, i fear an intruder breaking into the house and harming us all. every creak i hear (and our house creaks a lot) i think someone has arrived. ben has been on the phone with me during such episodes and i really do freak out quite a bit. one night i slept with a knife next to me in bed...i woke the next morning to an email filled with lots of Spripture verses ben encouraged me to memorize to fight the terrors. it's been getting better and i realize a lot of it probably is spiritual attack-- i think i've also been dwelling on the fact that i'm going to be all alone in lexington, coming home to an empty apartment, and fearing what might be awaiting me. maybe a self-defense class is in order too. ha. anyway, i'll be fine! but seriously, if anyone wants to come visit and stay for oh...5 weeks or so, you're more than welcome. ha.

so, housing is done and job is obtained. i took the NCLEX examination on the 2nd of june and was successful! it's definitely another weight lifted from my shoulders. may was set aside for a lot of studying and i remained fairly diligent. i think it paid off and i'm glad now that i didn't take kaplan after all. i was definitely nervous when everyone that took it was passing and i realized maybe i'd made a mistake. now i'm just glad i have $400 more in my bank account. ben drove up on monday so he could accompany me tuesday...what a good boyfriend. as i was walking to meet his car afterwards he asked, "how was it?" i only had time to reply, "it was awful!" when i arrived at the open window and spied a dozen roses mixed in among baby's breath and beautiful carnations (seriously, i'm not usually one for carnations, but they are beautiful!). i felt really blessed...until after i arrived home an hour later and burst into tears wailing dramatically, "i failed! i failed!" everyone has their moment, right? :) we left for lexington the next morning, i tried to take my mind off of NCLEX, and we had a great time. i was able to check my results thursday evening and made everyone stay away when i did. but alas, the glorious word was there in tiny, insignificant letters: passed. i was expecting music and a creepy clown to appear on the screen carrying balloons screaming its congratulations. apparently pearson doesn't get as excited as i do about passing. ha.

well, what since then, right? i guess the real question is, what not since then? i'm helping coach a 14-under girls softball team and trying to spend as much time with my friends and family all while attending/being in weddings, trying to plan and prepare for my open house/going away party (i shopped until midnight at four different grocery stores last night! why don't all the grocery stores carry the same items?!), buy furniture and accumulate things for a home, and prepare ben some very important going-away-to-africa-gifts. and let me go ahead and say that being crafty has had its low points: i've injured myself to the point of blood and experienced deep pain...all for ben. and since when does wal-mart stop selling very important items (in my mind) in the store and only offer them online? i'm telling you, they're sucking you into the shipping prices...$14 to get the desired item here by next tuesday. silliness. there will be sweet satisfaction when it's all said and done. *sigh. next week is filled with more of the same as i travel to chicago for some friends' wedding...to sing! i'm scared. but, no one will be looking at me anyway. or listening to me i hope. ha.

but i'm going to go ahead and apologize if you haven't heard from me since i've been home. everytime i think things are going to slow down and i'll be able to spend time with people, make commitments, etc. it just gets faster. it's not because you're not loved or important-- i promise. i just wish everyday had 30 hours and not 24.

now off to check those voicemails... :) and for your viewing pleasure, a picture from my college roommate's wedding this past weekend. enjoy.