The Mountain

Justin and I recently spent some time visiting with a older gentleman who lost his wife a little over a year ago. They had been married for over 50 years and were incredibly close....as one can imagine. Upon her death he had her cremated and he trekked up the mountains to spread her ashes, as was her wish. She had spent many days and nights looking at these very same mountains throughout the past few years especially the last few when she was rather ill. She'd sit in her recliner and gaze out from their apartment view and stare at these mountains. When talking about her he pointed out the window and said, "There she is," as he fondly gazed out the same window telling us the story of how he had spread her ashes on the mountain top. Now each day he sits in his recliner and gazes out the window, as his wife had done many times before, and can "see" her from where he sits. As he looked out the window he said, "I think about her every day.....not a day goes by that she's not in my thoughts."

This is love.

Worst Educational Experience EVER!!

I am, by all rights and privileges, a professional student. I really enjoy going to school and learning more about a wide variety of topics as I go along in this thing we call life. Given that I am a professional student I have attended a wide variety of educational institutions. I have gone to community colleges (3), small universities (1), large universities (3) and probably some places in between that I have likely forgotten. I began my educational career at a small NM university Eastern New Mexico University and I had a GREAT experience there. Everyone was interested in my learning and was willing to go above and beyond to ensure that you learned the material and could apply it to the work you wanted to ultimately do. The instructors and professors were most interested in that you LEARNED the material not that they could lord themselves over you.

I then went on to the University of Texas at Austin, which at the time was the largest university in the country. That was a SUPER experience, and I really felt that I came into my own at this university. Again the instructors were focused on ensuring that you learned, and fostered a great amount of in/out of class discussion that you could clearly see the application for the future. They were all approachable and helpful, and it seemed as if each of them wanted to truly mentor you. Many of these professors were leaders in their respective areas of research and their work is used in college/universities all over the world.

I went to the other colleges/universities to get various pre-requisites to end up where I am now........the bowels of hell. I can truly say that the community college experiences I had were more helpful than being at UNM. We are 7 months away from gradutating, which means I've survived 9 months of the worst educational experience of my life. UNM's system, generally, is impossible to navigate. Try changing your name after you get married - you need approval from literally 3 different departments. Forget finding a quick solution to a financial aid problem because NO ONE CARES! Call the bursar's office and you will find the most disgruntled worker with the most horrible attitude ever.

(ring ring).......(music....talking....holding for 20 minutes)
Bursar: (imagine a VERY angry woman with an Asian accent answering) Hello
Me: Yes, I was calling because it says online that I have a balance due and I was calling to see why my financial aid wasn't used......
Bursar: (interrupting me) What's your name?
Me: Jennifer W.....
Bursar: (interrupting me) What's the student ID?
Me: My UNM id # or my......
Bursar (interrupting me) What's the ID?
Me: ########
Bursar: No, your ID
Me: ummmm ######???
Bursar: you need to register
Me: But i can't because of the balance --- so there is a hold and...
Bursar: (interrupting me) I took off the hold. --- CLICK
Me: Hello????? (realizing that she just hung up on me!!!!!!!!!!!)

Now I gave her the benefit of the doubt-- maybe she just had a bad day??! however Justin came home one day telling me a similar story and I immediately knew who he had spoken to. (to this lady if you read this blog : GET A NEW JOB OR A BETTER ATTITUDE!!)

Don't even get me started on the instructors at the nursing program - HORRIBLE. I've encountered maybe 2 good ones --- one we have this year and one from last year--- everyone else has royally sucked. They are not friendly, not helpful, BORING as all get out, waste our time with their classes, apathetic, and DO NOT care about promoting learning. I kid you not the youngest instructor is in their late 50's (there is one of these youngesters lurking about) and the rest are in their 80's (no lie).

At the beginning of the year they asked for all people car pooling to alert the staff so they could be accomodated for clinical placement. So Justin and I followed protocol.....we were not placed together but everyone else who car pooled together was placed together. We finally found someone willing to trade us places in groups so we could be at the same location, but then were told we could only be at the same location for 1/2 of the semester -- umm ok....

I've already written about how you "choose" your clinical placements -- the word choice is used very loosely --- so loosely it barely applies.

Forget about asking someone a question because they either get defensive because they feel you are challenging them or they are absolutely clueless.

I've disengaged and CANNOT wait for this program to end.........As a professional student with numerous educational experiences the grade I'd give this university and this program is a big fat
F!!

Chronicles of the Bump: The name game

The number one question we were asked (up until last Thursday) was "What is it?" I guess referring to whether we are having a boy or a girl. Now that earth shattering question has been answered - we were relieved as we thought we were done answering questions by friends, family and strangers alike. We were wrong! Now THAT question has been replaced with, "What are you going to name her?"

We have tossed around all sorts of ideas - old names, bible names, cool names, off the wall names and so far we have NOT - I repeat NOT decided on a name. The sad thing is that we've told people names we've selected in an attempt to appease their inquisitiveness (?) and people seem satistified as long as you provide them with an answer. No one cares what the name is - just as long as you tell them something. Of course no one critiques the name you provide (at least not to your face) but always say, "Oh I LOVE that name!" We will likely not fully select a name until we see her.......we will let her personality dictate her "REAL" name!



Here is the "bump" rocking a Texas Football shirt -- we are now at 20 weeks so 20 more to go (give or take a few)........

Dear baby: 12

Dear baby,

This past week was great - we got to hear your heart beating to start the week off and then to finish out the week we got to see you!!!. It was such a special time for your dad and I as we were able to see your little arms, hands, legs, toes, head, ribs, belly and heart!! Stacy, your ultrasound lady, said that you were perfect and growing exactly as you need to be!! While we were watching you we got to see you "talking" and moving your perfect little mouth! Finally, we were able to find out if you were a boy or a girl --- and as your probably know -- you are a girl! It is amazing how the Psalms (139) so perfectly encompass our constant awe at how you are growing and developing. You are indeed being knitted together in my womb, and you are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made!!!

When we left the ultrasound and were in the car your dad said, "We are going to have a daddy's little princess," with a HUGE smile on his face. I can already tell that you are going to rule the house, and that I am going to be out numbered!!! Your dad then decided we needed to hit up the outlet malls in Canutillo/El Paso to see if we could find you any treats - which we did - and prepare for your quickly approaching arrival! Your dad is soooo cute - he talks to you every night, has read you some stories, and is always watching out for me (since I am the one housing you for now!)......you are going to be one spoiled....ummm blessed little girl.

Love you little one,

Mommy and daddy

It's a................

.....bout time for Justin to put on his tea party boa because we are having a GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Baby: !!

I have been absent from writing to you for some time, but trust me you have been along for everything - every moment of the ride! This Monday your dad and I got to hear your heart beat and relish the sound of hearing life rushing through your little tiny body. This coming Thursday your dad and I are really looking forward to getting to see you and hear you once again. We are excited to spend some time together seeing you and marvelling at the miracle and answer to prayers that you are. You are certain to change our lives in each and every way - and we cannot wait for you!!

Let's take a peek at what you are doing this week: "Your baby's crown-to-rump length is 5.2 to 6 inches this week. Your baby weighs approximately 7 ounces and will increase its weight more than 15 times between now and birth! One of the most amazing aspects of your baby's growth and development is that of the fetal brain. Your baby's brain is one of the first organs to appear. Your baby's oversized head shows the brain's importance in his development. Because the nerves that connect the muscles to the brain have grown into place, your baby's movements are consciously directed. Your baby's ears stand out from the sides of the head and the buds for your baby's permanent teeth appear. Your baby's arms and legs have reached their relative proportions and his feet are approximately one inch long."

See you Thursday baby!
Love you to the moon and back!
Mommy and daddy

Absent - minded

We have been absent from writing for some time, and I only have one thing to say: School. We started school last Thursday and it has taken quite a bit to get re-adjusted to being back!! It did feel good to be back and productive once again versus vegging out and doing "boring" things like watching TV, travelling, working on the babies room, etc....JUST KIDDING!! Justin and I are in a clinical setting for Parish Nursing which integrates the use of faith/spirituality along with nursing care. We had our first day today, and we had a really great experience - so 7 weeks in this setting and then it is on to our psychiatric placement at the VA.

Well......I think that is all for now (not too exciting!) but I will update about "What it is" on Thursday or Friday!!! AND the next Dear Baby is soon to follow - I promise :)

Adventures with "The Bump"

Justin and I decided to take a trip to Las Vegas over our summer "break" from school. He was hesitant to drive because he didn't know how I'd do in the car for that long since I'm pregnant. I convinced him I'd be a champ, and we could make it. So Justin, myself and "the bump" packed up and headed to the City of Lights (well, the American version!). We decided to drive to Laughlin the first day and see the sights there since we'd never stopped. Boy! I would NOT do that again. It was like Las Vegas - dying.....nearly dead. It was raunchy (sorry Laughlin).

We drove to Primm to stop at the outlet mall and then we headed out to Las Vegas - we got a great deal for like $20 something a night at the Palace Station. It is off the strip, but super cheap! We were a little scared given neither of us had ever stayed there, but we were pleasantly surprised. The rooms were SUPER nice, casino was NOT crowded, and it was like 2 seconds from the strip.

We were excited to do "new" and "different" things with "The Bump" - I like giving it a cryptic name as if it is overtaking me - I think it's better than the blob!! So here are some picture highlights:

Saw what appears to be a not so nice rock formation!
Headed out to the strip at night - still a cool 98 degrees

Took in the Blue Man Group show!!

We were in the poncho section - 1st row - for $40
after my mad discount skills were used! Here is Justin
reluctant to put on his Poncho!!

Made a few calls to my peeps at the Encore/Wynn

Checked out the waterfalls at the Wynn!!!
Check out my new maternity shorts and
courtesy of the Las Vegas Premium Outlets!!
AND my new Nikes ($23) courtesy of the Primm
outlets!!

Justin at the Paris.........

We took in some lunch at the Fashion Show Mall

We took in the Conservatory at the Bellagio

"The Bump" at the Paris.........

"The Bump" getting ready to head out for the day!

We all headed out to the Nevada Temple.......

"The Bump" Our family at the Temple!

Justin at the Temple sign..........After attending the
Temple Justin took me to Ruth Chris' SteakHouse and it
was the BEST steak I've ever had!! While enjoying our
meal there we saw a break up gone bad!! These two women
appeared to be on a date, and all of the sudden one got up,
threw money on the table and stormed out. Leaving the other
to settle the bill, which was easily $200-300 (the one that left

had ordered a bottle of wine, another alcoholic beverage,
a crab appetizer, garlic bread and a steak). The one that was
left attempted to get the order canceled but it was too late!
Our waiter had to take her to the manager and the eventually
walked out of my range of snooping err...hearing. Justin and I
didn't even know they had been fighting! They were so quiet
during the time they were there - it was eerie!

"The Bump" on the way to see Mystere!!

Ready for the show!!!!!

Waiting for the Volcano at the Mirage --
We got tired of waiting and left...................

We headed out after a little over a week there!! We decided to stop over at the Primm Outlets yet again and we found that the Children's Place was having a SUPER sale. They had most of the store on sale for $1.99 and under!! We loaded up on onesies, little shorts, T-shirts, and things that were as gender neutral as possible - We got nearly 60 items for just about $50!! It was great!! We headed on the long drive home -- it was a perfect trip!!

We hope to go on one more short trip before the baby comes - I really think "The Bump" likes travelling!!