The Fighter

Wow.

I was well aware that it had been quite awhile since I had last posted... but last February?!?!  Woops.  

I completely fell off of the blogging bandwagon.  Honestly, not that I am back today, where do I even begin?

Life re-cap.  Since February.  I'm stumped.

Let's do some categories: work, school, friends, love, life.

Work:  I just found out yesterday that I have officially been offered (and I've accepted) a new position as a clinical coordinator (CC) on my unit.  I am very excited and nervous about starting this new role.  While I feel as though I have been valued as a leader and as a resource on my unit among my nursing peers, it will be a change to be officially seen as one by my 'higher-ups.'  The position is changing from the way the previous CC worked which will allow me to continue to have direct patient care which is fantastic.  When I was first told about the position a little lightbulb went off in my head that was like "wait a minute, Bridget.  This is a GREAT way to prepare for your masters."  This really couldn't have come at a better time and I pray that it will be an great stepping stone prior to completing my masters in clinical nurse leadership and seeing where that will take me.  Overall, work has been good too - there are always good days and bad days, but I love what I do so I wouldn't trade it!

School:The summer class that I was dreading had some ups and downs, but it is done, and I passed with flying colors!  I was expecting to get one grade and when looking at my transcript to send to work the other day I found out that I got a higher grade, so that was an awesome surprise.  In a few weeks my fall semester starts and I'll be taking three classes... it's going to be a lot but I'll just have to focus and get it done!

Friends:This summer has been full of a lot of friend time which has been awesome!  I've been able to celebrate some birthdays with high school and college friends (one of whom got us into some incredible bars), and baby showers and wedding showers for other college friends.  One of my friends just had a baby earlier this week and I could not be more excited for she and her husband!  One of my other college roommates is getting married in September so I've seen her more in the past few months prepping for that than I had since all of graduation.  I am so excited for her wedding and to be able to celebrate her big day with her.  This weekend I'm heading to the Wisconsin Dells with a group of work girls which should be so much fun!

Love:Nothing to report.  I had been talking to someone for awhile but the timing for the two of us just wasn't right and we just weren't compatible in some areas.  I came to the realization that I had been telling myself that it was all right if I found a guy who didn't have a deep faith because I am strong in my own faith, or it was OK if I compromised on some other things.  I don't like that I was telling myself this and I don't think I should have to compromise on some core qualities that I find important.  I will not sacrifice my values, beliefs or character just so that I can be in a relationship.  So if that means I am single for another month, year, decade, whatever, then I am going to have to accept that and believe that God has something planned for me and hope that it is something better than I can imagine.

Life:I've moved out of the heart of Wrigleyville to East Lakeview!  I've moved in with my sister which is going to be a learning experience.  My goal in living with her is that we will develop a friendship instead of a tolerance.  I want us to be friends and to have our kids grow up to be friends and to see us get along and enjoy one another.  Really, I'm hoping that we'll form a bond like my mom's bond to her sister which is a great example.  Back to the apartment - I am currently sitting on a chair in my bedroom looking out at the skyline all lit up and looking absolutely gorgeous.  Other perks are that I can lay in my bed (and also my couch that arrived today!) and look out at Lake Michigan.  My building also has a gym (no more excuses to not run on a rainy or too hot or too cold day!), a roof top deck, it's steps away from Diversey Harbor, a quick bus ride from North Avenue Beach and is a much easier commute to work!

Explanation of "The Fighter" by Gym Class Heroes featuring Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic being chosen as my song of the summer:I feel like everything I've fought for over the last few years - nursing school and graduating, learning and thriving at work over the past three years (I can't believe I have been a legit nurse for THREE years!!), proving myself as a competent nurse and leader, make a life for myself outside of the suburbs and learning my way around the city, succeeding in grad school thus far, etc. - has been a fight.  For some reason I feel like I've had to prove myself every step of the way.  But I've fought and I've won.  The last few weeks I've felt like everything from so many parts of my life has been falling into place.  I think this is the first time that I feel like all parts of my life are good instead of just a few parts.

I am going to try my BEST to keep up with this, even if just for my own sanity!

Can't wait to start thinking about song connections again!