There's got to be a better way

We've all been there...monster.com, careerbuilder.com, and on and on until exhaustion. Tweaking adjectives on your resume to better fit job postings becomes a game you play as you drive about daily errands. For the past few weeks searching for a new job in Minnesota has become my quest.

I started by searching major health systems, hospitals, and clinics in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Some of the large systems had a number of RN jobs posted and I applied. Much to my dismay, my first 8 of 10 applications were rejected due to "electronic prescreening!" Ironically, each department insists on applicants having prior experience in that particular department; so how is anyone going to set foot into any department in the first place?! I was expecting an easy transition over to my next enjoyable job, just like the first time when I signed on with IHC in Labor and Delivery right out of college.

With all that said, there's got to be a better way to find a job. And so I'm asking you, my blog readers, for any connections. Do any of you happen to have any connections to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area? I know a lot of times the best way to find new jobs is through connections. Most job posititions are filled even before they are advertised; they're filled internally, becuase so and so knew so and so who recommended so and so to the manager. If you happen to know any of these "so and sos" please put my name out there. It doesn't have to be restricted to people working directly in hospitals or other health care settings. A computer technician might have a friend who needs a nurse or a school teacher might have a neighbor who runs a local clinic.

Thanks for your help!

Two Years of Deepening Love

Two years ago I married the cute boy next door.

Now we're a little bit older,
a little bit wiser,
and much more in love.

Three Month Hiatus

I am emerging from a bittersweet 3-month hiatus from normal daily life.

Here's what my hiatus consisted of:

• Taking lots of unplanned "short naps" and waking up three hours later.

• Trying to comfort my nauseous patients...and then asking them to share their barf bag with me.

• Going to great lengths, when not too nauseous, to get my hands on anything meaty, cheesy, or salty...yum!
  

• Surprised at how revolting my once-loved cooking shows are.

• Expanding my waist size. Rapidly.
  

• Realizing even more how patient and loving my husband is.

• In shock that my husband didn't turn his tired and sick, yet ravenous wife in to the psych unit.

• Staring in disbelief at an ultrasound picture with my name on it...not my patient's.
  

Thank goodness for modern medicine, a wonderful husband, and the second trimester!

I'm 14 1/2 weeks and due January 8th.
We're so grateful and happy!

So far this summer...

Ben and I are trying to relish every moment we have left in Utah. Who knows if we'll ever come back?

We started off our summer saying farewell to my older brother, Josef, who, I can't remember the last time he spent the summer in the states. This year he's in Russia for study abroad through BYU. We doubled with him and Christina on a bowling date before he left!

I can't even count how many strikes and spares Christina got.

I think Josef scored the highest.

Ben had some pretty fancy moves.

And I...well, we won't talk about my score. My game face didn't even help.

We played in teams...and the losers had to buy ice cream.

They won, of course.

But we still had fun. :) And Josef even let us use his gift card at Maggie Moo's. How nice.

I can't wait to see him again in August (a couple days before we leave for MN)!

My little brother, Jake, turned 17. He requested my "Dangerously Decadent Chocolate Cheesecake," as Ben calls it.

We had a fun BBQ with games at Ben's family's house.

Ben has been Mr. Busy this summer. He officially finished classes at BYU in April, successfully passed his Honor's Thesis Defense(!) (see picture below), and is now working full-time finishing up his internship hours.

"Assessing Russia's Perception of Graphic Tobacco Warning Labels" was his Honor's thesis.
PLUS, he has been working on a journal article with two of his professors, which is going to be published!

In his spare time, he plays on a rec. softball team and has 3 on 3 basketball tournaments with his friends from High School (he's in the red)...in church gyms with really bad lighting.

And one of my biggest highlights recently was a delicious brunch with Mary and Anne, two of my very favorite college roommates. I love these girls!

Little Brother

My not-so-little brother, Erik, graduated from Lone Peak High School this spring!
After my older brother and me, I have five younger brothers, and I have always collectively referred to them as "the little boys." Even at 6'4" with a size 15 foot, he'll never outgrow his "little boy" status in my mind. :)
I don't currently have a graduation picture, but ice hockey has been his "thing" during his High School years.
Congratulations, Erik!

I do know one thing...

A few months ago, before Ben and I knew exactly where we were going to move, I had kind of a "bring it on" attitude. I was so ready for change and adventure! But the closer we get to moving, the more apprehensive I become.

I don't know exactly when we're leaving.
I don't know where I'll work (I can't find a job!).
We don't even know where we'll be living (waiting to hear back from apartments).

BUT, I do know one thing. I will not acquire a Minnesotan accent.
Exhibit "A" below.

(You only have to watch the first minute or so to see what I mean! It does look pretty though.)

Kaua'i, the Garden Isle

Ben and I found ourselves with a bunch of skymiles, a good deal on a vacation rental, and some major itchin' for some sun...which naturally led us to Kauai, Hawaii; aka heaven on earth.

I'll let the pictures do most of the telling (although they do NOT do the island's beauty justice!). But swimsuit pictures are not my fav, so you won't see those on here. :)

Fresh fruit smoothies...yum!

Boogie boarding. He got eaten up by those waves. The only other people out there were the locals.

He kept me company while Ben was out boogie boarding. His calm, laid back demeanor kept down my anxiety about the possibility of my husband being swallowed up in the waves.

Just a beautiful picture out the car window. No big deal.

Eight-mile mud hike. Not everyone's idea of vacationing, but that's what my husband loves...and it's what I like...and that I am a good sport about! :)
But the scenery and Hanakapiai Falls were beautiful!

So much mud=so much fun! We ended up switching to watershoes halfway up. :)

Halfway through the hike is this beach. So we stopped to meditate.

For obvious island-beauty reasons.

Bamboo forests--so cool!

It looks like I'm talking to the tree...I guess I just became one with nature.

The beautiful 300-foot Hanakapiai waterfall! (This is still pretty far away, and again, pictures do not do it justice.) It was soo powerful!

Sunset at Hanalei Bay. (Surfer's central.)

Hideaways beach...My favorite.
White sand? Check.
Blue water? Check.
Warm water? Check.
Secluded? Check.
Heaven on earth? Check check...

Reading on the beach on a Sunday afternoon.

Queen's Bath--a little nature made pool.

My all-time favorite fruit/smoothie/organic/natural food place...my mouth is watering.

Only a very small percentage of Kauai can be seen by car, then a little bit more by foot or boat. The rest you have to (have to) see by helicopter!

We got to sit in the front!

Pictures we took from the helicopter. Gorg-eous-o Na Pali Coast (north side of Kauai).

Just another secluded beach. Seriously, every beach we found had very few people on it.

Fish Express--Macadamia Nut-crusted fish. To die for.

Rope swing--so much fun! It's about a 30-foot drop from the rope into fresh water. Then you just swim and swim to your little heart's desire while you gaze at the waterfall and other beauty around you. *sigh*
We video-taped ourselves on the rope swing for posterity. Maybe I'll post it sometime.

Duke's Restaurant on the beach at sunset. Coconut shrimp and hula pie!

Just another beautiful waterfall we drove by.

Pit stop.
I made (asked nicely) Ben get out of the car and pretend to take pictures across the road at "something" to divert the attention of any passerbys. Haha. What a good husband.

This is "Secret Beach." My other favorite.

And that's my handsome husband.

And that's our not-so-handsome sand castle. The waves got to it.

One day we found some vines. Naturally, we swung on them, like George of the Jungle (which was filmed there, among several other movies).

"...Watch out for that TREE!!"

Our last sunset. We can't wait to go back someday.
I loved spending every minute of eight days straight with my husband.