looking up

blah. i'm studying for the nursing boards. day and night. between every meal, even at the bus stop. when i go running, the physiology of heart contractility and oxygen consumption passes through my mind. at the market, i can't help but assess the shopper in front of me. i know there is an end in sight to all of this madness, but among pages and pages of health-related content, that destination seems so distant. HOWEVER, just when i think the only way to study is by looking down - by becoming engrossed in the details in front of me - i remember the bigger picture. and then i look up.

a little goes a long way

when i eat tapas, i'm always reminded of how a little goes a long way.

yellowtail with shaved fennel and gingered mango. five delectable pieces. some might say, "that's it?!" to which i reply, "yep!" the spice of ginger and the hint of fennel, combined with the coolness of the fish, teases the palate into thinking it is experiencing a great feast - a storm of flavor. 

and then there is the paella, just enough for two. surf and turf meets saffron. a few spoonfuls of this tapa, and you think you have eaten just about everything imaginable. mussels, shrimp, chorizo, chicken, rice, spices...need i say more? 

the tapas experience is quite lovely. i believe small quantities of extraordinary quality reinforce the philosophy of finding joy in the simple things. to be satisfied, rather than gorged. to be cultivated, rather than ignorant. to contemplate, rather than hurry. although tapas might not be considered meals in and of themselves, they sure do reflect the power of little things making a HUGE impact...

a smile - even if unwarranted, very contagious. a hug - physical intimacy. a hand-written letter - indicates time spent away from texting and instead, physically expressing a message. chatting over a meal - sharing sensations. candlelight - oh how a single flame creates more heat than the greatest of fires! the list could go on, so this is how i wish to end: be not deceived by life's menu of tapas. 

graduated. now what?

years of preparation. days of anticipation. hours of excitement and minutes of nerves. then it hits. oh, and it hits hard. graduation...

and now it's over. i had a feeling it might feel this way: one day you are surrounded by the people who experienced this journey beside you, and the next day - after graduation - they are gone. living out their dreams or, quite possibly, discovering them. yes, i have graduated and, yes, i know what i will be doing, but it just doesn't seem real yet. until the day comes when i realize i have no more assignments, finals, or lectures,  i have no doubt i will continue to associate myself as a student. and with good reason! that has been my full-time job for the past 20 years. 

pinned...and now preparing

yesterday, i was pinned. according to tradition, i am an official nurse. it was a lovely ceremony filled with friends, families, encouragement, laughter, and tears. intimate. it was a ceremony that touched each one of us in a very personal way. in two hours, four years of nursing school began and ended. just like that. it was a rush of emotion as i watched each of my classmates being pinned by their loved ones. to be there beside my parents absolutely melted my heart. to celebrate with my family and rejoice with emma - just perfect. as i end this chapter of nursing school, i begin another as a professional. oh my!

feeling the emotion

now, as i write this, i am mentally and emotionally preparing for the BIG day. graduation. the last hurrah. as if graduation isn't thought-exhausting already, i am preparing for my speech. the words i will share on behalf of my class. the memories. the encouragement. the story of us. tomorrow morning, i will be standing on the stage of royce hall, saying goodbye to what molded us and welcoming what stands before us. at this moment, i feel so honored. and anxious. and numb. and excited. a cornucopia of feelings, if you will. it's going to be quite a day. am i ready for it? haha, good question. deep breath. 

the night before the final...

tomorrow afternoon, i will be taking my last college final. the last sit-down exam in the school of nursing. il finito. i always thought i would feel relieved knowing exams would soon be out of my radar. that the days and nights of preparation, anticipation, and mental exhaustion would be no more. however, tonight - the night before the final - i find myself feeling a bit numb. how is it that days, months, and years of something so familiar end with an hour-long exam? the student with whom i identify is taking steps away from the comfortable. the anticipated. the predictable. the student in me is shedding her skin. beginning with tomorrow's final.

prepared for tomorrow? absolutely. finishing with a bang? i hope so. craving something sweet to get this bittersweet taste out of my mouth/mind/life? you better believe it.

so here is some sweet inspiration for the night before the final...