Relay for Life

We participated in Relay for Life this past weekend and it was a VERY intense experience for me being that I am now a cancer survivor. Which is just crazy for me. I think overall it was a great experience for me but at the same time it was very hard and emotional. We had a GREAT time though (as you will see from the pics below) and overall, the entire Relay at UNO raised just over $40,000 which is AMAZING!!! Our team (team Hawaii) participated in the volleyball tournament they offered and actually won it ALL :) We had fun, none of us slept, I walked about 8 miles today--my roommate walked an entire half marathon (a little over 16 miles) and we enjoyed some tasty treats and GREAT company!!

Here are some pics of the event :)

 Our team (minus Heidi since she left early)

 Stacy, Jill, Heidi & I with Masa (one of our athletic trainers)

us after we WON the vball tourney (VERY excited as you can see)

Heidi, Katie & I before the "Survivor Lap"

 Heidi, Stacy & Me :)

One of my biggest supporters, my roomie Katie

better pic of all of us :)

Spring Break 2011

Wow, Spring break was just simply amazing. We had so much fun in Kansas City I don't even know where to begin. Our first day we got to the hotel before check in time so we had time to kill so we decided to just go explore and actually stumbled on the City Market, which was amazing. It reminded me of Pike's place market back in Seattle so we strolled around there, ate food and hung out for about 2 hours. We got back to the hotel, took a dip in the pool and hot tub and then just relaxed the rest of the night. On Monday, we got dressed and headed to the Plaza for some shopping (150 stores & restaurants, most of which we couldn't afford lol), which was fun as well. LOTS of window shopping, however we did find a ring for Heidi at Tiffany's but I don't think Nate will be going there anytime soon :) Then we got back to the hotel and got ready for our BIG casino night. As part of our hotel stay we got 3 free buffet coupons to Harrah's casino, so we made a night of it and got all dressed up in pretty dresses and had some fun. I was the only winner that night, winning a total of $13 dollars on the Lord of the Rings Penny slot!!! The next day we enjoyed the college basketball experience which I think was my favorite part :) being a HUGE college bball fan I was in HEAVEN the entire time we were there. It was a VERY fun and exciting interactive museum!! Then we got all fancy again to go out to dinner to celebrate my birthday (early). Had dinner at a place called Gordon Biersch and then went up to Howl at the Moon for some birthday drinks and dueling piano fun :) We sang, drank and I got to dance on stage to "low" which was embarassing but we defintely had the time of our lives. Then Wednesday we found some amazing BBQ food on our way out of town and headed home!! Overall, it was a GREAT trip. I wouldn't change anything at all!!

 us girls at the City market

 Katie & I shopping at the Plaza

 right before we went into the college basketball experience

 us girls on "center court"

 Heidi & I having dinner at the casino

 the Lord of the Rings Slot Machine :)

 us at my birthday dinner

 Heidi & I having pre-dinner drinks

 my wing span :)

 Power & Light District (in the day time)

 Power & Light District

us girlsa at Howl at the Moon

The Checkpoint of the Semester

Thank GOD the semester is half way over. This week is what we ATS like to call "HELL WEEK" because we have so much to do and so little time. On top of the papers & tests, we also have the MAATA (Mid-American Athletic Training Association) district meetings this Friday & Saturday, here in Omaha!! It's pretty cool because its right here so we don't have to travel so I am excited about that. Also on Sunday, Heidi, Katie & I will be leaving to go on our 4 days Spring Break to Kansas City!! And boy, its can't come any sooner :) We all have VERY cute dresses to go out to the casino in, we have our "dancin' shoes" to have some fun in and we will squeeze in some MUCH needed college ball stuff as well!! Needless to say, we can't WAIT until Sunday morning!! I will post pics as soon as we get back...

It's crazy to believe that exactly one year ago (yesterday) I had my hysterectomy. I can't believe it's already been a year. I look back at that decision and admit it was the toughest decision I have EVER had to make but I don't regret it one bit. Yes, I can't have kids but I am also cancer and disease free. And yes, I had to have my L Ovary taken out shortly after my hysterectomy due to cancer cells & excruciating pain but I'm okay with that. Now, my R ovary is truly testing my patience....I had to go to my doc due to excessive pain and a few other things-he found some cysts and is hoping to decrease them in diameter with medicine so they are not as painful, however if that doesnt happen in the next 6 weeks we have to think of other options...that yet again is scary. We'll see :)

Hope everyone else is having a GREAT March so far and in less than 3 months I will officially be done with my 1st year in GRADUATE SCHOOL!!!

February Wrap Up

Wow this semester is just FLYING by. I can't believe I am half way through this semester and ALMOST done with my first year in graduate school. It's crazy how fast time flies when you are truly having fun with the people you care the most about. This month was just crazy busy and I wouldn't change it. I have FULLY immersed myself in the Creighton athletic training clinical and am absolutely loving it. I am with the volleyball team and both the mens & women's tennis teams and I couldn't be more thankful for that. I have formed bonds with these teams and they truly count on me. I have experienced one athlete from the start of her surgery all the way through her rehab process and I am proud to say that I have helped her get back to the volleyball court and also proud to say that she has shown me why I love athletic training both by being an athlete I've treated and by being my friend. We also celebrated Heidi's 23rd birthday this month and boy did we do it BIG!!! First, Cassie, Katie, Stacy and I decorated Heidi's apartment with streamers, balloons and signs. Then on Saturday we all went out to dinner (and by all I mean most of the classmates and their spouses) at Vincenzo's and then proceeded to go out to Whiskey Tango and have plenty of fun. We definetly celebrated all night long and were paying for it the next day but we had fun and thats all that counts :) Next month (technically now this month), we have our big spring break trip to KC planned which we all can't WAIT for!!! :) It is going to be so much fun and a MUCH needed break.

 Heidi & I enjoying her bday celebration

 Heidi's Sign at her house :)

 Bathroom full of 91 BALLOONS

 Pre-Game shot!!

 Nate & Heidi

 Heidi & I at dinner

 Katie, Heidi and I at Whiskey Tango

 JELLO SHOTS!!

Cassie, Katie, me & Heidi on our last dance 

Updates pics :)

Thought I would include some updated pics of life in Omaha since alot of my friends and family don't know what its like around here. And the weather here lately has SUCKED to say the least. This past week we have had a "snow/ice" storm, been down to 0 degrees out with a wind chill factor of -15 so it hasn't been fun walking to class or getting Creighton (with all the hills around there).

 this our our fav quote around here.....

 Me and my family over Christmas break

 Heidi & I at the Bemidji vs UNO hockey game

 Heidi, Cassie & Me (Cassie's FIRST hockey game)

 Cassie, Me, Heidi & Katie at the game (we had SOOOO much fun)

 Me & my other siblings over Christmas break---I am so blessed with such a great family

 Me & my VERY handsome nephew while I was home

My uncle and I all dressed up in our UW gear for the UW vs NE game

All in all, things are going well here especially since today I got measured on my knee flexion (bending the knee) and I was at 120 degrees compared to the 94 degrees I was at about 1.5 weeks ago! I am sooooo excited about that, I know it's a pretty small accomplishment but its huge to me. I am so ready for the next few months. We have things all planned out that way each month we have something else to look foward to...so for now we wait for Heidi's birthday weekend!!! :)

Winter, oh Winter....

Well, the winter has FINALLY hit in Omaha and I am NOT liking it. We have been in a severe winter weather storm watch for a few days now and driving and walking to class hasn't been easy. Plus the fact that I have to drive to Creighton every day and that is NOT an easy task in this weather because CU is on a hill and you have to go down and up about 3 to get to and from there. NOT FUN!!! Other than the crappy weather, things here have been going fairly well. My knee is recovering quite nicely actually. I'm at about 110 degrees flexion compared to the 65 degrees I had two weeks ago. I am pretty excited about that, I have also started riding the bike which is a pretty big accomplishment for someone that is recovering from a big knee surgery. So the knee is good, school is GREAT so far this quarter. I am at Creighton working with volleyball and also men's & women's tennis. I LOVE it there!! Everyone is soooo great and the atmosphere is amazing. We've got some big plans this semester. Heidi's 23rd birthday is in Feb, so we are going out on the town for a night and then a big breakfast the next day. Then in March we are going to Kansas City for a few days for spring break which will entail us going to the casino all dressed up one night. Then we're going to go to the college basketball experience which is suppose to be COMPLETELY amazing!! Then in April I turn 25 :) and then we are done in May and then just 3 weeks of summer classes and then HOME!!! here are some pics of this esmester so far :)

First semester ALMOST done!!!!

YAY for my first "real" semester almost being done. Classes are going well so far, I am LOVING everything I have learned here. I was with football this semester and although I missed part of the games due to my ovurectomy and being "sidelined" because of it, I had a BLAST with the athletes!!! We didn't do too great this year, so no bowl game for us but it was a fun season regardless. The next two weeks are going to be pure hectic life style type stuff. I have had 2 exams, 3 proficiency tests and 2 papers that have been due these past two weeks and I have a pending knee surgery that I will have to recover from as well. Surgery is Monday Dec 6th and then I fly home Dec 14th for 3 1/2 WEEKS!! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!! I can't wait to be home after being gone for 6 months, its going to be amazing! Anyways, thats the update for now! Write more soon!