#10. Most embarrassing moment!

10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.

I am laughing right now just thinking about the one I want to share! Embarrassing things happen to me on the regular. For example, just the other day (night?) I was working a night shift and I really really had to, ahem, relieve my bladder. So, I finished up feeding one of the little babies and ran off to the loo. I guess in my haste I forgot to lock the door. So, there I was minding my own business and suddenly another nurse comes running into the bathroom (I guess she really had to go too). She was in such a rush that she was about 2 full steps inside the bathroom before she realized I was there. Whoops. She screamed (literally, screamed) and ran in the opposite direction while I just sat there and laughed. I kept laughing to help myself feel better but boy was I embarrassed. The worst part is that I didn't even see her for the rest of the night! I wanted to laugh about it with her so it wouldn't be awkward the next time we saw each other, but alas, I guess I might be dealing with that awkwardness on my next shift. Anyway, that story wasn't supposed to be that long because that's not the embarrassing moment I even wanted to talk about!

This one happened during my volunteer adventure in Guatemala. Everything is better in Guatemala after all!

Let me introduce you to the chicken bus. I wrote about them more here, but I will do a quick refresher. They are the public transportation of Guatemala. They will hold any amount of people willing to get on (I even saw a man hanging on the outside with his arms through the window to hang on once when we were going about 45 on a winding, bumpy jungle road! Anyway, you get on and then you are packed in there like sardines and then a man comes around gets your money. Oh, and they play very loud latin music for your enjoyment along the way. Oh, and they don't follow any traffic rules. Off-road? As fast as the bus can go? Not stopping for anything/anyone? Yep -Anything goes!

Ok, so it was my first week in Antigua Guatemala and I was loving it! I was there on a volunteer trip and I was ready to flex my volunteer muscles at an HIV clinic (which leads to another story...) up in the mountains of Guatemala. I was told how to get there and I would have to make a bus transfer at "the tree after the long fence before the market." Yikes. After going through the winding city, through the valley, over the hills, and into the mountains, I was lucky I got off at the right tree considering we were practically in a jungle.

And there was my bus! I was so glad it was waiting there so I wouldn't have to stand awkwardly by a tree in my scrubs looking like a lost tourist.

I jumped off the bus and got on the second bus with a little smirk on my face. I could totally handle this Guatemalan stuff! I greeted the driver and sat down without really looking around. As I sat there, however, I started to realize that all around me I could only hear children voices. I finally looked around and saw that there was a good reason for that - I was surrounded by Guatemalan kids! 

I was on a schoolbus. We were on our way to school. Bahahahahaha! I swallowed my pride and asked them if the hospital was on their way and they were so kind and dropped me off where I needed to go. Hahaha. I felt so dumb. The kids were nice though.

Here's the sugar on top. The next day I was waiting for my real bus and the schoolbus came up. The driver stuck his head out the window and offered me a ride again and I am happy to report that I took him up on his offer :)

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I have to brag a bit about the Mr.


Brian got at 90% on his chem final! It's the highest score he's heard of and it secures his A in one of the most difficult courses at BYU. He looked at me the other day and said, "Rach, I never realized before that I was smart." I always knew. He is going to do great in dental school!


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#9. Ten influential people

9. List 10 people who have influenced you and why.

Brian Pearce

He gets the "best husband in the world" award! He helps influence me to be the best "me" I can be and reach for the stars.

Layne & Kelly Nielsen

 I owe so much to them. Read more about them and their influence on me here.

Dan & Jen 

My partners in crime! I don't know where I'd be without such great siblings :) Greatly thanks to them, I had a great childhood!

Danielle, Megan, & Andrea

My best friends! We've been through a lot together. Even though we don't all live near each other anymore, every time I talk to them it seems like we've never been apart!

Jesus 

My #1 role model who I hope influences my actions every single day!

Lee and Meg Donaldson

Best mission president and mission "mom" in the world! I survived the most difficult 18 months of my life with their help :)

Grandparents

Even though we never lived close to them, I always felt their influence on my life. Such wonderful examples of love, faith, and service!

Whoever invented ice cream. 

Enough said.

Tamara Leese

Probably my most inspirational teacher. She taught me to believe in myself, the good the world has, and in others.

Sister "B" (Bradford)

She inspired me to be an interesting and good person. Best Sunday school teacher ever!

Ok, that's more than ten - but that's 10 groups of people!

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#8. Five passions I have

8. What are 5 passions you have?

1.  My family - both my immediate family that I grew up in and my new one (Brian!). I really believe that family is the most important aspect of life!

2.  My future. Maybe that sounds weird, but I think about my future a lot. Mostly my future family and what I can be doing now to help make it great.

3.  Adventures. I like to experience new things and places! My new adventure is this new job. I'm loving it, but it sure gives me a run for my money!

4.  Food. I sometimes think I have an unhealthy relationship with food, but I seriously love it. Mostly sugary stuff. 

5. The Gospel. Right now my passion is trying to figure it out better and get my questions answered so that I can do what God wants me to do! It is such a struggle sometimes to receive/recognize answers to prayer.

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Work on Thursday was rather stressful. I had 3 needy babies who all wanted to be bottle-fed (which is difficult to fit in when I only have 1/2 hour scheduled with each baby and I have to do a full assessment, meds, diaper change, etc each time PLUS about 1/2 hour for bottle feeding. The time there just doesn't add up. But, somehow I was managing by starting early and ending a little late with their cares.... until 6:15 rolled around and the doctor wanted to do a lumbar puncture on one of my kiddos! Well, that was quite the time-consuming experience and I frantically had to try and get caught up again afterwards. Oh well. I survived. The babies survived too :).

Classes are over for Brian and now he is studying like crazy for finals. Right after finals he will continue studying like crazy for the DAT. Then he will apply to dental schools and take the DAT. Then we will hold our breath and pray that he gets into a good school. Then we will hold our breath and pray that he gets an awesome scholarship. Whew. This will be quite the year. Last year was quite the year too. Maybe every year is going to be crazy from here on out! 

Oh, and I've been having a bad case of "I want a baby." That could make this year interesting too. Not yet though, we're not quite there - so don't get too excited! 

Went to a a cute little market with Andrea today and saw a quote that I think I'll just have to put somewhere in my kiddos' rooms. I've heard it before, but this one had a bunch of little drawings of kids doing different things (ballerina, student, soccer player, cook, etc etc) and the quote "Whatever you are, be a good one." - Abraham Lincoln. Inspiring. It was much cuter than the pic I could find online ... Though, this one is alright too :)

courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/27655120@N06/4037122001/

#7. Dream Job, Easter recipes, & nursing surprises

7. What is your dream job, and why?** recipes for Resurrection rolls and Pineapple Dream Cake on the bottom of the post :)

These questions sure make me think. 

Thinking.... thinking....

My very first thought was professional ice-cream taster. Too bad I'd have to exercise too much :/

Growing up, I wanted to be a variety of things. I can remember, at one point or another wanting to be these:

1. Olympic gymnast (is that even a profession?)

2. Veterinarian (unfortunately, I am allergic to cats and my childhood prediction that there would be a "shot" available to cure me of this by the time I became old enough to be a veterinarian hasn't worked out yet...)

3. Professional chef with my own themed restaurant

4. An ambassador (this was in high school)

5. A doctor

6. A nurse (hurrah!)

7. A teacher

8. A non-profit traveling service giver

Well, as you know, I did just recently get my nursing degree and am now working in a neonatal intensive care unit. As far as nursing goes, this very well might be my dream job. I will openly admit that nursing is not what I thought it would be. I'm not really sure what I thought it would be, but I'm pretty sure it did not include getting up at 5 o'clock in the morning and working 12 hour shifts. I can't complain about the 4 days off a week though! Yeah! 

Some things I didn't realize I would be dealing with as a nurse (these do not all apply to the NICU):

1. charting. I never knew how much paperwork there was! I spend about 1/4 of my time just writing down what I've been doing the other 3/4 of the time! It's crazy!
2. I already mentioned the 5 o'clock in the morning routine. Ew.
3. Liability. I think that was the scariest lecture I ever had in nursing school - about how if you make one little mistake, you can go to court for it! It is so so important to be meticulous and careful.
4. Giant diapers. I am not trying to be rude or impolite, but I simply had not imagined myself wiping bums for my career. Luckily, the diapers in the NICU don't bother me one bit!
5. Patient families. They are often more work than the actual patient. I have found that hospitals are roaming with crazy people who feel entitled to everything, including my pen.
6. It's fun! I am really grateful to find out that I really enjoy even the technical aspects of nursing. Maybe I'm a weirdo, but I like starting IVs (if I get them on the first try), working with equipment, and using my skills to help people feel better. 
7. Code PINK! This is random, but I had no idea that people stole babies from hospitals. Just so you know, if you try it we are going to all a code pink on you and you will get caught. The end.

I've already raved about the benefits of working in a NICU, but I really think it might be my dream nursing job. I could also see myself enjoying the ER or life-flight. 

As for my other dream job... I can't wait to be a mom. I am seriously so excited! I know that it is going to be a lot of hard work. Heck, I am always so grateful to go home from work to get a break from the crying babies and I'm only there for 12 hours - then I get to sleep! Not true with real moms. There is no time off. But, I look forward to raising kiddos, teaching them about the world, taking them on adventures, teaching them about God, reading them books, watching them grow up, and trying to help them all along the way! I am also super excited to see Brian be a dad. He is just going to be the best dad. I can tell. 

He likes kids a lot. So much, in fact, that he gave one of my primary kids one of his plastic Easter eggs full of jelly beans on Sunday. Right after I told the poor child he couldn't have another one because he already had 2 and everyone else only got 2. I told Brian he probably shouldn't do that with our own children and he agreed that unity is the best thing. I wish we taught primary together - I think we would learn a lot about parenting in that few hours every week. I love my team-teacher though!

Lately, I also want to be a photographer. I am saving up my money to buy one soon(ish)! Nikon or Canon, Nikon or Canon?

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Ok, short update on what has been going on... Bullets are nice and concise, so I'll do that:

• I am officially on my own at work now - no more preceptor (no more security blanket! Aaaah!)
• We had some friends and family over for dinner on Easter and we made our first roast - delish! We also made a delicious cake and Resurrection rolls (see pics below). Resurrection rolls are awesome because they are hollow inside - like the tomb! Found the recipe for them on this cute blog.
• Went to a friend's temple sealing on Friday and got to see old friends and my mission president and his wife. They are so wonderful and boy was it great to see them.
• Brian took a tour of my hospital floor on Friday while we were in Salt Lake and loved it!
• We had dinner at The Pie. I have not eaten that much cheese in a long long time and probably won't again for a long long time.
• We went to the new City Creek mall and checked out stores like Coach and Tiffanys (whoah) as well as ones more in our price range like H&M and Forever 21. Didn't buy anything for ourselves though except a Diet Coke and a few pairs of earrings from Claires to wear to work.
• We got the Pass of All Passes to use this summer and we can't wait to use them!
• I have been slacking a bit on blogging - thus this extremely long post. Sorry!

2nd photo couertesy of http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/ 
My recipe below!

this picture is actually from my freshman year because I made the same cake then with my best bud Megan, and I didn't take a picture of ours this time. It is super delicious, easy, and relatively healthy! 

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RECIPES:

Resurrection Rolls (adapted from above mentioned blog)

1/4 cup sugar

2 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 cans (8 oz each) Refrigerated Crescent Rolls

16 large marshmallows

A little less than 1/4 cup butter, melted

This is SUPER easy and fun for Easter. Our guests thought they were not only cool, but delicious as well!

1. Preheat oven to what it says on your crescent package (mine said 375 degrees)

2.  Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a bowl 

3. Roll one of your large marshmallows in the melted butter

4. Roll the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon sugar mixture

5. Wrap the buttery sugary cinnamony marshmallow in one of the crescents - make sure you pinch up all the sides really well so not much marshmallow can escape during the baking!

6. Bake for about 10 minutes (until crescents are golden)

Result: Delicious crescent rolls that are HOLLOW on the inside (like the tomb!) but have a delicious sugary cinnamony marshmallowy coating on the inside. Delish. I think I had 4. Before dinner.

Pineapple Dream Cake (adapted from Food and Family)

2 cups whipped cream (I used lite)

1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple

1 package (5ish oz) vanilla pudding mix

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 angel food cake cut into thirds

chopped/sliced strawberries

Easy peasy. 

1.  Mix the whipped cream, pineapple, vanilla pudding mix, vanilla extract, and as many chopped strawberries as you want (or no strawberries - you can save all of them for the top if you want).

2.  Put the mixture between your layers of angel food cake and on top of course

3. Top with strawberries

4. Chill for at least an hour

5. Enjoy every delicious bite!

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#6. Hardest Thing

6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?


I guess I could think about this one in the emotional, physical, spiritual, or intellectual sense. I think the most difficult experience I've had that combines all of these was the mission I served for my church. Talk about a roller coaster of the greatest joys, deepest sorrow, and everything in between! I learned so much about myself and the world around me during those 18 months and I will always be grateful for that. Some things I learned the hard way:

• God usually doesn't answer your prayers when you want Him to or how you want Him to. I do believe He always listens. though.
• It is really difficult to be far from your family with only once-a-week letters for communication
• Not all Mormons are good people. I think I knew that before I left, but I really learned that on my mission! On the flip-side, there are many, many non-members that are exceptional people! There is good and bad everywhere you go.
• Learning a language is frustrating, but rewarding as it opens you up to new cultures.
• As much as I want to be, I'm not in control - God is!
• Sometimes people have questions that can't be answered. Often I have questions that can't be answered - now that's frustrating!
• Finding love for those who hate you, use you, abuse you, etc. is possible.
• Learning to change myself and realize that my way is not the best way for everyone!

Ok, so those are just a few. I went through difficult times of personal struggles, self-doubts, doubts in God and in what I was doing, extreme disappointments, and I experienced more love and hope than I ever had before! Talk about a crazy year and a half. I am so grateful for everyone I met - both those who practically spit in my face and those who welcomed me with open arms. I learned that everyone is at different stages in life and that some are ready to get to know God a little better and some are not. I learned that I can make positive differences in the lives of those around me. I learned better how to represent my Savior. I learned about discipline and obedience. I learned that I needed to focus less on my goals and more on people. I am still working on that one. I love the quote that someone said - I don't think we'll be judged by the number of prayers we offer, but more on the number of prayers we answer - or something like that.

It's been over two years since I got back from my mission. I remember missing it every single day when I first got back and how much I detested having to worry about things like boys and homework again. The yearning to go back has gone away some with time but I still try to think about my mission often and have tried to find different ways to incorporate the lessons I learned into my life. Brian and I started to a "mission story a week" a few months back, but have failed miserably. Maybe we'll try and get that started again. I don't want to forget about all the amazing experiences I had! I think it is so easy to reason away feelings, experiences, and even your testimony if you aren't constantly trying to have spiritual experiences and remembering the ones you've had in the past.

Las Hermanas Misioneras!

The other difficult experience that came to mind was selling pest control in Florida the summer after my sophomore year. Talk about an insane experience! Maybe I'll write on that in a later post :)

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How did everyone like general conference?! I thought it was super - I, unfortunately, slept through parts of it thanks to the night shifts I did the days prior, but I liked what I heard. I've downloaded the talks so I can listen to them on my long commutes over the next few weeks!

#5. Five happy things

5. What are 5 things that make you most happy right now? 


It is hard to choose just five. I think I'll keep it simple


#1. My family
#2. My faith
#3. Fun adventures
#4. Succeeding at something difficult
#5. Creativity stuff - making music, writing, painting, taking photos, etc

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Check out this song - so cute (and sad :/)!