#bragpost

Sorry, but I have to brag for a second:

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

I love my school, and my cohort is the most awesome group of people. My classmates are all so fun and so smart! We are a very supportive and cohesive group, and I could not have done this accelerated program without them.

I LOVE my job, and my boss tho? #bestbossever! She is one incredible lady herself, let alone one incredible manager. I don't know how she manages to juggle everything on her plate. My coworkers are the shit too! I'm so lucky to have such great experience in such an amazing department. Did I mention I was rated as the number one CNA by my peers, and number two by our nurse team? #braggingrights.

My boyfriend's perfectness cannot even be described in words. He is beyond my wildest, most extrodinary dreams. I fall more in love with him every day. Every time I look at him I am impressed how handsome he is-- and that smile tho, wow. I can tell him literally anything, fart on him, and he just looks at me like I'm the most beautiful girl in the world.
Every girl needs a David.

I have the best friends, they are so supportive and way too much fun. I can't wait to be done with school so I can see more of them.

My family tho, like whoa. They are my rock. [They must be the reason I am so freaking cool too.] I love having such a tight family with such good, positive people. Plus, my cuzzies are the freaking cutest. It is so cool that I have gotten so much time to spend with my Grandma, she is such a great role model for me. Also, I don't know what I would do without my mother.

I've received a lot of compliments on my "sunshine" lately, and I can literately feel it shining out in rays. I feel so lucky and blessed every single day, and that must be where all my happiness and sunshine comes from. I am a true believer if you want to be happy -BE HAPPY.

What are you feeling especially blessed or thankful for today? If you are feeling down and out, I challenge you. Every night when you crawl in bed, think of three things you are thankful for today, and three things you want to accomplish for tomorrow.
Think happy thoughts, then sleep on them, and make the best of every day.

Howdy!

Hiiii there!
I thought I'd update while between semesters and I actually have a weekend off, and of course I have a severe case of writers block.

Can you believe this summer is over already? It's definitely been one of my favorite [and busiest] so far.

David and I just celebrated our one year anniversary, and it's crazy how much I am still falling more in love with him everyday!
I also am HALF WAY DONE WITH SCHOOL! ahhh, I can't even believe it: I'm going to be a nurse!! :D. Sorry for neglecting you, my sweet little blog. I've been on a Sex and the City kick lately, maybe I will find some writing inspiration for my zero readers :).

& F*ck cancer she did!!

My mom is beyond incredible. I am so impressed with her strength for the last few months. If I am half the woman she is when I grow up, I will have succeeded in life. I just love her more than anything, and I'm so happy she is getting better every day.

Walking into her last radiation treatment:

The radiation machine:

Ringing the celebration bell:

Her favorite techs.

Isn't she beautiful?

I'm proud to work at a hospital that delivered such excellent care, and I'm looking forward to my future in helping heal others.

Wowza

Dear lonely little blog,

      I have a feeling you might be a little more neglected than usual... 

     I just got THIS stack of books, and I will be moving into my head for the semester..

& soon it will be all worth it.

      --I shall be: Jessi Despain RN.

#14Months.

#ICANDOTHIS! 

F*CK CANCER.

My mom has breast cancer.

I know it's only a little bit.
I know she is going to be just fine.
I know it could be so much worse.

But it's my mommy!! : (

Anyone else use herbalife?

TRY THIS SHAKE!! 

8 oz. milk of your choice

8 oz. frozen peaches

2 scoops French Vanilla formula 1

A shake of coconut flakes.

Mmmmmm enjoy! 

Nutrition facts [via my fitness pal:]
210 Calories
2.2g Fat
39g Carbs
11g Protein

Another year older [and wiser too?]

Whoa, I cannot believe I am 26 already!-- Where does the time go??
I want to be a nurse already so I can pop out some babies! -only kind of kidding..

Anyway, I think this past year has brought on some good change for me..
[Some silly little things like:]
I've gotten a new boyfriend..
a new school..
a new cell phone..
a new car..
& I've switched to night shifts, and I might never go back to days..

In the next three months of summer I am looking forward to:
California,
my best friends wedding,
and too many shifts and classes in between.

It's going to be the best year yet..
[I know, I always say that.. but it really just keeps getting better.]

Burn Baby, BURN.

I am a Bloody Mary connoisseur and I believe we have found our most favorite Bloody Mary recipe! If you like Bloodies, and you like them HOT you will LOVE this one.
My mom found it in one of her magazines, and ripped it out because it said it was hot & to put it in a mason jar.. Basically she loves me & knows me too well! <3.
We used these ingredients:

Directions: Dip the rim of a mason jar, or glass into chipolte pepper sauce; then dip rim in fine sea salt and set aside.
Fill a cocktail shaker 1/2 full with ice cubes, add 1-2 shots pepper-infused vodka [We've used both absolut peppar and plain svedka -- you can't go wrong either way.]
1/2 tsp prepared horseradish
2 dashes celery salt
4 dashes pepper sauce [again we've used cholula and tabasco -- both excellent]
3 dashes worcestershire sauce
2 dashes Sriracha
1 cup bloody mary mix. [Either plain bloody mix or V8, I think we all prefer the mix a tad more.] 
Squeeze a lemon and a lime wedge into shaker [optional.]
Shake a few times, and pour into prepared glass.

We like to garnish ours with celery, a spicy pickle, and a jalapeño stuffed green olive but again, the options are endless.. 

I'm addicted! The only down side is, next time you order one from anywhere.. it just wont compare :(.

So I suck at blogging...

I really, really suck at blogging. [Okay, I suck at blogging regularly]

Lately I'm in the happiest rut of my life. [Contradiction? -naaaah]
I consider myself a pretty healthy person for the most part.
I eat pretty good, and I actually enjoy working out regularly.
I am an over all pretty happy-go-lucky girl.
[Yet I will admit: I definitely drink too much..]
Having said that, there is always room for improvement.

It's true what they say about "love chub." I have fallen head over heels in love, and let me tell you..
I am the chubbiest I have been in years. [Does that mean I'm the most in love I've been too? -jk ;]
He is amazing motivation to be a better me, but better yet:
I want to be the best me I can be, for me.

With my new found drive, the help of My Fitness Pal, and a little push in the right way from Crystal skin care..
2014 is going to be MY year, and bring the best Jessi yet.

Both physically and mentally.

♥♥ Not only am I eating cleaner, greener, and working out meaner..
I want to focus on the little things that make me simply look and feel good.

Some little things like:
♥ flossing daily.
♥ keeping my face clean and clear.
♥ cutting back on caffeine, beer & HAM nights.
♥ regular hair cuts.
♥ smiling more.
♥ complaining less.
♥ waking up, and actually getting out of bed.
♥ ^ + giving myself enough time to get ready [& actually GET ready for the day.]
♥ more yoga, running, and lifting.
♥ no more breakfast taquitos or spicy noodles [well maybe just now and then ;].
♥ paying off my car. [and keeping it clean and lubed up!]
♥ actually studying and applying myself.
♥ practicing guitar diligently and regularly.
♥ being more aware of my posture.
♥ getting enough [but not too much] sleep.
♥ being a better listener and better friend.
♥ more meditating.
♥ more bubble baths.
♥ more quality time with my family.
♥ more reading.
♥ more Jessi time.
♥ less shyness.
♥ more confidence.
♥ putting money in savings rather than blowing it all.
2014: BRING IT!

Cheers to 2013

2013 is one for the books, er.. a memory box I guess.
There are 525,949 precious minutes in only 365 days.
So much can happen in that time, and last year was proof that so much did happen in that time.
Just some of my favorite moments last year were: snowboarding a lot, guitar lessons, helping brew beer, lots of camping, Idaho for the coolest [and biggest] brew fest yet, bees games, real games, tailgating, 6am body pump, some incredible weddings, not to mention some killer bachelorette parties, trail running and especially running two half marathons, Mary Poppins at Tuacahn with my Grandma, lots of Sunday Fundays, & Oktoberfest to name a few.
I saw some pretty sweet concerts: Muse in Vegas, Alice Cooper & Marilyn Manson, 311, A Lily Gray.
I've had friends finish nursing school, their bachelor program, and even a PhD.
I took TWO WEEKS OFF!I spent a week in New Port Beach with the wonderful family, and then heading straight to Lake Powell with my best friends!

Some things I didn't like so much: one crazy eye infection, completely bombing a semester, ending a relationship, working at 0700 almost every day of the week..