Nursing School Graduation Chronicles ~ The first sneaky peek!

I have to share with you all that the following story won't even seem possible or probable.....but it is all true.  I will have to post it in parts due to time constraints caused by life......siiiiigh... hee.

The days before graduation were dark and stormy and COLD, just like a story written by Snoopy on his typewriter.  But on April 17th.....I awoke  to loveliness.  The sun was shining....the birds were chirping....the weather was warm but not overly so.  And I thought......hmm better I go to sleep....I woke up in someone else's life.....but that was not an option.  I had an interview for an OR internship by 9AM.  So I dressed my respectable best....and something told me. Do the hair.  Do the hair now.

Now of course you do the hair for an interview.....but I knew that the little voice meant for pinning.  I had to be there at 3PM.  I listened to that voice and braided and bound and elasticked and gelled and bobby pinned.  (for my hair is a wild thing not easily tamed)  I am glad I listened.

I arrived an hour early to the interview.  (I was a Girl Scout, always be prepared.)  And strange things were happening as I waited in the beautiful lobby sitting in a sunbeam.  People were smiling at me.  People were walking up and starting conversations out of the blue.  Usually I am starting the conversation....this was new.....and nice for me.  This one lady was showing me pictures of her whole family: daughter, granddaughter, dogs, and granddogs.  It was quite a nice way to spend an hour.

Then I saw a blast from my past....a girl I used to work with in the hospital.  She said she was actually taking a new job in Suffolk and only helping time to time now so it was a great time to catch her.  I told her about school....and she asked I stop by after my interview.  Of course I said yes!  I used to work in mammography crunching numbers  (not boobs) and doing admin stuff.....I love my Mammorinas!! I used to be one!

So I went and was interviewed by six people.  I think it was supposed to be intimidating but I was just really excited to meet them all. Now I will tell you there are only 4 internship positions.  There are tons of applicants.  I will be disappointed if I don't get it.....but not sad.  Because I know I did my best.  And I know I will have done a good job.  And I know that there will be something better to come along.

I got to observe some surgeries.....it was SO cool.  I chose reconstructions.  And my interview concluded at 12:30.  I had to get to the Mammorinas and say hello before I went home to change into my white uniforms.  (I had already changed 5 times today....out of PJs, into reponsible clothes, into scrubs, out of scrubs, back into responsible clothes......I felt like...hee.....Madonna at a concert...lots of costume changes.....but I left my pointy bra at home)

As I visited my mammorinas, my radiologist, radiology, CT and my trixiebelle former mammorina now big boss CT lady.....I notice it was getting late!!! gulp!!! I had to be across town to change into my nursey gear for graduation!!!!

So I was off!!!!!

I got home and my uniform was pressed and ready.  I put on the pants.  And they fell off.  I put them on again....they fell off.  And they are drawstring.  I tightened the drawstring.....and they looked billowy and clown like.  And I thought to myself......This is great!!!  I think.

Miracles do happen.  I had a pair of smaller pants pressed and ready to go.  Miracle.....because they were smaller, pressed, and ready to go.......and the miracle special sauce was they were hemmed.  I am like no bigger than a smurf....so hemming is quite important.  It was a beautiful and unbelievable moment.

Then Barbara N.  (from Gather and 'skool')  calls and says we need punchbowl  STAT!

So I went to Dillards, Macy's, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Walmart, even Dollar Tree (I was desperate ok?).....

I went back to Dillards and they called around to no avail.  She informs me that punchbowls are seasonal......so I get ladles instead so we can make due.

On my way down the escalator, I see the jewellery section.  It occurs to me that I have forgotten my little pearl earrings.  Bummer.  But I see this pair of pearl earrings and below the pearl (fake) there was a Maltese Cross.  Nursing is represented by the Maltese Cross.  Wow.  I thought how neat....but then I thought....I cannot afford anything out of Dillards.  I flipped it over to see the price.....$3.50.  Huh?  $3.50.  I didn't know they sold things in Dillards for $3.50....I thought it was a mistake.  I asked.  Apparently....pearl(esque) earrings are also a seasonal item......and now they were right on time.  Because I bought them.   I had an hour to get to the church where the pinning was happening.

And miraculously I had made it.  Without killing anyone. Without a ticket.  woot  woot.

We set up for the cake and punch afterwards.....and then our Interim Director brought our caps.

The caps had been folded so long that they weren't sitting right on anybody's head.  But fortunately I am an experienced capper.  I used to go to DePaul School of Nursing which was like the last 3 year school...I remember bluing and baking my cap.  But this was not an option.  But my other skill was bobby pinning caps to any kind of hair.  Thick, thin, mini dreads, kinky, straight.  I can cap them all....just hand me a bobby pin.  Now I have to give you a disclaimer for the pics I am posting today.  I knocked my cap off center after reaching in my car.....just call me grace.  But I have other better pictures.....I am just waiting for them!!

So we all went into the lobby to wait.....

and.....the best part ever was beginning to happen....

My best friend since 8th grade arrived....Pam.  She wasn't supposed to come.  She is from Maryland. Her mom, Lil (i have written about her before) was going through chemo and she was here to help her.  Unfortunately mom couldn't make it.  But here was Pam and the biggest most beautifullest flowers ever.

Then my dear, dear friends Fantine and Mike.  I work with Fantine and Mike is her husband.  They brought the uber cameras and were snapping up pics.  It was so cool to see them there.

Then my dear, dear friend Sabrina arrived.  I haven't seen her for about 2 years....because of school and what not....but she came!!!!!

And her MIL Co Pastor Fran....I attended her church many years ago....and we kept in touch by email....and she was there!!!!  Hallelujah!!!

 And then my friend from my old job, Sarah!  We used to have the same break and had a competition to see who got the microwave first to warm our chicken and rice.  I love me some Sarah.....of the Cross (hee!)

And then Sholana and her babies!!!  She came to support us....as we will be supporting her as she graduates.

And then my parents!!!  They came too!!!  

IT was really amazing and overwhelming.  I thought I was going to cry.....but that would have killed the mascara......so I fanned.  It was all good.

To be continued......