April has been out of control busy! Seeing as how my days usually consisted of waking up at 10 AM (11, if it was rainy) watching talk shows for most of the afternoon, working out for as long as I wanted (this varied from 5 minutes to an hour or so), and then "settling in" for evening TV programs. Then start the day over. Wash, rinse, repeat. Well, I'm exaggerating, although about 1 out of every 10 days or so actually did turn into the above schedule. Anyhow...April has been nothing like my unemployed lifestyle I have become accustomed to.

I took my NOL S course. Basically it teaches you how to react to medical situations in the backcountry when you don't have various medical supplies at hand. It was an amazing 5 day course with lots of hands on learning. We all got to act as the patients sometimes...so I got to use my acting skills! I met some really amazing people who all love the same things that I do. Always a plus. I also made a friend who is working in Alaska...and said I can visit anytime! I have friends throughout the lower 48...that's pretty easy...but Alaska? Now I've got it covered!

In the middle of all this, I got the chance to youth conference it up in Nashville. So as soon as my class was over, I drove back to Portland, did my laundry, threw all my things from one bag into another and flew out early to Music City. Unfortunately, all I saw of Nashville was the inside of the hotel. I did get to see some old friends though...and share and Easter lunch of Jack In the Box with Lo. Again, the kiddos in Nashville were mean to each other. I had the same problem last year. I don't understand it as they are so polite to me! I can't get enough of the "yes, ma'am"s! It was a challenge to say the least. This MAY have been my final conference. No promises!

After that, I flew home to KC to see my family. My grandpa ended up in the hospital (he's okay now) so I drove to IA to be with him and keep my grandma company. I LOVE my grandparents. They have so many great stories...and what better place to be just waiting around than in a hospital. So while it wasn't ideal, we still had plenty of time to visit.

Now I'm back in Portland for just another couple of days. Before long, I'll be packing my car to head to Yosemite. I'm really excited and ready to start work! I ordered my uniform online...if you know anything about me and shopping, you can guess that this experience is a little stressful. When I shop, I usually try things on twice in the dressing room, and then once more at home to make sure it really fits/I really like it. So I'm figuring my uniform will not fit on the first try.