Oh hey there

So my desktop computer decided to die on me this past week, hence the sudden disappearance. I just uploaded the blogger app onto my phone though which means blogging can continue on, huzzah!

In 4 days I will be flying up to Indiana for a week long vacation. It's going to be a week filled with horseback riding and reconnecting with old friends. I have been wanting to make a trip back to where I used to live and ride for almost 4 years now, and I am so excited that its finally possible! Be prepared pictures and videos!

And I end this post with an adorable pooch picture. ( I mean come on every post needs a cute dog picture! Right???) Stickers hung out with me while I worked the other day...ain't she cute company?

-Rach

Certified

Yesterday I made what seemed like the longest drive of my life to 

a testing center downtown to sit for the VTNE. I woke up that morning and resisted the urge to do some last  minute cramming. I either know the information by now or I don't. I then went for an hour long walk while listening to the most upbeat music I had on my ipod to help distract me from the butterflies trying to grow inside my stomach. What seemed like years of schooling and hundreds of hours studying, stressing, and testing all boiled down to this 250 question exam. I had to distract myself from that fact or I would have no hair and be sent to the crazy people place!! 

I used to suffer from THE worse test anxiety, to the point where my hands would shake so bad I couldn't even write my name,  my heart would pound and race, and my mind would go completely blank. Over the years I've had no choice but to train myself to snap out of it or I wouldn't have survived the never ending stream of exams we had to take while in the Vet Tech Program. 

But with the VTNE coming up I felt old habits trying to sneak back into my head. Thanks to the MANY prayers, words of encouragement, and pep talks from family and friends I was able to keep my head above water and stay focused. Thank goodness for a support system!

Before I knew it  the big day was here, at the time it felt like the biggest day of my life. ha ha. I prayed nonstop on the way to the testing center, and upon arriving I felt abnormally calm and focused. The exam was computerized so after answering questions for 3 hours I finally clicked submit exam and the screen went blank. I thought, " this is it! my results will pop up any minute!" and wouldn't you know a 10 question  survey popped up that I had to answer before getting my exam results. Are you kidding me??!?! ha, I think I just clicked on "A" for every answer. Then the screen went blank AGAIN and a little box popped up that said it was processing my results... longest 2 minutes of my LIFE. I literally sat there with my hand in the prayer position praying that I passed... my heart was about to pop out of my chest!

and then the results came through and in little print at the top of the screen it said STATUS: PASS

My jaw dropped to the floor and I read those words over again at least 10 times. I was shocked. 

Is this real life?!

I PASSED THE VTNE!!!

OOOH MY GOODNESS! 

I am now a Certified Veterinary Technician!

All those years of hard work paid off!

God is SO good. 

I can't stop smiling now! I feel so free and relieved!!! 

Best day ever.

I'll Be Back

Over the next few days I'm going to try and avoid the internet as much as I possible can... 

( try is the key word here, ha ha)

This upcoming Saturday I will be sitting for the VTNE ( Veterinary Technician National Exam) and it is time to bunker down and focus. After years of schooling and hours spent in class it all boils down to this one huge exam. yikes! So leading up to that dreadful day I shall be spending  my hours reviewing and studying as much information as I possibly can! 

I am nervous, anxious, and attempting to keep myself from going into major freak out mode. 

Prayers would be GREATLY appreciated!

Until next week.

-Rach

Feast Your Ears

So in case you didn't already know, I love classical music! I Listen to every morning on my way to work, it's something I find is very "healthy" and puts me into a good mindset for the beginning of the day.

My all time favorite classical instrument that I don't think I will ever tire of is the cello. Brilliant instrument, it strikes a very deep chord with me ( ha, no pun intended). 

I just recently discovered 2Cellos ....wow.

They are on repeat at the moment.

 I still get chills when I hear them play "With or Without You"

These are some of my favorites.

Ten Lessons I've learned ( & still learning)

1. Practice saying no. You cannot please everybody, and yes you will run into people who dislike you. Don't let the pressure of wanting to be liked by others outweigh your beliefs and morals, no matter how small and innocent the matter may seem.

2. I have yet to meet someone who can do it all, and do it well everyday........balance your life..don't make it a goal to see just how much you can balance.

3. Snuggling, petting, and talking silly nonsense to a four legged furry friend is really great therapy.

4. Be sincere, be genuine, and be honest. You can only fake it for so long

5. Things could always be worse. No matter how hard life seems, or how tragic, be thankful you have the gift of life and realize that things could be much worse. There are those going through far worse than you.

6. God is in control.

7. Smiling and laughter really is good medicine. Surround yourself with those that bring out the positive and happy ( and good) in you.

8. Faith is the best replacement for worry. Worry gets you nowhere fast.

9. Classical music. Listen to it often, it's good for you.

10. The world got along just fine before the Internet and cellphones, so yes you can survive without it every once in a while. Take breaks from being constantly connected and soak in what's around you in the flesh.