Just Another Photoshoot

These were the photos taken in West Virginia...

Have a great weekend!

xxxo,

C.U.

Visit to the East Coast

Hello, lovelies. I hope you had a good weekend?

Well, I did!

As you may know, a couple of months ago, I listed some states I would like to visit before I turn 25 (see here). West Virginia was one of them, and so this past weekend, I went with my sis, Amaka to visit our cousin. This was a 3-in-1 trip as we also visited Maryland and Pennsylvania.

(Btw, my Tmobile didn't work out in WV and MD so I had to rely on WiFi. That wasn't fun). 

I flew in from Pittsburgh Int'l airport on Thursday and spent the whole day resting as I had worked the previous couple of days, and I got to meet my cousin's son for the first time. What a pleasure!

I stayed in Morgantown, WV

Friday was when the adventure began. I'm not an outdoorsy girl, but I enjoy outdoor activities when the opportunity presents itself.

We visited when the weather was "odd". Odd because we couldn't do cold weather activities (in the snow) nor warm weather activities (in the water). My cousin was so disappointed lol. He wanted to take us white water rafting, jet skiing, or skiing on the slopes.

We ended up hiking up the trails and riding a bicycle as they're ideal for the spring weather.

Guys, in as much as I look physically fit, I am totally out of shape, and this I learned while walking up the trail. My legs definitely got the burnout it deserved. We hiked for about 30 minutes before getting up to the top of the mountain- Raven Rock. From the top we were able to see the beautiful Cheat river and State forest.

With Amaka

After Friday's hike, I went home to nurse my wounds. No didn't fall from the hike, but from the bike and unto rocks... after a 20-minute ride! I grazed my knees (coupled with some swelling here and there), and sustained a deep cut on my right palm.

On Saturday, we went to Wisp Resort in MD.

My flight was to leave at 4pm on Sunday, but before then, we decided to go to Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. It was my first time ever going to both. I was never fond of going to see animals, nor water creatures, but because I was with folks, I had to. I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed that experience.

All photos were taken with my iPhone.

Have you been to the West Coast, or do you live there?

Share your experiences!

XXXO

OLIC in Review

Disclaimer. This unbiased review is solely from the writer, and is in no way, shape, or form meant to attack all persons involved in OLIC.

OLIC (Olamide Live in Concert) USA is his first(?) ever concert in the U.S. and of course, a lot of people, including myself couldn't miss out on it.

I remember the first time he tried to have his concert tour back in 2014...they ended up canceling his concert and refunding my money.

So last month or so, when I heard from a DJ friend that Olamide would be coming to Chicago, I knew I had to be there, however, knowing how some of these "concerts" work (I've been to a few), I respected myself and got the $43 early bird ticket- Regular.

Here, I'll tell you some of the things (or thing) I like and dislike about OLIC Chicago.

Almost Spring!

If you live in Chicago, you'll understand how frustrated people can get with the bipolar weather. It teases us with 50 degrees one day, then goes below 0 the next day. Then snow storm the following day...like pause! Anyway, I'm used to the weather and I try not to get too excited.

Today it was 58 degrees and I seized the opportunity to step out, seeing as it'll be nice out for the next few days (while I'll be at work). So, I grabbed my friend, Funke and we headed downtown. We went to eat at Cheesecake Factory, and then browsed through stores at Water Tower. 

I'm wearing a boyfriend blazer that I made fitted, using a belt!

Blazer- H&M (old), Belt & Boots- ASOS (Here), Pants- GoJane (old), 

Funke used her Sony camera to take these beautiful photos!

Have a great week guys!

xxxo

C.U.

Why Nursing Is Not For You

Every so often, I run into nurses who admit that they're in the wrong profession and if they had known...

Being a nurse comes with perks, but has its own challenges.

Before you become that professional, you have to go to school for it, right?

While you don't have to like the classes that comes with nursing, i.e pre-reqs that are typically not used in REAL LIFE, you definitely have to endure (Statistics was my least favorite). And then there are the classes that you indeed will need in real life (Pathophysiology wasn't my fave. I loved pharmacology though).

So you have to be studious if you want good grades. Or you can settle with C's and not get a passing GPA that'll admit you while furthering your education (some schools require you to have graduated with at least a 3.0 to pursue their Nurse Practitioner program, for example). I very much remember the calendar book I took with me everywhere to school. In that book, for each day, I wrote down chapters and the class to study for; when assignments were due and when tests had to be reviewed. I was very firm with study sessions which took place mainly in my room. I barely saw my roommates, and when it was time to hang out, I had to have (almost) completed my set study goal. Back then, being an avid reality TV show watcher (it was Jersey Shore then), I'd tell myself, "if you don't finish these chapters, you won't watch that show", and while it was very tempting *The Walking Dead*, I stuck to it.

Don't get me wrong, I had my share of fun. Oh yes! St. Louis nights, frequent trips to Chicago...I knew what worked for me.

Anyway. A lot of people have the belief that nurses make the most money. "Ahh you're a nurse, you're now making all the money." "You're now a big girl."

I'll say this to you now, If you're thinking of getting into nursing because it's hassle-free (NOT), or because you'll make quick money...don't. I can assure you, you may not like one bit of it. You can probably scope the profession by being a CNA/tech first to see what it's like.

I'll tell you some reasons why I love my job, and why you may not.

• Flexibility- being able to make your own schedule is such a great thing. I'm able to schedule myself to work 4 days in a row and be off for 7 days straight, but I typically don't do that (most nurses work 12-hour shifts/ 3 days a week). We also work every other weekend and rotating holidays. You may be able to switch work days with your coworkers. I'll attach my sample work schedule so you'd have an idea. If you're the type that loves to have your weekends and holidays to yourself, you may need to reconsider your career choice because you can't escape working those weekends/holidays.

• Stability- Financial stability. I am comfortable with what I earn, even though I can't always splurge as much as I want to (because I have to save, duh). I don't know why people constantly say nurses make one hell of an earning. Sure, when you've been a nurse for a very long time, making about $55/hr; or when you ain't got no bills to pay. I know pharmacists, project managers, etc that make more than nurses do, yet, people want to be a nurse "to make money". Sorry to burst your bubble, but there really isn't much in it. But I can assure you that you'll never be without a job (if you're competent) because there are always hospitals, nursing homes, doctor's office, travel agencies, home health agencies, etc looking to employ a nurse.

• Compassion/Teamwork. Being able to take care of an ill person is something that comes naturally to me. If you know me, you'd know that nursing is the only profession I've ever pursued. I love the feeling of resolving patient problem and needs while delivering high quality of care. Also I get to utilize multidisciplinary team strategies to produce great outcomes- from respiratory therapists, to physicians, to CNAs, to radiologists...all for the betterment & continuity of care. If you're not compassionate, or if you think you'll hate taking orders from people (MDs in this case) or working with nursing teams, I think you'll be miserable going in to work. Don't be that nurse that ends up on the news: maltreating a patient. 

Sample work schedule

While I know this may happen with other professions- people regretting their decision to become that professional, I can only speak for the career that I'm familiar with. I'm sure some of you can identify with this.

Go on and be great!

xxxo

C.U.

Day vs Night

As I write this post, it feels as though there's something heavy on my eyelids.

So, I worked my first night shift...for the first time ever, guys!! Yes, it's kind of a big deal. I'd always refused to work overnight; I knew it wasn't something I wanted to do, knowing how well I love my good night's sleep.

Anyway, I agreed to go in to work yesterday, 7pm-7am. Everyone told me that compared to my usual day shift, it'd be a "breeze" being that there usually aren't lots of tests/procedures done at night (I work on a neurology[stroke] telemetry unit).

After the first few hours of working, I felt good...until midnight struck. My eyelids began to feel heavy...then 1am, 2am, my goodness! I decided to take my break then. I passed medications, assessed CVA patients, and did every work task. Although I never dozed off for once, my body/mind felt cheated. Then came the headache...

Fast-forward to 7am...I'd done it!

When I got home, I went to sleep; but woke up a few times. It's currently 5:20pm, I'll be taking a nap right after this post *yawns*.

Going back to my regular scheduled shift tomorrow.

Have a great weekend.

xxxo

Happy Monday!

I'm having a very lazy day. As a matter of fact, I've had a lazy weekend (the best). This tends to happen frequently when the weather is not so pleasant...you'll all agree with me. 

I was going to make an actual blog post today, but I'll postpone that for a later time. For now, I'll listen to some Asa, wash my makeup brushes (I did partake in a lil weekend night-out fun), and bum my day away. I should call my mom, too.

Have a great week, guys.

Later.

C.U.