The Eve of My NCLEX

As this blog is named The Nutso Life of Nurse Liz, I figured it was about time to talk about something nursing related. Funny thing is, I'm not actually an official nurse yet. In fact, my registered nursing fate shall be discovered within the next 48 hours. At two o'clock tomorrow, I'll sit for the dreaded NCLEX. With over $200 down the drain to take this test, I'm obviously hoping beyond hope that I pass. The results are to be determined...and I'll add in a little update when I find out!

But besides that main point above, I really just wanted to whip a post up to share how excited I am about life. Yes, life in general. I have so many amazing things to look forward to.

• Andrew McMahon Concert: This may seem a little foolish to some, but I'm literally jumping around right now as I think about the amazing time I shall have when July 11th comes and I get to see this amazing man live one more time. I am sometimes speechless when people ask me why I love this artist and human being so much. Or else I say something like, "He's just...amazing," and get this ridiculous grin on my face. I'm sure all you guys understand when it comes to an artist, author, actor, etc. that you adore as I adore him. Anywho, can't wait for this show!
• Nursing Orientation: As long as I pass my boards, I'll be starting my orientation on July 15th! It's gonna be crazy and hectic and difficult and wild and fun and I can't wait! I'll be working on the floor where I'm an aide now, and I'm super excited to remain with my coworkers and learn from them. Of course, my excitement also extends to having my first "adult job." Yippee!
• New Apartment: In July, I'll be moving apartments. From living in the dorms for my first two years of college to living with the same roommate (and amazing friend) for the past two years in our apartment, this is going to be a big change for me. I'm moving to a new part of town (though it's not really far away from where I am now at all), I'll be living alone, and my apartment will hopefully feel like my own place. Having a college apartment is definitely different from my new place, and I'm most certainly looking forward to decorating, making it my own, having friends over...but not so much the paying bills and all that jazz :P
• Being an Adult: While I'll still have my parents' support when and if I need it, I'm basically going to be an adult by the end of the summer. That's totally crazy but ridiculously exciting at the very same time. Leaving college and all of those shenanigans behind is definitely bittersweet. I'll miss weekend bar hopping, lazy movie nights, and even the pains of sitting through lectures with my classmates. But at the same time, I'm only 22! If I want to have a partying type of weekend, I still can! If I have the urge to go dancing, I am totally able to! If I want to read a textbook, I certainly could - though I probably won't have such desires. My whole point is, I'm growing up, but that doesn't mean I have to suddenly be a 100% responsible adult. I'm still a kid - sorta.

Can you tell I'm excited about life? Hope anyone who's reading this can steal a little bit of my happiness - there's always enough to share :)

Smiles all around,

Liz :)

5 Songs I'm Loving

1. Synesthesia - Andrew McMahon

First off, the meaning behind this song title is an amazing word. Synesthesia, if you didn't know, can involve any of the senses but is most commonly used in reference to seeing certain colors in response to certain sounds. Pretty amazing, right? It's also the first single from Andrew McMahon's new EP, The Pop Underground. Since I think Mr. McMahon is a total genius, of course I'm in love with this song. The EP was certainly different than I had expected, but I'm playing it on repeat just the same. This song is incredibly catchy, upbeat, and really optimistic - a combination that I adore. Because he's brilliant, check it out!

2. The 1975 - Sex

Gah, I do adore this band as of late. Hailing from Britain, this alternative rock group is totally unique and intriguing. It was love at first listen, and I've been caught in The 1975 web ever since. One of my favorites from them is Sex (hehe!). And honestly, we Americans have a soft spot for Brits, don't we? Their style is kind of hard to describe, and I think the best thing to do is devote a few minutes of your time to this song.

3. Fall Out Boy - My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)

I can't say I've ever been a fan of Fall Out Boy, though I have enjoyed songs by them every now and then. However, I've never quite loved a song like I've loved this one. And honestly, this is surprising. Despite hearing this song repeatedly over the last couple weeks as it plays on commercials for the Pittsburgh Penguins, I still get a burst of excitement every time I hear it. As someone who really really starts to get irritated with songs that play all the time/are on commercials constantly/are just around too much, I'd like to point out how wild this is. Anyways, you've probably heard it, but here's a link to take another listen anyways. *insert me singing terribly* "Light em up up up. Light em up up up. Light em up up up. I'm on fiiiiiireeeee!"

4. Get Lucky - Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams

I have to thank my roomie/bestie for this one. And man, I'm thankful. She raved and raved about the new Daft Punk song, and now I truly understand how catchy it is. It actually kind of reminds me of the Bee Gees for whatever reason, and that's totally a good thing. Literally so addicting - you know you wanna take a listen and become just as obsessed as me.

5. Capital Cities - Safe and Sound

Apparently I'm all about catchy, upbeat, snazzy songs lately...so here's another one. This song is by Capital Cities, an indie rock duo from LA that I'm planning on creeping on a bit more thoroughly as soon as I finish typing up this post. I know I've heard this song somewhere before - either in a commercial or in a tv show or something of that nature. But, since I can't place where the initial auditory experience began, I'm simply playing it on repeat and having a nice little dance session by myself. Care to join me?