Natalie Olsen

Growing up I never had any sisters. I always wished I had an older sister to share clothes with, talk to and get advice from. (now I have a little sister who i adore!)   Then my senior year I met this amazing, beautiful, outgoing, bubbly, witty, charismatic person named Natalie (yes I know ironic! and no i am not referring to myself! but we are ALL amazing). When I started working there she insisted I be called Natalie 2 because "she was so much better". As the joke went on and our relationship grew she began to decide that maybe a better system for differentiating the Natalie's should be made. We decided the package deal was the best option and went by "the Natalies". <3 She instantly became someone I could talk to about anything and everything. I turned to her for advice knowing she was honest, experienced and loved me. She was someone I knew I could always call for those girl moments and get advice from. Its different to hear advice from a "sister" than a mom.I grew to cherish my time and conversations at work with her. She taught me so much about becoming a woman, love, hard work and honesty.

Natalie Olsen- I know you cant read this but I love you and think abut you all the time. xoxo

Natalie Olsen I still miss you everyday and wish I could be with you. One day I will see you in Heaven and I will have so much to tell you. There are some days I really miss you and reflect on how different the world would be without you. The 5th anniversary of your death is approaching and know that your beautiful personality lives on and I try to emulate you more each day. You are still in my thoughts and prayers.

Follow You Into The Dark

This song was played at your funeral as well as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". Every time I hear any of these songs I think of you. I think of all the people who knew you and loved you. I hope that one day your example will live on through me and people will adore me like you. I love you.

Q. How do you eat an elephant?

A. One bite at a time

This week is going to be INSANE. We had our last classes today, which was an amazing feeling but yet it was a daunting feeling that the end is really here. Finals really are just around the corner. Just this week I have 2 clinicals, a pharm final to work on, ATI remediation, 2 care plans, studying for a pharm test monday and studying for the at risk final on thursday. I have tried so hard to stay on top of all my hw lately but this is ABSOLUTELY insane. It will all be worth its over right?! Wish me luck....

My brothers both flew into town yesterday. Eeeeek! I am sooo sooo excited. Michael has been in Utah more than Washington lately which has been so nice, it is great to see family and have that small comfort feeling. This time BOTH Michael and Derek are here- and for almost an entire week!! I wish I had more time to see them, and I am sure they are busy too but even knowing they are here has made me in a better mood. I love my brothers so much, I know I tease them saying they were awful but I have loved every minute with them. They are 2 of my best friends and I love being around them- I scored with brothers. I know they love me and would do anything in the world to make sure Im happy and safe. Love you guys! xoxo! 

I also have decided that I am going to take some advice from JoJo and her song "Too Little Too Late". (Once again- classic if you havent heard it youtube it!) In the song she says somethings that totally pertain to my life right now. 

"You take my hand and you say youve changed, but boy you know your begging dont fool me because to you its just a game"

"This is made me strong, Im starting to move on. Im going to say this now- Youre chance has come and gone and you know. Its just too little too late.."

"I was young and in love I gave you everything but it wasnt enough and now you want to communicate."

"Go find someone else. In letting you go, Im loving myself. Youve got a problem dont come asking me for help cause you know its a little too late"

By the beautiful and talented Aubrey Wilkinson

Aubrey sketched me for her art project- she is TOTALLY talented. I love love love love it. Here is her website, pretty soon shell be up and running to be able to sketch you too! xoxox

http://aubreywilkart.wordpress.com/

California

A few weekends ago I went to California with my Mom, Dad and Lidia <3 I was home 2.5 weeks earlier but I still missed them so much and it was SO great to see them again. I woke up early Thursday morning and flew out to meet them in CA at the Orange County Airport (which is heavenly to fly in- my tip of advice to any trip to CA) I arrived 15 minutes before they did and it worked out perfectly! Sara surprised me and showed up at the airport! It TOTALLY caught me off guard because I was not expecting that at all. What a good friend. (xoxox love you Sara!) The first day we walked around the beautiful hotel and I worked on hw. It was torture being in CA but having to study so much. We met up with some of my Dad's business friends and their wives were nurses. It was interesting to hear their advice and see how much they really know. It is a little overwhelming to think that I am on that path.

**Note my nauseous look

Friday we woke up early and went to disneyland- the happiest place on earth. I ate a frozen chocolate covered banana with nuts and realized how blessed I really am. Lidia and I went on SO MANY rides, we were blessed with little to NO wait and beautiful weather. The whole week before the forecast was rain- but that didnt discourage avid disney go-ers like Lidia and I, and we reaped the benefits :) We both loved Thunder Mountain, Indiana Jones, Space Mountain, Screaming California and Toy Story. Lidia loved all the crazy rides- I think it was mostly because she loved seeing me sick afterwards! I loved spending the day with her and truly love her to pieces. I am so glad she is my sister and one of my favorite people in the world. She knows how to make me laugh, she can be so sweat and she is always thinking of others. We get along SO well. (yes I know she is 8 and that makes me question my maturity but Im ok with that!)

One of the MANY beautiful views from my run <3

Saturday I woke up and did more hw. After a few hours of hw and watching Suite Life with Lidia we got our stuff together and went out to the pool. It was SUCH a nice day out that I even went back into the room and changed into my swim suit. The hotel we stayed at was SO beautiful and relaxing- it MADE the trip. I attempted to study at the pool but got distracted by my ipod, sun, and took a nap :) I went on a run before dinner on this trail that led me to the beach where I took my shoes off and ran on the sand and cherished the peaceful, beautiful moment I had. Later that night Lidia, Mom and I went to Outback with Mary Jo a wife of one of my dad's business associates. It was interesting to talk to her because she has worked as a nurse for 20+ years! (I think its so ironic how I notice all the nurses around me now)

"Im on a boat b***ch"
"I got my swim trunk and my flippy floppys"

View from dinner

Sunday we went on a yacht with some of my dad's business associates- HOLY CRAP! It was SO beautiful. The weather was amazing, the boat was gorgeous and his house on the beach in Huntington we docked at (no big deal right?!) was spectacular. I couldnt get the song "Im on a boat" by TPain out of my head. For those who dont know the song you should youtube it for sure-straight classic. ahaha! He had us picked up in his party bus (that he knows!? again no big deal?!) He had delicious treats on the boat- smoked salmon, wraps, and brownie lollipops (i ate like 5!) Afterwards we all got changed and went to this cute restaurant on the beach called Sand and Surf. I had the MOST AMAZINGGGGGGG ahi tuna. I wake up craving it still. It was so nice to be there for the sunset with my family. I love my family so much and am grateful for the wonderful relationship I have with them. Thank you for loving me- even when I am a stress ball and emotional. You guys are the greatest part of my life and bring me so much happiness. I dont know what I would do without you all. You keep me grounded and keep me in check; I love how you all keep me going and working to become a better person. xoxoxo

Its the end of the semester (almost) and life gets SO crazy. I found some time to blog about some of the things I have been doing lately. 

March 26: I went to the festival of colors for the first time. It was SO much fun- I love going to things that are from other culturesand allow me to see the world in a new way. The temple was beautiful, it was white and pure. We got to go inside the temple and dance, which was such a happy and uplifting way to worship. The colors were all SO beautiful and it was just a beautiful celebration.  Afterwards Aubrey and I went and had lunch. 

Later we both showered (which took us 20 mins to get all the chalk out of our hair) then we crashed and took naps- I woke up to a text from Cambria asking if we wanted to go to the jazz game. Need I say more?! Not only was it a jazz game but they were playing the mavs (my 2 teams!!) We quickly got ready and left for the game. It was so close and the jazz were ACTUALLY winning....until the last 5 mins. Either way I was a happy camper!

Then we met up with Cambria, Chewy and his friends at Iggy's after the game. It was nice to be out and actually have fun being social. 

March 28: I had lunch with Heather in SLC at Blue Lemon. OMG Everyone has told me how amazing it is and it was seriously everything and more. Heather is such a sweet girl and I am really grateful I am her visiting teacher because I really feel like she has become a good friend. 

April 2: Conference for the FIRST time. First time GOING to conference and probably my first time watching a saturday session :) Dont judge me! I loved it. I admit I was so tired from clinicals the night before and woke up cranky but it was such a nice experience and it ended up being my favorite session of conference. I love how they talked about service, being christians and loving people. That is the real message of Jesus and something I work hard to develop. The conference center is BEAUTIFUL and the temple still amazes me EVERY TIME i see it. 

More updates to come soon! Get excited :) 

xoxo

Life has been the biggest whirl wind/haze. I thought that I was emotionally over the trauma that happened with my mom and had grown stronger. I count my blessings for her and the many miracles that happened the last few months. There is NO doubt in my mind that Heavenly Father knew I would not be able to get through life without my mom and best friend. She is the single most amazing woman I have ever met (yes-we get on each others nerves occasionally, but its very RARE and usually about something silly) and I would be content being 1/2 the mom she has been. This weekend I was in CA with my little family (just mom, dad and lidia) and the Q13 news channel called my dad asking for an interview- odd we thought. Turns out the news did a segment on the rescue/miracle of my mom. I have been anxiously waiting to be able to watch this video that highlighted the miraculous 911 operator, my dads lifesaving CPR and my moms fight to survive- however, I began to cry when I heard the fear and distress of my dad on the phone with the 911 operator. It hit me SO hard that I turned the video off and began thinking about that night again, replaying the entire night in my head.

Early to bed (rare). Michael calling me LATE on a weekday. (rare hes even UP let alone CALLING ME) The fear of the unknown with my mom's medical status. Worry about Lidia. The reality of the severity of brain aneurysms. The LONG process of my mom's recovery (which still continues) Life is truly a blessing and I am so grateful that Heavenly Father knew my needs.

Heres a link to the video, it is very inspiring and uplifting. I hope that the miracles in my life can touch you in even just a fraction of the way they have impacted me.

Q13 new: Sheila Rae The Brave (not really the title) <3

(Click it-its really worth it!)

This song came on during my study session. It reminded me how much I LOVE this song. This song seems very fitting for this time in my life.

Racal Flatts: Im Moving On

I am becoming the best person I can be, and life is a process. I know that I have changed from the person I was and who I am becoming. Life gives everyone challenges and I have taken the hard road and found out what I want, who I want to be, and where I want to go in my life by making the mistakes to show me what I dont want. It wasnt the most graceful way to go through life, but I am more sure of it now and grateful for the trials that made me discover who I am. If you cant accept that then you cant accept me, you cant see the present because youre so focused on the part of me I have left behind. Someone will see me for the beautiful person I have become and love me for changing who I wanted to become.

"Maybe forgiveness will find me somewhere down this road...Im moving on"

I am taking a mental break from my studying to blog real quick. So heres my life update in a <10mins

I deleted facebook- which has felt really nice! i get a lot more done in my day, and my study time is more concentrated

I am honestly refocused on school. I have been spending 8-10 hours a day studying and doing hw. I am caught up on my hw for the FIRST time since everything happened with my mom. All I think about lately is how much I want to be a nurse, and kick butt on my next few tests. I genuinely love nursing and it gives me goosebumps thinking about how much I want it.

I hate dating.

I leave for CA on thursday. I NEED this vacation SO bad, I need time to regroup. Get my mind off my personal problems, school and this bipolar weather here in utah.

Life 840348203948230948 Natalie 1
I am going to ROCK this test Monday.