Update #1

Here, as promised, is my weekly post. :)

Things in the Ritzen household are going well. As you know, Bryce is deployed right now. He loves being able to do his job! He is doing really well out there. I have usually had some contact with him (either phone or email) a couple times a week. He sounds great. Of course, working very hard and probably not getting enough sleep, but I don't think he would have it any other way. He is getting lots of love and support with all of the care packages he has been recieving. But of course, if anyone would like to send him a package, he always loves it. Email me for his address.

As for me, I am about to start my last semester of nursing school. I take my last finals in January and will hopefully have my RN prior to Bryce returning. School is going really well. It is very difficult and time consuming, but well worth it. I love being in the clinical environment. And since everyone asks, no I have no clue what type of nursing I want to be. I want to be the employed type of nurse so at least for the first year or two I will probably take whatever job comes my way. :) Thus far, I have really enjoyed everything with a couple exceptions. I am hoping to start on a medical/surgical floor and work my way into a speciality from there.

I also started a new job. I am a CNA for a registry that staffs Tri-City Hospital. I really love it. I am working 1 or 2 days a week. I love working 12 hour shifts (surprisingly) and it is nice to keep busy while making a little money.

As seen on my facebook, I am on Medifast, which is a weight loss program. You eat 5 of their meals a day (shakes, bar, soups, even ice creams!) and 1 lean meat and green vegetable a day. I am SO full all the time. Eating every 2-3 hours is great. And it is teaching me ways to cook and live healthier once I am at my goal weight. I have lost 10 pounds so far and a total of 11 inches from different areas in my body.

We are getting our house on base in Dec. and I will continue to live with my grandparents until then. I want to have to place all set up before Bryce returns and still have time to study for my finals and NCLEX. We sold the mustang. I just could not drive stick (trust me, I tried and it was BAD) and it was a little out of our budget. When he returns, after going to Hawaii for a week, we will fly to Texas to visit his family and return with a truck (and all of his stuff!) to CA.

Well, sorry that was so long. Next weeks post will probably be shorter, but I had to catch you up on everything!!


-Katie