3 months later, I still don't use Shampoo

Since September, I've ditched the bottle and started washing with baking soda and conditioning with apple cider vinegar, and I will never go back. { Original Post Here } I am so happy with my hair, it feels healthier than it ever has. Plus, I am extremely happy knowing  exactly what I am putting in my hair. Store bought products contain so many chemicals, and many are actually bad for your body. Another bonus is I am actually SAVING money!! Since most of the products I make use the same ingredients I am able to get the most for my dollar. Stay tuned for more on my 'no poo' adventure!

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My hair routine is pretty set now, I "wash" about twice a week and deep condition { DIY Deep Conditioner }once a week.

For the "wash" days:
1. I use the BS and ACV in the shower like a normal wash and condition.
2. Once out of the shower I dry my hair with an old t-shirt (it helps keep the frizz down).
3. I use my homemade hair serum: coconut oil, argan oil, Patchouli, Rosemary, Geranium, Tea Tree, and Lavender.
4. Then I use my homemade leave-in-conditioner: coconut milk, filtered water, vitamin E oil, Rosemary, Patchouli, Cedarwood, and Geranium.
5. I use a large, wide bristled comb to comb through and detangle
6. I let my hair dry naturally, no blow drying for this mane :)

For the no wash days:
1. I sleep with my hair in a braid or a bun on a silk pillow case
2. When I wake up I spray my hair with homemade leave-in-conditioner
3. Then I use homemade hair serum on the ends of my hair (just a little, it can get greasy if its overdone)
4. Then I style as usual!

Natural hair, fully dried on a wash day

Essential oils for dry/damaged hair:

-Cedarwood

-Lavender

-Geranium

-Patchouli

-Rosemary

-Tea Tree (also for dandruff)

Essential oils for Shine:

-Rosemary

DIY Cleaning Spray

I've been using essential oils in my beauty products for a few months now. So why not use them in my cleaning products too? Young living has a great product for cleaning, Thieves Cleaner, a little bit goes a long way - so its definitely worth the money. 

Unfortunately, I was a little tight for cash and I wanted to try to make my own version. Vinegar is a great cleaning ingredient, so I use that as the base for my cleaner (1:1 ratio with filtered water). I add about 20 drops of thieves cleaner for a 16oz bottle. I also add 10 drops of Edens Garden 'Cleaning Blend', it contains tea tree which is a great antibacterial. Thieves contains Lemon, but I like to add a few extra drops of lemon for an added citrus cent.

I use this cleaner for everything! Floors, counters, bathroom sink, kitchen table, and pet toys.

NOTE: For an added boost (like showers and really gunky stuff, I add baking soda for a scrub type cleaner)

DIY Thieves cleaner

UPDATE 12/23/15: I now add 10 drops Purification to my cleaning spray - it contains Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lemongrass, and Lime. A great disinfectant with an amazing smell.

Why Failing the Nclex Doesn't make me a Bad Nurse

Sixty-one days ago I sat down in Springfield, MA to take the biggest test of my life. Four hours and 265 questions later I was finished. I called Tina, and she calmed me down. But there was no coming up from that low. The two days following were by far some one the worst days I have ever experienced. My parents were in town visiting and here to celebrate my pinning ceremony. I was not that great to be around, constantly on edge. For those who aren't familiar with the Nclex, its the state nursing test to become a registered nurse. You don't get your results right away, you have to wait two days until you can access your quick results. So basically for two days you are full of anxiety and by the end of the two days you have convinced yourself that you failed. At least that was my experience. I had convinced myself that I failed, I had convinced myself that I would never become a nurse. So 61 days ago I took my Nclex, and two days after that I learned that I had indeed failed.

The days after that are all a blur. My parents were still in town and my mom wanted to go sightseeing. We went to Plymouth and after making my mom cry because I was such a bitch, we drove home. I felt like crap. How could I show my face to my family, my friends, and my classmates? I argued with myself about attending my pinning ceremony. How could I go? I had just failed my boards, I didn't deserve to get pinned. But then I spoke to someone who was in my shoes only a year prior. She reminded me that I did deserve to get pinned, and that I had worked so hard to get to where I was. So, I put on my big girl panties, I did my hair, I wiped away the tears, and I went to pinning. Some people had heard that I took the test, but nobody actually saw me at the testing center. I was embarrassed. So my friends and I decided to just say that I never took it. Just before we took our class picture the lady asked, "Who has taken their Nclex and passed?", well there goes my hand.

The next day I took my parents to the airport and waved goodbye as they left and I was alone. Alone to just dwell on my failures. That weekend I sucked it up and celebrated my 25th birthday. My friends made it memorable and we had wine tastings galore. The next week I started my remediation plan. The next couple months were looking to be pretty jam packed.

But, I made sure to take some days for myself too. I went to the fair, I went out dancing, I drank some wine, and I spent time with my friends. I had to try to make my life normal. It is a humbling experience, to legitimately fail at something. For someone who has incredible experience in the medical field, to fail, is humbling. I never really thought I wouldn't pass. I knew it would feel like it, but to really actually fail? No, that could never happen. My pride was hurt, and I had reached a point of complete humility.

It was an intense two months. 250 hours of studying, over 1000 practice questions, countless tears, praying daily, and a handful of days were I never thought I would get through. Yesterday, I drove to Waltham, MA and sat down to once again take the Nclex. After 3 hours and 75 questions, the test shut off. My stomach dropped, and I think I stopped breathing for a moment. How did it shut off? I wasn't done yet. And then it came "Oh my gosh, I failed, I failed, AGAIN." I left the test center in a trance. I got in my car and I called Tina. She was just about to enter class, she gave me words of encouragement and said how proud she was of me. So I did my thing and tried not to think about it. I was expecting to check the quick results on Thursday when they would become available. There was one point in class on Wednesday where I had just convinced myself that I failed. I started thinking about my plan B, and thinking "I could be a social worker." Yeah I had already figured that I would never become a nurse. But today, at 5:10pm I got an email from the credentialing services congratulating me on my Massachusetts nursing license. I froze and handed the phone to Tina. Then I just started crying. I left class and just cried, I called my mom, my grandma, and a friend who has been a great part of my support team. It didn't feel real. I had gotten worked up for nothing. But man, that test a mind game. 

And the most amazing thing happened, my classmates were hugging me. I am sure most of them were wondering why I was crying, but they don't know what torture I went through. 95% of them think that I never took the test back in September, and if they did know, nobody ever said anything. But they will never know the feeling of seeing all your classmates pass the test, become nurses, and get their first nursing job; all while I was sitting there studying my butt off just to get to that point. The feeling of thinking you are going to make a terrible nurse because you can't pass a test. The sadness that runs through your body when people ask "Where are you working?!", well I'd like to get a license before I worry about a job, but thanks for reminding me. 

It was really the worst two months of my life thus far. And the worst part, I was lying to my classmates. I stuck to my story of "Oh, I didn't take it yet." Part of me didn't want to make people nervous, know that someone didn't pass might put added stress on those who hadn't tested yet. But also, I didn't want to feel like crap having to explain to people that I couldn't pass my test.

So why am I telling you all this?

Because that test, doesn't mean anything. That test does not determine how a person will function as a nurse. Passing that test in 75 questions does not mean that you will be a better nurse than someone who passes in 265 questions. Passing that test the first try does not mean you will be a better nurse than someone who fails countless times. This test is designed to see how well you can take a test, it doesn't determine your worth as a nurse. And I don't say that just because I was on the other side of this, I say this because in the last two months I have learned so much. I learned that failing does have any impact on how great of a nurse I am going to be. I have been in love with the medical field my entire life, I was born to be a nurse. And I know that I am going to be a kick ass nurse, and an even better nurse practitioner. A good friend of mine reminded me "That test does not define you." And that is exactly right, that test NEVER defined my life. That test does not mean anything, but yet it means everything.

As a Christian I believe that God puts us through struggles to test our faith. We pray, and ask him for guidance, but it's in his timing and not ours. September wasn't his timing, his timing was now. He wanted me to work for what I deserved. He wanted me to not lose faith in him. He wanted me to know that he is present in pain.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

So for those who are feeling lost, discouraged, and feel like they just will never make it through. You WILL. You will succeed, and you will cry tears of joy when you reach your victory. I don't care that people were staring and looking at me like I was crazy. Because my journey has been one that only few can understand. I have tasted failure, I have hit rock bottom, and I have cried endlessly. But today, I tasted Victory! My race is far from over though, for it has just begun. I would never have gotten though without the love, support, and constant encouragement from my family and friends. Those who have prayed for me, held my hand, and reminded me that I would succeed. I am so blessed to have you as part of my fan club.

So heres a cheers to the next chapter of my life.

I am officially Celina Georgia, RN! 

P.S - to my fellow GEP classmates, I am sorry for the lie and I hope you can forgive me.

What moving 3000 miles has taught me

On this day two years I made the decision to spread my wings and apply to Graduate schools all over the country. I had already made the choice to apply for Accelerated Masters/NP programs, but my search was within a 5 hour radius of my hometown.

I remember taking a hike one day in early October and thinking "I love this place and I will never get tired of this view [Mount Rainier], but I need to see what the rest of the world has to offer. I went home and skimmed through some websites and just kind of played with the idea. 

A little over a week later I was at work, I was a Nursing Assistant at Tacoma General, in the ICU and one of the nurses noticed my GRE prep book. She started talking to me about school and she told me she was envious of my determination to pursue a Masters degree instead of just getting my BSN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing). She understood my reasons, why get another Bachelors degree when I can get a Masters degree? Then she asked where I wanted to go. My first response was Seattle University, they have an excellent Accelerated Masters program. I was interested in their Family Nurse Practitioner track. We then started talking about schools, I told her I was also looking into UW, PLU, and of course WSU. We went back to work, our patients blood pressure started to plummet and he was getting really bradycardic. Within minutes we were preparing to call a rapid response and get the code cart. After 8 rounds of CPR (half performed by yours truly), the ICU doctor called time of death. Without even being asked, I started to remove the tubes and wires. I gathered wash cloths and clean linen from the laundry cart, and was set to clean the body before the family came back in. There was no prompting, I just knew what to do. The patient had a young son, who was very interested in what I was doing. He was asking a lot of questions, and then he said "Can I help?". Without even thinking, I said "Of course". The little boy started talking to me about his Dad, telling me all the fun things he and his dad did. His mom was sitting in the back of the room watching. When we were done cleaning up and making the room look nice more family came in. I told them I would give them some privacy and to take as much time as they needed. When I walked out of the patient room, the nurse was standing at the nurses station. She looked at me and said "You are going to be one hell of a nurse someday, screw Seattle University, you should go to Yale!", my response was a simple "Yeah, that would be awesome" I didn't expect a response, but she said "What's holding you back?". And to be honest, nothing was. There was no obvious reason, why was I limited to only the schools in Washington? Yeah I wouldn't want to leave my family, but that's why they invented planes.

I got home from work that night, and with a glass of wine in hand I started vigorously searching for every school in the United States that offered the program that I needed. Months later I had applied to over 13 schools, most were accelerated Masters/NP programs, but some were accelerated BSN programs just to be on the safe side. After careful consideration I secured a spot at the University of Massachusetts medical school in the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track. After turning down some pretty great schools, schools that were a lot closer to home, I felt good about my decision.

Two years later, here I am. Sitting in Starbucks studying for my state boards and writing a paper for my Masters class. It has been a difficult journey; plenty of homesick nights, major stress, anxiety attacks, countless dollars spent on plane tickets, more face timing than I could imagine, sleep deprivation, and living off coffee and cheap dinners.

What moving 3000 miles has taught me

- I could have never done what I did in the last year if I still lived at home

- Nursing school is no cake walk

- You really learn who you are when nobody else is around

- True relationships aren't dependent on distance

- One inch of snow doesn't ever mean a snow day in Mass

- You learn to value others presence when you can't see them everyday

- I will get through this, one day at a time

- I spend way to much money on groceries

- Nobody in Mass knows how to line dance

- Missing people is natural

- No test will ever define who you are

- Rain doesn't exist on the East coast

- Going home is the best feeling in the world

- Family is forever, despite the arguments
- Ever person you meet is fighting a different battle

- Life isn't going to go your way, that would be too easy. You have to work for success, you have to earn it
- Giving God total control of your life is the most rewarding decision you will make, give him your troubles, he has a plan

- Failing is the most humbling thing you will ever experience

- And lastly, I've learned that I'm not done learning yet

"A thousand times I've failed, Still your mercy remains. Should I stumble again, Still I'm caught in your grace. Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades. Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame."

I'm going to the Dominican!

As most of you know I have started the Masters portion of my Nursing education at University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, MA. Every year in March the Medical School goes to the Dominican Republic to provide health care to the local people. Mobile clinics are set up for impoverished families because they have no other access to health care. Over the years the popularity of the trip has increased and there were many people that were interested in going to the DR. Unfortunately, there was not room for everyone to attend and a lottery had to be implemented. I was asked to participate in extra community service prior to the trip, that community service would be incorporated with the Dominican trip and would therefore guarantee me a spot to attend the Medical Mission trip. I have chosen to do participate in the community service outreach as well as have secured my spot to attend the Dominican in March.

This is a great opportunity for me to get hands on experience as well as serving those who are in dire need. As an NP student I will have the chance to perform a wide range of different exams on women, children, men, and the elderly. Many of the past students talked about their experiences and for all, it was an amazing learning experience. Being in an accelerated Nurse Practitioner program I don't have an excessive amount of patient care experience like other traditional students do. This trip allows students to perform assessments that they otherwise would not be able to complete. One thing that the students expressed gratefulness towards was the amount of women physicals and gynecological exams that they were able to complete. Not only was it an amazing way for hands on learning, but also they were providing services that these women would otherwise never receive. 

HERE is an article posted in 2011 in regards to the trip and how life changing it was for the students as well as for the people living in the Dominican. 

Although this is is a medical mission trip, I hope I can use this experience to reach out to the people of La Romana and tell them about Jesus. 

This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I am blessed to have been chosen to attend this mission trip. I ask you; my friends, family, and loved ones for continued prayer as the group prepares for the trip and also as we gather the finances to attend the trip. Unfortunately, mission trips are not free/cheap and it can be costly to fly to other countries. The entire cost covers all expenses so I shouldn't have to worry about finances once in the Dominican. 

I have attached a link below for my fundraising page if you wish to donate.

Dominican Fundraising page

It's called a Breakup, because it's Broken

Back in high school I went through a bad breakup, he dumped me and a week later was dating one of best friends (at the time anyway). Anyway, I was having a really hard time with it and one day my friend, Drrue, handed me this book: "It's Called a Breakup Because it's Broken". I will admit I was not sold on reading a book about breakups. But, it was actually a good book and pretty funny too. It opened up my perspective and made me understand that people just suck. People suck. There's no getting around it. But the good news is that we don't have to surround ourselves with those people.

I ended up reading that book multiple times. Breakups happen all the time. Whether its a boyfriend or best friend, I have had a lot of breakups. I didn't always have the best judgment of people. I went through friends like candy and I always had a crush on some new guy. And one thing I've learned over the years is that when a relationship is broken, it can't be put back together. I've tried, putting things back together and it never works.

Relationships are made up of equal effort from both parties. It's about open communication, bonding, and being truthful. It's about being there for that person when they need you most; whether its 2am or 2pm, whether they just want to sit in silence together, whether they just need a hug, whether they need to vent, or whether they just want you listen. It's about making people feel as though you are important to them.

I used to be big on giving people second chances, but a couple years ago I gave up on that. Every second chance I've given came back to bite me in the butt, and it also resulted in a third chance, then a fourth chance and so on. So now, I don't give second chances. So if you want to walk out of my life, I'll open the door for you.

There are over 7 Billion people in this world. I refuse to settle for one that doesn't Love me, care about me, invest time in me, or want the best for me. I will never settle for someone who continues to hurt me.

There are over 7 Billion people and sometimes all you need is one.

So this is for the guys that didn't make the cut and the friends that couldn't take the heat - there are better fish in the sea ~

DIY Coconut Oil Deep Conditioner

Since I've started my 'no poo' adventure, I wanted to start making homemade hair products. Since I have naturally curly, frizzy, thick hair I wanted a rich deep conditioner to give my hair some much needed TLC.

Deep Conditioner:

-Coconut Oil

-Argan Oil

-Vitamin E Oil

-Almond or Olive Oil

-Rosemary

-Tea Tree

-Lavender

-Patchouli

Deep Conditioner Ingredients

I add all ingredients to a mason jar and when I want to use I apply to the ends of my hair working up about half way. The best time for me is at night, so while I'm sleeping my hair is getting a treatment. In the morning, I wash like normal (with baking soda and apple cider vinegar of course) and style like usual.

NOTE: This deep conditioner can get pretty greasy, since the main ingredient is coconut oil if you over apply you might have a hard time washing it all out. For those with thin hair, use sparingly.