Overdue Update

1. Take and Pass NPS.

NPS is a board for respiratory therapists that stands for Neonatal Pediatric Respiratory Therapist.  When I became an RT, I never thought in a million years my favorite place to work would be in NICU and the PICU, but 4 years later I would rather be there then anywhere else.  I also fly on the neonatal transport team which is my absolute favorite part of my job.

So finally after stalling for about a year I finally signed up and took my boards.  I’m a pretty good test taker and don’t really get anxiety, but I should have been a little more ready then I was.  I took my RRT boards here in Billings when I first moved here 4 years ago.  I assumed it was still at H&R block about 3 blocks from my house.  The night before I looked a little closer and realized they had moved the testing site….no big deal I have a droid and I put the address into my navigator for the next day.  I was supposed to be there at 1:30pm so at 1245 I started heading out for the test site.  Pretty soon I realized that I was all the way out on the west end nearly to Laurel and the test site was not where I thought it was.  I reached into my pocket for my phone and to my horror my phone was nowhere to be found.  I looked at the clock and it was now 12:55, way too late to go back and get it.  AMP, the program that administers our boards are pretty strict on being on time and can keep the money if you fail to show up for the test.  It was 13:10 when I pulled panicked into a random bank way out on Shiloh and went running up to the teller.  She saw the panic in my face and threw my the phone book while she started googling the test site.  I got ahold of the Procter who very kindly giggled and told me where to go and not to worry about being a little late she would still let me test.  Thankfully that was the most stressful part of the test and 75 minutes later I was done with the test and happily an RRT-NPS, a helpful credential for finding a full-time flight job, my ultimate goal.

 

3. Become an Instructor in a life support class.

In June I went to Butte to St James Hospital, a sister hospital of St. Vincent’s and took Neonatal resuscitation Instructor Class.  NRP for short is required for anyone who attends deliveries and is protocols to use to resuscitate babies at birth from 24 weeks to term babies.  I never thought that I would be a neonatal respiratory therapist but it has become the area that I focus on and enjoy the most.

GET A PEDICURE

Im sure that most of you have heard of Groupon, it’s a discount site for deals to go do things.  There was a groupon I purchased for a mani and pedicure a while back and I finally cashed it in.  Most who know me know that I have Chaco tan lines on my feet that are four years strong so I  am not much of a pedicure kind of girl, but I have to admit it was a nice treat. The reality is though, camping, hiking, and floating rivers is more my thing and I don’t see myself going for many pedicures, that and my feet are still super ticklish and it was hard not to giggle and accidentally kick the poor woman.

82.Learn about the major religions of the world

1. Learn about the major religions of the world

I made learning about other religions one of my challenges because I have questioned my religion and not found all the answers I am looking for.  This challenge is not intended to bash any religion or to offend anyone, it is simply what I learn from the different religions to work on my faith.

1. Mormonism LDS

In February a couple of
us from the NICU transport team were sent to Salt Lake City for a transport
conference and I figured it was the perfect time to learn about Mormonism.

 LDS

Arent those mountains ugly?lol

is one of the fastest growing religions not only in the nation but
internationally as well.  It is also one
of the richest  and mysterious major religions of mainstream.  The first day we got to SLC we had
some time to wander around the city before we went to the University for a
Procedures Lab.  Our hotel was only 2
blocks from Temple Square, the headquarters of the LDS church.  I was struck at how clean and nice the area
was around the temple and the areas we walked around. Later during a transport to SLC the medic was telling me that there is a large fund to keep the 20 blocks around Temple Square squeaky clean. By the way if you ever get the chance to see SLC in mid May, even if you aren’t LDS its gorgeous. I only could see it from the back of the ambulance, but I digress.

 It was very nice, let alone the mountains
surrounding the city on either side, the architecture of the buildings in the
area was impressive as well.  The other
three people I traveled with are married with children so after
wandering the streets for a while; they all hurried off for the luxury of a nap
without being disturbed.  Seeing as
though I pretty much spend my free time alone, napping as I please, this was
the last thing I wanted to do, so I headed over for Temple Square not sure what
to expect. 

One of my best friends
and former roommates is LDS so I already had some familiarity with LDS, but the
only way to truly know the church is to be a member.

That fact has not changed, but exploring the grounds, (you can’t go into the temple unless you are mormon with a temple recommends) and a mock-up of what the temple contains intrigued me enough to try to delve a little deeper into the religion.

My basic understanding is that Joseph Smith, the first prophet was given a third chapter of the bible called The Book of Mormon from an angel and it contains instructions to create the true church of God.  They were persecuted for this belief, especially the one that included polygamy and were forced out of the New York area and into Ohio.  The LDS church eventually dissalowed polygamy and the church fractured here in Ohio and the FLDS or fundamentalist latter day saints church was formed and the LDS or Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints followed Brigham Young to Salt Lake City.  SLC was still a territory so the Mormons were mostly left to themselves out in the wilderness of the area.  The church continued to expand, one of the biggest principles of the Mormon church is to show others what they believe to be the true church and create a community of believers.  There are some major ceremonies of the faith including sealing where people are sealed together for eternity but you have to be married in a temple with a temple recommends.  I am sure there are other major beliefs that I am missing so if you are LDS please don’t be offended I am not trying to write a book, just writing about my understanding briefly.

There are a few things that really struck me with LDS.  First, the history is amazing.  How did they make it out to Salt Lake City, build an amazing temple mostly by hand, and survive in some seriously rugged terrain by themselves.  The trip alone was brutal and cost lives, but to survive and thrive among themselves in that day and age is truly amazing.  The thing I admire the most about Mormonism is the sense of community, they really take care of each other and reach out to support others and create a strong and healthy family unit.  This is rare today and I believe is a major reason the church is rapidly expanding like it is.  On the other hand, I find the shroud around the church and the threat of excommunication if you ask questions or disagree with the founders at all troubling.  For myself, it is questioning religion and exploring other religions that is leading me on a faith quest.  Religion and Faith are not the same; religion is run by humans and therefore can error. Religion is a good thing in general, but innocently following others and not questioning your own faith in the matter is what led to the grand inquisition, or the holocaust.

I think the biggest thing that I can take from the Mormon church is definitely the community support they offer to each other and the emphasis on family and good morals.  That is a unique and strong quality of this faith.

General Updates and Addendums!

24. Hike in all the different Mountain Ranges
in Montana Spend Time in the
Majority of Mountain Ranges of Montana

mtnRanges

            So when I made this a challenge I was thinking that there were just a few mountain
ranges in Montana, the Beartooths, The Continental Divide, The Highlands, The
Pintlers, The Missions, Selway Bitterroot, The Bob Marshall and so on.  I did some research trying to plan out my
route of attack…….and discovered there is actually no official count of
mountain ranges in Montana, but they stopped counting around 98. So after
laughing a little at my naivety, especially since I have lived here my whole
life, I decided that spending time in the majority of the different areas would
still be a great way to spend some quality time in the mountains and my home
state.  Whether it be skiing, biking,
fishing, camping, or living in the area, I am still looking forward to this
one.  So Far since I started the
challenge I have been in:

62. Beartooth Mountains-Skiing

63. Pryor Mountains-Flying (I have seen them in a helicopter for work and see more than most people get to)

64.Bighorn Mountains-Flying (Again the view of the Bighorn Canyon from a helicopter is unbeatable)

65.Wolf Mountains-Driving to Custer, SD

61.Absorka Mounains-Kayaking the Yellowstone, want to get back into there for a hike this summer though)

59. Madison Range-skiing Moonlight Basin

42.,43. Pioneer Mountains Skiing at Maverick Mountain and staying in Elkhorn Hot Springs

30. Elkhorn Mountains Skiing great Divide

41. Anaconda Range

and more to come!!

98.Leave My hair Alone for an entire Don’t Cut My hair for a year. Started 2/4/2011  Ok so this one is a bit of a copout but I dyed my hair blonde and I like it, hey the challenge is about living life right?  lol… 

90. Win the
Weight Loss Challenge Failed   No excuse for this one, my charity gets $10 bucks for my laziness, hopefully I get my *ss in gear!

           

# 5 Ski at all the Montana Resorts

Ski at all the Montana Resorts.

This week, Mike and I took off on another ski trip, this time headed for my hometown area ski resorts.  Our first day was spent at Discovery Ski Resort near Anaconda, MT.  Technically, I had been here before.  In junior high there was a program for 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade where we got to go up four times a year for $40.  This included a half day lesson, rentals and the pass, a pretty awesome deal and the only way we were able to ski when we were younger.  I was far more awkward and struggled to make it down the green runs in those days.  This trip was a lot different.  It was funny skiing because flashes of skiing when I was younger kept coming back to me, only this time, we spent a lot of time running Berkley and Atlantic Cable, blue and black diamond runs before heading to the backside for a little skiing.  While my skiing has improved significantly, I am definitely still a groomed or powder kind of skier and we didn’t spend a lot of time on the backside.  All in all an awesome day and a great ski hill.

Skiing with the bro was a blast!

That night we headed to Helena  to hit up Great Divide Ski resort.  I was hoping my brother Alan was going to come with us but he had to work.  However, within 2 hours he was calling to see how the snow was, which by the way was powder on crusty runs and within 4 hours he was up at the mountain snowboarding for the first time in 3 years.  When he first called and hinted he might head up, Mike and I decided to do some outlying trails expecting to move onto groomers so we could hang out.  After 1 run down the groomers, Alan was asking where the backside was and we were both left in his dust as he went screaming through trails.  At the end of the day, I decided more for myself than for him to buy the crazy powder hound a helmet and I am really looking forward to more trips with him!

That night we left for Elkhorn Hot Springs in Polaris.  The plan was to hit up Maverick Mountain the next day and we were both really looking forward to soaking two days of sore muscles in the hot springs.  The trip was long and we didn’t get there until 9pm, but the host was happy to leave the pool open a little later for us to get a little swim in.  Theres nothing like soaking in natural hot springs in the winter, its indescribably refreshing.  My favorite place is probably Chico Hot Springs, but its pretty unlikely you’ll ever hear me turn down a soak in a different hot springs.   I can’t say enough how cool  the people at Elkhorn Hot Springs were, but the place is pretty run down. I would recommend bringing your own pillows and hanging in a cabin, but the wet sauna, outdoor hot springs, and the hot breakfast and employees made it a very cool place to stay.

Our last ski day started with another dip in the hot springs after breakfast and heading up to a full on powder day at Maverick Mountain.  We were both a little apprehensive about Maverick because its one chair lift and it pretty small ski area compared to other places, but there was more than enough trail and powder to keep us busy all day.  We made it down almost every run except for the elusive enchanted forest and a few double diamonds.  The end of the day turned into some mogul training after the powder was pretty carved up and I had to tap out a little early after three full ski days turned them to jelly.  All in all another awesome trip!

# 5. Ski at all the Montana Ski Resorts , # 10.Get a Massage

# 5. Ski at all the Montana Ski Resorts

Mike and I took a ski trip to Moonlight Basin and Bridger bowl the 1st of February.  I have been relearning to ski since this winter up at Red Lodge Mountain where Mike works.  I am so glad I got back into skiing and Red Lodge is pretty good terrain to learn to ski in.  I took Tana, one of my roommates up to Red Lodge a couple of weeks ago and we froze!  Poor Tana I had gone up 3 days previously and it was warm, sunny, and perfect ski conditions.  On her first day the winds were near 35 mph, most of the mountain was closed, and the wind chill was well below zero.  She was a good sport and hopefully will come back up again. 

   Our Trip to Moonlight was not much warmer then Red Lodge.  Apparently I had been entirely too lucky when I first started skiing this winter and was owed some really frakin cold skiing days.  When we started skiing at Moonlight, it was -22 at the summit, not that we went up there.  After two runs it was into the lodge for some toe warmers and the first and second rounds of alpines.  I dont know if we just warmed up, had enough liquid courage, or our brains had plain frozen and we were no longer capable of rational thought but we headed back out on the mountain and it turned out to be a pretty awesome day.  I think it did wonders for my speed and even though I didn’t beat Mike at any races, I put in a decent showing.

That Night we ended up at a restaurant in downtown Bozeman called Looies.  It was all you could eat crab legs night.  I was afraid I wouldn’t care for crab, but when I tried a few bites of Mike’s crab legs, I deeply regretted ordering a pork chop. 

  The next day we loaded up and headed to Bridger Bowl Ski area 16 miles outside of Bozeman.  Although not quite as cold as Moonlight was, it still wasnt warm.  We started off the day pretty decent and found some fun runs on the north side of the mountain, but when we headed East to some more advanced trails, the wind decided to pick up as well.  Unfortunately it only got worse and it got to a point that it was no fun to be at the top of the bowl anymore.  I would like to go back and explore the top of the mountain, but I am all for exploring new ski resorts at the same time.  All in all a cold but good trip!

# 10 Get a Massage.

My treat for myself on my birthday was to get a massage.  I had never had a massage and I can now say that I regret having waited 25 years to get a massage!  This might need to be something that I do more than once on the list.  My day started off trying crepes for the first time at the McCormick Cafe in downtown Billings.  After breakfast and a massage, I wandered around until my parents got to Billings and we all went out for Indian Food that night at a restaurant called A Taste of India in downtown Billings.  I would definitely recommend a trip to this restaurant and order the Tikka Masala. 

Well that’s all for now.

I did It!

So It’s really starting, Mike you can add me to the list of people you have inspired to start a 101 challenge!  It is up and running and now all I need to do is invite people to read it.  I’m really looking forward to this challenge.  I have to admit I definitely looked at some other people’s lists for ideas but I don’t feel bad, there were some really good ideas out there.

Happy Birthday!

Today is my 25th birthday and it is crazy to think that I have already been on this earth a quarter of a century.  Today is also special because it is the official start of my 101 challenge.  What is the 101 challenge?  It is 101 goals that you want to accomplish in 1001 days or three years. I think that my birthday is the perfect time to start the challenge because I want  to make this challenge about living my life up and not just working and getting through to the next stage.  The list isn’t posted yet but stay tuned it’s coming soon and I’ve already started it!