Monday, December 7, 2009

Graduation and New Beginnings.

Seriously??... September was the last time I posted?!? WOW! So much has happened since than. I have some catching up to do now. For the last 3 months I have been devoted to my studies of echo/vascular ultrasound, writing my baccalaureate thesis, studying elective material I don't much care for, and on and on. So blogging has definately been at the bottom of the to do list. BUT good news is that I am ALL finished!!! For good..No more school for me!!! WOOT WOOT!! Life is gooood!! I turned in the last of my work this past Friday and let me tell you... it was a huge relief. I walked out of the Allied health building feeling like a new woman. Seriously I was on cloud nine. :)

These past 18 months have flown by. I remember starting my program and thinking the end was so far away and how on earth was I going to learn this foreign thing called ultrasound. I was terrified and really questioned if I was going to be able to grasp the material and scanning. After all, I had the biggest shoes to fill. My Dad was the best at what he did. He was respected by many who worked with him and truly loved his job. There have been several times where I have felt my Dad's hand in my journey through school. Having my clinicals at McKay Dee where he worked for 14 years really brought me closer to him in a way that I will never forget. He is still very much a part of that place. I often found myself thinking "How would Dad do this?" or "What would Dad expect from me?" I know that his expectations from me are VERY high and I know that it has pushed me to work harder. I miss him. It has been a hard road to face without him but I have been in good hands with good people who love what they do as much as my Dad did.

I want to express my gratitude to Jake, Jen, Heather, Marci, Char, and Jeremy for taking me under their wing and showing me the ropes. I had the best clinical experience hands down. I have enjoyed learning from each of you and thank you for being so patient with me. It has been a great experience. SO great that I just don't want to leave....

So I'm not. They've offered me a job to work as a tech in echo/vascular. :) I am so excited! I have been working the past 2 month cross training into Vascular ultrasound. So far things are going pretty well. Vascular and Echo are so different from each other but I've really enjoyed learning vascular and the new challenges it brings. The vascular team has been awesome to work with and very patient with all the questions I've had. Thanks Kam, Meg, and Phil. You guys are so much fun! :)

It doesn't feel real that I'm officially done with school for good. I've got plenty to keep me busy with the holidays and I'll be hopping on a flight Friday night to the Dominican Republic with my Mom and Brother. So EXCITED!!!! It has been so dang cold lately that I am looking forward to soaking up some rays on a white sandy beach. :) P.S. If any of you have any recommendations on good books to read... let me know. I have been looking forward to reading a book of MY choice for months now!!!


I will update more of what's been going on these past couple months real soon. Stay tuned... it's a goodie... Six Flags, Halloween, Swine flu, homecomings, birthdays, and holidays. :)

11 comments:

Bill and Joan said...

Holy cow Ash! I'm so excited for you! (and a little jealous) What an accomplishment. I know your dad is so proud of you and you will fill those shoes of his because you're just like him. I'm glad everything is going so well for you. I miss ya!

Brian and Amber said...

ha ha sorry! That last comment was from me! our computer is broken so I've been using Brian's mom's computer..whoops!

Paige said...

yay ash! Congrats! that is such a HUGE accomplishment. I KNOW your dad is so proud of you. :) How could he not be? You're amazing! How fun you're going to the Dominican Republic! That'll be an experience. I haven't read any good books lately but I've heard that "Hunger Games" is a really good book. The type you can't put down. And there's a second one out so if you're a fast reader then you could take both! :) Have fun on your trip!

...Ashlee... said...

You are amazing! I'm so excited for you! Congrats!!!

amy g said...

Okay, so to read that it went by FAST leaves hope for me! Jenn and I pretty much died this semester, mostly her though since she was going to 2 universities! crazy girl. CONGRATS!! Such a relief I'm sure. That's so awesome they offered you a job, I hear it's hard to find a job in cardiac these days. Did you take your SPI borads yet? I'll admit I'm nervous for that class. Anyway, great job girlie! Have fun in the DR!

Rachel said...

congrats ash! so jealous that you are done and landed a killer job! good work, you deserve it.

sara and wade said...

yay ash!!! i can't believe you are done either! that went by quick... :) i know you'll be the best at what you do, and echo/vascular is such a great field to go into! congrats on being done and starting a new chapter!! wahoo! have fun in the DM!! can't wait to hear more updates!

hilary said...

YAY for ashley!!! i have been thinking the past couple of days of doing a post pretty much EXACTLY like this! i cannot wait to graduate!! and just yesterday i handed in my last projects and like you was on cloud nine. :) way to go ash!! and that is so awesome about your job, too!!! have fun in the dominican repuplic! will you be home for christmas?? i hope so, cuz i would love to see you!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! What a neat accomplishment...and even more congratulations of the new job!

Chelsie said...

yeah! i'm so excited that you're done and that is awesome that they offered you a job. congrats! I hope you had fun on your vacation

gate gang said...

Hey Ash, A very belated CONGRATS on finishing school! I am so happy for you! And, I also missed recommending a great book for your flight to the DR. It's a must read though...The Lone Survivor by: Marcus Lutrell. True story, and a page turner. I'm sure you had a great time on your trip. I'll be watching for pictures. Miss you.