Yogurt-Land

Only recently have I taken to frozen yogurt, with Golden Spoon boysenberry in the lead on my list of favorite flavors. I'm not much into the toppings. I firmly believe a good frozen yogurt should be able to hold its own.

I admit to trying Pinkberry ONCE last year at the urging of my cousin who is voraciously smitten over this unique recipe of yogurt which may be generously accompanied by toppings such as Captain Crunch or fresh fruit. I was not impressed much by Pinkberry and really feel all the hype was not worthy of its taste. It was bland, and the only thing worth mentioning was the fresh fruit toppings, which were the only things I enjoyed.

So, tonight, I met with my I WILL group at Yogurtland in Long Beach. I was very hesitant, given my experience with Pinkberry, but I figured everything is at least worth one try.

Much to my surprise, I like it. Can't say that I'm C-R-A-Z-Y about it, but it is good. Lots of appetizing flavors of frozen yogurt, like Pineapple and Banana, even things like Green Tea and Cookie Dough. Like Pinkberry, they have extras like the Captain Crunch and fresh fruit. It's (somewhat) reasonably priced at $0.30 an ounce, but just be aware that it adds up. Bottom line: Frozen yogurt = less calories & less fat with lots of flavor.

BTW, for all your RITE-AID ice cream lovers (myself included), I've heard they raised their prices. $1.20/scoop. I never thought I'd see the day.

Thinking Ahead.

(A picture of me with my nursing cohort and our significant others celebrating our RN licensure, Summer 2007)

A couple weekends ago, I went to the National Coalition for Ethnic Minority Nurse Association (NCEMNA) conference in San Diego. I left inspired.

When I'm in school, I have a tendency to become insular. I live in a bubble. I forget about what else is going on around me. My goals become short-term. My thinking stretches only to the next quiz, or to the end of the semester. No longer. I'm tired of this way of thinking.

NCEMNA accepted me to be a mentee for this next year, which means that they have paired me up with an AMAZING mentor, a doctorally prepared nurse researcher/scientist, Iris Padilla.

I am encouraged by her and many other wonderfully mature and visionary nurses to "keep on" to find develop my passions, talents, and abilities to do what I love and use this to care for the people I serve. I just got my RN license last year, and I'm only a year away from finally completing my master's degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner, but I'm inspired to pursue MORE.

A doctoral education is likely in the future. I want to teach. I want to become a clinical expert. I want to know my community and learn how to navigate it. I want to meet others who are passionate about who they are and what they do. I am so hungry to do and to be MORE.