It hardly rains in Southern California, as evidenced by the muted brown rolling hills behind my friend’s home. When I first arrived here in January, you could see small scorched areas from recent fires. Rain in California is like snow back home yet even more unexpected, and frankly, tolerated poorly. As the native East Coaster, I continually shake my head at the complaints about rain. Don’t even get me started about how they drive in it. It’s not even heavy rain! One notch on the windshield wiper setting at best.

The rain is needed though, and when it rained this past weekend I imagined the hills of Chino Hills exhaling in relief. It was a Saturday afternoon, and I was feeling a little restless. I noticed a lull in the rain and suited up for a run. I started off and felt a light drizzle, but with the warmer temperature and my vest I figured I would be fine. Of course, it got heavier. As someone who has never wanted to run in the rain, this was an easy time to turn back. I contemplated it but eventually, I just gave in. I couldn’t find a good enough excuse to stop, so I pushed on, wiping my face every few paces. I even enjoyed myself.

Naturally, my mind started to wander about my upcoming start date in Jefferson’s one year nursing program. Titers and vaccines to get, my chem class I still need to successfully pass and transfer, scrubs I need to buy, books I need to order. And while I was ticking it all off in my head, I became so unbelievably thankful to even be thinking about it. My desire to be a nurse and help people has always been a part of me, but for so long I was discouraged by the time it would take to reach my goal. It sounded SO long- 2 years of prerequisites and then another year of full-time school. For many, many years I didn’t have the motivation to do it. Would you believe that 9 years ago I wrote a Facebook note about wanting to enter medicine, just around the time I was graduating from TCNJ? I even had old bookmarks on my last computer for Jefferson’s program, along with Drexel and Rutgers. I had buried this idea for a long time.

Sure, could I have started 9 years ago and been well into the nursing field by now? Could have, yes, but I’m glad I didn’t. I really needed the last 9 years. I needed to try things out, make major mistakes, fall flat on my ass, and then rebuild. I needed to grow up and become myself. And eventually, I found that I had run out of excuses to not go to nursing school. The time is now, and the best part is that I am SO READY. I can’t imagine that I would have had the drive and motivation had I started when I was younger. While I realize that I am not “old,” I do know I will be older than most of my classmates and for that, I am again thankful. The value of life experience, as well as truly understanding myself as a student and a person, will definitely be to my advantage this coming year. I was the only person on my interview day to wear something other than black; I wore a pink blazer because that’s just who I am!

Nursing school used to be like running in the rain. I always had a reason not to do it. But just like that run last weekend, giving in and taking the plunge has been the best feeling. I feel invigorated and excited. I feel like there is so much happiness, positivity, and opportunity ahead of me. I used to feel like I had no idea what I was doing with my life. Now, I find myself saying, “So much to do and only one life to do it in.” During my run, I threw my head back and opened my mouth to catch some rain, stretched my arms wide open and just smiled. It’s been a long journey to get to this place, but I made it.