Welcome to Aimee Austria's Website

August 2006
Alas, another summer is coming to a close. Quite a busy year overall with school, work, friends, and family. In addition to completing more grad classes, I have also been doing research for my master's project on evaluating outcomes of Nurse-Managed Centers using HEDIS evaluation criteria. Working at St. Joe's as an RN on cardiac stepdown is still good- I am always learning something new every single shift, and surprisingly am able to have much more valuable patient interaction than I expected on a 12-hour midnight shift!

In April, the University of Michigan Dicks and Janes had its first ever official alumni reunion concert! We performed Counting Crows' "Hanging Around" as the alumni song, and there were so many past DJ's there I thought the stage was going to topple over! The weekend was TONS of fun and it was so great to see everyone. It's amazing to see how much and how little everyone has changed, and how the essence of fun and loving friendships can remain the same despite gaps in time and distance. See pictures here.

In July, Jay and I visited Maine to attend a family wedding. It was a nice and cozy ceremony and I was able to meet a few of Jay's friendly family members. During our visit we also went whitewater rafting on the Penobscot River with one of Jay's oldest and dearest friends, Ken, and his fiancee Blake. We saw some beautiful scenery, including Mt. Katahdin, and even saw a few moose from a distance. Jay and Ken even "rode the rapids" on their backs and our raft even flipped over a couple of times in a waterfall! Very scary, but a time I surely won't forget. :) We also visited his parents' beautiful home in Portland and they took us to the shore for some fresh lobsters.

This summer I also visited lots of friends and family. Jay and I visited Rob (my cousin) and Janette's new home in Wixom quite a few times, and I loved visiting with their kids, Alex and Izabella. Their skin seemed more tan with each visit, as they are quite enjoying their new pool. I also was glad to see Joyce before she reaches her 9th month, her husband Ken, and adorable Lily. We also visited with my cousin Myla, her husband Robert, and their amazing kids Bryanna, Jonathan, and Madison. Bryanna and Madison are quite cute together and show a very loving sister-sister relationship. It also was nice to visit with my cousin Brian and his wife Tricia, and I was so impressed to see how well their 1-year old Matthew was walking! He even tried to use binoculars and clean Janette's floor! Jay and I also enjoyed seeing Marv (my cousin) and Rowena for little while at Auntie Ludy's house; it was nice to meet Jaicob for the first time and see how he loves to smile and never cries.

This summer also included fufilling duties of a bridesmaid with my best friend Heidi for her wedding in June 2007 (and living vicariously, ha ha). Her fiancee Tom is quite nice and intelligent, and they make a very cute couple. Shopping for wedding dresses, cakes, photography services, etc., was quite an educational experience- I couldn't believe how expensive some of the items could get! better start saving now!!! Yikes!

Lastly, in August Jay and I took another trip to Michigan's West Coast, specifically Grand Haven and Muskegon. We got some much needed R & R at the beach, in addition to having some fun at Michigan's Adventure Amusement Park.

May 2005
Ah...another graduation has passed! I graduated magna cum laude from The University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing this past April. It was a nice and small ceremony, and I even received an award for Medical-Surgical Nursing! I am very proud of my accomplishments this year and am so happy to have found my true calling in life. As I spend more time with patients, my heart finds this to be more true.

I am continuing my nursing education at U-Michigan (where else? haha) to pursue a Masters in Nursing in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program. I am taking graduate classes this spring, and it is so nice to no longer be taking them as an undergraduate. The education at the graduate level of nursing feels so much more respectful, professional, and enthusiastic...although at times it feels overwhelming in light of the little experience I have, I am so excited to keep learning more! I also will begin employment as a graduate nurse at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital (Ann Arbor) in mid July on one of their cardiac step-down units and look forward to putting the knowledge I have gained over these past 20 months into professional practice.

In other happenings, some very good baby news! Two cousins of mine have had their first children! Brian and Tricia welcomed Matthew Owen Ebarvia on Monday, May 16th, @11:58 a.m. I hope to be able to visit them in Philadelphia the weekend of July 4th! My cousin Marvin and his wife Rowena in California welcomed Jaicob Isip on June 2nd. Myla and Rob are also expecting a 3rd child this summer, and Edwin and Nancy are expecting their second. Lastly, my friend Erin and Michael Yuen are expecting a child later this summer! A very first Dicks and Janes baby!

In more happenings...congrats to my cousin Eric who graduated from Michigan State with Bachelors degree in Engineering Arts with a Business cognate. And, *GOOD LUCK* to my cousin Jason who will be moving to Boston and starting a new job!

I currently find myself busy with class, studying like crazy for the NCLEX (licensing exam for nursing -I am taking the exam July 8th - yikes!!!), and spending time with my boyfriend Jay. This summer will be busy (what else is new? hehe) but exciting!

January 2005
Ah yes...another graduation is coming slowly into sight. I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Michigan this April. Holiday parties in the family were small but nice, and with the help of Mike and Erin Yuen, I finally realized my dream of recording some Christmas music for close family, friends, and former teachers. This upcoming winter will prove to be a very busy one...undergrad classes, grad classes (paying for master's classes at undergrad tuition is NIIIICE), studying for the NCLEX, and securing a nursing position for after graduation. My hope is to work on an adult or pediatric cardiac step-down, or cardiothoracic unit, probably at U of M, Henry Ford, Oakwood, or St. Joseph Mercy.

May 2003
Great news! After months of waiting, I finally received my letter of admission to U of Michigan's Second Degree Nursing Program! I look forward to starting classes at the U again this September- even though attending Washtenaw has been an eye opening experience, U of M is where my heart truly is. I will be finishing my BSN in twenty months, and then continuing with a MSN in two to four terms. My goal is to become a nurse practitioner in women's health, cardiology, or gerontology - but who knows where clinical experience will lead me!?!

April 2002 - September 2002
Yea! I graduated! But, school isn't over for me yet! I am going back to either U-M or Wayne State to get another bachelor degree- a BSN, and hopefully immediately proceed to get my master's to become a nurse practitioner. I still am interested in working in women's health, although recently I have been looking into other fields to keep my options open. It feels good to finally graduate and leave U of M for a little while, but I will greatly miss it and the wonderful friends I have made there. I most especially will miss performing with Dicks and Janes, but I am looking forward to cheering them on as a DJ alum from the audience. I plan to continue singing and performing as long as I can (before I become a REAL adult, I guess), and am currently in a show with the Philippine Medical Association and the Philippine American Cultural Center of Michigan, called "Proud to Be." It's another musical revue, and I even get to sing songs I love, such as "Our Children" from Ragtime and "Home" from The Wiz.

This summer (2002) has been quite an eventful one. After having major heart surgery in May, my father is doing much much better and continues to improve everyday. I am so proud of how my dad and rest of my family has dealt with this difficult time and how much closer and healthier we are because of it. My friends were also so amazing throughout this time, and I am forever grateful for being blessed with their neverending support.

In happier news, Paul and I celebrated our year anniversary on July 3rd. These difficult times have also brought us closer together, and I've learned just how beautiful a person he is. There also were several weddings this summer. J.J., a friend from high school and grade school was married on August 10th to her fiancee, Jeremy, in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Andy, a DJ alum was married on July 20th to Jessica in Colorado. Marvin, a cousin of mine, was married to his fiancee Rowena in Harper Woods, MI on July 6th (photos coming soon).

Lastly, Edwin, another cousin, was married to Nancy on July 20th at Mackinac Island, MI. I will have pictures of the wedding soon- it was SO beautiful! I haven't been to Mackinac since I was a baby, so basically this was my first time up there. It seems like a perfect getaway place for a couple- with horsedrawn carriages, beautiful gardens, Lake Huron, golfing, biking, hiking, and the quiet, cool atmosphere. (Hmmm...memo for the future? who knows? :) ) The ceremony was lovely, and Nancy was one of the most beautiful brides I've ever seen. She and Edwin make quite a handsome couple!

Another good thing (REALLY good thing) that happened this summer took place in June at U-M's Power Center. Dicks and Janes opened for Rockapella (of Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego fame), and it was not only the proudest evening of my a cappella life, but also my happiest and best performance. It felt really good to end my college singing "career" where I began it 5 years ago- at the Power Center (in The Wiz).

I have recently returned to Ann Arbor and have finished moving into my new house (at last! -I've definitely paid my dues!). I am right by the stadium, and we will be having many football BBQ's once the season starts (go BLUE!).