Technically I've been an adult for over a decade now, at least by age anyway. Last Friday I had one of those days where I really actually felt "all growed up." I got up at the crack of dawn to teach clinicals at the hospital. After I released my students I headed over to Rainier Title to sign on my refinance for my house.
As I was walking through downtown Bellevue with my wool Pea Coat and black document folder on a blustery day listening to a church bell ring.
After my document signing on my way back to my care I treated myself to a cup of coffee. Then back to the hospital I wen to do some chart audits... I suppose it's kind of bittersweet.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Shalom Y'all
Howdy y'all from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. So here I am taking full advantage of spring break and visiting some great friends after way too long. I flew into New Orleans arriving on Sunday night after several hours of delays and sitting stationary on tarmacs due to weather and de-icing issues. Once of the plane however, my experience got much better. So far my trip has included dinner at the infamous Waffle House, good coffee with great friends, two burly happy dogs, "Seattle style" weather, a trip to Wal-Mart, a trip with Winn Dixie, theological discussions regarding the "Holy Ghost Weenie Roast" and making the largest loaf of challah I've ever baked. It doesn't get much more southern than that!
I've really been enjoying my time here visiting Jon and Shara, now if I can only convince them to move back. Good times, good times...
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Keeping Kosh
This last Wednesday night while at I was grading papers in my office I found myself to be a recipient of a rather unusual delivery. What was it, you ask; nothing other than a "kitty to go."
A family friend, who incidentally had 5 cats, suddently found herself in a pickle when she recently found out about a medical diagnosis on top of other major life changes including having to urgently move from her home. That leaves 5 homeless kitties. My grandma took two of them in while we found homes for two others. The fifth one, well...that's where the "kitty to go" comes in.
My sister called me Wednesday afternoon asking if I would like "a ministry opportunity." Suddenly I find myself the foster parent of a rather affectionate three year old female cat. I took her home and she hasn't stopped following me since. I'm trying to tell myself it's only temporary, that she's annoying and I don't have to keep her. I did however, make the mistake of calling her "Kosha" which means "kitty" in Russian; "Kosh" for short. I hear that once you name the thing it's all over, they're yours forever. It looks like I might be keeping Kosh.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Laughter is the Best Medicine
For the last two weeks my students have been taking care of an elderly lady with a recent amputation of the left leg. As I'm sure you can imagine, she has a difficult time getting in and out of bed. Last week my one and only male student came in the room to help her get back into bed from her chair. She was very grateful for his help and apparently hasn't forgotten it...
This week I went in her room to help the students change the dressing on her stump. The male student also came in to help. As soon as she saw him she said, "I remember you, you are so easy to get in bed with!" He immediately turned beet red and the rest of just couldn't stop laughing. It took her a few seconds to realize what she had just said but when she did, she couldn't stop laughing either.
It turned out to be "the best dressing change she'd ever had, and it didn't even hurt." They say that laughter is the best medicine!
This week I went in her room to help the students change the dressing on her stump. The male student also came in to help. As soon as she saw him she said, "I remember you, you are so easy to get in bed with!" He immediately turned beet red and the rest of just couldn't stop laughing. It took her a few seconds to realize what she had just said but when she did, she couldn't stop laughing either.
It turned out to be "the best dressing change she'd ever had, and it didn't even hurt." They say that laughter is the best medicine!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Rice Krispie Bricks
If you know me well or if you have ever read the very first entry of this blog then you might already know what this about; if not I'll attempt to fill you in.
Several years ago in sleep deprived state I asked my friend Angela, "What are your rice crispies saying to you?" It became code for, "What's God doing in your life?" We've been sharing little tidbits of encouragement/testimonies even since and others have joined in! On day I came home to a package on my doorstep, inside... a giant rice crispie brick from a friend in Oklahoma! ;)
This last week I found myself once again the recipient of a rice crispie brick, only figuratively this time... I was blessed to indirectly be a part of something awesome, a gift that blessed and fulfilled the desire of a wonderful dear lady's heart.
I read her message in response to the gift on a day that was especially exhausting. I had worked all night at the hospital and then taught class in the morning and was getting ready to work night shift at the hospital again... As I was on the bus on my way to work that night I remember thinking, "I have no idea how I'm going to make it through tonight. This is almost (but only almost) an emergency." As I was walking up the stairs my unit on the the fifth floor I remembered what was said in the message from my friend, "God cares about the desires the of our hearts, He knows exactly what we need and is faithful to provide it." I prayed a little a prayer, "God I know that you will get me through this shift somehow." When I opened the door to my unit and saw the charge nurse at the desk the first thing she said was, "Would you like to go home on standby?" Praise the Lord!!!
My switch to day shift comes in March but with it I will also lose my shift differential and a significant chunk of my income. With raises being held and the economy what it is, I must say this makes me a little nervous. However, I think it's the right thing to do for health and sanity in general. Once again I was met with a rice crispie brick. My sister called with "exciting news about mortgage rates" and I was able to refinance the house at a much lower interest rate and save several hundred dollars a month. God is so good!
Several years ago in sleep deprived state I asked my friend Angela, "What are your rice crispies saying to you?" It became code for, "What's God doing in your life?" We've been sharing little tidbits of encouragement/testimonies even since and others have joined in! On day I came home to a package on my doorstep, inside... a giant rice crispie brick from a friend in Oklahoma! ;)
This last week I found myself once again the recipient of a rice crispie brick, only figuratively this time... I was blessed to indirectly be a part of something awesome, a gift that blessed and fulfilled the desire of a wonderful dear lady's heart.
I read her message in response to the gift on a day that was especially exhausting. I had worked all night at the hospital and then taught class in the morning and was getting ready to work night shift at the hospital again... As I was on the bus on my way to work that night I remember thinking, "I have no idea how I'm going to make it through tonight. This is almost (but only almost) an emergency." As I was walking up the stairs my unit on the the fifth floor I remembered what was said in the message from my friend, "God cares about the desires the of our hearts, He knows exactly what we need and is faithful to provide it." I prayed a little a prayer, "God I know that you will get me through this shift somehow." When I opened the door to my unit and saw the charge nurse at the desk the first thing she said was, "Would you like to go home on standby?" Praise the Lord!!!
My switch to day shift comes in March but with it I will also lose my shift differential and a significant chunk of my income. With raises being held and the economy what it is, I must say this makes me a little nervous. However, I think it's the right thing to do for health and sanity in general. Once again I was met with a rice crispie brick. My sister called with "exciting news about mortgage rates" and I was able to refinance the house at a much lower interest rate and save several hundred dollars a month. God is so good!
Monday, January 26, 2009
I'm Back!!!
Hello dear readers, I'm back. Ever since the heavy snow fall around Christmastime I've had trouble with my internet connection. After several weeks of trying just about everything, my sister finally fixed my connnection by disconnecting my wireless router completely and connecting my computer with a 50 foot ethernet cable.
Here's the update:
I put in request to change to day shift at the hospital after 10 years of working nights. It was granted! I will now rotate between working days and nights with the option of working mostly days. Hmm... I wonder how this will impact life in general.
I heard back from my friends Carlos and Carrie in Mexico City. They said that the Mexican Red Cross as well as other groups we have been working with have invited us back. Carlos and Carrie have volunteered to host us again! The hope is to take and alumni/nurse group this summer and deliver some of the medical supplies I've got stored up at the same time. Mexico City here we come!
Here's the update:
I put in request to change to day shift at the hospital after 10 years of working nights. It was granted! I will now rotate between working days and nights with the option of working mostly days. Hmm... I wonder how this will impact life in general.
I heard back from my friends Carlos and Carrie in Mexico City. They said that the Mexican Red Cross as well as other groups we have been working with have invited us back. Carlos and Carrie have volunteered to host us again! The hope is to take and alumni/nurse group this summer and deliver some of the medical supplies I've got stored up at the same time. Mexico City here we come!
Friday, December 26, 2008
A White Christmas
As I was working early Christmas morning I peeked out the window of my patients room and noticed it was raining. YAY, maybe the snow will melt enough so that I can get all the way home and to my sister's house for Christmas!!! Boy, was I ever WRONG... I ended up with about 7 or 8 more inches of snow on top of what I already had and I had to park my car at the bottom of the hill (where it is still stuck). As providence would have it, I happened to see a friend in her truck as I was trudging along the road making my way home, she graciously offered me a ride the rest of the way home.
I napped by my fireplace for a few hours and hitched a ride with Becky, Steve, and the their dog to Sean and Lisa's house. The festivities went as planned (mostly) with the highline being watching my mom try to play guitar hero. What a kick in the pants!
I napped by my fireplace for a few hours and hitched a ride with Becky, Steve, and the their dog to Sean and Lisa's house. The festivities went as planned (mostly) with the highline being watching my mom try to play guitar hero. What a kick in the pants!
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