L'aventure américaine

I have been reflecting about the last ten of years of my life. They certainly have been eventful. 10 years ago, I was starting the final semester of high school in Muncie. Since then, I have lived in Ohio, Montpellier, Ohio again, Lyon, Colorado, Bloomington, Indianapolis and now Phoenix. That's a fair amount of boxes that I have packed and unpacked. 10 years ago, I was sure that I wanted to be a physician and knew that I would never be a nurse. If I had followed that career, I would only be in my second year of residency and wouldn't have been allowed to be a bum nearly as much as I have been. I would have oodles more student loans than the oodles that I already have. I am glad that I am not a physician. 5 years ago, I planned on living in France after college for several years. I couldn't exactly visualize what I would be doing, but I knew that it would be fantastic, fun and lucrative and I would be very chic. While that fantasy still appeals to me, I now know th...

It was a different Christmas this year, obviously. It was my third Christmas away from home, but the first in which I did not have a solid family or friend base to rely upon. I had thought it was going to be a sad one, but while there were moments of homesickness, the majority of my Christmas day was a wonderful. I woke up with anticipation on Christmas morning and found sunshine streaming into my apartment. Santa had visited both Odie and I and we opened our stockings first thing. After a walk and some coffee, I opened my presents and then made myself a special Christmas omelette. It was a great morning. I later went to a Christmas party. A new nurse that I met in orientation invited me to her house for their Christmas; like me, most of their family was far away (in her case, New York), but her sister and brother were still in Phoenix along with some of their coworkers, friends and partners. It was an eclectic group, but a fun one, and I passed a very enjoyable evening with the...

My sewing practice has taken a vacation due to, um, a move to Phoenix and a new job. But, after receiving a beginner sewing book from my brother, I decided to pick up my art again. So, last night I played on the sewing machine. I started by reintroducing myself and trying not to break anything. And being a sewing prodigy, today I started (and finished) my first project. I was on a deadline because Santa comes on Thursday night and I want to make sure that my pretty little Odie gets something because he's been a very good boy this year. However, there were no patterns in my book for pet stocking and I was too lazy to look it up on the internet, so I designed my own. And here it is... in all of its 6 inch long glory. At a later date, I may embroider Odie's name on the stocking, but this'll do for now. I think that Santa will know whose is whose (if only because I have bigger feet).

Well, I was home. I ate. I played. I put up Christmas decorations. I enjoyed my family. And I returned. This afternoon I picked up Odie and reassured him that I missed him very much. Which is true. In addition, today I placed a nasogastric tube, did two dressing changes, started some emergency D5, and hung a heparin drip. Of course, all of these procedures were on manikins in the simulation lab, but I was successful, nonetheless. However, I am still missing my home a bit and who in particular? The cutest and best baby ever. And I am totally his favorite aunt.

I know, I know, I have hardly been in Phoenix. Do I merit a vacation yet? The answer is a resounding no... mainly given by my credit card... but, I'm going anyway. In four days I plan on eating an inordinate amount of cookies, macaroni and cheese, consuming a few gin and tonics, and soaking up family time to the maximum. But, mainly, I will dote on my nephew and will try to finagle my way into the favorite category. I know that 8 month olds are very selective in their core circle of friends, but I am determined to be in with Daniel Thomas. Happy early Christmas!

Having a job is not easy. You have to get up early. You have to take a shower. You have to eat at regular times. You have to drive to work (in Phoenix, anyway). All of these things require some effort. So, I'm exhausted. I haven't written this week because I've been introduced-out. I have met new nurses who are also on orientation; I have met the managers and other workers on my unit; I have met some women in a new women's group that I joined; I have met some new men and women in a young professionals group that I joined; I have gone to the Unitarian Church and met some members there. So, I'm exhausted. It's been a good week. People are nice. Phoenix is pretty. (Sorry, I just wanted to use some inane adjectives.) My update will not really tell you about my work yet because I haven't worked on the unit. But, from what I've gathered during orientation, Banner Good Sam is a great place to work, consistently rated as one of the top places of empl...

Yeesh. I cringe when I type that. However, at long last, I can say, "I'm going to work tomorrow." It's my first day of orientation at Banner Good Sam and I am nervous, but ready. Of course, I won't know much aside from hospital policies at the end of the day, but it will be a good start. It will be good to set my alarm, to get my coffee pot ready, to set aside the paperwork I need. It will be good to listen to NPR on the way to work, to wear business casual, and most importantly, to clock in! So. Day 1 at Good Sam. Tomorrow. (Oh and don't fret... Odie's reservation is already made at Doggy Day Camp for tomorrow!)

I don't even know what to address since I have had so many exciting things occur lately. 1) I know that you were all dying to know what happened at the PetsHotel. Well, Odie was the coolest kid in school and his Pawgress report was stellar. 2) Odie and my aunt's 9 month old dog did not get along and had to be separated for the entire Thanksgiving holiday. I am beginning to thing that the Pawgress report is just a ploy to get me to go back and pay for more services. 3) I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family from the West. A bit smaller than I am used to, but quite delicious and laughter-filled and even included a Charades game! (I used the traditional stumper: The Audacity of Hope) 4) I went shopping on Black Friday and arrived at Target at 5am. 5) The television that I wanted was sold-out at 5:15am. 6) I bought a more expensive TV at Sears at 6am. 7) I returned the TV because it was too expensive the next day, deeming me a total Black Friday failure. 8) I got a 12 p...