September ends

Hey!

Well its a beautiful fall day here in nyc! I can't get over how wonderful the crisp, cool temperatures feel, especially here in the city. I've always been a cold weather girl, so I really appreciate the change of seasons (especially here in the city where it gets soooo hot and sticky in the summer). I always love taking my jackets out of hibernation, making tea to warm me up, putting on a winter hat and watching my breath in the cold air while I run...just a few of life's small little pleasures. I honestly cannot believe that tomorrow is the first day of October, the past three months have literally flown by.

I continue to face a lot of challenges and accomplishments with my work. Not only do I feel challenged by the physical work of the job (just getting everything finished can be hard to do!) but I am constantly faced with a lot of moral and ethical dilemmas...I already feel like I could write a book about all my thoughts and feelings with medical care in general. There are some things I feel are phenomenal about medicine in our country but then there are other things that seem so backwards to me. I won't get into it all here but the past three months have been filled with great learning and eye opening experiences.

I still love working the night shift, its so much more peaceful than the day shift and I am really able to develop intimate bonds with my co-workers and patients. The only downside (and is indicative of any night-shift job) is the whole sleep issue. I am able to sleep during the day but my sleep is usually cut quite short for any number of reasons. I usually have to play 'sleep catch-up' after working a few days in a row. For example, last night I slept for 20 hours...crazy. I also get really confused as to what time of the day or day of the week it actually is. I'll get hungry for a chicken salad at 8am and be ready for coffee and cereal at 11pm... its kind of a crazy life.

I am looking forward to another visit home this weekend. I am so blessed having a mother in the airline industry; I think Braydon and I have her to thank for the success of our long distance relationship :) This weekend is also the Twin Cities Marathon, I am so excited to watch the twenty+ people I know running the 26.2 miles. I definitely miss the running community of St Olaf and Minneapolis so it will be so nice to be back in the midst of it all on Sunday.

Take care everyone!

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Let nothing trouble you

Let nothing frighten you

God alone is unchanging.

Patience obtains everything.

The one who possesses God lacks nothing.

God alone suffices.

-St Teresa of Avila

Another week come and gone!

Hey all!

Well this one time a week updating is something I hope to break soon! Between my internet not working in my new apartment, making a visit home and working quite a bit, I've had trouble finding time to write updates. Besides the lack of internet, my new apartment is working out well and the night shift at work is really great. Every day I meet a new challenge-- whether it is communicating with frustrated or grieving families, not being able to manage a patient's pain, encountering medically acute situations or just not having enough time to do everything--I am learning so much and continue to feel extremely blessed for this opportunity. This past week I started working entirely on my own (no more preceptors/mentors watching over me). It's definitely a feeling of freedom, being able to care for patients in the order and system that best works for me but I am also continually fearful of making a mistake....I find myself being extra thorough and staying late on most days to finish all the work. But this is all part of being a new nurse, the first few months are usually extremely stressful, busy and a bit frightening--the other nurses all agree it gets better with time. I am also forming a lot of great relationships with the other nurses, doctors and medical assistants on the unit. I continue to really enjoy the oncology unit--I am constantly challenged and pushed, but I always leave feeling like I have impacted at least a few lives. For the past three nights I cared for a man with end stage liver cancer, he was going home to hospice care tomorrow; I'll never forget him telling me, "I'll be your angel soon in heaven since you've been my angel here on earth."

Last week a patient and I were watching the sunrise together at 5am (sleep was not happening for him that night), I asked if I could take a picture of his room's window...I've posted it below.

I also have a few more pictures for you to enjoy.....

On my walk to work....

The main room of my apartment

Another view from my bedroom window

I will post again soon but I wish everyone the most health and happiness until then!

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"Mistakes are a fact of life. It's the response to the error that counts." -Nikki Glovanni

Nights and New Apartment

My new room so far--its a little barren for the time being, but works like a charm :)

The view from my window--the empire state building is off to the right.
Mom painting away!

My goodness, my sincere apologies for taking a whole week to update this blog. Between moving, work , no internet and a visit from mom, updating has not been on the forefront of my to-do list. As mentioned before, I just moved to a new apartment and started working nights….two big transitions that, so far, have turned out great.

My new apartment is in a brand new area that I’m continuing to learn and explore. My favorite addition to my New York life is the seaport ‘greenway’ located two blocks from my apartment. The greenway (which should actually be called a ‘waterway’ or something of that nature) is a boardwalk and bike path that runs along the river on the east side of Manhattan. Just about every day I make a visit to the boardwalk for a run. The beauty of the river and all the activity entertains and surprises me. Every run I cross underneath the Queensboro and Brooklyn bridge, see cargo boats cruise by, watch people at the parks and usually catch either the sunrise or sunset over Manhattan. The greenway runs about 3.5 miles south (I have yet to discover where the trail will take me when northbound) and ends at the South Seaport, an out and back run is exactly an hour—perfect for my daily run. Yesterday I took some time to explore the South Seaport, I would describe the area as the ‘Navy Pier’ or ‘Pike Place Market’ of New York City. There are tons of restaurants, bars, shops and vendors; it’s a very bustling and vibrant area that I am so excited to check out further.

Last weekend my mother dearest came for a quick visit to help me move into my new apartment. Words cannot begin to describe my gratitude for her help and company. Although our time together was short, we made a lot of progress painting and cleaning my new room and she mimicked the deliveryman with all the suitcases of goods she brought with her. We also made time for a fabulous dinner at an Indian restaurant called ‘Tabla.’ It was so nice to spend time with my mom; her unconditional love and enduring support mean so much to me—I sincerely hope that I will someday become as caring, selfless, and supportive as her.

Working nights has been great so far; I was definitely nervous about working 12 hour nights as I had never actually stayed up for a whole night in my life! Fortunately I really don’t get tired during the shift and since I’m a pretty good sleeper (as many of you may know…) I

I’ve been starting to build a community here in NYC and have gotten connected with a number of people and places. I am attending Redeemer Church, a Presbyterian church in Manhattan, I became a member of the Oncology Nursing Society and I’ve been volunteering at a homeless shelter’s medical clinic. Also, I’ve been able to develop some great relationships with other nurses at NYU. So all in all, things are starting to settle in place, I still miss many special people from home but am continuing to enjoy the adventures set out for me here in NYC.

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"A gentle breeze blowing in the right direction is better than a pair of oars."

-Canary Island Proverb

Some pictures from the Sarasota Weekend

Here are some pictures from this past weekend, make sure to check out the post below too!

Braydon and I at the wedding

At a pool party
At siesta key--pretty cool sand castle!

Hanging out at the pool

Visiting Great Aunt Nancy and Uncle Mel

Another week come and gone!

Hey hey all!

My goodness, have I been behind on updating this good ol' blog. Everyday this past week I thought to myself, "I need to write in my blog..." then something would come and it would be pushed off for another day. Anyways, I'm sitting in my NYC apartment starting to get all settled in. This past week has been incredibly busy and full of a lot of fun and new adventures. Among the highlights....I went to Florida, moved into my new apartment and started working the night shift.

Last weekend I had the amazing opportunity to travel down to Sarasota, FL for a wedding of Braydon's family friend. Words cannot begin to describe the love and hospitality I felt from his family and all of their friends. It was an absolutely spectacular weekend full of laughs, smiles and great company. I will post some pictures from the weekend once I have the internet up and running on my computer.

My new apartment is in the Gramercy/Lower East Side area of Manhatten, its a very young area with a lot going on! My apartment is a two bedroom that I share with another nurse from NYU. The apartment is a 10 minute walk from work and my bedroom looks out over the Empire State and Chrysler building, its a beautiful view--especially at night when everything is lit up!

Last night was my very first night shift (and very first time staying up for a whole night!). I was a bit nervous beforehand and didn't really know what to expect. Fortunately, my fears did not come true and the night went by very smoothly and was actually quite fun. It was a nice feeling walking home from work ready for a good nap while all the working world was scurrying down the sidewalks and to the subway to start their day.

Well I'm off to bed (for the second time today...) I'll post more later, hope everyone is doing well!

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"Be who you are in every situation."

-Michael Johnson