Skating, smiles and snoozes

Greetings!

Wow, its been a while since I last updated, once again the past few weeks have flown by and swept me away with it. On my last post we were in the middle of a snowstorm, fortunately it only lasted a day and actually brought beautiful weather with it afterwards. I just got off a plane from Minneapolis and am once again gearing up for another few days at work. The next week should be a nice break from my previous stretch of working 6 out of 7 days, this time around I have a few observational experiences, days off and seminars in the mix. A week from this coming Friday I'm heading to Florida to visit Braydon's parents and grandfather, I am counting down the days until the beach, warmth and time with family.

My past time at home was wonderful, as always. It was a shorter trip, spanning about three days, but I seemed to pack in just as much as usual. Among the highlights....celebrating my dad's 58th birthday with a wonderful surf and turf fare, watching the olympics, skating with my dad, bailey and braydon (see pictures below), going to church, running around the lakes with Britt and Annie (we did 12 miles yesterday--just like the good old days!), eating at a great Indian restaurant with my dad (called Chin Dian Cafe in Northeast Minneapolis--I highly recommend it), meeting Braydon at work for lunch, and of course relaxing and napping too!

As many people know, one of the things I miss the absolute most from home are my animals. I have this great love for my three pets and I dearly miss them here in new york city. So I've dedicated a few pictures to those lovely creatures...above you can see Biggles and Gus cuddling, below are many pictures of my family's golden retriever, Bailey.

Bailey was soo excited to be out on the ice, chasing pucks and sliding around. I call him an 'old man' but he definitely showed us his younger side that day! Speaking of young, look at my dad--on the 30 anniversary of the 'Miracle on Ice,' he showed us that he still has the skills Herb Brooks (and many others) taught him a few moons ago.

The past three years have slowly but surely converted Braydon from a Southern, Virginia boy to a winter-loving, ice-skating Minnesotan man.

Wow, what great pictures and great memories. There are many things I miss about Minnesota, but the authentic, traditional winter must be towards the top of the list. Call my crazy but I love it when the wind bites my lip, the ground crackles under my feet, the cold freezes the outdoors, and the snow transforms the world into a great playground.

Love, peace and joy.

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"If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people."

-Thich Nhat Hahn

Snowmageden

I hope everyone is surviving the snowmageden (that’s what the weather man used to refer to the recent snowy weather). Above is a current picture of the snow outside my window, luckily I'm all cozied up in my room: heat on, candles on, oven on, smile on. Yesterday I made it out on the last airplane to NYC from Minneapolis (I think for a few days due to the snow!). I was bummed to leave Minnesota a few days early but glad to make it back to work on time. Apparently the news anchor said that today is the worst day of the year (so far) for airplane travel!

On Sunday I returned from a weekend in Lutsen, Minnesota (a Northern Minnesota town that hugs Lake Superior and has some of Minnesota’s largest ‘hills’). Eight of us headed up to a villa that sits on Lake Superior. We downhill skied, Nordic skied, snowboarded, played charades, laughed, and had a great time together. I’ve posted some pictures from the weekend.

View from the gondola

Braydon before our first downhill run, ''on top of the world''

The two of us

Me nordic skiing

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"A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow."

-Danish Proverb

Where I am and Where I am Going

My mom often jokes with me saying, "Jenna, you want everything wrapped up tied in a bow." I'm not a person who loves surprises nor thrives on spontaneity. I'm a 'planner' by nature and am often dreaming about the next step ahead of me. I'd love to share a few thoughts on what excites me about the future and road of possibilities. I love my job at NYU; it is providing me with a premiere educational experience as a brand new RN. I am constantly learning and have copious support from the administration, faculty and senior nurses. As previously mentioned I began a one year "Nurse Residency" program in July of last year. The program is designed to provide new nurses with a thorough orientation to the profession through ample resources, seminars and classes throughout the first year. The program allows new nurses to work independently, carry a full of load patients and be autonomous while providing extra support a long the way. At the end of July I have the opportunity to attain a promotion at NYU or move to a new hospital with a valuable year of experience under my belt. I have made no definite decisions but can say I certainly miss Minnesota nice and all my friends and family. I have full intentions to continue oncology nursing in the future; it is truly where my heart and passion lie. Someday I hope to intertwine my love for oncology with other specialties including pediatric oncology, hospice nursing, and graduate school in nursing education. The nursing profession provides so many career paths that are easily tailored to a nurse's stage of life, personality and dreams. I hope to continue oncology 'floor' nursing (working on a hospital unit) for a few more years; I still have so much to learn and grow. But after that time I am excited to pursue other professional options. The past six months have also opened my eyes to a wide range of social justice issues within the medical field. Specifically I am interested in advocating for advance care directive education (living wills), improved doctor to patient communication, preventative medicine and the promotion of death with dignity. I hope to spread awareness of these issues on both a professional and personal level. So in response to my mother's comment...here is my one example where things are not so tightly wrapped up in a pretty bow; while I have a general direction for my future, there are still many uncertainties and possibilities. To say the least, I'm anxious to find my way on a journey that isn't perfectly planned but nonetheless I'm excited to continue a life of promise and fulfillment.

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"Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work."

-William Arthur Ward