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

A little more from the mini-apple

Hello hello!

Best wishes to everyone.

I have a few more picture to share from my past visit to Minneapolis. Sitting here in my little nyc apartment I must say I'm a little home-sick for all my friends and family...luckily I only have to wait three more days to see them :)

Above and below are pictures of Braydon and I on our walk home from dinner through Loring Park. The park is just a block away from Braydon's condo and a main part of his (and mine, when I visit!) daily walk to work.

On our last night together we made our favorite dinner...chicken, salad, broccoli and ice cream....I don't think either of us cook a lot when we are alone but we love cooking meals together. Note the beautiful center pieces of roses waiting for me upon my arrival to mn :)

Above mom is giving Bailey his daily facial while watching the vikings game with family and friends.

This is what I miss most about being away from home....my amazing parents, my loving bro, all the wonderful neighbors, the cozy fireplace and a home full of love.

Until next time, love and peace to all!

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"The light of divine wisdom shines in my thoughts and fills me with understanding."

-Silent Unity

Time well spent in to the mini-apple

Good Afternoon!

Greetings from a chilly, blue sky day here in Minneapolis, I'm on my last day of vacation and am off early tomorrow morning for the big apple. As always, I've had a wonderful time in Minneapolis with family and friends. I seem to pack so much into my time here that its almost hard to call it a vacation (just kidding...it has been relaxing too!).

Some of the week's highlights include: going out to dinner at Nami (a sushi restaurant downtown) and Joe's Garage, running around the lakes, spending time with Braydon, watching the vikings game with my family and neighbors (although that may be considered a lowlight...), going to church with Braydon and friends, spending time with neighbors in Braydon's condo, going to a comedy club, playing broomball, watching the ''Hurt Locker'' (although a bit heart-wrenching, I really recommend this movie), having lunch at Baccio's with mom and dad, pursuing Target and Barnes and Noble for hours with mom, scrapbooking, reading my new pathophysiology medical textbooks (did I mention that I'm a nerd....I'm not even in school and I love reading textbooks...), cooking with Braydon and of course relaxing and taking naps during the day.

I feel very fortunate to head back to NYC for four days of work and then hop back on a plane to Minnesota for 9 more days off of work! I'm heading up to Lutsen in two weekends to test out my downhill skiing skills (should be interesting as I am a nordic skier by trade).

I want to share one reflection from this morning before parting ways to go running. Braydon and I are reading a book entitled "The Reason for God;" the author, Tim Keller, is the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian, the church I attend in NYC. He is an amazing scholar, pastor, speaker and man of Christ; I sincerely recommend his book to anyone, skeptic, searcher or believer. I read a passage this morning that has stayed with me and inspired me today, thought I would share with you....

"Why did Jesus die for us? What was Jesus getting out of it? Remember, he already had a community of joy, glory and love. He didn't need us. So what benefit did he derive from this? Not a thing. And that means that when he came into the world and died on the cross to deal with our sins, he was circling and serving us. "I have given them the glory that you gave me" (John 17). He began to do with us what he had been doing with the Father and the Spirit from all eternity. He centers upon us, loving us without benefit from himself."

This passage humbles my heart and inspires me to live a life centered on selfless service of thanksgiving and joy. I hope it provokes some meaning in your heart as well.

Until next time, love, peace and joy to all.

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"To know oneself, is above all, to know what one lacks. It is to measure oneself against the Truth, and not the other way around.

-Flannery O'Connor

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Blood and Bone Marrow

The exit to NYU Medical Center...also happens to be on my favorite running path :)

Greetings everyone!

I'm writing on my day of respite here in nyc; I've worked three nights, had one night off and will commence with another three nights and one day of seminar before leaving for a little (or long...7 days!) vacation home. I was last home about a month and half ago so I am looking forward to catching up with family and friends.

This post will be my public service announcement entitled, "blood and bone marrow." As an oncology and stem cell (bone marrow) transplant nurse, I am constantly exposed to the need for blood and bone marrow donors. It is rare to have a night without a patient receiving some sort of blood product (red blood cells, platelets, plasma). The donated blood is a serious and essential component for sustaining patients' health and life during such an acute illness. I encourage anyone meeting donation requirements to consider giving blood. For more information and to find blood donation locations visit www.redcross.org.

The second component of this post relates to a more invasive form of donation involving the bone marrow. My oncology patients (specifically those with acute leukemias and multiple myeloma) often necessitate a bone marrow transplant to sustain life and overcome illness. Bone marrow can either be transplanted from the patient themselves (autologous transplant) or from an outside donor (allogenic). Similar to blood, bone marrow must be matched before transplant. However, bone marrow goes through a much more rigorous matching process than blood products, this often poses difficulty in finding an appropriate donor. After having a few 'near and dear to me' patients requiring allogenic (from a different person) bone marrow transplants, I am inspired to become a donor. The process involves sending a swab of your cheek (buccal cells) to the National Marrow Donor Program. The buccal cells are tested and logged to be potential donors for people needing a transplant. Since donors must be so closely matched to recipients, often potential donors will not have the opportunity to donate...but it is always worth a try! For more information visit www.marrow.org.

If you are not interested in donating or do not meet requirements, consider volunteering for an organization (you don't have to be a nurse!) or giving a financial donation. Okay, this concludes my public service announcement (I feel like I'm writing a commercial...)

I hope everyone has enjoyed their weekend and has a great start of the week! Love to you.

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"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

-Albert Einstein