Right now we are waiting for our bus to come take us to the airport (Brett is smaking mosquiotos next to my head as we speak). Today we are flying back to Bangkok for an eventful day of speed tourism of the Wats (Buddist Temples) the Tiger Zoo and a evening at the famous night markets of Bangkok and tomorrow morning we fly from Bangkok to San Francisco. It's going to be weird to be home, it feels like it's been a long time since we've been gone.
Yesterday we took a speed boat (instead of a longtail, as I am sure if we attempted to take a longtail boat we would have capsized) to the Archipelgo Samui Marine Park. We snorkeled and kayaked, had lunch and then we went to a lagoon - it was beatamous.
We have have made lots of lasting memories and had an amazing time, also a few mosquito bites, but all worth it in the end :)
See you back in the States :)
December 29, 2009
December 27, 2009
They are STILL playing Christmas music in Thailand!!!!!
It's the evening of the 27h - I am about to convince Brett that we should extend our stay for approximently three more days (he is walking up now from taking a restroom break).
Today we are in Koh Samui - We rented a moterbike on our second day and drove around the entire Islan 15 miles wide 13 miles long - SO MUCH FUN! SCARY really - we tried to rent two moterbikes- but the hotel only had one so I rode on the back (scary!!!)! Take Bangkok (which is INSANITY ON WHEELS), and put in on the road of Koh Samui. It's really a shame that they have cars on this Island. Ko Phi Phi and Rai Lay Bay, the two Islands we were at before this one, only had long tail boats - so Brett and I really agreed that it really makes for a different atmosphere... for whatever reason - it just does.
Honestly, we are having the TIME of our lives!! We are realizing this Christmas (it's been three days of Christmas - Christmas Eve is a huge celebration here, then we had Christmas day, then it was Christmas again back home, so that makes three) that we are SO blessed to have the freedom to take these trips and have the families that love us (and miss us and we miss them A LOT TOO) that have given us the courage to take this journey(s)! This has honestly been a trip of a lifetime!!!
Brett just told me to wrap it up. I was just trying to say that we are blessed, and SO happy! And in three weeks, I start nursing school, and without Brett it would have been impossible(who is literally yawnging right now...)ok I am rambling...
We are having a wonderful time - I was just trying to say that after my car accident, I would have never imagined in my WILDEST OF WILDEST OF DREAMS that I would marry the Man of my dreams and be able to travel the world with him. Also, he has really been the wind beneath my wings that carried me to quit my job, take some bootleg prereqs to apply for Nursing schhol, and support me to get into nursing school, both monitarily and emotionally (it's emotional people)!
Tomorrow we are off to the Similian Islands, where there are 80 Islands and Mangroves. It's a natural marine park that has been wardened off by the Thai government so the Thai people are not allowed to build on it. The beauty to be had we're sure will be amazing!
With Love
B&G
Today we are in Koh Samui - We rented a moterbike on our second day and drove around the entire Islan 15 miles wide 13 miles long - SO MUCH FUN! SCARY really - we tried to rent two moterbikes- but the hotel only had one so I rode on the back (scary!!!)! Take Bangkok (which is INSANITY ON WHEELS), and put in on the road of Koh Samui. It's really a shame that they have cars on this Island. Ko Phi Phi and Rai Lay Bay, the two Islands we were at before this one, only had long tail boats - so Brett and I really agreed that it really makes for a different atmosphere... for whatever reason - it just does.
Honestly, we are having the TIME of our lives!! We are realizing this Christmas (it's been three days of Christmas - Christmas Eve is a huge celebration here, then we had Christmas day, then it was Christmas again back home, so that makes three) that we are SO blessed to have the freedom to take these trips and have the families that love us (and miss us and we miss them A LOT TOO) that have given us the courage to take this journey(s)! This has honestly been a trip of a lifetime!!!
Brett just told me to wrap it up. I was just trying to say that we are blessed, and SO happy! And in three weeks, I start nursing school, and without Brett it would have been impossible(who is literally yawnging right now...)ok I am rambling...
We are having a wonderful time - I was just trying to say that after my car accident, I would have never imagined in my WILDEST OF WILDEST OF DREAMS that I would marry the Man of my dreams and be able to travel the world with him. Also, he has really been the wind beneath my wings that carried me to quit my job, take some bootleg prereqs to apply for Nursing schhol, and support me to get into nursing school, both monitarily and emotionally (it's emotional people)!
Tomorrow we are off to the Similian Islands, where there are 80 Islands and Mangroves. It's a natural marine park that has been wardened off by the Thai government so the Thai people are not allowed to build on it. The beauty to be had we're sure will be amazing!
With Love
B&G
December 23, 2009
Merry Christmas Eve
This morning Brett and I awoke to the beautiful limestone cliffs of Railay Bay. Its VERY funny to hear the Christmas songs in 90 degree weather, but we're adjusting.
Yesterday we kayaked around Ton Sai Bay and Railey Bay through limestone caves and crossed open water in the "Oshi" as Brett would call it - which was not NEARLY as scary or traumatizing as our venture out to Ko Phi Phi ley (see previous blog). The water has erroded the cliffs and there are caves and tunnels to kayak through :) Very neat!
The water and beaches here are truely amazing here, heavenly really. It's crazy to think that if it wasnt for tourism, that many of these place would never been seen. The Thai people are very nice, def slower and more relaxed than us Americans. Brett and I are close to the only Americans here... there are mostly Europeans here. You learn a lot about your own culture when you are surrounded by another culture or other people from other cultures.
Yesterday at Sunset, Brett and I went into the water. Our hotel is situated between two GIANT limestone cliffs that some people attempt to rock climb, that which we will not be doing. Anyway, as we were playing in the water, and giant fish the size of water bottle that skids along the ocean floor called a slug fish scurried under Bretts foot... it was pretty funny!
We're off to Koh Samui by a slew of transportations vehiles - by longtail boat, by safari bus to a A/C Bus to ANOTHER A/C Bus to a giant ferry boat to Koh Samui. It should take about 5-6 hours to get accross Thailand and we'll arrive in the later afternoon of the 26th (the 25th there in the States).
Happy Trails!
Yesterday we kayaked around Ton Sai Bay and Railey Bay through limestone caves and crossed open water in the "Oshi" as Brett would call it - which was not NEARLY as scary or traumatizing as our venture out to Ko Phi Phi ley (see previous blog). The water has erroded the cliffs and there are caves and tunnels to kayak through :) Very neat!
The water and beaches here are truely amazing here, heavenly really. It's crazy to think that if it wasnt for tourism, that many of these place would never been seen. The Thai people are very nice, def slower and more relaxed than us Americans. Brett and I are close to the only Americans here... there are mostly Europeans here. You learn a lot about your own culture when you are surrounded by another culture or other people from other cultures.
Yesterday at Sunset, Brett and I went into the water. Our hotel is situated between two GIANT limestone cliffs that some people attempt to rock climb, that which we will not be doing. Anyway, as we were playing in the water, and giant fish the size of water bottle that skids along the ocean floor called a slug fish scurried under Bretts foot... it was pretty funny!
We're off to Koh Samui by a slew of transportations vehiles - by longtail boat, by safari bus to a A/C Bus to ANOTHER A/C Bus to a giant ferry boat to Koh Samui. It should take about 5-6 hours to get accross Thailand and we'll arrive in the later afternoon of the 26th (the 25th there in the States).
Happy Trails!
December 21, 2009
No Brett honestly... hand me the life vest!
So today is our third day on Ko Phi Phi, which is an Island that is approximately a 90 minute ferry ride from Phuket. Since we've been planning our trip, the ONLY thing I've HAD to do in Ko Phi Phi is visit it's sister Island Ko Phi Phi Ley to see Maya Bay (where they filmed "The Beach" with Leonardo DeCaprio) and Monkey Beach. As a bit of background, Brett is def more the type that would just like to chill and read his book on the beach with the local Singha beer and I tend to enjoy going going going and doing doing doing - so I've been begging him EVER since we got here three days ago to do this tour - today he finally gave in.
Last night when we went to bed the weather began to get a bit tumultuous. Today, a bit overcast, we woke up and and asked the locals if it was safe to go. Laughing behind our back, they told us it was SAFE to go. Ko Phi Phi Ley is about a couple miles off shore. We decided to take a private tour on a long tail boat which is pretty much a row boat with a car engine strapped on the back and a drive shaft in the water connected to a propellor INSTEAD of a speed boat (my choice).
As SOON as we get out of our safe little bay seven foot waves began coming in endless sets. Brett and I both got quiet occassionally attempting to distract ourselves with "Wow that limestone cliff looks pretty... " or "we're halfway there..." That was nothing... the ride back was death by longtail boat.
Half way through the return trip, I started looking for a life vest I honest to God thought we were going to capsize and never be seen again. Honest to God, Brett was gripping the rusty Hepatitis B cage that was handmade connected to the longtail boat and I was shaking so much, but it could have been the vibrations from the car engine strapped to the back of the boat. At one point, "The Captain" had Brett and I shift our weight to the other side of the boat so we wouldn't get crushed by the next set of waves. Before we know it, we look up and we're about 10 yards from a GIANT LIMESTONE CLIFF that any second, another huge set of waves would crush us into. "The Captain" masterfully hit the nas and goosed it out of danger. Somewhere in there I started grabbing life vests... why we didn't have them on during the voyage there or returning God only knows...
Later we pulled up to Monkey Beach and there were no Monkeys. But thank goodness we snokeled in Maya Bay and it was amazing - just like being in a aquarium! At least we got good laughs out of it and our lives were spared.
Tomorrow we are off to Krabi for Christmas then to Ko Samui... then our journey home!
Last night when we went to bed the weather began to get a bit tumultuous. Today, a bit overcast, we woke up and and asked the locals if it was safe to go. Laughing behind our back, they told us it was SAFE to go. Ko Phi Phi Ley is about a couple miles off shore. We decided to take a private tour on a long tail boat which is pretty much a row boat with a car engine strapped on the back and a drive shaft in the water connected to a propellor INSTEAD of a speed boat (my choice).
As SOON as we get out of our safe little bay seven foot waves began coming in endless sets. Brett and I both got quiet occassionally attempting to distract ourselves with "Wow that limestone cliff looks pretty... " or "we're halfway there..." That was nothing... the ride back was death by longtail boat.
Half way through the return trip, I started looking for a life vest I honest to God thought we were going to capsize and never be seen again. Honest to God, Brett was gripping the rusty Hepatitis B cage that was handmade connected to the longtail boat and I was shaking so much, but it could have been the vibrations from the car engine strapped to the back of the boat. At one point, "The Captain" had Brett and I shift our weight to the other side of the boat so we wouldn't get crushed by the next set of waves. Before we know it, we look up and we're about 10 yards from a GIANT LIMESTONE CLIFF that any second, another huge set of waves would crush us into. "The Captain" masterfully hit the nas and goosed it out of danger. Somewhere in there I started grabbing life vests... why we didn't have them on during the voyage there or returning God only knows...
Later we pulled up to Monkey Beach and there were no Monkeys. But thank goodness we snokeled in Maya Bay and it was amazing - just like being in a aquarium! At least we got good laughs out of it and our lives were spared.
Tomorrow we are off to Krabi for Christmas then to Ko Samui... then our journey home!
December 17, 2009
We're blogging from Thailand!
Hello!
We've done so much in the past week, literally taken 7 flights in 7 days if you count our connecting flights! We've been delayed on one flight in Xian, had to miss our connecting flight to Bangkok, and ended up staying the night in Xian (unplanned) and arrived to Bangkok a day late. We also nearly missed our connecting flight between Ghanzhou to Bangkok and were stopped by the police for running in the airport...
Today we had the time of our lives today riding the Elephants and feeding the monkeys - it was UNREAL! We've seen the city of Beijing, the Olymipic Arena Area in Beijing (The Cube and Birds Nest) we've walked along the Great Wall of China seen the Terracota Warriors, Forbidden City and the list goes on. In Xian we had ended up in a Traditional Chinese Restaurant (which Brett had just mentioned a few nights prior that he wanted to "experience") and BOY DID WE EXPERIENCE! We (I Brett says) might have eaten Snake. I also proclaimed that I had the WORST car ride of my life returning home from the Great Wall (our driver nearly fell asleep every 5 minutes and would only wake up to the sound of other car horns and road bumps). Off to explore the many wonders of Bangkok, tomorrow a flight to Phuket to start our Island Adventure!
We've done so much in the past week, literally taken 7 flights in 7 days if you count our connecting flights! We've been delayed on one flight in Xian, had to miss our connecting flight to Bangkok, and ended up staying the night in Xian (unplanned) and arrived to Bangkok a day late. We also nearly missed our connecting flight between Ghanzhou to Bangkok and were stopped by the police for running in the airport...
Today we had the time of our lives today riding the Elephants and feeding the monkeys - it was UNREAL! We've seen the city of Beijing, the Olymipic Arena Area in Beijing (The Cube and Birds Nest) we've walked along the Great Wall of China seen the Terracota Warriors, Forbidden City and the list goes on. In Xian we had ended up in a Traditional Chinese Restaurant (which Brett had just mentioned a few nights prior that he wanted to "experience") and BOY DID WE EXPERIENCE! We (I Brett says) might have eaten Snake. I also proclaimed that I had the WORST car ride of my life returning home from the Great Wall (our driver nearly fell asleep every 5 minutes and would only wake up to the sound of other car horns and road bumps). Off to explore the many wonders of Bangkok, tomorrow a flight to Phuket to start our Island Adventure!
December 8, 2009
IT"S OFFICIAL!
I've been accepted to the Masters program at USF for the January 25th start term! I am so honored and excited and in shock. I just can't believe my dreams keep coming true. There were 224 applicants and approximently 30-35 people get in! Megan McDrew, the admissions counselor called me today to inform me that I have been accepted! She told me that I should be very honored (which clearly I am, have I told you that I am honored) and that it is a very competitive program (which I assumed when I was waitlisted). I replied by telling her she has no idea what this means to me, and that I am very honored! It's official... I've been accepted to nursing school !!!
Nurse to be Gina Marie's future title will read:
Gina M. Cummings, MSN, CNL , RN, CPA
Nurse to be Gina Marie's future title will read:
Gina M. Cummings, MSN, CNL , RN, CPA
December 7, 2009
I didn't know chocolate could burn... and catch on fire!
Well, it can... in the mircowave. It smokes and smells really bad....
December 6, 2009
The first hiccup in our trip to China
Brett and I started making a list of items we needed to get before our trip... and we were double checking our immunizations that are necessary and visa requirements for China and Thailand...
We need Visas for China ... could have SWORN I read somewhere that they are not necessary for United States citizens, but guess I read wrong. We're ok, we'll just have to pay out the you know what for same day service tomorrow but thank GOD Brett checked, because we almost didn't double check my dumb butt. I am not sure how that would have worked out. Anyway, I said to Brett "why don't you just double check me...." I think he's rethinking his marriage proposal to me right now ... seriously. He just told me he forgives me. I told him that I am here to help. On some of our other trips, like Rio de Janiero and Europe (not Tahiti so much, well I guess so, since he surprised me) I usually leave everything up to Brett. He is responsibile for the passports, money belt, etc, maybe that's for a good reason considering I can't even get it right it we need a Visa to get into a Country. He's clearly way more on top of it than I am, so usually I just sorta check out and "show up." I told him I really want to help this time, and be a team. That we're on the same page (maybe two different books) but we're both on page number 1... he said maybe we're in the same book but different pages - hmmm that's a head scratcher.
We leave this Friday. We take off at noon and land at 10:45pm on Saturday - so we lose a whole day. When we return we take off on the 31st at 8:30am and land at 8:00am in SF on the 31st, that will be wild. We plan on signing into some internet cafes while over there and plan on blogging a little. :) Hope you can follow our quest!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
XOXO
Gina (& Brett)
We need Visas for China ... could have SWORN I read somewhere that they are not necessary for United States citizens, but guess I read wrong. We're ok, we'll just have to pay out the you know what for same day service tomorrow but thank GOD Brett checked, because we almost didn't double check my dumb butt. I am not sure how that would have worked out. Anyway, I said to Brett "why don't you just double check me...." I think he's rethinking his marriage proposal to me right now ... seriously. He just told me he forgives me. I told him that I am here to help. On some of our other trips, like Rio de Janiero and Europe (not Tahiti so much, well I guess so, since he surprised me) I usually leave everything up to Brett. He is responsibile for the passports, money belt, etc, maybe that's for a good reason considering I can't even get it right it we need a Visa to get into a Country. He's clearly way more on top of it than I am, so usually I just sorta check out and "show up." I told him I really want to help this time, and be a team. That we're on the same page (maybe two different books) but we're both on page number 1... he said maybe we're in the same book but different pages - hmmm that's a head scratcher.
We leave this Friday. We take off at noon and land at 10:45pm on Saturday - so we lose a whole day. When we return we take off on the 31st at 8:30am and land at 8:00am in SF on the 31st, that will be wild. We plan on signing into some internet cafes while over there and plan on blogging a little. :) Hope you can follow our quest!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
XOXO
Gina (& Brett)
December 5, 2009
FYI...
I wrote a letter to the Dean of the School of Nursing at USF letting her know that I still have continued interest in the program and that I am honored and excited to be waitlisted. We couriered it over to USF yesterday (Friday) as they are reviewing applications this weekend and I should hear back this coming week of the 7th if I am invited to their program that starts January 25th! Keep your fingers crossed and prayers going :)
December 3, 2009
Let the truth of the matter be told.
OK, so honestly, worst anxiety of my life. This waiting game that I am playing with these nursing application at USF has got me in over my head filled with anxiety. Honestly... every time my phone rings my heart skips a beat. The waitlisted students should find out the week of December 7th (That's next week!!) via telephone call.I know I will get in someday, and that whatever will be will be what God intends me to do, but FYI I REALLY want to get in! Keep your fingers cross that next week (or this week) I will be able to post on my blog ACCEPTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO MASTERS PROGRAM!
December 1, 2009
That's all she wrote...
Today was my last day for the year volunteering in the ER. The second I walked in a guy was having a heart attack. I watched as all the Nurses and Doctors scurried around him. They didn't have an idenity so he was, as they term a John Doe. Weird, never REALLY thought that actually happened in "real life" but the social worker was at it callling the people who called in his emergency trying to find out information on him.
I am excited for the break. I have two finals coming up, and that's all she wrote for the prereq's! Just waiting, each day checking the mail 4 times a day to see if another letter has come from USF and waiting by the phone for a call and hearing on the other end "Gina, we'd like to invite you to our Master's Program at USF." I imagine myself screaming (if I could, it's probably a good thing that I can't) so I imagine myself replying "I would be honored and would love to."
Brett and I are off to China and Thailand in one week and will be gone for 3 weeks! We leave from SFO on Thursday morning and land on Friday afternoon (yikes!) We have a lay over in Tokyo then we are headed to Beijing. We're in Beijing for a few days where we will see the great Wall and some Giant Buddhas. Brett actually knows a guy from work that is the CEO of a company over in Beifing that they invest in and he has offered his company car to us and private driver/guide for a day. Hopefullly there isn't too much traffic and we can actually get somewhere faster than we could if we were walking. I just imagine the streets crowded, but nonetheless, very generous of him to offer us his services. After Beijing, we are heading down to Xian for a day trip via airplane to see the Terracota Warriors then back to Beijing then to Bangkok. We're staying in Bangkok for three nights and then headed down to Southern Thailand where we are going to fly by the seat of our pants. There are 1,000 of Islands and only two weeks... what will we do with ourselves... I am not sure... and that's the best part!
I am excited for the break. I have two finals coming up, and that's all she wrote for the prereq's! Just waiting, each day checking the mail 4 times a day to see if another letter has come from USF and waiting by the phone for a call and hearing on the other end "Gina, we'd like to invite you to our Master's Program at USF." I imagine myself screaming (if I could, it's probably a good thing that I can't) so I imagine myself replying "I would be honored and would love to."
Brett and I are off to China and Thailand in one week and will be gone for 3 weeks! We leave from SFO on Thursday morning and land on Friday afternoon (yikes!) We have a lay over in Tokyo then we are headed to Beijing. We're in Beijing for a few days where we will see the great Wall and some Giant Buddhas. Brett actually knows a guy from work that is the CEO of a company over in Beifing that they invest in and he has offered his company car to us and private driver/guide for a day. Hopefullly there isn't too much traffic and we can actually get somewhere faster than we could if we were walking. I just imagine the streets crowded, but nonetheless, very generous of him to offer us his services. After Beijing, we are heading down to Xian for a day trip via airplane to see the Terracota Warriors then back to Beijing then to Bangkok. We're staying in Bangkok for three nights and then headed down to Southern Thailand where we are going to fly by the seat of our pants. There are 1,000 of Islands and only two weeks... what will we do with ourselves... I am not sure... and that's the best part!
November 29, 2009
Gina "Betty Crocker" Cummings
Hello One and all...
It's been some time since my last "blog" but I have some news for you!
I am waitlisted at USF for their Master's Program as to get my MSN (Master in Science and Nursing) along with my CNL (Certified Nurse Leader) and my RN (Registered Nurse)!
This wasn't the BEST of news, as the BEST of news would have been that I was accepted, but I should know within the coming weeks if I will be starting January 25th or in May!
Additionally, the second announcement is that I have been baking up a storm! Over the past two weeks I have baked pretty much every week night something new. Brett's coworkers think he is married to Ms. Betty Crocker (that would be weird) but nope... it's just plain ol' me ;) For Thanksgiving I made a strawberry cheesecake and also I baked pecan bars. Both at the same time, it was as if had four arms to go along with my four eyes (take that boys who teased me in fourth grade for having four eyes - now I can bake!)
I must go attend to my own rendition of Banana Walnut Chocolated Chip muffins with coconut (I created the recipe myself) !
It's been some time since my last "blog" but I have some news for you!
I am waitlisted at USF for their Master's Program as to get my MSN (Master in Science and Nursing) along with my CNL (Certified Nurse Leader) and my RN (Registered Nurse)!
This wasn't the BEST of news, as the BEST of news would have been that I was accepted, but I should know within the coming weeks if I will be starting January 25th or in May!
Additionally, the second announcement is that I have been baking up a storm! Over the past two weeks I have baked pretty much every week night something new. Brett's coworkers think he is married to Ms. Betty Crocker (that would be weird) but nope... it's just plain ol' me ;) For Thanksgiving I made a strawberry cheesecake and also I baked pecan bars. Both at the same time, it was as if had four arms to go along with my four eyes (take that boys who teased me in fourth grade for having four eyes - now I can bake!)
I must go attend to my own rendition of Banana Walnut Chocolated Chip muffins with coconut (I created the recipe myself) !
November 11, 2009
Take time to stop and smell the "roses..."
Today I woke up like I do any other day and got in the shower. I was beginning to plan my day in my head and I wanted to make sure I took full advantage of not having school today. Suddenly, as I was standing there, I just said to myself, "Omg! You are married to Brett Cummings....!" I really cannot believe it still, to this day, that I married my first and only true love. I mean, REALLY?!?! We all spend so much time in our lives, making sure we are seizing the day, or making the most of a hard days work, or just enjoying a cooked meal, a sunset, a brisk run as the sun sets... and here I am in a sort of automatic position of happiness.I mean, as if going back to school to be able to seize what I know is my passion as a career isn't enough... I am married to the man of my dreams! How did I get here?!!! A man, who lays down his soul for me every single day of his life (after all he's the one bringing home the "bread" these days). A guy who when you ask him about himself, or how is is doing, or what he is doing... ALWAYS plays down how well he is doing at work and in his personal life with his Triathlons... Did he tell you HE'S SIGNED UP FOR A FULL IRONMAN!" I mean really, who is this guy? The best is when I ask him why he did something, or how something makes him feel, he just looks at me and says. "...because Gina I just want you to be happy." Like I said, the man would lay down his soul for me... I am truely the most blessed and luckiest girl to be alive... and in LOVE!
I guess the morale of this story is... if you don't take time to stop and smell the "roses" it doesn't matter how hard you try to seize the day, you'll miss the scent of life itself.
I guess the morale of this story is... if you don't take time to stop and smell the "roses" it doesn't matter how hard you try to seize the day, you'll miss the scent of life itself.
November 8, 2009
Lion's and Tiger's and Elephants... oh my!
Brett and I are headed to China and Thailand for Christmas/New Years! We debated for months whether or not to go on vacation during this time of year but... we decide to go for it. We just booked all our flights within Thailand and a jungle safari trek on elephants in a national forest which I am uber excited about! We booked most of the major stuff... the great wall excursion and tianaman square, then a short flight within China to Xian to see the Teracotta warriors, then to Bangkok. We'll have two weeks once we are in Thailand to see that vast country and we'll be spending most, if not all of our time in southern Thailand. It will be refreshing to be done with all my prereq's and I should know whether I was accepted to the Master's program at USF and Samuel Merritt by then, so hopefully we'll have a call for celebration. Otherwise, we'll just have to celebrate that we are away from the jungle animals that live above us in our apartment. . . maybe it'll be a babymoon. HA! ;) (It's sweeps week, I have to increase my viewership with slightly truthful comments that add confusion and leave you hanging in bewilderment).
November 5, 2009
"And that's what crack looks like at it's finest hour..."
A patient rolls in on a gurney, reaking of you know what... seizing and moaning and groaning... they put her in her own room, and for good reason. I asked a nurse if she was having a seizure and she says nochalantly ..."nope that's crack at it's finest hour!" Cracked me up... haha! She had sucessfully OD'ed on crack cocaine. Her thoughtful crackhead boyfriend was thoughtful enough to call the police to bring her in, but was no where to be found in the hospital - weird.
On a brighter note (well sorta), I got to watch a plastic surgeon suture back together a girls forehead. She is a denistry student and had a heavy flow and apparently passed out and hit her head on the window sil. She cracked her face all the way to the bone... I got to see her forehead bone and helped assist passing medical utensils to the plastic surgeon. Go figure that a beautiful blond surgeon is stiching back together a injured girls face... I told the girl that I have a scar on my face and you can barely see it, and that it adds character, but in a much "nicer" way. It was insane, she was sticking her with a needle to numb her face like it was nothing. Made me want to be a plastic surgeon but the day I decide to go to school for 17 more years I'll let you know.
On a brighter note (well sorta), I got to watch a plastic surgeon suture back together a girls forehead. She is a denistry student and had a heavy flow and apparently passed out and hit her head on the window sil. She cracked her face all the way to the bone... I got to see her forehead bone and helped assist passing medical utensils to the plastic surgeon. Go figure that a beautiful blond surgeon is stiching back together a injured girls face... I told the girl that I have a scar on my face and you can barely see it, and that it adds character, but in a much "nicer" way. It was insane, she was sticking her with a needle to numb her face like it was nothing. Made me want to be a plastic surgeon but the day I decide to go to school for 17 more years I'll let you know.
November 3, 2009
Do one thing a day that scares you....
I guess in honor of Halloween (although I seem to be three days late, which probably comes as no surprise to most of you) today will be the day that I will do the thing that scares me the most. Cue drum roll...
I am going to... wait wait, let me see if you are scared of the same thing I am scared of. Are you ever afraid to just DO what you are thinking about doing. Well, I know I am, and today, since my calandar is WIDE open except for volunteering for a few short hours, I am going to do whatever it is that my mind tells me to do. If I feel like sending a letter, Ill send a letter. If I feel like updating my calandar that hangs on the wall empty, Ill update my calandar. If I feel like printing some notes out for school, Ill do that. This list really goes on. Sometimes I ignore this list and end up getting lost in my mind or watching TV and what a waste of time, especially on such a beautiful day like this.
So what I am going to do today involves the sort of yes man mentality. Right now I have my classical Jazz on my computer, and I feel like I am in a swanky bar/classy coffee house (are there unclassy ones?) Whatever I think of to do, I am going to do it in that very moment and see what happens... and note how it makes me feel. Hopefully the doctors diagnosis is wrong (she thinks I might have a mild case of ADD) otherwise I will be like one of those "WHO" characters in Dr. Suess book The Cat In The Hat running all over the place breaking things and creating a muk of a mess... I'll let you know how it does.
I am going to... wait wait, let me see if you are scared of the same thing I am scared of. Are you ever afraid to just DO what you are thinking about doing. Well, I know I am, and today, since my calandar is WIDE open except for volunteering for a few short hours, I am going to do whatever it is that my mind tells me to do. If I feel like sending a letter, Ill send a letter. If I feel like updating my calandar that hangs on the wall empty, Ill update my calandar. If I feel like printing some notes out for school, Ill do that. This list really goes on. Sometimes I ignore this list and end up getting lost in my mind or watching TV and what a waste of time, especially on such a beautiful day like this.
So what I am going to do today involves the sort of yes man mentality. Right now I have my classical Jazz on my computer, and I feel like I am in a swanky bar/classy coffee house (are there unclassy ones?) Whatever I think of to do, I am going to do it in that very moment and see what happens... and note how it makes me feel. Hopefully the doctors diagnosis is wrong (she thinks I might have a mild case of ADD) otherwise I will be like one of those "WHO" characters in Dr. Suess book The Cat In The Hat running all over the place breaking things and creating a muk of a mess... I'll let you know how it does.
October 27, 2009
I would call my movie "The Serendipitious Quest"
As I sit here on Polk Street in San Francisco, I am reminded of why my life is so beautiful. For one thing, the guy behind me agrees completely. I can hear his camera as he is photographing people as they walk by and the sights and sounds (actually he's moved and now he is taking pictures of me as I blog... Is this out of a movie or what??!!)
Since the day I've quit PwC, I've dreamed of what I am doing right now... sitting in Starbucks, sipping my fruffy mocha latte watching as the individuals of the world pass me by and blogging (I am sure Brett's gonna be happy too that I spend 3.99 on a internet connection when we have internet at home not to mention the $5 cup of java I just picked up). If you are wondering where Hurley the pomeranian is at, he is busy getting groomed at Bow Wow Meow right accross the street (another expense, or if you know your debits and credits, a credit for which Brett, my endearing Husband reaps no benefit, but a happy wife is a happy family, right girls?). Life is grand! I truely CANNOT believe that I am living the dream!
Today, I have no school, only volunteering for a few hours. I am starting to train new volunteers which is really cool. They shadow me around, and it makes you realize how much you DO know, although I am aware that within the nursing profession, there is still a lot I DON'T know. So, today I am completing my application to Samuel Merritt. I have to write a couple more samples regarding my volunteer experience and community service, so I am planning on over caffinating myself in order to talk about myself and what a wonderful impact I have on the community through the Every 15 mintues program/motivational speaking and about how wonderful my volunteer experience is. Maybe I should just send them the link to my blog ;)
Volunteering has been INSANE lately. I've seen a woman dying, lips turning blue and doctors dicussing how they are going to "let her go." A drunk man screaming to an old insane man in the bed next to him for being too loud - well actually, let me share that story in full.
I am sitting with the old man, lets call him Bob. Bob doesn't know where he is. He keeps asking me what he is watching, but infact, he is not watching anything, he is reading the newspaper and you know how when you read a newspaper, sometimes the story is continued on to page A3 or A5 or something, well he can't find page A3. So I show him page A3, mind you, this entire time he is YELLING when he is asking me questions. The drunk in the bed next to us, is seperated only by a curtain. Lets call him Dick. Dick is quick to point out to Bob that Bob doesn't have a door on his room, that there is only a curtain, and therefore EVERYONE can hear Bob yelling. I calmly leave Bob, as my 20th time explaining to Bob that the story is continued on to page A3 seems to have no impact on his emotional state. Additionally, I have a hard time explaining to Bob when he asked what it means to follow "Inglorious Bastards on Twitter" and what Twitter is (it was hysterical, but I did not laugh). As I am passing by Dick's bed, I hear "excuse me Miss..." I think to myself, Oh dear God , here it comes....
Dick explains to me that he is detoxing (as if I could not tell from the smell emminating from his bedside) and that he is very thirsty and emotional (as you will see in a second). I explain to him that I am a volunteer and I'd love to provide him with some water but I'll need to check with his nurse first. Here it comes... are you ready? Dicks asks me, "Why are you whispering." I quickly and politely explain that I was in a car accident and this is my voice. Dick starts crying. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry... I am just so emotional right now, I am detoxing ectera ectera." For those of you that know me, I say ectera ectera not because I don't have any sympathy for this man who is in a very uncomfortable state, I just have no doubt that he is probably wasted again at this very moment as we speak, tis the life of an alcoholic. But it did make me question our ability as emotionally stable human beings to supress those severely empathetic feelings we have towards other peoples life's tradegy's to avoid the emotional trauma Dick was undergoing. It was really an emotional whirlwind and pure comedy for the volunteer who was shadowing me and the other two patients in this section of the ER.
Catherine got married in San Diego over the weekend and we had a wonderful time. Lots of laughter and Brett and Romy got lots of man time with Reagan. A lady in the elevator, when it was just Romy, Brett and Reagan said "Oh I think it's so great what you two are doing," implying that they were homosexual life partners.... hysterical (again out of a movie... if you are a movie producer and looking to make a movie, comment on my blog, I've got PLENTY of material....)
That's it for now, I know I haven't blogged in sometime a few weeks but I promise to be better about it... Thanks for reading friends!
Since the day I've quit PwC, I've dreamed of what I am doing right now... sitting in Starbucks, sipping my fruffy mocha latte watching as the individuals of the world pass me by and blogging (I am sure Brett's gonna be happy too that I spend 3.99 on a internet connection when we have internet at home not to mention the $5 cup of java I just picked up). If you are wondering where Hurley the pomeranian is at, he is busy getting groomed at Bow Wow Meow right accross the street (another expense, or if you know your debits and credits, a credit for which Brett, my endearing Husband reaps no benefit, but a happy wife is a happy family, right girls?). Life is grand! I truely CANNOT believe that I am living the dream!
Today, I have no school, only volunteering for a few hours. I am starting to train new volunteers which is really cool. They shadow me around, and it makes you realize how much you DO know, although I am aware that within the nursing profession, there is still a lot I DON'T know. So, today I am completing my application to Samuel Merritt. I have to write a couple more samples regarding my volunteer experience and community service, so I am planning on over caffinating myself in order to talk about myself and what a wonderful impact I have on the community through the Every 15 mintues program/motivational speaking and about how wonderful my volunteer experience is. Maybe I should just send them the link to my blog ;)
Volunteering has been INSANE lately. I've seen a woman dying, lips turning blue and doctors dicussing how they are going to "let her go." A drunk man screaming to an old insane man in the bed next to him for being too loud - well actually, let me share that story in full.
I am sitting with the old man, lets call him Bob. Bob doesn't know where he is. He keeps asking me what he is watching, but infact, he is not watching anything, he is reading the newspaper and you know how when you read a newspaper, sometimes the story is continued on to page A3 or A5 or something, well he can't find page A3. So I show him page A3, mind you, this entire time he is YELLING when he is asking me questions. The drunk in the bed next to us, is seperated only by a curtain. Lets call him Dick. Dick is quick to point out to Bob that Bob doesn't have a door on his room, that there is only a curtain, and therefore EVERYONE can hear Bob yelling. I calmly leave Bob, as my 20th time explaining to Bob that the story is continued on to page A3 seems to have no impact on his emotional state. Additionally, I have a hard time explaining to Bob when he asked what it means to follow "Inglorious Bastards on Twitter" and what Twitter is (it was hysterical, but I did not laugh). As I am passing by Dick's bed, I hear "excuse me Miss..." I think to myself, Oh dear God , here it comes....
Dick explains to me that he is detoxing (as if I could not tell from the smell emminating from his bedside) and that he is very thirsty and emotional (as you will see in a second). I explain to him that I am a volunteer and I'd love to provide him with some water but I'll need to check with his nurse first. Here it comes... are you ready? Dicks asks me, "Why are you whispering." I quickly and politely explain that I was in a car accident and this is my voice. Dick starts crying. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry... I am just so emotional right now, I am detoxing ectera ectera." For those of you that know me, I say ectera ectera not because I don't have any sympathy for this man who is in a very uncomfortable state, I just have no doubt that he is probably wasted again at this very moment as we speak, tis the life of an alcoholic. But it did make me question our ability as emotionally stable human beings to supress those severely empathetic feelings we have towards other peoples life's tradegy's to avoid the emotional trauma Dick was undergoing. It was really an emotional whirlwind and pure comedy for the volunteer who was shadowing me and the other two patients in this section of the ER.
Catherine got married in San Diego over the weekend and we had a wonderful time. Lots of laughter and Brett and Romy got lots of man time with Reagan. A lady in the elevator, when it was just Romy, Brett and Reagan said "Oh I think it's so great what you two are doing," implying that they were homosexual life partners.... hysterical (again out of a movie... if you are a movie producer and looking to make a movie, comment on my blog, I've got PLENTY of material....)
That's it for now, I know I haven't blogged in sometime a few weeks but I promise to be better about it... Thanks for reading friends!
October 6, 2009
Wow, ok - in the order that it happened - today was crazy...
1. I showed up and immediately was asked by one of the nurses to help an old blind man eat his dinner. Apparently he hadn't eaten in two days, lives at home alone and fell this morning so he came in by ambulance. One of the doctors came in and asked him a few questions, one being if he lived alone, and his response was yes, and the doctor asked him how he got around and he told her he uses his vacuum to bump into things to get around. Sad. He was so sweet, he was a little old Mexican man, which a beautiful thick accent, he was so thankful for me to sit with him and help him eat. Lots of "god bless yous" and "what's your name again..."
2. One of the nurses informed me that a man had walked in earlier in the day complaining of chest pain, he was sweating and out of breath. He had a heart attack and coded. They tried to bring him back for an hour, pushing drugs through him and attempting CPR. She told me I could go look at him if I wanted. If I wanted?!?!? She said, yes, he is still in room 5. I never actually walked in, by walking by I could see his body laying there. The idea of living (being born) and dying is crazy, and being there, really makes you realize that you REALLY just need to be happy right where you are when you are there and not to regret any decision you are able to make. Needless to say, the nurses were exhausted. It turned out that the man who passed away was a producer of the new SF show Trauma.
** I wasn't sure if I was going to put this in my blog, but here it goes... in between event #2 & #3 one of the nurses started confiding in me that her and another nurse are not getting along. You know how it goes - they were really close, did everything together, and now one is pulling attitude with the other. I felt bad for both, but just told her that the problem is just that we're girls, and girls are drama and maybe she did something a long time ago that they never talked about so now she's mad at her - aren't we (girls) confusing. Boys are so different, they'd kick eachother in the family jewels, kiss and make up **
3. I was busy doing a patients belongings list in room 9A. Patient was a middle aged obese man who was VERY out of it. I said my spheel, "Hi, My name is Gina Cummings I am a volunteer here at CPMC, I didn't lose my voice, I just talk soft." The man interrupted me, and says in soft whisper, me too! He lost his voice too. I couldn't keep his attention too long, because he kept dosing in and out. Normally, I'd say it was from the drugs, but he was sitting upright in a chair. So I have to repeat each questions about 2 or 3 times before he will answer it. I started to walk around the other side of his bed to get a clothing bag and out of no where get comes to life and says "You look exactly like Kelly Ripa." I told him he made my day.
4. A nurse asked me to do a patient checklist in room 4. I ended up speaking with this beautiful elderly woman, who has had 4 - 6 bouts with cancer. She was truly and inspiration. She talked so much about life and her experiences, and I just enjoyed our conversation. She was admitted, and I am going to visit her tomorrow up in the cancer ward.
2. One of the nurses informed me that a man had walked in earlier in the day complaining of chest pain, he was sweating and out of breath. He had a heart attack and coded. They tried to bring him back for an hour, pushing drugs through him and attempting CPR. She told me I could go look at him if I wanted. If I wanted?!?!? She said, yes, he is still in room 5. I never actually walked in, by walking by I could see his body laying there. The idea of living (being born) and dying is crazy, and being there, really makes you realize that you REALLY just need to be happy right where you are when you are there and not to regret any decision you are able to make. Needless to say, the nurses were exhausted. It turned out that the man who passed away was a producer of the new SF show Trauma.
** I wasn't sure if I was going to put this in my blog, but here it goes... in between event #2 & #3 one of the nurses started confiding in me that her and another nurse are not getting along. You know how it goes - they were really close, did everything together, and now one is pulling attitude with the other. I felt bad for both, but just told her that the problem is just that we're girls, and girls are drama and maybe she did something a long time ago that they never talked about so now she's mad at her - aren't we (girls) confusing. Boys are so different, they'd kick eachother in the family jewels, kiss and make up **
3. I was busy doing a patients belongings list in room 9A. Patient was a middle aged obese man who was VERY out of it. I said my spheel, "Hi, My name is Gina Cummings I am a volunteer here at CPMC, I didn't lose my voice, I just talk soft." The man interrupted me, and says in soft whisper, me too! He lost his voice too. I couldn't keep his attention too long, because he kept dosing in and out. Normally, I'd say it was from the drugs, but he was sitting upright in a chair. So I have to repeat each questions about 2 or 3 times before he will answer it. I started to walk around the other side of his bed to get a clothing bag and out of no where get comes to life and says "You look exactly like Kelly Ripa." I told him he made my day.
4. A nurse asked me to do a patient checklist in room 4. I ended up speaking with this beautiful elderly woman, who has had 4 - 6 bouts with cancer. She was truly and inspiration. She talked so much about life and her experiences, and I just enjoyed our conversation. She was admitted, and I am going to visit her tomorrow up in the cancer ward.
September 30, 2009
Decompression
I am coming to you live, never before have I done this until this evening, BLOGGED right after I volunteer ... I've come to realized that my blog is a mode for decompressing.
I am starting to see some mind changing things, wives sitting by a husbands side as he is being diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer, old men with dementia, screaming not knowing where they are, spit that looks like chewed peanuts, old women with their life savings in their wallet - seriously - cash people (no wonder robbers steal old women's handbags). It's REALLLY a lot to process and I've come to realize that this blog serves as a mode of decompressing. Some nurses do yoga, some get massages once a week, some nurses even go to the local massage parlor and get a massage during their break (this is good news for me, next time I want a massage, I'll just tell Brett that all the nurses are getting them, and did I mention ONCE A WEEK!).
Another surprising thing, is nurses sense of urgency. I would expect them to have a greater sense of this, but I guess, after all the years, I think they just come to be really good at telling who needs urgent immediate care and who doesn't - plain and simple. And what a double edge sword that is... you want care, but really don't need it or you need care and really don't want it. Also, I think that they tend to start seeing the same 20 problems and things really end up being task based. I'll tell you one thing, whatever the case maybe, it's exhausting - I am exhausted, and I was only there today for 4 hours, they run 10-12 hour shifts!
Something funny did happen today though. One of the nurses asked me to do a belongs list for a patient, so I eagerly grabbed a belongs list, stamped it with the patient card and grabbed my handy dandy clipboard and pen and waltz right into the patients room. Well - I guess when they are standing in their robed with their back to you, bare bum showing it means that they are having a private moment (he was taking a leak). He felt bad, I felt bad, we all felt bad but then we had a good laugh about it, or maybe they were all just laughing at me, the ever eager volunteer.
I am starting to see some mind changing things, wives sitting by a husbands side as he is being diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer, old men with dementia, screaming not knowing where they are, spit that looks like chewed peanuts, old women with their life savings in their wallet - seriously - cash people (no wonder robbers steal old women's handbags). It's REALLLY a lot to process and I've come to realize that this blog serves as a mode of decompressing. Some nurses do yoga, some get massages once a week, some nurses even go to the local massage parlor and get a massage during their break (this is good news for me, next time I want a massage, I'll just tell Brett that all the nurses are getting them, and did I mention ONCE A WEEK!).
Another surprising thing, is nurses sense of urgency. I would expect them to have a greater sense of this, but I guess, after all the years, I think they just come to be really good at telling who needs urgent immediate care and who doesn't - plain and simple. And what a double edge sword that is... you want care, but really don't need it or you need care and really don't want it. Also, I think that they tend to start seeing the same 20 problems and things really end up being task based. I'll tell you one thing, whatever the case maybe, it's exhausting - I am exhausted, and I was only there today for 4 hours, they run 10-12 hour shifts!
Something funny did happen today though. One of the nurses asked me to do a belongs list for a patient, so I eagerly grabbed a belongs list, stamped it with the patient card and grabbed my handy dandy clipboard and pen and waltz right into the patients room. Well - I guess when they are standing in their robed with their back to you, bare bum showing it means that they are having a private moment (he was taking a leak). He felt bad, I felt bad, we all felt bad but then we had a good laugh about it, or maybe they were all just laughing at me, the ever eager volunteer.
September 29, 2009
My first heart attack
Today voluteering in the emergency deparment I witnessed my first heart attack. A man was brought in by ambulance after he was playing tennis with a friend and just dropped to the ground. One of the nurses came up to me and said if you are interested, there is a man on his way who has just coded. I watched in the corner of the room while the nurses and doctors all did their thing. It was pretty controlled for what it was, and it immediately made me realized that you really have to make a conscious effort to live each day like it is your last, for you never know what tomorrow will bring. He still had tennis balls in his pockets, this I noticed as I was taking off his shoes. It just makes you think - I mean he double knotted his shoes, well actually only the one on his right foot, and that could have been the last time he tied his shoes. I could really go on forever here...
One of the nurses, she's from the Davies Campus, so I've never worked with her before, she was like "Oh, you're new, what's your name." And you know how that goes...
Nurse: "Oh you're a lil' bit hoarse today..." (she was British)
Gina: No I was in a car accident 6 years ago.
Nurse: "Oh my gosh - and you volunteer now!"
Gina: Ya, well I -
Nurse: "You back in school for nursing now?"
Gina: Yes, I was a CPA and now I am going back to school to become an RN."
Nurse: "Wow, you are amazing, my hats off to you, you are truly an incredible girl - you are lucky to be alive - you had a trache didn't you? I feel so lucky to be in your presence, you are truly amazing girl. It's great to meet you.
Gina: Thank you? ;)
Nurse: "Oh, you are going to make a great nurse, you are so beautiful and have such a beatiful smile."
Gina: Thank you very much.
I could barely get a work in edge wise. Later during the day, she kept asking me questions about my accident and when I told her what had happened her response was ...
"Well, just when you think you've heard it all..."
One of the nurses, she's from the Davies Campus, so I've never worked with her before, she was like "Oh, you're new, what's your name." And you know how that goes...
Nurse: "Oh you're a lil' bit hoarse today..." (she was British)
Gina: No I was in a car accident 6 years ago.
Nurse: "Oh my gosh - and you volunteer now!"
Gina: Ya, well I -
Nurse: "You back in school for nursing now?"
Gina: Yes, I was a CPA and now I am going back to school to become an RN."
Nurse: "Wow, you are amazing, my hats off to you, you are truly an incredible girl - you are lucky to be alive - you had a trache didn't you? I feel so lucky to be in your presence, you are truly amazing girl. It's great to meet you.
Gina: Thank you? ;)
Nurse: "Oh, you are going to make a great nurse, you are so beautiful and have such a beatiful smile."
Gina: Thank you very much.
I could barely get a work in edge wise. Later during the day, she kept asking me questions about my accident and when I told her what had happened her response was ...
"Well, just when you think you've heard it all..."
September 27, 2009
September 22, 2009
Sick as a DOG!
Apparently, I've hit what we call a little speed bump in my serendipitous quest. While I am aware that there are worse things out there, the painful swallowing and constant taste of cough drops in my mouth is getting quite old. The idea of where I received this awful contaimination of strep throat from gives me the heebie jeebies due to my current understanding of microbes from my microbiology course - say it with me, YUCK!!
The worst part about being sick, is Brett is not home and I had to call in sick for volunteering today and tomorrow. I just got moved to the Emergency department full time, so that is very exciting for me! And Brett flew down to Scottsdale for work with his CFO, literally flew down, they flew his personal jet (I guess that's next on Brett's "To Do's"), which is exciting and scary at the same time, and if you are wondering, this is what a run one sentance look like.
I'm really, truthfully, the LAST person to complain about being sick (because I hate it when people do that) but I must indulge myself. I just feel like a horses you - know - what! Our coffee table looks like a Rite-Aid and I feel like a giant spore, so much so I'm even afraid I'll get Hurley sick. So I'll leave myself to a day of movies and rest (and painful swallowing). Sidenote: Girls, for those of you with babies - you should watch the National Geographic movie "In the Womb." I got it off netflix :) So amazing how precious life is and your little ones and to remember we have all been there too.
The worst part about being sick, is Brett is not home and I had to call in sick for volunteering today and tomorrow. I just got moved to the Emergency department full time, so that is very exciting for me! And Brett flew down to Scottsdale for work with his CFO, literally flew down, they flew his personal jet (I guess that's next on Brett's "To Do's"), which is exciting and scary at the same time, and if you are wondering, this is what a run one sentance look like.
I'm really, truthfully, the LAST person to complain about being sick (because I hate it when people do that) but I must indulge myself. I just feel like a horses you - know - what! Our coffee table looks like a Rite-Aid and I feel like a giant spore, so much so I'm even afraid I'll get Hurley sick. So I'll leave myself to a day of movies and rest (and painful swallowing). Sidenote: Girls, for those of you with babies - you should watch the National Geographic movie "In the Womb." I got it off netflix :) So amazing how precious life is and your little ones and to remember we have all been there too.
September 15, 2009
"You, Inc"
'Most people work 40 plus hours a week at jobs they don't like to buy things they don't need." - Madeline Nelson
September 13, 2009
A three day camping makes you feel like you've gone on vacation for three weeks
Here are some photos of Brett and I and our baby (aka Hurl-bop)
on our camping trip we took last weekend! We're going for my birthday and you're invited (just let us know if you wanna go) ...
September 10, 2009
Thank you for the Incense!
Today I was sitting at starbucks having a coffee with Hurley and studying, and all of a sudden, I I think to myself, "I thought that I was in Russina Hill, but it's smells like I am in the Haight." I suddenly turn to the woman next to me to share my thought, and three hours later, I have just had one of the best conversations of my life.
Have you ever wondered why you are where you are when you are there? Or have you ever heard of the old saying "Like attracts like?" Well, today, I think I attacked "like." I spoke with my new friend, who after I turned to and said, "It smells like the Haight!" her response was "Oh, well I have insense burning on the back of my parked bike over there, I like to think that when someone smells them, that for one brief second in time, they think about something that the smell reminds them of, and stop worrying or thinking 100 miles a minute." And that is pretty much how the rest of our conversation went. She was inspiring.
She moved to SF 5 years ago with $1,000 in her pocket to follow a woman who is an 89 year old healing arts dancer and has let life take here where it may since then. But not without her fair share of set backs (but aren't what those that make us human and build character). Talk about a quest!! She is an AMAZINGLY spiritual woman, plays a flute in the presido many mornings and mediatates daily, among other things amazing. She is the 10th of 12 children and her dad passed when she was only 6 years old. Imagine her mother, left with 12 children to take care of. The way she spoke about life made me feel free and weightless and just being in her presence (I felt like I as free as the smoke coming from her insence). I never worried about what time it was or whatever else I "had to do," it was as if for three hours I was completely lost in time and space. We spoke about life and decisions, and just being. It was serendipitious. . .
Have you ever wondered why you are where you are when you are there? Or have you ever heard of the old saying "Like attracts like?" Well, today, I think I attacked "like." I spoke with my new friend, who after I turned to and said, "It smells like the Haight!" her response was "Oh, well I have insense burning on the back of my parked bike over there, I like to think that when someone smells them, that for one brief second in time, they think about something that the smell reminds them of, and stop worrying or thinking 100 miles a minute." And that is pretty much how the rest of our conversation went. She was inspiring.
She moved to SF 5 years ago with $1,000 in her pocket to follow a woman who is an 89 year old healing arts dancer and has let life take here where it may since then. But not without her fair share of set backs (but aren't what those that make us human and build character). Talk about a quest!! She is an AMAZINGLY spiritual woman, plays a flute in the presido many mornings and mediatates daily, among other things amazing. She is the 10th of 12 children and her dad passed when she was only 6 years old. Imagine her mother, left with 12 children to take care of. The way she spoke about life made me feel free and weightless and just being in her presence (I felt like I as free as the smoke coming from her insence). I never worried about what time it was or whatever else I "had to do," it was as if for three hours I was completely lost in time and space. We spoke about life and decisions, and just being. It was serendipitious. . .
September 2, 2009
This little piggy went to the market, this little piggy stayed home ... and this little piggy went wee wee wee wee wee, all the way home.
I do not know - don't ask, but after today's shenanigans at the hospital in the emergency department, that is all that comes to mind.
Today's 3 hours of volunteering was jammed packed. I have to share my experiences with you, so here are my top 5 patients of the day:
In at number 5 - Beautiful 90 year old woman VERY hard of hearing (and with no help with my circumstance). With a magnifying glass, she read everything I wrote down with her tiny magnifying glass before she signed her belongings checklist. She was very cute and I had a giant smile on my face and my heart. Very cute.
4. The speechless, grunting 90 year old. She simply doesn't speak, so it doesn't matter that she can't hear me. I offered her a warm blanket on two seperate occassions, juice and a magazine, and I got nothing, just a blank stare (this was before I knew she didn't speak). Do you call that a job well done?
3. The steno pad - This patient visits the ER frequently. She travels with patient #1 below - I am kidding - but nonetheless is a common sight around the ER. This patient claims that there is video surveillance set up in her home, that additional surveillance is following her around the city, and that people are following her and harrassing her every which way she goes in the city. She also hears voices and claims that her phone lines are being tapped. The list goes on the steno pad, maybe?
2. My friends in bed 12A. Really, I made friends. They are what I would call my first real connection with a patient and their spouse. The patient had a feeding tube in their nose (which I can relate to, having had my fair share of artificial food supply in my day). We exchanged stories, and immediately that glorious cliche sounding "ahhhhhhhhh" like the window 96 welcome message came on in my head (maybe I deserve to make the top 5 patient list?).
1. The frequent flier - quasi idiot servant. An ex-professor at a California university (I can't say much more due to HIPPA). Nurses call him a frequent flier because he is in about 160 times a year, yes, per year. He constantly seeks psychiatric treatment, which is provided, only to turn around and check himself back into the ER. He has a Ph D in 4 different science fields, apparently there is a fine fine line between brilliance and insanity. He characterized himself as a melancholic depression, completely unable to function. However, he didn't stop talking, wanted to know nothing about his physical health, wanted to be provide ONLY mental health information. Refused to speak with nurses and refused to eat. Spoke in incomplete sentences. Imagine a turbulent freight train coming into a station at 100mph, that is what he sounded like, and possibly his mind felt like that as well.
Being in the ER today was pure exhilaration, like being in a symphony of sights and sounds, unorchestrated but heavily moderated. It was by definition, controlled chaos at it's finest.
Today's 3 hours of volunteering was jammed packed. I have to share my experiences with you, so here are my top 5 patients of the day:
In at number 5 - Beautiful 90 year old woman VERY hard of hearing (and with no help with my circumstance). With a magnifying glass, she read everything I wrote down with her tiny magnifying glass before she signed her belongings checklist. She was very cute and I had a giant smile on my face and my heart. Very cute.
4. The speechless, grunting 90 year old. She simply doesn't speak, so it doesn't matter that she can't hear me. I offered her a warm blanket on two seperate occassions, juice and a magazine, and I got nothing, just a blank stare (this was before I knew she didn't speak). Do you call that a job well done?
3. The steno pad - This patient visits the ER frequently. She travels with patient #1 below - I am kidding - but nonetheless is a common sight around the ER. This patient claims that there is video surveillance set up in her home, that additional surveillance is following her around the city, and that people are following her and harrassing her every which way she goes in the city. She also hears voices and claims that her phone lines are being tapped. The list goes on the steno pad, maybe?
2. My friends in bed 12A. Really, I made friends. They are what I would call my first real connection with a patient and their spouse. The patient had a feeding tube in their nose (which I can relate to, having had my fair share of artificial food supply in my day). We exchanged stories, and immediately that glorious cliche sounding "ahhhhhhhhh" like the window 96 welcome message came on in my head (maybe I deserve to make the top 5 patient list?).
1. The frequent flier - quasi idiot servant. An ex-professor at a California university (I can't say much more due to HIPPA). Nurses call him a frequent flier because he is in about 160 times a year, yes, per year. He constantly seeks psychiatric treatment, which is provided, only to turn around and check himself back into the ER. He has a Ph D in 4 different science fields, apparently there is a fine fine line between brilliance and insanity. He characterized himself as a melancholic depression, completely unable to function. However, he didn't stop talking, wanted to know nothing about his physical health, wanted to be provide ONLY mental health information. Refused to speak with nurses and refused to eat. Spoke in incomplete sentences. Imagine a turbulent freight train coming into a station at 100mph, that is what he sounded like, and possibly his mind felt like that as well.
Being in the ER today was pure exhilaration, like being in a symphony of sights and sounds, unorchestrated but heavily moderated. It was by definition, controlled chaos at it's finest.
September 1, 2009
6 years, 3 months and 15 days later ....
I'm finally here! I've arrived!!
I feel like I am realizing my dream! Right now, finally... after all of these years - I am finally realizing my dream! (Smiley face) I'm applying to nursing school!!!!!! (enhancing exclamation points). This is truly so exciting! From most recent to furthest away here it goes.
1. At the present moment I am applying to nursing school!
2. I am volunteering - an achievement in itself, considering I use to commute from Walnut Creek to San Francisco while working at PwC, passing by Children's Hospital in Oakland, wishing I was volunteering, really wanting to get my foot (well both feet) in the door.
3. Speaking of the city, when I worked at JG&R I WISHED that Brett and I lived in the city and that I was going to nursing school - can you believe that! 2 years ago I wished that I lived and the city and was going to nursing school - certainly checked that box.
4. Rewind and additional 4 years and you'll see me in the hospital surrounded by excellent physicians and nurses helping me get better.
5. Rewind 6 years, 3 months and 15 days later and you'll see me, lost as any 20 year old, wishing I could help people and impact their lives for the better (reading between the lines, this is the night before my car accident - which as many of you know, would change my life as I knew it then, forever....)
Anyway, I am here, and I just wanted to share my thoughts/feelings with you, my "Serendipitous Questers." You would think that I am overly caffeinated, but I am not, just feeling that I am truly blessed as I sit right where I am suppose to be. I will finish my application (well the start of them anyway) and leave you with this remarkable quote:
"Remember that your thoughts are the primary cause of everything. So when you think a sustained thought it is immediately sent out into the Universe. That thought magnetically attaches itself to the like frequency, and then within seconds sends the reading of that frequency back to you through your feelings. Put another way, your feelings are communication back to you from the Universe, telling you what frequency you are currently on. Your feelings are your frequency feedback mechanism!"~ Jack Canfield ~
I feel like I am realizing my dream! Right now, finally... after all of these years - I am finally realizing my dream! (Smiley face) I'm applying to nursing school!!!!!! (enhancing exclamation points). This is truly so exciting! From most recent to furthest away here it goes.
1. At the present moment I am applying to nursing school!
2. I am volunteering - an achievement in itself, considering I use to commute from Walnut Creek to San Francisco while working at PwC, passing by Children's Hospital in Oakland, wishing I was volunteering, really wanting to get my foot (well both feet) in the door.
3. Speaking of the city, when I worked at JG&R I WISHED that Brett and I lived in the city and that I was going to nursing school - can you believe that! 2 years ago I wished that I lived and the city and was going to nursing school - certainly checked that box.
4. Rewind and additional 4 years and you'll see me in the hospital surrounded by excellent physicians and nurses helping me get better.
5. Rewind 6 years, 3 months and 15 days later and you'll see me, lost as any 20 year old, wishing I could help people and impact their lives for the better (reading between the lines, this is the night before my car accident - which as many of you know, would change my life as I knew it then, forever....)
Anyway, I am here, and I just wanted to share my thoughts/feelings with you, my "Serendipitous Questers." You would think that I am overly caffeinated, but I am not, just feeling that I am truly blessed as I sit right where I am suppose to be. I will finish my application (well the start of them anyway) and leave you with this remarkable quote:
"Remember that your thoughts are the primary cause of everything. So when you think a sustained thought it is immediately sent out into the Universe. That thought magnetically attaches itself to the like frequency, and then within seconds sends the reading of that frequency back to you through your feelings. Put another way, your feelings are communication back to you from the Universe, telling you what frequency you are currently on. Your feelings are your frequency feedback mechanism!"~ Jack Canfield ~
August 26, 2009
Aristotle said it succinctly: "Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, lies your calling."
Alexander Fleming and I have something in common. We both encountered serendipity. Fleming's serendipity was probably a bit more obvious. He stumbled upon a petri dish infected with mold which lead to the discovery of a penicillum colony which sprouted the birth of modern chemothearphy and changed modern science as we knew it.
Today was my second time volunteering the emergency department except this time I didn't have anyone to "shadow." It was beyond cool, and never have I felt better about my decision to quit public tax accounting and go back to school for nursing. I've never felt more rewarded.
Today SO much happened. I watched a woman get intubated and a man have his toe cut open to relieve an infection/puss pocket (I'll spare you the details). The rest of the time, I made sure patients had warm blankets, helped the nurses with admitting patients, got the patients juice/water/crackers (if it's okay with their nurse) and a couple of times I even got a "God Bless you Sweetheart" in return (a tax return would never bless me). I couldn't help but think to myself that this is truly the best thing I could be doing with my time right now.
PS - I took the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) last Saturday and got a 86.5% Composite Score, the required score is 77.8%! This test is an entrance exam for the nursing program at Samuel Merritt, so I feel pretty satisfied with my performance! Life is GREAT!
Today was my second time volunteering the emergency department except this time I didn't have anyone to "shadow." It was beyond cool, and never have I felt better about my decision to quit public tax accounting and go back to school for nursing. I've never felt more rewarded.
Today SO much happened. I watched a woman get intubated and a man have his toe cut open to relieve an infection/puss pocket (I'll spare you the details). The rest of the time, I made sure patients had warm blankets, helped the nurses with admitting patients, got the patients juice/water/crackers (if it's okay with their nurse) and a couple of times I even got a "God Bless you Sweetheart" in return (a tax return would never bless me). I couldn't help but think to myself that this is truly the best thing I could be doing with my time right now.
PS - I took the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) last Saturday and got a 86.5% Composite Score, the required score is 77.8%! This test is an entrance exam for the nursing program at Samuel Merritt, so I feel pretty satisfied with my performance! Life is GREAT!
August 25, 2009
Emergency Department - Day 1
On Friday I volunteered in the Emergency Department, and boy was that fantastic. So fantastic, that I can't believe that I failed to blog about it on Friday, but it's Tuesday and so here we go...
I shadowed a girl about 5 years younger than I. She was cute though, but young. She is 21 and knows that she wants to be a plastic surgeon, so mature for her age. The first question she asked me definitely gave away her age though and that was if I lived alone or had a roommate. I told her I had a roommate. Needless to say, she showed me how to restock the swabs, where to get bed pans, warm blankets and water or juice if a patient wanted any. Next she showed me how to fill out the patient belonging forms (which is cool because you get to actually be with the patients) if they are to be admitted to the hospital. It was very neat and she was SO helpful.
About two hours into my shift, a man was having a heart attack and there were about 14 doctors all standing around him, more calm than I've ever seen 14 doctors standing around a man having a heart attack (although I've never seen this in real life, only on TV). Apparently, a heart attack and a myocardial infarction can be mutually exclusive. The man was not showing any classical symptoms of a heart attack (sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, sweating and so fourth).I was later told that one quarter of all myocardial infarction's are silent, without chest pain or other symptoms, so I guess this guy fell into that statistic, which could explain the ease at which everyone was, including the patient.
It was just a very neat experience overall, and it REALLY gives you a different perspective on life. There were lots of elderly patients coming in, some with family, some without, which made me realize that you better be nice to your kids and your friends and family so you aren't alone in those situations. It's also interesting to observe family members and their body language. It's really easy to tell those children, brothers and sisters, who truly care for their loved one (the elderly patient in this case) versus those that are there to make sure their name is included in the will and testament. It's like looking at the sky and saying it's blue versus looking at grass and calling it green (assuming you aren't colorblind).
One man came in because he was having a difficult time breathing. He explained that his breathing had gradually been getting worse, so he finally decided he'd stop by. I left before the doctors decided to admitted him or send him home, but not before I could offered him a warm blanket and sat and talked with him for a bit. He explained to us (me and my younger counterpart) that he was shocked to see two blue eyed girls working at the hospital and then quickly realized that we were not doctors but volunteers, definitely from an older generation, where apparently it's ok to say racist things. He did have an interesting perspective though. When we offered him a magazine to relieve his boredom, he quickly replied by saying that he didn't mind just sitting (being bored), that he was just happy to be alive. I guess he had a point.
Anyways, more to come I'm sure, as I volunteer again today! Always exciting....!!!
I shadowed a girl about 5 years younger than I. She was cute though, but young. She is 21 and knows that she wants to be a plastic surgeon, so mature for her age. The first question she asked me definitely gave away her age though and that was if I lived alone or had a roommate. I told her I had a roommate. Needless to say, she showed me how to restock the swabs, where to get bed pans, warm blankets and water or juice if a patient wanted any. Next she showed me how to fill out the patient belonging forms (which is cool because you get to actually be with the patients) if they are to be admitted to the hospital. It was very neat and she was SO helpful.
About two hours into my shift, a man was having a heart attack and there were about 14 doctors all standing around him, more calm than I've ever seen 14 doctors standing around a man having a heart attack (although I've never seen this in real life, only on TV). Apparently, a heart attack and a myocardial infarction can be mutually exclusive. The man was not showing any classical symptoms of a heart attack (sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, sweating and so fourth).I was later told that one quarter of all myocardial infarction's are silent, without chest pain or other symptoms, so I guess this guy fell into that statistic, which could explain the ease at which everyone was, including the patient.
It was just a very neat experience overall, and it REALLY gives you a different perspective on life. There were lots of elderly patients coming in, some with family, some without, which made me realize that you better be nice to your kids and your friends and family so you aren't alone in those situations. It's also interesting to observe family members and their body language. It's really easy to tell those children, brothers and sisters, who truly care for their loved one (the elderly patient in this case) versus those that are there to make sure their name is included in the will and testament. It's like looking at the sky and saying it's blue versus looking at grass and calling it green (assuming you aren't colorblind).
One man came in because he was having a difficult time breathing. He explained that his breathing had gradually been getting worse, so he finally decided he'd stop by. I left before the doctors decided to admitted him or send him home, but not before I could offered him a warm blanket and sat and talked with him for a bit. He explained to us (me and my younger counterpart) that he was shocked to see two blue eyed girls working at the hospital and then quickly realized that we were not doctors but volunteers, definitely from an older generation, where apparently it's ok to say racist things. He did have an interesting perspective though. When we offered him a magazine to relieve his boredom, he quickly replied by saying that he didn't mind just sitting (being bored), that he was just happy to be alive. I guess he had a point.
Anyways, more to come I'm sure, as I volunteer again today! Always exciting....!!!
August 23, 2009
"The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility." - Albert Einstein
Annie having a baby has got me thinking...
WARNING: For those of you who are faint of heart, close minded or are easily persuaded to think people (me) are crazy with their crazy thoughts stop reading here, I'm serious.
WARNING: For those of you who are faint of heart, close minded or are easily persuaded to think people (me) are crazy with their crazy thoughts stop reading here, I'm serious.
Tonight, as Brett and I were walking home from the movie 'Inglorious Bastards,' I suddenly realized this fact: The fact is, that we are all so special (newflash). It is for this reason that I say so: out of all the times your parents did "the deed," all the practice rounds and passionate escapades, out of all of those times, a child was NOT conceived. But you, you are the exception. Does this make sense, are you following me? And then if you think before your parents, and all the times your parents parents fornicated - and that was before you were even a seedling - your grandparents conceived your Mom/Dad - the possibilities are endless, the probability is maddening (and you thought the lotto was impossible to win!). Really, it's more than one in a million or even trillion odds that you are sitting where you are sitting today reading this, living, breathing, thinking.
Here is some food for thought; In my developmental psychology course, we learned that the average male ejaculate (I warned you) contains 40 to 600 million sperm. That's just one episode of hide the sausage (or whatever you want to call it). Those are horrible odds that you would make it here, and you did! And then you consider the special mixture that had to be your Mom and Dad for you to get here, with all your quirks and idiosynchroncies.... I should probably stop while I am ahead, but do you see where I am going?
So next time you are down and out, or just a little off, happy, sad, mad, or glad just embrace how special it is that you are here, feeling those feelings. Enjoy yourself and celebrate exactly who you are (even if you're not 100% sure who that is, you can celebrate that too). Or if not, you can just celebrate that you don't have crazy thoughts stuck in your head like me. I'll leave you with another quote from Albert...
"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us "universe," a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."
August 19, 2009
The Miracles in Life
Well, I have some news... drum roll please...
ANNIE AND ROMY HAD THEIR BABY GIRL! . Well, Annie had the baby, but Romy helped too.... Baby and Mom are healthy and the three of them come home tomorrow, and are VERY excited! Reagan Belle Zeid was born on 8/18/2009 at 1:08 pm. Annie looks great as usual and Romy, as Annie would put it "is a rockstar." They were up for 23 hours plus some during the long awaited arrival of baby Reagan! She is so adorable and healthy and precious, just reminds you that life is a TRUE miracle. Annie is my best best best friend and it's been so amazing -words cannot describe the feelings that I am having. But I am staarting to understand why they call childbirth a miracle and children a gift from God.
Now back to me :) I'm not being selfish, I've already been pinned "Crazy Aunt Gina" so I am going to try to refrain from speaking too much of baby Reagan and the Zeid family) so on to me...
Today was my first day of my last two prereq's, Microbiology and Nutrition. So I did the student thing, bought some books, ran into a couple of friends from classes previous (yes, I've made friends) and after a long day of class and visiting the Zeid family at the hospital I was inspired to do something great (cue second round of drumroll pleeease....) I swam 80 laps at the pool!! Brett calls it 40 laps (he counts there & back as one, but I call it 80 - there, one, back, two). Let me know if you need clarification. I know, I am surprised as well, I had no idea Gina could swim like that. I guess I've just been inspired by a few HUGE events in the past couple of days, did I mention ... ANNIE AND ROMY HAD THEIR BABY GIRL!
So it started off like any other day at the pool, which of them I can count on my right hand and the other three on my left. I was in the slow lane, where apparently the snails that know how to breast stroke come to swim, and let me tell you did they come. I started out swimming with a small asian lady who liked to do her breast stroke REALLY WIDE! Then a 400 pound white guy joins the lane with us, and he too is doing a REALLY WIDE breast stoke, so I have no choice, I HAVE to switch to the medium lane, and that I do.
In the medium lane there is an beefy 6 foot Russian male who apparently enjoys doing a modified backstroke in the CENTER of the lane. I signal to share the lane, of which he does. I'm feeling good, I think I'm on lap 50 now, going strong, but this Russian guy is annoying me. He'll swim 2 laps (units of measurements being gina's not Brett's) and then he'll stop. This creeps me out because - well it just does. I'm in the zone and he's definetley measing with my mantra. I've had it, when about 8 laps later, he is swimming RIGHT ALONG SIDE ME WITH HIS KICKBOARD! Then he will speed up so his kick wake is kicking right in front of my face!!!! Then he'll stop, creeping me out once again, and resume. Thankfully, it was approaching 6 and I had to pick up Brett from work, but this Russian fellow was a piece of work.
Needless to say, I have no idea where the 80 laps came from. I just kept thinking to myself about Brett's half Iron Man and about little baby Zeid. It's amazing to think that someone hundreds of days old and someone less than two days old can inspire you, and to only think how Annie and Romy are feeling. And not to mention, my breathing was amazing, it was like I had no superglottic stenosis or whatever they say I have from that day, it was a miracle.
ANNIE AND ROMY HAD THEIR BABY GIRL! . Well, Annie had the baby, but Romy helped too.... Baby and Mom are healthy and the three of them come home tomorrow, and are VERY excited! Reagan Belle Zeid was born on 8/18/2009 at 1:08 pm. Annie looks great as usual and Romy, as Annie would put it "is a rockstar." They were up for 23 hours plus some during the long awaited arrival of baby Reagan! She is so adorable and healthy and precious, just reminds you that life is a TRUE miracle. Annie is my best best best friend and it's been so amazing -words cannot describe the feelings that I am having. But I am staarting to understand why they call childbirth a miracle and children a gift from God.
Now back to me :) I'm not being selfish, I've already been pinned "Crazy Aunt Gina" so I am going to try to refrain from speaking too much of baby Reagan and the Zeid family) so on to me...
Today was my first day of my last two prereq's, Microbiology and Nutrition. So I did the student thing, bought some books, ran into a couple of friends from classes previous (yes, I've made friends) and after a long day of class and visiting the Zeid family at the hospital I was inspired to do something great (cue second round of drumroll pleeease....) I swam 80 laps at the pool!! Brett calls it 40 laps (he counts there & back as one, but I call it 80 - there, one, back, two). Let me know if you need clarification. I know, I am surprised as well, I had no idea Gina could swim like that. I guess I've just been inspired by a few HUGE events in the past couple of days, did I mention ... ANNIE AND ROMY HAD THEIR BABY GIRL!
So it started off like any other day at the pool, which of them I can count on my right hand and the other three on my left. I was in the slow lane, where apparently the snails that know how to breast stroke come to swim, and let me tell you did they come. I started out swimming with a small asian lady who liked to do her breast stroke REALLY WIDE! Then a 400 pound white guy joins the lane with us, and he too is doing a REALLY WIDE breast stoke, so I have no choice, I HAVE to switch to the medium lane, and that I do.
In the medium lane there is an beefy 6 foot Russian male who apparently enjoys doing a modified backstroke in the CENTER of the lane. I signal to share the lane, of which he does. I'm feeling good, I think I'm on lap 50 now, going strong, but this Russian guy is annoying me. He'll swim 2 laps (units of measurements being gina's not Brett's) and then he'll stop. This creeps me out because - well it just does. I'm in the zone and he's definetley measing with my mantra. I've had it, when about 8 laps later, he is swimming RIGHT ALONG SIDE ME WITH HIS KICKBOARD! Then he will speed up so his kick wake is kicking right in front of my face!!!! Then he'll stop, creeping me out once again, and resume. Thankfully, it was approaching 6 and I had to pick up Brett from work, but this Russian fellow was a piece of work.
Needless to say, I have no idea where the 80 laps came from. I just kept thinking to myself about Brett's half Iron Man and about little baby Zeid. It's amazing to think that someone hundreds of days old and someone less than two days old can inspire you, and to only think how Annie and Romy are feeling. And not to mention, my breathing was amazing, it was like I had no superglottic stenosis or whatever they say I have from that day, it was a miracle.
August 17, 2009
Today I waited...
And waited... and waited, and I am stilling waiting - we are still waiting...
MY BESTFRIEND IS HAVING A BABY GIRL! Annie's in the hospital right now and without getting to specific, we are waiting to hear the good news... that Annie and Romy are now parents to the most beautiful & healthy little girl ever created. Needless to say, I am about to lose it, I am so excited for them and can't wait to met little Reagan! I really can't believe it!
MY BESTFRIEND IS HAVING A BABY GIRL! Annie's in the hospital right now and without getting to specific, we are waiting to hear the good news... that Annie and Romy are now parents to the most beautiful & healthy little girl ever created. Needless to say, I am about to lose it, I am so excited for them and can't wait to met little Reagan! I really can't believe it!
August 14, 2009
Volunteering - Day 2
Today was my second day volunteering at CPMC and things have ramped up a bit, and I have a funny story. I showed up at 9 am sharp ready to serve. I clocked in and made my way up to the 4th floor nursing unit. I immediately found the charge nurse, introduced myself, and stated the amount of time that I would be volunteering today. She was nice (not as eager as I was) and so I went about my way. About 15 minutes later, I realized that I was in the wrong section of the 4th floor. I was in the south nursing unit and I should have been in the north. Maybe you had to be there.... clearly I was not ALL there.
Needless to say, I made it to the appropriate nursing unit and began my duties. Today has made me realize something special. I am so thankful for my past work experience because it taught me how to be a self starter. It's imperative that you be a "go getter" in both environments, volunteering and paid slavery. Both require that you keep yourself busy, know how to ask for work when you don't have any, look busy when you aren't, and most importantly, be proactive with a "yes man" attitude. So at this time, I'd like to thank PwC, for running me into the ground so I can suceed in environments where there is no supervision and the expectation that you know what and how to do things you've never been exposed to before. I am not saying the hospital is like that (at least in my ideal mind/world it isn't - don't ruin the dream for me now people), although I am sure at some level that expectation is there as well. But I was shocked, no one even tells a VOLUNTEER what to do and no one is in charge of a volunteer. So, you sorta just find work for yourself, which I am perfectly ok with. So today, I had Gina stamp patient blue cards again for each nursing pod, organized some files, run down to the kitchen to get a patient a soda, and had her do something with some linens. She knows it doesn't sound like a lot, but the three hours went by pretty quick and I think she felt pretty good, so mission accomplished.
It's sad though, while I was working at one of the nursing stations, a 92-year-old Russian speaking woman (no english) was screaming her head off, she was so scared and lost and her poor son, he didn't know what to do for her. When I showed up earlier in the morning, her son was talking to the doctors trying to understand what was wrong with her and why she was seeing things and yelling. The doctors were very helpful which was nice to see but again, it makes you just appreciate what you have and not worry about the things you think you don't have.
After volunteering, I caught the 1 bus to downtown and met Brett for Pho in China town. It was the first time I have had Pho before, it makes you feel so warm and good inside. As Brett and I were eating, I stopped and just told him how blessed we are to be able to just be. That we need to be so thankful for and cherish the simple moments in our lives and if we're lucky enough, someday we'll be 92 and our son will be by our bedside making sure we're ok.
Needless to say, I made it to the appropriate nursing unit and began my duties. Today has made me realize something special. I am so thankful for my past work experience because it taught me how to be a self starter. It's imperative that you be a "go getter" in both environments, volunteering and paid slavery. Both require that you keep yourself busy, know how to ask for work when you don't have any, look busy when you aren't, and most importantly, be proactive with a "yes man" attitude. So at this time, I'd like to thank PwC, for running me into the ground so I can suceed in environments where there is no supervision and the expectation that you know what and how to do things you've never been exposed to before. I am not saying the hospital is like that (at least in my ideal mind/world it isn't - don't ruin the dream for me now people), although I am sure at some level that expectation is there as well. But I was shocked, no one even tells a VOLUNTEER what to do and no one is in charge of a volunteer. So, you sorta just find work for yourself, which I am perfectly ok with. So today, I had Gina stamp patient blue cards again for each nursing pod, organized some files, run down to the kitchen to get a patient a soda, and had her do something with some linens. She knows it doesn't sound like a lot, but the three hours went by pretty quick and I think she felt pretty good, so mission accomplished.
It's sad though, while I was working at one of the nursing stations, a 92-year-old Russian speaking woman (no english) was screaming her head off, she was so scared and lost and her poor son, he didn't know what to do for her. When I showed up earlier in the morning, her son was talking to the doctors trying to understand what was wrong with her and why she was seeing things and yelling. The doctors were very helpful which was nice to see but again, it makes you just appreciate what you have and not worry about the things you think you don't have.
After volunteering, I caught the 1 bus to downtown and met Brett for Pho in China town. It was the first time I have had Pho before, it makes you feel so warm and good inside. As Brett and I were eating, I stopped and just told him how blessed we are to be able to just be. That we need to be so thankful for and cherish the simple moments in our lives and if we're lucky enough, someday we'll be 92 and our son will be by our bedside making sure we're ok.
August 13, 2009
A Fairy Tale
"I once read a silly fairy tale, called The Three Princes of Serendip: as their highnesses travelled, they were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of: for instance, one of them discovered that a mule blind of the right eye had travelled the same road lately, because the grass was eaten only on the left side, where it was worse than on the right—now do you understand serendipity?"
I found this story and was intrigued for two reasons. One, what was I - what am I in quest of? I feel as if I relate better to the blind mule more often than a high Prince with the priveledge of a third party perspective. It seems as if it's pretty much a given that to be a human is to be a blind mule. Look, we usually travel the same roads to work/school everyday, eat from the same locations, shop at the same grocery stores, walk our dogs on the same street each evening, this list goes on. Is this simply because we trust it, or is it because we are all living serendipidously?
Secondly, what's the deal with these Princes? "...they were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of...". Must be nice that through "accidents and sagacity" you stumble upon a golden ticket of some sort (if this was a Princess, there would be no accidents it would be meticulously planned, but apparently all the Princess are busy waiting to be saved and/or too distressed to make the auditions). Back to my second point, if you reread the story, it implies that these Princes too are living a quest serendipidously unaware, they are only privy to the blind mule's serendipitous nature (I think I might have just found the key to the door of our jealous nature).
However, I don't believe the moral of this "fairytale's" story is about jealousy or third party perspectives, or Prince vs Princesses, although if it was a Princess, I believe she might have a better chance at seeing her own serendipity (wink). But on a serious note, I think the story is telling us not to be so autonomous that we miss the opportunity to travel a path, familiar or foreign, with one eye or both, but just to go as we are. That on occasion, this could (and quite possibly) lead to the accidental discovery of new knowledge. Is this the path to enlightenment?
I found this story and was intrigued for two reasons. One, what was I - what am I in quest of? I feel as if I relate better to the blind mule more often than a high Prince with the priveledge of a third party perspective. It seems as if it's pretty much a given that to be a human is to be a blind mule. Look, we usually travel the same roads to work/school everyday, eat from the same locations, shop at the same grocery stores, walk our dogs on the same street each evening, this list goes on. Is this simply because we trust it, or is it because we are all living serendipidously?
Secondly, what's the deal with these Princes? "...they were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of...". Must be nice that through "accidents and sagacity" you stumble upon a golden ticket of some sort (if this was a Princess, there would be no accidents it would be meticulously planned, but apparently all the Princess are busy waiting to be saved and/or too distressed to make the auditions). Back to my second point, if you reread the story, it implies that these Princes too are living a quest serendipidously unaware, they are only privy to the blind mule's serendipitous nature (I think I might have just found the key to the door of our jealous nature).
However, I don't believe the moral of this "fairytale's" story is about jealousy or third party perspectives, or Prince vs Princesses, although if it was a Princess, I believe she might have a better chance at seeing her own serendipity (wink). But on a serious note, I think the story is telling us not to be so autonomous that we miss the opportunity to travel a path, familiar or foreign, with one eye or both, but just to go as we are. That on occasion, this could (and quite possibly) lead to the accidental discovery of new knowledge. Is this the path to enlightenment?
August 12, 2009
"Surviving is Important. Thriving is elegant." - Maya Angelou
This morning I was so graciously awakened by the sound of Brett's voice, asking me if I could take him to work. This is a very standard routine we have, which if I do say, is the least of measures I can take for him to let me stay at home all day with the dog and do nothing (wink wink). The wake up call/escapade downtown wasn't all bad, that is to say if you ignore the glares and stares from the business people of the world during our excursion into downtown.
I've decided that these glares could be possibly warrented. These people ("the suit's") probably think that I am some trust fund kid, that doesn't work. Can you picture this charade? I'm rolling up, fresh out of bed, in my sweats, hair tattered in a side ponytail, teeth yet brushed, small dog in hand dropping off my Husband ... and they all just stare, it's laughable. The only issue that is not funny, is that I have to be on prowl for ex-coworkers, because if they saw me like this, certainly they'd make the assumption that I'd made a HUGE mistake leaving PwC (I've certainly crafted quite the scenarious in my head, haven't I?).
Anyway, back to the wake up call. Brett brewed me the most delicious cup of pete's coffee (this has become a sort of condition to get me out of bed), which I am now currently enjoying while listening to the beau-ta-mous (thank you Catherine for that rendition of beautiful) sound of the fog horn blowing off in the distance. I also can't complain, since again, I do not work and can go back to school with 110% support from Brett. Not to mention the endearing love of his parents, especially his mother of whom verbally (often with gifts as well, medical dictionaries, note pads, stationary) expresses her support toward my decision to return to school at least once everytime I see her, which gets me to the POINT of this blog :)
After my traditional jaunt down to the financial district this morning, I immediatley checked my inbox when I returned home. I had 1667 emails in my inbox! Now, I know what you might be thinking, "Wow, 1,667 people responded to Gina's Serendipitous Quest?!" No, 1,665 are old/junk related emails, I have an issue deleting old emails. But one, one email really took my breath away, it's subject line: "Blog Journal!!!!"
Hi Gina!!! Your blog is the first one I have ever ventured in to read and I loved your entries and reflections. I clicked to try to sign up in order to sign in ( WOW!!!) and got intimidated so will wait for A's assistance. The title you created for your blog captures the essential spirit by which you live your life...your own personal adventure. I am heartened to be a part of all this. I know you will welcome this new day. Take good care. Hi to Brett!!! Love,Kathy"
As I am sure you can infer, or maybe you already know, Kathy is Brett's Mom, and the best mother-in-law this world has known. Now, I know if she is reading this right now, she is probably a little embarrassed that I am posting her email and I surely hope this does not deter her from additional supportive measures, but isn't she the greatest?! By far, the most supportive, loving and caring Mommy I have ever met.Even after my car accident, when Brett and I were mere aquaintances, Kathy sent me a $50.00 for graduating from College. For our friends and family who attended our wedding, you are aware of the poetic speech Kathy gave, about life's seasons and genuinly embracing all life has to offer, and most importantly following your heart.... Her entire mantra, her day to day being, each and everytime we go over for a visit to the Cummings, is just as her speech was. Simply put, it's magical.
While we can all survive through survival mechanisms, innate qualities that we are born with, thriving is different. Thiriving takes the gracious love and support of individuals like Kathy. It's no wonder Brett turned out to be who he is today, and why I can say I feel lucky to have Kathy as a mother-in-law. We are truely blessed to be provided with someone who intends to increase our distinction, if for nothing more, to have that distinction and hope that we can conquer all, instilled within our hearts.
I've decided that these glares could be possibly warrented. These people ("the suit's") probably think that I am some trust fund kid, that doesn't work. Can you picture this charade? I'm rolling up, fresh out of bed, in my sweats, hair tattered in a side ponytail, teeth yet brushed, small dog in hand dropping off my Husband ... and they all just stare, it's laughable. The only issue that is not funny, is that I have to be on prowl for ex-coworkers, because if they saw me like this, certainly they'd make the assumption that I'd made a HUGE mistake leaving PwC (I've certainly crafted quite the scenarious in my head, haven't I?).
Anyway, back to the wake up call. Brett brewed me the most delicious cup of pete's coffee (this has become a sort of condition to get me out of bed), which I am now currently enjoying while listening to the beau-ta-mous (thank you Catherine for that rendition of beautiful) sound of the fog horn blowing off in the distance. I also can't complain, since again, I do not work and can go back to school with 110% support from Brett. Not to mention the endearing love of his parents, especially his mother of whom verbally (often with gifts as well, medical dictionaries, note pads, stationary) expresses her support toward my decision to return to school at least once everytime I see her, which gets me to the POINT of this blog :)
After my traditional jaunt down to the financial district this morning, I immediatley checked my inbox when I returned home. I had 1667 emails in my inbox! Now, I know what you might be thinking, "Wow, 1,667 people responded to Gina's Serendipitous Quest?!" No, 1,665 are old/junk related emails, I have an issue deleting old emails. But one, one email really took my breath away, it's subject line: "Blog Journal!!!!"
Hi Gina!!! Your blog is the first one I have ever ventured in to read and I loved your entries and reflections. I clicked to try to sign up in order to sign in ( WOW!!!) and got intimidated so will wait for A's assistance. The title you created for your blog captures the essential spirit by which you live your life...your own personal adventure. I am heartened to be a part of all this. I know you will welcome this new day. Take good care. Hi to Brett!!! Love,Kathy"
As I am sure you can infer, or maybe you already know, Kathy is Brett's Mom, and the best mother-in-law this world has known. Now, I know if she is reading this right now, she is probably a little embarrassed that I am posting her email and I surely hope this does not deter her from additional supportive measures, but isn't she the greatest?! By far, the most supportive, loving and caring Mommy I have ever met.Even after my car accident, when Brett and I were mere aquaintances, Kathy sent me a $50.00 for graduating from College. For our friends and family who attended our wedding, you are aware of the poetic speech Kathy gave, about life's seasons and genuinly embracing all life has to offer, and most importantly following your heart.... Her entire mantra, her day to day being, each and everytime we go over for a visit to the Cummings, is just as her speech was. Simply put, it's magical.
While we can all survive through survival mechanisms, innate qualities that we are born with, thriving is different. Thiriving takes the gracious love and support of individuals like Kathy. It's no wonder Brett turned out to be who he is today, and why I can say I feel lucky to have Kathy as a mother-in-law. We are truely blessed to be provided with someone who intends to increase our distinction, if for nothing more, to have that distinction and hope that we can conquer all, instilled within our hearts.
August 11, 2009
Day 1 - Volunteering
Today was my first official day volunteering at CPMC Medical Center in Pacific Heights (cue round of applause), and well, before you say "yeah Gina," let me interrupt, it was anything but eventful. Sure the nurses were nice, and I received some smiles from the janitorial staff, but my idea of helping change peoples lives and having a positive impact on them one encounter at a time just didn't happen for me today. Instead, I stamped "blue patient cards" onto tomorrows acute care charts for three different pods in the Nursing Care Unit.
It's not that I was expecting a gold star or confetti to come dropping from the ceiling, and really, there is only SO much I can do, but did I tell you that one of the nurses on shift this evening Peachy (not sure if this is her birth name) thought that I was in high school. I quickly felt the need to tell Peachy (and I did) that I had a Bachelors of Science in Accounting and my CPA license. She looked confused, like she was going to go into shocked and for a moment I thought that I would have the chance to help save Peachy. It's too bad that conversation did not happen before she so meticulously showed me how to stamp the "blue patient card" onto the acute care charts.
I'll stop bantering now. Brett just went over the monthly budget with me, and I just realized I just encountered my first shock patient that I must attend to.
It's not that I was expecting a gold star or confetti to come dropping from the ceiling, and really, there is only SO much I can do, but did I tell you that one of the nurses on shift this evening Peachy (not sure if this is her birth name) thought that I was in high school. I quickly felt the need to tell Peachy (and I did) that I had a Bachelors of Science in Accounting and my CPA license. She looked confused, like she was going to go into shocked and for a moment I thought that I would have the chance to help save Peachy. It's too bad that conversation did not happen before she so meticulously showed me how to stamp the "blue patient card" onto the acute care charts.
I'll stop bantering now. Brett just went over the monthly budget with me, and I just realized I just encountered my first shock patient that I must attend to.
My first post! Woo whooo!
Serendipity - An unsought, unintended, or unexpected discovery or occurrence, made by accident and sagacity - Wikipedia
sagacity (plural sagacities)
The quality of being sage, wise, or able to make good decisions. - Wikonary
Quest - (kwst) n.
The act or an instance of seeking or pursuing something; a search.
So here it is, my very first "blog." I can't help but think to myself that I should have started this a loooong time ago, or at least when I decide to quit my job, and go back to school to follow my dreams of becoming a nurse, but as the saying goes, there is never a better time than the present... or something to that effect.
The culmination of my decision, to quit my senior associate position and world class firm, put my CPA on the back burner and probably, unknowingly (hmm...ok maybe I knew) break my father's heart, and go back to school to become a nurse was implanted in to my heart several years back (a story for another day). Not to mention, going from two incomes to one income, although, I shouldn't pride myself too much there, even though I was making "good money" it was not worth the dread of my exsistence at that time (ask my Husband).
So here I am, on what I will coin as "The Serindipidous Quest..." and LOVING IT!
Have you ever felt like you are right where you are suppose to be? I mean really really right where you are suppose to be and REALLY LOVED where you are at? I get that excited in love feeling whenever I think about my new path in life. It's like a million tiny butterflies twirling and dancing around in my tummy. I couldn't say that 6 years ago, or even 5. There have definatley been (as many of my friends and family can attest to) countless beautiful moments in the past years to the present moments; engagements, weddings, baby's, "life's events," and I have been very content and continue to count my blessings up. But this feeling, of fullfilling your life's purpose, is just, well, almost indescribable. Everything in life just feels, as my Husband would say "... as if the Stars have aligned..."and yet, the most beautiful part of of this quest is that I truely believe that it's just the beginning. . .
sagacity (plural sagacities)
The quality of being sage, wise, or able to make good decisions. - Wikonary
Quest - (kwst) n.
The act or an instance of seeking or pursuing something; a search.
So here it is, my very first "blog." I can't help but think to myself that I should have started this a loooong time ago, or at least when I decide to quit my job, and go back to school to follow my dreams of becoming a nurse, but as the saying goes, there is never a better time than the present... or something to that effect.
The culmination of my decision, to quit my senior associate position and world class firm, put my CPA on the back burner and probably, unknowingly (hmm...ok maybe I knew) break my father's heart, and go back to school to become a nurse was implanted in to my heart several years back (a story for another day). Not to mention, going from two incomes to one income, although, I shouldn't pride myself too much there, even though I was making "good money" it was not worth the dread of my exsistence at that time (ask my Husband).
So here I am, on what I will coin as "The Serindipidous Quest..." and LOVING IT!
Have you ever felt like you are right where you are suppose to be? I mean really really right where you are suppose to be and REALLY LOVED where you are at? I get that excited in love feeling whenever I think about my new path in life. It's like a million tiny butterflies twirling and dancing around in my tummy. I couldn't say that 6 years ago, or even 5. There have definatley been (as many of my friends and family can attest to) countless beautiful moments in the past years to the present moments; engagements, weddings, baby's, "life's events," and I have been very content and continue to count my blessings up. But this feeling, of fullfilling your life's purpose, is just, well, almost indescribable. Everything in life just feels, as my Husband would say "... as if the Stars have aligned..."and yet, the most beautiful part of of this quest is that I truely believe that it's just the beginning. . .
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