Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
the latest
View from our apartment in New West
it's been way to long...so what has life looked like lately?
I'm excited to be going to Maui for the first time ever in Dec with Johann and his family! We leave right after my night shift on Dec.18th. I have visions of dinner cruises, scenic drives, playing tennis and getting tanned somewhere along the way. I already got a new bikini top!
I've been getting massages every two weeks and recently had physio. My body has been in some form of pain as long as I've worked in health care and it wasn't getting any better. Today I tried Bikrim yoga for the first time and - WOW- my back feels so good. There was a lot of nausea, head pounding and quivering muscles through it all but I'm going again tomorrow! Another nurse encouraged me to try it as she had a chronic injury that never felt better with physio, chiro and massage and since doing the Bikrim yoga she feels much better. I look forward to listening to my body as I try to give it what it needs.
I'm trying to cook more lately. it's so easy to get lazy and eat snacks/eat out, but it ends up being more costly and unhealthy. Some recipes I've tried:
1. Squash soup (made with squash, bartlett pears, cream and bacon)
2. chicken quesadillas
3.pumpkin bread (the muffins turned out better than the loaf which was uncooked in the middle.
At work I got to go to an education session about promoting change in the work place. We learned about different ways of going about it and did lots of brain storming and it was very eye opening, fun and high energy! There are a few of us who want to facilitate how to make something better on our unit (possibly improving our hand hygeine numbers). One of the phrases that stuck with me was "Please Do Something Anything- DSA (plan, do study, act) getting together with other nurses with shift work is proving to be the biggest challenge.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Compassionate people
I recently took an 8 hour plane ride from Seattle, Wa to Iceland. The seats were cramped, but people got themselves settled in and made the most of it. About 4 hours into our flight I hear call bells ringing. No, I was not hallucinating I was at work, they actually have call bells on the plane; flight attendants "attend" to your needs when you use it. I realize how helpless one can feel on a long plane ride, as I was one of the passengers too. There are times when you hear unsettling sounds and experience unwanted feelings of fear, anxiety along with the uneasiness of breathing in about 100 people's recycled air. So you press that button, and in comes a calm attendant telling you it's alright, everything is under control. Offers you a drink when you're thirsty, and shows compassion and empathy when you complain that it's too hot in this airplane.
Over the years I've had good flight attendants and out-right rude ones and let me tell you: a friendly calm face is what you need on a long journey. You're overtired, feeling out of place and unsure of what to expect and all of this makes you feel that much better when you know they have your back and will do whatever it takes to help you get through the long trip. I couldn't help but compare what flight attendants do to what nurses do. On a medical journey there are bumps along the road, but knowing there are trained, compassionate professionals there with you to answer questions, to sooth any symptoms that come and to be with you as the journey happens helps pass the time. In the end you leave the plane, the hospital and move forward to your next destination. Who knows, you may even be back. In the hospital you rarely choose to be there and you certainly don't get to choose your nurse. It's a gamble as to how your journey will.
Maybe you are a nurse reading this, or even a patient/passenger and I wander what you think as you read it? Does it make you want to be a better nurse? Does it make you feel good or upset about our health care system? If you have someone in your life whether a professional or not, and they try to make your life better than thank them for it. We need more decent people in the world out there.
Over the years I've had good flight attendants and out-right rude ones and let me tell you: a friendly calm face is what you need on a long journey. You're overtired, feeling out of place and unsure of what to expect and all of this makes you feel that much better when you know they have your back and will do whatever it takes to help you get through the long trip. I couldn't help but compare what flight attendants do to what nurses do. On a medical journey there are bumps along the road, but knowing there are trained, compassionate professionals there with you to answer questions, to sooth any symptoms that come and to be with you as the journey happens helps pass the time. In the end you leave the plane, the hospital and move forward to your next destination. Who knows, you may even be back. In the hospital you rarely choose to be there and you certainly don't get to choose your nurse. It's a gamble as to how your journey will.
Maybe you are a nurse reading this, or even a patient/passenger and I wander what you think as you read it? Does it make you want to be a better nurse? Does it make you feel good or upset about our health care system? If you have someone in your life whether a professional or not, and they try to make your life better than thank them for it. We need more decent people in the world out there.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Here's some things happening in my life lately:
I got into the perioperative program (OR training), then just a few days ago found out that I didn't pass the online portion to move onto my full-time practicum. I was sad and upset as I didn't reapply for a position at VGH because I thought I was leaving. I also put on too much pressure on myself and never really got into the content- and doing an online course while working full-time is challenging! After the day I found out I just felt content, and that everhing would work out. So- now it seems I get to keep my current job (same line) and get to work with the most amazing staff at VGH! Who knows where the next path will take me...maybe homecare nursing or public health?
I think I may have to move. My allergies have been terrible and I get sick often. Johann seems immune to it all. We had a leak from a tub in the suite next door to us and the carpet got soaked- everything got fixed, just waiting to get the carpet cleaned (big water stain). I think living with carpet is not good for my health. So, since I won't be immersed in this program we might be looking for a new place to live. Possibly in a different neighborhood.
I do love my neighborhood- I live close to my sister and brother-in-law (Jamie) and my nephew plus close to my good friend Meliss and her husband. JOhann is now sharing a warehouse space to use for his model planes/blasting his music with Mel's husband and his brother (both of them are Jamie's brothers). I have been reconnecting with a friend I hadn't seen in 10 years who lives close to the hood. I also love the local library and community center- it's brand new and amazing!
I have decided to both buy and make christmas presents for everyone this year. I haven't really got into the gift aspect of the season, however I did decorate for Christmas back in November!
Johann and I are going to the Okanagan for Christmas! Two nights at the local ski hill with my friends Hil and Adrien. Then one night with my parents...
I got into the perioperative program (OR training), then just a few days ago found out that I didn't pass the online portion to move onto my full-time practicum. I was sad and upset as I didn't reapply for a position at VGH because I thought I was leaving. I also put on too much pressure on myself and never really got into the content- and doing an online course while working full-time is challenging! After the day I found out I just felt content, and that everhing would work out. So- now it seems I get to keep my current job (same line) and get to work with the most amazing staff at VGH! Who knows where the next path will take me...maybe homecare nursing or public health?
I think I may have to move. My allergies have been terrible and I get sick often. Johann seems immune to it all. We had a leak from a tub in the suite next door to us and the carpet got soaked- everything got fixed, just waiting to get the carpet cleaned (big water stain). I think living with carpet is not good for my health. So, since I won't be immersed in this program we might be looking for a new place to live. Possibly in a different neighborhood.
I do love my neighborhood- I live close to my sister and brother-in-law (Jamie) and my nephew plus close to my good friend Meliss and her husband. JOhann is now sharing a warehouse space to use for his model planes/blasting his music with Mel's husband and his brother (both of them are Jamie's brothers). I have been reconnecting with a friend I hadn't seen in 10 years who lives close to the hood. I also love the local library and community center- it's brand new and amazing!
I have decided to both buy and make christmas presents for everyone this year. I haven't really got into the gift aspect of the season, however I did decorate for Christmas back in November!
Johann and I are going to the Okanagan for Christmas! Two nights at the local ski hill with my friends Hil and Adrien. Then one night with my parents...
Monday, October 4, 2010
New season
the scandinave spa we retreated to in whistler...
It's been a while. Summer has come and gone and we're into my favorite season:Autumn. The brightly colored leaves, the chill in the air and the sunshine...something is different in the air: a new season of those starting school and new phases of life. My life is shifting as Johann is officially moving in! He has decided to get a storage locker for his model plane stuff, tools, extras as the one bedroom we share is not huge though I am a fan of the many closets.
I have been trying to make our place into a happy home- we have Johann's computer now, my mac tower I was using died so I decided to purchase a refurbished macbook! it arrives sometime this week and I am desperate to have my own computer again:) I am officially addicted to netflicks.com loving my first month free: favorite shows include Intervention, Hoarders, Drop dead diva....who knows what show I will watch next!
Joahnn and I just got back from an amazing weekend trip to Whistler where we ziplined, went to dinner at Araxia and on sunday we took in the Scandinave spa. What a nice refreshing end to our weekend.Picures to come later!And now I am at work working the first of 3 night shifts.
Looking forward to two turkey dinners next weekend: one with Johann's family and one with mine. Rach and Kris are hosting this year in their brand-new town house! Should be fun- baby Oscar (My nephew) and Oliver (rach's weiner dog) and all the husbands/boyfriend will be there.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Been a while...
10 things I've been up to lately:
1. Spending time with my adorable nephew Oscar.
2.Spending Lots of time with my new boyfriend- he's Icelandic and I love that he's a crane operator who loves adventure. We've been zip lining in Whistler, on a ropes challenge course in Revelstoke, with plans for paragliding in August...perhaps I will ride on the glider with him once he's recertified...So- life is never dull with Johann. My parents love him, and I spent some time with his family at a cabin outside Kamploops last week: so much fun!
3. Went on a solo trip to the Olympic national park- saw several rain forests and hiked to some natural hotsprings.
4. Went to sasquatch music festival- had to get 4 stitches on the first day ( my little pinkie was bleeding from a knive wound when I was cooking at my campsite. Got the hospital bill: $1,071!! Filling out insurance paperwork now one month later!
5. I went to Denver,Co on my birthday to a Univera convention and got inspired, had fun and saw the Corporate team including the Korean founder! Danced at an 80's party that night.
6. Planting a garden- then Jen and jamie moved leaving our garden behind for the next tenants.
7. Been biking to work everyday- but I need to start doing it for fun- 10th ave everyday is nice but I need more. I need a sport: tennis anyone?
8. Had my first preceptorship student for 2 months. Learned lots about leadership and got to share my knowledge with her and learn from her as well.
9. Been doing lots of baking! Jennica gave me a cupcake cookbook for my birthday.
10. Using skype a lot-saving $$ on long distance charges. thinking of getting the new i-phone- face to face skype on it! Okay this is a lame number 10....
1. Spending time with my adorable nephew Oscar.
2.Spending Lots of time with my new boyfriend- he's Icelandic and I love that he's a crane operator who loves adventure. We've been zip lining in Whistler, on a ropes challenge course in Revelstoke, with plans for paragliding in August...perhaps I will ride on the glider with him once he's recertified...So- life is never dull with Johann. My parents love him, and I spent some time with his family at a cabin outside Kamploops last week: so much fun!
3. Went on a solo trip to the Olympic national park- saw several rain forests and hiked to some natural hotsprings.
4. Went to sasquatch music festival- had to get 4 stitches on the first day ( my little pinkie was bleeding from a knive wound when I was cooking at my campsite. Got the hospital bill: $1,071!! Filling out insurance paperwork now one month later!
5. I went to Denver,Co on my birthday to a Univera convention and got inspired, had fun and saw the Corporate team including the Korean founder! Danced at an 80's party that night.
6. Planting a garden- then Jen and jamie moved leaving our garden behind for the next tenants.
7. Been biking to work everyday- but I need to start doing it for fun- 10th ave everyday is nice but I need more. I need a sport: tennis anyone?
8. Had my first preceptorship student for 2 months. Learned lots about leadership and got to share my knowledge with her and learn from her as well.
9. Been doing lots of baking! Jennica gave me a cupcake cookbook for my birthday.
10. Using skype a lot-saving $$ on long distance charges. thinking of getting the new i-phone- face to face skype on it! Okay this is a lame number 10....
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
pics from the Atlantic house during Olympics
So I ventured to Granville island and enjoyed the Atlantic house to celebrate PEI day. I met one local from summerside, PEI (Jordan) and his friend Erik from New Brunswick. They'd met at U of A in Sacville, NB. We waited in line at backstage lounge, shared some beers, appies and then we had a Screech together (a famous east coast shot)
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