I had so much spare time over the holiday break, and yet I got so little done... blogging included. Here's a bit about what I did do:
Learned to purl. I taught myself how to knit last winter, but had until recently been unable to make the opposite stitch, a purl stitch. You can't really do any patterns without both, so my newly acquired skill has opened up a world of endless possibilities... of scarves. (I only knit scarves. They're easy, and I know I'll finish them and actually wear them.)
Cleaned out my closet. I had lots of clothes that no longer fit me (for the happy reason of having shed a few pounds this year), so I finally pulled the ill-fitting ones out of my closet and took them in to a consignment shop.
Cleaned up the apartment. We've been so busy this semester that our place was in desperate need of a little love.
Ate somewhere between 20 and 30 satsuma mandarins. I bought two five pound boxes at the store last week, and I'm hell-bent on finishing them before any go bad. (I've had six today...)
Spent time with friends. My family is too far away to spend Thanksgiving with, but Luis and I have been fortunate to have wonderful friends with whom we celebrate Thanksgiving. Our potluck style Thanksgiving has become a lovely tradition. I toyed with trying to write something about celebrating the holiday away from my family - certainly a bittersweet experience - but I couldn't recruit the right words to express it. However, Joe Nickell of the Missoulian wrote a sweet, touching column this week, and I think he put it well.
A whole lot of nothing. I spent inordinate amounts of time reading, knitting, and watching movies. It was wonderful. But now it's back to work for the remaining two weeks of the semester (I can't believe there's only two weeks left!), so off I go for a spot of studying. More again soon!
Monday, November 27, 2006
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Duties of the Hospital Floor Nurse in 1887
In addition to caring for your 60 patients, each nurse will follow these regulations:
1. Daily sweep and mop the floors of your ward, dust the patient’s furniture and windowsill.
2. Maintain an even temperature on your ward by bringing in a scuttle of coal for the day’s business.
3. Light is important to observe the patient’s condition; therefore, each day fill the kerosene lamps, clean chimneys, and trim wicks. Wash the windows once a week.
4. The nurse’s notes are important in aiding the physician’s work. Make your pens carefully; you may whittle nibs to your individual taste.
5. Each nurse on duty will report every day at 7 am and will leave at 8 pm except on Sabbath, on which day you will be off from 12 noon to 2 pm.
6. Graduate nurses in good standing with the Director of Nurses will be given an evening off each week if you regularly attend church.
7. Each nurse should lay aside from each payday a good sum of her earning for her benefits during her declining years, so that she will not become a burden. For example, if you earn $20 a month, you should set aside $10.
8. Any nurse who smokes, uses liquor in any form, gets her hair done at a beauty shop, or frequents dance halls will have given the Director of Nurses good reason to suspect her worth, intentions, integrity.
9. The nurse who performs her labors, serves her patients and doctors faithfully and without fault for a period of five years will be given an increase by the hospital administration of five cents per day, providing there are no hospital debts that are outstanding.
(excerpt bummed from Contemporary Nursing, 3rd Ed., Cherry & Jacob)
1. Daily sweep and mop the floors of your ward, dust the patient’s furniture and windowsill.
2. Maintain an even temperature on your ward by bringing in a scuttle of coal for the day’s business.
3. Light is important to observe the patient’s condition; therefore, each day fill the kerosene lamps, clean chimneys, and trim wicks. Wash the windows once a week.
4. The nurse’s notes are important in aiding the physician’s work. Make your pens carefully; you may whittle nibs to your individual taste.
5. Each nurse on duty will report every day at 7 am and will leave at 8 pm except on Sabbath, on which day you will be off from 12 noon to 2 pm.
6. Graduate nurses in good standing with the Director of Nurses will be given an evening off each week if you regularly attend church.
7. Each nurse should lay aside from each payday a good sum of her earning for her benefits during her declining years, so that she will not become a burden. For example, if you earn $20 a month, you should set aside $10.
8. Any nurse who smokes, uses liquor in any form, gets her hair done at a beauty shop, or frequents dance halls will have given the Director of Nurses good reason to suspect her worth, intentions, integrity.
9. The nurse who performs her labors, serves her patients and doctors faithfully and without fault for a period of five years will be given an increase by the hospital administration of five cents per day, providing there are no hospital debts that are outstanding.
(excerpt bummed from Contemporary Nursing, 3rd Ed., Cherry & Jacob)
Monday, November 20, 2006
Sick.
Tomorrow I have a test to take and a project to turn in. Today, unfortunately, I am sick. I was fighting a scratchy throat throughout the latter part of last week, but yesterday I woke up and it had clearly won the battle. My ears are fuzzy and my head is dizzy, and there are hundreds of fire ants performing a ritualistic dance in the back of my throat. I just doused them in DayQuil, and I have now dragged my sorry butt out of bed to finish typing up my Gordon's Functional Health Patterns project.
I did well on the first two exams in my health assessment class, but this third one covers, among other things, function and physical examination of the neurological system. I'm good with the exam part, but terrible with the anatomy. I have a complete mental block when it comes to memorizing the ascending and descending tracts of the nervous system. Every time I try to force this stuff into my head, my brain glazes over, and all of the information slides back out into a pile on my notes. I'll have another look at it later tonight, hopefully I can get it to stick at least long enough to sit the test...
Tomorrow is my only day of class this week - Wednesday begins the Thanksgiving break. I'm looking forward to Margaret's amazing cooking, making my grandma's green bean casserole recipe, and spending some quality time sleeping. Perhaps the mess in my apartment will get a little attention as well...
In addition to putting up my before and after haircut photos here, I also posted them to my Flickr account. Today I got a stalker-esque comment on one:
"geomai says: That was nice of you for donating your hair and you are still a hottie. In fact I think it looks better short on you."
Flattered? Sure. Creeped out? Little bit... I don't know this guy from Adam. Although, when you put stuff about yourself on the internet you have to expect it, and eventally you do start to get used to it. I've met some really neat people online (*nods to four of the fifteen or so people reading this blog*), and I'm all for making new friends. His only error, I think, was the lack of communique prior to the comment. Generally, before making a comment like this, it seems as though some introductory comment may be in order. (Very often, those comments begin with something along the lines of "Hi, I'm not a stalker...) I think I'll send him a flickr message introducing myself, and perhaps we'll be friends.
I did well on the first two exams in my health assessment class, but this third one covers, among other things, function and physical examination of the neurological system. I'm good with the exam part, but terrible with the anatomy. I have a complete mental block when it comes to memorizing the ascending and descending tracts of the nervous system. Every time I try to force this stuff into my head, my brain glazes over, and all of the information slides back out into a pile on my notes. I'll have another look at it later tonight, hopefully I can get it to stick at least long enough to sit the test...
Tomorrow is my only day of class this week - Wednesday begins the Thanksgiving break. I'm looking forward to Margaret's amazing cooking, making my grandma's green bean casserole recipe, and spending some quality time sleeping. Perhaps the mess in my apartment will get a little attention as well...
In addition to putting up my before and after haircut photos here, I also posted them to my Flickr account. Today I got a stalker-esque comment on one:
"geomai says: That was nice of you for donating your hair and you are still a hottie. In fact I think it looks better short on you."
Flattered? Sure. Creeped out? Little bit... I don't know this guy from Adam. Although, when you put stuff about yourself on the internet you have to expect it, and eventally you do start to get used to it. I've met some really neat people online (*nods to four of the fifteen or so people reading this blog*), and I'm all for making new friends. His only error, I think, was the lack of communique prior to the comment. Generally, before making a comment like this, it seems as though some introductory comment may be in order. (Very often, those comments begin with something along the lines of "Hi, I'm not a stalker...) I think I'll send him a flickr message introducing myself, and perhaps we'll be friends.
Friday, November 17, 2006
My friend says I’m a catch…
Luis visited the mall tonight to get his watch battery replaced. He went to several jewelers, trying to find someone able to get the back off of his watch, but to no avail. Afterward he popped by my work to bring me dinner, and to let me know in advance that he’d likely been spotted in several different jewelry stores – Missoula is a small town. The advance notice is, of course, so I don’t get my hopes up when whispered words reach my ears about Luis standing near the sparkling display of engagement rings at Zales.
“But I did read about diamonds while I was there,” he says in his own defense, as I affectionately rib him yet again about the C-word. “I learned about color and stuff.”
“I’ve told you about that stuff,” I reply. “About color and clarity and cut - don’t you remember?”
“Yeah, but when it comes out of your mouth it sounds like 'wa-waaa-waaa-wwa-wwaa' -- like Charlie Brown’s teacher,” he says to me.
I laughed and told him he was mean, but really - that's funny. I know as a girl I should probably be offended or something, but that was comedy gold.
I went back to the nurses’ station later to relay the story, and my friend Tiffany said, “You know, it’s funny that you say that…”
“…I was just thinking the other day that Luis really ought to put something shiny on you, something worth some serious money, before you get away. You’re pretty, and young, and smart, and you’re gonna be a nurse. You’re a catch.”
See? I’m a catch. pssst...someone tell my boyfriend.
“But I did read about diamonds while I was there,” he says in his own defense, as I affectionately rib him yet again about the C-word. “I learned about color and stuff.”
“I’ve told you about that stuff,” I reply. “About color and clarity and cut - don’t you remember?”
“Yeah, but when it comes out of your mouth it sounds like 'wa-waaa-waaa-wwa-wwaa' -- like Charlie Brown’s teacher,” he says to me.
I laughed and told him he was mean, but really - that's funny. I know as a girl I should probably be offended or something, but that was comedy gold.
I went back to the nurses’ station later to relay the story, and my friend Tiffany said, “You know, it’s funny that you say that…”
“…I was just thinking the other day that Luis really ought to put something shiny on you, something worth some serious money, before you get away. You’re pretty, and young, and smart, and you’re gonna be a nurse. You’re a catch.”
See? I’m a catch. pssst...someone tell my boyfriend.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Almost halfway through...
This past Monday saw the beginning of a nine-day stretch of craziness in my schedule. Tuesday I had to pass a return demonstration of wound care skills (it's like a performance exam) and then turn in my first care plan. Yesterday and today were classes as usual, and tomorrow I have a big paper due. I work tonight through Sunday, and then on Tuesday I have another paper/project due and a test (which I expect will be the hardest of the semester.)
Poo on that, I say -- but at least it ends with a holiday break. And honestly, this is sort of the peak of the semester for my classes. It looks like after these next few days, we'll be sort of winding down. A few more tests and write ups, a couple more skills demonstrations, and then two cumulative finals. Huzzah!
I was up until just waaay too late on Monday night, and now my body feels like perhaps it's coming down with a cold. I haven't gotten a full-blown cold in ages, and I'm hoping to fight this one off as well. I'm all about the zinc lozenges and vitamin C at the moment, but a word of caution: don't take the zinc on an empty tummy! I just finished one and haven't eaten anything yet today, and it doesn't feel nice. Feels like heartburn, actually. I'm sure a bite to eat will help...
I'm really tempted to sneak outside for a short run - according to my desktop weather it's a balmy 44° outside! As the weather gets more wintery and unpredictable, I find myself going out to run at all sorts of random times. I have to take advantage of the opportune weather conditions whenever they pop up... on that note, off I go!
Poo on that, I say -- but at least it ends with a holiday break. And honestly, this is sort of the peak of the semester for my classes. It looks like after these next few days, we'll be sort of winding down. A few more tests and write ups, a couple more skills demonstrations, and then two cumulative finals. Huzzah!
I was up until just waaay too late on Monday night, and now my body feels like perhaps it's coming down with a cold. I haven't gotten a full-blown cold in ages, and I'm hoping to fight this one off as well. I'm all about the zinc lozenges and vitamin C at the moment, but a word of caution: don't take the zinc on an empty tummy! I just finished one and haven't eaten anything yet today, and it doesn't feel nice. Feels like heartburn, actually. I'm sure a bite to eat will help...
I'm really tempted to sneak outside for a short run - according to my desktop weather it's a balmy 44° outside! As the weather gets more wintery and unpredictable, I find myself going out to run at all sorts of random times. I have to take advantage of the opportune weather conditions whenever they pop up... on that note, off I go!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
TV
I don't watch much television, but there are few shows that I love:
Scrubs is pretty much the best show on TV. I'm glad that Comedy Central picked up the reruns. It's a funny show, but the message is always genuine. Makes me laugh and cry at the same time.
I also love Nip/Tuck. I happened to catch the first episode when the show started, and I've been hooked ever since.
Luis and I always watch the Biggest Loser. I'm generally opposed to "reality television" (I find that reality TV mainly consists of obnoxious people making fools of themselves, and it certainly isn't real - it's usually pretty much the Springer Show on location), but I do like this show. I don't care so much for the game aspect, but I like watching people make healthy changes that will profoundly impact their lives. It's inspiring.
Finally, after years of waiting - I got to see Detective Elliot Stabler (of Law and Order: SVU) making out with a chick on last night's episode. Hot. So hot. *fans face* I like all of the Law and Orders, but SVU is definitely my favorite. Good ensemble cast, and the lead detectives are two of my favorite television actors. And a little eye candy never hurts, either...
Scrubs is pretty much the best show on TV. I'm glad that Comedy Central picked up the reruns. It's a funny show, but the message is always genuine. Makes me laugh and cry at the same time.
I also love Nip/Tuck. I happened to catch the first episode when the show started, and I've been hooked ever since.
Luis and I always watch the Biggest Loser. I'm generally opposed to "reality television" (I find that reality TV mainly consists of obnoxious people making fools of themselves, and it certainly isn't real - it's usually pretty much the Springer Show on location), but I do like this show. I don't care so much for the game aspect, but I like watching people make healthy changes that will profoundly impact their lives. It's inspiring.
Finally, after years of waiting - I got to see Detective Elliot Stabler (of Law and Order: SVU) making out with a chick on last night's episode. Hot. So hot. *fans face* I like all of the Law and Orders, but SVU is definitely my favorite. Good ensemble cast, and the lead detectives are two of my favorite television actors. And a little eye candy never hurts, either...
Monday, November 13, 2006
Procrastination in progress.
Every launderable garment in my apartment is clean. All of the dishes have been washed and put away. The trash - taken out. Mail - sorted. I cleaned out the fridge. Dusted the living room shelves. Swept the bathroom.
This can really only mean one thing: I must have a paper due.
And I do. Two, in fact. One tomorrow, another Friday. It is now 5:30 pm and I have a large amount of work ahead of me tonight. But at least - at LEAST, this time I'm not STARTING the paper at 5:30 the night before it's due. I have nearly half of it done. Perhaps I'm making a little headway in the battle against my procrastination demon. (Of course, I'll know I've made some serious strides in time management when I wait until AFTER I've done my homework to blog...)
I just ate the biggest Fuji apple I'd ever seen - seriously, I'm talking the size of a softball. Enormous. And yummy.
Last night ended up being brother night. My nineteen-year-old brother Tony called me for financial aid and scholarship application help, because he's starting college in the spring. Then, not twenty minutes after we got off the phone, my younger brother Ricky called, needing help with his math homework . It's not easy to teach someone how to do linear equations and graphing without being able to see his work or write out examples! Poor guy - we were on the phone for about an hour and a half. I think his brain short-circuited by the end, but at least he got his homework done. I'm glad I'm still useful to them, even being so far away...
And speaking of family and far away, I've got a plane ticket to Kansas! I was only in town this summer for a couple of days, so I decided this winter I'd stay for a while - I'll be mooching off my parents for three whole weeks! I look forward being with my family, and catching up with old friends, and shopping with Erica, and eating Chipotle, and playing with Bart and Peanut, and untying the shoelaces of all my pregnant friends so I can laugh at them trying to reach their toes...
Okay, time to get to work!
This can really only mean one thing: I must have a paper due.
And I do. Two, in fact. One tomorrow, another Friday. It is now 5:30 pm and I have a large amount of work ahead of me tonight. But at least - at LEAST, this time I'm not STARTING the paper at 5:30 the night before it's due. I have nearly half of it done. Perhaps I'm making a little headway in the battle against my procrastination demon. (Of course, I'll know I've made some serious strides in time management when I wait until AFTER I've done my homework to blog...)
I just ate the biggest Fuji apple I'd ever seen - seriously, I'm talking the size of a softball. Enormous. And yummy.
Last night ended up being brother night. My nineteen-year-old brother Tony called me for financial aid and scholarship application help, because he's starting college in the spring. Then, not twenty minutes after we got off the phone, my younger brother Ricky called, needing help with his math homework . It's not easy to teach someone how to do linear equations and graphing without being able to see his work or write out examples! Poor guy - we were on the phone for about an hour and a half. I think his brain short-circuited by the end, but at least he got his homework done. I'm glad I'm still useful to them, even being so far away...
And speaking of family and far away, I've got a plane ticket to Kansas! I was only in town this summer for a couple of days, so I decided this winter I'd stay for a while - I'll be mooching off my parents for three whole weeks! I look forward being with my family, and catching up with old friends, and shopping with Erica, and eating Chipotle, and playing with Bart and Peanut, and untying the shoelaces of all my pregnant friends so I can laugh at them trying to reach their toes...
Okay, time to get to work!
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Change is good.
I was ready for something a little different... and now I've got a long ponytail to send to Locks of Love tomorrow!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
A good day.
This afternoon my health assessment class covered pediatric examinations. As such, several of my classmates brought their children in to be our guinea pigs. It was fun to rub little bellies and check reflexes and do fun developmental screening tasks. Assessments focused on health rather than illness are a pleasant change of pace. And it was especially fun to hold all the babies...
I had clinicals again this evening. Over the past few weeks I've really started to enjoy my time at the nursing home. It's a great feeling knowing that you've been a bright spot in someone's day. Two little old ladies kissed me and told me they love me. I love that ten minutes of my time spent talking to an elderly woman who is a little lonely can make her day better.
I firmly believe that if more people in our society spent time in situations like these, the world would be a better place. Interactions with others - and especially those that cut through factors like age, ability, socioeconomic status - really get to the core of who we are as people. Get away from your creature comforts and spend some time with those in need. Financial need, social need, physical need - doesn't matter. I have enough opinions on some of these topics to write for hours (perhaps soon I will, just not tonight) - but I believe that the inordinate amount of stuff accumulated by most people is a sad attempt to fill a void that could be healed by more of these kinds interactions. New powerbooks and cars and furniture and ipods are nice, but they can't hold a candle to the human spirit. Every week I come home from this slow, sedate place, a place laden with the gradual deceleration of life, and I remember that I'm healthy. I'm whole. I have a warm bed and food to eat. I have a caring and thoughtful family, and a boyfriend who hugs and kisses me every day. My life is amazing. And with it I have the incredible ability to do good things. It's an awesome thought...
Tomorrow I have a hair appointment. I'm pretty excited - I'm feeling ready for a change. Perhaps I'll make it an all-girly day and give myself a pedicure too. Oh, and if only I had the money to work in a little shoe shopping - well, maybe I'll try some on, just for good measure. : )
I had clinicals again this evening. Over the past few weeks I've really started to enjoy my time at the nursing home. It's a great feeling knowing that you've been a bright spot in someone's day. Two little old ladies kissed me and told me they love me. I love that ten minutes of my time spent talking to an elderly woman who is a little lonely can make her day better.
I firmly believe that if more people in our society spent time in situations like these, the world would be a better place. Interactions with others - and especially those that cut through factors like age, ability, socioeconomic status - really get to the core of who we are as people. Get away from your creature comforts and spend some time with those in need. Financial need, social need, physical need - doesn't matter. I have enough opinions on some of these topics to write for hours (perhaps soon I will, just not tonight) - but I believe that the inordinate amount of stuff accumulated by most people is a sad attempt to fill a void that could be healed by more of these kinds interactions. New powerbooks and cars and furniture and ipods are nice, but they can't hold a candle to the human spirit. Every week I come home from this slow, sedate place, a place laden with the gradual deceleration of life, and I remember that I'm healthy. I'm whole. I have a warm bed and food to eat. I have a caring and thoughtful family, and a boyfriend who hugs and kisses me every day. My life is amazing. And with it I have the incredible ability to do good things. It's an awesome thought...
Tomorrow I have a hair appointment. I'm pretty excited - I'm feeling ready for a change. Perhaps I'll make it an all-girly day and give myself a pedicure too. Oh, and if only I had the money to work in a little shoe shopping - well, maybe I'll try some on, just for good measure. : )
Monday, November 06, 2006
Vote, dammit.
Flipping through the channels on television last night, I came across a campaign ad for the senate race. That alone isn't surprising - we're getting down to the wire in a pretty close competition. But the first ad was followed by another ad, for the other candidate. And then a third. And a fourth. And then Mandi shut off the television. At this point in the campaigns the gloves have long since come off, and every ad is a lesson in mudslinging. I can't take it anymore, and I swear my blood pressure spikes every time I start thinking about politics. It's all dirty and wrong. And slanted. And scary. So here's a rant about all things political, and then I'm going to go back to being quiet about the whole mess.
I don't like politicians. I believe a few important things can be said for almost anyone who has the money and the influence needed to succeed in politics:
1. They've long since sold out. Any decency they may have had was likely sacrificed in order to get them to where they are today.
2. They have absolutely no idea what it's like to be an average American citizen. They don't know the slightest thing about what life is like for you.
3. They don't care the slightest bit about what life is like for you.
4. Their goal is not to serve the best interest of the public - it's to serve their own interest, which generally means doing whatever is necessary to keep their position of power.
I don't like the party platform system. I think it's antiquated and narrow minded, and it stinks. That said, I'm a registered Democrat. I agree with some of what that party has to say, and more importantly, I fervently disagree with the actions of the Republican party. The current political regime has used fear and anger as a way to manipulate the public. They use religion as a justification for their actions (post concerning my thoughts on religion coming soon to a blog near you) and as a claim to a moral high ground that they simply don't deserve.
I have no problem with people who support a party different from mine. What I do have a problem with is people who can't tell me, at least in general, why they support who they do. I am tired of the lackadaisical mindset of the American public at large. It seems like much of the country has had the wool pulled over its' eyes. If people were paying attention, they'd be enraged. Instead, they take what they've been spoonfed and question no further. We've become complacent, concerning ourselves only with the mundane and letting the important things slip below our radars. Who cares about our civil liberties slowly being stripped away? Paris and Nicole are friends again - surely that's more newsworthy... I heard somewhere recently (although I can't find the original source now) about the steady increase in celebrity/entertainment magazine circulation, and at the same time a drop in sales of news magazines. This country has its' priorities all out of whack. It's sad. And right now it may be a benign little problem, but if we ignore our rights and responsibilities long enough, they're sure to disappear.
Okay -that's enough talk about politics. Tomorrow I will go to the polls and do my duty. You should too.
I don't like politicians. I believe a few important things can be said for almost anyone who has the money and the influence needed to succeed in politics:
1. They've long since sold out. Any decency they may have had was likely sacrificed in order to get them to where they are today.
2. They have absolutely no idea what it's like to be an average American citizen. They don't know the slightest thing about what life is like for you.
3. They don't care the slightest bit about what life is like for you.
4. Their goal is not to serve the best interest of the public - it's to serve their own interest, which generally means doing whatever is necessary to keep their position of power.
I don't like the party platform system. I think it's antiquated and narrow minded, and it stinks. That said, I'm a registered Democrat. I agree with some of what that party has to say, and more importantly, I fervently disagree with the actions of the Republican party. The current political regime has used fear and anger as a way to manipulate the public. They use religion as a justification for their actions (post concerning my thoughts on religion coming soon to a blog near you) and as a claim to a moral high ground that they simply don't deserve.
I have no problem with people who support a party different from mine. What I do have a problem with is people who can't tell me, at least in general, why they support who they do. I am tired of the lackadaisical mindset of the American public at large. It seems like much of the country has had the wool pulled over its' eyes. If people were paying attention, they'd be enraged. Instead, they take what they've been spoonfed and question no further. We've become complacent, concerning ourselves only with the mundane and letting the important things slip below our radars. Who cares about our civil liberties slowly being stripped away? Paris and Nicole are friends again - surely that's more newsworthy... I heard somewhere recently (although I can't find the original source now) about the steady increase in celebrity/entertainment magazine circulation, and at the same time a drop in sales of news magazines. This country has its' priorities all out of whack. It's sad. And right now it may be a benign little problem, but if we ignore our rights and responsibilities long enough, they're sure to disappear.
Okay -that's enough talk about politics. Tomorrow I will go to the polls and do my duty. You should too.
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