I thought everyone might be interested in checking out the language school I am planning on going to in Guatemala. I've heard good things about it, and even got a recommendation for who to do my home stay with. They also do some community service, offer dancing and cooking classes, bike rides through Antigua, and an opportunity to climb an active volcano! Anyway, here is the link...
http://www.ixchelschool.com
Friday, April 18, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
First Day of Work
Today was my first day on the new job and boy am I tired. My brain hurts! The physical assessment stuff came back pretty quick, but the 20 step process (I kid you not) to give any medication or IV fluid is insane! It takes me 10 minutes to give a Tylenol and its not because I am busy or tied up anywhere! Anyway, I'm tired and I have another 12 hour shift tomorrow so I am going to bed.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Numb Tongue
Yep, my tongue is numb, actually its only the right side of my tongue. My adventure started on Tuesday when I went in to have the final work done on my crown. They numbed the right lower side of my mouth real nice, did the needed work, and then off I went. Everything was going away nicely when I went to bed, except that the right side of my tongue, and my lip was still numb. I figured it would go away overnight, so off to bed I went.
Well, I woke up the next morning and something just seemed wrong. Not in a bad way, just different. Once I woke up enough, I realized that my tongue was still numb. "This is odd", I thought to myself. I reasoned that I had been lying down for the whole night, so maybe it didn't just go away, but it will surely get better as the morning wears on and I am up and moving about.
It didn't, which then made me call the dentist. The nice receptionist (who also works as an assistant) explained that this can be normal when you get injections. Sometimes the needle bruises or partially severs the nerve. It usually resolves......in 2 weeks to 6 MONTHS!!!!!! Yep, it can take up to 6 months (or sometimes longer) to regain taste, hot/cold, and sensation!
Has anyone else had this happen or heard of this before? I hadn't! So, right now the right side of my tongue is numb, I can't taste anything on that side, nor can I tell if something is hot or cold. It makes drinking hot coffee or tea mighty interesting to say the least. I hope is resolves sooner than later as you don't really appreciate your tongue and what it does for you until you can't feel it.
On a brighter note, today was my last day at the office. It was filled with a lot of goodbyes, instructions, and tears. Dorothy (the other nurse) bawled as I was saying goodbye. To be honest, I think it has more to do with her being left with all the work, and not so much with her missing me personally. I understand, I know how much work there is! She got a full realization of how much work I plow through each day when I was gone in Guatemala. I can process a stack of 25 charts in under 15 minutes *brag, brag*. Anyway, I am completely going to miss the people, but not the work, paperwork, or phone calls ("Yes, I am 2 seconds pregnant and I'm wondering if I can open my door to go outside? Will this hurt my baby? Are you sure? Maybe you should check with the doctor and call me back.") Laugh away, but its pretty close to the calls I get. How ever did we manage to reproduce all these years if breathing will hurt your baby???
I start orientation at the hospital on Monday, and then the following week I start my orientation back to the maternity center. That will probably be on day shift for the next 4-5 weeks and then on night shift for 1-2 weeks. It all depends how quickly everything comes back. I'm aiming for only a 3-4 week orientation if I can help it.
The time line for my 6 month trip to Guatemala is tentatively set....meaning I will either 1) be going mid Feb for language school, doing the RRB clinic trip mid March, and then start with Tito, or 2) do the RRB trip mid March, then language school, then Tito. I'm looking into various language schools and picking the brains of a few friends who have been down there doing this type of thing. I'll be contacting Tito probably in the next few months to make sure he can use me for the spring/summer next year and then I'll start firming up plans.
I will close with a picture from Guatemala, which reminds me why I want to go back, and no its not Oscar related (mom, I know that is what you are thinking!)
Well, I woke up the next morning and something just seemed wrong. Not in a bad way, just different. Once I woke up enough, I realized that my tongue was still numb. "This is odd", I thought to myself. I reasoned that I had been lying down for the whole night, so maybe it didn't just go away, but it will surely get better as the morning wears on and I am up and moving about.
It didn't, which then made me call the dentist. The nice receptionist (who also works as an assistant) explained that this can be normal when you get injections. Sometimes the needle bruises or partially severs the nerve. It usually resolves......in 2 weeks to 6 MONTHS!!!!!! Yep, it can take up to 6 months (or sometimes longer) to regain taste, hot/cold, and sensation!
Has anyone else had this happen or heard of this before? I hadn't! So, right now the right side of my tongue is numb, I can't taste anything on that side, nor can I tell if something is hot or cold. It makes drinking hot coffee or tea mighty interesting to say the least. I hope is resolves sooner than later as you don't really appreciate your tongue and what it does for you until you can't feel it.
On a brighter note, today was my last day at the office. It was filled with a lot of goodbyes, instructions, and tears. Dorothy (the other nurse) bawled as I was saying goodbye. To be honest, I think it has more to do with her being left with all the work, and not so much with her missing me personally. I understand, I know how much work there is! She got a full realization of how much work I plow through each day when I was gone in Guatemala. I can process a stack of 25 charts in under 15 minutes *brag, brag*. Anyway, I am completely going to miss the people, but not the work, paperwork, or phone calls ("Yes, I am 2 seconds pregnant and I'm wondering if I can open my door to go outside? Will this hurt my baby? Are you sure? Maybe you should check with the doctor and call me back.") Laugh away, but its pretty close to the calls I get. How ever did we manage to reproduce all these years if breathing will hurt your baby???
I start orientation at the hospital on Monday, and then the following week I start my orientation back to the maternity center. That will probably be on day shift for the next 4-5 weeks and then on night shift for 1-2 weeks. It all depends how quickly everything comes back. I'm aiming for only a 3-4 week orientation if I can help it.
The time line for my 6 month trip to Guatemala is tentatively set....meaning I will either 1) be going mid Feb for language school, doing the RRB clinic trip mid March, and then start with Tito, or 2) do the RRB trip mid March, then language school, then Tito. I'm looking into various language schools and picking the brains of a few friends who have been down there doing this type of thing. I'll be contacting Tito probably in the next few months to make sure he can use me for the spring/summer next year and then I'll start firming up plans.
I will close with a picture from Guatemala, which reminds me why I want to go back, and no its not Oscar related (mom, I know that is what you are thinking!)
Thursday, March 13, 2008
New News
Oh, where to begin......
I am adjusting to being back from Guatemala, although I REALLY miss it there. I am still working on my "thank you" letter to send to those who prayed/donated for me to go....a month later isn't too bad, right?
Still haven't heard from a certain man in Guatemala, and am beginning to think I won't, so I have been struggling with letting it go. It sounds so easy, but for me, its one of the hardest things to let go of. It's one of those areas that I have always struggled with trusting God. Maybe thats what I'm supposed to learn through this situation....I just don't like it though! When you are getting up there in years (don't laugh anyone who is older than me), seeing younger (much younger) siblings/cousins getting married and having kids, knowing your eggs are wasting away, and are super lonely, it makes it REALLY hard to trust in God's timing.
Anyway, as a result of a very strong desire to go back to Guatemala for 6+ months next year (2 months of language school, and then the rest working with the clinics there), I have decided a job change is in order. Actually, I've been considering a job change for a while, but this really kicked me into gear. Last week, I approached the maternity center here at Evergreen about coming back to work full-time. The manager just about jumped over the desk to offer me a job, which after much consideration, I accepted. What I really had to weigh, was the fact that I would be on night shift (horror of horrors!). I do awful on nights (7pm-7:30am), and I will warn everyone now, I'll most likely be a sleepy grumpy person until I can get a day shift. The plus is that I get some flexibility in how I want my schedule to look. I'm going to request Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. This will allow me to pick up an extra shift every so often, and still leave my Sundays and Thursdays free for church. I start hospital orientation April 7th, which lasts for a week.....can we say boring!
Dr Dydell took the news very well, and has been very supportive. They are actively looking for a nurse to replace me. Dorothy is doing ok, although I notice she is getting a bit more panicky every day. I think that if we can find someone before I go, she will do better.
I also resigned from being the CO of Alpha Base (the good guy Star Wars costume group) and have notified both bases that I will mostly likely not be active. As much as I love, LOVE Star Wars, there are more important things in life and Guatemala really opened my eyes to the excess and waste of money that I am guilty of. Convicting!
I am learning some Spanish by using Rosetta Stone online software, which is working ok. My vocabulary is improving, but my grammar is not doing so hot. I've never been good even with English grammar and the Spanish stuff is even worse! Here is a sampling of my Spanish to wow and impress you all....
Hola
Adios
Una manzana es verde.
Un perro es grande.
Mi camiseta es azul.
Cafe es calor
Come estas? Muy bien
I know, I know....impressive! Have a great weekend!
I am adjusting to being back from Guatemala, although I REALLY miss it there. I am still working on my "thank you" letter to send to those who prayed/donated for me to go....a month later isn't too bad, right?
Still haven't heard from a certain man in Guatemala, and am beginning to think I won't, so I have been struggling with letting it go. It sounds so easy, but for me, its one of the hardest things to let go of. It's one of those areas that I have always struggled with trusting God. Maybe thats what I'm supposed to learn through this situation....I just don't like it though! When you are getting up there in years (don't laugh anyone who is older than me), seeing younger (much younger) siblings/cousins getting married and having kids, knowing your eggs are wasting away, and are super lonely, it makes it REALLY hard to trust in God's timing.
Anyway, as a result of a very strong desire to go back to Guatemala for 6+ months next year (2 months of language school, and then the rest working with the clinics there), I have decided a job change is in order. Actually, I've been considering a job change for a while, but this really kicked me into gear. Last week, I approached the maternity center here at Evergreen about coming back to work full-time. The manager just about jumped over the desk to offer me a job, which after much consideration, I accepted. What I really had to weigh, was the fact that I would be on night shift (horror of horrors!). I do awful on nights (7pm-7:30am), and I will warn everyone now, I'll most likely be a sleepy grumpy person until I can get a day shift. The plus is that I get some flexibility in how I want my schedule to look. I'm going to request Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. This will allow me to pick up an extra shift every so often, and still leave my Sundays and Thursdays free for church. I start hospital orientation April 7th, which lasts for a week.....can we say boring!
Dr Dydell took the news very well, and has been very supportive. They are actively looking for a nurse to replace me. Dorothy is doing ok, although I notice she is getting a bit more panicky every day. I think that if we can find someone before I go, she will do better.
I also resigned from being the CO of Alpha Base (the good guy Star Wars costume group) and have notified both bases that I will mostly likely not be active. As much as I love, LOVE Star Wars, there are more important things in life and Guatemala really opened my eyes to the excess and waste of money that I am guilty of. Convicting!
I am learning some Spanish by using Rosetta Stone online software, which is working ok. My vocabulary is improving, but my grammar is not doing so hot. I've never been good even with English grammar and the Spanish stuff is even worse! Here is a sampling of my Spanish to wow and impress you all....
Hola
Adios
Una manzana es verde.
Un perro es grande.
Mi camiseta es azul.
Cafe es calor
Come estas? Muy bien
I know, I know....impressive! Have a great weekend!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Snow
Well, I tried to get into work this morning, but after being on the road for 1 1/2 hours, and still just being in Lynnwood, I went back home. I had about 2-2 1/2 inches on my car this morning...I know...you people on the other side of the mountains are laughing right now. Its already compacted to ice on a lot of streets, which combined with the snowfall they are predicting tonight, means a very, VERY thick layer of ice tomorrow morning. I'm going to try to head to work around 9:30-10 and if I can make it, I'll probably just stay the night at someones house so I don't have to make the drive again tomorrow. I just hope its better soon. I need to get my paycheck (curse the fact that we don't have direct deposit!), and go get last minutes things for my trip. If its not better by Wednesday or Thursday, I'll have to skip the ministry meeting/worship time at church on Thursday night so I can get all ready. Bahh....why does it have to snow the end of January!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Assorted things
A compilation if you will.....
1) Leaving for Guatemala next Friday. Feeling nervous, excited, and blessed to be able to go. Just have a few more things to get, then I shall pack, and check over everything 20 times.
2) Being blessed by my community group at church, although when asked about my stance on predestination (that was the topic of the sermon last Sunday), I just sat there probably with my mouth hanging open and drool coming out. I definitely need to study more on this topic. Its not something I've ever struggled/wrestled with, and isn't a key part of my relationship with God, therefore I've neglected studying it.
3) Best homemade laundry soap ever!
1 cup grated Fels Naptha Soap
1) Leaving for Guatemala next Friday. Feeling nervous, excited, and blessed to be able to go. Just have a few more things to get, then I shall pack, and check over everything 20 times.
2) Being blessed by my community group at church, although when asked about my stance on predestination (that was the topic of the sermon last Sunday), I just sat there probably with my mouth hanging open and drool coming out. I definitely need to study more on this topic. Its not something I've ever struggled/wrestled with, and isn't a key part of my relationship with God, therefore I've neglected studying it.
3) Best homemade laundry soap ever!
1 cup grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup 20 mule team boraxMix and store in airtight container or bag. For light loads, use 2 tablespoon. For heavy loads, use 3 tablespoons.
Smells great, cleans great, is cheap, easy on the environment...what more could you want! Was able to find all products at Fred Meyers, which is handy.
4) Reading the Golden Compass....I know its quite controversial in the Christian community, but I want to judge for myself. The key is to be confident and firm in your beliefs/convictions and then read said books with an open mind. Don't go in with a bias...just go and read it for what it is...a piece of fiction. So far I wouldn't say its a fabulous book like Harry Potter, (I know Michelle disagrees with me on this point, but this is my blog, so too bad), but it does have a semi-decent storyline. I plan on reading the other two in the series as well. Told a person at work and she chewed my ear off, and then chewed my other one off for reading HP. I felt like saying "its really sad you can't just read a book and make your own decisions, but have to let others do your thinking for you." Apparently I am going to hell and all my future children will go to hell as well for me being willing to let them read the series when they are older.
5) Working a lot of overtime the last couple of Friday's, good for the paycheck, bad for me...I'm tired. Its not that I have anything else to do on Friday nights, but I like to know I have the option of doing something if I wanted to. I am really boring, lol.
Can't think of anymore assorted things for now, so I will end this blog.
Smells great, cleans great, is cheap, easy on the environment...what more could you want! Was able to find all products at Fred Meyers, which is handy.
4) Reading the Golden Compass....I know its quite controversial in the Christian community, but I want to judge for myself. The key is to be confident and firm in your beliefs/convictions and then read said books with an open mind. Don't go in with a bias...just go and read it for what it is...a piece of fiction. So far I wouldn't say its a fabulous book like Harry Potter, (I know Michelle disagrees with me on this point, but this is my blog, so too bad), but it does have a semi-decent storyline. I plan on reading the other two in the series as well. Told a person at work and she chewed my ear off, and then chewed my other one off for reading HP. I felt like saying "its really sad you can't just read a book and make your own decisions, but have to let others do your thinking for you." Apparently I am going to hell and all my future children will go to hell as well for me being willing to let them read the series when they are older.
5) Working a lot of overtime the last couple of Friday's, good for the paycheck, bad for me...I'm tired. Its not that I have anything else to do on Friday nights, but I like to know I have the option of doing something if I wanted to. I am really boring, lol.
Can't think of anymore assorted things for now, so I will end this blog.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Wow!
Has it really been that long since my last post! Crazy!
Anyway, now that I am striving to be regular on my blogging, I thought I would tell you about what I did for my birthday. Yes, I am officially ancient and old.
Abby, Beth, Rachael, and Brett (Rach's BF) took me to this Moroccan restaurant in Seattle called Kasbah. I have never been for Moroccan food, and well, this was fabulous!
From the outside it looks like a dump (it is in Ballard after all), but when you walk in.....wow! They have lush tapestries, water fountains, metal objects of all sorts. We were lead to the back corner on the room surrounded by red drapes, the ceiling had white fabric draping from the center, which reminded you of being in a tent. They had this big metal plate with a raised edge that served as the table. On two sides were benches with pillows and the other two sides had poofs. I choose the bench as my balance leaves something to be desired.
They have a 5 course dinner thing, where you get to choose your entree. While we were deciding, this man comes up in traditional garb with a big teapot/kettle and a basin. We washed our hands while he poured the water, and then dried them on the towels at the table. Then another guy came around and asked what we wanted. I got the Vegetable Tagine. Thankfully, I was familiar with what a Tagine is (thank you Andrew Zimmer from the Food Network). The others got Lamb and Chicken dishes.
The meal started with this amazing soup....it was really good. Tomato based with Garbanzo beans, lentils, veggies and spices. They served this with a Caraway bread. The next course was the salad...which didn't have lettuce. There was some spiced carrots, some tomato salad and something else which I didn't know what it was, but it tasted divine! Once again, more bread, and....you got to eat with your fingers. After that came the appetizer, which was something called B'stilla, which was ground chicken, eggs, and spices wrapped in Filo dough, cooked and then sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon. I didn't like this dish at all. The combo of the meat and sugar just didn't work for me.
Our main dishes came out next. All I can say is that it was great! So flavorful! Served with more bread. After they took the plates away, the guy came back with rosewater which he shook into our hands and then after rubbing our hands, we dried them off. They smelled, well....like roses (imagine that). Then came dessert which was honey poached pear drizzled with chocolate and served with a sweet mint tea. The perfect ending!
Oh, during our meal there was a belly dancer..she was not bad.
Anyway, it was a blast...the company, food, environment, and music was all wonderful. I would highly recommend this place. I put the website below, so check it out.
http://www.kasbahmoroccanrestaurant.com/
Anyway, now that I am striving to be regular on my blogging, I thought I would tell you about what I did for my birthday. Yes, I am officially ancient and old.
Abby, Beth, Rachael, and Brett (Rach's BF) took me to this Moroccan restaurant in Seattle called Kasbah. I have never been for Moroccan food, and well, this was fabulous!
From the outside it looks like a dump (it is in Ballard after all), but when you walk in.....wow! They have lush tapestries, water fountains, metal objects of all sorts. We were lead to the back corner on the room surrounded by red drapes, the ceiling had white fabric draping from the center, which reminded you of being in a tent. They had this big metal plate with a raised edge that served as the table. On two sides were benches with pillows and the other two sides had poofs. I choose the bench as my balance leaves something to be desired.
They have a 5 course dinner thing, where you get to choose your entree. While we were deciding, this man comes up in traditional garb with a big teapot/kettle and a basin. We washed our hands while he poured the water, and then dried them on the towels at the table. Then another guy came around and asked what we wanted. I got the Vegetable Tagine. Thankfully, I was familiar with what a Tagine is (thank you Andrew Zimmer from the Food Network). The others got Lamb and Chicken dishes.
The meal started with this amazing soup....it was really good. Tomato based with Garbanzo beans, lentils, veggies and spices. They served this with a Caraway bread. The next course was the salad...which didn't have lettuce. There was some spiced carrots, some tomato salad and something else which I didn't know what it was, but it tasted divine! Once again, more bread, and....you got to eat with your fingers. After that came the appetizer, which was something called B'stilla, which was ground chicken, eggs, and spices wrapped in Filo dough, cooked and then sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon. I didn't like this dish at all. The combo of the meat and sugar just didn't work for me.
Our main dishes came out next. All I can say is that it was great! So flavorful! Served with more bread. After they took the plates away, the guy came back with rosewater which he shook into our hands and then after rubbing our hands, we dried them off. They smelled, well....like roses (imagine that). Then came dessert which was honey poached pear drizzled with chocolate and served with a sweet mint tea. The perfect ending!
Oh, during our meal there was a belly dancer..she was not bad.
Anyway, it was a blast...the company, food, environment, and music was all wonderful. I would highly recommend this place. I put the website below, so check it out.
http://www.kasbahmoroccanrestaurant.com/
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