MERRY CHRISTMAS!

What an different Christmas I have had. Working. It is my first Christmas where I have had to work. so there was limited anticipation on Christmas every for Christmas day as I had opened the majority of my Christmas presents already. It was weird. That's really the only word for it. The Foothills has a Christmas turkey for all staff that are working today which is nice as I will still be able to have a Christmas dinner (if I can find the room in my tummy-the nurses have quite the spread on the unit--hehe).

I want to take the time to wish all readers of this blog the VERY Merriest of the season AND may you be filled with joy as you gather with your friends and family today!

Merry Christmas!
Thank you for all the lovely Christmas card and gifts! Your thoughts and friendship mean the world to me! Keep in touch!

Life gets in the way

Oh dear. Has it really been since July that I posted? I am terrible. School and life have been keeping my sufficiently distracted. I apologize to all you faithful readers out there! But now school is done for a term and the next classes don't look TO terrible so I am once again hopping on the Blogging band wagon!

I am currently working (probably a little to much) in an effort help pay for my upcoming trip to Australia. Yes you read that right. For all of you who don't already know I am off to the wonderful word of Oz in Feb. My flight leaves on Feb the 5th and I couldn't be more excited if I tried!! I will be down in the the land "down under" until the end of April at which time I will head off to New Zealand for two weeks, returning to Canada mid may.

I know it sounds terribly luxurious! However, I am going for school purposes. I will be completing my final clinical practicum in the emergency department at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney! So I will be "working". But you are right in thinking it is also a bit of a vacation as the hospital I'll be in is only a city block and a half away from the ocean! WooHoo. So if you need me I'll be on the beach..."studying". I will be going with a friend from nursing who is doing the same thing as I am SO that will make it even more fun! Then for the last 4 weeks another nursing friend is going to join us and there we are going to drive up the east coast of Aus before heading to NZ. Woohoo!!

But before I get to leave I have BUNCHES of shifts to work and two more courses in Jan to complete.

Also exciting is the fact that I will soon be able to practice as an undergrad nurse! I am currently in training and as soon as my marks for the courses I just completed are posted I will actually begin to practice. I am VERY excited and a bit nervous about this as it means that I'm actually going to have to put into practice all the knowledge that I have been stuffing in my head! Yikes! But the unit I plan on starting on is very supportive and has a good mentorship program in place SO I'm hoping I'll be fine. ---At least everyone says I'll be fine hehe!

Climbing a Mountian

So I did it! I summited a mountain and did my first ridge walk all in one day. I went with my roommate and her boyfriend. It was a blast!! Talk about an incredible view!! I must admit though that there were some scary moments. But Jodi and Jorde talked me though. They were the best! There were also some pretty funny moments like when we ran into the chickens up near the top of the mountain. The thing well two things that I found incredible was the fact that I did it. I mean there were a few moments were I was considering how I could manage to get magically and instantly get down. But I kept pushing myself and Jorde and Jodi kept patiently encouraging me. I don't think I have ever talked to myself so much. It was pretty funny!! The second thing that I really enjoyed was just the beauty! The flowers in the alpine meadow were stunning, I had never seen such a collection neat flowers! It took us 6 1/2 hours and we summited the north peak and then walked to the south peak before descending! It was incredible. I can't wait for my next mountain.

The details:
Mount Indefatigable, with a height gain of 1000m, summit height of 2670m

The Difference!

Yesterday was my first day in the new Children's hospital. Wow. It is pretty amazing, it is one of the few hospitals that I have walked into and felt like healing can occur here. It is clean, bright, friendly, colourful, kid friendly, and did I mention clean? It is everything they say it is. Therapeutic clowns wander the hallways trying to help sick kids smile. The pt rooms are pretty much all private and there a kid resources every where you look, toys, videos, DVDs, games (including videos). In every pt. room there is a window bed which fit an adult to make it possible, in fact it is encourage for a parent to stay with the child during their stay. It is an incredible feat and I am pretty excited about having the opportunity to get to work there. You really don't realize the unfortunate state of a lot of hospitals until you get to walk into a brand new one. This hospital tries its VERY best to help a child and family through a illness experience, by facilitating WHOLE healing! Now if only we could create a similar environment for adults!

Alberta Children's Hospital

Calgary Stampede 2007

So This is Canada's ancient history. Unlike Europe, and other countries. Canada's ancient people did not build great stone buildings or leave behind impressive pyramids. Canada's first people were travelers, who left a small carbon footprint on the great world of ours. Now we the newer Canadians are trying to forget them and push them to one side. But they have a beauty of culture and tradition that I had an amazing opportunity witness at the 2007 Calgary Stampede And for all of you out there who wonder about the ancient history of Canada this is as close to a stone building that you could observe. Watch as young first people celebrate their culture in dance.

Happy Canada Day (okay so it is belated)

So Happy Belated Canada Day. There were lots of interesting celebrations around town that I wanted to go and see. BUT unfortunately there wasn't enough hours in the day. I had to work from 3pm til 11pm and so had kind of decided ahead of time that chances were slim that I would even get to see fireworks--one of my favorite things. SO imagine my happiness when I got off work, took the long way home and over the edge of a hill I could see that the Calgary tower was ignited (with the old Olympic flame) and the fireworks were still going off. They were pretty incredible and the only things that was negative was the fact that I didn't have any bug spray on. WOW I was nearly carried away. Sorry this picture is a bit blurry but it was the best I could do under the circumstances.

Hail storm

I am so thankful that the hailstones were this small. They were really pelting my car -- another thing I am thankful for!! It has been pretty crazy weather here.

A Garden in the backyard

So I put in a garden...actually I did planted the seeds a while ago. Today I spent a bit of time weeding in the garden. The radishes I planted are thriving!! And my snap peas have just begun to peek through. My Zucchini, green beans, green onions, chives, and basil have yet to make an appearance, BUT I'm hoping. Yes for all of you out there that know something about gardens I'm a little behind, but it is not the seeds fault, I was a bit slow to put it in with school and the other stuff that I do. This is a picture of when I first laid out my garden. Even with the weeding I did today my garden's looks haven't improved much yet so this will have to do. Hopefully I will manage to grow something other than weeds and radishes.

Why you ask? Especially those of you know what my schedule. Well I'll tell you, I can. The garden patch that had been etched out long ago has been ignored for a while and it frankly was breaking my heart. So a $10 hoe a few seeds and hopefully I get a little produce that is truly organic out of it. If not then I'll have some free therapeutic gardening sessions! hehe!

Vulcan Tinman

The Vulcan Tinman

I DID IT! So Saturday was the big day and not only did I survive BUT I thrived! It was a beautiful sunny day. Nice and hot! I got to Vulcan to find my Mom there waiting for me, which was such a nice treat. I have done lots of Tri's but this is the first one that has been close enough for her to come which was really nice!! The race went well better than I had hoped for. First in the swim I was pretty fast. Actually time in the water was under 10min!! And for added motivation I felt great and lapped the other two simmers in my lane which was fun!! hehe!! Does that make me evil??? I'm just usually the slowest in a lane and to pass someone is pretty over the top!! Unofficially my finish time was around 1hour 18min BUT I'm not sure the breakdown of it. Hopefully they will have the times posted soon. I am happy with the time as it is my first in 2 years and I haven't been training as hard as I could be. Also what makes me even happier is that I was able to complete it AND I didn't have to walk during the run portion of the race. What makes all of this even better it that my ankle is ok. It was a bit sore the evening of the race but today it is fine I even biked to work so Woohoo!! I will post pictures when I get them downloaded as well as the offical times!!! Thanks for all the good wishes!!

Offical Results

ITS RACE TIME!

I know many of you wondered when this would show up in my posts, well...It has been 2 years since I have competed in Triathlons and this Saturday I take to the start line once again. I'm nervous and excited, BUT above all so glad to be back into the tri's. While this is the shortest distance I have competed in I am just merely looking forward to finishing with NO pain. I just got in from a training run and things are looking good. Not that this will be my fastest time, but it will be a race!! On top of that some of my family is going to be there to cheer me on which will be a really nice treat. The race is going to be the Vulcan Tinman this Sat. June 2, 2007 and my race start is at 10:30. So excited...I'm RACING again!

Snow in MAY

So it is now noon. I took this video at 06.45h and the snow is still here and pretty much all 4 inches of it was well. If that isn't enough the weather man is calling for more snow later today! What happened to the 24 degree (Celsius) weather that was around last week. The question is now will summer ever truly come to Calgary or will there always be a threat of snow??

Australia!

This is just an update and by NO means a confirmation that I am going yet BUT if it all works out then I will be in the ER in the Prince of Wales hospital, I am pretty excited about this possibility AND if you google where this hospital is it is only one major city block from the ocean!! So cool!! BUT I can't get too excited yet as it is not yet confirmed, but I am one step closer. Check out where I may be!

Prince of Wales Hospital

Job number three

Yup you read that right I have accepted a third job -- Oh and did I mention I don't get the summer off from school??

So yesterday I was interviewed and was offered a job as a Unit clerk on Unit 112. Which is the acute neuro unit at foothills hospital. So I am pretty happy. Typically as a nursing student you start on the unit as a Nursing Assistant (or PCA), But I was offered the unit clerk position so I am happy as I think I will be able to learn lots in this position and have fun. Plus it pays a bit better with is also a good thing!! woohoo!!

So it was a pretty happy day yesterday! Today back to the regular stuff working lots of hours at my other two jobs. Don't worry I will officially only have three jobs until May 12th and then I will no longer be an employee at Co-op my grocery cashier days will soon be over.

To be honest I think I will miss them a bit. It has been a good and fun job and my boss was VERY understanding with my schedule! So thanks to Calgary co-op for the hours and the fun!!

Spring?? hopefully

Today was absolutely gorgeous. I spent the first half of the day doing things that need to be done but then this afternoon I went for my first ride on my road bike since my ankle surgery. MAN did it feel good. The sun was shinning there was a wicked tailwind for at 1/2 of my ride and I just had a blast!! I was pretty happy with the out come too especially considering my bike is in a terrible need for a tune up! In 1 hour and 22min (wheel time) I went 29.5km!!! I was so happy. Okay for those of you who know me know that is a bit slow for me BUT I am terribly out of shape and it was my first ride post surgery. It will only get better!!

The best part was being out there feeling the bike and I meld into one machine feel the wind whistling around me AND best of all not having 49 layers on with the sunshine beating down on my face!! I loved it!

Here's hoping

I tried one of those new slide show things that you can post on blogger to show pitures and I will have to wait and see if it works. I posted the few pictures that I took in Fernie. It was a great trip and I throughly enjoyed meself even if I didn't do that much. In a way that was exactly what I needed to do on my break. I hung out with Cathryn meet some of her friends tried to see as much of Fernie as possible despite the continual grey skys periodic snow and rain. The town was great with lots of personality and independent spirit. It is a shame that change for this town is inevitable as it is great just the way it is. Now that RCR has bought it out it is only a matter of time before it becomes Banff. Sigh. I'm going to try my best to get back down there for a few more days this summer so that I can bike more and hike more. Time will tell though. They already have our reading assignments posted for our mental health course that starts on the 30th of this month. But I refuse to even think about that yet I'm still on vacation even if I am working every day this upcoming week. hehe!! No rest for the Nursing students.

The pluck of a human

With out getting into the details I just want to state for all of you out there what the human can endure is beyond your comprehension!! Today I witness a gentleman go through something that personally I can't ever imagine going through!! Good grief I have a hard enough time at the dentist let alone a procedure room on an acute neuro unit!! BUT I am here to tell you you will surprise your self when presented by a challenge...So try not to worry about the future too much as you will surprise yourself what you can do when presented by a challenge!

On a more personal note I had a landmark event today I went for a run/walk and I would like to tell you all I am up to running 5 min walking 4 minutes for 4 sets AND this was not inside it was outside!! The best part is it felt amazing!! Now all I have to do is sign up for a Tri!

Thirdly I got word today that I am the proud receiver of an international grant that will go toward my expenses of traveling to Australia for my last clinical placement!! Woo hoo!! So it was a pretty red letter day!

My Birthday

Another year older...my last year in the twenties!! Thanks to everyone who sent cards, emails, gifts, and what not!! You made my birthday very special! The biggest thing I did on my birthday is I drove down to the Vulcan area and celebrated my c0-birthday with my second cousin Sarah! It was great to see that part of my family. And it was nice to live vicariously through the excitement of a ten year old turning ten -- hehe!! So thanks to Sandy and her family for welcoming me into the celebrations.

Did I ever tell you that procrastination is my middle name

So yeah I know it has been forever and I'm not going to make excuses. What is, is and the rest is complaints, stories, and excuses.

I am currently in the last two weeks of my second clinical placement. I have been on a busy Acute Neuro Unit. For those of you who don't know what that means...basically we get anything and everything that involves your brain and the "wiring" that goes from your brain to the rest of you body. So it is pretty incredible the wide variety of cases we see and the different stages of emotions that we deal with. Some days are pretty funny and scary all at the same time. I'll tell you one thing we are not very often bored.

I am pretty excited as today I am going to be on the monitored side. What this means is that the patients are even more acute, so it requires a lot of immediate action. So who knows what I'll be in for. I'm looking forward to it. What is also means is that I will be exhausted tonight. Oh well. I have all day off tomorrow. No work and no school. I'm going to head to my cousins to celebrate my birthday with my second cousin who shares a birthday with me!! So that should be fun.

Anyways. I have tons of pictures that I have taken in the in between time BUT until blogger deems me cool enough to get the new blogger I'm not going to post any of the old pictures. I'm hoping that things are calming down a bit over the summer so I will try and keep this updated a bit more BUT I make NO promises.