Sonadora

August in pictures:

2011-09-21T23:16:00.000-07:00

Obsessed.

2011-07-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

If putting goat cheese on everything is a crime, call me a criminal. I am currently obsessed. I loved chevre for a long, long time, but most recently have been eating it all the time! My favorite pairing: goat cheese and eggs cooked just about any way. It's an affair to remember.

baked eggs.

2011-07-11T21:46:00.000-07:00

After my usual perusal of my daily blogs this morning, inspiration hit. Using only ingredients found in my pantry and refrigerator, I made these.

Hands down, most likely the best thing I have ever made. Ever. Onions, carrots, canned tomato sauce, oregano basil = homemade pasta sauce. I spooned two large spoonfuls of the sauce into little ramekins. I dropped in a dollop of goat cheese and then cracked one egg sprinkled with black pepper into each ramekin. Into the oven at 425. Fifteen minutes later, I sprinkled some more basil on top. The egg was perfect; the white perfectly set while the yolk was perfectly runny. I was in absolute heaven. I kid you not.

MAKE THESE.

freckly, fireworky, fremonty, fourth & fifth.

2011-07-06T01:52:00.000-07:00

My day of celebrating the US of A's birthday started with working until 7:30a. I didn't mind. Overtime is [almost] always good :) I slept a bit, but made myself crawl out from under my down comforter earlier than usual so that I could get outside in the beautiful Seattle sunshine. I saw most of Seattle on the Burke-Gilman during my usual bridges run. Running in sunshine = FRECKLES. I got home, packed my bag with BBQ necessities, and hopped on my cool collapsable boardwalk bike to a friend's house. The 5 minute bike wasn't enough, so after I dropped of my bag, I took my bike back out to the Burke, biked the short mile and a half between the Ballard and Fremont bridges. My friend's didn't mind. Biking in sunshine = FRECKLES. A beautiful dinner with friends, and then we headed to Fremont. The entire population of Seattle had moved from the Burke-Gilman to Gasworks park. It was an amazing site. Every square foot of that park was covered with bodies. Most of the group stayed for the fireworks show. I on the other was on people-overload. The thought of fighting my way out of Gasworks with the thousands of other people was not a happy one. So Karie and I walked back into the heart of Fremont, toasted America at the Red Door, walked back to her house, and finshed off her homemade nectarine cobbler while watching the very same firework show on her rooftop patio.

My fifth has been just as freckly. Since I was able to sleep during my usual working hours, I made myself get up in the morning. While I like working nights, I MISS, MISS, MISS my mornng runs. It was even more beautiful out than the day before. After I ran, I promptly showered, threw on a sundress, and walked out the door. I walked to Fremont, grabbed a groovy green smoothie, read by the canal, and then bought white nectarines from PCC. I discovered a new favorite! Mama Chia cherry lime juice/drink. A bit pricey, but absolutely amazing! The most delicious way to get my Omega-IIIs. The texture will blow your mind. I walked back to Queen Anne.... walking in sunshine = FRECKLES. Are you sensing a theme here? I wasn't as smart as I usually am though. I was sun hungry. Hour long runs in the sun, no big deal. Two hours spent sitting in the sun with sunscreen on only my face, big deal. My shoulders are a bigttoasty [read: WAY toasty]. I know better this. My red-headed head and pale skin knows better than this. Woops.

All this to say, my freckles are officially OUT. Happy summer!

hiatus.

2011-06-23T17:43:00.000-07:00

A blogging hiatus. That's ok... worse things have happened. Lately: I've worked more nights than I can remember, am in a constant state of nocturnal jet lag, am in the throes of half marathon training, and have been putting arugula into everything I eat. I've been keeping the Queen Anne farmer's market in business.

Now on to 7 days off. I love being a nurse.

cupcake vitamins.

2011-05-09T23:37:00.000-07:00

Mini red velvet cupcakes are so small. So small they don't really count. Little cupcake vitamins. I whipped up a batch along with some cream cheese frosting today to bring to Monday evening Bible study.

And now, I baking turkey meatballs in the very same mini muffin tin. Good stuff all around.

mmm...

2011-04-29T22:06:00.000-07:00

Candied ginger, a bowl of kettle corn, and a glass of sparkling water on a Friday night. Pair that with my ever-changing netflix queue, and you have a happy girl. I need nights like these.

My sister is getting married!

2011-04-27T13:21:00.000-07:00

I love her to death and couldn't be more excited for her and Luke!

1.26 kilograms

2011-04-21T00:16:00.000-07:00

I held 1.26 kilograms to my chest last Saturday. I picked up an extra shift at TG last Saturday, and to my delight, was staffed downstairs in the NICU [lately, I've generally been put in the intermediate care nursery when called in]. I had a generally easy assignment. Two girls, and one precious IUGR baby boy. This little guy was tiny, 1.26 kilos; 2.7 pounds. According to his gestation, he should have been at least a kilo heavier. But he was an IUGR baby. Tiny little boy, with his precious big head [typical IUGR]. I cared for smaller babies before [a 600 gram baby; 0.6 kilos], but this particular little one was 1.26 kilos all by himself [aka. BREATHING all by himself].

I finished this little guy's care time, hooked up his feeding, and settled him in his nest. An hour later, I could hear his little cries from across the room, muffled by the heavy isolette doors. I would open his isolette, and put my hands on him to settle him. One had over his little body, and one hand cupping his head. Preemies do wonderfully with containment of any kind. He settled, and I quietly closed the isolette doors. A few minutes later, he was crying again. This little man should have been sleeping. There really was no reason for him to be awake. I would put my hands on him and settle him, and then he would wake up 20 minutes later.

Finally, I decided that I was going to take this little guy out and hold him. This is a luxury that NICU nurses almost never have time for. Either babies are too sick to be held, or parents and volunteer hold. Holding by nurses generally only happens when we bottle feed babies. As soon as they're done, they're back in their crib, and we're off to the next baby. I found that I had 30 minutes of extra time. Not ideal for holding a baby who depends on an isolette for maintaining their temperature, but I thought this little guy was tough enough. I set up my rocking chair, and took my precious little handful out and settled him on my chest. Babies, especially preemies, LOVE to be held skin-to-skin. They regulate their temperature perfectly, sleep better, and are healthier when held skin-to-skin on a regular basis. However, nurses aren't allowed to hold skin-to-skin. This little guy knew what he wanted though. He burrowed up against my neck, his little body right over my heartbeat. His tiny hand clasped the chain of my necklace. There was no way I was going to move him or take it away from him. He instantly settled, and we rocked for almost an hour. I suddenly found more time to hold him. I was exhausted. I had worked more overtime that week than I had ever worked before. But, I wouldn't have chosen to be anywhere but in that intensive care nursery at that moment; rocking and praying for the precious little boy in my arms.

If you had asked me five years ago, or even 10 months ago if I would have ever wanted to be a "baby nurse", I would have said an emphatic "NO." But as I rocked those 1.26 kilos, I was once again reminded of why I am a nurse. I never knew I would have the capability or desire to care for such a vulnerable population. But it is exactly the population I love, and it is exactly why I love being a nurse.

With two other babies calling my name, I put Mr. 1.26 kilos back in his isolette. He didn't even wake up. He was in a happy, deep, peaceful sleep. I am so blessed to be able to act as "mama" for this little guy for one hour. And five days later, I'm still thinking about those 1.26 kilograms.

red curry coconut

2011-04-15T18:04:00.001-07:00

Happy tax day! [I got my tax return 4 weeks ago.... whaaat?!]

Yesterday, I had a revelation. The world was illuminated for a few moments. Senses were amplified. I was making red curry coconut noodles. With cups of tea in hand, MM and I made a thai dish that could rival Orrappin on Queen Anne [my favorite Thai joint!]. Here's my list of ingredients:

Coconut oil, ginger, red curry paste, chicken, coconut milk, sweet chili sauce, onion, red pepper, broccoli, rice noodles, and cilantro. Essentially, put these ingredients in one pot in that order. You will not regret this decision. However, I realized I just gave away what could have been quite possibly my super secret recipe to have for the decades to come. Oh well.

After eating hot, delicious noodles, we went to Menchie's for guava tart frozen yogurt. The day could not have gotten better.

I got called in to work at 11p. So I ate these noodles cold at 3am. Just as good.

7p-7a

2011-04-14T01:08:00.000-07:00

Empty halls, echoing beeps, bleary eyed residents and fellows, restless little ones, peaceful little ones, ringing phones, beeping pagers, scribbling progress notes, dark rooms, illuminating penlights, 0200 lunches, scrambling at 0500, waiting at 0600, and blissfully sleeping at 0800.

An Isaiah 59 Monday

2011-04-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

Woke up this morning to sunshine. Sunshine and Isaiah 59. As I finished my Bible study lesson that culminated in Isaiah 59, I was completely entranced by the last seven verses. The gospel message in 7 verses; depicting our Savior like a knight in shining armor. Beautiful words for a beautiful day.

After a quick workout, I caught a bus to Belltown and walked the rest of the way into the heart of downtown. I live only 15 minutes away from Pike Place Market, but only go occasionally; to show out of town friends or on a particular mission to purchase something.Today, I slowed down and literally strolled the market. Ran into two old nursing friends in Le Panier. Bought some of my favorite tea from Market Spice Tea and a piroshky from Piroshky Piroshky. I still remember my first piroshky at the market with my dad on my 13th birthday date. It was also the day I got my ears pierced for the first time. A good day and a good memory.

I'm now sitting on my patio with a mug of my just purchased tea. Off to do something with the huge bunch of basil I bought last week that will go bad soon if I don't use it. I don't know what led me to buy such a big bunch. And then off to Bible study where I will end my day with Isaiah 59. What a blessing to have days off like these.

bald cupcakes.

2011-04-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

A muffin is nothing but a bald cupcake. I couldn't agree more, Jim Gaffigan. Needless to say, I love muffins. On my birthday, my roommate surprised me with a peach/ginger muffin. It was so incredibly yummy. I knew that I had to somehow recreate it. Today, I almost did. I swapped the peaches for lemons and cranberries.

Lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped ginger, plain yogurt, flour..... I give you the Lemon Cranberry Ginger muffin. I don't think it could be better if I tried. This one is going in the recipe box for keeps. [ignore my alien-skinned looking hand, please]

Lately.

2011-03-29T01:02:00.000-07:00

I got to spend the evening with this little bright-eyed boy on the left. 4 years old and too much energy for me. I started nannying him when he was 6 months old and could hardly sit up. Now he chatters like a chatterbox and is showing ME how to use my iPhone.

I also was lucky enough to experience one of the most beautiful days in Seattle I've seen yet. On my day off. Woke up to the sun shining through my blinds, caught a bus downtown, and walked back to Queen Anne, making stops at Trader Joes and Cafe Fiore. I ate brown rice sushi outside of Fiore on a lawn chair. With my sunglasses on. With a matcha green tea latte in my hand. I walked back to my apartment and immediately threw on my running shoes. 4 miles later, I had some new freckles. Good, good day.

I also had a wonderful weekend of birthday. I spent my real birthday (3/21) working and sleeping. I slept my birthday away; literally. But it's ok because the days leading up to it were spent eating cheesecake and dancing the night away with some wonderful old PA friends, visiting my family for a Sunday birthday lunch of the best chicken tacos you could dream of, and being surprised by some dear friends with dinner and flowers on Tuesday. It was truly a beautiful birthday weekend of sorts. And this third cute picture is of my sister, Laura. She works at a natural foods store and is as cute as a button.

Two posts in one day?

2011-03-12T18:43:00.001-08:00

What? I think I've done this maybe once. What is 2nd post in one day worthy, you ask?:

BAKED KALE CHIPS!

So simple, and SO delicious. Even if you don't like kale, you should try these out. Not one hint of bitterness. SO GOOD.

-Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.
-Wash & dry as many kale leaves you can fit onto a baking sheet.
- Cut the kale into tortilla chip sized [or a little bigger] pieces. Cut the center stem out and throw away.
- Toss the kale with enough extra virgin olive oil to lightly coat each piece. Sprinkle kosher salt over everything!
- Bake for 20-25 minutes on a baking sheet in a single layer. They should be entirely crisp/crunchy while still holding their green color.

Let them cool, or eat them right out of the oven! If you were a bit heavy handed with the olive oil, you might want to let them sit on a paper towel first for a few minutes.

So so good.

5:22am

2011-03-12T05:22:00.000-08:00

Went to bed at 12:15am, slept until 4am. I've been awake ever since. After tossing and turning for 30 minutes, I got up and ate a bowl of cereal on the floor by my fireplace, looking out over a street-light lit Ballard/Fremont. These nights are catching up with me. Three nights ago, I was awake, running from patient room to patient room, frantically totaling ins & outs. Now that I've paid back my sleep debt from 3 nights on, my body doesn't know what to do with itself. 5:27am now. My alarm is set to go off at 8am. I have a running date with the Burke-Gilman. Then a city day around the U-District with a good, good friend. And daylight savings time. So long circadian rhythm.

At least some things stay constant always:

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
Psalm 4:8 (ESV)

Four things:

2011-03-07T14:39:00.000-08:00

1) A wonderful, meaningful lesson at Greenlake Pres yesterday on the celebration of the Lord's day. When we remember to celebrate in this day, we allow ourselves to pursue grace, holiness, and delight in ways we otherwise could not. A beautiful, sunny Lord's day of resting.

2) I need one of those stupid little sleeping masks. No bones about it. 0-4 hours of sleep before 12.5 hr shifts just isn't cutting it anymore.

3) One pot will last the week. Just add rice. I could eat out of this pot forever. Curry: yellow, green, red; they're all good.

4) This morning at 0500, I was frantically totaling the I&Os of my three patients for the night and writing up their progress notes. We total our patients for the day early, so that the general surgery residents can round on them before presenting to their own attendings at 0700. I finished my notes. The gen surg resident grabbed one of my patient's chart and pulled out the progress note. A few minutes pass. "Who wrote this progress note?" "Oh, it was probably me," I said sheepishly, thinking I had made a horrendous error. "This is one of the best progress notes I've ever seen. You did all my work for me."

All in a 12.5 hour work night.

V-Day.

2011-02-15T12:02:00.000-08:00

I spent my Valentine's day with my little sister and a dear friend. Laura was taking pictures for her photography class, so Leah and I were only too happy to be her models. The pouring rain dampened the photography plans a bit, but we ended up sipping lattes at Metronome Coffee, so it all turned out all right.

rounds.

2011-02-12T15:00:00.000-08:00

I'm used to rounds. Every morning in the TG NICU, the outgoing neonatologist rounds with the incoming neo, the team leader (TL), pharmacist, and care coordinator. Each baby gets talked about, each chart gets pulled, and each RN has that small moment of undivided attention to ask the neo to put in or clean up orders. I've been spoiled really. Having an attending, the neonatologist, on the unit 24/7 is a luxury. Even if asleep, he/she is literally a phone call and/or door away.

Rounds at Children's is much, much different. There are residents, med students, ARNPs, and if lucky to catch them, attending physicians, that round on my patients. It's by luck that I see them coming down the hall in their surgical scrubs, white coats, and COWs (computers on wheels). If I'm not so lucky, I get a phone call from a kind soul telling me that they're one room away from my patient. Usually I'm not so lucky, and I'm either doing a sterile procedure, or something relatively important. I'm finding it's hard to find enough hands to pick up the phone in my pocket. Bluetooths; they should give us bluetooths. I am finding that I somewhat have a say in the plan of care of my patient in the rounds at Children's. I'm reminded that doctors were students once themselves; and actually quite enjoy working with the new residents. Physicians are humans too :)

Yesterday, I got an admit from the ED at 1530, smack dab in the middle of my lunch. This admit should have gone to the medical floor, but due to overflow, was put on our surgical unit. Two hours later, I was finally solidifying orders with the residents from the Medical Service. For those two hours, I was in the patient's room with the medical, dermatology, nephrology, and infectious disease teams. This particular patient had an autoimmune disease that was exhibiting some very odd symptoms. I felt like there should have been a video camera in that room; obviously an episode of HOUSE was being filmed. I was SO interested in the physician's conversations as the residents pulled in their attendings and other services to weigh in on this patient. I knew that I had to be there though. There was no way I was leaving that room until I heard from the resident's mouth himself what he wanted ME to do. Needless to say, I didn't mind missing lunch, I was too distracted and interested in what I was seeing to remember my rumbling tummy.

The day before I had a ventriculostomy patient. A ventric is essentially a tube coming out of your brain, draining cerebral spinal fluid. SO interesting. Previously, I couldn't think of anything more satisfying that ETT suctioning little neonates in the NICU. Gross, I know, but pretty dang cool. BUT, draining this ventric is definitely up there! A drain, coming out of the ventricles of a 2-year old, draining crystal clear CSF. Every hour, I would check the level of the drain with a nifty laser beam. Every two hours, I would drain the CSF out of a little collection chamber. I was mesmerized. Gross, nerdy? I know. It just tells you how cut out I am to be a nurse.

All this to say, I am learning so much shift by shift at Seattle Children's. While the NICU still holds my heart, I am so thankful to be continually learning, continually enjoying what I do, and hopefully continually somehow positively touching the lives of these very sick, very vulnerable little children.

Is. 41:8-10

2011-02-07T22:07:00.000-08:00

What I've been learning from Isaiah lately:

8 “But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham my friend,
9 I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Show me your power. Possess my heart and clean it. Isaiah, specifically chapters 40 and 41 are teaching me new things every week.

STL recap:

2011-01-31T17:17:00.000-08:00

Currently itting in essential baking company in Fremont with a goat cheese/pear sandwich [incredibly good!]. A perfect time for a recap:

Such a wonderful time with my sister. On Sunday we went contra dancing. To be honest, I was quite apprehensive about going and almost begged off going [my last contra experience was interesting to say the least]. I am so glad I went. Such fun! A few girls from bible study go frequently in the Seattle area, and I am now thinking of going on a regular basis myself.

Monday morning/early afternoon included a snowy walk of Covenant Theological Seminary, a STL arch and Busch Stadium visit, some wondrous greek grub, and some grocery store visits. Monday evening was pho/Fiddler on the Roof night with J's neighbors [an odd combination, I know]. So good. One of my favorite films with one of my favorite foods.

On Tuesday, I chopped my hair off. Not really.... but a 1.5 inches makes my curls SPRING, thus making a much shorter do than I'm used to. Lunch at a completely authentic Jewish deli [matzah ball soup goodness], and then prep for Joelle's golden 25th birthday party, complete with golden gilt, a yellow devil's food cake, paper chain decorations, and a Taio Cruz music playlist. It was such a joyous evening celebrating Joelle.

Wednesday I flew back to SEA, finally got a work out in, and then back to the work life. An education day and then a day scrubbed into the OR. I was once again faced with a patient in a spica cast. I held it together until I saw a single tear slide down the side of the 20 month old's face in the PACU. It hurts to see these little ones hurting.

All in all, I wish I was back. I wish I could romp in the snow. I wish I could spend more vaca days with Joelle. I wish I could write more, but I have a car full of "junk" to drop off at my NEW apartment. Real life has begun once again.

Just a few:

2011-01-27T13:42:00.001-08:00

Pictures of the gloriously snowy STL:

st. louis thus far:

2011-01-23T14:30:00.000-08:00

Excitement all around... everywhere I go, even the airport. Sitting by my gate in Seatac, I was scanning through the latest posts from the blogs I follow. Winner winner! I won a $25 gift certificate to Simple Thrift [http://www.etsy.com/shop/simplethrift] from one of my favorite blogs, Cakies [http://mycakies.blogspot.com/]. Ready for some vintage shopping.

The flight was perfect. Thanks to an underbooked southwest flight, I had an entire row and an entire can of soda to myself.

St. Louis greeted me frigidly, snow piled high on the sides of the road. Joelle had dinner ready for me. I quickly got settled, and then we were off to a German pub with some of her seminary friends. Back to J's house for cups of tea and glasses of wine with more friends. While the age group of seminary students are quite a bit older than the age group of undergraduate students I've hung out with in years past [obviously], I couldn't help but be reminded of the egg-nog parties and get togethers I loved so much at SPU.

Church this morning was lovely, and then lunch with Joelle and Luke. A quick stop at Whole Foods for some groceries and beverages for Joelle's upcoming golden birthday party. And now some down-time until an evening of dancing.... yikes. Better rest up. More to come, and hopefully pictures.

sniffle.

2011-01-15T23:29:00.000-08:00

I can count on three fingers the number of times I've been sick since December 2009. I credit my yearly [required] flu shots to that fact. I work in hospitals, but hardly get sick. My daily purell baths also might have something to do with it.

But now..... sniffle. Not a cold, not the flu... an achy combination of the two, minus the temperature. The nurse in me almost wishes I did indeed have a temperature. I could then just picture the bad little bugs burning up and wasting away inside my body. But instead, I have spent my day laying on my bed/couch like a baby, hoping I'm not worse tomorrow. I'm usually able to go about my day when I'm not feeling so hot, but I've surrendered to the awfulness of this little bout. Headache [I never get headaches], continuous sneezing, a faucet for a nose, aching body. Boo. These past few weeks I do admit to running myself a bit thin. I was telling someone the other day about how I've never been so tired as I have been these past three months. In college, there were many a late night, with many a horrendous finals week. But, working as I have been with few days off, there are no time for naps, no chances to skip class, no instances in which procrastination could lead to some needed rest. It's work. Get up and go to work. No other option.

Anywho, tea, broth, some of my sister's hazelnut bread, sleeping for 13 hours, and seasons of ER have been my day. And tetris. I do admit to playing a bit of tetris.

Here's hoping I'm feeling better soon. I have the luxury of having 5 days off; the first of which I spent laying in my bed sick. I had great plans of working out, organizing, crafting, and baking. I was able to work out only twice this past week, which has made me grumpy. I'm hoping that I can hop on an elliptical at the very least tomorrow [possibly] or I will continue to be very grumpy. Not working out is in the top 5 of things on my "trigger card." Being hungry is another. I don't like having a faucet for a nose either... sniffle.

changes.

2011-01-07T20:23:00.000-08:00

Change is good. It helps us learn. These were the words my manager was telling me and 5 other brand new NICU Staff RNs when she simultaneously told us that 18 NICU positions were going to be cut in January. Being the low man on the totem pole, I didn't have much hope. I applied to a few positions; got called for a last minute interview. I found out that I officially lost my FTE the day before said interview. Not a week later, I was offered a full time position as a Staff RN at Seattle Children's.

In the span of 2.5 weeks, I worked three holidays (willingly), finished up my scheduled NICU shifts (on a run of five 12s) and started full-time orientation at Children's the following day. I lived out of the trunk of my car for the week and was at the mercy of some dear friends as I begged for a bed. I'll be moving to a beautiful living space in Interbay at the end of January. What a Nov-Jan it's been. My dad had two knee operations and two hospital stays. My parent's house almost caught on fire. Sheesh. A proverbial rollercoaster.

Where I'm currently at: I am now a surgical nurse at Seattle Children's. I did my senior pedes practicum on this unit. The acuity is high and the population spans newborn to 21 yrs. The surgical unit houses 11 services including general surgery, ortho, urology, GI, neuro, and EENT. It'll be a whole new arena of spinal fusion and bladder augmentation patients while I still get my beloved gastroschisis and diaphragmatic hernia babies. While l love the NICU and am sad to leave the critical care setting, I am so blessed for this experience at Children's. I did not go one day without work. In fact, I worked several extra days in Dec/Jan thus far. God is good. Children's as an organization is something great. While it may sound cliche, they do great things. I am excited for the opportunities of growth there. And, I have the privilege of double dipping as I work on-call in the NICU at TG. My 6 months in the NICU will not go to waste. There are bigger things at work than I could have imagined.

Being the wimp of a person that I am when it comes to traffic, I refused to commute to Seattle five times this week. I packed up my car with some clothes, a pillow, a towel, and bags of trail mix and was on my way. My four nights of couch surfing were perfect. I lived the highlife. Two nights were spent in a beautiful three story Queen Anne townhouse with a walk-in glass encased shower. One night was spent in a boat on Lake Union: hello Seattle skyline. Beautiful. My friends were so, so hospitable. Living out of my trunk was not as bad as I had foreseen it.

2010 was a whirwind, and the first 7 days of 2011 are proving to be more of the same.

More to come [perhaps a little more consistent than merely monthly updates...:)]

the perfect time of year because

2010-11-10T20:55:00.000-08:00

of these beauties. My favorite fruit of fall.

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

2010-10-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

"There's something so universal about that sensation, the way running unites our two most primal impulses: fear and pleasure.

We run when we're scared, we run when we're ecstatic, we run away from our problems and run around for a good time.

And when things look worst, we run the most."

running lately.

2010-10-22T00:56:00.000-07:00

I love to run. People that know me know that I love to run. It all started my senior year of high school; wandering the halls of Lincoln High School, noticing a advertisement for XC try outs, and trying out. A XC season, a track & field season and a 1/2 and full marathon and I haven't looked back since.

I love to run, love to race. I wouldn't call myself a fanatic though. I am not one of those people who can run 6 or 7 days a week. I am one of those people who has the itch to work out 6 or 7 days a week though.... just not all consisting of pounding the pavement. Cross training, weight training, swimming laps, yoga [sometimes] and of course, running is what keeps me going week by week.

I'm currently training for another 1/2. This will be my 5th 1/2 marathon. I told myself from the beginning that I would never run this one. As a runner in the PNW, I told myself that I didn't need to run this race to call myself a runner. Whelp. I'm running it. 11/28, my dear friend MM, and the Seattle 1/2's hills. Oh well.... I guess it was bound to happen some time or later.

6 miles was on the agenda today. I went out for 7, but only got in 6 because of a] time and b] I was plain tired. To be honest, I'm about 3 [ish\] weeks behind on my usual training schedule what with finally deciding and registering only last week. But, MM and I are in it to finish and have fun. If a sub-2 happens, all the better [I won't be holding my breath though. I'll be saving it for those hills, of course.].

The 6 miles and a full work day have finally caught up with me. A wake up call for kickboxing [oh yeah, I like kickboxing too] will be happening sooner than I'd like.

autumn has always been my favorite

2010-10-17T16:56:00.000-07:00

Because I love cold October mornings; waking up and looking out of the faux stained-glass window to my right and seeing the sun filter in through the fleur de lis on my curtains.

I love spending days [like today] walking besides streams, between barns, and on tree-lined gravel roads in the sunshine. I don't mind sipping spiced caramel apple cider afterwards either.

I love drinking cups of tea or french press on my days off, sequestered in sweatshirts and slippers and finishing my stack of summer reading.

I love the excitement of marathon season beginning, the anticipation of races to come, and the motivation of running groups up the UWT steps on a fall evening. I also love running past students on their way home with their laden backpacks, relishing in my current season of zero classwork.

I even love the name autumn itself and used to want to name a future daughter after my favorite season. Who knows... maybe someday,

Happy [beautiful October] Lord's day.

two little boys.

2010-10-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

I spent my last two evenings with two little boys. These little boys weighed about 1 kilo each. One ate 6 mls every 3 hrs, the other 12 mls other 3 hours. To put things in perspective, a tall coffee [12 ounces] is 360 mls. These little boys were both about 28 weeks old. That's 28 weeks gestation; from conception. Normal gestation [aka: a term infant] is at the minimum 38 weeks. Both little boys, despite their small size, had heart beats that sounded like washing machines. Their little hearts were too immature. They didn't have enough time to close properly. And both little boys were hooked up to dragers [vents]; a 4 inch tube in their trachea breathing for them.

Baby A had soft, black, downy hair; his little eyebrows connecting to his hairline. Every time I lifted the isolette cover, his little eyes squeezed shut. At the same time though, when his eyes opened, I knew he wasn't seeing me. His little tummy was soft and full; he had just started feeds that morning. His mama was sick, and thus, this little guy had no visitors. I was his companion for the night; checking in on him and listening to him every four hours, and feeding him every three.

Baby B was smaller and younger than baby A, but had fewer complications. I would put this little guy on his tummy on a pony [a rolled blanket] and somehow he would find a way to unswaddle himself and sprawl out in his little nest; his arms stretched out over his head, despite the numerous lines holding him in place.

I look at these little micro preemies and am just amazed. These little ones should have been in the womb for about 3.5 more months. But instead, they're outside living and fighting. And keeping me company. I'm spending my day off thinking about them; and wishing I could spend another evening by their bedside [or isolette-side].

straight curls

2010-09-27T00:39:00.000-07:00

I love my curls and wouldn't trade them for anything. But straight hair is fun every 6 months or so.

the post grad life.

2010-09-25T21:42:00.000-07:00

Post grad life has been revolving around two very obvious trains of thought: [1] starting a career and [2] not being at school.

[1] Life in the NICU:
Only 6 weeks in, I cannot explain how blessed I am to be where I am. Coming into nursing with almost zero NICU experience, I did not know what to expect. I'm finding that while the learning curve is extremely steep, I am loving the unit, the patients, the NICU in general. I am happy to say that I immediately found a sort of happy medium of compassion, while still being able to work in the rather sad environment that is the NICU. From my pediatric experience, I was worried. My memories revolved around standing by the bed of a 3 week GI baby for an hour just to be there since his parents never visited him; turning to the wall so my preceptor wouldn't see my tears over watching a 6 month old cry from being in a spica cast [that was a tough one]. But, I'm finding that while the majority of the situations in the NICU seem sad or unjust, I have been able to put that aside and care for these premature neonates in the moment of care.

Premature infants have senses that are amplified; talking over their isolette is like using a jackhammer beside someone's bed; putting a room temperature stethescope to their chest is like rubbing their bodies with ice cubes; and even the most delicate touch can bruise their fragile bodies. So are the emotions running through that unit. I'm still figuring out the anatomy of a NICU nurse, but I'm finding out that many of their senses/emotions are indeed amplified as well.

[2] School-less September:
Leaving school wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be in June. There were indeed some hard nights where I realized that my SPU chapter was closing quickly with nothing I could do about it. But I was joyful at the same time in completing my degree, and at the same time remembering the gift of the 4 years I had in Seattle. Leaving the relationships I've had in Seattle was one of the hardest aspects. The transition of moving back to Tacoma, studying for the NCLEX, and starting a new job kept my mind and body busy. Now that September is here, and the bustle that is SPU has started again, I'm finding that the hard part is now. I went up to Seattle the other day and made rounds to see some dear friends. Freshman move-in day was happening. I will never forget that day I drove up Ashton hill 4 years ago with my mom and battled for elevator rights as I moved my belongings into ASH 223. Those memories are so precious to me.

I visited four of my residents from my first year of being a Peer Advisor. I am so blessed to count these girls as friends still. One of them is now in her first year as a PA. It baffles me how time flies. I wish for a moment that I could be back to being 18 again and sitting down to my very first floor meeting; or bonding with my staff in the early days on the ropes course at Warm Beach; or sitting in gwinn on a Friday night at staff dinner laughing at hilarity of my emerson PAs. Again, such precious memories, but at the moment they almost hurt. Driving back to Tacoma after my day at SPU was tough. The realization that this chapter is closing has hit. And it has hit hard. The wonderful memories are there and I am blessed to have lived through them, but many of the relationships that I held so dear for the last few years won't be the same, I fear.

The chapters of life never stop coming and going. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 is continually on my heart; my solace.

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

cafe dei

2010-09-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

Went to Cafe Dei for the first time with Sara this afternoon; a recently opened vegan coffeehouse. I liked the ambience... big, open tables, a comfy couch alongside windows overlooking 6th ave, a free books sections, & handmade jewelry for sale in a corner. They have a menu of house "specialty" drinks. I got a thai coffee; Sara went for the aciarone [sp?] garnished with a curl of orange peel. Good stuff all around.

Before my cafe dei afternoon, I stopped by the REI garage sale on my way home from the gym! I went around 11am, so the line wasn't as nearly as long as it was at opening. I went immediately to the shoe sections [of course], or should I say the dozens of cardboard boxes filled with shoes section. An amazing pair of $4 tevas that have an easy to fix ankle strap and a pair of classic vibrams soon found me! I found the vibrams in one of the "excess" bins of stuff people already sifted through. Black, a tiny bit big, but for 75% off the normal price... I was sold [pun intended].

I take advantage of the garage sales whenever I can. Besides getting $5 pairs of shoes and whatnot, my favorite thing to do is read the tags on the items itemizing what is "wrong" with the product. Such as "worn and washed, doesn't fit well." Too bad you didn't look in the mirror before you bought it. Or "stain won't come out." Ha. REI is really too generous with their return policy.

Finishing my rainy day off with my leftover homemade matzah ball soup. Really, not to be boastful, but my matzah balls [dumplings] are fluffy pieces of heaven. I decided to make them yesterday after a looooong day at Good Sam [fighting fair traffic]. I made them forgetting that yesterday was Yom Kippur. Quite fitting.

Tale of the broken half.

2010-08-17T21:39:00.000-07:00

I woke up last Friday to an aching right shoulder. Once I got to kickboxing, it started to get worse and worse. Along with my bum right knee that I've been nursing since March, I had a bum 1/2 body. On Saturday, I had a horrible workout as I tried to nurse my poor shoulder. I made myself rest and ice on Sunday. Monday turned out to be horrible too. The pain started gravitating up to my neck. I went to the doc this evening after work. Apparently I have [an] overworked muscle[s]. I guess all the weight training finally caught up with me.

After my appointment, I went to the Y for essentially a "boot camp" class. Circuits, sprints. I restrained myself and sat out of the upper body weight training, trying to satisfy myself with lunges instead. At the end of class, we were split into groups of threes and did relay sprints across the gym for about 10 minutes. OUCH for my poor shoulder. I probably shouldn't have done those. Oof. So, starting today, I'm making myself take it easy. No more weights, crazy running, or [boo] kickboxing for the rest of the week at least.

Hopefully the tale of the broken half will be no more.

Q. How do you know if someone is a vegan or not?

2010-08-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

A. They'll tell you.

Since my sister works in an organic foods store, she comes home with organic jokes like this. Hah.

Loving this:

2010-07-31T15:33:00.000-07:00

1] Shopping this morning for vegetables at the Proctor farmer's market. The prices aren't so expensive as you might think. A bag of spinach, green and yellow zucchinis, a bunch of bok choy, slicing cucumbers, a dozen ears of corn, some beautiful galas, and homegrown garlic. Paired with some rice noodles, the bok choy, spinach, garlic, an onion, shredded carrots, and a handful of snow peas made for the perfect lunch at home!

2] Passing the NCLEX last Tuesday. Missing my exit in Renton, fingerprints and vein scans, and 93 questions later: Erin Arkin, RN BSN! To date, the hardest exam I've ever sat for. Words cannot express how thankful I am to have passed it.

3] Running my 5th Seafair Torchlight 8k in downtown Seattle with Sara tonight. We started running it in 2006. Today we're hoping to revert back to the 2006 racing times [rather than the 2009 racing times; our slowest]. I think we're as prepared as we'll ever be, with Sara outfitted with "Go, Erin, Go" on her back and me with "Go, Sara, Go" on mine. I haven't run for 2.5 weeks. Oh well.

Michelob Ultra times in 2009.

RYM.

2010-07-26T19:02:00.000-07:00

My car was loaded up with a sleeping bag, 4 NCLEX study books, one pair of jeans, 3 t-shirts, and 4 Jr. Highers before heading to Mt. Baker last Monday for Reformed Youth Ministries Camp. Beautiful sunshine, views... God's glorious creation awaited us.

My week consisted of waking up my cabin of 9 Sr. High girls in enough time for showers and make-up applications for them all [smile], breakfast, morning assembly, seminars [with me sitting on an outside deck under an umbrella studying], lunch, mega-rec [extreme recreation!... we're talking tug-of-war on a slip-n-slide], free time, evening assembly, small group discussions, campfires, and then attempting to fall asleep despite itching mosquito bites and giggling girls [again, smile].

I filled my free time with either burying my nose in my study books or hiking. Mt. Baker and the Nooksack River made for glorious hiking trails and views. Ventured out on what was deemed the "long" hike on Tuesday afternoon, but only made it approximately 2.5 miles in before heading back due to time constraints. Went again on Friday; 5 counselors and 3 campers, preparing to hike through dinner if necessary. Despite one fall off of a log into chest deep water at mile 3ish [yes, that would be me who fell], we arrived at the promised breathtaking view of the river and Mt. Baker foothills. Beautiful. The hike was approx 7.5 miles round-trip.

Our Thursday afternoon was spent in Bellingham on a scavenger hunt, or "quest for the granite gargoyle and golden cherub." While my girls didn't win, a scoop of cardamom ice cream was a happy ending.

The keynote speaker of RYM, E.C. Bell, a PCA pastor from Newburg, spoke on the sovereignty of God; a topic that literally "blossomed" before me as I went through the week. So many different aspects to this subject; suffering, power, wisdom, calling, dependence, and independence. As a small group leader, I was given a page of verses on the sovereignty of God. I "ate" up these verses throughout the week. Our final discussion on Friday night was on Rom 8 [one of my favorite chapters in Romans]. This chapter exemplifies the many aspects of Christ's sovereignty. This is a passage that I'm still re-reading and re-reading; and learning more and more.

The week was filled with fun times, challenging times, and enlightening times. I admit that it was hard to be fully engaged in the happenings of camp with my NCLEX study date looming over my head. I felt "angsty" all week. However, it was a good reminder and challenge for me to turn my thoughts and efforts not to myself [and to worry], but to others around me and the work that was before me.

Back home, I took a much needed shower, "calamined" my mosquito bites up, ate an enormous bowl of pho, and got 9 hours of sleep on Saturday night.

My goals for this week: KEEP RUNNING [despite a week long break] and kick some NCLEX *ahem* booty. The end.

2010-07-18T00:06:00.000-07:00

Since I've spent the last couple weeks secluded in coffee shop corners studying, I've bumped into some of the most interesting people. I've noticed something. Tacoma coffee shop frequenters are much more friendly than Seattle coffee shop frequenters. I'm not surprised. In Seattle, everybody is much too occupied in vying for the cool standard of sipping on fair-trade foamed coffee with their non-prescription eyeglasses perched on their noses than to hint at being courteous or even aware of other beings' presence.

Let me not go down that departing road, however. Today, a middle-aged man who asked to use one of my highlighters commented on the huge study books heaped on the table in front of me. He then asked me, "Do your parents support you? Do they give you a pat on the back and encouragement to succeed?" How ironic. For two reasons. First, I have been thinking on what a wonderful support I have in my family, specifically my parents [my sisters are wonderful too]. I assured the gentleman that I did, he replied with a "good" and went back to his iced mocha and classifieds. 3 minutes later, in walks in my smiling mother. Just to check up on me. She wanted to make sure her daughter wasn't slowly dying during this particular 6 hour study session. And, as adorable as it sounds, she wanted to make sure I was buying things so I wouldn't get "kicked out." [Note: this is coming from a baby boomer not quite aware of the universal coffee shop rule that one purchase buys you infinite time] Suffice to say, she didn't leave until a scone and another iced tea were sitting next to my flashcards.

All this to say, I do indeed have a wonderful support system. One that I praise God for.

cakecups.

2010-07-16T20:53:00.001-07:00

Whipped up a half-batch of some beautimous Toasted Coconut Lime Glazed cupcakes this evening. A little butter [substitute canola oil if you want to go vegan], light coconut milk, flour, shredded coconut, and a few other ingredients.... and voila! Powdered sugar, lime juice, and lime zest for the glaze. These baked off in just 22 minutes. Mmmmmm.

The summer night is like a perfection of thought.

2010-07-14T00:07:00.000-07:00

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light;
and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Love/hate.

2010-07-08T22:04:00.000-07:00

LOVE: 90+ weather, headbands, freckles, sitting in the backyard with a hefe.
HATE [or dislike]: Being so terrible at studying for the NCLEX.

Thus, the face.

4th...

2010-07-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

4th of July weekend is complete.

Spent the 4th, the Lord's Day, of course, spending time with the family and attending church [which was lovely]. Laura made her delicious vegan green curry that was fantastic [and served as my dinner today!]. After evening service, scattegories, fireworks, and artichoke dip & vino with friends filled the evening.

Today I had possibly the best NT shift of my very short career. A completely "all there" patient who I sat with for the sole reason of making sure his lower extremities remained still and to monitor the HOB. To be honest, he didn't require a 1-to-1, but I didn't complain. I even thought [for just a moment] about doing a double shift [but for just a moment]. An easy-going, humorous patient who loves baseball. I sat in the CCU recliner next to his bed [with a view of Mt. Rainier] to my left, watched a baseball game, and read "Into the Wild." [and ate leftover green curry for dinner, of course]

When the staffing office calls me in to work, I always say a quick prayer [for my sake] asking for a non-difficult patient [I've had one too many of those kinds]. These are the kind of patients I pray for.

Oooooooof.

2010-06-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

Went to the gym last night for a 6pm workout. Walked past a fitness class that was just starting in the main gym and decided last minute to join. So great... but so tiring. It was a circuits class with trips out to the parking lot for sprints and lunges. Lots of males and females my age, which kept me [the ever competitor. ha] going. I was spent by the end; my body was done.

I've been pushing myself these past two weeks, and today I am feeling it. Oof. Went kickboxing this morning and did some free weights, but was not able to muster my usual "gusto." Rolling out of bed today, my glutes were screaming at me! I'm forcing myself to take a day off tomorrow. My body is tired. I felt like a slug today. Which was ok... spent the day with my nose in my Kaplan study book both inside and outside in the sun, painted my toenails in the sun, and watched Felix pitch a gem of a game against the Yanks. A perfect day for me, the slug.

Musings.

2010-06-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

At work the other evening, I was summoned from my watchful post in the ICU to help out on the extremely short-staffed med/surg/oncology floor. I was immediately given a shift report [half way through the shift, mind you] on 8 patients. Before leaving, the charge nurse asked me to check in on a patient who she thought might be turning septic. [Deep breath] I plunged forward. In reality, the patient was overloaded with fluid, making him feel extremely uncomfortable and just "not right" [a cue for patients who might be septic]. A dose of lasix and shedding of 1400 ml of fluid was blessed relief for the poor man.

It was hard to watch this patient; in mid-life, struggling with some diagnoses that are, in general, pretty fatal. Another patient of mine for those few short hours was a teenaged boy with an acute GI bout. He reminded me so much of what my sister Laura is going through. She has never had to been hospitalized though, thank the Lord. Finally, another patient of mine turned out to be taking an unfortunate turn toward unwellness. Going in to take her normal Q4hr vitals, I noticed her BP was extremely high [200+ SP] and that she was febrile. These two changes in vital signs are significant, especially in geriatric patients. Tylenol and some BP meds gave her some immediate relief, but her current state of health was not looking hopeful that evening.

I am very ready for my transition from Nurse Tech to Registered Nurse. In a little over a month, I'll be exchanging my 1 CORA/COSI patients or 10 med/surg patients for 2 critical neonates. For the life of me, I cannot tell you what I expect. Most recently, I have asking for special guidance from the Lord; asking Him to prepare me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as I prepare for these precious patients.

bum-life

2010-06-24T22:48:00.000-07:00

While I am working a bit in this interim period of life, I can't help but love being a bum. I'll work a day or evening shift every few days or so, and then the sweet bliss of taking naps, reading my stack of summer reading books, making soup, eating fro yo, vino in the backyard. walking around lakes. sitting in the sun. reading NCLEX study books [not as blissful as other noted activities]. walking to places instead of driving. kickboxing. long runs. reading blogs. catching happy hour with friends. eating nectarines. making joy journals. The list could be endless.

A side note; I ran down to UrbanXChange yesterday with three bagfuls of unwanted clothing. I sold almost all of it. It has been a good three years since I have actually spent money at that store. As soon as my credit slip dips below $10, it always somehow get's a helpful boost. Yes, I've recycled unwanted clothing that I've purchased, and have even returned pieces from Urban that I no longer want, but still don't feel as if I'm actually ever spending money at Urban. It is a beautiful and vicious cycle. I don't tend to find extraordinarily remarkable items at Urban, but do find some interesting things for myself or as gifts for others. Wading through the unique [but unneeded] jewelry and shoes that don't fit, I generally find dresses or scarves to purchase. Yesterday though, I found a plaid romper! I like rompers, and I generally like plaid things, but not together [aka both plaid and being a romper]. But, I brought it home and transformed it. It is now a type of shift dress and PERFECT.

Bedtime, bedtime, bedtime. Went up to Safeco for the M's/Cubbies game [an unfortunate 14 inning loss] and got too much sun; which makes for a sleepy Erin.

2010-06-20T20:49:00.000-07:00

Sitting in church today, my bare legs peeking out of my pencil skirt almost froze off. And my poor feet, shoved into some flats, were still damp from running into a puddle in the parking lot. Oh well for June.

Otherwise, my day consisted of a good morning pot of french press, eggplant from Vien Dong [a Father's Day lunch], playing with my dad's smudge sticks [a Father's Day gift], a delicious 2 hr nap, church again in the evening [Pastor Rayburn' sermon on King Solomon's wealth and the visit of Queen Sheba was quite enlightening.], and then a few hours of rummaging through old papers, notes, drawings, and pictures. I smile when I look back on things I've written; notes friends have written to me in the past. While I feel like my childhood years were not too far into the past, when I look at these old "pieces of my history" it feels ages and ages ago. When in reality, it went by in a blink of an eye.

I smile when I think about tomorrow. My day is planned. Another good morning pot of french press [thank the lord for Kathryn and her weekly mark outs given to me as generous gifts], gym, Seattle friends for the afternoon with a much-needed happy hour stop.

And maybe, just maybe, I'll be ready to start work again on Tuesday. We'll see...

post-grad

2010-06-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

Post-graduation... my life as of late:

Summer reading has commenced. Before mentioning the titles I'm currently sinking my teeth into, I must not forget the overriding literary work of the many nurses and physicians that have written [can you sense the sarcasm?] the 2010-2011 edition of the NCLEX-RN strategy book. This work of art will be a part of my daily life; now until mid July. ---- In between times, however, I've got "My Life in France," [by none other than Julia Child], "The Ragamuffin Gospel," [a must] "Into Thin Air," [highly recommended by my dear friend, Sara] "Three Cups of Tea," [because I've heard so many good things] "The Red Tent," [another must read, this one recommended by my OB professor], "Living Stones of the Himalayas," [because I can never have enough global health], and "Fast Food Nation," [for fun... and to get me fired up]. 4 of these were picked up from the cute little book man at the Fremont Sunday Market for an insanely cheap price.

Check one off the bucket list. Yesterday afternoon, I walked down to the Korean supermarket a few blocks away and purchased some boba. Carefully preparing it according to the exceptional English directions on the back, I also made a blueberry/banana smoothie [with coconut milk]. Complete with boba straws and all, it wasn't as great as I suspected. I don't know what goes into making boba sweet... because mine was not. However, I made boba! We'll see if I stick to WOW and yunnie [I will!].

KICKBOXING & WEIGHT ROOM. Enough said. I'm back into the routine I love. Day 3 of the "let's get Erin's back ripped" routine has commenced. And perhaps, just perhapss, my poor knee that has been inured since March will decide to heal up on it's own accord [now that I'm not continually pounding it on the pavement.]

Despite the gloominess of this WA June, I've welcomed summer in. How? I ate the most perfect apricot known to mankind last night. It's now officially summer [aka: stone fruit season].Studying is not over, but I'm in the dreamlike state of spending my days listening to Bon Iver, working out when and where I want to, drinking french press all day, cooking my own food out of the wondrous vegan-inspired Arkin fridge. Today after coming home from the gym, I made a quinoa, green pepper, and asparagus salad. DIVINE.

[oh, and I'm on call at TG until July 13th... when my Nurse Tech license expires. But, I prefer to think of only lounging around; because on August 3rd.........

I'll be Erin, Residency RN in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit beginning a 12 week residency. I received a job offer for a .8 night position one week after my interview! Coming right out of college, I am not surprised by working nights [I've been preparing myself for this all year, unfortunately]. However, having an offer to go straight into a specialty that provides critical care experience in addition to OR experience is one that is entirely a privilege and honor. In talking with the clinical nurse specialist, I was also told that I may have the chance at working variable shifts [non-night!]. We'll see... I will take what I can get. I am so, so blessed and blown away by this offer. Praise God!

All for now. Nap time for me.

4 years ago...

2010-06-15T09:14:00.001-07:00

This girl packed up all her stuff and moved 40 minutes away to beautiful Queen Anne. 4 years at Seattle Pacific University have produced 2 roommates, 4 different residence hall floors, 1 appearance at the Women's NCAA Rowing Championships [5th place!], 3 1/2 marathons, dozens of beautiful friends, approximately 2500 gwinn meals, thousand of class hours, 2 years of being a Peer Advisor, 2 wonderful PA staffs [I love you, Ashton and Emerson], hundreds of 1.1's, 1 degree [BSN!], hundreds of clinical hours, many instances of crying over chemistry, many instances of joyously celebrating over triumphs, and the growth of one little girl into what can now be called... a nurse? A university graduate? It's in there somewhere.

4 Years later, my car is packed. I'm sitting on my stripped bed, in an empty room, on an empty floor. Not quite ready to leave Seattle. I've decided to fill my last hour in Seattle with a run... bridge to bridge [my usual jaunt I've completed at least a hundred times]. Very fitting. And then one more stop at Macrina. And then home for now. I hate goodbyes, so this run will suffice.

Hello to a transition. I'll try to figure you out.

intermittent sunshine.

2010-06-05T12:39:00.000-07:00

Today is a sunshiney Seattle day. A week of rain, a sunshine day, and then forecast for more rain. The sunshine makes my last Saturday of studying for finals bearable. I keep telling myself I'm almost done; a half-truth really. Once graduation festivities are complete, studying for the NCLEX begins. I'm telling myself to take just one step at a time though; finals first, then NCLEX.

Met up with MM at her boat for a run this morning. We planned on a Lake Union loop, but decided to run to the Space Needle instead. MM just bought some vibram's and is still getting used to running in them, so we took it easy on the mileage. And instead ran a fast pace... ouch. Between stopping at crosswalks and running around pedestrians, I remembered why I generally run on the Burke: NO TRAFFIC. The change of scenery was nice though.

After our run, we went and sat out on the bow of her boat and soaked up some vitamin D. I never get enough....
Errands, lunch, and now I should probably shower. And studying. [breathe] Here we go.

running highs.

2010-06-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

I am a sucker for running highs. I'm selfish. I never want them to end. I usually tend to love them so much that I over work myself, inevitably running me into a running low.

Regardless, on the treadmill yesterday, I knew that my body was breaking into a running high. It's been a rainy, pouring mess outside lately, so that [and the fact that most of my runs end up being at 9pm at night] has me running on the treadmill. I generally enjoy running on a treadmill; I'm not necessarily a concrete purist. While I do tend to get bored, I keep pace much better. Last week was bad as far as running goes. I barely had the time to run, and when I did, I felt like I was running underwater. Yesterday, before dinner, I ran a hard 5 miles and it felt good! Future running plans include a bridges run (Ballard Bridge/Fremont Bridge loop) tonight and a Lake Union loop this weekend.

So here's to running highs. A perfect way to get through my last week of finals. Ever. [at least undergraduate finals].

5th emerson love.

2010-05-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the many beautiful ladies who put so much effort into making me feel so appreciated yesterday.

I woke up yesterday to streamers, pictures of my face blown up all over the wall, a boquet of flowers, cupcakes, brownies, sweet notes, and jelly bellies [a favorite] outside my door! So very, very sweet.

On my way to breakfast, I discovered that the sidewalks of SPU had been graffitied with messages, acronyms, and drawings for ME. I had a constant blush as I made my way throughout campus.

My day ended with my girls taking me out to Queen Sheba [a fabulous Ethiopian restaurant] on Capitol Hill for injera and gomen sans utensils. We inevitably found our way to Molly Moon's. Heaven equals salt licorice and salted caramel in a waffle cone.

Result: Food baby extreme and studying put off until after my usual bed time. Worth it? YES.

Four things.

2010-05-09T19:21:00.000-07:00

1) I love my mama. I loved spending time with her this weekend; going to see Babies, eating pizza at the Hub, and picking up spring rolls at Vien Dong.

2) I love sleeping. After a particularly sleep deprived week, I slept for 9 hours on Friday night, and then took a 2 hour nap on Saturday afternoon. I felt wobbly and almost hung over when I woke up. Almost too much sleep; beautiful though it was.

3) I love baseball/softball. And am proud of my intramural team, even though we're 1-3.

4) I love sitting in the sun, reading, and counting the freckles as they pop out.

5) I love the view from the 520 bridge; rain or shine. This morning though, it was particularly beautiful, sun-filled and all.

6) I love free haircuts. One of my residents gave me a coupon for a complimentary hair cut/style at 7 salon in Bellevue Square. I was completely out of my element, getting my head massaged and sipping on a free cappucino while wearing a black robe. I usually attempt at cutting my own hair over my sink. Seriously. It was nice though, I'll admit. I could get used to it.

Oops. That was six things. My bad.

Psalm 25

2010-04-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

When my enemies and the things of this world are breaking me down, the Lord will triumph.

downtown

2010-04-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

Hopped a bus to head downtown late yesterday morning. Needed an hour or two away from campus. Also needed an excuse to buy things. Having been on an unintentional no-purchasing-clothes streak since the first of Jan, I felt completely justified. That and the fact that I have discovered some holes and general rattiness on some of my favorite sweaters and cardigans.

At Nordy's, I discovered that I had left my debit card with my VM ID badge hanging on my stethescope in my room. Blah. Not one to carry cash on me, I was bummed. But, aha.... I found $$ from my recent nanny adventure in my wallet; I was saved. One more quick stop at Urban, and I was done. A chunky pale blue sweater and a luxuriously soft electric teal cardigan.

Today, I'm spending a close-to-home day. Mountains and mountains of studying to do today. I may venture out to Bustle's back corner, but can't think that far ahead yet. First, I'm letting my oatmeal digest in my tummy... and then 10 miles out in this brisk, non-rainy Seattle day.

Wish me luck.

[computer-less]

2010-04-11T20:24:00.000-07:00

Virus, surging power strip,... I have no idea. All I know is that due to my computer-less state, the library and the numerous *click, click, clicks* of other students have become my home until the end of this week: aka macbook pro upgrade, my life slows down.

Hello, 13" macbook pro... I've been waiting to hold you.

circadian rythym.

2010-04-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

This quarter; the finale of my undergraduate college experience. I can't help but think of what my circadian rythym will look like for the next 10 weeks. A thought currently pertinent as I sit in pathosphysiology.

Circadian rythym; a 24 hr biological phase of all organisms. It takes on a new meaning for nursing students; for this quarter. Hurrah for the finale.

2010-03-07T18:34:00.000-08:00

Today I saw a rabbi riding a scooter on the Burke-Gilman. I don't know if that's allowed. I see the most interesting people running on that trail; especially after passing under the I-5 bridge, getting closer to UW. Always a story.

March.

2010-03-05T08:53:00.000-08:00

Three things.

1) It's officially March, and a countdown to my birthday. 2) I saw a man running barefoot on the Burke yesterday afternoon. I've seen this occasionally; yesterday was the first time I thought, "I'd like to try that." 3)I was literally dragged into playing intramural softball next quarter with my floor and "brother" floor of sorts. My final quarter of college, my last chance to participate in intramurals. This girl has not ever played in any intramurals sports (collegiate: yes, intramural: no). Softball . . . oof. I need to start practicing.

grateful

2010-02-25T10:37:00.000-08:00

Today I am grateful for:

- Blooming crocuses under the Ballard Bridge, I found during my usual bridges run. A little early for spring, but I don't mind. Like my dad always says, "You know it's spring when the forsythia blooms." Well, the forsythia has bloomed.

- Coloring pages with markers yesterday with clients at Fairfax. A self-soothing exercise that promotes focus. Indeed.

- Psalm 24, which I read last night before going to bed. But am still thinking about. Read it. Beautiful promises.

- Oatmeal. I could eat this everyday and be happy. Perhaps I'm more in love with what I put in my oatmeal though. Strawberries, almonds, brown sugar, PB&J, ect. It's not very often that I eat breakfast out in Seattle, but if I do, you'll find me testing oatmeal at various places. My favorites: Macrina and 5 Spot. Hands down.

- Blue sky. I went to sleep to pouring rain last night, but woke to a bird's egg blue sky.

- Running dates; happening in t-minus 41 minutes.

the ladro man.

2010-02-22T14:12:00.000-08:00

My post yesterday was filled with sunshine and relaxation. Indeed it was such a day. But, as I finished out my day, I couldn't stop thinking about the cafe ladro man I observed out of the corner of my sunglasses.

Here I was, stting in my window seat, sun flooding the table I sat at. My sunglasses were a necessity [and are always helpful in keeping my creeper-status downplayed. Hey, I like to people watch]. Ladro man walked in, wheeling in a huge piece of lugggage. Attached to the luggage was a 10 gallon bucket, sealed with a lid. He wheeled right up to a table near my own, popped off the lid on the bucket, and proceeded to set up an office space.

While still absorbed in my book, I occasionally took glances up. Each glance held something new. A laptop came out of the bucket. A telephone complete with a phone jack. Papers and flash drives cluttered the table. 20 ounces of hot tea in ladro's sunny yellow to-go cups. This man was completely intriguing. He went about his business. Reading papers, figeting with his dark beard, his bald, shiny head bent over his computer, reflecting the sun pouring through the window. His clothes were clean, with a hint of unkemptness. I went back to reading. Another glance up, and I noticed he had donned some reading glasses. While one of the arms of the glasses remained intact, the other had a piece of string in its place. This piece of string wrapped around his entire head, tied off on the intact arm.

I felt an overwhelming sense of empathy. I wanted to know his story. Why was he here? What was he doing? I thought about the pairs of glasses that I own. My usual prescription pair; an old prescription pair kept in my glove box for the sole purpose of boosting my night vision; my various pairs of sunglasses kept in various places so that I won't have to endure one minute of being uncomfortable in the sun.

It made me think of the topic of homelessness; a topic I am comfortable around; people I enjoy interacting with; people I interact with on a daily basis; a topic I spent hours and hours on last year, as I worked with various organizations in order to raise awareness. I do not know if this man was homeless or not; most likely yes. But it gave me something to think about. Gave me a moment to think not of myself, not of the materials of the world that constantly circulate. Gave me a moment to think of the cafe ladro man, who tied his glasses together with string.

Mmmmmmmmm.

2010-02-21T16:19:00.000-08:00

My lazy Sunday afternoon was perfect. Spicy morning glory chai at Ladro in Fremont. Walked to and from, along the canal, literally soaking up the sun. Spent my time at Ladro with a book and Iron & Wine; and my huge cup of foamy chai.

Happy Lord's day.

Don't run under window washers.

2010-02-18T16:06:00.001-08:00

The scenario:

Beautiful sunny Seattle Thursday. Had a 4-miler to do today, so I decided to run my normal bridges run (across the Ballard Bridge to the Fremont Bridge), but ventured off the Burke-Gilman to get an extra .5 mile. Was pacing at a good tempo, and noticed a bunch of water on the sidewalk about 50 meters in front of me. As I reached the spot, I looked up and noticed nothing. Looked down and WHOOSH. 10 gallons of water; everywhere. A little scream and I look up at a very scared window washer who had appeared out of no where. I kept going, not breaking my pace. Funny.

Anyways, back to the beautiful sunny Seattle Thursday. Beautiful! My windows are wide open; casi cielo in my cup. I'm trying to soak up as much natural light as I can. It's supposed to stay sunny and clear throughout the weekend, which is the perfect equation for my upcoming staff retreat in Anacortes this weekend. Mmmmmmm. My freckles are thanking me advance.

2010-02-11T10:09:00.000-08:00

A little bit overwhelmed, disturbed, tired.

First week at Fairfax Hospital on their acute wing. Seclusion rooms, darkness, hysterics -- evenings in a mental institution. I am learning alot just by sitting in the day room; observing; talking to the patients. I played checkers yesterday with a very talkative gentleman, and won. I tried not to, but couldn't quite help it. I can't imagine processing what I've seen; haven't been able to quite yet.

Tired too. Been feeling extra fatigued for the past two weeks. And have been having trouble falling asleep. I'm about to start a melatonin regimen once again. Running too much? But running so much that I'm eating everything in sight. Where is the balance. Stumbled out of my bed this morning on achy knees. I've always taken great pride in my strong knees. Not so much today. Am still on the fence about the Mercer Island 1/2. Not sure if I'll be ready, but on the other hand, what a wondrous 22nd birthday celebratory event.

But I'm drinking my coffee, thinking of when I can squeeze in a siesta, and am one hour away from my usual 4 mile muddy jaunt on the Burke-Gilman. Hopefully the bridges stay out of my way for 35 minutes.

Psalm 24:9-10

2010-01-23T14:54:00.000-08:00

"Lift up your heads, O you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty ---
he is the King of glory."

Resolves.

2010-01-14T10:31:00.000-08:00

Not resolutions; resolves.

My resolves and determinations: drink more h20, stretch more, read more, and play more speed scrabble.

Hydration status, better muscle tone/reflexes, and neural synaptic interaction. Sensible.

be merry.

2009-12-25T22:40:00.000-08:00

Be merry. Very merry.

Spent the morning drinking coffee and opening gifts with my family. Went on a Christmas run without my pod. Reality hit me in the face when I found out that I had run my iPod through the washing machine the night before. Shoot. Off to my aunt's and uncle's house in Spanaway. Much food [my uncle's coconut macaroons!] consumption and lounging occurred. An evening of bananagrams rounded out the holiday.

My favorite received gifts: Macrina's Bakery recipe book [containing the recipe for my most favorite muffin of all time], a pillowcase hand-made by my lovely friend, Leah [made of the most comical fabric of all time], and a beautiful pair of earrings from UO [I may never take them off]. My other gifts were also beautiful; my family was too generous.

Merry Christmas! The meaningful reality of this holiday is that Christ was born to save. A wonderful gift of promise! [Luke 2:11]

sicky icky.

2009-12-01T19:32:00.000-08:00

Starting to get sicky. No good. Called in sick to clinical today because I could feel my infectious-ness coming out of my pores. Not a day for me to be holding immunocompromised infants. So instead of holding babies at Children's, I'm working on an 8-hr case study on cystic fibrosis. Oof. Functioned throughout the day quite well. But, now, just hit a wall. A full day of clinical at Garfield High tomorrow bright and early. Oy.

Despite my bothersome throat, egg nog is in the fridge, and lemon-poppy seed muffins in the oven. My turn to host a fall quarter egg nog party and rack up as many domestic points as I can.

BRANDI CARLILE.

2009-11-21T15:14:00.000-08:00

Karie, Julia, and I hopped over to lower QA last night where Brandi Carlile was putting on a FREE show at Easy Street Records. We got there 20 min before the show started which made for not the best view. Easy Street was packed by the time Brandi started singing, with people trying to look in through the front door. She was AMAZING. She and her band were even better than I could have expected.

A perfect night of free. Free bus ride, free concert, and free baguettes from essential baking company. Dumpster diving pay off times a billion.

purell bath.

2009-11-17T18:39:00.001-08:00

Today I had a 5:15a wake up call, was out of the door at 5:30a, and was walking into Children's at 5:52a. I shadowed a charge nurse for the day. Really, quite boring in some respects for me as the observer, as I watched her make countless phone calls; negotiating bed space and accepting in new admits. Not much for me to do. I did, however, have the privelege of going with the MDs, ARNPs, CN, and med students on neurosurgery rounds, general surgery rounds, and RN rounds. Extremely interesting. Was one time that I, as a nurse, was able to interact with MDs for more than 10 minutes at a time. And, walking around the surgical unit with two young med students wasn't bad either.

Needless to say, after rounds, going into room after room, following the CN to room after room, patient after patient, I was literally bathed in purell. Countless pumps of purell. Too many to count. Upwards of a hundred [at the very very minimum].

But, then again, it's better to have dry, antiseptic-smelling skin, than some of the other options :)

Weekend flying away.

2009-11-15T21:45:00.000-08:00

My weekend flew away.

It started on Thursday night with Sara, painting Tacoma red. Aaron, the piano player, was the highlight.

Friday turned into kickboxing, change the oil in my car, shop with my madre day. A pair of beautiful new boots was the highlight. Before I headed back to Seattle, we stopped at the Matador in downtown Tacoma to take advantage of $5 blackened fish tacos. Duty and a lonely Emerson hall awaited me in Seattle. Scattegories and oatmeal cookies were the highlight. Possibly the most worst duty night I have ever experienced awaited me. A night filled with 4 hours of sleep was the highlight.

Saturday was PA fun day at the pacific science center. Started the morning studying pedes and running back and forth to gwinn with BJ. Frantically making 14 sack lunches was the highlight. Bussed to the science center. Izzy in the rocket ship and the MJ lazer show were the highlights. A paper and 10 minute nap awaited me back home. Dinner and frantic paper writing ensued. A quick trip down to Emerson Coffeehouse, a cup of coffee, and live music awaited me. More studying and a trip to Rach's and Crissy's for extreme game night. Losing at Clue on the love sac was the highlight.

9 hours of sleep later, Sunday awaited me. The afternoon was spent at Bustle with J.Taylor and N.Nobbs. Rocket muffins from Macrina's were smuggled in. Homemade syrups from Bustle were the highlight. Stuyding ensued. Then an evening with Nicholas; feeding him chicken noodle soup and reading Dr. Suess. Needed studying and paper snowflakes awaited me on 5th emerson. A needed shower occurred, and here I sit. My usual can of sparkling water is my highlight. I barely have a grasp on what I will be tested on tomorrow morning at 0830, but all I really care about is going to sleep.

My weekend flew away.

Superstitious?

2009-11-09T18:16:00.000-08:00

Superstitious? I'm not. BUT. I am tempted to celebrate with a needle to the face [or ear].

With the upcoming friday being friday the 13th, I am once again reminded about House of Tattoo and their superstitious deal. House of Tattoo, my piercing parlor of choice [in tacoma, that is], offers $20 [$13 with a mandatory $7 tip] above-the-neck piercings on friday the 13th. This is a deal advertised by word of mouth only. I have never taken advantage of it, but have never been more tired of paying upwards of $45 for piercings. I am tempted.

Galatians 2:20

2009-11-08T22:52:00.000-08:00

To be as pious; as edifying; as relevant; as poignant. Oswald Chambers writes vividly, passionately, and frankly. I am impressed, inspired, convicted, and uplifted by his excerpts.

November 3 held words for me that were extremely relevant. "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." [Gal. 2:20] These words mean the breaking of my independence with my own hand and surrendering to the supremacy of the Lord Jesus. No one can do this for me, I must do it myself. The passion of christianity is that I deliberately sign away my own rights and become a bond-slave of Jesus Christ. Until I do that, I do not begin to be a saint.

I smile when:

2009-11-07T20:53:00.000-08:00

I watch QA come awake [this morning at 7:30am], as I systemtically peaked from textbook to street as I sit by a huge, rain-splattered window, the obligatory cup of coffee in my hand.

I run the burke-gilman trail with a beautiful soul, killing 5 miles and getting drenched in the process.

I play [learn how to play] cribbage with some beautiful souls; a heart shaped pancake/laundry party.

I find long gray sweaters at Buffaloa.

I take a nap with wet hair and wake up to perfect curls.

I discover a new WHOLE FOODS [!!] and study spot in Ballard.

I celebrate a beautiful soul's 21st birthday on the waterfront, with Seattle skyscrapers making us feel more posh that we actually are.

I have a perfect Saturday [like noted above].

Victor Hugo

2009-10-26T17:45:00.000-07:00

"What I feel for you seems less of earth and more of a cloudless heaven."

soulpancake?

2009-10-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

Check out this website by Rainn Wilson. http://www.soulpancake.com/
Haven't had too much time to completely explore it, but am intrigued thus far.

In other news, I may have just completely bombed my first community health exam. Flashback to freshmen year ochem. After taking this exam, I figured out that I should have read all 700 pages of text while I simultaneously read my professor's mind. Oopth. Just another blow to the knees in the world of nursing school.

Mondays.

2009-10-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

Retreat to Camp Casey was perfect. The rain stopped just as we pulled in. The day was spent by walking around the bunkers, eating pumpkin ice cream with my wonderful sophomores, rock/paper/scissor competitions with the broho, and capture the flag with glowsticks. More restful than I thought it was going to be. My floor is incredibly sweet, and I enjoy spending time with them.

Ate my final nectarine last night. It was hard for me to give up, but the season is over. It wasn't even good, but it was still a nectarine. Still a piece of heaven. Goodbye, necartines. Hello, pomegranites.

Ran the counterbalance hill last night. I've been recently trying to run hills. Since I've had to trim down my work out time drastically in the past three weeks, I am determined to utilize the time I do have. So, I run this mountain of a hill. Run up, walk down, run up, walk down. Tedious and painful, but my body is thanking me.

Wearing new chacos. Green, slip ons, and found on the clearance rack. The only pair, my perfect size. I put them on, and did not take them off. October weather does not matter, I have strong feet that hate to be enclosed in shoes. Thus chacos are perfect for me. A student came up to me in the pura vida line the other day and said, "Wow, wearing chacos with a dress. I like that. That's cool." Chacos are perfect. Why not wear them with anything? I do.

Went to bed last night very unhappy over the fact that tomorrow would be Monday. Monday means that I put on my running shoes and keep them on until Thursday at 2:30pm. Off I go.

Retreating.

2009-10-17T09:50:00.001-07:00

Off to Emerson Retreat at Camp Casey (on Whidbey Island). The two times I've been there, it has been absolutely, breathtakingly gorgeous. Today? Complete Seattle downpour. I am basically bringing only a sweatshirt, raincoat, and sleeping bag; and am prepared to wear all three simultaneously if needed.

I'm also wearing my chacos all weekend. Rationale? Chacos are meant to be wet. Option A: Wear soggy running shoes all weekend. Option B: Wear wet chacos and tell myself that my feet are supposed to be wet.

I pick option B. Perfect rationale. Yes?

To be wide eyed and freckled again.

2009-10-15T10:34:00.001-07:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/benoitpaille/3817618057/

Recently.

2009-10-14T19:28:00.001-07:00

I took a blogging hiatus. But, I do that often, so it's all ok. Much, much, much has gone on in my life in the past couple weeks; so here are just a highlights.

Recently.

Recently went: New clinical sites. For the next 7 weeks, I'm at Seattle Children's on Tuesdays (1430-2230) and Garfield High School on Wednesdays (0730-1430). In just the past two weeks, I have seen things at Children's that have been almost too much for my compassionate heart. Empathy is my #2 strength (as far as strengths finder goes). I am completely and emotionally drained after 8 hours with extremely ill pediatric patients. But at the same time, I absolutely love it. Not so much as far as Garfield High School is concerned. Today, a 9th grader walked into the health center office asking for an HIV test. This teenager was quite certain that he needed to be tested ASAP. It's hard for me to be there. I feel extremely drawn to this crowd of very needy adolescents, but at the same time want to take each one by the shoulders, look them in the eyes, and help them sort out the issues and problems that can be seen on the many faces in the crowded hallways. But this is not an option for me; one person, one nursing student, one individual swimming in the hierarchical guidelines of the public school system.

Recently did: FUSION IV. My fourth and final fusion. I had forgotten how stressful this time of year is for me. For those of you who are non-SPUers, Fusion is a residence life backed event for all of the residential floors on campus. Each floor partcipates in a unity celebration in which a skit (of sorts) is done. Floor traditions follow. This year, I was outfitted in skinny jeans, heels, and a huge black sweatshirt. "So krispy," was our theme. 5th Emerson was indeed krispy ([adj] having fresh style and a unique swagger).

Recently read(ing): Cold Mountain. In the few minutes I have of actual downtime (i.e. breakfast on Mon/Thur/Sat), I've started reading this novel. Very interesting, and so very descriptive. However, if you're looking for dialogue, this book is not for you.

Recently watched: The Brother's Bloom. I finally watched this film (after fawning over it for the past 5 months). This was the first film I had seen directed by Rian Johnson. And, one of the several that I had seen with Adrien Brody. And, I was not disappointed. Do you judge me if I tell you that I almost melted in a few scenes? Please don't. I hate to be so shallow, but I can't for the life of me get over how completely wonderful Adrien is. Perfection. Back to the storyline, however. I was telling my mom what The Brother's Bloom was like. I described it as a film with a Wes Anderson feel but with 75% more of a plotline. As one of Anderson's #1 fans, I enjoyed Johnson's direction of the film. I would watch it again. I will watch it again.

Recently bought: STUFF. My mom came up to Seattle last Saturday to go to a tile festival out by Madison Park. I went with her and looked at booth after booth of extremely expensive and beautiful hand-crafted tile. We didn't find the perfect tile, so instead finished our afternoon out by stopping by the ave. My mom was a little out of her element at Buffaloa, but still bought me an uber long, warm, fuzzy black sweater. A perfect buy for $8. I also got some perfect black flats that are perfectly cute while still being perfectly comfortable. We also stopped at a little boutique called Pitaya. As a college student, I always pass this store by. But, as a college student shopping with her mother, I went in. I got possibly the most dramatic pair of earrings I've seen (that are still quite wearable). Joelle would be/will be very jealous. Our outing finished with a bowl of avogolemono at Costas. Perfection.

Recently realized: Senior year might be equivalent to the center of Dante's inferno. The homework and need for studying has literally tripled. I am finding myself continually scrambling to finish papers, projects, neverending reading, and much-needed studying. This is why my time for pleasurable reading is limited to the 20 minutes I have in gwinn at breakfast three days a week. More on this later. If I survive.

Recently thankful for: Emerson PA Staff 09-10. These 11 (9 PAs, 2 RLCs) people that I get to share life with this year are so completely life-giving. Spending two hours on with them on Monday evenings is not enough. I feel protective of them, want them to succeed if everything they do, and love them all so much. Highlights of my week are when I get to share time with them. Each individual is unique, some polar opposites than others, but it works so well.

10 weeks.

2009-09-22T20:41:00.000-07:00

10 weeks until 13.1. 10 weeks to fit in a 12 week training program. I usually start training 1-2 weeks late anyways, BUT I'm usually in more of a rested/routined state.

The past two weeks of PA training have not afforded me many days of rest or the luxury of a workout routine. The gym isn't open on weekends, and open from 0700 to 1700 on weekdays. With training all day, this gives me only an hour in the gym before I am forced to run to the shower. Not so, so bad; but after late nights, waking up before 0630 is a toughie. Quite a few days have passed without me on the pavement with my brooks. BUT, I'm trying, correction, making myself. Seattle hills in 10 weeks will not equal a happy two hours of running.

I have a little more than two weeks before I have to register. Hopefully, Erin the Runner will be back in an expedient state. [hopefully].

Faintly as tolls the evening chime, our voices keep tune and our oars keep time.

2009-09-19T13:30:00.000-07:00

I live here. I live 1.14 minutes away from the place where this picture was taken. Taken at 9:15 in the morning; still early enough to spot singles and pairs gliding across the water. I could watch them all day. I envy their effortless form, something that evaded me throughout my year of rowing. Reason #1 as to why I was put in the "engine room/power house" seat of an eight. Form is not as important (still very important, really). With 7 others rowing in front and/or behind you, you could afford a small amount of slack in regard to rowing form. A completely different matter in a single, pair, or four. In a single or pair, it's just you and your ability as a rower that keeps you gliding on top of and not into the water.

Still beautiful. I miss it.

domingo.

2009-09-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

My first Sunday in the place I will call home for the next 9 months. I tried to sleep in today. My body needed it after a restless night at Warm Beach. It had other plans.

My window is open right now, and I can hear the cars zooming along Nickerson. This is the first difference I noticed from Ashton. Despite the frequent "zooming," the building is quiet. I can almost picture Kara, Amy, Jeff, Zach, Michael, Sarah, D.D., Lianna, and Jessica perhaps just rolling out of bed on their empty floors. Or maybe still sleeping peacefully, waiting for a later church service. Lynnea and Brian are most definitely up, getting their little families ready for the day. Our last Sunday of being completely alone. I love living on a residence hall floor and soaking up the community that it offers (reason number one for beginning my fourth year in a residence hall), but I also completely love the silence of the emptiness. Yes, a complete calm befor the storm (proverbially, of course).

Fremont awaits. I have just enough time for a trip to Peet's, a quick peruse of the Sunday Market, and a beautiful, sun-bathing walk back to campus.

Have a happy Lord's Day.

urbankidsplay.

2009-09-10T14:27:00.001-07:00

I very, very occasionally work in a toy store. Urban Kids Play on the top of QA, nestled in by El Diablo's outside courtyard. This morning, sun-streaked QA was breathtaking and UKP was bustling, with almost a dozen strollers parked outside. UKP is a beautiful store, full of "motion encouragment" toys, organic cotton swaddling cloths, and a plethora of shoes. You won't find batteries or motors here. Instead, the shelves are packed with sidewalk chalk, blocks, scooters, trikes, and Rody's (look them up). I am officially able to fit your child in adorable keens, rompers from See Kai Run (for the new walkers), and strappy Tevas (for the water-walking babies).

Today was storytime with Moonpaper Tent. Pirates, sea creatures, and mermaids ran around the store, looking for the glass sea orb that the tall, bearded wizard had mysteriously lost. While I was on the cash register/shoe fitting side of storytime today, I have spent several a Thursday morning watching Macy and Elly (the store owner's daughters whom I nanny) discover magical medow pumpkins. Did you know that if you take a bite of a medow pumpkin that you can fly just as fast as a medow fairy? You can.

Whenever I nanny Macy and Elly I am against reminded of the magic of action/motion. You won't find television, gameboys, digital toys, or sugar/meat/refined garbage, for the matter, in their house. They encourage active fun. Many park walks, playing "wizard of oz" in the basement (which involves alot of jumping on the bed), tea time at the TeaCup, and hours of book-reading. Snacks consist of fruit, smoothies, almonds, sunflower seeds, cashews, and cheese. Having grown up with a vegetarian (vegan for several years) in my family, I am at home in their house. I used to think that my sisters and I were the only elementary-aged kids around that made their own dried fruit, ate lentils weekly, and was introduced to the scary komboucha animal by thinking it was apple juice (Thanks, Daddy) before I met Macy, Elly, and soon-t0-be little Jax.

Tonight.

2009-09-02T22:49:00.000-07:00

I remembered that I didn't have a "tonight" section as part of my last blog post, even though the title deceptively alluded to one. SO. Here's tonight.

Tonight, I was upstairs, frantically going through my clothes; tossing out things I no longer wanted, stacking clothes to pack up for school. I was also trying on some of my old things (just to see if I wanted it anymore). A little black dress. Ok, yes, I want this. This is when I hear a male voice through my upstair's window. It was asking my neighbor if she knew the owner of the white van parked on the street. I kept hearing voices and then looked out one of our windows to see two police cars with lights flashing parked outside our house. Three police officers, flashlights out, were checking the van. Apparently my dad had forgotten to close the side door and it looked like someone had broken in. Police cars parked outside our house. My parents asleep. Three young police officers. I was needed.

I ran outside in my finery. Asked "Oh hello. Is there a problem?," in the most mature, young-lady voice I could muster. One bright flashlight in my face and a "Oh, good evening, ma'am." Suffice to say, I took care of the situation, bid the police officers good night, and returned indoors. Laura was in the living room, looking outside curiously. She mentioned the fact that she had not wanted to go out there. "Oh, they were super young," I told her. "Really? SHOOT," she said.

Baha. I win.

This morning. Today. Tonight.

2009-09-02T21:21:00.000-07:00

This morning as I left for kickboxing, cars were lined up outside of Whitman Elementary. School has started. September. To be 13 again and re-live my early September school days. Now I start school practically in October. No complaining from me though.

This morning I was greeted by an extremely familiar site. Nectarines lining the windowsill in our kitchen. My dad had again found some perfect nectarines right at the end of the season. Summer is still here. While I still eat nectartines at all times of the day; summer is still here. I literally have to stop myself at times throughout the day to make myself count the number of pieces of fruit I have eaten today. There is such as a thing as too much fruit (unfortunately). And today, a perfect necartine paired with plain greek yogurt . . . HEAVEN in a bowl.

This morning, I made myself run after kickboxing. I wrote about a running high a few posts back. Hah. A running low soon hit. I made myself, however, run a moderately paced 4 miles. It's not an option. With a tough 1/2 marathon course looming in front of me, I need to start picking it up. I felt great afterward. 4 more miles tomorrow, and we'll see where we're at. With 1/2 training, along with my new upper body weight workout, I'll hopefully be the ripped Erin I was hoping to be by the end of the summer by the end of November. We'll see.

Today my parents left me all alone to watch Felix pitch a gem of a game against the Angels in box seats. Only 4 tickets. They went with my aunt and uncle. Me, home alone. Determined to make lemonade out of lemons, I decided to use up the crazy amount of leftovers in our fridge. 2 hours later, I had turkey meatballs (gluten-free for laura: rice flour in lieu of bread crumbs) and black bean/rice patties with sesame seeds and yellow thai curry sauce. Topped with tomatoes from our garden, I was in curry heaven. The leftovers of my leftover creation will be my lunch tomorrow. Perfect.

Today I'm grateful for.

2009-08-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

- Long naps. I didn't get called into work today and therefore took full advantage by napping the late afternoon away.

- Almost dying from laughing so hard in kickboxing with Laura. Maybe it's the faces she makes. Maybe it's her right uppercut. I don't know. All I know is that she's awfully cute, and I can't help but laugh.

- Downtown Tacoma walks. Despite the many hundreds of times I've traipsed down Pacific Ave or Antique Row, I always see something beautiful and new. Today, the gorgeous hanging baskets on the many lamp posts caught my eye. Absolutely beautiful. Also, finding [new] old things. I bought neon yellow jellies and and a sparkly cocktail dress that seemingly came right out of 1974. All for $11.

- My sunroof.

- The [almost empty] bottle of lemon-honeybee conditioner I found in the bottom of my locker at the Y that made my curls fantastically springy today.

- Having the house, fridge, and stove to myself. Nectarines, chicken gyoza, garlic-broccoli, garbonzo beans, corn on the cob, and artichoke hearts. I am in my element. It's amazing how the jump from living off of an university cafeteria and residence hall microwave to coming to the Arkin kitchen turns me from college student to domestic goddess.

- Inspiration from cairns. I love pictures of them. I always wonder about the story behind them. I've chosen my floor theme off of some beautiful photographs of rock cairns.

- Remembering to wear my glasses. Yes, it's about that time in my life where I should wear them alot more often that I do. The world [or at least the television, Pastor Rayburn's sermons (the pulpit is seeming to inch farther and farther away each Sunday), and baseball games] come to life.

- Psalm 34. My favorite Psalm. I come back to this chapter weekly and am continually encouraged and inspired.

nuun.

2009-08-14T23:04:00.000-07:00

Ever since I started running, I get highs and lows. What runner/athlete doesn't? I am currently recovering from a low. What gets me out of a low?: a new weight workout, a new race to train for, new shoes, ect. 2/3 of these happened and *voila*. Welcome to running/workout high August '09.

With two halfs on my race calendar, and my tubes of nuun in hand, I'm set. I'm finding that it isn't always what I eat that affects me (don't get me wrong, it does), but how I'm hydrating myself that really plays out in my workouts. After running around 5J or sitting by a patient's bed for 8 hours and then working out OR working out and then working the evening shift, my body tells me how much it loves me according to its hydration status. Nuun is a lifesaver. Nuun was a "sponsor" for the crew team freshmen year. It was addicting, pure hydration, sugar-free, full of electrolytes, and free. I think it goes for around $12 per tube. Therefore, free is good. Tubes and tubes of nuun. I would drink nuun ALL THE TIME. My nuun of choice is tri-berry. Nuun is not an "energy drink." It is purely electrolytes; which equals maximum hydration without drinking litres and litres of water (which is perfect for rowers [especially lt. weights]).

Check nuun out . . . http://www.nuun.com/index.php

The only downside. Each time I reach a running high, my what used to be a seemingly neverending nuun supply . . . is no longer neverending.

Dilemma.

2009-08-11T00:23:00.000-07:00

Dilemma: I need to pick out a theme for my floor soon. The weeks are speeding by, and if you're like me (AKA someone who takes a long time in the creative process) then I need to start soon. Emerson is so different than Ashton. Easier to "theme" a floor in some ways, harder in others. I have $35 to make 35 door tags, and $45 for floor decs. Not much. I do not want to be cheesy. I refuse to be cheesy. I also want to be cheap. Last year I used newspaper, trash can lids, and spray paint. Cost me a whopping $7.

I've had some good ideas: (1) frames (credit to Joelle). This idea was nixed when I remembered that the amount of command strips it would take to hold up 35 frames would most likely take my entire budget (floor decorations love to fall off of walls [spoken from prior experience *ahem* trash can lids *ahem*]) (2) a CLUE theme. This could be interesting, but I have no idea how to pull it off without the "boardgame" feel that I would want to avoid. (3) Charlie Chaplin, bowler hats, mustache sillouettes, "silent film" theme. Still thinking about this one. (4) A "summit-base camp" theme. Just an excuse to use wear my chacos 24/7.

We'll see. I just might stick with the one idea that I've had since I've started this whole PA business a year and half ago. This I'll keep secret, in case I do in fact use it :)

Currently reading.

2009-08-04T12:18:00.000-07:00

"Glimpses of Heaven," by Trudy Harris, RN. Not one given easily to tears, I cannot help myself as I read about the author's experiences as a hospice nurse. If you had asked me 3 months ago if I had ever thought about hospice nursing, I would have given you an emphatic "no." Now, after sitting with several patients who are either at the end of their life or are declining at an incredibly fast rate, my perspective on life, particularly the end of life, has changed. Individuals do have the power to impact ending lives. While incredibly sad, as I directly observed a few weeks ago as I held the pulseless wrist of my patient as his family stood watch, there is a redeeming grace that can be pulled from all situations.

It's hot.

2009-07-21T13:38:00.001-07:00

It's hot out. When doing any sort of physical activity outside in temperatures above 87, I die. I just walked to the post office and back; a 10 minute walk. By the time I got home, I was done. I was planning on walking to the mall later today. Um, no, probably not.

In other news, my sister bought me a dress yesterday for $1. Yes, one dollar. It's gray, hits just below the knee, and helps me get one step closer to becoming a greek goddess (Nike herself would have worn this dress). From Plato's Closet, by south center; alot cheaper than Buffalo. Another dress; another thrift store find added to my closet. I am content.

And yes. I saw HP last night with Joe. My first time watching an HP movie in the theatre. I was impressed. They didn't pack too much into this one (like it seemed in The Order of the Phoenix) and didn't leave any essential elements out. By the end, I had fallen in love with the Weasely twins (I was not satisfied with their amount of film time though) and Snape all over again. I need to read books 6 & 7 again. I read them so quickly, I had forgotten much: the appearance of Greyback, the reason for the vanishing cabinets, Slughorn and the tampered memory, ect. It all came back . . . but I still need to read them again.

Note of the Day: An advantage of 85+ weather: I'm becoming tanner by the day. Thank you, sun.

July.

2009-07-19T00:26:00.000-07:00

July is here. This equals an abundance of fresh fruit and freckles. I am become more and more tan (yes, TAN) by the week. And fruit is finding its way to our dining room table by the boxful. My dad brought home a 10 lb-ish box of apricots the other day. I spent the evening sorting through them and halving the good ones for the dehydrater. YUM.

Finished my two-week long orientation at MultiCare this past week. Learned alot of stuff that was "review." Blood glucose checks, patient charting on Epic, infection control. This is what I give thousands of dollars to SPU to learn. But I didn't mind the review. I was getting paid . . . and it was indeed a "review."

Experienced the evening shift for the first time. 1500-2330 is so completely different than 0700-1530. Much more chill. No PT, OT, and RT, less MDs and procedures, and lots of patients sleeping. This "chillness" equals good for me; a nurse tech floating between 16 different departments. Don't get me wrong, I welcome the opportunity to experience different areas. At the same time, it is extremely hard to really know what you're doing when you're on 6K (pediatric med/surg) on one day and then the CVICU (cardiovascular ICU) the next. I just pray for understanding RNs each shift. I almost wish my ID badge said: "Hello, I'm Erin Arkin. I'm a nursing student with only 30 weeks of clinical experience. I know all about total hip precautions, how to hook a patient up to a portable tele and SCDs, and how to give IMs and blood transfusions, but please don't ask me to put in a foley or IV on a coherent patient. I also most likely do not know where the soiled utility room is. Thank you." Alas, no. Instead I fumble my way through eight hours of a "learning experience."

Note of the Day: No, I haven't seen HP yet.

It's Friday.

2009-07-03T17:27:00.000-07:00

Goodbye, bum-life.

I start work on Monday. My two weeks of unemployment (minus 3 days of working at the Y) are ending.

So, it's Friday. I just woke up from a nap, am about to make PIZZA, and then good evening Tacoma. Waterfront with friends. I guess I'm not much of a bum after all.

Note of the Day: 85 degrees is hot enough for me.

6.30.09

2009-07-02T16:53:00.001-07:00

Hiked up Rattlesnake Ridge in North Bend with Sara on Tuesday. You won't get a better pay-off view after only 2 miles of hiking. It was an absolute perfect 70 degrees out. We left Tacoma at 8:30am, started hiking at 10am, and were back on the road at noon. Perfect.

Note of the Day: I really can't think of anything better than going into your backyard when your hungry and picking raspberries for a snack. I love July.

Recently.

2009-06-30T00:18:00.000-07:00

Recently read: "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (Pajamas)," by John Boyne. This book is a short read. After watching the movie a couple of weeks ago, I decided that I needed to read the book. I highly recommend it. Despite the times during both the book and film that I literally felt sick with anger and disgust, the perspective of this book, that of a nine year old German boy, makes this story a WWII allegory like no other.

Recently watched: "Away We Go," directed by Sam Mendes. As a devoted John Krasinski fan, I enjoyed this film. And it made me very aware of the fact that I will still be able to wear at least 3/4 of my wardrobe when I become pregnant.

Recently went: Proctor Farmer's Market (corn empanadas are worth the trip) and the Whole Foods on Westlake. I love this store. While having many ridiculous and overpriced items, I find myself in a trance of wanting to buy everything and can spend at least 10 minutes just looking at their fresh sushi. I went up to Seattle to nanny Nicholas last Saturday evening and stopped by Whole Foods to pick up my dad's favorite Tree Sister's graham cracker cereal. I gave myself more than enough travel time coming from Tacoma and found myself with time to kill before heading over to Interbay. That's ok. I spent my time comparing the many komboucha brands and finding the perfect container of melon and strawberries to purchase.

Recently want: Due to the fact that the ends of my hair are getting lighter and lighter (most likely a sign to give my hair a trim), I have been wanting to "lighten" my entire head. Pros: becoming the redhead I was in junior high. Cons: Ruining my virgin hair. We'll see what wins.

Note of the Day: Had my first valet experience today. I could get used to that.

Gluten-free, Dairy-free

2009-06-22T18:47:00.000-07:00

My poor little sister.

I've grown up eating rather strange food. I remember being 10 years old and mistaking my dad's home-grown (RAW!) komboucha for apple juice. Just a little terrifying due to the fact that my dad referred to his growing komboucha as an "animal." Now our fridge is packed with GT's bottled komboucha. Still raw, but much easier to take now that it's paired with guava, citrus, and gingerberry. You'll find soy in at least 11 different forms, herbs my dad claims are edible, items literally crawling due to the amount of fiber they contain, bottles upon bottles of Naked juices, and every dairy item you can imagine sitting opposite their soy or rice counterpart.

My dad has been a vegetarian for the past 11 years, and spent at least 3 of them being completely vegan. My mother and I are the only "dairy-eaters" of the family. Joelle and Laura are lactose intolerant (there's our Jewish/Middle Eastern heritage for you) and my dad eats very limited amounts of dairy due to his allotted daily fat intake (there's his chronic pancreatitis for you). Thus, our fridge carries a multiplicity of items. I did not think our fridge could hold stranger, more variable items. Until now . . .

My poor little sister. For the past two years, Laura has complained of "not feeling well" at random times. She eliminated dairy from her diet, which alleviated some of the problems. She began eating a dairy-free AND gluten-free diet two and a half weeks ago, and is now symptom free. Poor Laura. She has been living off of bananas, chicken, juice, and craisins. Until now. We are now headed full force into providing little Laura with various gluten-free options. Tapioca loaf, brown rice bread, corn cereals. The list goes on. I made soy and corn nachos for her before she left for work, and from the empty plate left in the kitchen, I think they were a hit. I'm in the process of making chocolate (gluten-free!), peanut butter, oatmeal cookies for her, without milk or butter. They'll be good . . . . I just know it.

Laura is feeling much, much better and now our fridge could be the poster-child for Marlene's, Whole Foods, MacGregor's, Tacoma Boys, and the Tacoma Farmer's Market. The only downside: I now finally have another competitive fruit eater in the house. I'm going to have to start hiding my nectarines.

Note of the Day: Walking to the 72nd street Starbucks is not the same as walking to Cafe Fiore by Kerry Park on QA.

bum.

2009-06-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

I am currently a bum. Good? I say yes.

I found out that I don't start my job at TG until July 6th. At first I was a little bummed . . . I'm a big fan of making money. Bum-life, AKA doing whatever the heck I want, is my alternative. $2 a day for coffee, one tank of gas, my running shoes, and TIME. Time to be a bum. Like today. Woke up sleep deprived because I wanted to. Coffee, sneaked some of my dad's precious Whole Food's graham cracker cereal, and headed out the door to the Y. Saw LJ for the first time in 9 months. Made my day. For LJ, I would add an extra $5 to my daily budget to hang out with him on a Friday night. Sweated through one t-shirt. I know; gross. Home. Raided my fridge, literally tossing things into a pan as I came across them. Chicken, bell pepper, bean sprouts, green onion, peas, shredded broccoli, tomato, and cilantro. Weird? I say no.

Now. Off to Puyallup to hang out with an old bud, spend my $2 on coffee, and try to break in some new boots I just got from Urban. UrbanXchange, that is. Went through my closets the other day and lugged down a couple bags of clothes. $70 of credit later, I'm a happy camper.

Tonight. Earning domestic points by making lemon chiffon pie for my dad for Father's Day. Sweet? I say yes.

Note of the Day: Want to see "The Brother's Bloom" soon? Call me.

Chacos on my feet.

2009-05-16T20:02:00.000-07:00

Chacos on my feet, timbuk2 on my back, shades on my eyes, hair down my back; looking out over Magnolia Hill. There's a beautiful spot, if you walk out of the Ashton parking lot and continue straight for about 1/2 a mile, where you can look out over Interbay, Elliot Bay, and the road that goes straigt up Magnolia Hill. I shudder to remember running up that hill 3 years ago during land training. I absolutely love this spot. I walk it everytime I go see Nicholas.

Nicholas is now a two-year old. He communicates well for using only the words "num num" (milk), "ice" (water), "mommy," "daddy," "doggie," "buh bye," and "no." He loves to sit on my lap and read Dr. Seuss, watch Curious George, and listen to me sing "Toot Toot Chugga Chugga Big Red Car." I gave him a mohawk today. After dumping his bowl of chocolate yogurt on his head, I washed out his hair and couldn't help giving him a chic style. I am not biased when I say he is one of the most prescious little kids I've seen. Maybe just a little biased . . . especially when he calls me "E." A highlight of my weekend.

Weekend(s) have seemed to daunting to me. And lonely. I went for a 5 mile run in the sun this morning, grabbed coffee with a best friend, and studied for not long enough. Still, for some reason, I've still felt so alone. I want to be home home. In my room, watching Laura text on her bed while listening to Ne-Yo. Or at the dining room table, listening to Joelle debate about theological doctrine with my mom. Or in the living room, watching my dad fall asleep in his chair with one of his Whole Foods suckers still in his mouth. Or in the backyard, by myself, listening to Ravi Shankar on the patio with patchouli incense. The summer will come soon enough, and I'll most likely find myself longing for my life back in Seattle, minus school, stress, and nights of duty.

Duty is where I'm at right now. Listening to African jimbays, eating a cranberry scone the lovely Miss Jessica Taylor made for me, and not looking forward to the 4 hours of studying that must happen. The first of my final four nights of duty in Ashton Hall. On to Emerson.

Emerson will be an adventure. One that is sure to be full of joy, stress, laughter, and tears. Joy and laughter from spending another year as a PA, surrounded by absolutely beautiful people. Stress and tears from three days of clinical a week, and fighting the fear of being a senior nursing major in the res halls. Still a little scared. But working on it.

It, turning into the studying that I must now do.

Note of the Day: If I could eat anything right now, it would be pita, hummus, falafel, and tahini sauch. Or a spicy tuna roll. Or a raspberry pear bubble tea. Or a ginormous bowl of pudding.

Hoyt.

2009-04-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

My day has been made.

I went to bed late last night, finishing up a paper that did not want to be written. Woke up this morning at 6:30am, forced to shower in order to turn myself into a professional. Walked to class that is held far to early every Monday and Thursday. Sat in class for an hour, discussing how swine flu is not as scary as it seems and how vital our liver is (our organ of metabolism!). Had a lovely walk to the Grinder with Miss Julia Hoyt during our first 10-min break. Was given the gift of a double tall americano by my lovely friend. Then...

SPLASH.

Hoyt washed the Grinder with her coffee. With a little, "Oh," and a big splash, 12 ounces of coffee went EVERYWHERE . . .

10 minutes later, we walk back to class in the sunshine. Come to class 5 minutes late. But, never mind. Hoyt made my day by not only buying me coffee, but by spreading her coffee joy to a few others (and the floor) too . . . . here's to you, Julia Grace Henry Hoyt. From Erin Elizabeth Warren Arkin . . . .

Note of the Day: Water is better with nuun any day.

TIRED.

2009-04-09T23:03:00.000-07:00

So so so so tired.

Early morning. Class. 8 miles. Lounging in Gwinn instead of napping. Class. Eating dinner without my staff. Getting yelled at by my staff (ha!). 3 more miles. Perfecting my swing (THANK YOU, JAMES!), lifting weights next to two 6'6" basketball players. Eating PB&J instead of sleeping. Blogging instead of sleeping.

Now . . . off to sleep.

Note of the Day: I am not a switch hitter.

Brother Lawrence

2009-04-05T16:12:00.000-07:00

The Practice of the Presence of God

That we should establish ourselves in a sense of God's presence by continually conversing with Him.
That we should feed and nourish our souls with high notions of God, which would yield us great joy in being devoted to Him.
That we ought to quicken - i.e., to enliven - our faith. That it was lamentable we had so little; and that instead of taking faith for the rule of their conduct, men amused themselves with trivial devotions, which changed daily. That the way of faith was the spirit of the church, and that it was sufficient to bring us to a high degree of perfection.
That we ought to give ourselves up to God, with regard both to things temporal and spiritual, and seek our satisfaction only in the fufilling of His will, whether He lead us by suffering or by consolation, for all would be equal to a soul truly resigned. That there needed fidelity in those drynesses or insensibilities and irksomenesses in prayer by which God tries our love to Him.
That he was pleased when he could take up a straw from the ground for the love of God, seeking Him only, and nothing else.

Note of the Day: Cracking open the books on my bookshelf that I often skip over is perfect for a Sunday afternoon. Even so, on this Lord's Day, Palm Sunday, very relevant.