Updates and obsessions… November 12, 2009

Wow!  Can’t believe it has been almost 4 months since I’ve even thought about posting!  I could probably make a four- page list of updates and new obsessions.  I’ll name a few: 

1) I am now a Pilates addict (“Cat style,” that is.  She is a super cool instructor with a sleeve tat I completely envy and a way of making me sore for days).  I like it so much I kind of feel like my passion for running has wained…just a little.

2) Pandora radio — Try “A Fine Frenzy” Radio.

3) I am now part of the night crew at Baylor where I work as a now INDEPENDENT nurse which can be quite frightening at times.  Although I think I’m doing a pretty darn good job! 

4) I’ve acquired a list of nicknames a work.  The most popular: “Blonde.”  Yes, the Alaska story got out as well as a few other shining blonde moments while at work.

5) I’ve learned that my job is WAY more emotional than I expected — It’s more than seeing critical patients and how it affects their loved ones…it’s the sadness that comes from seeing the pain that we induce as medical professionals to prolong a life that is so visibly suffering.  Also, something I never expected, is the frustration, almost indifference,  I have towards patients who are in our unit as a direct result the choices that they’ve made and their refusal to make lifestyle changes that would have otherwise made a HUGE impact on their health…NOT TO MENTION the fact something happens to patients at night that makes them crazy- I’ve already been kicked and pee-d on.  Thank God for ativan. 

6) Along with work comes a PAYCHECK!  Despite budget frustrations and the responsibility of bills, I love having a little money to set aside each month to buy something fun.  I really think I am finally identifying my very own style and I love it!  I love anthopologie-like finds…trendy, comfortable, and casual.  Here is a fun find I bought today at a craft fair at a local church…

www.whitehousedesign.net

p.s that’s not silky underwear hanging from my bedpost…it’s an eye mask to block out the light!

7…) How about TCU football (ranked 4th!!)…my roommates whom I adore…fall weather…

I am once again in awe of the Lord’s faithfulness and really am so happy to be where I am!  Thanks for reading,

Leslie

My day off… July 1, 2009

Today was my day off.  It began with a 2 hour visit to an orthopedic doc to try and figure out what is wrong with my calf.  I left so frustrated and unsatisfied with his diagnosis (how can an isolated muscle injury be caused by one leg being longer than another?).  I got home and decided to bear the heat and go for a bike ride.  25 minutes in…I found myself splattered on the pavement with four road burns and what feels to be a dislocated shoulder.  A nice older man stopped to help me (why can’t these helpful men who come to my rescue be young and handsome?) ….I think I’ll stick to running and go watch twilight.

Real life begins… June 14, 2009

It has been super busy since graduation…I had two weeks of vacation before starting work and in that time brought two nursing friends to the lake house, did my fair share of water sports, got a sun tan, spent some time with the family, studied for and passed the NLCEX (…the nursing exam and biggest relief of my life), moved into a new house, and updated my budget.

Work has begun and it is very bitter sweet…kind of the “first day of the rest of my life” kind of feeling.  I am in a great place though and I know I will be learning a ton.  Despite my very large and obtrusive “intern” badge, I am not a student nurse, nor am I a graduate nurse…I am a registered nurse!  RN for life!

May 31, 2009

Well I was postponing this post until it sunk in a bit that I have graduated. .. truth is, it still hasn’t quite sunk in.  Anyway, here are a few pics from a great weekend!

6 days and counting… May 3, 2009

I graduate in 6 days and it really hasn’t hit me yet.  I am officially done with long weeks of strenuous reading assignments, late nights studying, intimidating questions from professors, and turning down social outings for an upcoming test or an early morning clinical.  Here are a few pics of our one and only nursing party…

Who will take care of me? April 19, 2009

So Friday afternoon left me asking the question “Who will take care of me?” Let me explain, it’s quite the story…

I was downtown Ft. Worth to get new Texas license plates and I parked in a parking garage (at 2:40pm).  I was back in the parking garage a little after 3 pm and got happily in my car only to realize I had no cash whatsoever.  I thought I might be able to convince the booth guy because parking was free after 3pm (a difference of only 20 minutes from when I parked my car).  The booth guy was a total jerk and told me I had no choice but to back up and go to the nearest ATM.  Frustrated, I did so, only to find that the ATM he pointed out was only accessible by car.  I walked 5 blocks to another ATM.  At this point, I realized there was no way I could get money out because I only had a credit card- my debit card was lost/stolen a few weeks ago and I still hadn’t received my new one.  Very close to tears at this point, I went into a bookstore and explained to them my situation, hoping maybe I could get some cash back after purchasing something.  The convincing clerk told me I could buy something and they would stamp my parking garage ticket.  I bought some useless magazine and I was on my way, got back in my car and pulled up to the ticket booth only to find…THEY DO NOT ACCEPT STAMPED TICKETS.  Okay, now I’m crying and pleading with the man to let me through and, I believe I said, “I am not sleeping in my car tonight.”  He said I would have to wait until 8pm until parking was free and he was off of work!  (He wouldn’t let me mail in the lousy $4). So, I backed up, yet again, making quite the scene- I was going the wrong way in a narrow section of the garage.  Thankfully, a construction worker had seen me several times.  He asked me what the problem was and didn’t quite now how to handle my hysteric tears.  The poor man dug in his pocket and pulled out $4. God bless that man!  I was FINALLY on my way.  I will forever have at least $5 of cash secretly hidden in my wallet for desperate situations such as this. 

Adjusting to full 12 hour shifts has also drained me to the point of tears at least once last week.  So, really, I need someone to take care of me.  The quick fix is usually a good meal and maybe even a good glass of wine (Thanks Jackie!)

Milestones… March 26, 2009

Do you ever find yourself imagining a life made of the very best news and accomplishments of your friends…a perfect proposal, a beautiful and trendy little home- your very first, toned and tanned legs like a goddess, family that is only 5 minutes away…etc.  I ran into my pharmacist at Starbucks today — how he recognized me as a customer and remembered I was from the Carolinas is beyond me — he asked about me (school and such) and it struck me how often I daydream of another life, completely missing the accomplishments of my own.  So today, I step back and recount, by God’s grace, some major milestones of my very own life.

1. I officially have 2 more classes of my undergraduate degree.  Count them- 2!

2.  I will graduate with (in my opinion) the most honorable of degrees and will soon be able to sign my name followed with the letters RN, BSN

3.  I have accepted my very first real job offer at Baylor All Saints in Downtown Ft. Worth in their Cardiac ICU.

4.  I am  playing piano in Church again and am challenged to develop my creativity in music once again.

5.  I have more friends at TCU than I can count on one hand and I am graduating from TCU in 7 weeks…two things I would have bet hard against a couple of years ago.  (Key word=TCU).

So yes, a compilation of everyone’s best would be quite the life…but why not enjoy the accomplishments that you’ve worked for, the blessings that are your very own and learn to be sincerely joyful for the triumphs of others.

As of late… February 19, 2009

 1. I am officially on the job hunt and the process is very exciting (at least for now…just wait until I have to make another decision, eek!)

2. I am now on the rotation to play piano at church with an amazing band – violin, cello, bass/electric guitar, drums and all…

3.  I am watching every last dollar to my name vanish and can’t wait for a steady source of income.  (First things on the wish list are: a dog, a new phone, and a bike). 

4.  I am obsessed with the 20 minute Shred workout video by Jillian Michaels (from the biggest looser).  It is really pretty intense. 

5.  I was skeptical but I made this “southern” side dish for my dinner group and it was so delicious, thanks to Bobby Flay.  I will share the recipe below.  (I served it with pork and green beans, yum!) – Jalapeño Cheese Grits…

 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups quick-cooking grits  
• 2 1/2 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
• 3 large eggs, well beaten
• 2 jalapenos, finely diced
• 1/4 cup canned chopped green chilies
• Garlic salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cook the grits according to the directions on the back of the package. Remove from the heat and add next 6 ingredients (Cheddar through chilies). Stir well and season with garlic salt, to taste. Pour into a buttered 9-inch baking dish and bake for 1 hour. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

The Icy Blast January 30, 2009

This patch of ice warranted two days off of school and thousands of people piling high their grocery carts like the world was about to end.  Gotta love Texas!

January 16, 2009

I get to relieve an old childhood dream this semester. For one of my classes- Community Health Nursing – we will work on a health related project that will we implement at a local school.  Today we walked through the school in heels and nice pants (rather than scrubs) and I felt like a teacher. The kids were so cute and one even told me that I “have beautiful hair”.  Kids are so darn cute sometimes. (Except when they remind you that you haven’t had a boyfriend “like ever” – Thanks Amy…love you too!

Newest countdown: 114 days until graduation. TBA: Where I will be post-graduation- although I’m pretty much made up my mind. If any one feels up to writing a message in the sky for some affirmation…I am all for it.