kapachino

Author: Kathleen

  • Pictures of Life

    Just wanted to share with you a few random images from the past week.

    Here is the bulletin board at my school:

    Bulletin

    This is where I discover new clinical trials to take part in. Currently I’m involved in a 7-month bird flu vaccine study, and I’m also scheduled to go play some computer games while having an MRI done on Wednesday.

    Here is Cleo playing with Riley, one of the dogs I pet-sit:

    [Video lost. Sad.]

    They got along great, and as you can see Cleo was not intimidated by Riley’s size. But unfortunately the two of them together caused a little more trouble than either of them on their own. The victims were two wooden chess pieces and a portion of a very nice floor rug.

    Here is David and I on our Good Friday fishing trip:

    Fishing Trip

    We had a great time, and David caught 5 trout, but I came away with a sunburn on my thighs and some very chapped lips.

    Well, I’m off to work a clinical shift. Happy Tuesday, everyone.

  • Spring Break, Where Did You Go?

    Dear friends,

    Hello, how is everyone doing today? I’m great, thank you. The internet is still not working at the house I’m staying at, so I’m writing from school. Today I have a test, a quiz, a presentation, and a paper due. I’ll be glad when it’s all over.

    Since I haven’t been able to be in touch, I’m going to let you in on what has been going on with me. I guess I’m somewhat stressed out with all the stuff going on in my life, because lately I’ve just been crying at random times, over something that seems trivial. But I haven’t cried in the past two days, so things are looking up!

    I finally found the perfect place to have my wedding, which is a huge relief. It’s called House Plantation, and it’s a home built in the 1890’s which was remodeled to hold events. It’s old but not run-down, antique but not gaudy. It’s beautiful, can accommodate all our guests, and the owners are flexible with letting us bring in any services from the outside that we want. Having this place makes me excited about planning the wedding again. Also, this means we finally have a date set – October 3 – which makes the whole thing seem more real.

    So back to the whole crying/stressed-out thing. I think part of that had to do with the fact that I really needed a spring break and I didn’t get one. Yesterday I was supposed to work a clinical shift (I have 3 more to do), but then I realized that I hadn’t studied for my test, I needed to finish preparing for my presentation, and I was on the verge of a breakdown. So I decided to do the unthinkable for me – give myself a day off.

    I didn’t leave the house yesterday, and it was great. Even though I slept horribly because three dogs all wanted to be in the bed with me, I got all my studying done, ordered pizza and watched a movie with David, had some time to relax, and got to bed early. And it turns out that Friday, which I was planning to work, is an office holiday. A forced day off! So David and I are going fishing in what is supposed to be perfect weather. This week is so much more of a spring break than last week, even if I do have all the school stuff due.

    Well, my presentation is coming up, so I’d better get going. I’ll try to be in touch again soon!

    Love,
    Kathleen

  • Technical Difficulties

    So I’m house-sitting and the internet isn’t working very well. I had to drive home tonight just to submit an assignment that was due by midnight, but my roommate double-locked the door so I couldn’t get in. Fortunately the wireless is working outside the apartment, so I am currently sitting on the concrete in front of my door. Lovely.

    Anyway, I hope to get it sorted out tomorrow and be back in touch with you.

  • I’m Actually Going To Do This Nurse Thing!

    Well there’s one less thing on my mind now…

    I was hired yesterday at The Methodist Hospital as a graduate nurse on the oncology unit. I am SO excited. It’s perfect for me: oncology, eight-hour day shifts, and a great company (#10 on the Fortune 100 best companies to work for). I start June 2! Of course, I have to graduate first.

    I think it was the easiest interview of all time. In fact, I’m pretty sure they knew they were going to give me an offer before I came in. The manager asked me one question (why do you want to do oncology?), told me about the unit, and gave me the job. I told her I would talk it over with my fiance (because I’m all grown up like that) and call her back later in the day. I accepted, and I’m so glad I did.

    In other exciting news…

    • Decisions I’ve made about the wedding in the last two weeks: 0
    • Hours I’ve had to relax during “spring break”: about 4
    • Recent overdrafts on my checking account: 2
    • Clinical trials I’ve enrolled in to bring in some extra cash and prevent future overdrafts: 2
    • Bird flu vaccines received: 1

  • Tonight’s Thoughts

    Hey everyone. I’ve been attending a review session for my board exam for the past three days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tomorrow is the last day of it. It’s good but pretty tiring. Oh, and this is my spring break as well, but I will spend the rest of it working. Some things that I am thinking:

    • I want to do a triathlon and I want to train for it now, but there is no time. So I will postpone my plans.
    • I’m mad that for the second week in a row there have been no bikes left at the Spin class at the gym.
    • I have an interview with The Methodist Hospital oncology unit on Wednesday morning. If they offer me the job and it’s a day shift, I think I’m going to take it even though it’s in the medical center.
    • I miss my fiance. I hate days where we don’t see each other. I want to get married badly, but I don’t feel like planning a wedding right now.
    • Stephen King is a really good writer.
    • I could really go for some dutch chocolate ice cream right now. Easter is less than two weeks away…