Category: personal

  • Dog Park

    David and I took the three dogs to the dog park on Saturday. Our dogs include Cleo (of course), his dog Eddy who is a lab mix, and his brother Chris’s dog Sydney, a boxer. As soon as we got there Cleo went off on her own, making new friends, swimming, and basically having a grand old time. She didn’t need us so we let her go, and I kept an eye on her from time to time. Eddy and Sydney didn’t want to leave our side, so we started walking around the park so that they could enjoy it. David said that he would rather them not get in the water so we walked the other way instead. Unfortunately, that led us right by a giant mud pit which Sydney did not hesitate to wallow in.


    Sydney in the Mud from Kathleen on Vimeo.

    She was also drinking the muddy water. At first we were upset because we really weren’t prepared to clean her up, but the more she played in it the happier she looked. Honestly I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time.

    Sydney happy

    Eddy got in the mud too, probably thinking that it looked like fun, but as soon as she got in she realized it was wet (Eddy doesn’t like to be wet) so she jumped out right away. Luckily there was a little shower there for them, although David did have to give them a full bath when he got home.

    Eddy shower

    Later that night I noticed that something was wrong with Cleo. Her tail is now hanging limply behind her and doesn’t wag. I never realized how important the tail wag was until now. It’s like all the happiness has been drained from the apartment. So I examined her and even took her temperature and I can’t figure out what’s wrong. She isn’t moving around as much and when she goes to sit down it seems difficult for her. I’m hoping she just strained a muscle and it will get better in a few days.

    Cleo tail

    She slept in my bed last night as usual, and this morning woke me up by throwing up. Then later on she threw up a couple times on my floor. I think this is unrelated to her other issue. Anyway, I really hope she recovers soon because looking at that sad little face and tail is so depressing, and I really can’t afford a vet bill right now!

  • 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