Delayed (and Delighted)

We realized that a large storm was approaching the east coast on Saturday night, so we started looking at the airline's website to check for changes. After waiting on hold for over 4 hours and never getting anyone on the phone, we gave up and decided to try again Sunday morning. Our flight was planned for that morning, so we figured we'd get up early and hopefully get some information about whether or not it was canceled. We woke up to find an e-mail notifying us that our flight had been canceled and re-scheduled for that Tuesday night! We spent Sunday with friends and then decided to head back to the coast on Monday morning. Nick had never been to Big Sur, so we thought it was the perfect excuse to go! The weather was perfect and the drive down Highway 1 was spectacular. We found a spot to eat lunch where we had an incredible view of the Pacific Ocean. We were in awe and we wished we could sit and stare for the rest of the day.

Christmas in California

We spent Christmas Eve at my aunt's house with her family and her in-laws. As usual, her food was incredible and I enjoyed every second I got to spend with everyone. On Christmas morning we went to my Grandpa's house and my aunt Jodie cooked breakfast for everyone. It was a last-minute plan, but I'm glad it worked out so that I could see their family and spend some time with my Grandpa. He showed me the new mustang he will be showing next month in Texas, and I love the chance to see him in his element. There is no doubt where I got my love for animals.

After my Grandpa's house we went to our friend Ren's house. His little boy is about 15 months old and we rarely get to see him, so he changes dramatically between our trips. He is the sweetest little boy and we loved getting to hang out there for the rest of the day. They also announced that they are expecting another baby this summer, so I hope we get to plan a trip soon after the baby is born!

Not my favorite picture of us, but the only one we managed to get on Christmas

my Grandpa's excellent photography skills

Nor Cal- Vacation Part 2

We rented a car in Orange County and drove up to Northern California to meet my family and our friends. The drive was nostalgic, and it reminded us of the many times we had made that drive in the past. Turlock was rainy for the first few days, but then we headed to Santa Cruz where it was beautiful and sunny. We walked through Capitola and Santa Cruz and soaked up the sun. I tried to capture the feeling of 60 degree temperatures in my mind, because I knew once we got back to Boston it would be months before I felt it again.

So Cal- Vacation Part 1

We arrived in Southern California where it was raining non-stop. It was a still nice to be in So Cal, but I was disappointed we didn't ever see the sun come out. We went to a great pizzeria with Stef and went to Salt Creek to enjoy the momentary lapse in the rain storm.  Later that night, we had dinner at a great Japanese restaurant in Irvine with Nick's family. It was great to be able to lounge around and not have to worry about rushing anywhere or getting work done. It didn't take either of us very long to switch into "relaxation mode."

Home-made pasta sauce. Yummm

Playing with their toys

Nick and Robert with our rental car

37,000 Feet

This week was beyond crazy, but we are currently flying somewhere over Utah on our way to So Cal!

We both managed to survive finals and Nick had a great interview this morning with GE. I dropped Nick off at his interview, then I took the dogs to a place 70 miles south of Boston and dropped them off. (The look on Gillie's face broke my heart and I just wanted to grab her and take her to the airport with me).  It's 1am Boston-time and we are completely exhausted and ready for our vacation to begin. We've earned it!

Nick wore a suit to the interview and I really wanted to snap a picture of him wearing it, but that was difficult given that we've been in airports since 2pm this afternoon. I took one with my computer, and that will have to work for now.

Busy Busy Busy (Story of our lives)

I have had absolutely no time to blog lately. Nick and I are more busy than ever, and with our California trip just 7 days away, this will likely be the last post before we leave.

We both have finals next week,and in addition to that, Nick was just offered a job interview the same day we leave. Very exciting! Friday is likely to be a whirlwind of activity and we should both be completely exhausted once we board the plane. I looked at the weather report today and saw that it has been in the 70's in LA and I couldn't be more excited about the prospect of feeling that weather in a week!

It was a FREEZING week here, but still no snow. I don't think we saw any temperatures above 35 degrees all week. Brutal. Having a car is incredible and makes the winter (so far, at least) much more tolerable.

I passed my nursing skills sets for the semester, and now I just have to get through my nursing fundamentals final and my Anatomy and Physiology final. Hooray! So close!

I have not taken any pictures lately, since everything outside is dead looking and unattractive at the moment. Luckily there is always room for a cute dog picture. =)

Christmas in November!

No, it didn't snow (I am still nervously waiting for the first snow storm of the season). And I did not get a gift...

I GOT MY FIRST CLINICAL ROTATION ASSIGNMENT!!

After what seems like years of anticipating getting my first clinical assignment, the day finally came! Beginning in January, I will be going to Brigham and Women's hospital and working on a burn/trauma floor. I know my clinical instructor already, and I love her. I think she will be a great influence and her teaching style matches my learning style.

I know I will be a nervous wreck the first few clinicals, but I am looking forward to the learning experience!

Adventures in Nursing School: Part 1

I never believed nursing school would be easy. I knew it would be a challenge, and I looked forward to meeting the challenge. I have decided to document my "progress"as I go from being a new nursing student and working toward getting my RN license in just 18 months!

Yesterday was my first day of Simulation Lab, which is meant to mimic a hospital environment and give us  an experience as close to the "real thing" as possible. The "sim man/woman" is a high-tech dummy who has a pulse and gut and lung sounds, among other things. He is equipped with speakers which are connected to an adjacent room where a Simmons nursing instructor plays the voice of the patient.

Our first scenario was this:
A Jewish woman has a tibular/fibular fracture and has just had surgery. The nurse is to assess the patient's vital signs, begin IV fluids, and assess the patient's pain level and administer morphine through an IM injection (as ordered by the physician) if necessary. Three students "played nurse," one played the part of the patient's irritating sister, and another observed and took note of everything we did. Our other classmates watched us on a big screen in the next room.

I was one of the nurses, and we agreed before-hand who would be responsible for each task. I was to assess the patient's vital signs. We walked into the room and were immediately confronted by the sister. She let us know that she was irritated and her sister was in pain. We became side-tracked and although I managed to take all of the patient's vital signs, we NEVER LOOKED AT THE PATIENT'S BROKEN LEG. We were suppose to look at her bandage to ensure she could still move her toes and that there was adequate circulation to the wounded leg.

Major FAIL. Luckily this was not a real patient and the instructors were very helpful in giving a 30 minute discussion meant to help us go over any mistakes we made, in addition to what we did well. I will say that it was an extremely helpful exercise. We go again next week and I hope it goes much more smoothly. Maybe I'll even pay attention to the reason the "patient" is in the hospital!

Very similar to our set-up. The one way glass allows the instructor to see us but we cannot see them.

Roughly what the sim lab looks like from the inside

Walden Pond

Nick's mom and her friend Wendy have been visiting this weekend. We had an excellent Italian feast last night on the North End (where we had the most entertaining waiter I've ever seen), walked around and then got some dessert. This morning we went to our favorite brunch spot for a jazz brunch, which never disappoints. We decided to head to Walden Pond where Henry David Thoreau wrote his famous book, Walden.

It is the coldest day we've had so far this season, but lucky for us, the sun was shining. It was about 42 degrees, but it was perfect once we bundled up.