Laramie Week 1: in review

My first week of being a traveling nurse was a success! I really don't think it could have gone much better. Everyone was very welcoming and helpful--even the patients! It will take me a little longer to feel comfortable with the charting system, IV pumps, equipment, and processes but I think in a week I'll be good.

The nurse that I worked with last week was great. She was a huge help, and we got along well. She even invited me over for a dinner she was having on Friday night! It was great getting to know her, her husband, and another girl here in town. I think I can say I now have four friends here! 

I spent the rest of this weekend in Denver visiting my friend Anne from college. I hadn't seen her for several months, so it was great catching up. My other Denver friends were busy this weekend, so we're making future plans. But Anne and I had a smashing time [literally... fingers, toes, rings, cars....] and I'm excited to be able to spend some more time with my long-lost Denver friends.

I've been hearing about some exciting and adventurous things to do around here, so I'm looking forward to the upcoming weekends when I can explore. I'm just hoping I don't get too lost or buried in too much snow!

Happy Sunday!

Have a great week!

Hurry Up and Wait [and wait... and wait...]

Today was supposed to be my first day at my new traveling position. However... as of 8am today, I still had not received my Wyoming nursing license. Can't do much without that! 


So instead, I checked my email every 30 minutes for my license to arrive, ran some errands, and hung out with my roommate while the cable guy and the maintenance guy came. And finally, at 3pm, my license arrived!!


I headed to the hospital to finish paperwork in the HR department, tour the facility where I'll be working, and meet my coworkers and supervisors. Oh, and take a picture for my ID. Note to self: make yourself look at least a little presentable so you don't look like a doofas on your ID. Woops! Missed that memo.


Tonight I'm getting ready for my first day! I've got to pack my lunch, lay out my clothes, and set my alarm. I haven't done this for almost three weeks!


Wish me luck!

Living the West

Well, it's been about 28 hours since I arrived in Laramie. Although I came here to work, I haven't done a bit of that yet. So far I've just been getting acquainted with my surroundings. Last night when I got here, I was welcomed home by my new roommate Jenn. She's a friend of a friend [of a friend], but apparently my friends make good friend choices. She has been very welcoming and I think we'll get along great.


The drive was pretty uneventful. Nebraska was the usual... endless brown fields, several scattered farm homes and a few small-ish towns. The drive between Cheyenne and Laramie was all  mountains; it was just beautiful. It seemed like a constant climb [which my cruise control didn't really like], and my curiosity got the best of me. I just had to download an altimeter app on my phone... Thank you AppStore for having a free one. I got up to nearly 8700 feet, then the descent to 7400 feet led me to Laramie. 


Today I explored the town [I can't quite call it a city]... I got myself some groceries, found the Wal-Mart [no Target], got a PO Box so I can get the necessary mail [you know how to reach me if you want my new address... snail mail very welcome], and found a gym. I even found the local eye doctor so that I could get my glasses fixed. [They didn't even charge me!] I found the hospital where I'll be working and spent the rest of the afternoon unpacking and getting settled.  Everyone here has been very nice, and I think it will be an enjoyable 3 months.


We don't have cable or internet yet, so I'm currently at a coffee shop drinking tea and watching The Bachelor. [Don't judge.] Otherwise I'm just waiting for my nursing license to go through so I can start my job.

Here's a view of my street this morning. You can't see the mountains very well because of the falling snow and the fog, but you get the gist. 

Since I don't know anyone here, feel free to call.. skype.. email.. or even visit! I'd love any form of company so I don't get too lonely here! [I'll try not to get too homesick.]


I hope the winter is treating you well wherever you might be. Stay warm and drive safely!

Karma is a B[east]

Finally, the post you've been waiting so long three days for. 


So apparently I shouldn't have gloated so much when I showed you a picture of my beach vs  your snow yesterday. I'm headed back to the tundra.


SAY WHAT???


Oh yes, it's true. I knew the other day, but I was keeping it under wraps until I actually knew what was going to happen next. 


After driving 1700 miles over a 3 day period, I was due to start work here in Florida on Monday. However, I received news on Friday that due to low hospital census, my assignment here was being cancelled. I could hardly believe it, but it wasn't a bad joke.


I have been working hard with the travelling nursing agencies for the last few days, and we've finally settled on a new contract. I'll be heading to Wyoming for 13 weeks. Oh yes, Wyoming. Cowboy country. COLD cowboy country. As tortuous as it sounds to be leaving the beautiful weather and scenery of southwest Florida behind, I'm trying to make the most of things. As my Dove dark chocolate once told me, "You can't live a positive life with a negative mind." I completely agree, and I hope you'll do the same.


So that's my latest. I'm going to live up the last couple days of "vacation" before embarking on my 2,100 mile journey.

via

Have a great Friday!

And remember... "You can't live a positive life with a negative mind."

Find that positive mind.

A Comparison

While I wish I had an exciting new update for you, alas... I don't.


But here's what I do have. A comparison. I'm sure you'll all appreciate this.


YOU TODAY:

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ME TODAY:

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Not that I want to rub it in or anything. But just to let you know what you're missing. 

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!

A Very Sunny January

Last Wednesday morning, even before the crack of dawn, Mike and I left Omaha. We were headed to Florida, where I am scheduled to work for 13 weeks as a travelling nurse. Well... 1700 miles, 8 states, and 3 days later we have arrived!!


We actually got here Saturday afternoon, but I've been enjoying this Florida sunshine a little too much to get this post up until today. 


I'm staying with Katlyn, my college friend who's in grad school down here. She and her boyfriend Jason own a house in the southwest part of Florida, and they've been kind enough to let me stay with them during my time here.


The drive was pretty uneventful. The first day we drove through Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. 

The Arch in St Louis, MO

Tennessee Titans stadium in Nashville, TN

After about 13 hours in the car, we made it to Chattanooga, TN. When we got there, we were both pretty pooped from the long day. We ordered some pizza and crashed so we could do it all again the next day. Thursday morning we left Chattanooga and headed south. We drove through Georgia and made it to Gainesville, FL, where we stayed with Mike's brother Joe. The drive was only about 8 hours, so we got there early enough to enjoy dinner and a couple drinks.

Turner Field in Atlanta, GA

Home of the Braves

Friday morning we slept in, got some Starbucks, and explored the University of Florida campus for a few hours. Once Mike saw all the fields the campus had to offer, we headed south. We spent the rest of the day with his grandmother, and also caught up with his aunt, uncle, and cousins in Sarasota. 

The Bull Gator at University of Florida's football stadium

Saturday morning we visited Mike's grandfather then embarked on our last leg of the journey. After a short hour drive, we got to KT and Jason's in the early afternoon. We got settled, unpacked my goods, caught up on life, and went out for dinner. Oh how I love my new home! If only I could stay here forever!

The view from my chair at KT's...

I think I could get used to this.

Thanks for checking in to make sure we made it here safely. I'll keep you posted on the Florida adventures. Don't hold your breath, but you can expect a very surprising update coming soon! [no, don't even guess. just wait.]

Wherever you are, I hope you're enjoying your weather just as much as I'm enjoying the Florida sunshine!