Work It

I have eluded to this in the past couple posts, but I haven't really officially updated you all about this. I started a new job about a month ago.. my first day was January 5th.

When Mike and I were still in Minnesota, I had planned to go back to work in December of 2013, taking 12 weeks of maternity leave after Ella was born. But when we moved here, I decided I would take a couple extra months, then go back after the first of the year. But a couple extra months quickly turned into a year. I feel extremely fortunate that I was able to stay home full-time with Ella for so long, but it was really time for me to get back to work. For so many reasons. Ella was at an age where she wanted to be playing with other children. I felt the need to use my brain and have adult interaction, more than a quick chat in the park. And even though we were doing a good job cutting unnecessary costs, I was looking forward to have a little extra income.. you know, for delicious sugary coffee and new shoes :)

I began the job search probably four times in the last year, and I had to finally bite the bullet and apply. But I soon realized that it was going to more difficult to find a job than it had ever been. Seriously - I had more trouble getting hired now than I did right out of college! That's unheard of in nursing. Out of college, I applied for two jobs. Just now, I applied for eight. EIGHT! I think between wanting part-time hours with minimal weekends and holidays, and having not worked in the last 16 months, I had a very hard time. Finally, I was given an interview and then offered a position - which I took. I didn't know if anything else would come along, so I had to jump on it.

The position I accepted is a Registered Nurse at a company called HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital. It's a nationwide company that has 107 rehab hospitals across the country - though I had never heard of them before. It's an acute inpatient rehab hospital.. which means that we get a variety of patients that are needing intensive therapy before they can return to their regular living situation. Patients who have had knee and hip replacements, strokes, brain injuries, bad accidents.. things like that. People who aren't needing a regular hospital anymore because they are mostly stable, but they need the therapy to get moving again. All of our patients have three hours of physical and occupational therapy a day, so it's a pretty intense rehab. Most of the patients are older, but we do get some younger patients who have had car or work accidents.

The work is pretty similar to what I have done in the past. Giving meds, helping patients get dressed, go to the bathroom, and eat their meals. Nursing is glorious, isn't it?! There are a few things that are different because it's rehab.. mostly just how you go about caring for these patients. In a hospital, you do most things for the patients because they're so weak or sick. In rehab, you want them to do as much for themselves as they can. Anything from opening their Cheerios, to putting on their shirt, to combing their hair. All those little things that you don't really think about, that they need to be able to do at home. We have to make sure they're able to do those things for themselves.

It's also different in some funny ways. The facility itself was built in the 1980's, and I don't think anything has been updated since then. This maybe doesn't mean much sense unless you're used to the ins-and-outs of a hospital, but... Oxygen isn't pumped into every room. No rooms have wall suction. The hoyer lift uses a crank lever. Almost all the rooms are double occupancy. The respiratory therapist isn't on staff overnight, on many weekends, and on holidays.. so I now do respiratory treatments and EKGs when necessary. I refill portable oxygen tanks outside from the liquid oxygen reservoir. We don't do ACLS. If there is an emergency, we call 911. Oh, and we do paper charting. All these things are totally safe for the patients and completely legal and ethical, but it's just funny to see the differences in how hospitals run and operate.

For the first few weeks, I was working full-time. Now I'm doing three days a week until I really get used to how things operate. Once I get used to things and in my regular routine, I'll be doing one to two days a week. My minimum requirement is four weekday and four weekend shifts in a six-week period. I can sign up for as many shifts as I want, but I am the first to get cut if staffing needs drop. I think it's really going to be a good fit for our family's needs. I didn't want to get wrangled into too many weekends because Mike works so many during hockey & football season, and I didn't want many holidays because that's when we're able to travel to see family. And we found a fantastic daycare provider that is flexible and able to cover the hours we need. All the while, I still get to spend most days with my Ella!

It took some time, but I think we've maybe found a good fit for us for now. Now, I'm off to bed. Up early for work tomorrow!

Debt-Free is the Way to Be

When I started college, I knew I'd be paying off my loans for years. Years. I certainly thought it would a good ten years. But four years and two weeks after graduating college, my student loans are officially, 100% gone. 


I have worked really hard in the past few years to pay off my debt as quickly as I could. I just couldn't stand paying more in interest than I was paying on the loan itself. I paid off my car, my braces, and now my student loans all in the past year. And let me tell you: that is a wonderful feeling. 


Now, any money I make is ALL MINE!!


I thought maybe I would have a big last-statement-burning party, but alas.. the celebration included Mike and I sitting on the floor of my un-furnished apartment in our sweats, me with a glass of wine in hand. Quite the celebration, if I do say so myself!

Goodbye Laramie, Hello Omaha

My oh my, are we a little behind on the times, or what??


It's been a whirlwind in the past couple weeks, but an enjoyable whirlwind at that. My last week in Laramie (now two weeks ago) was very bittersweet. It was a great last week there. We had a lunch party to celebrate my last week and another get-together one evening. The oncologist said to me "Look how excited we are that you are leaving; we're having a party!" I don't think they were so much excited that I was leaving, after reading the very sweet card they all signed for me. I got some fabulous gifts from my coworkers and patients, and there were even tears shed as I was leaving on my last day. I made some really great friends during my three months in Laramie, and I feel very fortunate that I was giving the opportunity to work there. Even though I was bummed when I was driving from Florida to Wyoming in January, I think it really worked out for the best.


My mom flew into Laramie to drive back home with me. We had a great drive -- the weather was perfect and we had a lot of fun catching up. I spent that weekend in Corning visiting family and enjoying HOME. 


Since then, it has been great being back in Omaha. I have caught up with many of the friends I've been missing and I'm getting back into the groove at work. I'm not sure how I feel about working 12 hour shifts and weekends again.. I think I was a little spoiled with a Monday thru Friday, 8 to 5 job. It was great! But I'm starting to get used to it again.

I'm currently living on my brother's couch (again) -- Thanks Brother! -- until I move into my own apartment in a week. It will be much closer to work, which will be really nice. 


Wedding plans have been progressing a little more in the past week. We now have a DJ and we're working on choosing a photographer. But with a facility, food, drinks, and a DJ all booked, I'd say we're ready to party :) 


I think that's about all that's been going on in the past couple weeks. 
I hope all is well with you!
Now, onto my To-Do list....

Laramie: Week 11

That's right... you get a double feature this week!  


Only a couple weeks left here in Laramie, which seems crazy. So I'm trying to live up the last of my time here--going to dinner with some of my new friends; that sort of thing. Nothing much new at work this week. We've been experiencing the anticipation & dread of them being short-staffed and trying to find solutions, and enjoying the last of the well-staffed weeks they'll have for a bit. 


This weekend was a great one. And I mean GREAT! I got to enjoy a weekend back in Omaha, and though it was a very quick 36-hour trip home, it was well worth it and I enjoyed every minute. I went home primarily for Easter vigil, but I got to enjoy some fantastic friends and family time while there.


As you probably know, I've been taking RCIA classes for the past few months and the culmination of that is the Easter vigil, at which the RCIA candidates are confirmed into the Catholic church. It was kind of strange to me, because I was confirmed into the Presbyterian church when I was in Jr High, so it wasn't really something completely new to me. But it was definitely different than that. I learned a lot in the process--about myself, about the church, and dispelled many of my judgement. It was a great process, and the Easter vigil was a beautiful thing. Long, but beautiful. And.... I got a snack during church :) hahah


My mom and stepdad came to town for the day and for the mass, and Mike's parents came for the weekend and the mass. And yes, they all met each other at dinner Saturday evening! They had never bet before and it went very well -- at least I think they all liked each other :)
And then my dad and his lady-friend came to town Sunday for brunch, at which they met Mike's parents for the first time as well. Also a great time! So it's official:  everyone has met before the wedding!


This weekend I was also honored to have been asked to take photos for a friend's little guy's first birthday party. I'm not sure I'm qualified to do so, but it was great fun! I got some great shots and it was a very fun afternoon. I'm still working on editing them, but I'll give you a little sneak peak soon (provided I have internet again).


There wasn't much more time in the weekend, but I snuck in a coffee date with my bestie and her little guy (my godson! who is crawling now!), and a lunch date with my old roomie and her hubby. It was great to see all of them, and I look forward to more time with them in a few short weeks.


To all my friends and family:  I miss you, I love you, and I'll see you soon!

Laramie: Week 10

Where the HEY have I been??


Actually I've had a technical difficulty:  No Internet.


And let me tell you, that's a real beast these days. So bear with me while I catch up up to speed.


Work has been pretty much the same. Savin' lives:  pumpin' people full of toxic chemo and then trying to get them to feel better. It's actually been tough to see some of these people be so sick lately -- lots of dehydration  (for reasons that maybe you can imagine, but that I won't talk about) and feeling realllllyyyy lousy. It makes me appreciate my health, I'll tell you that much. They've also realized that they're going to be extremely short-staffed in the infusion room once I leave, which is making me feel a little bad about leaving. I'd love to stay a few more weeks, but I really do have to get back to Bergan.


But aside from work and sickness and all that... the weekend. The fun!
I headed to Denver for the weekend. I spent some time with some long-lost college friends, did a little shopping, got a much-needed pedicure, ran into some unexpected old friends, watched the KU basketball game at a very packed KU bar, and had some very fun girl time. It was a great last weekend in Denver!

Kim, Anne, and I in downtown Denver on Friday

Kim & I with some of her work friends watching the KU game

What a fun weekend it was. Gotta love old friends & girl time!

Laramie: Week 9

Less than a month left! I have four weeks left of work and no more weekends in town. It's crazy that it's coming so close to an end, but I am beyond excited to be back in Omaha. The good news:  I'll be back in less than two weeks! Not for long, but I'll take what I can get.


I already told you about the Bunco night with everyone from work-- that was probably the most exciting part of the week. It was fun to spend some time with everyone outside of the work setting and to get to know the "real" them. And of course a variety of hors d'oeuvres always make things fun!


Saturday night I went out with a friend from work and some of her friends. There was a live band playing which was great fun, and there was a theme party there so everyone was dressed quite silly. It kind of took me back to Gamma Phi days!


This morning was another highlight of the week. I discovered a national food cooperative which is probably my new favorite thing. It's called Bountiful Baskets, and it's even available in Omaha! Every two weeks the truck delivers pounds of fresh produce and fresh bread, and it's all at a great price! I got so much produce there is no.way I would have been able to use all the produce myself, so I'm sharing my goods with a girl from work. Even after we split everything I still had more than enough. Now I just have to figure out what I'm going to make with all of this produce!

pears, bananas, pineapple, yellow honeydew melon, 

green onions, asparagus, romaine lettuce...

cauliflower, apples, cherry tomatoes, green beans...

onions, garlic, green chiles, avocados, limes, tomatillos, cilantro...

and seven dozen freshly made corn and flour tortillas.

Wowza. You know you want to check it out and find out if a truck delivers near you. So just because I like you, here's there website http://bountifulbaskets.org/ Check it out, and start living a more healthy, produce-filled life!

Laramie: Week 8

Well, another week is in the books.


Nothing too crazy at work this week. Chemo given. Lives saved. NBD, right?
On Thursday the oncologist's wife brought us homemade food. They're from Egypt, so she made some traditional Egyptian dishes. I was really skeptical, but once I tried it... Delicious! It definitely had its own flavor & spice, but it was great! She can make me dinner anytime.


All week, and especially the weekend, the weather here was b-e-a-utiful! It was sunny and 60 degrees with minimal wind. It was certainly the best weather since I've been here. I took a couple runs outside and sat on the deck for a bit. After this weather, one thing is clear:  I'm ready for spring. Too bad we're expecting snow for the next three days.


Saturday, of course, was St. Patrick's Day. After a sunny, fresh-air run, the evening began. It was my first weekend going out-on-the-town here in Laramie. I went out with a couple girls from work and some of their friends. We started at a benefit for one of our patients. They were having corned beef and cabbage, as well as a silent auction. I had neither corned beef nor cabbage--I had a plate full of veggies and some cake. Yum!  From there we hiked it all the way across the street to the first establishment, then onto another. Though I didn't know many people, we had a great time. These cowboys & cowgirls really like to dance, so that was very entertaining. You don't really see avid swing dancing in Omaha.


Sunday I soaked up some March Madness. Creighton played UNC. The Tarheels played a little harder and made more baskets, but the Jays really didn't disappoint. They played well and held their heads high. But I tell you.. the Tarheels fans did disappoint. After a very physical game [and some wimpy tarheel wrists], the UNC fans sent some nasty & inappropriate tweets to the Jays. Ahh, social media. Regardless, it was a proud day to be a Bluejay.


My apologies, I don't have any fun photos from this weekend. I'll have to work on that for next week. 


I hope you've been able to enjoy a little taste of spring!


Oh, and by the way. We now have a wedding DJ. Polish your dancin' shoes now, folks.

Somewhere Out There

Homesick. It has officially hit me. I was sure it wouldn't, but it snuck up on me. I was all good and I wasn't expecting anything, but then all of a sudden... kaBAM. Homesick.


I received a text message from my mom this evening that two planets were in the western sky. Hmm, cool. Except it was still too light in the Wild Wild West to see anything but blue sky and clouds. 


So I gave it thirty minutes. Once the sun had set and the stars were out, I looked westward. And what did I see? What looked like two huge stars. Except they couldn't be stars, because they were too big and bright. But they didn't blink and move like an airplane. Alas-- It was the planets! Venus and Saturn. How COOL!

if you can see the two bright lights toward the top right,

they're the planets!

So I told my mom that I saw the planets and how cool I thought that was. She said she thought it was cool too, but she thought it was extra-cool that we were looking at the same sky.. just like on one of my all-time favorite childhood movies, An American Tale.


I haven't watched that movie for years. I thought maybe you hadn't either, so I thought I'd share a little snipit with you. I hope you enjoy. And keep in mind:  

"even though I know how very far apart we are, 

it helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star"

Keep wishing on those bright stars, family and friends, because I'm wishing on the same ones.


Miss you & Love you all!

Laramie: Week 7

As another week is quickly coming to a close, I'm realizing that I didn't ever tell you about last weekend. Well, I guess it's because you're not really missing much. 


For the first time in nearly two months, I didn't have plans to go somewhere for the weekend. Although I was nervous that I'd be bored or get homesick in my two day lull, it was actually quite refreshing. I did some laundry and cleaning. I got some groceries and went to the gym. And I spent hours talking with my friend Rachael via phone and internet... creating wedding invitations! 


Rachael is great at designing paper works and keeping me sane when overwhelmed with so many decisions. We looked at many different options and we created the perfect combination of classic and modern, of formal and casual. You'll just have to wait to see it!


It was nice outside, so I spent some time walking running outside and soaking up some sunshine. I even walked around Laramie's cute downtown for a while. And Saturday night, what did I do? I went to a movie. With all my friends. Ok, really I went by myself. And ate the entire bag of popcorn all by myself. How cool am I?


Here's to another week down and another quickly approaching.
Cherish every moment. Say your prayers.
Love to you all.

Laramie: Week 6

Oh yes, it's really been six weeks. 
[What? 
Time is flying? 
I hear that time flies when you're having fun. 
You must be having fun without me.]


Work continues to be great. This week we actually had some really great news. One of my Lymphoma patients has been declared cancer-free! I gave her the very last dose of chemotherapy she'll [hopefully ever] need, which was really exciting. Once she found out that she was in remission, she came into the infusion room with a huge smile on her face and gave us a huge hug. When faced with life or death, she chose life. And she's living it to the fullest.


And later in the week, we found out that another patient had amazing results from her chemotherapy--I gave her last dose of her chemo too! She had stage-four cancer, and after undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy, all of her mets (the cancer that spread to other places in her body) had gone away, and she'll likely be cured with one surgery. How amazing is that! 


It just makes each day of work worth it. It is tough to watch people be so miserable-- with their nausea, diarrhea (yuck, i know... welcome to my world), mouth sores, and sleepless nights, but the end results like these are the ones we work day in and day out to achieve.


But enough of that. 
What did you do this weekend, Ames?


Ahh, I thought you'd never care ask. This weekend was the annual Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament in St. Louis. It's the conference tournament that Creighton plays in each year, and the one they dominate on the good years. Well, turns out, this was one of those years! 


I flew into St. Louis Friday night at midnight, met the early birds, and slept on the floor -- while using towels (yes, towels) as blankets. Brrr Saturday morning, the rest of the crew arrived--including Mike! I hadn't seen him for six weeks, so it was SO wonderful to get to see him again. And the rest of the crew, too! Kate and I had a fabulous time gossiping, as I have much missed. 

Here's the crew, post-engagement!

Saturday was extra-fun... two of my great friends got engaged! They actually met at the MVC tournament a few years ago, and they've been together ever since. What a perfect way to begin the next step in their lives!


After the champagne and excitement, we all headed to the game. Afterwards we had some greasy New York style pizza and went out on the town. We went to *the usual spot* and saw Creighton's entire class of 2008.. people I hadn't seen in years and people that live states away. It was such a fun reunion; one that I hope I can enjoy for years to come.

The CU student section rushing the court just after the final seconds.

On Sunday was the championship game! It was a very close game that went to overtime, but in the end the Jays pulled through. I had to catch a flight so we didn't get to watch the awards ceremony and the cutting down of the net, but it was great fun nonetheless. It was a great ending to such a great weekend. 


It's been a little rough getting back into the swing of things and the weekend made me even more homesick, but as of this week (Wednesday, to be exact) I am officially halfway done with my time here. I am incredibly excited to get back home. I'm looking forward to date nights with Mike, wine nights with the girls, and trips home to see my family. But in the mean time, I'm going to continue to make the most of my time here.


SO... let's go save some more lives for seven more weeks. 
Let's have some fun and make some memories.

Laramie: Week 5

I don't know if you're keeping track or not, but finishing week 5 means that I only have 8 more weeks here! I really am enjoying my adventures and loving my job, but I really miss home. I miss familiar faces, familiar places, and friends & family calling randomly to hang out.


The Cancer Center brought me here so that I could help them develop and improve their practices and policies, and we've been doing a lot of that lately. I've been told that my input is very beneficial to them and was much-needed, and it's really nice to have that positive feedback when I feel so uprooted coming here. I'm glad something positive is coming out of it. [well, besides that huge chunk i'm taking out of my school debt...]


Triathlon training is ticking right along. It's been difficult getting into the groove of things. Without Kayla meeting me at the gym at 5am, it's been tough to tear myself out of my cozy warm bed for early morning workouts. My evening workouts have been fine, but by the time work and workouts are done, my evening is shot. So here it is: this week I'm working out before work every day. Now you'll hold me accountable, right??


Lent began on Ash Wednesday, of course. Though I'm not Catholic (yet), I really like the idea of giving something up for Lent. It holds me accountable for something daily, and I have to be more cognizant of my choices -- which I believe would do us all some good. In the past I've given up lattes, cookies, and the like. Those "extras" that make my days a little sweeter. It's been tough, but I wanted to do something a little more challenging this year. This go-round, it's meat that I'm giving up. Yes, meat. Steak, chicken, pork--all the good hearty Midwestern meal staples. It's something I have to think about with every meal, which will hopefully end up in me making healthier food choices all around. And maybe I'll even shed a few pounds and a few cholesterol points! It will be a challenging forty-four days, but Jesus resisted his temptation, so I'm confident that I can too. So I ask you: what is your personal challenge this year for Lent?


This weekend was my friend Kim's birthday, so I went to Denver [for a mere 24 hours]. I tell you what--they call Chicago "The Windy City", but I'm quite certain that any town in northeast Colorado or Southeast Wyoming takes the cake on that one. The drive to and from Denver was crazy windy, with constant 50 mph winds, and gusts even above that.  But I digress. Kim's birthday celebration was a lot of fun. There were four of us girls that went out to dinner to a fancy-schmancy restaurant in downtown Denver and then out for a glass [or two] of wine after dinner. We had fun giggling, gossiping, and hanging out like we haven't done for quite some time. It was loads of fun, and I do believe Kim had a very Happy Birthday.

Here is Kim with the bottle of champagne her brother sent from Milwaukee! 

Thanks Pat!

Anne and I after our four-course dinner. 

I swear, I looked nicer than this earlier in the day.

Laramie Week 4: in review

Not much in terms of news from the past week. Working 8-5 doesn't leave a whole lot of room for fun. But I did start triathlon training, so I guess that counts for something. Kayla and I (and Kate???) have signed up for the Omaha Women's Triathlon the first weekend of June, so I'm trying to get back into shape so I can improve from last year's time. So far the altitude training has been very tough, but I'm hoping it will pay off.

Other than the workweek... What a fun weekend! My mom and Gary came to visit! They got to town Friday shortly after I got off work, and they didn't leave until today, so it was a weekend full of fun and familiar faces. It was so nice having someone in town that I actually know!

Saturday we went snowshoeing in the Snowy Mountain Range. We went about 3 miles in two hours, and only fell a handful of times. No one complained (much) and everyone was smiles by the end. I even made a snow angel at the end... when childhood calls! 

My mom and Gary snowshoeing


The trail. How pretty!

My mom and I on the top of the mountain!

I love these little critter tracks!

After a little rest, we went to a little pizza shop on the corner for dinner. It was de-lish, and I will definitely be going back to try some of their other food sometime in the next 8 weeks. After dinner, it was wine, popcorn, and an a-mazing Creighton Bluejays win.

Sunday we again strapped on the snowshoes and went for a shorter hike at the Happy Jack trailhead in the mountains to the east of Laramie. We did a lot more off-trail trekking, which wore us out much quicker. After about an hour, we headed back to town. We explored some of the little downtown shops, and had dinner at the one local Indian restaurant. 

Sunday night we relaxed, watched some tv, and just hung out. It was a comforting weekend with family around. It was refreshing to see some familiar faces and talk about some familiar things. But I'm not gonna lie... it does make me miss home just a little bit more!

Eight more weeks!

Laramie Week 3: in review

My apologies for not posting this on Sunday. I hope you didn't miss me too much. Just pretend it's Sunday.


Week Three was another great week. It was my second week *ever* working Monday thru Friday 8 to 5. I think I'm getting used to this! I'm getting along with my coworkers really well, and I'm getting to know my patients on a first name basis. It's pretty cool -- they're all accepting me into their little Cancer Center world. I don't feel so much like an outsider anymore; it's a great feeling.


It was officially a good week:  I made a new friend! Two actually.
Thursday night I met a friend-of-a-friend for dinner. We had never met before, but we got along well. She was welcoming and outgoing, and was easy to talk to. After dinner she showed me one of the town's hot-spots, where we went for a drink. It wasn't anything crazy.. I was exhausted by 8pm so headed home. I'm definitely losing any coolness I ever had.


E, my new friend from Thursday night, invited me to go snowboarding with her and another friend on Saturday. I warned her that I my snowboarding experience was limited to one winter afternoon when I was 12 that I attempted to snowboard down an Iowa hill with my brother. I failed at the time, but thought maybe I'd give it another shot. She was adamant that she and A were fine with my lack of experience, and she insisted that I go with them. So in the spirit of making the most of things, I joined them.

I was definitely not worthy of the Winter X-Games, but they said I really did well for my first time. I spent a good portion of the day on ground, but thankfully there were 7 inches of fresh snow, so it was pretty cushy. [or my rear was, i'm not sure...] I was very sore and extremely exhausted by the end of the day, but it was a great experience. 

Sunday was a little worse. I could hardly move.. hence the lack of posting. I have a few bruises and a sore knee left as battle wounds, but at least I reached my goal of the day:  No broken bones. Yay!

I also addressed all our Save the Dates this weekend. My hand was a little tired from addressing them, but it feels great to be done with them. As of today, they're officially in the mail!

Now that Week Three is in the books and I'm well into Week Four, I'm looking forward to a couple visitors from Home. Stay tuned for next week's update!

Sending warm wishes your way!

Laramie Week 2: in review

Week numero dos was another good one.


Fun fact: It was the first week in my life that I've worked 8 to 5 Monday thru Friday. No joke.


I now understand the reasoning behind Rebecca Black's smashing hit "Friday". Yes, I was indeed singing it when I went to bed Thursday.. even before Friday hit.


Work went really well this week. I'm getting to know the patients, I know nearly all the staff, and I even met the oncologist this week. [yes, singular. one oncologist.] Everyone was still wonderfully helpful and welcoming. Oh, and I got my first paycheck. Can't ever complain about that.


This weekend I had plans to go to Denver [again], but due to 7 inches of snow here, a whopping 18 inches of snowfall in the Denver area, and closed interstates, I decided that maybe wasn't the best idea. So instead I camped out in Laramie for the weekend. Saturday wasn't very eventful, but I was quite productive on the wedding front. 


Sunday morning I went snowshoeing with a girl from work and two of her friends. I had never been before so I didn't know what to expect, but it was great! We went one girl's ranch within the Snowy Range of mountains to the west of the city. We strapped on the snowshoes and headed for the trail. They had gotten 28 inches of show in the previous 36 hours, so the path was a little dicey! It had been trekked once the day before so we had a path, but it definitely wasn't packed down much. I learned the hard way that I had to pay attention to how I was walking... after I fell four times! 


During our walk over the river and through the woods [literally], we saw some exciting wildlife. We saw a few packs of antelope, two elk, the fresh tracks of a very large moose, and fresh claw marks from a mountain lion going up a tree. It was exciting for a little Iowa farm girl who's used to seeing white tail deer and rabbits!

Following the leader through the woods.

The snowshoeing trail.

The view from the top. Altitude: 8700ft.

All in all, week two was a successful one. I did a lot of learning, a little exploring, and a good amount of relaxing. I'm looking forward to my third week here, while at the same time counting down my weeks until I return home.... eleven weeks left!

**There's no place like home**

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!