Life has been busy. Good, full, and busy.
I'm finally off of orientation at my new job. This has probably been the longest, most thorough orientation I've ever received since I was a new grad! It was nice to have an "easier" pace of things for awhile, have someone right there to answer questions, and just not feel the pressure of being thrown into a new job with very little training (which is what I'm used to). I'm still very happy at this job, and although I know I'm in that "honeymoon phase," it's certainly the happiest I've ever been in any job I've had prior to this.
My massage therapist told me the other day that she has noticed a huge change in me since I've had this new job. She told me she could often see the stress on my face when I would come in, but that it has gone away now. I definitely can feel it, but it's pretty crazy that my old job was that stressful that it showed on my face even when I wasn't there. And we all know that stress = BAD for your health! I'm so happy I made this change.
So obviously work has taken up much of my time lately, as has training. Thanksgiving week threw me off a bit as I was traveling (got go see Bela-- yay!) and eating more (ok... A LOT more!) junk food than I'm used to. But I got back into it this week a little better-- and with a body that was well-rested-- albeit fueled by a few extra slices of pie. I've taken some pressure of myself as far as getting workouts/runs/spin class/swims in 6 days a week. If I only make it 4-5 days, that's ok. The shifts I'm working make it difficult to get a workout in every single day between shifts. And sleep and recovery are important factors in training.
I'm still quite happy with the pace of life these days. I'm really wishing I could make a trip to Florida sooner rather than later. Been feeling a little homesick for much of the familiarity that my hometown offers. I don't know if I'll make it back before the end of next summer, which is sad because at that point it will have almost been two years since the previous visit. I often feel very disconnected from everything and everyone there. And this is partially my fault, as I haven't been good with keeping up with people. Life gets busy and time gets away... I hate that it's like that. I feel entirely disconnected from my life before travel nursing, in fact. It makes me sad. I don't know if that's just the way life is, or if maybe I've caused most of that myself. The past year and a half have had me dealing with some depression and emotional issues... it's been very easy to become disconnected because of that. :( I'm doing much, MUCH better now, of course. But the consequences of all of that are far-reaching.
So, yes... life has been good. In two weeks I will be off to celebrate Bela and Tim's wedding, which I am SO excited about! And as I finished writing that sentence, I realized I leave in only a little over a week! How time flies!
