Survivor

I can't believe I left Survivor off of my favorite TV shows back when I was covering them a few weeks back.  I have followed Survivor mostly since season 2, though there were a few seasons in the middle that I got bored with and gave up on.  Tonight was the Survivor: Caramoan finale, and I have to say-- this season has been one of the best ones I can remember.  It seems that each season my favorites get voted out way too early, but this season had so many greats that I loved following it each week!  I felt like the winner really deserved it this time around.  The one thing I don't like about this show is that people lie so much, and people end up getting hurt in the end at the cost of playing to win.  The winner this time, however, was someone who played with a lot of strategy and a lot more class than previous winners.

So, I was canceled again for work tonight.  Bummer, oh well.  Hopefully I'll get in my next two days of work before going out of town, but I'm a little bit worried.  Well, we will see.  I'm excited to be with family for a bit.

Ok, I have held off on watching Duck Dynasty for awhile now.  No particular reason, I just didn't watch it cause it didn't interest me.  Now I think I have jumped on the bandwagon.  The other night when I was canceled from work, I turned on the TV for background noise and came upon a Duck Dynasty marathon.  I watched it for three hours straight.  I can't believe that this show sucked me in!  It is hilarious, and everything Si says makes me laugh.  Anyway, it's a funny show about a family that seems really close and loves and respects each other.  How can you go wrong with that?  (SN- despite the long hair and beards, these guys are still pretty handsome!)

So, I picked up an extra day of work this week since we've been canceled so much.  I figured if they canceled me this time around, hopefully that extra day would help make up for it.  Sure enough, I'm canceled tonight.  I was kind of glad, actually, because I was charge nurse last night and it was particularly stressful.  We had to support team a patient and it was so much more stressful than when I'm the floor nurse.  I'd rather have my own patient support teamed than to be the charge nurse during someone else's support team.  It was particularly frustrating, too, because of the stress of dealing with co-workers when you're in a position of leadership... it is just really frustrating.  Left work this morning feeling really discouraged about my job.

Lovely Sunday morning with the Olympics on TV (women's cycling) and a cup of coffee in hand.  I do wish we could watch the games live, because I feel like I have to be so careful not to find out who wins anything ahead of time.  Mostly with my favorite sports does it really matter.  But even then, it's still no fun to already know the results.  It's raining in London... I feel like that is not surprising at all.  I always imagine a lot of rain when I think of England.  Which probably means there are dementors everywhere... right?

Ahhh my cat is driving me insane!!  I bought this spray called Ssscat to keep on the counter.  It has a sensor which detects when the cat jumps up and sprays him.  It worked wonders while I had it.  When I went back to get a refill, PetsMart was all out.  Now my cat is out of control and I can't figure out how to keep him off tables and counters.  I don't like being harsh with him, which might be the reason I can't get him under control.  I need ideas... because it is getting old.  And it's just gross having a cat jumping on your counters and tables.  Nobody wants that.

I never did get called into work last night... hallelujah!!  I had picked up all this overtime, and was kind of regretting it.  I have two more OT days in the next two weeks and I hope I get canceled one.  I do want to work OT, just not as much as I signed up for.  Got some cool things coming up I need to save for.  Announcements will be coming soon... but not until I've got some stuff set in stone!

One cool thing I can announce (because I know you're all just on the edge of your seats!) is that in October I'm going to Cleveland to visit Lindsey!  I went a couple of years ago and it was a blast!  But there was a TON of snow, which was awesome, but kept us from doing quite as much as we might otherwise.  I figured a fall trip might be perfect.  Not hot, but hopefully a little cold (I do enjoy colder weather-- colder not FREEZING) and fall.  Did I mention fall?  I love fall!!

The best time in four years.  Olympics.  Wish they came around more often, but they are way more fun because of the anticipation.  I love cheering for the athletes.  I watched the Lochte/Phelps show-down, totally cheering for Lochte!  Glad he won.  He's somewhat of a local so it's good to cheer for someone from so close by.  I'd love to see him do what Phelps did four years ago.  Not to mention he's easy on the eyes... so...  But really.  I actually am rooting for him for more than that!  Florida boy's bringing home the gold!

Been watching them off and on all day.  Men's gymnastics already proving to be a lot of fun to watch.  For being 5 feet tall those guys sure are hot.  Honest, I like the Olympics for more than just that.  But one can't help but observe!

Anyway, I'm excited about the next couple of weeks.  I got put on call for work tonight, so I have gotten to watch a little more Olympic coverage than I'd expected.  Not to mention I wasn't feeling so great so it was a welcome phone call to get.  I'm still afraid they might call me in, but hopefully they won't.

Magic Carpet Ride!  I couldn't ride this without singing "A Whole New World"

My mom and brother went off to join some friends, so my dad and I did the mad tea party together.  And I didn't get sick!  Yeah!

Small World... worthy of a good nap

If you go to Disney, you must stay for the Main Street Electrical Parade.  So much fun!

Here we are just after riding Expedition Everest.  So much fun!

My brother's favorite ride, The Primeval Wheel in Animal Kingdom.  Turned out to be a little scarier than we thought but somehow conned my mom into going on.

On the Kiliminjaro Safari

After riding the dinosaur ride.  That ride is a lot scarier than it sounds!

Disney was a LOT of fun!!  Although I'm a Disney veteran, I have never done two days of it in a row.  It was exhausting.  Seriously, how do people do four days of it?  No thank you.  One or two is enough for me.

Went back to work this week, turned out to be a challenging few nights but good.  Last night I left work feeling like I really made a difference.  One of my patients was going downhill... but the doctor wouldn't believe me.  That is really hard.  It wasn't worthy of a support team but that would have been my next step if I hadn't finally convinced the doctor that this patient had to be in critical care.  Of course, I'm a competent nurse but I work on a med-surg telemetry floor.  When I have 4-6 patients, I can't take care of a critically ill patient on top of all that.  I felt like a real patient advocate.  Woot woot!  Doing the job I'm supposed to on nurses week (and all the other weeks too)!

I went and saw the Hunger Games yesterday. I went to the 11am showing, which was nice because it wasn't crowded at all. Having read the books, I'm glad to say that it was true to the story for the most part, and overall a very well-done movie. It was almost as hard to watch as it was to read the first book (if you know the premise, you know why). I did cry, yes I did cry. I loved how they captured the Capitol... almost exactly how I imagined it in the book. And Cinna... in the short time he was onscreen, I really grew to love him! Now, I'm excited for the next one!! The second book was really good.

I have been beyond exhausted since being off work Saturday morning. Saturday, I slept 10am-8pm. Then I went to bed again from midnight until 7am. Which was good, because I was able to stay up all day Sunday and hang out with my family. I went to bed early, about 9:00, slept until 4:30 yesterday morning (which isn't bad). Last night, around 6:45, I decided I was so tired I should take a nap. Fast forward to 5am today. I can say that I feel so refreshed! I think that for the first time in a long time, right now I am not tired. I can't say I'll feel this way all day, but right now it feels good.

Got my apartment cleaned yesterday. Good feeling! Clean by my standards, anyway. It always looks a little lived-in, which is ok by me.

One more day off today, and it's back to work tomorrow night. I'm hoping for a good week of work this week. Lately it has been tolerable, though Friday night was tough. I love admitting a patient whose blood sugar starts at 500 and is 38 by morning... not to mention, three patients who need help up to the bathroom all night, cleaning up others all night, pain med after pain med... and more. If you're a nurse, you understand! All right, enough talking about work on my day off.

I'm gonna relax today, maybe lay out by the pool. Sounds wonderful. Have a great day!

Work has held me captive for the better part of the past week and a half. Tonight I work the seventh of the past ten days, and after that am off for three! I'm beyond tired... yesterday I went and got my nails done after work, and came home to sleep. Woke up for an hour to watch American Idol, then went back to sleep until 4:30 this morning. And I only woke up because I was hungry. After a shower and a meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner?) I think I am going to go back to bed and hope to sleep until the afternoon. Not sure if it's gonna happen or not.

And I was wrong, I'm not off for three, but four days! Awesome! All week I've been keeping myself going by remembering that I have off three days, but it's even better now that I know it's four. I'm sooo thankful!!

Happy Hunger Games!!! Is anyone else excited? I know I am!!! But I won't be seeing it for a little while. I don't feel like fighting ridiculous crowds that consist mostly of 16 year olds who think Peeta is, like, sooooo hot. Actually, it's Gale who's hot, girls... hands off! (although at the end of the day, Peeta is the one for Katniss)

I have a question for anyone who cares to think about it. What is your opinion on an unmarried woman adopting a child? I recently read on facebook someone wishing they could adopt, and one of the reasons she listed for its being impossible was that she was unmarried. I feel like I know what my opinion is "supposed" to be, but I honestly think it would be awesome. Don't worry, I'm not actually contemplating doing this, at least for awhile. I've always said that I would adopt one day, but seeing how I don't know if I'll ever get married, I don't see why I couldn't, if I get to the point where I could afford it and was in a good place to do so. If your opinion is different from mine, I won't be offended.

Anyway, now that I'm not tired at all, I'm going to attempt to go back to sleep.

I'm excited to say that this week entails a trip to Disney! It's been over a year since I've gone (I know, that's not really a long time) so I'm excited! There's nothing like a little Disney therapy. In the form of Alan Menken scores playing throughout the parks...

This past week was an OT week for me... but it's done and now I can relax for a few days! It was rough this time around. But it could always be worse. I slept until almost 7pm today, so now I'm wide awake with no chance of going to sleep anytime soon. So what better way to entertain myself than by watching Hallmark movies? I love an evening all to myself.

I have another busy couple weeks of work coming up, so I'm happy to have the next few days to relax and have fun.

I get to pick up my car today! :) I'm very happy about that fact. Hopefully I can keep it in one piece from here on out. That was my first fender bender, and it wasn't fun.

Work is still going, it seems to make the days go by for me when I don't have much else to do. I picked up overtime this week, though I know I will sorely regret it. Until payday, that is. I figure that I don't have much else to do, so I might as well start trying to pay off some more bills while I'm at it.

I finally saw The Help last night. While it was a good movie, it wasn't nearly as good as I thought it should have been for all the hype around it (though, usually that's how it is). I thought the storyline was kind of weak and there were too many times during the movie that I felt as though I didn't really understand what was going on. And I'm not usually one of those people. But I did cry several times, so as far as a movie that is able to tug at your heart-strings and make you think, it was good.

I've got major bags under my eyes today. I'm pretty sure I'm starting to look old... oh well. Good to have a few days off. Hanging out with my sister today.

My poor little car. Some dude in my apartment complex hit it with his massive Ford Expedition. It's nothing that can't be fixed, but a real pain and I can't drive it because it was right over the front left wheel. The cop cited it to me because I cut the turn just a little bit, but the guy was driving way too fast to be approaching a stop sign, and even when I laid on the horn and with plenty of time to stop, he didn't even slow down and rammed right into me (not to mention he was way off the center of the road-- and I have pictures to prove it). But since there were no witnesses, it's cited to me, even though it wasn't nearly as much my fault as it was his. Let's see, listen to a "silly" twenty-something girl (you know, cause women can't drive) or a thirty-something guy? I wonder which way the cops are gonna go. Best part is, the guy lives two doors down from me and I get to run into him all the time!

I think I have a case to contest it, because I took pictures of everything. We'll see. I think overall I'm just pissed I don't have my perfect little driving record anymore, and it really wasn't even my fault because a cop came along and subjectively looked at the whole situation. And I'm mad that my tax return will now go to fixing my car, because my deductible is high. I was excited to pay more into loans and maybe have a little extra to spend, but oh well. I have very little to complain about compared to what it could have been.

Work was pretty good this week. I had a terrible dream last night that I got floated to our DOC floor and was given eight patients all by myself... a nightmare! But it wasn't real, whew. Hopefully a good week this week. Tomorrow my car's getting towed and I get to deal with an insurance agent. Yeah.

It's days like this when I don't like working night shift. I have to work tonight, but I can't sleep for the life of me today. I woke up at 9:30 this morning and am almost always able to get in a short nap at some point before work. So far, unsuccessful. Oh well. Just have to get through 12 hours of work and then can come home and sleep, hopefully rested enough to work another two nights.

I got together with a few nursing friends yesterday. Always a good time! I found this dress at Ann Taylor, and I was so excited that it is long on me!! Never, ever, is anything made for height in the clothes department. I imagine most people have to get it hemmed when they buy it, but not me! It's perfect! Anyway, I won't be wearing it for probably at least a few more weeks due to weather being just a tad too cool.

Although on that note, it has been an unusually warm winter, even for Florida. Most days have been highs in the 70s, with even a couple in the 80s. I've found myself wanting to go to the beach. Of course whatever it is 20 miles inland, you can always count on it being 5 degrees cooler on the beach with a breeze. Though I usually enjoy the colder weather, I'm actually ok with the warmth we've been getting.

And here I am, completely exhausted but facing three nights of work. I'm so excited. But thankful that I have a job. I'm just hoping they are manageable nights. I haven't worked three in a row for awhile, and I'm sure I'll remember why once I do it. Roughly 40 hours of work in 72 hours' time is pretty tough. I'm just looking forward to my 5 nights off at the end of the month!

I finally upgraded my cell phone (yay!) and can actually put more apps and music onto it. I've been operating by the old 3GS and unable to really do much more than make calls, text, or browse facebook. I have had Netflix awhile and finally put the app on my phone. Probably the best and worst thing, because now I have too many TV shows and movies at my fingertips. I watched That Thing You Do at work this week during down time. Now I'm into The Kennedys. Very interesting. Makes me so fascinated with the '60s. (And I LOVE Greg Kinnear!) Also, I'm now into How I Met Your Mother.

Work has been good to me this week, from the extremes of crazy and exhilaratingly busy, to a chill, slow night on Thursday. I'm precepting a student as well, which is good. Hoping that it goes well.

Well I thought I would get on here today and have plenty to say, but I really don't. I'm ready for the weekend and some chill-time.

Realist Nat is back! ;)

I had a fantastic two nights of work this week. They were actually among the busiest I've had, but for some reason were different in that I felt like I got to do REAL nursing (instead of dealing with some of the nonsense I often do) and make a real difference. Like because I was there, my patients were truly better off. Wow! I walked away from work yesterday morning actually thinking to myself, I love my job!

I went to Starbucks with my mom, brother, Mrs. Kercher, and Lauren today. While we were there, a massive truck pulled into the spot next to my car and hit my sideview mirror. Lauren and I went outside to look at it, and it was fine. Lauren was more mad than I was. As long as there's not damage, I felt like no harm done and it doesn't make sense to be a jerk about it. (maybe I'm just a pushover? If damage was done I would definitely have been mad) The guys in the truck felt really badly and bought me a Starbucks gift card as an apology. I thought that was really nice. Then an old lady came up to me and said to get his plate number, because people lie to you about their name, even after I told her no damage was done. She seemed really miffed that I disregarded her advice, but I did eventually get it just in case. Everything works fine, however, and I got a $15 Starbucks money out of it.

My ankle is ok. Still sore and still pretty swollen, but as long as I keep it wrapped and ice it often, I do ok. I can walk on it and I'm glad for that.

I'm not a fan of resolutions, however, after reading Real Simple today I came up with what may qualify as one. Though I still don't like to call it that. An article in this month's magazine spoke about "rumination," which is basically recalling moments of the past, over-analyzing them, wondering if that's why you are the way you are, etc...

Rumination is said to be closely linked to depression.

I realized how much I do this, some of which has been influenced by those close to me, but that it is a real problem in my life (one that can be anxiety-inducing and--yes, depression-inducing if I'm not careful). In relation to my last couple of posts, I'm learning to acknowledge those things, but to look at myself right now; to take ownership of who I am and not blame.

Call it a New Year's resolution if you will, however it is simply a resolution in relation to current circumstances and in taking care of myself to keep away from a path I do not want to follow. In several ways, I have felt I am at a crossroads in life these past months, and I know the one I do not want to choose.

Another thing, influenced by Real Simple, is I am resolving to nix the negativity. Especially when it comes to facebook and how I project myself, but I figure I should probably practice that in life as well. We'll see how it goes, though please don't expect perfection out of it. My sister recently pointed out to me that one of her friends, also a nurse (though arguably in a less stressful field), told her that I complain too much on facebook. I was kind of ticked off, and still am, but decided that to a degree, she was right. I realize that people can't take comments and statuses in the context that I am writing them, and how it truly could sound extremely negative. And that the negative comments stand out above many of my other more positive, upbeat status updates.

I am proud to say that I am home from vacation, having worked two nights so far, and am not sick. It seems whenever I travel, (especially to a colder climate) I am prone to get sick when I come home. Even being around a few little snotty noses up north, I was able to avoid it. Hurrah! And I did NOT get my flu shot (though I may have already had the flu in October).

Happy New Year!

While YOU were sleeping....

This is the story of two nurses, Natalie and Allison. While this is an exciting and wonderful tale, I also want you to know one thing. This is an atypical night for these two nurses. You see, Natalie came into work that night and found out she was orienting a nurse and only had to take care of one patient. These two nurses, also sisters who live one in Orlando and the other in Jacksonville, worked the same night in different cities. They decided to do a night in pictures. Here, let me tell you about it.

Natalie, waiting for her one patient assignment.

Allison, enjoying the first of a few Diet Cokes.
Diet Coke keeps a nurse sane, you see (or at least these two nurses).

10:30 pm: Natalie enjoying a pizza break.
Breaks don't usually come this early.
They also don't usually involve pizza. Although she wishes they did.

10:30 pm: Allison's view from the nurse's station.
Halloween is around the corner!

Natalie's exact words: An Angel of Mercy
(right?!)

Allison's response? Angel of Terror!
She takes her job very, very seriously.
Patients must feel at ease when this nurse walks in their room.

Midnight: Natalie is getting ready to write her shift reports...

...while Allison is enjoying a refreshing snack of ice cream.

1:30 am: Natalie ventures off the floor...

...for a refreshing beverage!

Allison taking a ride on the elevator that smells like sweaty men.

She has to bladder scan one of her patients.
One of the many exciting things that nurses get to do.

1:45: Natalie pauses to reflect on the night, whilst enjoying a Diet Coke.

This is a nurse who cares, she really does!
She was demonstrating to her sister her reaction upon patients incessantly harassing her for pain medication. Bear in mind the sarcasm.

Allison enjoying-- more Diet Coke?

The night has ended for Natalie.

For Allison, as well.

A sweet kitty greets Natalie at home.

And Allison protects her patients by getting her flu shot.

These nurses sleep during the day, and take care of people during the night. Now they are home safe and sound, relaxing, and resting so that they can take care of people again next week.

Another early morning here for Nat. I decided to do something I rarely do and eat breakfast (on nights, there is no true breakfast/lunch/supper), so I made oatmeal and had a big glass of water with my kitties. Five am breakfast, who could say no? And I still got about five hours of sleep, so I can't complain.

I feel like I should add a disclaimer to that other post on Saturday. I don't truly hate being a nurse, even though maybe it sounded like I do. Talk to many nurses, and the things I say about it are a common thread. It isn't an easy job--it is a very difficult job. It drains me emotionally, spiritually, psychologically, and in just about every other way possible. It's sometimes really hard to leave all that at work. When you just took care of a young woman in persistent vegetative state, or got reamed on the phone by a doctor, or spent part of the night crying in the bathroom from being overwhelmed, sometimes it is just really hard to leave it there.

There is a lot of disillusionment into adulthood, as I'm sure everyone else feels at some point. The career one works so hard to achieve is one of them.

In addition to that, I'm truly thankful that I have a job. There are many people who would give anything to work, and I should be more grateful instead of complaining. Again, I have a hard time being unaffected by stress.

It's a blustery day here. We are under the effects of what they call a Nor'Easter. Which I LOVE!!! Have I mentioned that I absolutely LOVE rain, wind, cloudy skies, and cool weather all rolled up into one? Well, I do. I don't know why. Gloomy weather somehow puts me in a really good mood. Perhaps because it gives me the excuse I always want to just chill and stay in for the day. Which as I mentioned last night, I also love doing. Today I may grab a friend and drive to the beach for a walk.

I'm thinking of studying for my certification in med-surg. I always used to say I would do that a year after graduation and the other day one of my work buddies mentioned it. And I remembered that was one of the goals I set for myself and I have yet to follow through. Gosh cause I sure hate studying! But I should do it. It is an expensive exam and there aren't a lot of dates to do it. But there is a possibility in April, giving me months to prepare. Not only that, but it is also about time I get ACLS-certified.

Well, this tired girl may take a little cat nap before facing the day. Starting to feel just a little sleepy.

It's always interesting to me how upon meeting people, they are so impressed with my choice of a career. Not really surprising, since nursing has long been considered an autonomous and respectable profession. People are often surprised to find out here I am, just 24 years old, with two years of professional nursing already under my belt. I always want to tell them don't be at all impressed. I don't look in the mirror and see anything to be proud of.

I suppose I am proud of the fact that I didn't play around in college or get a degree simply to get the letters behind my name and be done with it. I did work really hard in college, and all four years I worked toward the specific goal of becoming an RN. I'm proud of it, but also have many regrets because of it. The things I thought were the most important (studying, a career, financial independence), it turns out aren't. I let relationships fall to the wayside in the meantime. I withdrew from many commitments at church. I made little effort to be involved in campus ministries, although to be fair I did attend the Baptist ministry on campus (I know, funny right?!) with a couple of my nursing school buddies.

And now I've come out on the other side. I'm financially independent, although not well off by any means. I have a car and can afford some of the things I used to only dream of in college. Great, right? Yeah. I also have very few friends these days. Sure, there are several long-term friendships I have maintained, which I am ever grateful for. But the last time I made a new friend? I don't know. Probably four years ago when I got into nursing school. I have roommates, but have never made real connections with any of them. All of this is only my fault, I know. My focus was so intent upon school, my job, etc, that I lost any real purpose in life for awhile. It's true, that first year working as a nurse I was depressed, angry, anxious, and didn't seek God.

Depressed because the job and its "perks" weren't what I had expected. Angry, because here I was, having done it all the "right" way, yet life was only happening to everyone else. Anxious most of the time, because I constantly feared messing up in my job. And as a result, I didn't want anything to do with God. Oh, I went to church. But any real relationship? It wasn't there. I gave all outward appearances of being spiritually strong, when in reality I was dying on the inside.

It's been a long road since then, and still a ways to go yet. In many ways, the struggles through the last year of lost relationships, lost grandparents that were a constant source of strength, and just dealing with myself, have been a good thing (or at least a growing thing). I think that when my grandpa died, it shook me out of a really selfish state of mind I had been living in for quite some time. And just when I thought it was done and God had "dealt with me," (as if it was all about me, right?) my grandma died. It forced me to look up. To re-evaluate everything. I sought God for the first time in a couple of years. I can't say I'm the same person today that I was nine months ago.

There are still issues in my life with bitterness, anxiety, and just a general struggle with being content. Being 24 years old, I could throw a book at you filled with all the things I thought my life would be at this point. My ultimate goal was never that of an independent woman, even though that financial independence and stability was important to me all through school. And yet here I am. And I don't know how soon that will change, if it ever will. I've watched nearly all of my friends get married and have babies, some of them having their second babies already. No, this isn't all about my being single and alone, as that isn't even something I dwell on most days. But as far as the journey in life, and what my intentions were in starting out, sometimes it's hard to come to terms with. Nursing was just something I was pursuing because it was there. I didn't think I'd have to do it for very long, yet here I am.

Just finished three nights of work. I think my favorite thing about working a full-time job is coming home after that last day! It is like a huge burden lifted, and knowing I don't have to go back tonight is the best part. If I want I can sleep until 10 o'clock tonight! (not that I will) It was a pretty good three nights. The kind that kept me on my toes, which I like.

Now I'm watching one of my all-time favorite shows, Boy Meets World. It is cloudy outside with just a drizzle of rain. Absolutely perfect for sleeping all day! Good "night!"

In looking at the picture below, I realized I look quite domestic with a cook book on the shelf. But that's where it stays, on the shelf. I never, ever cook. It's sad. I just don't enjoy cooking, I'd rather bake but then everything you bake is way unhealthy. So I don't do any of it.

Albus is sooo sweet, has been so much fun (if a bit of a pill at times). Things he likes: perching on my shoulder, chasing around the laser pointer, having his ears scratched, and snuggling. Things he hates: when I shower, when I make him sleep in the bathroom because he won't stop attacking my feet at night (don't worry, he has a litter box and plenty of food and water in there and room to play), and when I have to do my hair or put on make up (because he can't be right in my face at all times).

This week at work: I experienced my first full-blown CODE and patient death, though it wasn't actually my patient. It was a nightmare of a code, the worst I could have imagined (it happened on the floor), but I was glad I got to help in any way I could. When it was over I felt like I was going to vomit from the adrenaline rush, it was so bad, and I had a headache half the night (all I can say is, I believe God gives us supernatural strength in times like that). It was an emotionless thing, however, which surprised me. There's a wall between you and your patients most of the time, and I intend to keep that wall there. Otherwise I couldn't cope with work.

The count-down to Lauren's wedding has begun, and I'm getting things ready for the bachelorette party. No, no craziness like drunken binges or strippers kind of bachelorette party, it will be very tame and wholesome with lots of fun involved! I can't wait, and I'm so excited and happy for Lauren and Brennan. When they got engaged almost a year ago, the wedding seemed so far away, and yet here we are now.

Life has found a new rhythm, and I'm happy with it. God is showing Himself to me as my source of comfort and provision, and though I'm not always happy, I can trust Him and His goodness. It's enough, especially when nothing else is.

I just came off a surprisingly good three days of work!! I mean, all three nights my teams were relatively good. I got into work last night and was floated to our department of corrections floor. I was so mad when I found out, because it's my third time over there (most nurses have never been floated there in years of working here, yet I've managed to be floated there three times in just a few months). Every other time there has been awful. Last night was great. I was so bored almost the entire night, which never happens.

I have to say, though I respect people who work on that floor every day, I'm glad I'm not one of them. I think nursing hardens a person in general, but there is a whole other element in correctional nursing. These nurses are different than your average nurse. Not to mention the officers that work there. I heard more language and vulgarity last night from nurses and officers than an R-rated movie would allow-- I think I walked away from several conversations out of sheer embarrassment. Needless to say, I'm glad I don't work on that floor because as hard as it can sometimes be to live out my faith on my floor, it could be near impossible on DOC.

I'm off the next 4 nights, thank goodness. I'm sure that with a week this good, a bad one is definitely coming up!! I kept saying, "You can't have 3 good days in a row!! Not possible!" Hopefully, though, this will be a good week, both at work and at home.