Tuesday, June 30, 2009
work
My real first day of work actually went pretty well. I was quite nervous last night and had a hard time falling asleep, but I think it was all for naught. Everyone was very happy to see me, I got a new locker and name badge, and all my cases went smoothly. I had 3 ortho procedures: a total knee replacement, removal of some screws from a foot, and a knee arthroscopy. Tomorrow I think I'm scheduled for a hysterectomy and a laparotomy (they open up your belly and look around at stuff).
Monday, June 29, 2009
sorta 1st day
Today was my first day of work at the new job. But not really. The whole day was spent in orientation. These are my favorite kind of workdays ~ you get paid to sit around listening to other people drone on about "the mission," "the vision", workplace diversity, zero-tolerance regarding all forms of abuse, and most importantly, the proper way to wash your hands. And they feed you donuts and lunch and other assorted snackies! If I could just find a job that involves 40 hour orientation sessions every week I'd be in heaven!
I also got my employee badge. It doesn't look bad!
I also got my employee badge. It doesn't look bad!
Friday, June 26, 2009
stuff
Some things going on at my house:
* Our hanging baskets and container gardens are doing better this year than our "in the ground" garden is. Not sure why, but the result is beautiful. We've got about a dozen or so pots and containers and a gorgeous purple Clematis. It really brightens up the patio.
* It's been unbelievably hot here the last few days. The oppressive heat was one of the reasons we moved out of Florida and now here it is! I was really hoping to hold out until July before we cranked up the window AC, but 100 degree temps forced us into early cranking.
* Still no word on my certification results.
* I'm still working on the cross-stitch project I started just after Christmas. Most of my stitching takes place on the porch or in front of a Tigers game. It was slow going while I was in school, but I'm making some nice progress now.
* Recently, a Hobby Lobby opened up near my house. I might make a trip to mecca this weekend.
* Our hanging baskets and container gardens are doing better this year than our "in the ground" garden is. Not sure why, but the result is beautiful. We've got about a dozen or so pots and containers and a gorgeous purple Clematis. It really brightens up the patio.
* It's been unbelievably hot here the last few days. The oppressive heat was one of the reasons we moved out of Florida and now here it is! I was really hoping to hold out until July before we cranked up the window AC, but 100 degree temps forced us into early cranking.
* Still no word on my certification results.
* I'm still working on the cross-stitch project I started just after Christmas. Most of my stitching takes place on the porch or in front of a Tigers game. It was slow going while I was in school, but I'm making some nice progress now.
* Recently, a Hobby Lobby opened up near my house. I might make a trip to mecca this weekend.
Monday, June 22, 2009
in casey you were wondering...
* I can’t cook ~ not a bit. Nor do I want to learn. I absolutely hate preparing, chopping, measuring, and anything that has to do with the whole “pre-eating” phase of mealtime. I recently discovered (just a few months ago) instant pancake mix. Oh. My. God. This is one of the best inventions in the modern world! Prior to shaky pancakes, I would go thru an entire box of Aunt Jemima and get nary a flapjack out of it. I think I’m mixing deficient. My pancakes were either too watery or too lumpy or became something closer to paste. But now I am pancake barren no more! I just add the exact amount of water it says to add on the shaky container (never estimate, always use a measuring cup!), shake vigorously for 30 seconds, and voila! a pancake Mardi Gras instantly appears in my very kitchen!
* I always try to locate the big toe indentation on my socks before I put them on. Sometimes that’s not easy to do, but when I do find the end of the sock that looks more pokey-outty than the other, I make sure to place that end on the little toe. My goal is to have a more even wear on my socks. I’ve achieved moderate success thus far.
* When I start a new book, I try to choose a bookmark that somehow follows the theme of the book. For instance, I’ll use the Sherlock Holmes Museum card I got in London when reading a mystery. I recently used one with a falcon on it while reading Band of Brothers because their patch had a screaming eagle on it. I just chose a postcard from Ireland for the Maeve Binchy book I’m about to start. I've actually been known to spend 15 or 20 minutes debating on which bookmark to use and then trying it out in the book to make sure I got a good vibe from it. Vickie uses pieces of toilet paper.
* I always try to locate the big toe indentation on my socks before I put them on. Sometimes that’s not easy to do, but when I do find the end of the sock that looks more pokey-outty than the other, I make sure to place that end on the little toe. My goal is to have a more even wear on my socks. I’ve achieved moderate success thus far.
* When I start a new book, I try to choose a bookmark that somehow follows the theme of the book. For instance, I’ll use the Sherlock Holmes Museum card I got in London when reading a mystery. I recently used one with a falcon on it while reading Band of Brothers because their patch had a screaming eagle on it. I just chose a postcard from Ireland for the Maeve Binchy book I’m about to start. I've actually been known to spend 15 or 20 minutes debating on which bookmark to use and then trying it out in the book to make sure I got a good vibe from it. Vickie uses pieces of toilet paper.
Friday, June 19, 2009
job
I was offered a job today at the hospital where I performed clinicals. Vickie & I are very happy...as are the electric company, cable company, and water company. I have to take a cursory physical and go thru a day of orientation before I start work on the 30th of this month. The hospital has domestic partner benefits, which means Vickie can drop her incredibly shitty insurance and pick up mine instead. This is the first place I've ever worked that has had domestic partner benefits. What's next ~ the right to vote?!
Still no word on whether or not I passed my certification exam. It's killing me. I should find out "within 4 weeks of taking the exam." Whatever, I want to know NOW.
Still no word on whether or not I passed my certification exam. It's killing me. I should find out "within 4 weeks of taking the exam." Whatever, I want to know NOW.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
post-graduation
Since I’m now a graduate and still unemployed, I’ve decided to put my days off to good use. So far I’ve tidied up the craft room, washed tons of things, weeded, pulled, dead-headed and planted tons more things, read at least 8 magazines, helped clean up the garage, and applied for every job I could find. Hopefully I’ll have some good news to report next week regarding both a job at the hospital I did my clinical work at and my certification exam results. I’ve included a picture of my kitty Caleb helping me do some last minute studying ~ he’s always such a big help! Today is kind’ve a rainy, icky day, so I think I’m just going to sit out on the porch and read a bit while Megan plays in the backyard. Then we’ll watch the Tigers later tonight. Megan is a big Tigers fan!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
finished!
Saturday morning was my graduation! I can't believe I'm finally finished with school!! After the ceremony, I was so pent up with stress from the last 12 months that when I finally realized it was all over, I cried. I am soooo looking forward to not studying, not taking tests, and not working for free. I've actually read 4 magazines so far this weekend!
Of course, I still don't have a job, so I guess I'll have tons of free time to read anything I want for a while. I think (hope!) I shouldn't have to wait too long, though. The director at my hospital offered me a position as soon as she can have HR post it online ~ so that's good-ish news, I guess. Until then, I'm going to work on a few little projects around the house, and of course, read as much as I can!
Of course, I still don't have a job, so I guess I'll have tons of free time to read anything I want for a while. I think (hope!) I shouldn't have to wait too long, though. The director at my hospital offered me a position as soon as she can have HR post it online ~ so that's good-ish news, I guess. Until then, I'm going to work on a few little projects around the house, and of course, read as much as I can!
Monday, June 08, 2009
monday doings
Our porch is finished! As you can see in the before and after photos, it looks a heck of a lot better now. It’s quite a bit larger and really makes sitting outside in the morning a pleasure. We affixed some lattice to the side for a little bit of added privacy and will add some more baskets of flowers to give it a little more color. Flea loves it! I think our next major outside project is going to be new siding for the house, but that’s going to be quite a while before we can do that. I’ll probably start with something small like re-organizing the garage ~ again! (Hang your head in shame Vickie!)
Today was my last day of school...sorta. I don’t have any more classes, but I still have to report to the hospital tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday. We have Friday off because we take our certification exam in the morning. Thursday night is our pinning ceremony and Saturday afternoon is our graduation. I can’t believe it’s all almost over. When I started this program waaaaay back in June of last year, I never thought I would make it through to the end. This has been the most intense and stress-filled year of my life! We had to learn a ton of information in just 6 months and then we were thrown into the very scary world of the operating room for another 6 months of terror. I really can’t believe I’ve come this far.
I wish I had some good news to report about prospective job offers, but there just aren’t any jobs out there. My OR director told me that as soon as something comes available she’ll let me know, but she can’t be 100% sure there will be anything soon. I’ve applied for everything I possibly can, but haven’t heard anything yet. Maybe I’ll get some good news before the week is up.
Today was my last day of school...sorta. I don’t have any more classes, but I still have to report to the hospital tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday. We have Friday off because we take our certification exam in the morning. Thursday night is our pinning ceremony and Saturday afternoon is our graduation. I can’t believe it’s all almost over. When I started this program waaaaay back in June of last year, I never thought I would make it through to the end. This has been the most intense and stress-filled year of my life! We had to learn a ton of information in just 6 months and then we were thrown into the very scary world of the operating room for another 6 months of terror. I really can’t believe I’ve come this far.
I wish I had some good news to report about prospective job offers, but there just aren’t any jobs out there. My OR director told me that as soon as something comes available she’ll let me know, but she can’t be 100% sure there will be anything soon. I’ve applied for everything I possibly can, but haven’t heard anything yet. Maybe I’ll get some good news before the week is up.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
may in review
May, happily, was a bit more interesting then April. We seemed to get a lot done around the house and got a new addition to our family!
* Vic and I assembled our new patio swing. It looks great NOW. It looked like (and was) a very daunting project unassembled in its cardboard box. And once again, it was confirmed that Vic and I don’t work well together. We always seem to get the project finished, but it’s never “yell-free.”
* We got a new back porch. Actually it’s still not 100% finished. Porch guy is coming back today to reattach the fence and hang some lattice. We’re very pleased with it, though, and hopefully I’ll have some pics to post next week.
* I started reading “Band of Brothers.” I really wanted something to read that had nothing to do with anatomy or dissection of any kind. I still have one week of school left, so I haven’t read as much of the book as I would’ve liked (too much studying), but I’m hoping to dive back into it next week.
* Vic and I attended our first Toledo Mudhens game. We had a blast. Minor league baseball games are a lot more fun to watch in person than the major league games. There’s more fun stuff to do between innings and it’s a heck of a lot cheaper!
* We welcomed Megan to our family. She’s been with us now for two weeks and seems to be adjusting well. But slowly. She’s still afraid to walk thru any doorway without her leash and collar, but sometimes she’ll accidentally drift into the kitchen before she realizes what she’s done, so I think that’s a small bit of progress. Also, we think she’s learned her new name (she was previously called Coco). I try to say it whenever I speak to her, so I think that helps. She loves to play ball (and crinkle the water bottle) and we’re still working on coming when called. We’ll never be able to replace Shannon, but Megan is a great dog and I’m glad she’s with a family that loves her!
* Vic and I assembled our new patio swing. It looks great NOW. It looked like (and was) a very daunting project unassembled in its cardboard box. And once again, it was confirmed that Vic and I don’t work well together. We always seem to get the project finished, but it’s never “yell-free.”
* We got a new back porch. Actually it’s still not 100% finished. Porch guy is coming back today to reattach the fence and hang some lattice. We’re very pleased with it, though, and hopefully I’ll have some pics to post next week.
* I started reading “Band of Brothers.” I really wanted something to read that had nothing to do with anatomy or dissection of any kind. I still have one week of school left, so I haven’t read as much of the book as I would’ve liked (too much studying), but I’m hoping to dive back into it next week.
* Vic and I attended our first Toledo Mudhens game. We had a blast. Minor league baseball games are a lot more fun to watch in person than the major league games. There’s more fun stuff to do between innings and it’s a heck of a lot cheaper!
* We welcomed Megan to our family. She’s been with us now for two weeks and seems to be adjusting well. But slowly. She’s still afraid to walk thru any doorway without her leash and collar, but sometimes she’ll accidentally drift into the kitchen before she realizes what she’s done, so I think that’s a small bit of progress. Also, we think she’s learned her new name (she was previously called Coco). I try to say it whenever I speak to her, so I think that helps. She loves to play ball (and crinkle the water bottle) and we’re still working on coming when called. We’ll never be able to replace Shannon, but Megan is a great dog and I’m glad she’s with a family that loves her!
Monday, June 01, 2009
nice, relaxing weekend
Saturday night Vic & I attended our first ever Toledo Mudhens game! The Mudhens are the AAA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. We really had a nice time. The stadium was quite a bit smaller than Comerica Park (where the Tigers play), but I think the hot dogs were better and the tickets were a heck of a lot cheaper. I wouldn't mind going again.
Sunday was spent just relaxing in the back yard. I studied a bit and Vic grilled a steak and we just vegged the whole day. This was a nice, relaxing weekend.
Note ~ our back porch is about 90% complete now. Finished photos should be coming soon!
Sunday was spent just relaxing in the back yard. I studied a bit and Vic grilled a steak and we just vegged the whole day. This was a nice, relaxing weekend.
Note ~ our back porch is about 90% complete now. Finished photos should be coming soon!
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