Fabulous Friday

The weather has finally (hopefully permanently) turned the corner! It's been sunny and in the 60s the past few days! So beautiful. Eli and I went back to Point Defiance Park yesterday to go hiking. It was so.much.fun. We packed a lunch which included my first attempt at granola!! We parked near the entrance of the park and hiked the Spine Trail which ran through the middle of the park to the very point of the peninsula. The overlook was gorgeous. It was a little bit of a bummer because there were a few clouds in the distance covering the mountains, but it was lovely all the same. It's so different from the parks back home. Trees everywhere and everything is so green. I just can't get over it!

Then we hiked down to Owen Beach. That was probably the best I've felt since we've come out here. It was sunny and warm and there is something comforting just being on a beach like that. We saw lots of critters! I found a sand dollar and I was SO psyched (I've never even seen one on a beach and I've been to Florida several times). Turns out the little guy was still alive so I tossed him back out into the water. We also saw a starfish a little way off shore and a squid or baby octopus on the beach! Owen Beach is a pebble beach so we were thankful for our hiking boots. We sat and soaked up the sun and just enjoyed each other's company. It was an awesome day!! ( Woods, Bridge Overlook, Owen Beach)

Busy Week

I knew this would happen---we'd get super busy once I started working and time would just start flying by! I worked Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday this week and it's funny to me because I'm starting to realize patients are patients no matter where you are. I find it comforting going to work because it's familiar to me. The weather is starting to get awesome out here! Last night there was a thunderstorm complete with hail and then 15 minutes later it was sunny! Today it's supposed to be in the mid 60s and sunny so Eli and I are going back to Point Defiance to hike. We're celebrating Easter tomorrow because I work on Sunday (it'll be my third Easter I've worked in a row!) and I'm making Applebee's copycat blondies. I'm SO excited!!!!! Salivating already :) (storm last night)

Macs and Cheese

My first day on my own went great! I felt a lot more laid back than I usually am-- I think I'll make it. It was sunny today so Eli and I went on a walk around a new park near our apartment. This one has a lake around it. It seems like everyone had their dogs out walking too, made us really want one. We also planned our first trip today! We're heading to San Juan Island to do some whale watching/biking. I'm SO excited!!! I'm pretty sure I've taken a ferry before, but this will be the first one I'll remember! (dinner tonight--best macs and cheese ever!)

Portland

We've had a great few days off! Monday we went on our usual run and I figured out that if I go my pace and not Eli's I don't feel like I'm going to vom. by the end of it! Then Tuesday we went to Portland to visit my younger sister Anna who was in town for a business trip!!!! Guys, we had so.much.fun. Eli drove the whole way (bless his heart) and we headed to the airport to pick Anna up. I always forget how small Eppley airport is back home, but this Portland one was organized and had lots of signage. We headed to the hotel so she could get her work done. After, we headed to a bridal salon to do a little dress shopping (fantastic experience) and then Anna and I went to Voodoo Doughnuts.

O.M.G. She gave up chocolate for Lent and stuck with it, I was so proud. Voodoo Doughnuts has all these crazy flavors (maple bacon, coco puff, grape, fruit loop). We got them in a fab. box and headed back to the hotel. I had a relationship with my doughnut. It was up there with one of the most amazing things I've ever eaten. The 'chocolate glaze' was like milk chocolate ganache. Worth every bite. After our crazy indulgence we headed out for an awesome seafood dinner and some vino. Followed by Splash (reality TV at it's finest) and hanging out in the room. It was an absolutely amazing day. Miss my sissy like crazy--wish our other one could have been there too :) (Voodoo Doughnut box; Doughnuts- Lemon Creation- filled with lemon cream, vanilla glaze, Dirty Bastard- raised doughnut with Oreos, peanut butter, and chocolate glaze, Voodoo Doll- raised doughnut with raspberry filling, and chocolate glaze)

Daisy

I finally had a legit day on the job! I oriented up on the Med/Surg floor, which was familiar to me. I'm finally getting acclimated to the hospital. So, Eli takes me to and from work. I meet him right outside the main entrance. Tonight I took a different elevator to meet him. Annnnnd I ended up lost in a parking garage, at night, alone. Awesome. Eli and I freaked out at each other a little bit :) Eventually, I hauled it up the hill and we figured it out! The only bad thing that happened at work today was I fell. Like on the floor, and hurt my knee and hip. In front of people. It mostly hurt my pride though. Back in Lincoln when a patient fell a page went out called a 'code daisy'. So today I had one myself!

First Week Recap

Things I've Learned So Far

- It's hard starting at a new place, be nice to yourself

- Be honest with what you can/can't do 

- Don't be afraid to speak up

- Don't be afraid to ask questions

- Everyone hates their first day

- There are great groups of staff anywhere you go

First morning at the hospital was rough. Getting lost three times trying to get to the right floor, admitting that I didn't know how to do skills they apparently thought I did, and looking five years younger than I am made for a really rough day. Everyone I came in contact with was very nice, but I left feeling pretty lousy. I made it through the first week though, and I feel like that is a really big accomplishment. 

Orientation Week

It's been a long exhausting week so far. I had three days of orientation two of which were orientation to a new charting system. It's a lot to learn. Tomorrow I start my orientation at the hospital on the critical care unit. I'm a little nervous since that is not my area of expertise, but a little excited because I wanted something new and challenging and BAM I'm getting that right off the bat. It's been kind of fun meeting other travelers that will be at the hospital with me! They've got lots of stories and experiences to share. I keep remembering what one of my favorite co-workers from back home told me, "Liz, get in there and do your job." I feel like that is giving me a lot of confidence right now--I'm going to get in there and do what I do best...be a nurse. (New scrubs--apparently I couldn't get away from blue)

First Day/Furniture

I didn't eat lunch by myself today!!! Backing up, today was my first day of orientation and I was so SO nervous. I even brought a toothbrush and toothpaste with me this morning because I thought I might get sick. Eli gave me a little pep talk on the drive into Tacoma and dropped me off. When I walked in the building there was a group of travelers already there waiting. Believe it or not, I've never had a long conversation with a traveler. It was really fun meeting so many other traveling nurses and hear their stories. I even met a couple nurses from my company and a few that would be working in the float pool with me! I got a lot of encouragement and positive words about the hospital I'll be at too. All in all--good experience. Now I get to spend the next two days learning their charting system--every nurses favorite thing (not!).

Then I came home to a furnished apartment with internet (good job Eli!!!) We got everything minus one box unpacked today. I have to share a closet--and a dresser--it's like being back in Chi Omega! I was super impressed by the furniture and housewares. Everything is really tasteful and homey. Really nice after two weeks in an extended stay!!! (Bedroom; Living Room; Kitchen)

Just Kidding

So we got to our apartment on Saturday and loooonnnng story short there was no furniture! Awesome. I called my recruiter right away who put us up in a hotel for the weekend (massive step up from an extended stay) and is taking care of the situation. Eli is going to be the moving rockstar tomorrow since he gets to be in charge of the furniture move-in and our internet installation. Tomorrow is my first day!!! I'm a bundle of nerves. Long tearful conversations with my mom and Eli. I think I'll feel better once I get things rolling. I picked out a business casual outfit that I feel really confident in--and I've gotten lots of encouragement from my Med/Onc fam. Hey guys, I went to buy scrubs today and since I can wear whatever I want I was psyched to try on prints/a different color than navy!! Guess what I ended up with?! Two navy bottoms and solid tops in varying shades of blue :) I guess it's a little different right? We're off to eat a cookies and watch Happy Gilmore...good night before first day of work!!

We Will Not Miss You

Dear Extended Stay, We will not miss you. We get to move tomorrow!!! Eli and I are so excited! Today I got our internet set up and it took forever. I got a little frustrated so we went on a nice long walk. It was sunny and warm (ish) this afternoon. We also bought a new scanner/printer so I feel prepared to start work--and now they make wireless printers--so awesome. Can't wait to show everyone pictures of our new place! (Dory Fish at the aquarium)

RDAs

RDAs stand for rainy day activities--it has been rainy here the past few days! Eli and I have been hanging out and getting ready to move. Tuesday we headed out for lunch in downtown Puyallup. We went to the Comfort Food Cafe and oh my gosh it was so good! All their food is organic/local and everyone that works there clearly loves their job. It was very tasty. Today I have my CPR class so Eli is driving me into Tacoma. We got great news from my recruiter yesterday---our housing assignment!! I'm psyched. Washer/dryer and not near train tracks! I got my first day instructions too! I'm excited to start working because I'm ready to have a schedule, but I'm nervous too. I think it was good Eli and I came out here early because it's given us time to adjust to the area and me enough time to get bored enough to be ready to go to work. (Flowers downtown)

Wildwood Park

What a fun weekend! The weather was awesome--it was actually sunny!!! We ventured out on our usual run by the river and decided to find a few new parks in the area. We stumbled upon Wildwood Park, which is near the hospital I'll be working at. Let me say that side of town is on a steep hill so the park is hilly, green, and lush. Plus on the drive up to the park you see Mt. Rainier and the mountains in Olympic National Park (we think). Your ears pop!

The park has two parts we like to run on. The first is a pedestrian only loop. The secondf inside the pedestrian loop is a trail that has different stations like a pull up station and a balance beam. Sunday, after Eli and I did the park we went into town and got coffee. The weather was so nice we enjoyed the coffee in the city park by the library. Observation: It seems like more people here have smaller dogs, specifically weenie dogs...some of them are pretty darn cute :) (Us in the park; Trail; Sign in the alley by the coffee shop--shout out HP fans!)

Weekend

I love weekends. I'll love them even more when we're living in our apartment, but this one has been pretty good! In the morning Eli reads and I mess around on the computer. Yesterday we went on a really long run and then ran to the store. Best part...there were girl scouts selling cookies!!!!!!!! I remember doing that at Bakers in Omaha. Naturally we had to buy a few boxes and that pretty much made my weekend. Cheers to the first whole week in Puyallup! (Tree Tunnel in Point Defiance Park; Puget Sound exhibit at the zoo; Glass Sculpture at glass museum)

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

Today we went to the zoo! I love zoos, but truthfully I've only ever been to two. I grew up very spoiled with the Henry Doorly Zoo--so that's what I compare to. PDZA is at the tip of Tacoma on a peninsula. The zoo itself is in the very middle of this area (which is absolutely beautiful). First impression--the zoo was smaller and more intimate feeling. A lot the exhibits had glass walls so you felt very close to the animals. The sidewalks were narrower and the landscaping of the zoo was amazing. It was very open and green. Eli and I started at the aquarium. Of course there were lots of colorful fish and a shark tank, but my favorite was a central large exhibit/tank dedicated to species that live in the Puget Sound. There were hundreds of huge fish in there--it was really cool. I like learning about the area we are in. My other favorite area in the zoo was the Arctic Tundra. The first large tank (which you could view from above and below the water) housed enormous walruses. They were older than we are!! Then there were sea lions and sea otters. We visited the Polar Bears too. Overall, very neat experience.

Then Eli and I drove around the park itself. We packed a lunch and ate overlooking the Puget Sound. We were planning on hiking, but it has been raining the past few days and the trails were really muddy. We were a little bummed, but are planning on going back for just hiking. The scenery was so lush and green you almost forgot you were in a city. Such a fun day! (Zoo Entrance; Aquarium; Puget Sound Exhibit; Point Defiance Overlook)