Notes from me to you

Wrong turns and Chapstick

2011-05-15T19:50:00.000-07:00

A few Sunday mornings ago, I was strolling down the street in a state of perma-grin due to my fairly recent arrival to this lovely city of San Francisco, when I noticed something odd ahead. It was a young guy, throwing what appeared to be a pebble at a window- over and over again. I thought it was kind of cute but felt as though the moment should have been his own- in other words, I felt embarrassed for him, assuming it was some sort of desperate act of humility.

For the next 1/2 block I averted my eyes, looking up at the buildings, trees, etc.. so as to pretend I didn't notice what was happening. But eventually, I had to cross his path and could no longer pretend I didn't see his determined attempt to reach whomever was on the other side of that window. So I moved forward with my head lowered, noted that it was actually Chapstick he'd been tossing at the window, looked up at him out of the corner of my eye with a "heh.. kind of awkward, but I'm not judging" grin on my face. And with a lovely combination of 95% confidence and 5% humility, he grinned back and said, "Yup. This is my life" and continued pelting the window.

I "Ha!" -ed out loud, replied "Awesome," as I continued on my way to the grocery store.

As someone who has started over adult life in a new place 1, 2, 3, 4, ..... 9. yes, 9 times in the last 4 years, I can appreciate that sentiment. More than appreciate, It seems I've embraced it, latched on to it and am now running with it as a sort of life motto. Life is full of these awkward, humbling moments, but without them, successes and ease couldn't be fully appreciated. I couldn't even count the number mistakes, wrong turns, or bad decisions I've made in my attempt of understanding this life and how I belong in it, but one thing I've come to realize and accept, is that with every new situation there is always a learning curve.

This moment of clarity came to me after a long bike ride home from the hospital one night when I got lost on the huge and horribly-signed campus of Stanford. I was going in circles, the basket was flying off my bike, and I nearly fell over- several times. I was on the verge of some serious tears (a few may have even slipped out), but I took a deep breath, reminded myself that I could be facing much bigger issues in life and that I needed to buck up- cause that's what grown ups do, right? :) And this is what happens when you start over all of the time, you make wrong turns!

Had I stayed in the beautiful Twin Cities, I think I'd have things pretty well-figured out by now... I felt like a quasi expert after having been there 8 years. I knew the fastest way to work, the hospital, it's policies and procedures, the unit, the drug regimens, the quirks, the things you just know after being in one place for a while. But I didn't stay, I followed my heart to California and Life took me for a wild ride to some fabulous adventures.

So thank you to my "friend" and his Chapstick, now when I get lost on my bike (which delays, even longer, sleeping after a night shift) because I thought I knew a faster way to get home, or when I screw up, forget something, or when, in my post-night-shift delirium I'm trying to cross the bay-to-breakers craziness and am nearly clobbered by a nudist running the streets of San Francisco, I can't help but laugh to myself and think, "Yup.. whatever this means, wherever it's taking me, 'this is my life' and I ... love it."

**disclaimer: Bay-to-Breakers 12K run through the city which is wildly popular for costumes, parties, and yes, the more than occasional nudist. It is, after all, San Francisco.

it's in the moments

2011-04-15T19:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends, :)

Well, it's safe to say that I was pretty much "not good" at blogging whilst in the ol 'Hond. Of course there are many reasons for this.. the first and most obvious being, "How can you sum up a week or a month when every day (or hour) feels like a week's worth of events have happened when you're in a state of constant learning and growth?" I mean, with 300-500 children around.. needing love, support, grace, encouragement, forgiveness.. and teaching you what unconditional love really is, how can every day not feel multiply-ably strenuous and indescribable? I certainly gained a wealth of appreciation for all of you amazing parents out there!! :)

When I got back, I decided to "hide" all of my blogs from the year. I guess I felt well, for one, worried that someone might see them and feel discouraged about the frustrating things to which I may have eluded, although I don't believe I did that very often. *laughs to self* I did write about killing cockroaches at 5am in the shower.. and feeling abandoned in the city :) But mainly I got rid of the blogs because I felt as though my not-well-thought-out-due-to-lack-of-time-to-think-straight writings were far too shallow to come close to communicating what that year was like.

Then I came home and was in a whirlwind of "find-job-get-recertified-for-all-things-nursing-see-family-try-to-see-friends-unpack-pack-and-cope-with-the-whiplash-of-change-you've-just-experienced-move-to-California-start-new-job, etc..." In other words, there wasn't a lot of time to "process things," so-to-speak. ;)

It wasn't until a girl, who is considering volunteering as a nurse on the ranch, wrote to me to ask me about my experience that I finally gathered my thoughts. When asked about my favorite experience, I wrote:

"... 'being there' for the kids, especially when they were in the clinic. Taking that extra time to spend with them. For example, when a little guy, 11-years-old, had fallen, bruised his eye and potentially had a concussion, he had to spend a few days in the clinic in "observation." But by Saturday evening it was clear he was a-ok and ready to go back to hogar (the house where he lived with boys his age). When I told him this, he grew instantly anxious and upset. He started crying saying he didn't want to leave the clinic. At first I figured it was because he was enjoying watching tv with the other kids, skipping out on hogar chores, and eating the special food the staff was making. And though my first thought was, "Oh come on, it's okay, let's go." Because let's be honest, it was Saturday evening which meant there was some kind of activity with all of the kids (I loved the weekend activities). But something nudged me to stop and inquire further.

So I sat down and asked him, "What's going on? What's wrong??" It took him a while to calm down enough to tell me he was scared to go back to hogar because they would make fun of him for his bruise. (!!!) Poor guy. I realized that this boy, just like any other young child (and adult, really) was terrified of being scrutinized by his peers. So we sat and we talked about his feelings, fears, the ranch and the world outside of the ranch, for kids and adults, for a long time. He then moved on to tell me he hadn't eaten dinner yet! ha.. so we got him some food and once his physical and emotional needs had been met, he finally felt brave enough to face his peers.

We headed to the outdoor auditorium but he wanted to sit outside, in the dark, close to everyone but not within sight. After a bit, he asked me if I wanted to go in and I said, "Sure, if you do." So we made our way in (I followed him) back to a corner of the auditorium and and looked on while the other kids performed and he hid the entire left side of his face with his hooded sweatshirt. It didn't take long before he was up and was running around, still with the side of his face covered, enjoying the night with his friends.

It was so simple, really, this child needed someone to stop and take the time to hear him out, to understand his fears and to encourage him. That which so many of us have taken for granted because we had parents who were there and nurtured us.

A month or so later, when I was leaving after our "last mass" on the ranch, amongst the craziness of saying goodbyes, he ran up to me and gave me a huge hug. Honestly, I hadn't again thought about that night we spent hanging out, talking.. but in this moment, this hug, I knew that he hadn't forgotten it. And for him, even just for that one night, I had made a difference. He knew someone cared enough to listen and be there for him. It was those moments that made everything (because there are times when I questioned it) worth it.

And I truly mean it. That's it.. I was no hero.. I didn't save the world, I didn't even save the program I was trying to improve, I wasn't "super-volunteer-of-the-year," but I was someone - an adult - who took the time to care.. and that is why I went- to love those kids because who doesn't need someone to care about them?

Oh "el rancho" ... it is a special place. It is far from an easy place, but a whole unique world that I'm convinced you cannot understand until you've been there, lived in it, made mistakes, been humbled, and been shown and given love, grace, and forgiveness .. but once you have, once you start to understand the place, the good and the bad become absolutely beautiful and much more than "worth it."

I was only there 13 months.. some will be there for 2 years, some have been there their entire adult lives, but it is a place, and an experience impossible to neatly/succinctly "sum up."

I guess this is about as close as it gets for this girl.

Thank you to all of you who supported me through prayers, phone calls, care-packages, cards and love. They meant and strengthened me more than you could ever know!

Love and Peace

Laura

sweet sweet claire

2009-12-01T10:03:00.000-08:00

a Big Apple affair

2009-11-21T06:04:00.002-08:00

"New York remains what it has always been: a city of ebb and flow, a city of constant shifts of population and economics, a city of virtually no rest. It is harsh, dirty, and dangerous, it is whimsical and fanciful, it is beautiful and soaring - it is not one or another of these things but all of them, all at once, and to fail to accept this paradox is to deny the reality of city existence." -Paul Goldberger

Ok, its official.. I can finally join the list of those who "heart NYC" It comes a surprise to me, as well! I've always appreciated rural, small-town, community life, even more so after moving from metropolis to metropolis. However, my affinity for cities, especially the city of all American cities, has been more like that of an acquired taste.

In fact, distaste used to reside on my palate of judging urbania when I thought of the Big Apple- too crowded, too dirty, too much. It wasn't until I'd lived in Baltimore for nearly a year, that I could even fathom the "charm" of cities so big and old and disorganized. The understanding came to me slowly, but now I can't seem to get enough of the grit, busyness, energy, architecture.

On my latest date with NYC, my dear friend Sheena and I wandered around Greenwich all afternoon in search of a wine bar (that was open in the early afternoon). This led to stumbling upon an intricate jewelry store smaller than most modern bathrooms, beautiful old churches, sculptures, funny eclectic shops, old Irish pubs, strangely named establishments, a lovely Italian restaurant with great wine (and coolly charmed service), which then led also to a fun and unexpected evening of Guinness, pizzeria, espresso and dessert with our lovely Italiano tender of the bar. :)

The next two days were of similar form.. I was with my very best friend from college with whom I can always be just me, just silly, goofy, sometimes annoyingly giddy and over-analyzing me.. our friendship is perhaps what makes being in NY so comfortable and fantastic. We strolled through busy streets, thrift shops, stores, and more.. then spent the next day in Central Park. That day it was rainy but still, amazing. We were on the runners path for a while and the fog drifted gently around the middle of the buildings hiding the rooftops from our site. Yet, despite the gray skies, the trees with its fall-colored leaves painted the most beautiful picture- a perfect backdrop for a couple getting married, in the rain, with only a pastor and a photographer (and random passerbys) to witness. In the spirit of New York, the groom wore a gray sweater, pants and a tie while she wore an ivory dress with red heels. What a wonderful, simple thing to witness.

So, My Dear New York.. thank you for hosting a once again lovely visit.. for being ever-inspiring, the best.. and the worst of hosts, comforting yet aloof. I couldn't be more thankful for the opportunities I've had to get to know you and to spend time with you, your people, your craziness.. Someday maybe I'll even make you my home in you and my livelihood in one of our lively neighborhoods.. a little cafe with espresso by me and cakes by Sarah... a dream..

vague realities

2009-10-10T17:10:00.001-07:00

Through these days
I move swiftly
gliding into new lives
strangely leaving others
faces, memories, landscapes
are moving faster
my memory can't capture
floating in my heart
puzzling me, lovingly
once unknown
but now so close
feeding my dreams,
enhancing my hopes
becoming my reality
becoming me

California- take two

2009-05-30T04:10:00.009-07:00

"Live from the other side
things are pretty groovy and the tide is high
catch a rhythm and enjoy the ride
baby take it easy." -Don McCloskey

Hey folks! So.... Denver was good. :) It was great actually, and now I'm back here on the west coast, enjoying the lovely Pacific breeze, beach, and sun, and waiting to find out what happens next! This isn't necessarily where I hoped or expected I'd be 4 months ago, and though it gets a little thick when wading through the mud in the journey of life.. life is still.. well, good. The road has taken some unexpected turns but God continues to put stellar people in my life who have not just walked with, carried, and guided me along the way, they have taken me on adventures and loved me like they'd known me for years! I have been blessed and I couldn't be more thankful!!

My job is also not what I expected, but good. Turns out I'm basically taking a break from nursing- mentally, emotionally, and physically. I knew I'd be working in an outpatient oncology setting, but I didn't realize how few responsibilities I'd have. I start IV's in the morning for CAT scans and see patients with the surgeons in the afternoons. And by seeing patients, I mean literally, just seeing. I work with a group of oncology surgeons and one other nurse. Her and I accompany the male docs in the room while seeing patients and assist the females with anything they need. There are two doctors for whom I am the primary nurse during their clinic and though they are very different, they are both absolutely fantastic.

(On a side but important note.. while you're lifting up your prayers today, please include my friend, Becca, who has diagnosed with breast cancer, as she is currently going through chemo.. not to mention everything else that comes along with the diagnosis)

The other element of work that I love is the other nurses- just great people! There is a group of us, all around the same age that gets a long really well. Most of us are travelers, so we do a lot together.

I've also found a great Catholic church in Santa Monica that has a hugely active young adults ministry. I went on a spiritual retreat with them to this beautiful retreat center nestled in the mountains of Malibu that overlooked the ocean, hills and no-doubt some famous peoples' homes. ;) The timing couldn't have been more appropriate for me in being surrounded by the very things that remind me of God's presence in the world, nature and relationships.

Just last weekend, my friend Lindsey flew in to visit!!! She was here from MN last weekend and we had ourselves "a good ol' time (quote Gladys).. breakfast on the beach, unexpected shopping spree, trip to the national park in the santa monica mountains, bbq with friends in backyard, music on the promenade and just a lot of time to hang out. And to top things off, my dearest Gruber will be here next weekend!!!! What a blessing to have some of my closest friends be also close in proximity!!

So.. that's life now! Amongst all of these blessings and gifts, I face a bit of daunting challenge that I don't know where I belong in this country (and/if/or internationally). In a strange and unfamiliar way, the future is unclear as though there are thousands of roads to take and no clear sign or reason to go down any of them. I've learned and accomplished more than I had hoped to as a travel nurse, and feel ready to be done with this transient life. I am putting my feelers (resumes) out in many realms of work and volunteer, while being open to whatever God might have in store. Your prayers and support have been and are always greatly appreciated.....

A big thanks to all of you whom I got to see while back in MN for Jill D's wedding!! Though I have been so blessed with great friends out here and in every state in which I've lived during this travel gig, there's something so indescribably comforting about friends from home. I love you all so much... and miss the days of seeing you frequently! I hope and pray that one day I will be back in the Twin Cities (or close by) for good!!!

Much love and many thanks,
Laura

My current anthem :)

2009-05-07T00:34:00.004-07:00

a prayer by Thomas Merton:

My Lord God,

I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I can not know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself.

And the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.

And I hope that I will have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear

for you are ever with me and will never lead me to face my perils alone

Loving Life out West

2008-11-11T20:46:00.006-08:00

Hello family and friends!!

I'm now writing to you live from a mile high and I am thrilled to report that all is going quite well in Denver!! I've been here for about 3 weeks and its been a blast! God has certainly been taking beautiful care of me, for which I'm ever so thankful.. and here to tell you all about it! :)

My first Sunday here, I walked to the Cathedral for mass. I received a phone call as I was walking there that brightened my day! It was my old roomie from B'more and our friend, Mulligan, calling on speakerphone to say hi! Totally brightened my night! Then, after mass had ended, I was getting up to leave when I heard my name!! Shocked, as you can imagine, seeing as though I don't really know anyone here, I looked up and saw Melissa, a girl I used to work with in MN! I did actually know that she was living here but we hadn't yet connected and I certainly didn't know she was Catholic and went to mass at the Cathedral! ha! We ended up finding a cute little bistro in the neighborhood and having some great food and wine, while catching up. It was such a wonderful surprise, because she's such a great girl! We had a fun night!

That following Thursday, the Daley's (the parents of my friend, Jill, from MN whom I'd recently spent a lot of time with) called me up to tell me they were in town and wanted to have dinner! So we met up and the food and wine were awesome but their company was the best! I just love them. So after not even having been in this new city for two weeks, I'd gotten to spend time with several people from MN that I adore. It was as though home came to me, like a mother, to get me comfortable and settled in, in my new home of Denver. Just awesome!

Along the lines of things to be thankful for, another leap of faith in apartment-renting has worked out beautifully! Not only is my new home apartment quaint, with wooden floors, a beautiful kitchen, patio, nice-size living room, eating area, etc.. :) its location is just what I was hoping for. I am, like I said, blocks from the Cathedral, as well as Whole Foods, a whole slew of cute restaurants, bars, coffee shops, museums, a YMCA, a yoga studio, and only a mile from work.. I think I've driven my car twice in the last week! I love it!! There are also a few parks nearby and one that has the perfect running path.

ah, see, after having been running 5 miles, I have decided to take this running thing to the next level :):) and run a half-marathon in January with my dear friend, Ingrid, who now lives in Albuquerque. Knowing that this was coming up, I knew I had to start up with the running as soon as I got here, and I must say that my body took a beating when I went on my first few runs up here! Its incredible what moving from sea level to the "mile high city" can mean for your heart and lungs! I watched my heart rate (on my wrist watch) soar into the 180's in a matter of seconds! I've probably only run about 25 miles since I've been here, I can already tell that my body is adjusting quickly.

I also joined a yoga studio nearby as a means of cross-training. The beginners classes I go to are in a "warm" environment so it isn't the "super hot" yoga, but I am drenched and exhausted when I leave. My body shakes and my muscles ache more than they ever have after a run, but it's awesome and in its own strange way, it actually is relaxing!

Joining me on this adventure of discovering Denver is my new friend, Robynn. :) Like myself, she is new in town and a nurse at the same hospital. We met during orientation and have been running (literally) around and having a blast since the day we met. We have a lot similar interests (faith, food, wine, beer, running, family, outdoors, etc) but have completely different paths/life-stories, so its been great getting to spend time with her. We've joined a couple of running/social groups together which means we've been on some good runs and met some really fun people.

Yes, so things really have been going quite well. I am liking work, enjoying the city and meeting great people. I was really excited to have some visitors during my first week and and look forward to hosting many more.. :):)

I hope this finds all of you doing well, and thanks again for checkin' in!

This is Laura, signing off..

until next time. Peace and Love.

Mid-West Adventures!

2008-10-14T22:44:00.007-07:00

wow... who knew how great returning home could be for the spirit!? :-)

I hadn't been to St. Paul since January and that was far too long.. I was excited to see everyone, the the days were filled seeing so many people that I love at some of my favorite places in the cities.. and it all turned out amazing!

On one of my last days in town, I went on an hour-and-a-half run, about which I was quite excited, first of all because I once believed I had some crazy compartment syndrome of my legs and couldn't run... so now, even though it takes me 9-10 minutes to run a mile, :0) I can do it and I love it!! Plus, because I was in a city that is so dear to my heart, I was totally distracted for most of the run... happily reminiscing the 8 years of memories.

As I made the 1/2 mile trek across the high bridge from the West Side.. I looked down on the city of St. Paul and saw remnants of my heart and its fondest memories. United Hospital.. Grand Avenue, the Cathedral, the Capital, the tops of houses poking out through the trees.. it was a nice little moment of time to look out at the city and be thankful for the amazing 8 years I spent in it as a resident.. from a naive and excited 18-year-old leaving home for the first time, to a hopeful and tearful 26-year-old setting out into the world beyond the comforts of a city that had become like home.

Thanks to everyone who made the efforts to meet up... you have no idea how good it was for my heart and spirit to be amongst you all. Each of you holds such an important and special place in my heart.. even those of you whom I wasn't able to see or those who no longer live in St. Paul but spent many of those years with me.. thank you. And thanks for inviting me to your wedding, Aud. It was such a joy to be there with you!

The last leg of my trip was spent in Iowa celebrating the birth of my fantastic and inspiring Grandma who turned 80! Its crazy to think she's been alive for 80 years.. especially since she hasn't aged since.. I can't remember when, if anything, she's gotten in better shape and continued to make her lifestyle more healthy and more active! A true inspiration for all who know her!!

Also spent a night out with a few cousins and the brothers celebrating brother Daniel's 27th b-day. A very fun night involving a huge bonfire, hay rack ride the bar to Long Grove, an entire night of karaoke excitement, and getting to see people I haven't seen in years! Thanks to Meghan for planning a fun night out for Daniel's birthday!

Well, needless to say, the ten days flew by and I am now back in DC on my last of 3 shifts at NIH. I have a few fun things in the books for my last week here and then I start the drive to CO. I canNOT wait to live in Denver.....

Thanks again to you all for brightening my heart!
I love and miss you people, dearly.

lkm

Go WEST!

2008-08-24T23:51:00.010-07:00

Hello!!!

I've not updated in a while mostly because I am working nights more than I've ever done so in the past. This facility has me working 40hrs of nights a week. :-/ There is a reason 98% of acute care nurses do not work full time when giving patient care- it is exhausting. Meh... what are ya gonna do? Just appreciate the good things that come with this job....

Like being in new parts of the country!!! I haven't yet spent a great deal of time in downtown DC, but I plan to on my last few days here! This weekend, I'm going to take advantage of living close(-ish) to NY and sneak up to the city to pay a visit to my dearest Miss Gruber!!!! I've been to the city 3 or 4 times for short little trips and haven't really done the typical touristy things one normally does in NY, so that is our goal for the weekend.. tourist geeks! See the Statue, ride the Ferry, cross the Bridge, etc! On a side note, I must say that my heart was crushed when she told me that the infamous Central Perk coffee shop from my favorite sitcom, Friends, was not an actual place. I could've sworn someone told me it was, but then again that may have been the "Life Cafe" referenced in Rent. oh well ;)

Next weekend I'll be heading to Philly!! My cousin, Lindsey, recently moved from central Illinois to Philly to be with her boyfriend, so I hope to see her along with my past, dearest roommate from B'more, Sandy!!! Sandy took a position as an assistant basketball coach at a university there and to be closer to her girlfriend. I miss my Sandy and am very excited to see her and spend some time in the city of Philadelphia!!

Life is DC has been... fine. The location of the place I'm living is lovely. Our house is across the street from Rock Creek park which is a beautifully wooded area- a great place for trail running when there's time and energy! :) We often see deer running around the area and once spotted a fox. :)

Working at NIH has been quite interesting and challenging. I've enjoyed many things about it and as with any oncology setting, have met some fantastic people (patients) and some wonderful nurses. I've become friends with a lovely, quirky woman who has brought much joy and entertainment to my hours of work! She has traveled the world, having lived in Africa and Europe for half of her life, and is the president of the 2-CV car club (an old French version of the beetle). She is an amazing woman about whom a book should be written!! Her life has been filled with many adventures and its been fascinating to spend time with her!

In general, this assignment has been fine, but I will not be sad to leave it. Though I will be very bummed to be leaving the area only weeks after my dearest Jake moves here. :( We have been close friends since the days of Concordia and he and his girlfriend are moving here next week. Hopefully, we will get to spend a few days hanging out before I go...

I will also be very sad to bid an official farewell to Baltimore and the wonderful friends I've been blessed with whilst living there (and here.. I still go back quite often!). It has been a wonderful home for a year and these friends have become an important part of my life and heart... :( it will be a tearful departure, indeed.

That departure will begin on October 20/21st when I start my drive west. And yes! It is official.. I've a position at a small little hospital in Denver that is trying to expand its Oncology unit. I am still working on finding housing, via craigslist (say a prayer!!) but I am hopeful that all will fall into place. I am very excited to finally get the opportunity to live in Denver and there is a good possibility that my family will be coming out for Christmas!!

So... I guess that's the update. Please pray for a safe journey as I make my way out west- solo, this time!!!

much love to you all,
lkm

home sweet.. temporary?

2008-07-14T06:42:00.002-07:00

The adventure of DC begins!!

Leaving Baltimore and the 45-minute drive, though obviously short, was emotional. I told a friend last night that it was as though all the emotions I'd experienced during my mini-life in B'more came came rushing back.. a purging of the heart, you might say. Fortunately for me (and my heart), I was able to talk to one of my best friends, Ingrid, on the phone for the last half of the drive and share many of the emotions I was experiencing with her. A blessing, indeed!

I got to the new house around 5pm. Three other people are living here but they are all out of town, so it was just me and my music as I put all of my clothes and temporary-living-belongings away. By 10pm I had finished unpacking and organizing and had done two loads of laundry. By that time I was pretty hungry so I made some dinner with the veges from my last "farmers' market with the girls," had a glass of wine, spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how to turn on the TV, the sound, and whatever kind of crazy cable thing we have... then not surprisingly, crashed on the couch and later made it to my bed.

My bed.. a whole new subject. The bedroom is furnished, which is a blessing, but the mattress is either 50 years old or the cheapest one a person could buy 20 years ago. :) I see plywood and egg-crates in my near-future. ;) The dresser, though seemingly old and sturdy, is a piece.... seriously, this thing is practically non-functioning. None of the drawers open as they should and 3 of the 4 require slamming to be shut. Luckily, my closet is wide and I have organization inserts so I was able to put all of my clothes in the closet (save the "personals" which are in the 1 drawer you don't have to slam). hee

Well, sigh.. here I am, continuing on with this odd but exciting experience of moving to different cities and starting over. I must say, though sad to leave some great people behind in Baltimore, my heart feels light, like starting over should. I also can't wait to have Jake (one of my bests from MN) living in the neighborhood!! There's nothing like having a little piece of home keep you company in foreign land.

Oh!! But before I really start life in DC, I've been blessed with an extra week off (but cursed with it not being paid). Nonetheless, I'm taking this opportunity to fly home to the Quad Cities, make a trip to Des Moines to see my girlfriends and their families, then a trip to Bean Town (Decatur, IL) where big brother and his family live. While I'm there, I'll also get to celebrate my friend Scotty's b-day, see my cousins, annnnd we'll all get to go out and see our favorite band, 56 Hope Road! I used to make these kinds of roads trips all of the time (well, a few times a year) to see fam, friends, and band, but its now been over a year since a trip like this and it couldn't come at a better time. My heart needs a little home, a little love and little time with old friends.

Baltimore, I thank you..

DC, I can't wait to know you..

Home, I will soon be with you!

Much love from the lands of transition,
Laura

turn your volume down!! :)

2008-06-24T19:44:00.015-07:00

This evening I was sitting on the roofdeck, thinking about how I should write a blog when I decided I should write it now, on the deck atop the roof of my home in B'more.. I'm sure it may sound sappy, and thus, very laura-like, of me to reminisce the last nine months I've spent in this town over a blog, then again, you probably expect it. :)

So, here I am.. savoring every moment left in this city, in this home, with these friends, this roommate, these co-workers, patients, etc. And I am taking it all in.. the breeze, the slightly humid air, the city lights, the black void in the near-distance that is the harbor at night, the neighbor's dog barking, the bright orange lights of the city-icons, Domino Sugar and Natty Bo, street lights, traffic, the not-so-distant train whistles, fire sirens, helicopters and planes, construction cranes, the new town homes that block my view of downtown, and the random fireworks shooting off over the cityscape for a reason of which I'm unaware.. and.. I am thankful. I am incredibly thankful and I want to remember what this feels like forever.

I never would have imagined all of this into my life.. all of the people I have met here whom I love, whom I would forever consider dear friends, those who would break my heart, and those whose hearts I might have broken... the things I would do, the places I'd see. So much has happened and all I can say, is how thankful I am. Even for the broken hearts because, well, there's always more to learn in life, isn't there? :) Someday, I'll have it figured out! ;)

(A sunrise over the harbor. I woke up one morning at the break of dawn, looked out my window and saw this- had to capture it!!)

Tonight as I gaze out over the city, I wonder if there are actually any words that I can attach to the million emotions I feel as I think back on the last nine months.. words that will help me forever remember these moments? I don't think there are.. so I guess instead of gushing anymore, I shall reside in saying "thank you." :) Thank you to all of those who have been a part of this beautiful journey.. and as my days in Baltimore come to an end, know how I have appreciated your unending support (at work and at play, in love and loss), your prayers, love, and friendship.. and as always, I welcome any prayers for the quickly approaching transition into the next city, the next hospital, the maintenance of the relationships I've formed in Baltimore, and of those to come.

From my very emotion-filled heart
upon the roof-deck,
laura

Iowa and CNN

2008-06-20T07:21:00.017-07:00

This is a rant.. so forgive me. I don't normally use this space of internet to express my feelings of negativity, but I can't seem to find anywhere else to do so... ;)

Unless you live under more of a socially-unaware rock than I, surely you've noticed the flooding in the Mid-West, as its sprawls over every major national news station and likely even your local reports. Even in my brief moments of news-watching while eating a bowl of cereal, I have seen the floods of Cedar Rapids, Burlington, and Iowa City saturate television.

It was shocking and saddening to see these familiar cities under water, Cedar Rapids, for me, especially... a town I started to consider home throughout my eight years of driving from St. Paul to DeWitt. Once I hit CR, I knew all I had left was an hour of Hwy 30 and all the little towns with which I was oh-so-familiar. CR felt like home.

Now, as the flood waters head south on the mighty Mississippi, St. Louis is starting to worry. I caught a glimpse of this during my omelet-after-work news-watching session last night. A reporter from CNN was walking around St. Louis with a city-planner and a man who researches levies. As they walked near the river, arch in the background, one of the men spoke of all the urban structures that would be affected by the floods if indeed the levies failed. The CNN reporter responded by saying, "So we're not just talking about farm land, here? We're talking about major urban development.." in a very news-reporter urgent tone.

A sudden urge of anger rushed through my body at that moment.. "not just farm land." Oh he didn't just say that???? Ok, dude, I understand that the threat of death increases dramatically when we're looking at the potential flooding of an enormous city vs. farm land. But he wasn't even talking about people- he was commenting on the buildings, the city structures. Again, I disclaim, i get that these are important, too.. as are those in CR, Iowa City, etc.

I think what happened, is his ignorance crept up on him while he was attempting to empathize with the city planner and he accidentally let it slip that he thinks farmland is less important that city buildings. oops! Does he know that he depends on the crop of the mid-west every day? That the mid-west produces the corn that feeds the cows that feed his family and provides them milk? Or how about soy beans.. ever heard of ADM? Maybe not yet (he probably will when the new movie with Matt Damon comes out), but I guarantee he uses products made with soy beans every day. Sadly, its not just he who lives in ignorance of the importance of farmland.. he just happened to slip up on national television (and I wonder how many people caught it or thought about what he said like I did). People just don't get it.. the entire world depends on the mid-west.

I suppose this annoyance has been building as I travel the coasts of this country and watch people of all class, education-level, and race react when I say I'm from a small town in Iowa. A lot of blank stares.... "Iowa, huh? Where is that? How do you spell Iowa? Corn-huskers? Potatoes? Oh, I've heard of Columbus." Nope, that's Ohio, dude. Some people are up on their politics and at least understand Iowa's impact on the presidential primary race.

Normally when people don't know about Iowa, it merely humors me. Its easy to get wrapped up in your own little bubble of life and forget what you learned about the outside world in grade school, I get that. What bothers me, are the people who are pretentious on top of being ignorant- who think that some little city and farm land in Iowa doesn't matter, all the while being completely clueless of their dependence on that very land and its crop. "oh.. heh heh, corn fields, riiight." As if the farmers just plant the corn, play around in it for a while, knock it down and start over again. Really, I honestly think that many people outside of the mid-west (and even many lifer-city-dwellers in the mid-west) don't actually think about what it means to be a farmer, how their crop is used, and how what they do is extremely important in our world and economy.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no worldly-affairs expert. I'd be the first to admit my ignorance in that realm. So as important as the mid-west crop is to the world, I'm sure there's something of equal importance of which I am completely unaware. However, I am not a national news reporter, nor do I feel as though Iowa is better than the rest of the world (though I do have a certain affinity for it), nor do i think farmers are more important than anyone else, its just that they ARE important.. as important as all the other professions that make this economy tick. And farmland is important, imperative, in fact, and I wish people understood that. I wish people would try to think outside their box of life- shame on you Mr. CNN reporter!!!!

End-Rant. Happier notes next time!! :)

love,
me (the proud daughter, grand-daughter, great-granddaughter of mid-west farmers)

just another update...

2008-06-12T14:26:00.006-07:00

Hello!

I'm getting a little lax on blogging, aren't I? Work has been draining.. emotionally, physically.. all those -ally's but the respite on the weekends has been fun and I'm grateful to have had time off to attend the gatherings :) Here are a few shots:

clearly having fun in b'more.. celebrating birthdays (sarah and berny).

All is well, with struggles here and there, moments of complete humility along with words of affirmation have filled the past few weeks with a lot of emotion... which I can't help but imagine is being inflated the lingering idea of another move quickly approaching. I'm at Hopkins until mid-july at which point I'll say good-bye (party on the roof-deck) and head south to start at NIH. I'm nervous, excited, reluctant, and anxious to start, all at the same time. NIH will be completely different than any place I've yet worked. The unknown can be so daunting.. although, it seems that each place I've been, thus far, has been a complete new and different experience, as well. So.. cheers, eh? Here's to the travel gig, to saying goodbye to home in b'more and figuring out what life in DC will mean for Laura. I'm sure there will be some fun stories.

Oh.. here's a fun, random story. iPod ear phones.. so hard to keep them in your ears, especially while running.. those buggers just weren't designed to stay in. After complaining about this to my audiologist friends (I was seriously wondering if my ears were different than the rest of the world), Mariah offered to mold my ears and make plug-attachments for my ipod headphones!! I had no idea this was an option but I was very excited to do it! So Mariah and Andrea came over after work one night..
"The Consultation"

This is Mariah putting the goop in my ears that would soon reveal my very curvy ear canals and be sent off for molding.

And then what better way to celebrate ear molds than to flip for free drinks at Flip night? :)

Its been crazy hearing about the flooding in eastern Iowa :( Thanks to those of you who've been checkin' in and praying for those who are being affected by the floods. Cedar Rapids has been hit the hardest (my hometown is about an hour southeast) I have a handful of aunts, uncles, and cousins who live there- it sounds as if they are ok and safe at this point.. just having to find creative ways to get around. Wind storms have hit my parents' farm and knocked a few buildings and trees over. Dad said he felt the posters of their bed shake against the wall last night.. but somehow that 100+ year-old farm house is still standing! Amazing!! Fortunately for my father's crop, he just had his fields re-tiled last fall so the water is being directed underground and not allowed to just sit on the topsoil.

Mom is currently here visiting and we've been running all over having a great time. Last night we grilled out with the girlfriends and had dinner and sangria on the roofdeck- so much fun! I am a big fan roof-decking! Today we got massages, had lunch and took off for DC. I showed her the house where I'll be living on the outskirts of town then we rode the Metro to downtown and took a nighttime bike tour of the National Mall. The weather was absolutely perfect and the city is incredible.. all the history, monuments, memorials! Its my first time seeing the city! I can't wait to live close by and start exploring!

On a somber note, please keep Nolan (my friend, Ingrid's nephew who has a stage 4 sarcoma) in your prayers.. along with his family. And while you're at it, would you mind tossing out a prayer for a recent patient we had with an aggressive, painful, terminal cancer (just a few years younger than myself). bah.. cancer.. there is nothing fair about it.. we can only hope and pray for their strength, our grace and moments of peace while dealing with such a horrible disease.

I hope everyone is well.. I miss you all! I will be doing the usual "tour de mid-west" (Twin Cities-Des Moines-DeWitt) this fall while I'm home for the wedding of my dear Audrey and hopefully catching a little harvest-time on the farm. Oh.. sorry for not warning you about my my e-mail change. No excuse, just hate being the person who sends that e-mail out every two years. :) please let me know if you need it! Blessings!

All my love,

Laura

i'm baaaaaaaaaacckkk

2008-05-15T06:04:00.007-07:00

hello friends!

It seems as though I've taken a little hiatus from blogging... so what's new? how about a little update? I'll be moving to the DC area in July to start my next assignment at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD (NW DC). Very excited about all the new challenges and opportunities that this job and move will bring, as well as friends... I keep finding out about more and more people who are either living in, or will soon be moving, to DC!! Actually, one of my dearest and closest friends from MN, Jake, will be starting a new job in DC and will be moving there in September. I couldn't be more excited.. I adore this man.
Friends, Becca and Jamie, showing off the Inner Harbor.

I've also been blessed by a new friendship! Jamie is another travel nurse I met while working at Hopkins.. a great girl! She, our friend from work, Becca, and I have been spending a lot of time together running around Baltimore- its been a lot of fun. Jamie will start on the same floor at NIH a month before me, so I'm very excited to have the opportunity to spend more time with her at work and at play..watch out DC! ;)

This is Jamie, Becca, and myself sitting on Federal Hill that overlooks the Inner Harbor.

A couple of other friends I know through friends in St. Paul will soon be re-locating to DC, as well. And.. of course, all my dear friends in Baltimore will only be a hop, skip, and jump away.. I foresee a few weekend trips back to b'more to rock the Federal Hill scene, go to the farmer's market, and of course, some tasty brunch. Baltimore has become like a home to me and I will be sad to say goodbye to these people who have been great friends.

I'm also learning a lot about myself as I look back on how I sort of mold into new cities, situations, and friendships. I've always sort of realized that I was a "molder," that I adapt.. (I guess we all do in some ways, some easier than others) but I've realized that at times, I've really lost myself.. lost sight of who I am and who I want to be. It's hard, but realizing it has been eye-opening and I rest assured that my heart and spirit are being refined and I pray for peace as I forge ahead in this life-style of continual change.

And... today marks the end of my first "kickball season." So we weren't exactly a winning team, but let's just say "at least we had fun!" :) Which, we really did. I'm so happy that in my little stint in b'more I was able to get in on a kickball season.. how fun! Thanks, friends!

Finally, I know there are many of you who are rock star prayer warriors.. Ingrid's 4-year-old nephew, Nolan, has been diagnosed, for the 2nd time, with cancer- sarcoma. :( :( :( Please see her blog (as listed on the side) for details and please take a moment to offer up a prayer for Nolan, his parents, Eric and Beth, their future baby (in womb), Ingrid, and their entire family as they work through another round of chemo, doctor's appointments, and so on. God bless Nolie and the Johnson's.

Peace to you, friends.

xoxo
lkm

Home

2008-04-16T07:17:00.008-07:00

The Mangan Grandkids (sans Dave)

I will forever consider myself blessed to have such a wonderful and numerous extended family, all from the same, sweet little Iowan town. I love that almost every one of my 30 aunts and uncles graduated from the same high school and thus, know each other. I love that even some of the teachers I had in high school knew my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, and cousins. Sometimes, they accidentally called me by my mom's name. :) And the fact that this huge, fantastic family I am blessed to call mine, came from four people, two marriages.. in one town... makes me smile.

Going home and getting to be with family is a special gift of time.. this weekend, I got to be with my dad's side of the family..

Dad and his sibs

Even though you don't ever really want to go home for a funeral.. because obviously, it means you've lost someone you love, there really is (or can be) something uniquely comforting about being with the family at such a time. Perhaps its because almost everyone is there. Suddenly jobs, in-laws, events, etc have dropped on the priority list and nothing other than geography and perhaps a much too expensive plane ticket can prevent the family from coming home.

There's also something very encouraging about watching a family like this function together throughout such a hard time. I watched them as they greeted one another, gathered together, supported each other, made decisions (or tried;), made meals, served each other, loved each other (each in their own unique ways), laughed, prayed, cried, told stories, talked about the future, etc. And I just couldn't help but continue to feel more and more blessed to be a part of this family. In fact the more I witness their kind, gentle, humble ways of reacting, dealing, and coping, I found myself longing to be more like them and just wanting to be with them.

i was also able to spend some great quality time with my immediate fam.... also for which i'm incredibly thankful.

One thing we were all thankful for, was the way Grandma passed away. It wasn't totally unexpected as her health had been teetering in the last few years, but she always seemed to bounce back in the spring, so I think we were all kind of hoping for that same come-back. She had been sitting in her chair "up north" as they liked to say, she'd been reaching out and saying her mother's name (isn't it crazy, that even at 86 years old, you still call out for your mother, your need for a mother never dies), she got up to go to the bathroom and called out for my uncle, "Tom! where are you?" "Right here, Mother," he said as he held his arms out and she fell back in them. Tom called out for his sister, Grandma's oldest daughter, Mary, who called an ambulance and then kneeled down next to Grandma, wrapped her arms around her and told her how much everyone loved her. What a beautiful, peaceful way to go.. isn't that what we all wish for our loved ones? wow...

And even though she'd already left earth.. I like to think her funeral was a beautiful sending-off celebration of her amazing life and contribution to the world. though I'm so glad the family had been celebrating her birthdays for the last decade that she was still alive.

I love these pictures.. the big family pictures.. and seeing what Grandma and Grandpa created.. and I can't help but wonder about all the millions of ways each of them, their children, grand-children and great-grandchildren have effected lives.. essentially, all of the ways Grandpa and Grandma's marriage has changed the world..

The Grandkids, their spouses and children, missing 12 people

It was good to go home... and though the reason for gathering was somber, there were so many blessings of the time spent with family. It was great to see some of my mom's family as they, too, are an amazing family and part of what makes home, home. I hope and pray that there will continue to be gatherings for this family. Its sad knowing grandma will no longer be in her chair, up north, (conserving more than she uses).. its sad to think how long it will be until we get to be in the presence of this amazing woman again, to hear her stories, to watch her live, but mostly, I'm sad for my father and his siblins.. who lost their mother, but the comfort comes in knowing that the joy of her life and spirit, her humble nature and inspirational way of living life, will forever carry on through the legacy of her family..

"If anyone had a straight ticket to heaven, its Mary Mangan." -Father Harness

Amen, Father!

Here's to you, Grandma!

2008-04-07T19:45:00.005-07:00

Grandma M has left us for the heavens.. and though we're all sad to say goodbye and we'll miss her dearly, I think she's probably relieved to be done with the body that was failing her undying spirit. It sounds as though the her departure from Earth was quick and peaceful. She'd recently been able to see all 7 of her children, along with her sister.. and she passed away in the arms of her two eldest children in the home she's lived in for the last 30 years.

So, Grandma Mary.. here's to you! To your gentle and loving soul, to your saint-like, beautiful faith in the Lord. To your dedication and love for Mary; to your seemingly-innocent-but-all-knowing smile! Here's to your clever wit and fantastic sense of humor, your hard-working nature and sincere humility. Here's to your perseverance, your dedication to your father, ten brothers and your little sister. Your commitment to Grandpa and your family.. Here's to that wonderful family the two of you created.. a family that (along with my mom's), means the absolute world to me, and and has given me (and your 20-some other grandchildren) a beautiful sense of identity. Thank you for your constant intercession, your generous spirit, and unconditional love. You will be missed.. we'll "slop" a few in your honor .

Good-bye, Grandma!

All my love, admiration, and gratitude..

Lori

a little perspective and a little fun

2008-04-03T07:24:00.010-07:00

hold on to your chairs, friends... i finally did it. one day, after a hard week and with reason to treat myself, i walked myself down to the (in my opinion) scariest street in downtown,
coincidentally named Baltimore St., found the little tiny awning for the tattoo shop (between strips clubs and x-rated toy stores), as every person i passed stared at me (don't worry, i had my "tough girl" face on), walked up the stairs to the small, but clean, old-looking tattoo shop, and signed up for my long-awaited nose-piercing.

My heart was racing.. the big, ol' lady workin' the desk wasn't exactly friendly or informative and to tell you the truth, I wasn't really sure what i was getting myself into. Thank goodness the only people there with me were women who were waiting to get tattoos. Unfortunately, they were watching court tv. After only a few minutes of waiting, some scary-looking, crazy-talking dude came in and began a conversation with the lady next to me. I did not once make eye-contact with him as he wandered around the shop, rambling on about how he likes pain, and how he gave himself a tattoo in prison and wanted to get it fixed here and how he was saving his money and coming back next week. In my mind, I found myself jumping up, running out the door and down the street as fast as I could. But, in reality, I sat there, inconspicuously deep breathing in an attempt to bring my heart rate down, and reassuring myself that this was ok. And.. as it turns out.. it was ok! :) In fact, it was great. The guy who pierced me was awesome.. very chill dude who actually carried a great conversation and joked around with me. Anyway...

I really like it! Most people are confused when they see it, because they think i've had it.. I guess that means its not too dramatic or drastic-looking. Don't worry, though, family, I've not gone mad, or rebellious, or lost my mind, its just something i've really wanted to do and wasn't sure i'd ever be brave enough to do it or how it would look, etc! And now its done. Its a funny thing, really, but it was sort of freeing, given a recent situation in which I wasn't allowing myself to be me in order to please someone else which ended up not pleasing anyone.. this will be my little reminder to always be me.. :)

And.. a little more fun news.. I went on a date last night with a guy I met out in federal hill recently.. cute, scruffy guy- really sweet. He lives south of the city so we met in the burbs and went to see a movie. He just turned 24.. i have no idea if i have any business dating this boy, but last night was refreshingly fun and seemingly just what the doctor ordered ;) We had some drinks afterwards and a fantastic conversation!

I guess it i started out like any first-date, post-movie chat, but within 2 hours we covered a gamut of topics while talking.. he was very open and honest in a subtle-kind-of fun way. just different than the usual date.. but genuine. it was a nice night.

(ahhhh...dating..)

Afterwards, I stopped at a gas station to get a Fresca to keep me awake on the ride back to the city. I happened to stop at the gas station with the friendliest attendants ever. One was an older middle-aged man with tatts all over and the other was a young girl.. thin, she didn't appear to be very well-nourished. Anyway, these two must have been very bored as I ended up in that gas station for 20 minutes talking to them. The guy asked for my ID for using my credit card and proceeded to tell me all about why i should never sign the back of my card (Wal-Mart doesn't even check the back of your card!! ;)). The Iowa drivers license always brings up a new conversation and last night was no different.

They asked about my life and I shared. Then the girl started talking about how she wanted to be a nurse but has had to get "stuck" (by needles) so many times that she just didn't think she could do it.. then she started telling me about her life. She was completely "normal" until her boyfriend in high school did some crazy stunt in the car and rammed them into a tree... she was ok, for the most part, but started having seizures and has had them ever since. Upon asking her questions, i learned that she was supposed to see an MD yearly and have check up MRI's and EEG's but she hasn't been in 10 years because she doesn't have insurance. She used to receive state funding but now the money she makes at the gas-station disqualifies her, but to pay for insurance from the gas station would cost her $400/mo. So she goes without...................... :( :( :( I told her she should think about getting into the health field, as a nursing assistant or tech b/c they have great insurance and it sounded like she was interested in the health field.

She told me that when she had her first baby and the car accident, she dropped out of school but was now in classes to get her diploma and that a friend of hers had a connection with the police department where she could work as a dispatcher. She was very excited about that opportunity. She'd always wanted to be a fire-fighter just like her dad, grandpa, uncles and cousins, but she had a few seizures and they had to tell her she couldn't stay.

This girl.... despite her, what seemed to me to be, despondent circumstances, spoke of everything with a sweet, almost innocent smile on her face. Proud of her babies, proud that she was finishing school and very excited to be a dispatcher.

Today I heard on the news that a man drowned his three children in the bathtub at a hotel. drowned.. babies. what a horrible, horrible experience for a child.. disgustingly cruel... heart breaking. All of this, along with the tragically sad movie I'd just seen, "Stop-Loss" about the way our government is keeping soldiers in Iraq essentially against their will.. helped kick my perspective back into place. Suddenly, the "trauma" of a lame-o quasi-break up with a boy (who actually wasn't even all that nice to me, even though he was in general, a nice guy), seems oh-so-miniscule and unimportant in comparison to what some people are actually going through. Not to say the very sweet and fun date didn't help, it did, but sometimes we (as in I..) lose sight of what really matters in life, of what real tragedy looks like.. and how real people are suffering every day.. I know that soon I will again get caught up in my own heartache, which is ok, to an extent, but I hope that my eyes and heart will continue to be opened to the real hurt and suffering that others are enduring and help to re-focus on how we can make this a better world for all people.

the end... what a weird blog.

i love you all

laura

Easter and Andrea

2008-03-26T08:53:00.002-07:00

Happy Birthday Andrea!!! We celebrated Andrea's birthday last Saturday.. she and I met up for a little lunch at Spoons (fantastic food, as per usual!). Then I went to Target and spent my life savings (jk.. had to stock up though because there are no Targets close to home here). That night we ate out at the restaurant of her choice, Lebanese Taverna.. yum! I've never had anything like it before and it was fantastic! I actually didn't want to part with my food because it was just that good.. so the waitress was kind enough to let it sit in front of me for a little while longer so I could at least appreciate its presence if I couldn't possibly put one more bite in my mouth. :)

Then it was off to Federal Hill.. a few drinks here and there and a little dancing to end the night.. always a fun time!

Sunday was Andrea's actual birthday and Easter! I went to mass at a beautiful little shrine in downtown.. great priest! I will definitely be going there again sometime. Later in the day Mariah had us over for an Easter gathering. It was beautiful! Great appetizers.. Andrea made some crazy tasty brie dip with a blow-dryer, ;) then dinner time rolled around and Mariah covered the table with an amazing spread, beautiful and tasty!

Happy Easter!!!

C'est la vie!

2008-03-18T14:01:00.005-07:00

so, seriously people, for those of you awaiting pictures of aruba.. i must say that I've been trying to find a way to post them but can't seem to find a good, not-so-time-consuming way to do so... you might be able to view them by clicking here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=95769&id=651020458

but I cannot guarantee anything! :)

Other news.. RENT was very fun. We had dinner at Maggie Moore's (beautiful Irish pub across the street from the theater) just before the show. Good food, good drink, fantastic dessert! I also ran into some people I knew, which I always enjoy as it makes me feel a little more at home! ;0)

The show was fun as its always fun to see a live show with great music, especially with someone you're excited to be with.. but... not to be a Negative Nelly, it was my 4th viewing of the touring show and it just was by far the worst I've seen! I actually felt like I was watching high schoolers put it on (no offense high schoolers but these people are supposed to be professionals and I paid a LOT of money to see this show!).

For one thing, simple as it may be, the actors didn't match the characters as they normally do.. Roger was big and buff (huh? kind of odd for a starving, depressed artist), Joanne had some kind of mouth gear that made her slightly difficult to understand, Collins was tiny, the big, homeless lady was a small, young girl who, in the end, salvaged her main solo after botching the beginning, and Angel was big, bold, and out-of-control. He/she added a wee too much drama and not enough quality. The choreography was even lacking. I just felt like they were trying to make it different, but why mess up a good thing? meh.. like I said, I was happy to be there and I always appreciate seeing performances and hearing the music live (when they weren't forgetting their lines or singing flat.. ok, ok, that only happened 3 times).

The take-home lesson... see Rent on Broadway. It's closing on June 1, 2008. The touring show will continue but the Nederlander theater on Broadway will close its doors, after 12 years, to Rent fans forever. sad. A few of my girlfriends and I are planning our pilgrimage. Wow.. now that I'm a musical critic.....

moving on..

thanks to Mariah, I finally learned how to spell C'est la vie today. Always wanted to know that.. (its the little things, right?)

that's all for now, folks..

much love
laura

home sweet... home

2008-03-07T00:22:00.002-08:00

yes, baltimore is starting to feel like home. i could really get used to this weather. thank goodness when we got off the plane from aruba it was in the 40's! its been nice ever since.

not much to report.. fun vaca, working nights, going well.. and going to see RENT tonight! very excited.

will post pictures this weekend!

xoxo

aruuuuba... and then some

2008-02-22T09:51:00.008-08:00

this will soon be all I see for 4 days straight as Andrea, Mariah, and I take a trip to the southern Caribbean! Though I've been blessed to have been able to travel for work, school, and to see friends, never before have I had an opportunity to check into a hotel on the beach and lounge around for days on end!! And that's exactly what we have planned.. beach, eat, sleep, shower, beach, eat, sleep, etc.. I'm sure some sips of fruity cocktails and moments of exercise will be thrown in the mix, perhaps even a night out on the town, too, but the purpose of this trip is some R n R and fun in the sun!!! weeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!! I am so grateful to have this opportunity!

other big news.. i broke my foot! its just a tinnnny little fracture you can barely see in this x-ray: on the first long bone on the left, at the top.. see that tiny little crack? (if you click on the picture, it gets bigger and easier to see!) :) or maybe not.. but its there!! :) Amazing how much pain this barely-visible fracture caused. When I was a freshman in high school i somehow managed to fracture a bone in my left foot during dance practice.. doing some jump turn.. i know, i know.. how graceful of me. :) The biggest affect that had on my oh-so-important life as a 15-year-old, was that i had to cut my jeans to fit over my cast and I couldn't dance in the musical. On the other hand, I did get to dress like my senior boy crushes.. the Cleavland twins.. in big mesh shorts and polos (and just what was i thinking?).

So its a little different to break your foot as a grown up!! Suddenly the everyday tasks of working, grocery shopping, laundry, even walking become this daunting reality that I am a single girl basically alone in the city. If I can't work.. who will pay the bills??? If I can't pay the bills, where will I live? For a few moments before hearing the results of the x-ray, I was convinced I was going to have to move back in with my parents and sell my car. Thank goodness the clinic was so slow and I had plenty of time to cry to myself. :)

Fortunately, for me, my dad was in town (although, he did point out that if he hadn't been in town, I wouldn't have been in Annapolis, the town where I took my dad to see the Naval Academy and the first United States Capitol; the town that can't ice their sidewalks when its freezing rain, and the town where I fell on the ice and broke my foot). Nevertheless, Dad was a real champ.. he made my meals, drove me to my appointments, dropped me off at the doors so I wouldn't have to crutch so far, opened the doors for me, etc. Probably not what either of us were planning on, but we still had a great time together. Here are some shots of that..

These are pictures of the State Capital in Annapolis.. a painting of George Washington, a replica of a ship given to GW, the Maryland state flag, and my dad trying to work his workless camera :) There are a few of Fort McHenry and views from the fort.. also a picture of the US flag flown where Francis Scott Key saw it as he wrote the Star Spangled Banner. And at the end, one of Dad trying a latte for the first time (just espresso and steamed milk), my roommate sandy, myself, and dad at one of our favorite little bars called The Lime, posin' with Tequila on V-day, and the other an accidental picture taken while i was actually trying to set the timer. we were at fort mchenry, of course!

XOXO

lkm

A Valentine from Me to You

2008-02-14T14:37:00.003-08:00

Thought you all might enjoy seeing some pictures of my 'hood in B'more and little things I've noticed during my time here. Happy love day!

Super Bowl XLII- Does that come in pink?

2008-02-04T10:23:00.000-08:00

Well, you all know I'm no sports fanatic. I mean, gosh, I like games. I like live games the best, mostly for the social interaction but I never get worked up about who wins... or anything else for that matter. Although, I should say, that when Zach Johnson from Cedar Rapids won the Masters Golf tournament, I almost cried as my heart filled with pride for the fellow eastern Iowan, assuming that somehow we were probably related.;)

Either way, I was delighted to hear that my friend would be hosting the "girls" SPXLII party at her house this year. I arrived a bit late as I was coming off of work, so as Andrea escorted me up to her apt, she explained that the two highlights (comments made by the girls) thus far were:

L: "So who's playing?" as she walked in the door.

and

M: "I don't like their outfits."

lol... we aren't really as ridiculous as that sounds, as evidenced by the fact that we get how ridiculous that sounds, but it was pretty funny.

Now, don't get me wrong, dear Andrea, being an alum of the University of Iowa, definitely knows her stuff and enjoys the sport of football, so we were watching the game, but it was no secret that for most of us, the focus of our gathering was the great food and the excuse to eat it! I, of course, could've cared less who won.. but everyone else was rooting for the Giants.

After all the tasty food, a few of us were almost falling asleep during the boring 2nd and 3rd quarters. Of course when the one of two exciting moments of the game occurred, I was in the other room. I couldn't help but laugh to myself as I heard girls squeeling "yayyyyy"s and "EEEEEEE"s along with very feminine fast, small-hands clapping. Fortunately for me, there was one more exciting moment of the game (Giants final touchdown) that I got to see.. along with the repeat excitement from the girls. They even jumped off the couch! :)

ahhh... girls i adore. =)

We may have, however, been the only group of people watching the game together who were saddened by the increase in violence of the commercials and delighted by the commercial of the oboe player turned football star (yeah.. i can't remember his name).

So... this is the Super Bowl with girls. Kinda cute.. good friends, good food, first time i've been able to express my favorite part of football without feeling judged: all of the gluteus maximi in tight, shiny football pants. And, I can't lie.. I'm with M, "Giants.. what were you thinking? White jerseys and silver pants.. just not a good outfit!"

XOXO
LKM

a blog-worthy dinner story

2008-02-02T18:51:00.000-08:00

tonight, i came home from my 12 hour shift tired and very hungry.. i checked out the options that my fridge had to offer and decided on cooking some chicken. i rarely buy chicken because it seems to go bad before I get around to cooking it, but tonight I decided that this chicken would be had! so into the olive oil and balsamic vinegar it went with some fresh garlic. yum.. i also happened to have lots of veggies (peppers, onions, mushrooms), so I sauteed them, too. after everything was ready, i gave it healthy dousing of grated parmesan cheese. not bad for a quick fix dinner.. especially with some vino. :)

afterwards i felt inclined to call my dear Ingrid from the roofdeck. on a side note, i'm not sure why i always want to be outside when i call her.. perhaps because she appreciates my appreciation of the outdoors!. either way, she laughed as she answered, saying she really couldn't talk because she was cooking, but answered because the meal she was making was "laura-inspired." she was sauteeing some chicken in olive oil and veggies, as well.. even the same vegetables i had used.

we thought this quite hilarious..

ahhh.. everyone need a sister!!

Big D and updates!

2008-01-31T09:13:00.001-08:00

Dig D is coming to town!! That's right, folks! For the first time, ever, my dad, David, will be taking a solo trip to visit his favorite daughter, um, yes his only daughter, in B'more! woooot wooot

What's on the agenda? Well, I've never been to DC and my dad is a huge history buff.. so we'll be taking a day trip on the commuter trains to the Capitol city! Other plans?? See Baltimore, the harbor, eat a bunch of sea food, have some beers on Valentine's day ;), meet the friends, fix some stuff at our house.. the usual!

Also, an update on life as a traveler..
I must admit that when I was back in Minnesota, in the comforts of a city that holds so many people I adore, and only driving distance from the large majority of the rest of my friends and family, I was feeling quite tempted to return home.
(St. Paul skyline):)

I'd almost convinced myself that I'd seen other parts of the country and knew where I belonged.. right? did i? but what about saving money? spending a year volunteering? trying life in Oregon? Its all getting fuzzy, those plans. The only thing clear to me was the true peace I felt whilst home in the mid-west, but more confusing, was the fact that the idea of moving back did not leave me feeling peaceful...

I was torn.

ahh, fortunately, for me, not even a week after I returned to Maryland, my dear friend, Kelly-the-boy, with whom I worked in St. Paul for 5 years, was here visiting some friends. Kelly and started as nursing assistants together at United back in the day. We grew to be great friends over the course of the years and I always appreciated the unique perspectives that came along with his friendship and our great conversations! So what a blessing it was to have him here, if even for a short while at a slightly pivotal time! While we were talking about travel nursing, I was reminded that it was quite exciting that I'd actually done it. That I'd picked up and left my entire life and started something new. I had no reason to leave MN, nothing to run from.. which makes it an even bigger (and crazier) blessing that I did it. I realized how blessed I am to be a nurse, to have all of this opportunity.. to have driven across the country with dear Ingrid, to have seen her sweet grandmother again before she left us for the heavens, to have spent time with the CA family and experience life on the beach, and now on the bay.

I also started considering some of the blessings and logistics of my current situation (money, saving it, housing situation, roommate, great friends, other stuff:) , etc). I thought about the fact that moving across the country, again, would involve spending a lot of money and time I just didn't want to spend.. and why? Why did I want to go to Oregon? Well, its beauty is a big draw (I've only seen pictures). The hippie-sort-of-attitude was alluring. The pay would be less.. meh. I try not to base life decisions on money, but that is one of the major reasons I started doing this travel bit. hmm.. I could always pray again for an amazing roommate and housing situation.. but I don't know a soul in the state. And.. suddenly Oregon wasn't sounding so appealing.

Then finally, I returned to my place of work here in B'more after my trip home... and the friendships/relationships that had been starting to form at work with the other nurses were, well, blossoming, really. I noticed how much more fun the second assignment was.. already knowing the people, knowing the routine, understanding how things work. I was much less stressed and found myself actually enjoying my time at work! Kinda reminded me of home.. hmmmm..

So.. there I was.. praying for direction when I finally realized the great contentment and gratitude for the blessings being poured upon me in Baltimore and how life and everything has sort of just fallen into a beautiful place! For what reason should I leave so soon? What's the rush? I've got lots of time, right?! And so.. I stayeth, for now.

I also realized that for most of my life, the little farm house in small-town-eastern-Iowa was the only home I'd ever known, but that my understanding of "home" is changing as I travel through life, years, and states. I had no idea that another place could hold such comfort, safety, and familiarity like St. Paul does, and now parts of California.. and come to think of it, Baltimore is starting to feel that way, too! And so for all of this, for all of you who have helped make these cities so special, so special that they feel like home, I am sincerely and humbly grateful. :)

All my love, from Baltimore! :)

Laura

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things i will do; I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16

a little shot of b'more

2008-01-24T02:58:00.000-08:00

I'm just throwing in some pictures for fun! I was out walking the other night at dusk and captured the great beauty of a calm inner harbor with my phone!

Some fun news... I received a message from one of my cousins saying he's going to be in town this weekend.. I have lots of fun plans for us and I always get pretty excited about visitors!!!!

vino!!!

2008-01-16T06:53:00.001-08:00

you know i love a glass of red wine!! well, last night was perhaps one of my favorite nights in Baltimore, thus far (And Inga... when you use that golden ticket and come to b'more, we'll definitely be doing this!:);))! Andrea, Mariah, and I met at the Metropolitan in Federal Hill for wine tasting night.

So for $15 we got 5 small pours of different wines from Rhone Valley, France (I guess it was French night), starting with a white and moving into more intense, red wines with each pour.

First of all, Kudos to the server who remembered which glass of wine all of us were on (we were each enjoying the wine at a different pace) ;) Not only did he keep track of our drinks, he was quick! My glass wasn't empty for more than 3 minutes! Secondly, great atmosphere.. small room, dark wood, candle light, warm, not formal but definitely set back from the rest of the restaurant. Lastly, great company!! Lovely friends I am blessed with.. the three of us had a great time!

Oh and for some potentially exciting news for Laura, there is talk of a girls vacation to somewhere warm and beachy! Never before have I been on a trip like that (there was no such thing as "spring break" at my high school, nor did I desire to spend my college breaks anywhere but Iowa!). So... I'm thinking this might be the time to splurge, just a little, and go on a real vacation with my girlfriends!!! I'm very excited about this and hoping it works out. Last year, they went to Cancun and managed to do it all fairly inexpensively. :)

So, its good to be back into the swing of things in Baltimore.. the second assignment at this hospital is turning out to be a bit more enjoyable than the first. I'm slowly but surely adapting to the fact that the nurses are responsible for just shy of everything on this floor... its good to be challenged but I truly can't imagine feeling more drained at the end of 13 hours. Nevertheless, its great to have 4 days of to recoup and get things done! Nothing like sitting on your bed-on-the-floor, blogging, and listening to the beautiful sounds of some crazy, loud saw, slicing into pavement and a jackhammer humming a long. Lovely! (but seriously, this is the 2nd time they've dug this pavement up.. what is going on!?)

I'm off to a coffee shop!!!

Peace, friends.

XOXO

road trip for the heart....

2008-01-03T21:56:00.000-08:00

Hello friends!!

I now write to you from the Moline airport at which I seem to be stuck. :( My flight has continued to be delayed all afternoon.. bummer since I have to work at 0700 tomorrow morning and I could have spent the day hanging out with the folks instead of strangers in the airport! Oh well.. at this point I'm just praying for safe flights and an arrival prior to midnight!!

Indeed another beautiful trip to the mid-west has come to an end. I'm sad to leave the comforts of home.. the farmhouse in which I grew up, family, old friends, and of course the Twin Cities. Nonetheless, I come to realize how full of joy and love my heart is when I leave and how these trips seem to rejuvenate my heart.

The midwest was a wintery wonderland.. lots of beautiful, fluffy snow! Got to go sledding with the nieces, and as you saw in the last blog, snow fort building! Quote of the day from Claire while trying to climb back up the hill after sledding down, "Warwa!! My wegs are too wittle! I can't get up in the hill!!!" :)

After some good time with the family, I packed my stuff into the little red car and headed north to the cities of Twin. The drive was a bit emotional as it, too, has begun to feel like home. ah, but mostly, I was just excited!!

As soon as I got to town, I dropped my bags at my old roommates's house (where I stayed for the short duration of the trip), changed clothes, and stopped in at my cousins' house for a quick visit, then to the Nook to catch up with dear ol' John.. my favorite member of the "Nook Regulars" club! :) After that, it was off to a house party to ring in the New Year.. a nice evening with friends.

And so on and so forth (yikes! gotta wrap this up, almost time to leave)... every day continued to be full of blessings as I was able to spend time with and see many of my friends in MN. Staying with my old roommates was one of the highlights.. oh how I love these women and miss having them in my daily life!

On my way home, I took the long route through Des Moines and visited some friends from high school who now reside there... always a great time. Highlights include seeing Lesley's brand new baby girl, Siri.. and Leanne's little adorable Will. My friends have babies- incredible!!! As I headed back to De Witt, I met up with my friend Ryan in Marshalltown for lunch... so great.

It was wonderful to see those of you I was able to ... sorry if I missed you this trip, but I'll catch you in April!!! Not sure where I'll be going after that, but I'm contemplating Oregon if a friend or two of mine decide to travel there with me! perhaps another round in B'more.. who knows.

Alright, I must say goodbye to the Mid-West.. plane departs in 40 minutes!

Thanks to all i was able to see.. I shall miss you!

All my love,
XOXO
Laura

greetings from the fort..

2007-12-30T21:09:00.000-08:00

Nope.. Not Fort McHenry, this time we're live from Fort McMangan! Chloe, Claire, and I were busy playing in the snow this week.. and oh, did we have fun. I had to use my years of snow fort building experience to teach the nieces how its done. Thanks to Dad manipulating a huge pile of snow in the yard, we were able to construct a decent fort and the start of a tunnel. Of course, we could have gotten a little further along had Garrett (the most adorable terror-on-wheels 3-year-old nephew you could ever imagine) not punched one of the walls over a few times (imagine big, cheesy, "i know i'm not supposed to" grin, right afterwards, too!). And had the girls not been more fascinated by the taste of snow than constructing with it.. we could have had one heck of a snow fort, but in the end, we had fun and I think this one is pretty groovy! So much so, that I thought it'd be a fun place from which to place a phone call to a friend in California after the parents went to bed! So, I grabbed one of my favorite brews, dressed up in Dad's Carharts, and headed outside!

As you can imagine, my mid-west vacation has been great, thus far! Lots of fun times with the nieces and nephew, brothers, parents, and some of the wonderful extended fam. Hoping to get in some time with amigos on the last leg of the trip through IA. Tomorrow I take off for the good ol' Twin Cities! Spending a few days up there then hopefully a night in Des Moines, one last night in IA that back to the east. I must say I'll be happy to return to milder weather, though I have enjoyed the snow. I also got to take Chloe and Claire sledding... oh so fun!

Happy New Year to you, dear friends. I pray its been a blessed year and another to come!!!

All my love,
Laura
XOXO

A Christmas Card from me, to you.

2007-12-05T06:44:00.000-08:00

fun stuff, weird stuff and random thoughts

2007-11-07T07:07:00.000-08:00

Hello friends and family!!

Another long blog for you but its my day off and I'm feeling very share-y today! Hope you enjoy the stories and updates!

As my dear roomie, Sandy, and I were watching the Biggest Loser last night, quite a bit of excitement occurred. First of all.. today is garbage day, which means last night was "set the garbage outside on the sidewalk night." A little piece inside of me gets really excited about garbage day because its so easy and its a twice-a-week purging all of the garbage from the house. Maybe its such a delight because recycling here is so annoying.. they only pick up plastic and tin every other monday and cardboard only once a month and sometimes they just don't show up for whatever unknown reason and then we end up suffocating from recyclable material, as we are right now.. ugh. So being able to open the front door, twice a week, and just drop the bag of garbage onto the sidewalk is a secret, simple little purging pleasure of mine. :) hmm... enough about my feelings on garbage!

So last night as were sitting in the living room, I heard the rustling of plastic bags outside the window. I knew exactly what it was, because this happened on Saturday, too. Someone was rummaging through our garbage. yup... what was once a satisfactory pile of waste was now an attraction for those in need. I whispered to Sandy to tell her what was happening, we shut the lights off and looked out the window.. and there he was.. sitting on our steps, our front stoop, pulling things out of the garbage. What he was retrieving, we couldn't tell, but only hoping it was the spinach-gone-bad or the rotted apple instead of the pay stubs she'd thrown out. We debated what to do. He wasn't harming us.. he was probably just hungry, but sitting on our step? Rummaging through our stuff.. granted, it being garbage and set outside, i think makes it officially not our stuff anymore, but nonetheless, this was not the fate we expected for our once-belongings. My first instinct was to make him food but of course the mom in me said, "no!" It was a little creepy. Sandy's was to call the cops! lol.. which she did but of course he was long gone and the cops never even came. whatever.. it was alarming, sad, and annoying all at the same time since he left the random pieces of garbage sitting out on our steps. I wanted so badly to step out the door and talk to him.. and I think if there'd been a guy in the house, I'd have felt protected and comfortable doing so. bah..

A bit of time passed and as Sandy was reading me an e-mail she was sending to her boss, I saw movement in the kitchen.. LF. LF is what we named the "mouse" in our house (that's us telling ourselves there's only one). LF is the acronym of a not-nice name.. sorry, but we don't really like him. We'd hired an exterminator who closed up the holes on the exterior of the house, made recommendations, and set traps in places where he figured they were nesting (ewww!). But my friends, if you haven't heard me say it before, I've discovered in my last few years, in different places lived, that city mice are smarter than country mice. I've literally watched mice run around traps. In the house I lived in in St. Paul, the mice were eating the M&M's off the sticky traps. I know!

So Sandy and I scared the mouse behind the love seat and prepared for war. I was in ready position, on the tips of my toes, big tennis shoes on, tennis racket in hands, ready to dodge in any direction and step or swing. Sandy was in charge of moving furniture. We barricaded what we thought was its only other exit with traps and moved the love seat.. even tipping it upside down to see if it got into the couch somehow.. only to find nothing.. no holes, no mouse, no holes in the floor boards, only the rude, random remnants of a mouse. sigh... so LF is still on the loose.. ugh.. all the invasion!

More random thoughts.. since I know I'm going to be here for a while and its getting too cold to work-out outside (too cold for my wussy self), I finally joined a gym here. I went to meet with Carin, my first ever personal trainer, today. She's great! Nice, laid-back, fun, etc. I also concluded that she was a great fit for me as I heard the other trainer next to me yelling at his trainee as a form of encouragement.. like crazy Jillian on Biggest Loser :-/ and my trainer just said, "all right, 'atta girl, 2 more reps! good deep breaths!" perfect! If some hot guy was yelling at me, I'd probably drop the weights, run out the door, and cancel my membership!

Anyway, I'm super, super excited to be a gym-member again. There's something about gyms! I walk in and I'm instantly happy! Without even working out, being inside the gym brings some sort of strange, instant satisfaction. I belonged to a gym the last three years I lived in St. Paul, and I really fell in love with the frequent gym visits/workouts. I think there's something encouraging about joining a new gym, too because I haven't gotten into a routine yet. Its all new and foreign which I think will leave me more willing to try new things and add variety (which is "always important"). wahoo! oh, funny random side note, i love daily mass on EWTN. There's a priest there this week (not sure for how long) who is just phenomenal! I really enjoy his homilies. So as I hopped on the treadmill this afternoon, I was flipping channels (cause the treadmill had its own tv monitor!!) and came across daily mass! I was actually excited to get to exercise and kind of go to mass at the same time- talk about multi-tasking! ;) ;) I'm sure the people behind me thought I was crazy as I smiled at the monitor and laughed as Father made jokes.

So that's all for now.. I'm also excited because Andrea and I are going to do something tonight.. I'm off for a few days because I work nights this weekend and she's out of town the next few weekends, so I'm happy we get to hang out tonight!

I think that's probably plenty to chew on for now, eh?

Thanks for checking in, for your prayers, love, and concern.

Love to you,

Laura

big apple, crab cakes, pretzels, and berger's

2007-10-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

mom is now on her way back to iowa.. and again we had a lovely time despite the first few rainy days here in baltimore. quick rundown (oh, my camera is still being fixed so we had to buy a disposable, thus, picture will be added later!). s

thursday: picked mom up at the airport. we walked all around the inner harbor in the rain! had lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen, got lots of info at the b'more visitors center, perused barnes and nobel, walked through the 2 mini-malls, and went to the top of the world trade center building in baltimore to see views of the entire city!

friday: lazy, relaxing day at home with coffee and time to just talk. friday night, with the helpful suggestions from my lovely roomie, sandy, the three of us went to a small, neighborhood-y theater on charles street that had a fantastic tapas restaurant attached (tapas are fancy little appetizers). We had mini crab cakes, roasted squash, potato soup, and lamb meatballs! We saw the movie, Into the Wild http://www.intothewild.com/ See it if you can.. the amazing story of Christopher McClandness.

saturday: oh whatta day! we took a sketchy (word of the day), but awesomely cheap bus into New York city! With the help of a suggested website hopstop.com (thanks, gruber!) and some friendly New Yorkers, we were able to navigate our way from chinatown to the theatre district right up to braudhurst theatre where Les Mis was playing! it was still raining in the city so we pretty much looked like sad, drowned rats! luckily, we'd packed a backpack with a few extra articles of clothing! :) the show was absolutely amazing!!! we had fantastic seats on the first level and we were both in tears by the final song (my favorite!). The actor who played Jean Valjean was incredible... ah. it was all just beautiful. It was, for both of us, the first time seeing a show on broadway.

And praise be, when we walked out of the theater, the sun was out and the rain was gone! yay!!! we enjoyed the bustle of Time Square and wandered around for a while seeing all the interesting people and sites. We eventually met up with Gruber (and for those who read this and don't know, Gruber [nickname] is one of my dearest friends in college.. we were pretty much attached at the hip for 4 years; an amazing woman with whom I share many great memories and though we don't see each other that often anymore, she will always be an important part of my life and one of the many amazing friends who've helped shape me into the person I am today! Thanks, friends! :)). She's engaged nonw, glowing, and as beautiful as ever! We had an awesome dinner at a fancy, little Belgian restaurant called Marts, then said a quick goodbye and headed back to chinatown and back on the bus. At one point we were giggling and giggling about how uncomfortable and sketchy the bus was.. but it sure makes for some good laughs and stories to share and tell.

sunday: i took off for the farmers market at 7:45a with Andrea and Mariah. Mom had originally planned to come with but that was before when we realized were weren't going to bed before 2am! After a quick trip to the usual spots at the market, we headed over to Fell's Point (one of the many neighborhoods of inner Baltimore) and had an incredible breakfast at Mama's on the half-shell, then back to Fed. Hill. Mom and I spent the afternoon walking around the neighborhood and harbor. Had the famous crab pretzels (I don't know if they're actually famous, but they should be! they're medium-sized, warm, soft pretzels with crab-dip smothered over them). That evening we went to mass at my little church just around the corner. :) we stayed after for the hospitality hour and met a sweet little couple from the neighborhood. :) when we got home we watched Love Actually with Sandy. such a great movie and a lovely way to end the lovely day.

monday: tasty, mexican-themed breakfast at home with a little relaxing in the AM then off to the hospital! mom wanted to see where i worked and i was excited to show her (but not excited enough to let her take a picture of me in front of the sign of the hospital.. sorry folks!). I gave her a little tour and then we took off for Fells Point- to the H&S Bakery outlet. Someone at work had recently brought in this package of cookies and called them Berger cookies. She said it was a "Baltimore thing" and since its pretty much just a big hunk of chocolate on a shortbread, I knew mom would love them so we stopped at got some! when we got home we went for another walk up to the actual hill of Federal Hill. Nice and steep.. and a great view of the city. Came home, I went for a run, which unfortunately involved tripping on one of the many cracked sidewalks of this town and skinning my knee. I write of this because I'd like to say, "ouch!" i forgot how much it hurts to skin the knee! that night we decided to order in my favorite pizza of the neighborhood, Boli's, and watch a movie.. which sadly ended up being crude, distasteful, only occasionally mildly humorous (thanks to the 7-year-old actress) and ultimately a waste of time and money- Knocked up. If you haven't seen it, don't bother!

Tuesday: this morning I realized that I didn't want Mom to leave. :( We managed to literally buy her some more time by paying a small fee to change her flight to a later departure! yay! :) With the extra time we headed over to Fort McHenry, which has been one of my favorite places to run/walk/and hangout at (along with the rest of the young residents of Fed Hill and Locus Point). Anyone know about this fort? Its pretty fascinating.. so if you don't know about it and you're not planning to visit me while I'm here, google and learn, my friends! After a walk around the fort and a stop at the visitor center, we drove up to the Cross Street area and had lunch at Metropolitan with more crab dip! :) We then walked around the neighborhood a bit more and enjoyed the gorgeous weather!!! We came back home and spent the rest of our time sitting on the roof deck, enjoying the view, the sun, hot apple cider and some relaxation before heading back to the airport. Mom should be back on the farm in less than 4 hours and I'll be back to the real world of work tomorrow. this time always comes..

It was a great visit and good for my heart to have my mom here. Oh.. and come to think of it, her and I have now been in Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu, Marina del Rey, Long Beach, San Diego, De Witt :), Baltimore, and New York in less than 3 months! We also figured out that I've been in/driven through 15 states since May: Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virgina, Maryland, and New York! Wow.. what a year! Seems like its all gone so fast but how incredibly thankful I am for all that I've been blessed to experience!

Thanks again for checking in... hope all is well in MN, CA, TX, IA, IL, and everywhere else!

Much love from MD!

LKM ;-)

start spreadin' the news...

2007-10-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

For the first time ever, after years of talking about doing it, Mom and I are going to the Big Apple together! It is indeed an exciting moment.. after much debate over all the incredible choices of live shows to see, we've decided on Les Miserables! I saw it in St. Paul several times while it was still touring, but never on Broadway and I'm thrilled that my mom finally gets see it, too!

After help from Gruber, we found a bus company that travels to NYC from Baltimore with times that allow us to spend some time in the city before the show and some time with Gruber after the show! I haven't seen Grubs for a lonnggg time.. so I'm definitely thrilled for tomorrow's events!

off to a movie!

Rachel.. LOVE the idea about a sisters event in Baltimore/NYC to see Grubs! LOVE IT!

love to all!

laura

"every day's like an open door..."

2007-10-24T19:35:00.000-07:00

hello!

just wanted to update you all.. i did officially extend my contract here in B'more. This means my first assignment ends at the end of december. i decided to work Christmas so I could take a whole 2 weeks off in between contracts to spend time at home (IA and MN). I'll start back on the 10th of January and end in mid-april. after that... who knows! still toying with the idea of getting my masters as a clinical nurse specialist.

staying in one place for more than one assignment will definitely help with the whole "saving money" gig. honduras is still on my heart but it most likely wouldn't happen for another year.

MN often tugs on my heart.... but as I said to my friend, I'm afraid if I ever move back that I'll never leave again.. its just that special because of all of the people (family, co-workes/friends, friends, friends of friends, etc!).

mom mangan arrives tomorrow! fun for us!! its raining a bunch but that won't stop us! i'm excited to do some touristy stuff that i've not yet explored and we're thinking maybe even a bus ride to NYC, catch a show, dinner with Gruber, who knows!

my big brother turns 35 tomorrow!!! 35!!!! holy cow.. i adore this man and miss seeing him and his amazing fam. got the perfect card for him but forgot to send it.. typical laura, but praise God for big brothers like him! :)

work is getting easier as i learn the routines. i'm enjoying it. one of my patients told me today that before he was discharged, he was going to make sure ****insert name of hospital*** offered me a full time job, "i don't like the idea of you traveling, you need to stay here." definitely a nice thing to hear. :)

so yes, all is well!

praise be for the blessings of this opportunity.

thanks for checking in.

love to all......

missing 998..

2007-10-21T19:07:00.000-07:00

i was just checking out my friend, bryan's blog (he was one of 5 neighbor boys at 998 apt.) when I realized how much I miss those guys. I realized, upon reading his blog, that Bryan passed the Bar exam.. and that I had no idea if Brendan or Costa did.. and how I have no idea what's going on in any of their lives! After a year of practically living with them, I'm a little bit saddened by this. I used to be a part of their daily lives (whether they all liked it or not;0)).. as they were just a short staircase away, and now i'm down to seeing them every three months when I'm back in MN :(. Though I'm so very grateful for my current adventures, i do miss running up the steps and spending the evening visiting, debating, or watching whatever lame-o reality show brendan had on. I miss hearing my name being called out from the back yard.. i miss dollar burger nights at the nook and shamrocks. i miss the house parties and outings around St. Paul. basically, i miss, but am even more thankful for the incredible year at 998. what a blessing!!!!!!!!!! cheers to the continuation of dollar burgers with Lindsey and the boys even though no one lives at 998 anymore!

harvest

2007-10-21T17:31:00.001-07:00

thanks to my parents, here are a few pictures of the scene i described in the previous blog! :) click on pic for a bigger view...

i heart home!

Fall is..

2007-10-15T05:13:00.002-07:00

....finally HERE in Baltimore and oh, the nostalgia is kicking in!

After living (or what felt like vacationing) on the west coast of California for the summer, where every day felt like a perfect late-spring afternoon, it was a bit of a shock to head east and find mid-west-like humidity and the tail end of the dog days! For some reason, I blindly assumed that the weather would be cooling and that fall would be starting. Either way, I decided I really couldn't complain about a few weeks of humidity knowing full-well that I'd escaped an entire sweltering, mid-western summer. So.. I decided that I would attempt to gracefully tolerate the rest of the thick-aired summer of Maryland.. (that's if you call sweating the minute after stepping out of the shower, graceful)! But, what other choice did I have?

Its now mid-October and it finally feels as though fall is making its seasonal nest on the east coast, so I'm trilled! The windows are open and the air is crisp as the sun peaks its head over the bay, gently warming the afternoon and leaving the evenings cool as it buries itself in behind downtown earlier and earlier each night. My cozy, chocolate brown turtleneck sweater has made its first appearance of the season, I'm teaching myself how to make pumpkin everything out of real pumpkin, and I can once again enjoy an outdoor workout. ahhh...

But something is missing....

I sit in a small, old, beautiful row home in "The Historic Federal Hill" neighborhood, reflecting on life (meh, its my day off). I hear the rumbling of machinery outside the front door. The construction of new, gigantic, luxurious, 21st Century-esque condos-attempting-to-look-like-row-homes forges on every day. These monsters continue to mutate and tower over the neighborhood, blocking whatever view anyone had of downtown, slowly creeping forward with an eventual goal of hoarding the view of the bay, as well. Despite my (obvious) frustration by this, the noise of the machinery is eerily familiar and leaves me feeling curiously... at home. They remind me of what I'm missing.. harvest.

Fall is harvest.

Fall is Dad in the fields and Mom's beautiful yard.. corn shocks bustled at the end of the deck, hay bales, pumpkins, gourds, and beautifully flowering fall-colored mums warming the yard. Climbing into the combine, squeezing into a space not intended for 20-somethings and spending time with Dad as he explains how long it takes for the machine to cut the dried stalk, husk the ears, and harvest the corn (or beans). Occasionally, he lets me sit in the big seat and steer! He can tell me how many seeds he planted in the spring, and can thus the estimated number of bushels he's harvesting this fall. Heck, he probably knows how many kernels, too! I've always wondered if all farmers think in those terms or just my adorably quirky, detail-oriented father.

Fall is a clear night, star-studded sky, cool, crisp air with the dust and faint smell of the husk of the corn. The fan of the corn dryer running, the whooshing of the corn and beans as they fall from the auger into the bins for storage. The distant lights and sounds of the machinery running late at night. Watching my brother work side-by-side with my father to bring in the crop. Taking the dinner that Mom made out to the fields so the boys can eat. Sitting on the deck, enjoying the weather and time with one of my closest friends, my mom. Its those every day moments, those memories, that will forever warm my heart and nurture my dream to some day live across the road with my amazing husband (still waiting for that one) and beautiful children (and them, too) who really know and adore my parents as much as I do.

Fall is remembering how special it was to grow up in a small community like Central. The opportunity to know almost everyone in school. To have teachers who taught your parents, know your grandparents, siblings, and cousins, too. Where the football game is everyone's Friday night plan and Homecoming is the excitement of the season. The parades, marching band, pep-rallies, TP-ing, window-paintings and more. Planning festivities, getting involved in as much as possible, and working at the store your classmates' parents own. Who graduated from the same school as you and your parents; who were once doing all the same things and thus encourage their young employees' school spirit and involvement. Where the school's photographer (another classmate's parent) takes pictures of the class prank (an old boat painted in school colors and left in the middle of the parking lot) and includes it in your package of pictures from the dance.

Fall is remembering the blessing of growing up with an amazing group people, of life-long friends. "To the end of time..."

Fall is.. my roots, my home, and though I won't be making it home during autumn this year, the memories are so vividly cherished that I can relive it any time I close my eyes, or write a silly nostalgic blog, or hear value-destructing construction outside the front door of my small, big-city home.

B'more

2007-10-09T06:34:00.000-07:00

Introducing Andrea!

A beautiful friend with whom I grew up in De Witt. Andrea and I have potentially known each other since the early years of elementary school when her family relocated to De Witt. We really got to know each other and became friends in middle school and have been friends since. Upon graduating from high school, Andrea went to the U of Iowa, and I to CSP in Minnesota, so its been a long time since I've gotten to spend this much time with her.. I really am cherishing it and she was correct in her prediction that I'd love her friends! They are also great people.

(Mariah, Lisa, Laura, Andrea, Ellie.. and I forget her name.. :-/)

(Andrea, Mariah, Mona, and I)

I've also been gifted a great roommate whom i met by "chance" through craigslist.org when i saw her posting looking for a roommate (but really I saw it right after I'd begged in prayer to find a good person to live with!). I've even managed to get involved in the local young adult Catholic crowd in the neighborhood, too, which was something I knew I needed to do for my heart's sake and my life as a new Catholic. I'm also hoping to volunteer as nurse at a local non-profit clinic.

So, yes, life is good in Baltimore. Work is definitely challenging.. things were just starting to fall in place when three night shifts snuck into my schedule and messed everything up! :) Ok, not everything.. but its definitely threw me off. I was just starting to get the hang of day shifts when I had to work nights. Normally that wouldn't be a big deal but they do a lot more on nights than any other place I've worked. They draw "AM" or "daily" labs at 10 PM and proceed to replace the patients K+, Mg+, blood, and platelets as needed per the results of the "daily" labs. Its great because the day shift is too busy to do all of this but it sucks for the patients who'd like to do partake in that activity we call sleep!!!

Every shift that I've worked since I started on my own, I've had at least two patients who are confused and really sick, which has also been challenging. The nice thing about this hospital is they don't hesitate to order sitters. There's no restrain the patient "because its safer" (aka so we don't have to pay for a sitter) because they recognize that its much safer and actually usually problem-solving to just have someone in there with the patient!

Despite the first night shift, things are starting to fall into place and I'm predicting that if the hospital wants me to stay another assignment.. I probably will! I'm excited to have great co-workers and good physicians/residents/fellows to work with and I do appreciate the challenge of only depending on myself to get everything done.

So.. we shall see!!

As always, thanks for checking in.. feel free to comment or send an e-mail. I'd love to hear back from you.

Love to all,

Laura

here

2007-10-04T19:43:00.000-07:00

hi all!

sorry i've not written much since the first update. our internet has been down... long story.. ugh.. but i'm currently borrowing someone's nearby wireless and its proven to be less than reliable (the nerve!) ;) So i just wanted to pop on and say that all is well. baltimore is lovely.. although i just spent the weekend in colorado loving life near the mountains, so who knows! spending time with andrea and her friends here has been a lot of fun. my roommate and her friends, also a great deal of fun!

great little church nearby where i attend evening mass on Sundays with the other young adult catholics in the neighborhood. it really is special to watch everyone walk from home to church.. feels like a small town. :)

weather is hot and humid.. bit of a change from the dry but perfectly warm, with a cool breeze, air in CA!

the hospital.. interesting. they reeeally expect a lot out of their nurses.. slackers need not apply! ;) not only is it primary care (aka: no support nursing assistant staff) but the nurses are pretty much in charge of everything. ie, they have to take each order from the chart and make sure its followed through. they aren't entered in anywhere (unless its a med) so there's no double-checking system. from consults to tube feeds, the nurse has to call them in or order all of the equipment, etc. the secretaries hardly do much at all! so basically its like you're doing everything without any support staff! kind of scary. terribly stressful at times but the other nurses are really helpful and actually work like a team so that's great! everyone's been really friendly.. most of the nurses seem to be young-ish (20's -early 40's). manager is GREAT! CNS.. also great!

so its definitely a better experience than that in CA.. the building is amazing, the technology is much more advanced, the physical environment is perfectly clean and organized, but i'm still realizing more ways to appreciate the overall system organization and safety procedures that are in place at united! yes, so.. all in all.. another good experience. :)

hope all is well with each of you.

will write more later.. oh and PS! i busted my camera during the move so thus no recent pictures. its currently being fixed in IL.

love and miss you

laura

blog #2 for the day

2007-09-19T11:17:00.001-07:00

ok.. i totally forgot to write an update! ha...

quick synapses since i left CA:

flew to MN, friend Amy and dog Chief picked me up at the airport. i stayed with amy and her boyfriend, Ben, who were great hosts for an entire week!

friends from work met up at Cafe Latte friday AM for a some coffee, catch up, and baby-meeting! friend Caprice had her first baby girl: Sophia Michelle! :) love that name! here's a few shots of that.. thanks to all of you who made it. it was so good to see you all.. i miss and love the 4500's! :)

hung out with ben, amy, and the crew.. saw some crazy rock band :-/ here's amy and maureen jammin' out

my dear friend sarah got married so i was very excited to be able to make it! they are an amazing couple. sarah is an amazing friend.. their vows, which they wrote, were beautiful and heartfelt. even amy shed a few and that rarely happens!

managed to squeeze in some breakfast time with jake at louisiana cafe.. and coffee with beautiful audrey! perfect!!

went to mass with jill, ben, lucy and the girls and had pizza at jill's afterwards where liz joined us.

then out with amy, ben, and crew.. again! :)

had a great night out with lindsey and dani (girlfriends from college).. the restaurant was seriously slow-paced but offered us the opportunity to have a lovely, long, and real conversation.

tuesday night the 998's re-united atop Brendan and Stacy's apartment on the roof-top deck which over-looked st. paul and minneapolis. gorgeous!! everyone was there! sam, stacy, brendan, lindsey, nate, emily, costa, bryan and kim! great food, beautiful scenery, and good friends... oh how i love the 998's! (pictures pending brendan sending them!).

wednesday amy and i got some burgers at the nook! :)

thursday i drove back to iowa.. got to see girlfriends from high school and their beautiful babies! saw hairspray with mom. went car-shopping. had some nice one-on-one-beers with dad. a great home football game. got to see grandma f, aunts margo and tracy, uncle murl, great-aunt diane, mom's cousin and her daughter shannon, cousins danielle and fletcher. had some good quality time with chloe :) bought the car. had dinner with mom, dad, uncle tom, and chlow. went to a friend of the family's wedding. drove to baltimore.

now i'm here.. its been great.. lots of good things to share and some bumps in the road but i'll get to those tomorrow!

i'm seriously done blogging for the day!!!

love!!

i'm alive!!!

2007-09-19T06:56:00.000-07:00

hello friends and family!

i know its been way too long since i've updated you!! i guess one thing i've come to learn about myself in the adventures of moving constantly is that i cannot blog unless there are no other pressures, tasks, anxieties otherwise weighing on me. if i've other things on my mind i just can't focus long enough to type much of anything and i must have a decent internet connection which isn't available in rural iowa.. i looked into it, argh... but alas here I am! Safe and sound in Baltimore, Maryland.

so where has life taken me in the past month?! oh where do i begin?

well, i know many of you were hoping to read about the week mom and dad visited in CA. We had a lovely time. have i mentioned that i've got some of the best parents ever? its just like hanging out with great friends whom i adore, respect, admire as parents, too! We started out in San Diego where dad had a work conference at the huge and beautiful Marriot hotel which looked over the bay and Coronado Island.

(as always, click on picture for larger image):

here's dad checking out the view of the harbor and just to the right was the city! beautiful or what!

the first night there mom, dad, and i went, along with the rest of the people there for the conference, to the san diego zoo! had a great dinner, complimentary drinks (woo hoo), and did a quick run through of the zoo. it got dark pretty quickly so we didn't get to see much but here are pics of what we did do (rode on the gondola, hiked through the panda and gorilla area without managing to really see any of them, and enjoyed the great area where the dinner was held).

The pics below are the pictures of the area we ate in.. how cool!!! the gorilla's eyes would go from dim to bright and back again. I decided this would be a totally cool place for a wedding reception. :):)

pretty cool, eh? so the other fun things we did? had dinner on Coronado Island! one night dad and i went out with his co-workers on the town! we were in the "gas lamp district" which is apparently the "happenin'" area for young adults. it was definitely interesting to be quasi-clubbing with my dad in san diego but a fun time. he has fun co-workers, too! after a near-death experience in a cab-ride home, we had one more cocktail at the great hotel bar and turned in for the night.

the next day dad finished up his work stuff and the three of us went to the USS Midway Museum just a short walk from the hotel. i never thought i'd enjoy a museum so much!

Here are some pics of that..

these are the bunks in the "berthing" area for the newest navy enlisted.

this is the chain used to raise and lower the anchor.. the huge anchor.

mom and dad on my california patio! :0)

hmm.. other fun stuff.. here are some pics of my dear friend, sarah, from high school with whom i met up with in CA and had dinner with in downtown disney. my favorite picture is of us standing between the I and A at the end of the gigantic CALIFORNIA sign.. we be representin'! ;-)

ok.. i can't take much more of waiting for these pictures to download! hope you've enjoyed.. i'll write more later!

love to all,

laura

Baltimore, here I come!!!

2007-08-16T00:08:00.000-07:00

Ok... things have progressed in the decision making process, as you can see, I'll be heading East.

**addendum: :) in case you're wondering why I chose Baltimore over all the other places, i thought I might write a bit of a clarification! At first I was extremely intimidated by the thought of working at this major hospital... but the more I spoke with other hospitals and I pondered the way this place did things, I really gained an appreciation for their unique way of running their oncology units. i will only have 2-3 patients and will be doing "primary nursing care." This means that I'll do everything for the patient, bathe them, walk them, turn them, etc.. along with all the other nursing tasks (assessments, medication administration, symptom management, education, etc) that I'm used to doing.

I've never worked anywhere that didn't have nursing assistants so this will be completely new for me, though I think it will be an amazing opportunity to be fully focused on my patients and really in-tune as to what's going on with each patient. Having a few years of nursing assistant experience under my belt will be extremely helpful.. PLUS I actually enjoyed my job better as an assistant because I felt like I actually spent more time with the patients. I'm praying that this new way of doing things will be a blessed opportunity for professional growth because either way its broadening my understanding of nursing.

Believe it or not, i'm starting to feel called to be away from the bedside.. NEVER thought I'd say that! when I was resource nurse the other day, i began to realize how much i love to teach people and be active in all that's going on on the floor (maybe that just means i'd be a good charge nurse? ha!). i did, however, start tossing around the idea of furthering my nursing education (seriously, me??? who knew?) and becoming a clinical nurse specialist in oncology. who knows!? part of me woud just relish in spending time studying cancer, cancer treatments and nursing involovement in that process. who knows what lies ahead but i figured what better place to gear up for learning more than the number 1 hospital in the nation? i'm already starting to go back to my oncology books and read more. its so easy to get caught up in what's happening at work that by the time you get home you want nothing to do with nursing! So... who knows what God's doing with all of this??? I'm excited to find out!

Ok, here's the game plan for those of you who are into details! ;-)

Fortunately I have a few days off! So I plan to get most of my packing done in the next few days!

I work a few days then head to San Diego
Mom and Dad are flying in on the 22nd for Dad's work
Hang out in SD until the 24th
Mom, Dad, Laura drive back up to MDR
We hang out :)
Mom and Dad fly out in the am of the 27th
I work the 27-30
Say good bye to So Cal and fly to MSP the 31
go to a wedding and hang in the TC's for a week
drive to De Witt and put in some quality IA time
Fly to Baltimore sometime during the week of the 10th
Start work on the 17th!
Fly back to MSP for sisters/CSP Homecoming weekend.
Back to Baltimore on the 23rd.

Wow... I'm excited, nervous and of course praying and trusting that the Lord will continue to guide and bless this journey.

Thanks for joining me on this adventure.. your love, prayers, support, and encouragement are glimpses of Christ in every day life!!! What a blessing! :)

I love you all dearly...

Laura

oh the times they are a changin'...

2007-08-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

greetings and salutations from Long Beach!

I'm here hanging out at Ingrid's house while she puts in her time at work. We had a fabulous evening last night at our favorite little restaurant in Belmont Shore. Ingrid is a regular there so when we walked in and took a seat in the waiting area, she made eye-contact with our favorite waiter who said, "Hi, need some wine?" :) ha!!!

Well... I write with an update to share. As you've probably gathered, I'm not a big fan of the hospital at which I currently work. This past winter, as I devised my plan for the year, I truly thought I would love it here and would resign my contract, maybe even staying for up to a year. "Travel Nursing" works like this.. I pick a city or cities where I'd like to live, tell the recruiter, and she tells me what jobs are available in that area/s. She submits my profile and if they like what they see, they call me and we interview over the phone. They ask questions, I ask questions. If they like me, they offer me a job, if I like them, I accept. The contract is only for 13 weeks. Often times, one will sign another 13 week contract if they still have a need and the nurse would like to stay.

My contract is up at the end of the month with my current hospital. (praise Jesus!). Though the pay is better here than anywhere else in the nation, I cannot stay at a place that is so disorganized, feels unsafe, and where i end up floating more often than not (meaning I end up taking care of patients whom i'm not really trained to care for as opposed to oncology patients). When I began to see that I was getting stressed out by the politics and relational dynamics/BS of other nurses of the floor, I stopped myself and concluded, "Hey!! I don't have to stay here and be miserable. I can go anywhere!!"

So what next? don't know!! There are jobs available in other areas of California but truly, if I can't be near the CA family, I haven't any desire to stay here. Why not see other parts of the country, eh?

Last week my plan was to extend my contract with this hospital for just 4 more weeks in order to buy some time to plan my next adventure.. however, they did not agree with this, they will resign me for 13 weeks, but not 4. I found this out Monday morning which means I technically don't have a job as of Sept 1!!!!! Apparently this is normal for travel nursing but it's definitely geeking me out a bit!!

So.. I'm looking at hospitals in Baltimore, Hawaii, Denver, and a place in San Fran valley (not my first choice, but an option).

I had an interview with Baltimore it sounds like they're really interested and I should know by Friday. The more I interview with other places, the more I think it would be an amazing experience to work there! It sounds like an incredibly run, well-organized, well-researched, challenging and exciting place to work. They really depend on their oncology nurses to be intuitive and hone in on what's going on with the patients body.. kind of "reading between the lines," of the signs and symptoms, so to speak, being proactive, etc.

I had another phone interview with the hospital in the bay area of San Fran. They actually offered me the job so its comforting to know I have that to fall back on. Unfortunately, based on the answers to my questions, it doesn't sound as though this place is much more organized than that where I'm currently working so its definitely not my #1 choice. I will interview with a hospital in CO at the end of the week.

So that's the skinny on my nursing life. I am thankful for any prayers you may send up as I take on this new adventure.. choosing a new place to work, the move, new city, etc!

Wow... Who knew? I'll be sad to leave the CA family but its been a blessing to spend the last three months with them.

Thanks for checking in... hope to see some of you on my time off in between assignments! i'll be meandering between St. Paul to DeWitt for a few weeks in the early part of Sept!

much love,

laura

when lyrics come to life

2007-08-09T09:19:00.001-07:00

work was better for me yesterday, despite being mortified by the behavior of one of the full time staff.. oy.. words cannot describe..

my friend, jamie, however, had quite a rough day as it was her turn to float to the ortho floor to which i had floated the day before. so we deemed this reason enough to commence with margaritas and mexican food after work. :D

when we got home i started writing out an e-mail when my body decided sleeping was necessary.. I thus ended up sleeping on the couch for a few hours when suddenly I was woken by something... something strange. at first i thought it had been thunder.. when all of the sudden, it happened again!

"I feel the Earth

move

under my feet..."

I quickly ran for a doorway remembering a friend's story about their honeymoon in Hawaii during an earthquake and how she stood in the door and watched things jump off the wall! Fortunately for me, that little shift in the earth's plate was all I was to experience last night.

But ever since then, I can't get Carole King's voice out of my head..

"I see the sky tumbling down..."

fun facts about the day

2007-08-07T22:14:00.000-07:00

my shift at work made me want to leave the field of nursing. ok, not so fun, but true, indeed. perhaps this was because i was again floated to the ortho floor.. and to quote the resident, "we brake people here and it hurts." yes, i gathered that with my morning of administering narcotic after narcotic and still having my patients crying or anxious. oh my oncology patients, how i missed knowing how to care for thee.

moving on to the fun stuff..

on the way into work, while waiting for the elevator in the parking garage.. i noticed that the girl waiting with me had a little canvas bad that said, "st. kates." i found it interesting and wondered if it was possible that another existed, so i asked her which st. kate's she had attended and guess what!? the same one i did!!! in st. paul, mn!! how crazy is that!? we had a chance to chat a bit as we made our way across the street and into the hospital. she graduated a year before me so we even had the same profs!! fantabulous!!!! a bright start to my morning..

receiving a message from one of my best friends from high school, Ryan. my heart is so full of love for these people i've known most of my life!!

coming home and sitting on the balcony.. and being cold! who said summers in CA were hot? not on the coast! ;)

also having to wear a second layer on the upper body whilst sitting outside.. and out of my collection of hoodies, i chose the old 1970's, navy blue, belted sweater with huge flap collars that i can wrap around my neck if cold, and missing buttons. i got this sweater for $1.00 at a garage sale in st. paul 5 years ago. i treasure it.

meeting a nurse who is brand new to this hospital.. and the look of relief on her face when she realized i thought this place was crazily-run, as well, allowing her a brief 5 minutes of venting. oh the bond of nursing. yesterday i met a nurse who is new to the hospital and traveling. i smiled at her and said, "ok, just go into this knowing that nothing making any sense here and your transition will be a lot easier." :)

got a sweet e-mail from an old co-worker in st. paul! she said they're counting on my return to the twin cities someday, because "with that farmer blood in me" they just can't fathom i'd stay in CA too long! ;) oh how well they know me!!! a sweet reminder of the dear group of friends whom i truly miss!

fun fact about Sunday night.. a girlfriend of mine from high school who lives in las vegas was up in anaheim with her hubby and some friends.. i met them at their hotel, across from disneyland. so guess what people? i went to disneyland. can you believe it? well, i only actually went into "downtown disney" which is free to get into and mainly shops and restaurants.. but hey, baby steps, right?! ;) we had a blast!!! pictures to come!!!

fun fact about monday night! monday was my dear friend, lindsey's birthday! i sent her a text on my way home from work wishing her a "happy" one! i received one back saying that her and my old neighbor boys (the 998's) who are now friends of hers (and the other sisters), as well, were at Shamrocks for dollar burgers!!! oh my heart.. i hope you all had a fabulous time. did i mention that i love and miss you people?! ;)

ok.. one last day shift.. say a prayer that i can actually have a servant's heart cause i'm struggling with that!!!

love to all!! (and if anyone from work is reading this, please tell everybody hi and send a big loud laugh, a song from rent, and a post-starbucks smile from me, oh and throw in a jab at Dick, PharmD for me, will ya?! ;))

laura

the blessing of a neighbor..

2007-08-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

so i know this isn't my blog to gush about things, but i think most of you check in more often with this one.. and I just had to share this with everyone! :)

what most might not think twice about or maybe for a few a seconds.. i occasionally have the tendency to dwell. this can be on positive and negative things. i've been told i "think too much.." whatcha' gonna do?

as i said in the last blog, i've tried to get a hold of or find out if most that i know in the twin cities are ok and have been blessed to hear only good results, thus far (in that situation there were thousands of lucky people waiting in traffic and an unaccounted number of unlucky crossing the oh-so-trusted bridge.. well, i suppose that's just a one way of secularly looking at it and a whole different blog of reflection..).

Either way, at one point yesterday, I had a text from my new neighbor, Karin, asking how my friends in Minneapolis were; a voice mail from pat (life-long friend/friend-of-family/neighbor) saying, "heyyy neighbor laura..." he was just checking in to see if everyone in MN that I knew, was ok. I had another voice mail from Stacy, one of the 998's (boys who used to live in the same little apt. complex as myself in St. Paul). His message began, "hey neighbor Laura."

:)

At that moment, in the midsts of an insanely busy day on the orthopedic floor where oncology nurses should not be working, where my eyes could only quickly scan the news of Minnesota and my heart ached to be home watching the news and praying.. in the midsts of all of this.. the realization of God's blessings hit me once again. Neighbors. A simple word, but one that has come to mean so much.. a lifetime of amazing friends who've become like family who have loved, cared for, and supported me through out my life.

When I ventured out to live on my own last year in May, I was slightly nervous. I'm a pretty social gal and seem to thrive in community, so I wasn't sure how I'd do on my own. Then I started meeting the neighbor boys upstairs (6 guys who lived in a 6-bedroom apt.. and when i say guys, i mean incredible, genuine, caring, welcoming, talented, intelligent, amazing men) who become like a whole new set of brothers to me, helping me hang pictures, teaching me things, advising me on "boy situations," etc. We lived in a great little fellowship for a year, going out every monday for dollar burgers, throwing parties, making dinner, singing w/guitar after-hours, kayaking, playing in the snow, we even managed to have many-a-conversation about God/s, religion/s, wars, etc., buy a Christmas tree and decorate it, and have a "Christmas dinner." if you were to find a blog on here, a few blogs back, there's actual picture documentation of this year from the slide show they made me when i left.. yeah.. exactly, 6 guys!! outstanding.

Ingrid was once a neighbor, as well, as was Lindsey, Debbie, Dani, Rachel and a dorm full of other amazing women.. some of which are my closest and dearest friends and with that comes blogs and blogs of blessings. :) ("on concordia, on concordia......" who's excited for sisters weekend "come home for homecoming 07?")

Then there's Ben and Lucy... oh my.. talk about incredible people!!! This early-30's, Christ-loving, amazing couple lived next door to Jill, with whom I lived for two years, and I met by nothing other than divine intervention. Ben and Lucy shared their lives, family, daughters, and home with me for two years. Many blessings came from those two years that i cannot even fathom to sum up in this non-gushing blog.. ;)

But I will try to sum it up here, folks. If you've been a neighbor to me, Thank you!!!! Know that no matter what you believe, God used you in my life and you blessed me!! For you I will always be thankful. From childhood neighbors, dorm-room neighbors, post-collegiate neighbors, down-the-street neighbors and now california neighbors.. I say in all humility, "Wow... I've been blessed."

"A good neighbor is a priceless treasure." - Anonymous

prayers...

2007-08-01T21:40:00.001-07:00

oh beautiful MN friends...

i was out with my neighbor when i received a text from my friend jamie who alerted me to the tragedy in the twin cities. i was soon on my way home when i got another text from my brother in illinois. i had no idea what had happened.

my heart was torn when i got home to see the footage of the bridge.. of course i tried getting a hold of many of you. my phone wasn't receiving many calls due to it still being a twin cities phone number, but i was able to receive texts from many of you who are ok. thank goodness..

i'm praying for all of you.. especially those whom i know use that bridge.. as well as your family and friends and of course those who have shockingly lost their lives and loved ones this evening.

what a tragedy.

all my love..

laura

one bad hour

2007-07-22T15:49:00.000-07:00

ah.. greetings! :)

had a GREAT weekend.. with the exception of one hour!!! ha! i worked my first day shifts at the hospital wed, thurs, and fri. the first two days were really tough as i had a hard time falling asleep every night. how ironic is that? i got plenty of sleep when working night shifts and now my body doesn't know what to do with days! ah.. anyway.. friday was a great day, super busy, but i got a lot done and felt good about it.. until the last part of the shift when i was giving report and some nurse was a tool to me,.... ok.. we're gonna edit that part out.. little too negative! :)

i took some deep breaths on the way home from work and reminded myself that I had a great day, did a good job and was going to have a great night!

when ingrid arrived to my apt i ran down stairs to get my garage door opener so as to let her in and have her park in my extra spot. meanwhile she's driving around the neighborhood so security won't give her grief for parking in a no-parking zone. i got the opener and made it to the front door when all of the sudden, my phone stops working. yes, literally.. i try to call ingrid, with whom i'd spoken only moments earlier, and my phone says, "You've reached the roaming network, we're sorry, but your number is not registered in this area, you can press 1 to pay $.25/min." what? i do not heart sprint.. nor do i have a credit card on me with which to pay! what is that? i've made calls from the same area where i was standing.. i pay for nation-wide roaming, etc. this is crazy and has never happened to me before.

i asked security if i could possibly borrow his phone and he, in is uncomfortable, unfriendliness asked why.. ugh. ingrid still driving around waiting for me. phone still not working. instead of explaining the whole thing i just walk away with hopes of spotting ingrid's car. nope. instead i spot pretty people about to go on a date. i reluctantly ask them if i may borrow their phone and in my rushed awkwardness try to explain why. the young man hands me his mini-computer phone while is poofy-haired date rolls her eyes.. i apologize profusely, of course. while i'm trying to look up ingrid's number on my phone and dial it into the computer-phone, i drop my garage door opener (this detail important later). i think i'm actually shaking at this point! ha.. the gentleman picks it up and poofy rolls her eyes again. turns out i'm not good with computer phones so he kindly dials the number for me.

as a side note.. this young man was quite kind and generous. he reassured me that it was definitely ok and even offered to stick around for a bit in case i needed his phone again. poofy-hair.. well, of her, i'm not a big fan. i hope she's a nicer person than the impression that i got or else its a waste of a good-looking, nice guy.

luckily ingrid answered the call from the strange number and we find each other! i jump in her car and we drive back to the parking garage door to get in.. only the door isn't opening. yes, remember that little detail of the dropped opener? one little 4-foot drop and the dang thing stops working! ugh.. so we drive to another door and follow someone else in. it takes a while but we finally find my parking spot (very confusing little garage, it is). i back my car out so ingrid can park, leaving my car available on the outside to be driven.. because we had plans to meet new friends in hermosa beach (the people i met at the 56 show).

i get out of my car to help ing with her stuff and it hits me. my keys are not in my hand.. but my stupid non-working-wimpy garage door opener is. yeah.. seriously! can this night get any better? yes it can... because not only are my keys in the locked car, along with my only set of apartment keys.. my car is still running!!!!!!!

i cannot believe this is happening. i start to think something is very wrong... karma? spirits? what's going on? turns out it was probably just a lack of sleep since i'd only slept about 12 hours over the course of 3 days! oh and.. i left candles burning in my apartment! :-/ thankfully ingrid lived out her middle name by comforting me with her Grace! she stayed positive and encouraging and helped me get through my troubled evening.

the car thing turned out ok when we made friends with the non-friendly security man and a couple of guys who were also having car trouble (and who happen to be from Moline, IL, one of the quad-cities!!!!). we spent an hour or so using an old coat-hanger, a flat-head screwdriver, and flashlight to reach in and opoen the door handle. for a while we thought we might have to break the window. oy.. i dearly love this little borrowed car and would not have been able to watch that!

by this time its after 11 and our plans with hermosa friends are out the window. :( on the bright side, ingrid and i made the best of it and ended up having a wonderful time together! we grabbed some vino rojo at the grocery store (you can do that here!!!!) and ordered good ol' delivery pizza for ourselves and the hero security guys. we hung out in my apt and enjoyed the feast along with a great few hours of talking, laughter, and just plain good ol' sister time!

saturday we made it to cafe buna for some brunch then off to the beach! beautiful day! i seriously dig the waves! i could play in them all day!! lol...

that's all for now folks! gotta hit the bike path! ;)

love
laura

mostly music

2007-07-17T01:03:00.000-07:00

hello friends!!

i've had a bunch of days off after working a bunch in a row.. I planned this so that I could go see my favorite band, 56 Hope Road, play while they were in town. And I've had a great time! little background if you don't know.. the members of 56 went to college with brian, big brother, in illinois. he used to tell me about them all of the time.. i just kinda shrugged my shoulders, like, "ok, cool." then he sent me their cd and i was hooked! i loved 'em. their sound is something funky, acoustic, unique. anyway, i went to one of their shows in minneapolis, almost 3 years ago and met a guy there, mike, who was from decatur, as well, and knew brian and kim. i ended up tagging along with him on a road trip from MN to WI to IL following the band. so fun! I've continued to meet great people through the 56 family.. what a blast its been.

so, they were here last wednesday in santa monica. my friends jamie and sarah went with me. i was so excited to share the band with my friends. i was also really pumped to be seeing them out here.. i was literally squealing at times!! ha! turned out that the venue had amazing acoustics.. i was blown away and wishing brother brian could have been there to hear it, too!!! fun times.

thursday night they played in hermosa beach. i had just friiied myself at the beach that day and felt like crap, but that was not going to stop me from getting my 56 fix! unfortunately, i'd fallen asleep when i got home and woke up at 9ppm so i only made it for their last set! it was fun, though.. had a chance to hang out with them a bit and continued on the tradition of meeting cool people!

when i first got there the band was in between sets on a break so i got to say hi and hang out a bit. met an adorable couple who was on their first date.. seriously cute and a lot of fun! met a few guys from the area, one whose family is from iowa.. dad from davenport! crazy! super nice people with whom i'll likely hang out with again!

last night, neighbor karin had some people over for a celebratory dinner since she started her new job today. amazing food.. and wine, of course! it was great meeting more people.. for a while there were 5 of us.. me- iowa/minnesotan, karin-hawaiian, anya- german, ronnie- englisih, and jo- from new zealand. how fun and eclectic is that?

today i rode my bike down to venice and met them at a bar on the beach... crazy. crazy scenery, crazy people, crazy beautiful ocean. people from everywhere.. a man with his piano, rockin' it on the ped street. a guy with no legs.. lying on a skateboard, on his torso, pushing the board with his arms. yes, welcome to venice, where such things are normal. such an interesting place that i greatly enjoy!

and.... isn't a funny thing how you can totally be caught up in your present life.. where you're at, what you're doing, etc.. when all of the sudden you hear a certain song, or melody, and it snaps you right back into a moment of your past.. like suddenly you're right there, living in that moment again. that happened to me tonight. twice.

music is amazing, really.

that's all folks. this weekend ingrid's going to come up to my neck of the woods for a night out (with new friend from 56 show), sleepover, and a day at the beach on saturday! can't wait!!! we need to log some serious sister time!!!!

peace and love

laura

the blog you've all been waiting for!!! :)

2007-07-04T11:24:00.001-07:00

well, some of you have been waiting! sorry to take so long to post again.. my internet is less than stellar so i sometimes get annoyed and give up when trying to blog! :) i was writing this blog the day mom left (the 4th) but couldn't get the photos to upload... so let's try again!!! click on pictures for bigger view.. a lot bigger view! :)

Mom and I had a great time while she was out here! It was a vacation for both of us! Sunday we laid pretty low as I had (silly me) injured my foot after walking miles and miles in flipflops on Saturday.. what was i thinking?

We had breakfast on the balcony then mom went with me to my lovely little church just blocks down the road. We tried to make our way to the beach but we joined by just about everyone else in town. Our plan had been to rent bikes and ride up and down the shore but by the time we got there, there were no bikes left to be rented. So we came back and relaxed in an attempt to heal my foot. That night I discovered that if I wore super high heels that my foot didn't hurt when i walked- go figure! I think they somehow took pressure off of the arch of my foot where it was so sore! So I threw those on and we went out for dinner with neighbor/friend Patrick at James' Beach.. a fun, funky, eclectic-crowd-drawing little restaurant near Venice Beach. Had a great time and good food.

Monday morning we had breakfast with the fam at Schooner or Later in Long Beach. Mom really enjoyed it and can't wait to take Dad there! Its a little restaurant on the marina.. outdoors. Its a family favorite. On the way out, we found my dream car!!

And since we were in the area, we tried to look up my cousin! :) I have a younger cousin who's a pro skate-boarder that recently moved to the area as well. We got his address and found his apt. Unfortunately, he wasn't around so we left him a note. Here are some pics for the family.. the little complex he lives at is adorable!

yeah... it was sort of like we were stalking him.. we tried every mode of finding his number. got a nice text from him the next day.. hopefully he and i will be able to meet up.. haven't seen him in a while and i'd love to see him skate!

After that adventure we drove next to the amazing Pacific and made our way back home. Then we packed up for a day at the beach with hopes of bike rides. We went to Venice Beach, got some old beach cruisers and rode up and down the coast with a nice little stop at the Santa Monica Pier and some tasty strawberry lemonade at Bubba Gumps.

Here we are at the Santa Monica enjoying the view from the ferris wheel.. incredible!

Tuesday morning we drove up the Pacific Coast Highway up to Malibu. One beautiful drive, I tell you. We found a free parking place and a spot on the beach and sprawled out! Here are some pics of the incredible waves! mom also got some pics of me playing in them for the first time. i felt like a little kid!!!

that night we went to a big shopping center/movie theater to get a little bit of both done! we weren't in the store even 10 minutes when the power went out and an alarm sounded with a voice telling us to exit out the nearest door. apparently the whole center, including the attached restaurants and theater all lost power. we heard bits and pieces and found a great amount of entertainment watching people overreact and the good-looking fireman come to the rescue.. of what they were rescuing, we were unsure. :)

we ended up going to a shopping area closer to my apartment and finished the night at a sea food restaurant. mom even tried sushi and sake (japanese rice wine). she wasn't a huge fan of either, but i was proud of her for trying!

like mother...

like daughter...

only mother didn't like! ;-)

Wednesday I had to send her off. :( as most of you know, my mom is huge blessing in my life so it was a joy to spend almost a whole week with her. she thanked me for being a good hostess but in reality, I couldn't ask for an easier guest! And really, i couldn't ask for a better friend.. or a more loving, even-keeled, reasonable, gracious, positive, encouraging mother. seriously, one amazing woman for whom i'm incredibly thankful. her visiting was the greatest gift! :)

thanks to all for the birthday wishes and e-mails. happy birthday aunt tracey and anniversary aunt margo and uncle keith. hopefully personal e-mails from your truly will soon arrive. :)

lots of love to you all!!
laura

27.....

2007-06-30T23:45:00.000-07:00

july 1, 1980

well, by iowan (CST) time, i'm officially 27... which means i've celebrated 27 years of life... 27 years full of life. lessons learned, on a farm, in the barn, they hayloft, tire swings, lilac bushes, pulleys, tree houses, bunk house, tom boy, dirt, thunderstorms, laura ingalls, green apples, apple trees, cherry tree, grandpa, kato, conrad, brothers, amazing parents, incredible extended family, small community, beautiful friends, fantastic high school, lovely colleges, st. paul, (oh st. paul, how i love thee), united, the nook, sweeney's, muddy pig, grand ol' day, st. patrick's day, conversations, beers, ciders, burgers, piazza, catholicism, lutheranism, youth ministry, long walks, bike rides, mission trip, musicals, snow, sun, rain, ol' mexico, brits, lawn bowling, the local, the liffey, the xcel center, hockey games, africa, NYC, LA, solo plane rides, long road trips, being a roadie (a 56 hope roadie, that is!), nursing assistant, graduating, moving, nurse, chemo, cousins, marriages, baptisms, wedding receptions... love had, love lost, successes, failures, joy, pain, praise, etc... ***sigh***

july 1, 2007
to bring in the "new year" with me is my beautiful mother. she flew from iowa, via MSP :) and arrived safely in LAX. we've done quite a bit of just "taking it all in" since she's been here. meaning we've spent a lot of time, actually, the majority of time, outdoors (just the way we like it!). we spent today's early afternoon walking around the area in which i live and making friends with our dining neighbors at cafe buna. yesterday we spent the day soaking up the sun, the ocean, the people, and sand at the beautiful santa monica beach (see below)

tonight we drove to Orange and spent time with the fam. my lifelong-neighbor-practically-family-childhood-and-teenage-friend, Patrick, has also relocated to CA and he joined the family for a huge and tasty mexican-family-style meal prepared by none other than senor seth. you ain't had guacamole till you've had his! wow!

Brothers Josh and Seth preparing the food..

it was a great time and they even surprised me with my favorite summer drink and strawberry shortcake for a little b-day cele!

here's are the few pics i got..

brother josh showing off his silliness

the chef..

sister jill moves to quickly for my slow cam..

home, work, wine, neighbors...

2007-06-27T13:36:00.001-07:00

is california starting feel like home? maybe...

hi friends.... :) forgive the choppiness of these blogs. it seems there's always so much to say and so little time to write. but i'll do my best. life is good... and here's the latest..

work: getting better. getting used to the crazyily-lack-of-structure-and-sense system.. ;) and still enjoying the co-workers. i've also had some wonderful, wonderful patients.. a blessing, indeed! i've been working a lot in order to get my shifts in so that i can have a bunch of days off, because mom is soon to be on her way to LA.

exploring: have been to a few new places nearby. went on a lovely date with a lovely guy to a phenomenal mom and pop italian restaurant nearby. we had a great time but i could hardly eat my meal i was so enthralled with the garlic/olive oil dip for the bread.. mmm.. and the great smile across the table! ;0) also went to cafe buna.. had this tasty, tasty omelette with rice, beans, plantains, avocado. yum.

got a couple great phone messages that cheered my heart! one from the youth group with whom i volunteered in Woodbury. i got involved with the high school group last year when i traveled with them, as their nurse, on a mission trip to mexico. as we were driving cross country, i had everyone sing songs about each of the states through which we were driving. :) dorky but oh-so-true. i guess they didn't hate it too much because they called me, earlier this week, as they were crossing into Oklahoma and sang for "ooohhk-lahoma where the winds..." it was beautiful. i felt the love, people.. you rock! hope the trip is going well... praying that the border-crossing was less eventful than last year.

i also got an awesome message from lindsey about her and the boys and dollar burgers! loved it! dollar on, my friends... dollar on!

and.. remember my new neighbor who just moved in? i came home from work the other day and there was a beautiful bottle of wine and a cork screw (in a velvet case) on my doorstep! she'd written on the label, "welcome to LA, Laura." how sweet?

i was working nights this past weekend so i hadn't really a chance to stop by and thank her, but when i got home yesterday i rang her bell to see if she was in and it turned out that she was. her friend anya was over, as well. three hours and several (and by several i mean more than 2 and less than 4) very tasty bottles of red wine, and we were all instant friends! i'm pretty sure I self-disclosed more than necessary (but what's new, right?! she might as well know the laura everyone else does!), she'd made us some crazy amazing grilled mini-pizza (and i exaggerate not when i say amazing! chicken, cilantro, crushed pepper, mozzarella, almonds, etc.. she said she's like an "italian mama.." loves to cook for people!! who's a happy neighbor?)..

the three of us sat and talked and drank and laughed.. it was great! her mom was a travel nurse in Hawaii who kept renewing her contract there, so she pretty much grew up on the island and surfed every day of her life. sweet.. and guess who's gonna learn to surf???? :) she recommended a hair stylist for me and told me about a place that will pick up, wash, dry, fold, and deliver your laundry. hmmmm..... tempting. anyway, she's awesome.. thoughtful, fun, down-to-earth.. just the kind of neighbors i need.

i also met another traveler on our floor.. a fun, hip, sweet woman and she happens to live just down the hall from us.. i sense an apartment outing coming on...

well, that all i've got friends. i continue to be thankful for this experience, for all whom i've met, and all of your prayers, love, and support! hope all is well with everyone.

love to you..

laura

998

2007-06-22T17:06:00.000-07:00

the boys made this slide show before i moved and i also received from them a picture collage.. anyway.. i had to share this... i love it.. miss you you guys!!!

("the boys" were my neighbors.. they lived upstairs in a huge apt and i lived in a studio downstairs.. we became fast friends :) here are pics of our year)

bryan so kindly made a youtube of it.. yay!

thanks!!!

the adventure continues..

2007-06-19T23:11:00.001-07:00

hi everyone!

well... work was another night of mass chaos.. several of us are trying to talk to our manager about making some improvements and getting the place a bit more organized... so that's hopeful.

i slept a few hours when i got home.. just enough to feel rested but not too much that i couldn't sleep tonight. then friend/co-travel-nurse jamie called.. and Our Adventures of Tuesday began! :)

They started with a trip to Wal Mart in nice city outside of LA.. Crenshaw or something that started with a b.... hmmm.. either. We parked in a ramp and entered the three story Wal Mart.. oh yes.. three stories! aren't you just dying to hear about it? ;) there was one gigantic elevator. of course we were the first in line waiting for it, with our cart, and 3 people, including an employee with a massive cart totally cut in front of us.. argh!

we got up to the 2nd floor and cruised the aisles of all the good stuff we needed for our new apartments! jamie and i have spent a lot of time on the beach so we knew we needed a few things such as beach chairs.. you can only lay flat in the sand for so long. so we tested out a bunch of little chairs, including one called a "myPod" some strange looking thing but quite comfortable.. so we got them. we had fun.. the best part about 3-storied wal mart, though, was the cart escalator. have you seen this before? so that one doesn't have to use the elevator, there were normal escalators for people and crazy little belts that carried the carts up to the next floor, going just a bit slower than the human escalator so as to allow you time to get to the top of the cart-belt before it finished its journey. great fun! our cashier.. not so fun.. or friendly, but that didn't burst our silliness bubble.. we had a blast!

Our original plan was to go on a bike ride after Wal Mart but we decided to try out a little restaurant in a nearby town. the place is called Casablanca. it looked cute on the outside so we ventured in... and it was even cuter on the inside!! themed after its namesake, the movie, there were pictures of Ricks Cafe Americain, Morocco, and much more. Picture of the actors all over.. there was even an older woman in Moroccan style clothing making fresh tortillas on a wood burning stove in the middle of the restaurant! the service was great and those tortillas were the best i have ever had! i mean, amazing!!! i can't wait to take my parents there! or anyone else who visits!

We filled our bellies and had a great time.. then headed back to our apartments for a bike ride. just when i thought the day couldn't get better... we ended up riding on the venice beach bike path while God painted an amazing sunset over the coastal mountains. incredible... in my minds' eye i took many pictures for you all to see.. the moon shining over huge palm trees, the sun setting, the empty beach, the breeze, the crowded little streets of venice.. :) sigh....

we came back and jamie suggested hanging out in our apartment's hot tub.. well, that was a little crowded so we took a dunk in the bath-water-warm pool.

so yes.. seriously... the job.. a bit of pain. a learning experience, of course, and i'm giving a TON chemo so becoming even more comfortable with that, but all the greatness that comes along with this travel nursing gig has been amazing!

OH! I met a new neighbor who was just moving in across the hall. she seems really nice, maybe a few years older than myself, but down-to-earth.. and... after i told her to let me know if she ever needed anything she said, "you, too! I'm a wine broker so..." =) sweet!!

anyway.. it was lovely day thanks to my new friend jamie and the beautiful southern california.

thanks for all of you praying that i'd meet good people and have good neighbors. :)

lots of love
laura

ps.. i also think i found a great little catholic church really close to my apartment.. its a small community of people with a lovely little priest! did i already mention this in a previous blog? either way, i'm so grateful!

highlights

2007-06-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

my dearest friends,

i hope you all are doing well. i'm still working on getting back to people via-email. know i'm thinking of you all!

things are going well out here.. staying busy! making new friends.. checking out new places. here is a quick re-cap of some highlights:

-Santa Monica beach/pier.. beautiful!!! and also great for people watching!

-we found "the Nook" of Santa Monica!!!!! its a tiny little bar/grill near the Santa Monica pier called Big Dean's Muscle In. its a place for beach-goers to wander into for a cold beer and some fried food. the servers are cool, friendly, goofy, laid-back and not afraid to swear at each other in jest in front of customers. they even wear white and green t-shirts just like at the Nook. their food is cheap, good, fried, and served in little red baskets. water is served from a big water jug. they only have a few beers and wines to choose from. the server recognized the girl i was with who'd been there once! they don't take crap from their customers that offer it. they have the same kind of rude/humorous/vintage signage as the nook. good place....

-new kinds of advertisement that have humored me! planes fly over the coast with banner advertising anything from movies, to TV shows, adult beverages, to baseball games. we even saw a string of four planes just advertising Evan Almighty! another plane used white smoke to spell out "KYLE XY" apparently a new tv series on HBO! Californians also uses human advertising a lot! occasionally in the twin cities you'd see someone standing on grand ave with a sign for a bookstore that was closing, cheap oil changes, etc. that method of obtaining attention of new customers is used a LOT here! every day on my way to work i see this man.. by definition he is "hot (i think he's kinda slimy): good build (and by that i mean extremely buff), super tan (and by that i mean freakishly tan), blonde hair, etc.. the works.. every day he is standing on the street, dressed in a super-hero's uniform and cape, dancing like a freak with a shield of some sort and a radio blasting bad music. i laugh every day. i guess he's a human billboard for a place called west side rentals. i'm starting to wonder if its a rent-a-stripper store! :-/ crazy but funny.. these are just a few examples.. i've seen more super-hero uniforms on more diverse people than i could see in an hour in a comic book store.

-pubs: i drug my co-travel nurses to a pub! i loved it.. they were bored. i'm going to have to make some pub-going friends around here! its an irish pub and all of the servers are irish.. and rude! ha!

-tan: laura has a tan! even after i discovered that SPF 15 is not enough for this girl's hasn't-seen-the-sun-in-a-few-years skin. i lathered up with Consumer Report's top choice of sunblock every hour-and-a-half-ish at the beach and still walked away with a bit-o-burn. oh well.. it really doesn't hurt. i can't imagine how i'd feel sans-sunblock! i still look pasty compared to most!

-california fam. for those of you who don't know.. i have a good friend from college out here who became a part of a "family" made up of some people who are related (and by "some people" i mean some of the coolest, jesus-loving, open, honest, giving, caring, real people i've ever met!), others who work at the church (jill, seth, ingrid, JT all work there), and then other randoms, like me.. and everyone just spends a lot of time together hanging out, helping, talking, celebrating, etc. like a real family. after visiting ingrid 3 times i'd gotten to know the fam pretty well, in fact it was some of the things they said that inspired my move to CA. anyway... i've gotten to spend a little time with everyone so far.. but brandon, who lives in San Diego.. hopefully soon though! its been a blast! big people, little people, mom, sisters, new sisters, food, wine, grill, groceries, lions specials, painting toes, etc.

-GREAT highlight!! 3 of my past co-workers called from work last night and left me the sweetest message. they wanted to know how i was doing! i was able to call back and talk to all three of them.. i almost cried!!! :)

-another fantastic highlight: monster cookies from grandma in the mail!! along with a magnet with a map of iowa on it so i won't "forget my roots." awesome!!!!!!!

-i've been able to connect with a few friends via-phone! that's been wonderful.

i'm getting excited for my first visitor: Mom!!! as i told her.. the weather here is like those few spring or fall days in Iowa/Minnesota where you say, "oh its just perfect today." its like that every day here! no humidity. warm sun, cool coastal breeze. its even a little chilly in the shade sometimes. mom's going to love it, among many other things. she did say she was going to just lay in the back seat of the car while we were driving though.. i thought this a better idea than the eye-cover/mask i was going to make her wear! ha! she has a hard time watching cars zoom by! :) she'll be here for my birthday.. couldn't ask for a better gift! oh the places we'll go! ;-)

ok.. time to throw a load of scrubs in so i have something to wear to work!

hope all is well with each of you. as always, i appreciate you checking in.

love from the coast,

laura

earning it..

2007-06-14T05:35:00.000-07:00

hi everyone!

so what i've got to say, after my first week entirely on my own at the hospital.. is that i'm definitely earning the (fantastic) privleges of being a travel nurse. what do i mean by this.. well, though i am sincerely appreciative and am enjoying the great, paid-for apartment in a lovely location, beautiful weather, beaches, fun places to go, and fun people.. this job is crazy!

last week i oriented for 2 shifts with a precptor. now... because a "solid oncology" unit is a new to this hospital.. and because they hired 15 travel RN's, no one really knows what's going on here... and the nurses who were actually hired to work on this floor are all newly chemo certified. we do have a "resource" nurse who's from an oncology unit in an associated hospital but they don't really know the process here either!

anyway, after my 2 nights being "oriented," then my first night on my own last week, i came to work monday night, for my second shift, alone, i was floated to another floor- geriatric telemetry.... c-r-a-z-y..... this hospital is really disorganized compared to United, well, and according to all of the other travel nurses, its disorganized compared to everywhere! and the floor i floated to was worse! people were rude.. my patients were off their rockers.. awful. after my float night i had a whole new appreciation for my "home unit." even though the equipment is old, there are two patients to each room, they don't have lure-locks so we run chemo through"aligators" :-/ the charting was supposed to have changed to computerized but that only lead to double charting because they still use paper charts, too.. so now we have to repeat a lot of stuff, we carry the mars with us.. oh and the MAR's.. they are so bad. its crazy! and its not just me, the other travelers feel the same. :) thank goodness our patients, leaders, and co-workers rock!

overall, thus far.. its a good experience but its been frustrating and challenging. so, cheers to the twin cities for being updated, organized, good facilities, and allina for an awesome conversion from paper to 'puters! tell cappi all of her hard work paid off! oh, and for you past-fellow co-workers.. would you believe that i leave my apartment 45-50 minutes before my shift starts and get here 15-30 minutes before report?! i know! crazy!! its a little different than my 1.5 mile jaunt down grand ave! ;)

i'm now finishing my 2nd string of nights.. and i'm very happy to be done. jamie and i are going to head back to the beach and i'm going to spend my day sleeping there! then out tonight in santa monica with other travelers and ingrid!

i should make a formal apology on here for not getting back to many of you in calls and e-mails.. when i'm working 12-hour nights i literally just go to work, come home, shower, sleep and go back to work. i don't clean, i don't make meals, nothing! so i'm behind in my replies.. but i am always happy to hear how things are going for all of you!! thanks!

love and blessings from CA!

laura

nights, monkeys, beaches, and more..

2007-06-11T02:18:00.000-07:00

hi friends!

wow.. it has been an eventful week!

i worked my first string of night shifts at the hospital and well... hmm.. the good things i have to say:

its only three months
there are a lot of travel nurses so its really fun
my preceptor was really nice
the nurse to patient ratio is 3:1 right now
our leaders are awesome
the hospital is small so i can't get lost (unless i'm picking up a med at pharmacy or dropping something off at the lab in either case means i'm winding around a scary, dark, basement without signage.. ugh)
"Izzy's Deli to the stars" is open all night, so if we're desperate for some food or java, or pie, cheesecake, etc.. we have a place to go in the middle of the night!
i get to live in a beautiful apartment for free.. that has great amenities!
i am diggin' the weather and i hear it gets even better
i am really enjoying venice and venice beach..
santa monica is incredible
i get to see my pals from long beach a lot more
i get to hang out with those which i'd consider like nieces and nephews..
i can ride a one-speed bike without dying cause its pretty flat near the coast!
i get to talk to my mom every day as she checks in to make sure i'm "ok" :) hehe..

i could go on and on about the good stuff for a while! the hospital is not ideal.. i really don't think i'd stay there if they asked me to renew after this contract is up.. compared st United, i feel very unsafe.. i'm looking for bigger and better-structured facilities in the area

good news: mom will be here for my birthday! she's flying into LAX by herself (huge deal!)! her layover is in Minneapolis/St. Paul! crazy...

better news: mom and dad will be in CA in august.. i hope the CA and IA fam can meet!

this weekend was great! i went out with one of the travel nurses, Jamie, who lives in my apartment complex who also works on my floor! we hit up a cantina near the beach then the prominade in santa monica where we met some fun pool players! ;)

jamie and i went to venice beach today.. beautiful- absolutely stunning scenery!! then back to the prominade for a little laura-needs-summer-clothes-mini-spree. jamie's a great person so that has been a true blessing! she's originally from Illinois so we have the "midwest girls" thing in common.

then dear friend ingrid made the hike up here from LB and we had dinner at a fab "earthy" restaurant with beautiful outdoor seating in Venice.

some crazy things from this weekend:
-a monkey (like the one from friends) dressed up, in the middle of the ped mall.. displaying no tricks other than tipping his hat before he took the money that was offered him.
-a crazy kid, "evan from heaven" who wanted to teach us how to surf but was as high as a kite, himself
-breakdancers in the street
-a walk-thru-ish starbucks where apparently john mayer and other big liners have played
-a Christian guy with a mic, on the ped street trying to scare people into believing in Jesus.. that made me sad
-a 70-year-old man in a speedo on the beach
-food delivered to us on the beach
-crazy strange people carrying around a briefcase... on the beach

to top off a great weekend, i got a hilarious gift in the mail from my father and a fantastic e-mail from dear friend, lindsey, in st. paul.. who said she'd run into some of my old neighbor boys and that they would all be commencing for dollar burgers tonight as we did each monday at 8:30! oh i will be there in spirit! lindsey's e-mail also contained other news that brought a lot of joy!! thanks, linds!

a great weekend..

thanks for checkin' in!! and thanks to all the phone calls, comments, texts, e-mails, etc.. of love and support.. i miss and love you all!

and thanks to the california fam for taking such good care of me, checking in, letting me hangout at your homes, etc..

yours,
laura

new hospital, new favorite starbucks...

2007-06-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

hello again!

praise the Lord the sun in shining today.. no marine layer! the marine layer, in case you don't know, because i didn't, is a thick layer of clouds/fog hanging over the coast that is usually broken up in the early afternoon by the sun's heat. the past few days, however, its stuck around for the entire day.. ugh! but this morning i awoke to sun shining through the window.. i was pretty excited!

yesterday i toured the area of the hospital where i'll be working.. an interesting experience. i didn't expect it to be that much smaller than the hospital in st. paul, but it was! united's set up for their oncology patients is much better than this set up. for you fellow nurses reading this, can you believe they actually have this gigantic filtration (furnace-looking) mechanism in the room- sitting next to the bed! this is their negative air flow system. i was slightly horrified!! AND only two of their 14 rooms are private- crazy! also, they had converted to computerized charting 6 months before we did at united and the physicians still aren't entering their own orders! wow..

on a positive note.. several people i met told me i would enjoy working on the oncology floor there. i'm assuming this is because of the leaders as all of the nurses getting this floor up and running are travelers, with the exception of the few resource nurses from a nearby clinic. as i was sitting in my current leader's office, i noticed the many awards she'd received as "leader of the year" "director of the year" etc. that was encouraging. also, she's quite down-to-earth, a quality i very much appreciate! she asked where i was living and when i told her she said "oh.. there's a nurse working today that lives there" and she made sure i was introduced to her! how sweet!? when i met this nurse, she invited me out this weekend with her and a few other travel nurses for someone's birthday. a few of us are in the same complex, eveen! so.. with any job, it seems this one will follow suit with positives and negatives. :) kind of nice that i'm only committed for three months!

over all.. i'm looking forward to the new experience and can't say for sure that i would stay if they asked! we'll see! I am interested to see what its like working in a teaching hospital.

on the way home, i stopped at a drive-thru starbucks to order a latte (thanks to gift certificates from past co-workers:) !!) when i got to the window, i gave my card to the guy from which i ordered and he informed me that my coffee would just be a minute. no problem.. i sat and stared at all the pretty bikes across the street at the bike store and dazed off for a few minutes.

i was snapped out of my daze when a different guy, a strikingly gorgeous guy, leans out the window, smiling at me, cradling my latte as though it were a personal gift he'd been working on.. just for me, hoping i would love it as much as he thinks i will, practically leans into my car, and says in a (i kid you not) come-hither tone, "here you go." and gently, but with clear masculinity, places my latte in my hands.

hmmm...ok

i smile back. i thank him.. i am in shock. did that just happen?? lol.. are you seducing me with starbucks? i stare ahead in disbelief for a moment then drive away laughing, thinking "what exactly is going on in this city?" ha!

i guess i know where i'll be getting my starbucks from now on! lol...

i'm off for a bike ride on my new old bike.. then its nap time in order to prepare for my first 12 hour night shift. oy!

blessings to you all...

love
laura

my first sunday...

2007-06-03T22:59:00.000-07:00

hello friends..

thanks again for checking in. all is well in CA... i continue to learn more every day! :)

yesterday, as i was finishing unpacking, i had a craving for sushi. i figured it'd be good for me to force myself outside of my comfort zone (my apartment), so i "citysearched" and found a place less than a block away! ha! the area i'm living in is pretty busy so i hadn't been brave enough to venture out, on foot, until i had to go find my sushi bar. it was as i was walking to the restaurant that i happened upon a GREAT outdoor shopping center.. the gap, express, DSW.. what more could a girl ask for? ;-) so i made a few "necessary" purchases, dropped my things off at home and went back for some sushi.

the bar tender was great... i had to admit that this was my first time ever eating sushi alone so i wasn't sure what to order for one. she made a recommendation and then asked me if i had just moved here. how could she tell? ;) she was super nice and we talked the whole time i was there. she warned me to be careful and even gave me a phone number of a taxi driver whom i could trust as she'd once had a bad experience with another. she invited me to go out with her tonight in the downtown area in which i live. i thought about going, but i'm not sure i'm feeling that adventurous yet. oh Nook, how i miss thy familiar faces.

today i went to a church that someone had recommended.. and it was one hip happenin' catholic church. lots of young people so i suppose that was the reason for the recommendation; however, i tend to favor the more traditional type worship and this service was more rockin' praise and worship. beautiful service and church.. though i'm not sure its where i'll continue to go.

i drove around awhile and found the hospital where i'll be starting wednesday.

this afternoon i drove down to a friends house and hung out with "little people" and one of the moms while the other parents were working. fun times with 5 kiddos.. 5 very active and sleep-lacking kiddos!

on my way home i took a detour to check out an old bike i'd seen on craigslist. and i drove home with a big, ol bike in the back of the car.. :) its an old schwinn beach cruiser, one speed, white-wall tires with a rusting white basket. PERFECT! watch out so-cal.. its been a long time since i've back-peddeled in order to break! ;)

oh! i almost forgot to mention that in the elevator today, i asked a woman how to get to the interstate and she said it was in the direction of a restaurant of which i was unfamiliar. i had to give the ol, "i just moved here" excuse. she asked from where i'd moved and i told her. she said she was also from MN- edina, to be exact! that was great! we would have talked more but the elevator door was closing as i had arrived to my destined floor, so we exchanged apartment numbers and "hope to see you again"-s. i never did understand where the interstate was.. oh, and here is where you ask, "why don't you have a map, laura?"

another fantastic question, friends, as in fact, i did! ingrid's lovely grandma gave us an atlas since our rental car was not equipped with one, and ingrid graciously let me have it! then on friday, when i had to return the car, i hadn't yet taken the atlas out, and since there wasn't any time to hike it all the way back up to my apartment, i hid it behind a pole in the secured, underground parking. oh.. just take a guess.. you bet! it was totally gone when i got home from the airport friday night. seriously.....

anyway, all in all, my first sunday in CA was a good and productive day, including a stop at another, less "city" target.. but you better believe i didn't walk out of eye-sight from cart!

blessings to all..

love
laura

welcome to california..

2007-06-01T21:09:00.000-07:00

oh friends, forgive me for the long blog... its been quite a ride, thus far. i'm ready for things to calm down, but the following is my account of the last few days... so interesting for this farm-girl-at-heart.

if you should get bored mid-way.. at least read the second-to-last paragraph! ;-)

Thursday's events: Ingrid helped me move my stuff into my lovely (thanks, travel nursing company) apartment! its not huge, but its bigger (and nicer) than the studio on Grand, though i'm pretty sure this one doesn't come with 6 fantastic neighbor boys. despite this, i'm definitely enjoying the fact that i'm not paying for this great place of residency.

once everything was moved in, ingrid took off for work and i ventured to target, after getting directions to "the nice one" from a lovely woman working in the apartment complex office.

the directions were very good but "nice" target ended up being farrrrrr away.. like West Hollywood/LA far away! i had to park underground, take a parking ticket, and an elevator to get into the store. like seth mentioned in his blog, it was certainly comforting to walk into a very familiar setting..... at least... so i thought.

i'd been in target for 15 minutes browsing the "home goods" looking for items to replace that which i was unable to bring with (fan, towels, bath rugs, shelves, etc), when suddenly, i was unable to locate my empty cart. you know the drill.. you leave your cart in one aisle for a few minutes while you meander down another, and you come back to it. right? oh no.. apparently not in LA! my cart was g-o-n-e. nowhere to be found.. argh!!

it was only a few minutes of back tracking to get another one, but seriously.. who does that? i wondered if perhaps a target personnel assumed that someone had just left an empty cart. either way, a new one was obtained. tied to the handle of this new cart, was little piece of a plastic bag. "good," i thought, "this way i'd remember my cart and wouldn't lose it."

so i put the few things i'd chosen, thus far, in the new cart and headed back to the home section. i figured this time no one would take my cart containing items, because they'd know it was actually being used. hmmm... guess not! (("I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.")) my cart was swiped- AGAIN! i'm sure you're thinking, "well, laura.. why did you leave it unattended?" and that's a great question, friends... but i haven't a great answer.. :/

so.. i was fairly frustrated by this point and wanting to cry on the inside, just a little. i began looking for my things thinking someone would have just dumped them off somewhere. after 4 minutes of this searching, i remember the plastic bag tied to the handle and i spot the bandit. she was a middle-aged latino woman. strangely enough, i didn't hesitate at all to call her out on it: "excuse me, ma'am, i believe this is my cart. it had a few things in it." "oh yes," she says, i put them back." confused, i wonder if she works there.. oh no.. she just took my cart. quite kindly (i say sarcastically), she retrieved my items for me, as she knew exactly where she'd put them, took her things out, and the cart back to me. i thanked her and said i'd just moved from minnesota and wasn't used to that happening, to which she laughingly replied, "well you're in the city, now, girl. people will take it and run if you don't hang on to it."

"you're in the city, now, girl." that was my piece of advice for the day.

so i got my stuff and got out of the crazy city target. despite the frustration, i was strangely sort of proud of myself like a 4-year-old who's just learned to tie her shoes for the first time, after making my first successful trip to target. is that odd? :)

i then made a quick jaunt to the grocery store before dark last night because its so close i could walk. i purchased only the necessities: red wine, frozen pizza, broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, milk, and cereal. came home, crashed with the pizza and wine and went to bed.

Friday:

got up "at the butt crack of dawn," drove to the airport, followed signs all around the place to drop my rental car off (good-bye fival!). by the time i followed all of the signs get to the area where the car belonged, i was pretty sure i wasn't even in LA anymore!

it was there that i had to pretend i was moving to Honduras in the very near future, so as to avoid giving my phone number to the nice gentleman working at the car return! that did not work, however, as he said he'd been "wanting to go to honduras.." to this i replied, "well, there's always a lot of volunteering opportunity." then he said he didn't want to live there, he just wanted to visit it! of course!! i then told him i wasn't dating because i was probably becoming a nun! ha... that didn't work, either, so then i just had to say, "i don't think so, i'm sorry!" i smiled and shook his hand. mom asked me if he was "a freak or something?" ha.. no.. but if you meet a guy and 30 seconds later he's following you and trying to schmooze you're number out of you.. i'm not sure its a good idea to follow that lead.. well, its not my style anyway! i later concluded that he and his counterparts probably have a daily contest to see who can get the most numbers!! oh LA...

then i flew to sacramento where i jumped through hoops and crawled through tunnels to get my CA nursing license endorsement for a temporary license. i won't even get into all of that but let's just sum it up:

$30 for a 5 mile cab ride
fingerprint scanning place was closed so i was told i had to go into the city of sacramento (12 miles away...can you imagine that cab tab?)
so i asked a complete stranger, who i heard also had to go there, if i could ride with her. she said yes!
found out i had to verify my MN license online and there wasn't a computer to be found for public use so i had to ask brother brian get online and enter all of my personal data into a website
had my fingerprints scanned
back to the nursing board
gave them more paperwork
waited for an hour with a bunch of other fun travel rn's
was then scanned into splitting a cab with another girl to the airport
prayed for an hour straight for a fax machine to be fixed so i could fax my newly obtained ca license to florida so my recruiter could fax it back to the CA hospital
my prayers were answered after an hour or so when the machine was fixed
had a well-deserved, tasty beer and an unfortunately tasteless sandwich at a bar in the airport
met a super nice gentleman who was flying to Tuscon to drive his daughter's car back to CA as she had been diagnosed with cancer and her and her mom were flying back in between chemo/radiation treatments while her counts were high (prayers for her, their only child!)
caught an earlier flight back to LA (praise be! or i probably would have sat in the bar until my plane left at 8pm)
sister sarah picked me up at the airport and drove me to our friends' house where my new-to-borrow vehicle was waiting and where i got to hang with some of the CA fam..

the fortunate thing was that with every bump in the road or hurdle i faced today, the bond of travel nurses was quite a blessing!

and now i'm home. :) yay! still a mess from the move but its home! for the first time, i have a patio (yay!) so i was sitting outside with my computer when something caught my eye. i looked over and there i saw my version of Friend's "naked guy." oh yes.. i have a neighbor across the courtyard/pool, who was meandering around his apartment in his very tan birthday suit with his blinds open and lights on. i was shocked, of course, so i had to look again with hopes that i'd be proven wrong. but alas.... my eyes hath not deceived me.

and that pretty much sums up my first few days in LA! how about that big, warm welcome to sunny CA!? going well, so far! i'm missing st. paul and my family.... i was on the verge of tears all day thursday but i just kept in prayer, remembering that i was never alone and that wonderful, dear friends are just 30 miles away.

i still miss you all!

love
laura

bumps

2007-05-31T08:02:00.002-07:00

dear friends,

things are going ok in sunny ca! i was disappointed to find out that i couldn't move into my apartment until the 31st as i had told my recruiter (who said "no problem") that i wanted to be in by the 30th. this meant another day of suitcase living and another day of waiting..........

fortunately, i've been to ingrid's enough that i feel quite comfortable in her neighborhood! heck.. she happens to live in a very grand avenue-esque neighborhood just next to the beach! so its a great place to be stuck!!

I had envisioned what kinds of the things i could get done without driving (my rental car full of my stuff) and without being moved into my apartment. my friends jill and seth are graciously letting me borrow their subaru wagon while i'm living in sunny CA, so seth and i spent some time trying to figure out details of insurance. fortunately, i have the rental, Fival, until Friday.

speaking of friday.. i'll be flying to sacramento that day to get my CA nursing license. yes, there was a mail-in way to do the same thing, but it could take possibly up to 8 weeks so i just deciding that rather than risking it, i would wait until i got to CA. the ticket was cheap from LAX and it'll be part of the adventure... flying somewhere alone, just for the day! (say a prayer!;))

now i'm anxiously awaiting 9:00 when ingrid and i will leave for marina del rey.. my new city of residence! its only 5 miles from the airport- all of you prospective visitors!!

Safely, CA

2007-05-29T21:56:00.000-07:00

Team Ingrid/Laura arrived home in CA, at 8:30 PM, Tuesday evening... safe, sound, and slap happy!!

we covered a lot of ground in the last two days: Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California.. and in case you're curious about the gas prices:

Des Moines, IA: 3.09
Lincoln, NE: 3.25
North Platte, NE: 3.37
Denver, CO: 3.31
Grand Junction, Co: 3.27
Cedar City, UT: 3.29
Primm, NV: 3.57!!!

the drive was amazingly beautiful... hopefully i'll soon have pictures to share.

laura is tired... but happy to be "home."

laura loves you all...

-laura :)

en route..

2007-05-28T21:59:00.000-07:00

hello friends...

wow.. i would very much like to post pictures of the amazing trip i've had thus far; however, i'm currently unable to locate the charger for my camera.. so its dead.. argh!

my last visit to de witt was great!!! brother b cruised into town on thursday. we celebrated chloe's birthday then i spent some time in town at jaime m's house. it was shocking to me to hear her little girl call her mommy. i don't know why, she's been a mommy for a while.. i guess maybe because we've been friends since we were young, young kids and she hasn't changed a bit! anyway.. it was great visiting with her, shannon, and cathy.

friday was a busy day with preparing to leave. i did get to have lunch with my grandma m, uncle tom, and aunt mary.

that night dad bought and grilled some great steaks and pork chops. brothers dan and brian were there along with meghan and uncle tom, mom, dad, and chloe. after dinner we had a little bonfire at which we were joined by aunt tracey, uncle murl, karin, hannah, grandma, aunt margo, and fletcher. it was great to spend a little time with everyone before leaving town..

saturday morning i met up at the salon in de witt to see cathy, who works there, her son, caleb, that her mom brought in, jamie and ireland (who was getting a hair cut), and shannon and ella (her daughter). shannon, ella, and i went to the new coffee shop in de witt after that.. i had a GREAT vanilla latte.. if you live in the area and you haven't been.. i highly recommend it! i really enjoyed being able to spend so much time with shannon, too... its been too long!!

brother brian took me to the airport to pick up my rental car on his way out of town.. he's such a great older brother.. sad i won't get to see him as much, either, but its been a great few years of road trips, 56 Hope Road shows, cookouts, dinner, etc..

so i drove the car back to d-town and mom helped me pack it up... hmmm.. yeah.. not so fun..... anyway..

i was sad to leave the farm saturday. though its been 8 years since i've lived there, its been nice to be only a few hours (5-6) away. if you haven't heard me say it already, i'm a big fan of my parents.. I actually thought i'd never leave the mid-west because i wouldn't ever want to be out of driving distance from them.. but the time has come. it isn't as though i love them any less, in fact, quite the opposite as with each year of adulthood, my love, admiration, and respect for them continues to grow. basically, i just realized that they're young and healthy (God-willing) and if there's a time to explore, its now! mom is probably the best friend a girl could ask for, so i'll certainly miss her frequent trips up north and spending time with her when i would head south, but we also talk quite often on the phone and there's a plan in place for her to visit this june. dad will also be in CA for business this summer so we'll get to hang out then and the plan is for mom and dad to come out together sometime, too! :) the CA family is going to love the IA fam! and vise versa!

i went to des moines on saturday and had a fantastic time at friend-leanne's house! leanne is also close friend from high school who now lives in DM with her great husband, scott, and lovely little boy, Will (big fan of that kid, too!). Leanne and Scott hosted a lovely evening with a few other high school friends with whom i've not hung out in years. ah.. it was just beautiful. fruits, veges and appropriate dips, patio, great weather, wine, fire pit, 'smores (or schmores.. however you'd like to say it).. great discussions, laughter, memories, etc.. beautiful..

sunday, leanne, scott, will, and i went to mass together. great service.. beautiful church, homily, community... it was the first time i've fully participated in the mass with leanne. plus, i really enjoyed holding will.. seriously, wait until you see pictures of this kid!

we had a little lunch after mass and went to the des moines river walk and explored down town a bit. later we ate at a fabulous 50's diner.. so fun!

and after an eventful sunday, i took off for omaha, where i picked ingrid up at the airport. we headed for lincoln where we stayed with her beautiful grandma! oh i love this woman! i met her last december at ingrid's brother's wedding. her and i just hit it off so it did the heart good to see her again! she had boxed wine and cheese waiting for us.. along with easter candy and dried fruit as gifts on our beds! she was a great hostess and i wish we could have spent more time with her.. but alas.. we had to get on the road as we had a 10 hour drive ahead of us.

so today we drove from lincoln, ne, to grand junction, co.. where we currently reside. we drove through our first set of mountains today it was beautiful and much less scary than i expected, as the driver. and... when you look out the window of our hotel room.. the mountains are right there!! beautiful.

so i suppose its time to rest.. we did gain an hour in the drive west today.. oh, and we named our rental car, Fival. :)

ingrid's been a great road trip partner.. i'm certainly quite thankful for her presence on this trip!!!

goodnight friends.. and thanks for checking in!!

love
laura

from the city to the prairie to the west..

2007-05-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

'twas a tearful goodbye sunday morning as i left 998 and headed for the hometown where I would stay with my parents for a week..

i now find myself sitting in the De Witt (Frances Battnam Wagner) library at a table I haven't sat in for almost a decade. There's one other young woman here but other than that, good ol' bob frank is reading papers along with a few other elderly gentleman who seem to be wandering around checking out different paperbacks and periodicals.

the smell of the library brings back memories of my younger years... the excitement of the summer was scanning the shelves, anticipating the next delightful book of fiction. i used to love fiction..

i sit staring out the window to the church where my parents were married, my were grandparents married, my mom was confirmed, my brothers and i were confirmed, i can see the window to the little cold room where i taught kindergarten sunday school..... oy

its terribly windy down here in the prairie... and warm. feels like summer, already!

i'm trying to tie up loose ends to prepare for my work in CA.. i guess i'm not trying that hard if i'm typing this blog, however.. i plan to get there soon. i have a few more online tests to take and some paperwork to send in.

tonight i'm going to see Jesus Christ Super Star with my mom and hang out with my dear Jen F's little brother who lives in Davenport.

tomorrow is chloe's (niece) birthday. brother brian is coming to town, as well, to put in a little sibling time before i head out. after chloe's birthday dinner i'm going out with the girls (high school friends) who live in dewitt.

friday is the last family dinner and saturday i take off for Des Moines where i'll stay with a girlfriend from high school and her husband. we're hoping to have a cookout that night with all the dewittians living in the des moines area... either way it will be great to spend time with her and her little fam before heading west..

which i'll do on sunday. i'm picking my friend, ingrid (who lives in LA), up at the airport in omaha on sunday. we're staying at her grandma's house in Lincoln, NE that night. Monday we're headed to Colorado where we'll spend the night. tuesday we'll head for LA! Wednesday I'll move into my new CA apartment...

whirlwind.....

time to finish that paperwork! ;-)

leaving...

2007-05-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

i wrote this on Saturday, my last day in the studio, but forgot to publish it:

"here i sit, on the hardwood floors, making real, the name "laptop." waiting for matt to come back, who'd been showing my apartment and is kindly going to check me out early so i can turn in my keys and head out to neighbor brendan's graduation party.

oy

the studio is as clean as it was the day i moved in with the exception of a few random things, for which i've not found a home during in my packing. the creaking floors echo throughout the small studio, and the smell of cleaning supplies waft through the air.

the state of the studio jogs my memory to April of '06 when i was apartment searching and the day i looked at this one. i'd looked at so many places but something compelled me to take this little studio with it's orchid pink bathtub. there were a lot of things i liked about it, but mostly it was just one of those "gut feelings." well, looking back, i'm sure it was God, as too many blessings have come from living here that couldn't have been determined by mere un-spiritual fate. :)

last night was beautiful..

thanks to all of you who stopped by and to those who were with us in spirit. i've always been grateful for all of you, and have recognized how blessed i've been with such an amazing community of friends.. but last night, was a true testimony of your love and friendship! each of you have touched my life in so many meaningful ways....

did you know that when i moved to st. paul, into the dorms of concordia, i was crying? that i cried, almost daily, for the entire first semester. that when i went home for winter break i begged my mom to let me stay and go to a local 2-year school in iowa? hard to believe i almost missed 8 incredible years of life, here in st. paul. i fell in love with a city.. not because of the buildings, all the activity, or even the pubs (despite what you may think!!!), but because of the people.. and if you're reading this, you're probably one of those people.

ah.... my thoughts are scattered and my heart is torn. i'm excited to see what God has in store for me, but my heart is heavy as i begin to realize that i'm really leaving.. and now... i think matt is here to sign me out..

i can't say it enough..... thank you.. i love you all!!!

because we ARE St. Paul

2007-05-16T05:35:00.000-07:00

I had dinner plans, last night, with my dear friend Jake. I thought it odd that he actually wanted to have dinner in St. Paul, (vs. Minneapolis) as this is the common battle between us when we get together. =) I prefer good ol' St. Paul, of course, so I figured he was going easy on me this time, with it being our "last supper" and all. Either way, I was fine with it!

He picked me up and we had dinner at Punch.... my favorite! We were having a nice time, when all of the sudden Jake wanted to get out of the restaurant. I was a little shocked at this abrupt change, as I wasn't even done with my dinner (or wine!). Its not all that terribly unusual for Jake to get impatient with my slow eating, but he was much more persistent in wanting to leave this time. Despite this, I took my time finishing my food! Ha! I knew we were going to get a drink after dinner but this was my last night at Punch and I was going to savor it.

On the car ride to wherever we were going, I expressed my sincere concern for Jake's sudden irritability in the restaurant. We were talking (well, it was mostly me doing the talking) about this.. all of the way into O'Garas. Then Jake says to me, "there's only a few of us, but ..." and I can't remember what he said next, because I looked to where he was pointing and there were BJ and Ben!!!! ahhhh.... and this was the real reason jake wanted to leave Punch. I was instantly humbled and felt bad for giving Jake such a hard time! This was a fantastic surprise!!!

Jake, BJ, and Ben are good friends of mine from college- Concordia- where I was welcomed into their little circle of friends at the end of my freshman year. Over the course of those years, they became the kind of friends, as most of my close friends from Concordia, in which the closeness never ends... no matter how much time elapses between visits, there are years of meaningful memories, conversations, disagreements, laughter, tears, joy, Eddies and Gladys', etc... that bond us.. well.. forever. As BJ would say, "you'll always be a best friend, no matter how often we talk." oh tears...

(This is the best my camera phone could do!)

It was an absolute delight to be surprised by this gathering... and just when i thought the surprise was over, Ekbar showed up! Oh joy! I had a great night with these fellas. And.. it was a tearful goodbye, for even though they will always be near to my heart, to the very core of who I am today, I will miss being in the presence of their beautiful souls.

Thanks, Jake. :)

pictures of the last few weeks..

2007-05-15T06:15:00.000-07:00

i've had a great last few weeks in the twin cities... here are a few pics! press the + button to speed up the reel and hover over a pic to see a caption!! enjoy!!

looking back....

2007-05-11T08:18:00.000-07:00

During the early fall of 2002, I went to Williams arena to watch my good friend, Eric (from high school), run in a track meet for the University of Iowa. I had just finished up a busy summer.. I spent a month living back home on the farm, roging the bean field for an allowance and attending class in Davenport to become a nursing assistant, as was required by the College of St. Catherine before I entered the nursing program. In addition, I also had to take Microbiology, Chemistry, upon returning to the cities.

As I sat in the bleachers with Eric's family, that fall, having just started my nursing classes, two of his aunts were excited to hear that I was going to be a nurse, as they both were nurses, as well, and loved their careers. They both strongly suggested that since I had my NA license, I should work as an NA while in nursing school. Hmm.. the idea hadn't really dawned on me and the thought of working at a big city hospital really intimidated me.. but one of his aunts worked at this hospital in St. Paul, so she gave me her e-mail and said that I should let her know if I was interested.

After a little discerning (and probably a lot of conversations with mom), I decided to go for it. I interviewed and was hired. I had no idea.... no idea what joy, pain, growth, happiness, sorrow, humility, frustration, excitement, friendship, and accomplishment I would experience in that building. Looking back, I'm humbled by God's concern for my life and how He has worked through all of these details.

Yesterday was my last day at that hospital.

And though I'm trilled and excited for whatever lies ahead, I'm sad to say good-bye to the people who have been so influential in my career as a nurse... and my journey of life as a person.

One of those people is "Kelly the boy." I met Kelly after my interview with the nurse manager. She took me out to the floor and introduced me to Kelly who had also just started as a nursing assistant with aspirations to be a nurse. That was October of 2002... he trained me in as an NA and we traveled through nursing life together, working as aides, graduating college, take the boards, becoming nurses, novice nurses, chemo certification, giving chemo, failing, succeeding, etc etc.

Kelly has become one of my closest friends and I will miss him... his companionship at the hospital (brightened my entire day just knowing he was there with me), running into him at Shamrocks, going with him to the Nook, strongbows, riding bikes or riding together to work, coffee, wine, religion, politics, front yards, back yards, the world... though our opinions were almost always different on big subjects, we shared in fantastic conversations in which we both walked away better people! oh kelly....

as a going away gift, he gave me a journal with a beautiful poem about friendship by Kahlil Gibran written on the inside. Kelly is truly one of the most loving and kind people I've ever known.

and you wonder why i cry so much! :)

Our last night at the Nook.. strongbows and frozen pizza!

Reminiscing: sandwich humor

2007-05-03T09:14:00.000-07:00

i should have gone to bed hours ago.. but alas, i did not. i did manage to get a ton of things done for this travel nursing gig (gobs of paper work, tests, records, etc to be turned in)... laundry washed, bills paid, lunch made and even managed to get in some quality time with the neighbor boys, which included sampling stacy's grandmother's homemade chocolate chip cookies.. (think phoebe, "ness layyy tohhllll huas"! :)

anyway.. tonight as i was wrapping my sandwich for tomorrow's lunch in saran wrap (due to my lack of baggies), i was swept back to the memories of working at a suburban swanky golf course/club here in the Twin Cities. If you didn't know this fact about me, you're probably somewhat surprised that i have even stepped foot on a golf course, let alone worked there! :) I was the beer-cart girl as well as a server at the 9th hole refreshment cabin and part of my job was making/wrapping sandwiches! There were elements of this job that I enjoyed and though i would never want to work there again, I am thankful for the experience and all that i learned.

So, tonight as i reminisced the good ol' days "country-bumpkin stuck in a rich man's world of golf"... i recall a story i think you all might enjoy. i was out on the beer cart and some guy flagged me down and hollered something about leaving his sandwich at one of the holes but to check in the pro-shop because someone may have found it and dropped it off. It seemed odd to me that the guy would set his sandwich down at any of the holes instead of in his cart and even more so that he expected someone to pick it up and return it to the pro-shop. nonetheless.. i barely knew enough golf etiquette to know not to drive over the green so i figured i'd better do whatever he said.

Well, there's laura driving around the golf course trying desperately to find this golfer's sandwich.. which i didn't find. frustrated and worried about the time that was quickly elapsing.. i headed over to the pro-shop.. no sandwich there either.

finally I returned to the 9th hole refreshment stand where we made all of these sandwiches. i quickly threw together a new one, guessing at his meat and cheese preference, and took off on a hunt to find him on the back nine. when i did find him.... i smiled my best smile and muttered, "I'm so sorry... I couldn't find your sandwich.. so I made you a new one."

he laughed..... and he laughed...

yes, any of you golfers are probably well aware as to why he was laughing at me.

he finally calmed himself enough so better to explain that it wasn't a sandwich he'd lost, rather, his sand-wedge. ah... the slow and humbled head knod. life can be so humbling, fortunately, its quite entertaining later.

hmm.. I suppose this story will pop into my mind every time I'm out of baggies and wrapping my sandwich in saran wrap. =)

here we go!

2007-04-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

ok, this is my official blog for keeping all of you updated on my travels and adventures that lie ahead! :) thanks for stopping by to check in.

right now, i'm just working on getting things ready to go! oy oy.. and there's a lot to do with that!

i sure am going to miss all of you beautiful minnesotans!