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.
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
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
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
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
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
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