May Visits

This month is quite busy and so far...I love it! Usually, late Spring at Bethesda turned into a crazy, stress induced time for me. Nurses week. PRT. (almost always ended up on nights), etc.

This May, so far has been relaxed and I've been able to catch up with some family and friends. My uncle and his girlfriend came to visit me. He's been wanting to take a road trip on his motorcycle for a long time and I suggested he come see me in Florida when we were visiting over Christmas. Well, he did! It was a great chance to visit with them and get to know them a little better. I had a wonderful few days.

Then, I took a quick trip up to Illinois to visit my brother and his family up there. It's always crazy when you hear your aunt say "you're soooo big" to you and I tried SO hard not to do that....but they are SO BIG! Katie's voice has even changed. She's sounding so much more adult. Looking at her room and looking at pictures of her lock-in and friends just reminded me of when I was 14. It seems a lifetime ago and then again it seems like yesterday. So many things changing. It was a really fun time in some ways. I cherish my times I had with Tessa, Kyla and Katie when we were running around playing "airplane" in my front yard. That was a nice short trip and honestly, the easiest air travel I've had since I joined the Navy! It helped that I only did carry on and I flew in and out of small airports.

Next, Shelley is coming to visit me this weekend! I can't wait for my best friend to come see Florida and get some much needed time away from all the craziness that is her life. That girl is movin' non stop. We can just go out and lay on the beach all day and I'm sure she'll be content with that.

It makes me so happy to have this time, even if it's a few days here and there, to see old friends and family. I don't really get homesick anymore (thank goodness), but I do miss the people that I used to have around me on a daily basis. I'm just so thankful I live in a time when I can stay up with people on facebook, blogger, skype or jump on a plane.

Wonder who else I'll see soon....

Every day is an earth day.

I know I need to write about the cruise, but I'll get to that some day. haha. It was great. That's the main thing!

Today, I'm just proud of myself. I scouted my winn dixie ad, printed coupons from my computer and planned my attack! With my winn dixie card and my coupons and ad purchases, I saved $28.50! Plus, I'm now up to 30 cents off/gallon of gas on my fuel perks card! I have about 1/8 of a tank left and I'm going to get to the E and then fill up before the end of the month hits. Thirty cents off each gallon?! Seriously. Awesome.

I also used my fabric grocery bags. I know that I still have a lonnnng way to go on becoming more eco friendly, but I'm making small steps. It's really hard to do and I'm slowly learning what to look for. Today, I bought Seventh Generation (http://www.seventhgeneration.com/seventh-generation-mission They have coupons on their site) natrual fabric softeners. it's a company that makes organic and eco friendly items for your home. Ten percent of their profits go to organizations working for positive change. That's awesome. Little fact on the back and this amazed me "If every household in the U.S. replaced just one box of polyester fabric softener sheets with [their] paper sheets, and recycled or composted after use, we could prevent 6,000 tons of solid waste from entering our landfills, equivalent to 640 garbage trucks!" Holy crapanoli.

Everyone think about that every time you throw a dryer sheet into your laundry.

Recently, Kleenex came out with a hand towel product for your bathroom at home. (http://www.kleenex.com/HandTowels/home.aspx) It's supposed to replace a fabric hand towel to reduce germs. This upset me. If you wash your hands and then dry them with the towel, you're not really adding germs to the towel. Why create a product that is only going to create more waste? Well, I know why they did. Money. You will buy more of their product. It doesn't make sense. What we should do is all install those jet hand dryers in our homes if you're worried about germs. (http://www.electrichanddryers.com/automatichanddryers.htm) You can even get the kind you put your hands in and it doesn't blow germs around. The new ones dry your hands in a few seconds! Have any of you seen them at amusement parks, etc? They're awesome. If I bought a home, I'd try and install one.

Apparently, I'm not the only one that thinks these options of wasteful products are ridiculous. http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2010/04/20/3-wasteful-products-and-their-eco-alternatives/

I'm trying to buy more natural beauty items, like the lotion my sister gave me. It's a body lotion made in Hawaii that is all natural items like oils, etc. It's great stuff.

Again, I still have a long way to go and if anyone has any small tips for me, I'd love to hear them!

Thanks to haunting images of caged chickens (which made me start crying my eyes out), I ALWAYS look for "cage free" on my eggs.

I wish I lived in a house sometimes because it would be so much easier to recycle and I could have a compost pile in the back. I think when my lease is up in September, I'm going to look at renting a house. I still don't want to buy, but I'd love to have the yard. :) Tiki parties!

Okay, kids. That's my soap box for today! Look at coupons and deals online! Use fabric shopping bags! Try and look for organic and natural products and ways to reduce the amount of trash we make.

Just like Christians say that our body is the temple of Christ, this planet was a gift from God and we should honor that by treating it right. Our wildlife, trees, plants, ocean life all deserve that from us.

Starting tomorrow and for the next week....picture me.....here:

Of on a cruise....but not the haze gray kind.....full report when I return.

The death of the Coroner

The death of the Coroner

Posted using ShareThis
Click on the above link to view the actual article on www.examiner.com.

As coroner, I must aver
I thoroughly examined her.
And she’s not only merely dead,
She’s really most sincerely dead.

Singing those four lines, Meinhardt Raabe stood proudly in downtown OZ one day, wearing his big funny black hat and pronouncing the death of the wicked Witch of the East; who died suddenly when a little wooden farmhouse happened to land in her general direction. Her untimely death would incur the certain wrath of her nastier, older sister, causing the banishment of the meek and timid Dorothy Gale, to some far-off land called Oz.


I thought it would be nice to share a few things about Meinhardt, who sadly, passed away on April 10, 2010, at the Orange Park Medical Center in Orange Park, Florida, after suffering a heart attack. He was 95.
Meinhardt was an exceptional little man. Barely 4’ 7”, he never heard the word dwarf or midget when he was young; he just thought he was special. He was born on Sept. 2, 1915, in Watertown, Wisconsin and until he visited the ‘Midget village’ at the Chicago World's Fair he thought he was all alone. He worked there as a barker in 1933.

He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting at the University of Wisconsin in 1937 and obtained an M.B.A. from Drexel University in Philadelphia many years later. In 1938 he took a job as a salesman for the Oscar Meyer Company. Soon after they made him a corporate icon when he became the ‘Little Chef.’

*For those of us who may have forgotten, (I was one of these) the ‘Little Chef’ is the person who rides around in the Oscar Meyer Wiener mobile. Meinhardt traveled in the famed hot dog car, touring the country for thirty years.

In 1938 he decided to take a trip to Hollywood after reading that MGM was auditioning little people for a new film. His skills as a barker helped him, no doubt, to be selected as the coroner in the, ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ At 23, he was one of 124 actors that were cast as the ‘Munchkins,’ only nine had speaking parts.

Later he would join the Civil Air Patrol and became a skilled test pilot and spent the war years as the smallest uniformed pilot in US. History. After the war he married Margaret Marie Raabe who had once worked in Vaudeville. They were married for 50 years until her death in a car accident in 1997, near their retirement community in Penney Farms, Florida.

In 2005 he published his memoirs, “Memories of a Munchkin” (Back Stage Books, 2005; with Daniel Kinske) and on November 21, 2007, Mr. Raabe was honored with six surviving Munchkin actors at the unveiling of a ‘star’ on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.


Meinhardt was the last surviving actor with a speaking part in the ’Wizzard of Oz,’ a movie which has captured the hearts of so many in the seventy years which have passed. His four lines were not credited, but they really don’t need to be. We all know them so well and today we fondly remember Mr.Meinhardt Raabe, who was a special little man


…whose credits are still rolling.

I saw this on the news this morning while I was changing my patient's bed linen and my patient stated he knew the man. I had no idea anything about any of the Munchkins from the Wizard of Oz. My patient told me a lot about the guy and so, I did a search to read more. Interesting life! It's pretty amazing what he accomplished as "a little person" back in those years. Sounds like he lived an amazing 95 years!

To cheer everyone up on Monday morning.....

I posted a few good lol cat pics. OH, and also just think of me....asleep in my bed. Yes, I'm off the next few days. Yes, few days. Hey, I work hard and then they repay me. I deserve a few beach days. :)

"Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!" -LT Howll Forgy

Okay, so the quote was someone in the US Navy during WWII, but I thought it was a good one to use for an Easter post.




Combining two of my favorite things. Texas and Navies. I'm currently reading (well, started a few months ago, but haven't had time to read in a while) a book about the Texas Navy. It's pretty interesting because it's something I didn't know anything about. I had no idea about the things that happened off the Galveston coast between the American, Mexican and Texan Navies. Just thought I'd throw a short video out there...if anyone else is interested. :)

SHHHHH. I'll let you in on a secret. My secret indulgence is....

Wife Swap!

I know, I know. It's horrible, huh? I'm not a huge reality show fan, but this show is like a train wreck. I can't get enough. The good thing is usually both families go away having learned something to better their home.



Hillbilly kids with no respect for adults. Horrible, yes. Entertaining, yes.



Wow. "I want to do the rules...but I don't want to do it at their death..." huh.



Wow. Really? Oh, geeeeebuz. No words.

This show is great for me. It makes me realize that even though my family was a little strange growing up, that it was awesome when I look at others out there! Thanks mom and dad. We seem actually normal!

If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it. Beyonce

Okay, if you are now married, you have to change your blog title from The Single Girl's Blog to The Married Girl's Blog.....just sayin.

I came across this link and thought...oh, this might be interesting.....and then clicked on it and the first post I saw was all about her wedding! meh? She should have actually changed the name when she got into a serious relationship....or engaged...but def now. Must change now. Just sayin.

haha

There are good ships, and there are wood ships, the ships that sail the sea. But, the best ships are friendships, and may they always be.

Irish saying for you guys on St. Patrick's Day!





Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! I went out with some of my girlfriends out to Lynch's at the beach. Too bad it was overcast and cool. It was crazy at the bar. I'm definitely not used to that kind of scene anymore. I'd much rather go to a chill bar where we can all hang out and enjoy each other's company and it was pretty overwhelming walking into this Irish bar on St. Patty's day. After a beer or two, I relaxed some and we had some fun enjoying each others company.

I've been so busy this month being on nights and doing other things that I haven't spent a lot of time with my girlfriends. I was happy to get out and hang with them. Plus, I found a great pizza place out at the beach.

I'm getting sad because Jessica will be leaving us soon. I've really enjoyed having her here in Jax. She's going to have the time of her life in California and I hope to make it to visit her soon, but I'm selfish in that I wish she could stay. I wish you fair winds and following seas, girl! I'll be seeing you soon anyway!

Change of subject. I think after scuba finishes and I get back from my cruise, I want to work on getting a bike. I'd love to be a part of the building process, either if I build it or if I have someone build it. I'd love to have my own bike that is unique to me! Too bad Jim wasn't here. He could help me build one. :) There's a shop in town I need to visit. They will build a bike for you or you can get one already built. http://zencog.com/

I'm thinking I should have lived over by 5 points. It's more trendy and easier to get around if you want to bike or walk. I do love where I live now. It's the best central location, but I think when my time is up here I might look over at Riverside/Avondale. Who knows.

So, as most of my friends know, I'm always looking into buying a new car and then I can't decide on one, so I just say that I'll keep Trogdor and buy one later. Well, I have the itch again, and I have a new car I'm looking at.....The Volkswagen Tiguan. It's a small SUV, but it's turbocharged, so you can always tweak it if you want and drop it if you'd like....I know what you're thinking....then, why not get a wagon? I just don't like the way wagons look sometimes. Anyway, the aggravating thing is, they don't seem to make SUV's that are standards. I enjoy driving a stick, but if I want to get an upgraded or top of the line SUV, it will have to be an automatic. Boo. Then, I looked at some Audi's and Infiniti's, but they don't make any sticks. wtf? Anywho, the Tiguan does come in a standard (the bottom of the line, but hey).


I love it. I'm still not sure I can make the decision between fast car and SUV. Hmm. It Subaru would just clear the rumors on the possible 2011 Sti sedan! If I knew they were for sure doing that, I'd just wait and buy one of those.

Subaru! Clear the rumors! Tell me something!!

Don't know what to do for titles without rock wisdom.....HELP!

I don't have much to say these days. Things are super busy this month. Good busy, but just busy. I'm quite tired. I will update by showing a few lolcats. They have me cracking up.


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

So, yes. Ummm. I got nuthin. I had too much coffee today and I think it's upset my stomach. I'm just not feeling right. Eh.

I've bought some super cute dresses on ebay lately. Anthropolgie, Banana Republic and White House Black Market. This includes a super cute green dress I plan on wearing for St. Patrick's Day! Going out with the girls Wednesday and I can't wait! It's been to long since we've hung out.

Favorite current LOL cat.... :)

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Feelin' pretty good and that's the truth. It's neither drink nor drug induced. No, I'm just doin alright. ~Travis Tritt Great Day to be Alive

Single-Girl Things to Do Before You Marry

While meeting the man of your dreams opens plenty of doors, it shuts a few too. So fit these experiences in pronto, while you're still carat-free.

from Cosmopolitan

It doesn't matter if you're planning to tie the knot with your man in the next couple of years or if that trip down the aisle isn't even on your horizon. There are some things that you better indulge in now, because once you're hitched? Forget about it.

Date a guy who's totally wrong for you just because he has amazing abs. So what if he's five years younger and your polar opposite? The joy of running your hands across his six-pack is a perfectly legitimate reason to go out with him.

Collect at least six country stamps on your passport, including one from a place that until recently you didn't even know existed. Yes, it's fun to travel with your man, but you also have to have some solo adventures under your belt before you start sharing your life with him 100 percent.

Embrace feminine decor. Don't go so far as to paint the walls pink — that'll freak out any guy who sets foot in your place — but stock up on stuff that appeals to your girlie side. When you're building a nest with him, you'll have to compromise on furniture and accessories, so pile on cute throw pillows while the decorating is all up to you (because here's a tip: Guys hate the things).Wear a hip, fabulous ring on your left hand. Once you have an engagement band, you won't want anything detracting attention from the ring.

Take advantage of the whole bed. You have the rest of your life to stick to "your" side when you sleep next to your man. Right now, place your pillow smack-dab in the center and make like a starfish.

Spend an embarrassing amount of money on a designer bag you love or heels that make you feel incredibly sexy. Chances are, when you have a joint account with your hubby, he's not going to get why a purse might be worth the GDP of a small country.

Learn how to change a tire and work a drill. It's easy to relegate all those "guy" tasks to your man (and you totally should enlist his help), but there's a sense of power that comes with being able to fix something yourself.

Slip one of those furry covers on the toilet. Once it's there, he'll have to accept it (and psst, they make it impossible for men to leave the seat up).Throw blowout bashes. Sure, it's nice to have a mellow get-together with your girlfriends, but that shouldn't be the extent of your social life. Before settling down, let your wild side reign.

Get a grip on your dough. Sign up for a retirement plan and invest extra income in stocks or CD accounts. Take charge of your own cash flow before merging moola with your guy.

Have your dad take you out to dinner as often as possible. The reasons: It's great bonding time, and his open-wallet generosity will dry up once you're hitched. Face it: Your reception is the last meal that'll be his treat.

Hone a signature lingerie style. Figure out what cuts and colors are hottest on you, and develop a look that's all your own. That way, your one-day groom will follow your lead ... and not buy the polyester, so-small-you-could-floss- your-teeth-with-it teddy.

Want a cat? Heed this advice: Buy it now. Call it Snowflake. Let it sleep next to you in bed. If you wait to get a pet with your betrothed, it will end up being a big, slobbering Lab called Bif.

If all you feel like eating for dinner is ice cream and diet soda, buy a cone and pop a Coke. When you and The Mister mangia together all the time, you'll be less likely to indulge those bizarre — but oh-so-satisfying — cravings.

Use tons of hot water in the a.m.

Take your celeb crush to the max. Plaster a poster of Ryan Gosling in your hallway, and set your computer wallpaper to a topless shot of him.

Plan your fantasy wedding. Now's the time to let your imagination roam — rip pictures of dresses from magazines, size up ceremony venues, and try on some rocks at the jewelry store. This stuff wigs guys out if they witness it, so get it out of your system now.

Start a pleasure ritual that a change in your relationship status can't disturb. Regularly treat yourself to something you love, whether it's a manicure, yoga classes at the fanciest studio in town, or a superrelaxing massage.

Set up your home in a way that fits your needs. Maybe keeping the coffee machine in the bathroom so you can get your caffeine boost while you put on makeup in the morning works for you. Until you have to deal with someone else weighing in on your unusual arrangement, customize.

More from MSN Lifestyle Site Search: For more on enjoying being single, click here.

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

Those are the exact reasons why I am so happy these days. I love my silver flowers on my bedroom wall. I love my cat. I love having the bed AND hot water to myself. I love being able to eat whenever and whatever I want. I'm going to get my passport soon for my cruise next month, so I'm starting on that. If I'm still here in January, I'm hoping I can go on a medical mission trip to India. I'm also thinking of Europe next year some time....I'm glad that I can usually fix things in my apartment on my own. I think in the next place I move into, I'll need a special room for all my athletic and recreational equipment. Snowboard, scuba gear, roller blades, hopefully a surf board and mountain bike soon. Big kid toys!

I think my favorite thing is just possibilities. It's the idea of what is to come. I still don't know my future husband and that's exciting! I have no clue what's going to happen in the next 5, 10 years.

Another favorite thing about this time in our lives is just seeing all our friends grow as well! People getting married, starting families, buying houses, changing careers, strengthening careers, exploring new cities!

God has made life exciting and all we have to do it jump up and enjoy it!

Rock wisdom is no more!

This isn't good. How can I possibly start a new blog entry without my rock wisdom search and lyric quote? I've used this website www.rockwisdom.com for years to get my blog title. I could go on and search all kinds of topics and find something suitable for what I was writing about.....but it is no more apparently. I'm quite sad.

Well, I will retro it back then a friend found a way to look at my old website I had back in college. Now, if you click on these different dates, they won't show you everything on my page, but you can view some of the blogs.

Bizzaroworld (My site back in college)

Most of the pictures don't show up, but try clicking on one. I'd go with December of 2004 (it has the most on it because the one's in 2005, the journal doesn't work) Then, go to "Old journal" and you can select the month. My absolute favorite month, I think....would be April 2003. I was so crazy when I used to write online when I was younger.

I've learned a lot over the years and one big thing was not to tell every little thought and thing I did that day on the internet for all to read. I didn't realize how much I put out there! Why did I think that it was completely necessary to tell everyone every single thought jumping around in my brain? Oh, I was just young.

But, in ways I don't feel I'm nearly as entertaining. My early blogs seemed so random, but goofy. it was raw. It was me describing my deep, dark secrets. I think I wanted to just be honest with the world. I think I wanted to be myself for all to see.

I've grown up some and the way I write is definitely not the same. It was bound to happen. We all grow up at some point. Peter Pan was only a character in a book, right?

DING DING! Lietenant Junior Grade United States Navy arriving.

So, to add to my previous post. Here are my brand new, straight from the tailor NWU. :) I loveee them. hehe. You can see Patton was too excited to see I was home. I kept trying to take a picture and he kept putting his paws up on my leg!
Okay
This morning, I went in with the other members of the Jacksonville 7 for an awards ceremony. After the awards were given, they recognized us with a command coin during quarters. It was pretty cool to have the CO, XO and CMC speak so highly of us all.

After that, I went over and picked up my uniforms from the NEX and then headed to the Chapel for LCDR Sierra's retirement ceremony. I was flag detail again and as much as I complain about these things that take up my free time (even though I'm the one who volunteers for them!), I really do love those ceremonies. It truly is an hour or two of celebrating dedicated service in the Navy nurse corps. I love hearing the sea stories, watching the videos and hearing how other nurse corps officers did 20+ years in the Navy.

I know I've talked about the passing of the flag before, but here's a video from youtube to show ya. Normally, you'll have someone stand in for every rank that the retiree has held. This ceremony looks like they just did every couple ranks, but either way you get the idea. Listen close to the words.



They have since added a few paragraphs that mention September 11th. It's very moving.

Alrighty, off to field day the apartment and maybe a nap. I'm sleepy.

I had to regain my confidence, so I got into camouflage -I love a Man in Uniform by Gang of Four

Okay. I used to like the fact that the Navy had lots of uniform options. I thought that I would never get bored.....even seasonal uniforms. We're the service in style. :)

Well, after spending nearly $300 on my new blue NWU (navy working uniform), and buying large medals and new ribbons for a retirement ceremony I've realized.....we have WAY too many uniforms! BAH!

So, this is a lesson in uniforms.

Khaki. This is the traditional Chief and Officer uniform of the day. Fits for work, deployment, etc. (However, on deployment on a ship or sub, you get a different type of Khaki uniform)

The new Service Dress Khaki (SDK) which is apparently coming out soon. Why are they adding this???? It looks cool on the guys. I like the retro, throwback look of WWII, but on the females? Really?? Could it make us look more manly? Why didn't they change the blazer for the females? Ah well. Who knows where we will wear this one.

Coveralls. Ah. I love coveralls. I think this is my favorite Navy uniform and sadly, they are phasing it out. They're replacing it with the NWU camis. It was one piece. Cheap. Comfortable. Loved it.
Summer whites. This one is only worn during the summer months (or in other duty stations if authorized throughout the year). It can be worn in place of the Khakis. Pretty much work or lunches, etc. I like the summer whites. They make me look tan. They're very NAVY and not too uncomfortable.

Service Dress Whites. For special occasions during summer months. OH, and when we become a senior officer or go to a formal dinner we have to buy a FORMAL dress white uniform. So, add that to my list.....(it's the one CAPT Dione is wearing in the middle) It looks good, but it's another one to buy and rarely wear. Service Dress Blues (SDB). Um, pretty much a more formal uniform to wear in winter months. You can wear this one for many things. Retirements, promotions, ceremonies, checking in to a command, etc. Still expensive and I'm already outgrowing mine, but I don't want to spend the money to get a new one!

Camouflage

Woodland Camis. Don't really wear these much anymore, but randomly some training areas will include them....This was from C4 (combat casualty care course). They're okay, just outdated. I think these might be the only uniform that was actually GIVEN to me and not bought!


No, wait....these were given to me also. Desert camis. Worn mostly, it seems, by medical personnel who don't really have normal deployment platforms. haha. Or seabees. I seem to see them still wear it. They're okay too, but becoming more and more outdated. Bring on the digital print! I miss Zelda screens. :)

The new Navy Working Uniform (NWU)! I hated these when they first showed pictures, but I've fallen in love with them. I like them in person and I really liked trying them on. They're currently in the tailor's shop getting everything sewn on. These can be used on ships, etc in place of coveralls and in other working areas in place of khakis. I like this option. I got them so I could do some of my ACLS and PALS classes in them instead of khakis. Also, it will be good to have on hand in case I get deployed to a ship last minute.

Wearing other branch's uniforms:

If we ever get deployed with a Marine unit, we will wear their digital camis. Either Woodland....
Or desert....These I can understand. The Navy and Marine Corps are basically one anywho, so it makes sense for those going out with the Marines to wear their uniforms. Plus, they look pretty sharp!


Or, if we Navy folk get to spend time in the sand and mountains with the Army for months and months and months.....we get to wear their camis.

Why is it that the Navy wears everyone else's uniform? (as if we don't have enough of our own, hehe)

Now you can understand all our different uniforms! Want to know the most ironic part of this whole thing????? I spend hundreds of dollars to buy accessories for my uniforms and get them cleaned, etc and yet.....


I wear scrubs on a daily basis!

Wait actively and act dependently.....

I've been busy since I got home from Cuba. Thursday night, we did a girls night out. Wine tasting in San Marco, then dinner at Bistro Aix and drinks at Square One.

Then, Friday, went to the driving range with Monica and Tanya-
So, form is bad....but we had more fun taking pics and giggling....


Nap time at Tanya's and then rollerblading around her new neighborhood with Jessica:




Quick change again and headed over to Stacie's for a girls night in with Monica, Jess and Stacie.



Saturday, Jessica, Phil, Tanya and I drove to Orlando and picked up Phil's sis to spend the day at Universal and Islands of Adventure. They had free tickets for military we needed to take advantage of!








It's been a great weekend and ended with Church this morning. I really like Christ's Church where I've been going. The message this morning was about waiting patiently for God to use us. We have to remember to take advantage of the time we are being patient. We we think we're just sitting around counting the hours, days until we do something great, we need to be doing something great instead of counting the hours, days, etc.

Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Psalm 37:3

Wait for the LORD
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. Psalm 37:34

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, ²⁴since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24


So, maybe I wasn't used the way I thought I was going to be used in Cuba, but I did keep His way and did the best He could use me for while I was there. He's only just preparing me for something bigger. I still have a long way to go as a nurse to be able to take on some of those bigger things.


Today, I will nurse my cold and prepare for the week.

Elvis shaved his head when he went into the army. - Beastie Boys, Johnny Ryall

I've realized....some of my best guy friends shave their heads. huh.......Just figured this out. I wonder if it means something.


Anywho, so I'm back from Cuba. Yes, it was short. That's all everyone kept saying to me at work today. Well, do they not realize we were told it was going to be 3-5 days? It's the Navy's 3 hr tour. I learned a lot and I'm not putting together a RDC (Rapid Deployment Checklist). :) That way, when this happens again, I know everything is taken care of. It went pretty smoothly though this time. Tanya and my parents were a huge help.

Even though we didn't process through a bunch of patients through Cuba, we still saw some and I think to those few, we were important. We were doing what we were told-standing ready. Once the ships arrived, things really slowed down for us. They sent us back, but I'm sure the Comfort personnel will need to be relieved at some point. They are working very hard around the clock. I've come back. I'm getting things in order and I'm ready to go. Whenever. Wherever.

I'm so proud of the military for working together and doing amazing things for Haiti on a moment's notice. I truly believe we are the glue that holds this country together sometimes. I hope I can be used more in the future.

I love Marines. I just have to say that. There were a ton waiting with us in the air terminal in Gitmo to come back. You could tell they were exhausted and probably frustrated, but you would never know it. They were so disciplined and made do with what they had.

I went and got my new Navy camis today. Woo! Three times during that trip people assumed I was enlisted. Urg. I'm so tired of people thinking I'm 17. One enlisted girl started asking me about "our" uniforms, as in, what the enlisted girls wear. Then, I went to get something for my uniform that said "US Navy" and the officers wear it in gold, so I was grabbing the gold one and the lady working there told me I needed the silver one (enlisted). I had to correct her and tell her I was an officer. Then, I asked the tailor to get my name tape and she asked if I was an E-3? No, O-2. Not that I'm snobby about it because I'm not....but sheesh.

Oh, and on the plane on the way home, I was sitting in between two PO 2nd classes and I wasn't in uniform. Well, we talked about jobs, etc and no one understands that nurses are officers. Well, after we had landed I showed him this text that said something about me being an officer and he laughed and then said, "Wait, are you an officer??" haha. I told him yes and then he began to apologize. There wasn't any reason to. He wasn't disrespectful or anything. It was just funny. They all think I'm 17.

Do your best, do everything you can, and don't you worry what their bitter hearts are going to say. - Jimmy Eat World, The Middle

the front of the hospital
From inside the hospital
Our helo pad at sunset
Corspman up!
Go coast guard!

How do I put into words what I have experienced in the last week? I'll start in bullets by what I have learned:

1. Always have a seabag packed and your legs shaved!
I went to work Wednesday morning for our early staff meeting and new collateral meeting. I went home and caught up on what had happened in Haiti. I thought about the fact that I might need to pack in case they sent me somewhere, but I didn't hear anything about it that morning at work, so I figured they would be sending some people from the larger hospitals, etc. So, I took a nap. I was just falling asleep when I got a call from my department head.

D.H. "Now, this is no joke...but can you be packed and at the hospital in an hour to fly to Haiti?"
Me "Uh....yes!"
D.H. "Okay, pack some toiletries and a few articles of clothing and get up here!"
Me "Okay"

I got off the phone and threw a few curse words out there and started tearing apart my apartment. Be at the hospital in an hour?? That means leave in 3o-45 minutes! Oh, crap! Okay, grab the seabag....toiletries...check....which uniform am i going to need? Green camis? Desert camis? pack white undershirts and brown undershirts just in case....gotta call Tanya to watch Patton. Thank goodness she still has my extra key! Call mom! Pack a towel. Get Patton's carrier out in case Tanya needs to pick him up. Are his food and water bowls filled? Yes...okay.. Now, black boots and brown boots just in case. Cover? Check. Deodorant. A must. LUNA BARS! I'll need a snack on the plane. Tennis shoes. Sunglasses. IPOD! CAMERA! Change. Throw my hair up in a bun. Grab the seabag.......why didn't I shave my legs when I had the chance?? Now, I'll be in Haiti with hair as long as bigfoot.

I was just running out the door when I got a call that the plane had already left and that I had a few hours, but to still get ready and get up to the base.

2. I guess nurses can get called in a few hours notice and leave the country that day and never even know it was coming.
I just never really thought we were the ones that would be deployed on a moment's notice. Even the Comfort got 48 hrs. It hit me Wednesday night when our group of 7 were being jetted across the bay in Cuba on a fast boat and I was looking up at the stars all over the sky and realizing that that morning when I woke up I had NO idea I'd be in Cuba that night.....

3. Cuba is beautiful! This is a paradise! Warm, palm trees. Blue water!

4. You don't need to be oriented to a unit in order to take care of patients.
We were checking in on the quarterdeck Thursday morning and we started hearing everyone yelling "get to the ER! We have a helo coming in with 5 patients!" So, I dropped my bag and ran. Quick intro to all the doctors and nurses. We teamed up with some corpsmen and doctors to see who was going to work with what ER bed and quickly filled my pockets with flushes, IV supplies, alcohol swabs, etc. Figured out how to work their monitors and tried to calm my heart down. It was beating out of my chest. We all got our gowns and gloves on....and then found out.....they were just pilots hitching a ride......no patients. WHAT? Well, then we got a real orientation to the hospital.

5. Some times you have to let go and let God do His thing.
The first couple days were great. Scary, but great. We were bringing patients in that still were covered in rubble and rocks and giving them comfort and taking care of them. I have only been in the ICU for about 2 months and really haven't had to deal with trauma patients, so I will tell you I was scared out of my mind, but I knew that if something came my way, I'd be able to handle it somehow.
Well, we would watch CNN and go nuts that we weren't there! We wanted to be doing more! We were told we were going to Haiti, but we stopped in Cuba to support the hospital here. We thought about all the things we could be doing there if we were just there! Sometimes, you just can only do what you can do. Everyone is put in a place for a reason.
It grew even more frustrating when I saw all the nurses leaving on the Comfort and going to the amphib, Bataan and to EMF's either here or in Haiti.

6. Everyone is allowed a few days of emotional roller coasters
Our group thought we were going to be among the first health care providers to Haiti and we were so proud to leave everything and do that.....and then after a few days in Cuba and things calmed down and went back to the norm....we were a little annoyed. I had a few days there where I would wake up positive, see CNN and friend's facebook status of what they were doing on the comfort and I'd get mad I wasn't there....then get sad because of the things I left at home....and then mad because some of us were having to work in our group while others got to enjoy the island....and then frustrated at how slow the hospital is on a normal basis....and then tell myself that I'm in the navy and I just need to stop being a puss and get over it. So, then I'd be positive and the cycle would continue. I had a few days of that and I've come to terms with the situation. I do believe our group did something great by just saying "YES, I will go! Right now" and want to go and do good. If those first few days were the only action we are going to see, then it's been worth it. To give comfort to the small hospital here that there are other nurses, doctors and corpsmen that are coming to help, then it's been worth it. To learn about Cuba and another part of the world's history, then it's been worth it. To just experience this and learn from it, it's been worth it.

7. Always meet your neighbors
We're in townhomes right near the hospital and one night our CRNA and the other nurse and I were on the patio having a beer and cigars and we met our neighbor. He is from Afghanistan and moved to Nebraska in 1983. He has been here in Cuba for 6 years working as a translator for the prison on the other side of the base. It was so interesting to pick his mind and see what he thinks about all of this. Surprisingly, he is adamant about them all being there for a reason. He says they don't get there on accident and they are all criminals. it was just interesting to talk about our cultures, his move to the US, his religious beliefs, etc. He's having a get together tomorrow and is going to cook us some Afghan food! We're excited!

8. The military is the most open minded group of people I've met
I've seen this before, but it really hit me the other day when our neighbor, our CRNA, the other nurse and I were outside with our beers and cigars and discussing a religion. In that small group you had a Catholic, a protestant, a Muslim and a deist. We all believe in God. Maybe He has a different name. But, we believe He saves us. We see Him in everything around us. We believe in love and loving others. Maybe there are little details that separate us, but we are all the same in one form or fashion. We were able to talk about our faith and accept each other and discuss our differences. Maybe it has just opened up an area where we can discuss this more, but it just warmed my heart to be able to at least enjoy each others differences. I see this a LOT in the military. People from all areas of the world and different walks of life coming together under strange and difficult circumstances and growing together.

9. I gotta get out and enjoy this island.
I could stay home and fester like I have for the past few days, but there is no point. I'm here for now. Who knows what will come our way and when I'm not working I'm going to enjoy it here.

10. I have the best friends and family a girl could ask for!
I left voicemails for Tanya and Phil asking if they could please check on Patton while I'm gone and they even picked him up and moved his litter box, food and water bowls, bed, and stuffed animal all over to their new home. She even had to give Patton a bath after he got sick in the short car ride. I feel awful that she's having to do that, but I'm so thankful she's been there to help me. I don't know what I would have done without them! Jessica even ran all over Jacksonville the day I left to run my laptop up to me at the air terminal! Just in time for me to leave. I didn't think to bring it because I thought we'd be in Haiti, but then was told to bring it for when I was in Cuba. I'm so glad I did and even more thankful that Jess went to get it for me! They've put things together to send to me here, like my camera cables and a sweatshirt or two. My mom had called Tanya to bring the sweatshirts because i was so cold on the plane ride down. The military family is the strongest family you will ever have.

God bless and goooooo Navy!