Jamaican Vacation

For the next five days I will be here...

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Molly is hoping to stow away in mama's suitcase

Stay Awhile

Dear Beautiful Day,

I was beginning to think there for a minute that I may never see you again. It's been way too long. There is just something about you that makes everything better. I know you just got here but if it's not too much trouble can you please melt some of the ice and snow? It's so nice to have you back..I hope you stay awhile.

Your Biggest Fan,

Liz

Simple Things

Well, I did it. The first three days on my own went surprisingly well. It is true..you don't know your true potential until you are pushed to fly..remember that.

As human beings, there aren't many things in life we need to survive and feel good; food, water, shelter, cleanliness, respect and love. Hopefully these thing are attainable to all of us. This week I got to thinking about a good shower. There is really nothing better then a hot shower to start or wash the day away. Like my mom, I like to take long showers. I do my best thinking in there. No matter how crappy a day is, a shower somehow makes it better..wash away the filth, stress and worries that lay ahead or behind you..it's a renewal. It's something we don't even think about as it is part of our daily routine. However, what if you could no longer do it for yourself? What if all of a sudden we had to depend on others for even such a basic necessity?

One of the responsibilities of the night shift is to bathe the patients. There is really nothing more rewarding then being able to help someone feel comfortable and good about themselves. Even with the patients that are in comas, I have seen changes in their vitals signs that show they are more comfortable after a bath. Being clean and comfortable is a basic human necessity that we take for granted. It can make a world of difference in someone's frame of mind and/or status. I do it every night for my patients and I get responses that include "thank you" "I needed that" "ooo, I'm gonna smell good" "I feel so much better now" "I'm lucky to have you tonight" "Now I can get some sleep" smiles from patients that cannot speak..or just a simple drop in heart rate, temperature, blood pressure says it all for a nurse. It's not always the medical aspect of things that makes a person better, but rather the holistic approach to basic human needs that can make a difference at the end of the day.

So, next time you take that great shower that rejuvenates you and makes you feel good about yourself..be thankful for that simple luxury as not everyone has it. It's really the simple things that matter the most. It's the simple things that we take for granted. It's the simple things that put everything else in perspective.

I Laughed..I Cried..

Snow Days

New York was hit with a mild snow storm over the last two days; a total of about 14 inches and blizzard like conditions were reported. Just another winter in the north. All my life I have welcomed these storms. I'd wear my pajamas inside out and look out the window every hour throughout the night with hopes of seeing conditions that would bring news to free me of my responsibilities for the day. As a kid, snow days have meant no school, sledding, snow ball fights, snow men, junk food, and movie marathons. In more recent years they have been...well, all that same stuff with a little alcohol mixed in.

Instinctually I was excited over the news of the approaching storm, however, I sadly learned over the last two days that there are no such things as "snow days" when your a nurse. It's something I always knew but didn't quite want to believe. Hospitals can't close for horrific weather and driving conditions. Get to work ..no excuses. Ouch!

I never thought I'd see the day where I cross my fingers in hopes that the weatherman overestimated the number of inches or wish the storm would just miss us all together...I'm sad to report that day is here.

I'll miss you snow days. Winter just wont be the same without you.

Learning to Fly

Birds learn how to fly much like a human toddler learns to walk - a combination of instinct and practice. Most birds cannot fly until their muscle structure has had time to develop. In the meantime, the nest becomes their entire world. Baby birds are not responsible for food gathering or protection of the nest, so they generally develop a psychological dependence they must overcome. The bird has been nurtured so much that they do not know their own ability.

For the last six months I have been taught, nurtured and guided every step of the way at my new job. I have become comfortable under someone else's wing, it's safe there. The time has come, however, to start on my own and to say I am scared is an understatement. As humans we make mistakes. There is no room for mistakes in the nursing world. As a repeat mistake offender in other areas of my life you can see why I am a tad nervous.

I decided that the closest thing I can compare it to is driving. For a year we have our permit and we are under the safety and guidance of an experienced person. They are there for tips and reassurance of our next move. I'll never forget how scary it was to drive alone in my car without someone there. It took me awhile to get comfortable. I was cautious and tried to recall everything I was taught because there is no room for mistakes on the road. I remember thinking to myself, I'll never be comfortable but sure enough the time came where I was. I had instincts and knowledge that I never knew I had until I was out there on my own.

At the end of the day, we don't know our true potential and ability until we step out of our comfort zone and navigate things on our own. It's going to be scary, it's going to be uncomfortable but at some point we have to trust that we have been prepared for the moment in question ..we have to accept the push, spread our wings and fly.

start of the weekend with a :)

Two things that are guaranteed to make me happy are babies and dogs. Put them together and I melt. I hope these videos put a smile on your face. Happy Friday everyone :)

Hurt So Good

I have a love/hate relationship with my feet.

I was blessed with arches that ballerinas dream of. Loved them all my years of dancing.

Those same arches have proven to be nightmarishly painful in your average pair of not even so high heels..so..over the years I have chosen comfort over style. Something I am starting to rebel against because I am realizing the power and beauty a hot heel can bring to an outfit.

It all started with these..not quite the 5 inchers my friends can rock ..but a big step for me :)

..I'm gonna learn to love you..I'm gonna learn to walk in you..hell, I'm even gonna learn to dance in you..but I know your gonna make me hurt so good.

GaGa Oh LaLa

I'll be the first to admit that Lady Gaga used to scare me. I didn't understand her. She comes off as a bit of a freak. And..like an ignorant, close minded person I labeled her as such.

However, over the past few months I have become intrigued by her. Not only am I fan of her music but I am always excited to see what she is going to do next. I quickly changed a label of freak to musical genius. I wanted to share this interview of Gaga on Oprah for those of you that missed it. She shows a side of herself that we don't usually see and it surprised me. She is kind..she is perfectly imperfect..there is meaning to her freakiness and I love her for it.

If you live under a rock and missed her unbelievable Grammy performance..here it is. I think I have watched it 9 times and it has given me chills every time. That's all for now little monsters.