Fierce Oscar
Perturbed Oscar
Victorious Oscar (a.k.a. Large & in Charge)
Striking Oscar
Content Oscar
Nokia Lumia 830 Gold Terbaru
9 years ago
27 June 2008
The many faces of Oscar
We took a few photos of Oscar recently so I thought I'd post them here. After we get back from the 4th of July we're going on the hunt to find him a companion. I'm hoping our friends at Nine Lives Foundation can help us out. I even found a few photos of Ella when I downloaded from the camera - sniff!
Alzheimers Ribbon
You might have noticed my puple ribbon on the right side of the page. This is my Alzheimers Ribbon. My dear Granny had Alzheimers and passed away in April of 2007. If you would like to create your own, and donate $10 to the Alzheimers Association, please click on the ribbon to make your own. You can post it on your own website, blog or in a forum post - whatever works for you!
Miss you Gran
Miss you Gran
Belated Park City & SLC
After all the brou-ha-ha of finishing EMT class, we winged off to beautiful Park City, UT to meet up with Todd, Mark & Myra.
Thanks to the generous folks I worked with our housing was absolutely free and totally relaxing. We stayed in a condo north of town and there was the best TV channel ever - Nature TV (I don't think you'll find it in your local cable listing). There was a lovely picture window that looked out over a meandering creek and meadow. We saw a river otter, a mink, a great blue heron, a sandhill crane, horses and a fox family. The fox family was momma fox and three babies who played rough & tumble like there was no tomorrow. It was wonderful to sit there and look out the window (or go out on the deck) and watch nature's entertainment.
Other things we did of note were to visit the Park City Mountain Resort. We rode the Alpine Slide, the Alpine Coaster and the Zip Lines. So much fun and I would rank order them in the reverse of how they're listed on the "scream factor" scale. If you're ever anywhere that offers a zip line ride, TAKE IT!
We also had a most relaxing afternoon at the Aura Spa in Park City. My massage therapist, Carolyn, was awesome. I had a massage and energy work done. She said I have wonderful energy and that the top of my head is very open (I don't exactly know what that means but she was smiling when she said it). It made me feel very different - more blissed out that a good massage usually does. I could feel her energy as well and it took me to another place. The owners of the spa were wonderful and so accomodating for a group of four at the last minute. If you ever go to Park City, definitely visit them!
Beyond that it was lots of wandering around and eating. I ended up getting sick and spent the whole day Sunday in bed. The crew was nice enough to bring home mexican for a little early-birthday dinner. And of course Matty got me my favorite cake in the whole, wide world - Pineapple Upside Down Cake! It was terribly yummy and I had it for breakfast the next day too!
M&M left early than Todd & we did, so after we took them to the airport in SLC we got to meet a friend for lunch. She's only been a "virtual" friend for now, so it was wonderful to meet P-n-M in person! (That's her forum handle, in case you were wondering). We had a tasty lunch at Market Street Grill - University - my crab cake sandwich was awesome and the fries were some of the best ever! It was across the street from the University of Utah where she works. After lunch we got a quick trip to P-n-M's lovely abode and meet her two labs - Pete & Maddie. (get the name now?). To round out the day we headed out to the Great Salt Lake.
We actually went out to an island in the lake - Antelope Island. One word - STINKY! The only thing that lives in the Great Salt Lake are brine shrimp, brine flies & algae. Makes it a great place for migrating birds; not so much for migrating tourists. We toured the little visitors center and then truged down to the lake, all the way down. The water level is pretty low right now.
Matt even had the nerve to go out IN the water. UGH! It wasn't the water itself that was gross, it was the marine layer of brine flies that covered everything. So disgusting. Everytime you moved there was the black, buzzing wave that preceeded you or closed in behind. YUCK! The birds were having a great time though. They would just run along with sand with their mouth open and scoop up a beakful of brine files! It was a fowl smorgasbord!
If you're interested in seeing anymore SLC pictures (it's more of the Great Salt Lake, the Mormon Square and some of the peeps), feel free to check out our gallery of photos.
Thanks to the generous folks I worked with our housing was absolutely free and totally relaxing. We stayed in a condo north of town and there was the best TV channel ever - Nature TV (I don't think you'll find it in your local cable listing). There was a lovely picture window that looked out over a meandering creek and meadow. We saw a river otter, a mink, a great blue heron, a sandhill crane, horses and a fox family. The fox family was momma fox and three babies who played rough & tumble like there was no tomorrow. It was wonderful to sit there and look out the window (or go out on the deck) and watch nature's entertainment.
Other things we did of note were to visit the Park City Mountain Resort. We rode the Alpine Slide, the Alpine Coaster and the Zip Lines. So much fun and I would rank order them in the reverse of how they're listed on the "scream factor" scale. If you're ever anywhere that offers a zip line ride, TAKE IT!
We also had a most relaxing afternoon at the Aura Spa in Park City. My massage therapist, Carolyn, was awesome. I had a massage and energy work done. She said I have wonderful energy and that the top of my head is very open (I don't exactly know what that means but she was smiling when she said it). It made me feel very different - more blissed out that a good massage usually does. I could feel her energy as well and it took me to another place. The owners of the spa were wonderful and so accomodating for a group of four at the last minute. If you ever go to Park City, definitely visit them!
Beyond that it was lots of wandering around and eating. I ended up getting sick and spent the whole day Sunday in bed. The crew was nice enough to bring home mexican for a little early-birthday dinner. And of course Matty got me my favorite cake in the whole, wide world - Pineapple Upside Down Cake! It was terribly yummy and I had it for breakfast the next day too!
M&M left early than Todd & we did, so after we took them to the airport in SLC we got to meet a friend for lunch. She's only been a "virtual" friend for now, so it was wonderful to meet P-n-M in person! (That's her forum handle, in case you were wondering). We had a tasty lunch at Market Street Grill - University - my crab cake sandwich was awesome and the fries were some of the best ever! It was across the street from the University of Utah where she works. After lunch we got a quick trip to P-n-M's lovely abode and meet her two labs - Pete & Maddie. (get the name now?). To round out the day we headed out to the Great Salt Lake.
We actually went out to an island in the lake - Antelope Island. One word - STINKY! The only thing that lives in the Great Salt Lake are brine shrimp, brine flies & algae. Makes it a great place for migrating birds; not so much for migrating tourists. We toured the little visitors center and then truged down to the lake, all the way down. The water level is pretty low right now.
Matt even had the nerve to go out IN the water. UGH! It wasn't the water itself that was gross, it was the marine layer of brine flies that covered everything. So disgusting. Everytime you moved there was the black, buzzing wave that preceeded you or closed in behind. YUCK! The birds were having a great time though. They would just run along with sand with their mouth open and scoop up a beakful of brine files! It was a fowl smorgasbord!If you're interested in seeing anymore SLC pictures (it's more of the Great Salt Lake, the Mormon Square and some of the peeps), feel free to check out our gallery of photos.
10 June 2008
Holy Cow - I survived
Both my EMT class and the after party! It's a miracle on both ends!
Our graduation ceremony is tonight and we will all be showing up wearing normal clothes. I don't know that I'll recognize anyone if they're not in all navy blue with black shoes and a black belt. Seriously!
I'll post pictures of the class and graduation later. But there will be no pictures of the party; those images are sacrosanct!
I'm going to miss hanging out and palpating all these crazy folks. And I won't know what to do with an entire Saturday at my disposal.I've met some incredible and amazing people during this journey and look forward to seeing where there lives take them. I'm truly blessed to have some of them in my life and will miss our stressed-out, study/bonding/bitching sessions (both those with & without beer). It makes me look forward to nursing school even more. If I got this close to people in 10 weeks, just imagine what can happen over 2 years!
One thing I do plan on doing this summer is learning to knit socks! I've got two books I've been dying to open but haven't been allowed until this class is over. It's open season now!
Our graduation ceremony is tonight and we will all be showing up wearing normal clothes. I don't know that I'll recognize anyone if they're not in all navy blue with black shoes and a black belt. Seriously!
I'll post pictures of the class and graduation later. But there will be no pictures of the party; those images are sacrosanct!
I'm going to miss hanging out and palpating all these crazy folks. And I won't know what to do with an entire Saturday at my disposal.I've met some incredible and amazing people during this journey and look forward to seeing where there lives take them. I'm truly blessed to have some of them in my life and will miss our stressed-out, study/bonding/bitching sessions (both those with & without beer). It makes me look forward to nursing school even more. If I got this close to people in 10 weeks, just imagine what can happen over 2 years!
One thing I do plan on doing this summer is learning to knit socks! I've got two books I've been dying to open but haven't been allowed until this class is over. It's open season now!
04 June 2008
Down to the Wire
This is the week. My EMT final looms and I am at odds. I know I should be studying. I know I should be focused. I know I should have caught up on my reading. Funny how I know so much yet know so little too . . .
I'm freaking about my written final tomorrow night. We're getting together to study tonight. I'll be studying more tomorrow with a break for a doctor's appointment. I need to get a physical done by the end of June for nursing school. Then it will be back to studying more, right up until the final exam. And then it's out for a beer or two - NO MORE!
After volunteering on Friday I'll be hooking up with a classmate to do a dry run through of all the skills stations before the big day on Saturday. I'm as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Part of it is my performance anxiety and part of it is the fact that I know it will be completely different than our midterm practical. That was so easy - almost too easy in my mind. I don't know that I feel truly prepared for Saturday. Bless my classmates who keep trying to reassure me; I know they mean well but I'm still ramping up to a good panic state.
I wish I could go back in time by one week and prepare better. But you know what, all last week I knew I was slacking off! I just couldn't stop myself. Sounds crazy but it's true. I think if I had been in an all white room with no window and no doors and nothing but my books to study with, I still would have found a way to distract myself. And now I'm kicking myself for that. Sigh . . . I hope I learn from this and don't repeat myself for nursing school!
Anyway, wish me luck. Regardless of what happens, it will be over on Saturday. And, if I do pass it all, I will be graduating on Tuesday!
And then it will be off to Park City, Utah for a weekend of glorious relaxation.
I'm freaking about my written final tomorrow night. We're getting together to study tonight. I'll be studying more tomorrow with a break for a doctor's appointment. I need to get a physical done by the end of June for nursing school. Then it will be back to studying more, right up until the final exam. And then it's out for a beer or two - NO MORE!
After volunteering on Friday I'll be hooking up with a classmate to do a dry run through of all the skills stations before the big day on Saturday. I'm as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Part of it is my performance anxiety and part of it is the fact that I know it will be completely different than our midterm practical. That was so easy - almost too easy in my mind. I don't know that I feel truly prepared for Saturday. Bless my classmates who keep trying to reassure me; I know they mean well but I'm still ramping up to a good panic state.
I wish I could go back in time by one week and prepare better. But you know what, all last week I knew I was slacking off! I just couldn't stop myself. Sounds crazy but it's true. I think if I had been in an all white room with no window and no doors and nothing but my books to study with, I still would have found a way to distract myself. And now I'm kicking myself for that. Sigh . . . I hope I learn from this and don't repeat myself for nursing school!
Anyway, wish me luck. Regardless of what happens, it will be over on Saturday. And, if I do pass it all, I will be graduating on Tuesday!
And then it will be off to Park City, Utah for a weekend of glorious relaxation.
14 May 2008
Kaiser ER (not Soze)
As part of my EMT class we are required to do one "ride along" with a local EMS provider (and we are encouraged to do two). There are many options to select from and I chose the Emergency Department at a local Kaiser Hospital as my first one. Since the ER doesn't actually go anywhere I wouldn't call it a "ride along"; more of an observation.
I was there on a Wednesday night, from 3:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m., and even though the charge nurse would probably shoot me, I'd have to say it was a pretty quiet shift. Most of the people who came through had complaints of chest pain.
I wasn't assigned to any particular room, so I stayed in the triage area the entire time. I got to see patients as they came into the ER but not much follow-up once they were assigned to a room. I did learn to take vitals, do EKGs and start people on chest monitors. The nurses were disappointed that I wasn't able to start IVs. I said I would be willing to learn but they they probably wouldn't be happy with the results. :)
The most exciting thing I saw was a hand laceration. I figured I shouldn't post it in case there are sensitive eyes! When the patient's finger moved you could see the tendons in the hand move too - it was awesome!
What I did learn is that there are varying levels of EMS providers out there. There were paramedics bringing in patients (and not critical patients as this was not a trauma center) without having any vitals on the patient. That was just plain laziness. There were some who had almost an entire life history of the patient. That's how you can tell who is good and who could care less. Sad to see it was pretty balanced on both sides.
My next ride along is with the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) in two weeks. I'm looking forward to that one!
I was there on a Wednesday night, from 3:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m., and even though the charge nurse would probably shoot me, I'd have to say it was a pretty quiet shift. Most of the people who came through had complaints of chest pain.
I wasn't assigned to any particular room, so I stayed in the triage area the entire time. I got to see patients as they came into the ER but not much follow-up once they were assigned to a room. I did learn to take vitals, do EKGs and start people on chest monitors. The nurses were disappointed that I wasn't able to start IVs. I said I would be willing to learn but they they probably wouldn't be happy with the results. :)
The most exciting thing I saw was a hand laceration. I figured I shouldn't post it in case there are sensitive eyes! When the patient's finger moved you could see the tendons in the hand move too - it was awesome!
What I did learn is that there are varying levels of EMS providers out there. There were paramedics bringing in patients (and not critical patients as this was not a trauma center) without having any vitals on the patient. That was just plain laziness. There were some who had almost an entire life history of the patient. That's how you can tell who is good and who could care less. Sad to see it was pretty balanced on both sides.
My next ride along is with the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) in two weeks. I'm looking forward to that one!
09 May 2008
Sigh of Relief; Dance of Joy
The letter finally came today! I have been accepted into the Nursing Program at Cal State East Bay. I will begin the Fall of 08 and will be working towards a BSN! Woohoo!!
Over the past two weeks I've struck up quite the e-mail friendship with another woman who was waiting to hear about her acceptance. She got her letter on Wednesday. We have been talking each other down from the ledge on a daily basis, working to regain some sort of Zen about this whole process each time. It was nice to know I wasn't alone in my insanity and talking with someone else about remaining calm helped me to be calm(er) as well. And I'm looking forward to meeting her and becoming her classmate!
I am 1) relieved, 2) ecstatic, 3) scared to death, 4) tired, 5) numb, 6) weightless and 7) just about every other emotion I can imagine and many others I have no name for. It's hard to believe that almost 3 years ago to the month I started on this path. I took an on-line course in Sociology through Napa Valley Community College because I read that it was one of the pre-requisites for nursing and I had somehow managed to make it through my entire undergraduate career without taking a Sociology course. I was in a mad rush to start the process and the class through NVCC was the only one I could find that was open on such short notice.
As I finished up that class over the summer, I really began researching the other steps I would need to take for this little seed of an idea to become a reality: Nutrition, Chemistry, Speech, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology. Each semester a different class and an opportunity to meet some amazing people who were also pursing a dream. I'm so grateful to Cathy, Diane, Alison, Sheila & Heather. They are some of the strongest, craziest, smartest, sanest women I have ever met and I am proud to have shared a part of my life with them.
I can't wait to see what this next chapter brings!
And now I can truly begin to plan for the future - like figuring out how much this is all going to cost! :)
Over the past two weeks I've struck up quite the e-mail friendship with another woman who was waiting to hear about her acceptance. She got her letter on Wednesday. We have been talking each other down from the ledge on a daily basis, working to regain some sort of Zen about this whole process each time. It was nice to know I wasn't alone in my insanity and talking with someone else about remaining calm helped me to be calm(er) as well. And I'm looking forward to meeting her and becoming her classmate!
I am 1) relieved, 2) ecstatic, 3) scared to death, 4) tired, 5) numb, 6) weightless and 7) just about every other emotion I can imagine and many others I have no name for. It's hard to believe that almost 3 years ago to the month I started on this path. I took an on-line course in Sociology through Napa Valley Community College because I read that it was one of the pre-requisites for nursing and I had somehow managed to make it through my entire undergraduate career without taking a Sociology course. I was in a mad rush to start the process and the class through NVCC was the only one I could find that was open on such short notice.
As I finished up that class over the summer, I really began researching the other steps I would need to take for this little seed of an idea to become a reality: Nutrition, Chemistry, Speech, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology. Each semester a different class and an opportunity to meet some amazing people who were also pursing a dream. I'm so grateful to Cathy, Diane, Alison, Sheila & Heather. They are some of the strongest, craziest, smartest, sanest women I have ever met and I am proud to have shared a part of my life with them.
I can't wait to see what this next chapter brings!
And now I can truly begin to plan for the future - like figuring out how much this is all going to cost! :)
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