Some co-workers and I went out for breakfast this morning after a night shift. I can imagine that to those sitting around us we probably sounded like a triplet of heartless jerks. Discussing the precarious and delicate state of our patients and laughing. And catching up on "nursing stories" from the daily grind on our unit.
Yes I laugh at my patients. If I didn't laugh and try to see the humour in it all - I would cry. The sad situation of a dementia patient. Someone's mother, someone's sister - losing their mind and no longer able to recognize their family member. But to me they're a pleasantly confused lady who speaks her mind (however socially inappropriate and embarrassing to her family) and I find her funny and frankly - refreshing. But I keep her safe.
Sometimes I even ignore what you say. If I didn't let things slide off my backs - I would become an emotional wreck. The patient in with alcohol withdrawal who was raped and evicted from her home for not paying rent. You are mad at the world and tell me that I am bad at my job. I don't hate you for telling me that - I'm pretty sure you don't really mean it. And I'm still here to listen about how much your life sucks at this point in time and to tell you're still loved (by the way your daughter called looking to talk to you).
So excuse me for laughing, or turning the other cheek, but it's probably the only emotion I have left; all my emotions of sadness and remorse have been depleted.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Last Sunday, February 22, we were invited to an "Oscar's Party".
We were asked to dress up as character from one of the nominated films.
Peter and I dressed up as "Kung fu Panda". Peter was Po (aka Panda) and I was Master Shifu.
It was a lot of fun.
We were asked to dress up as character from one of the nominated films.
Peter and I dressed up as "Kung fu Panda". Peter was Po (aka Panda) and I was Master Shifu.
It was a lot of fun.
Sarah and James dressed up as as Robert Downey Jr., as Kirk Lazarus in Tropic Thunder.
Great costumes guys.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Brunch Theatre
In celebration of our first anniversary, Peter and I went to a dinner theater today. The tickets were a lovely gift from my mum. Having never been to a dinner theater, it was a first.
The Show: One Hit Wonders - we often hear great hits and hum along to familiar songs, but often those songs and artists come and go. Ever heard of 'Katrina and The Waves' or 'Buster Poindexter'? Neither had I, but I know their songs and could probably sing along. I made our reservations weeks in advance to ensure we got top-notch seats. Score! Front-row. This is going to be great.
Front row, I didn't know at the time, meant that your chin would be resting on the stage. Male singers would kneel down, asking for your hand, as they sang love ballads. People hopping-and-a-bopping on stage would drip sweat on you. When they rocked out, screaming the words with all their might, you would be spit upon. And you could see the knickers of the girls who wore short skirts. Front-row was a little more than I bargained for.
None of the above however put much of damper on my enjoyment of the show. Made for a different perspective of the show, an experience for sure. It was fun rocking out to familiar songs I have not heard in a long time. There were a lot of grey-haired people there that were shaking what their mama gave them, to songs of their generation. It was great. But, if I go to dinner theater again (and some advice from new-found knowledge) I would choose a seat a little further from the stage.
The Show: One Hit Wonders - we often hear great hits and hum along to familiar songs, but often those songs and artists come and go. Ever heard of 'Katrina and The Waves' or 'Buster Poindexter'? Neither had I, but I know their songs and could probably sing along. I made our reservations weeks in advance to ensure we got top-notch seats. Score! Front-row. This is going to be great.
Front row, I didn't know at the time, meant that your chin would be resting on the stage. Male singers would kneel down, asking for your hand, as they sang love ballads. People hopping-and-a-bopping on stage would drip sweat on you. When they rocked out, screaming the words with all their might, you would be spit upon. And you could see the knickers of the girls who wore short skirts. Front-row was a little more than I bargained for.
None of the above however put much of damper on my enjoyment of the show. Made for a different perspective of the show, an experience for sure. It was fun rocking out to familiar songs I have not heard in a long time. There were a lot of grey-haired people there that were shaking what their mama gave them, to songs of their generation. It was great. But, if I go to dinner theater again (and some advice from new-found knowledge) I would choose a seat a little further from the stage.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Our Humble Home
This is our Humble Home:
It is so nice to have a place of our own.
A place to entertain and a place of refuge from the world.
Our little sanctuary.
When the house was built, pink was all the rage.
We're still in the process of painting.
I took this photo and then realised how pink it really is.
It is so nice to have a place of our own.
A place to entertain and a place of refuge from the world.
Our little sanctuary.
When the house was built, pink was all the rage.
We're still in the process of painting.
I took this photo and then realised how pink it really is.
The small spare room is currently in the process of being painted.
A smoky blue (quite dark in this photo).
The spare room.
The master bedroom and ensuite with jacuzzi tub (mmm nice).
The beautiful wallpaper border will be going.
The Kitchen.
And the living room.
Monday, January 19, 2009
2009 Here We Come...
Wow, it's been over a year since I last posted on the blog.
Where to start?
Well after the honeymoon I move to Calgary. We've been married just over a year now (Dec 22) and it just keeps getting better. I look forward to growing old together.
Professional Endeavors:
Peter completed his time as a Professional Engineer in training and completed, and passed, his professional exam. On February 28, 2008 he became a Professional Engineer and was inaugurated into the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA). He continues to work down-town for Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
In August 2008 I completed my fourth year of nursing. After completing, and passing, my professional exam in October, I am now officially a Registered Nurse (RN). I am currently working as an RN on a General Medicine unit at the Foothills Medical Centre here in Calgary.
Babies Abound:
On May 8, 2008 Alexa Brook Duncan was born to Glen and Melissa. Glen (my brother) was excited to share is birth date with his new bundle.
On July 9, 2008 Elijah was born to Linda and Michael Milan (peter's sister).
Our Quest at Staying Fit: I recently purchased my first pair of cross-country skis. We have been spending most of our weekends skiing in the mountains. It's nice that most of the trails are only about an hour drive from our house. Peter is training for the Edmonton Birkebeiner ski race (Feb 14) - 55km with 10 pounds on his back.
Hobbies and Fun:
Peter has spent the last year rebuilding a dirt bike. He is looking forward to days spent riding this coming summer.
I have been rediscovering my interest in photography. My awesome husband bought me a Digital Canon SLR for Christmas. I am fortunate that my good friend Rachel is also a photography enthusiast. We have been known to go on spontaneous 'photo-trips' to the mountains. Landscapes are a very forgiving subject when I am still learning the ins and outs of my camera.
We are still the stages of renovation and upgrading our home. We are currently painting the upper level bedrooms. We have plenty of space, with two spare rooms, and love having people over - so don't be shy.
Where to start?
Well after the honeymoon I move to Calgary. We've been married just over a year now (Dec 22) and it just keeps getting better. I look forward to growing old together.
Professional Endeavors:
Peter completed his time as a Professional Engineer in training and completed, and passed, his professional exam. On February 28, 2008 he became a Professional Engineer and was inaugurated into the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA). He continues to work down-town for Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
In August 2008 I completed my fourth year of nursing. After completing, and passing, my professional exam in October, I am now officially a Registered Nurse (RN). I am currently working as an RN on a General Medicine unit at the Foothills Medical Centre here in Calgary.Babies Abound:
On May 8, 2008 Alexa Brook Duncan was born to Glen and Melissa. Glen (my brother) was excited to share is birth date with his new bundle.
On July 9, 2008 Elijah was born to Linda and Michael Milan (peter's sister). Our Quest at Staying Fit: I recently purchased my first pair of cross-country skis. We have been spending most of our weekends skiing in the mountains. It's nice that most of the trails are only about an hour drive from our house. Peter is training for the Edmonton Birkebeiner ski race (Feb 14) - 55km with 10 pounds on his back.
Hobbies and Fun:
Peter has spent the last year rebuilding a dirt bike. He is looking forward to days spent riding this coming summer.I have been rediscovering my interest in photography. My awesome husband bought me a Digital Canon SLR for Christmas. I am fortunate that my good friend Rachel is also a photography enthusiast. We have been known to go on spontaneous 'photo-trips' to the mountains. Landscapes are a very forgiving subject when I am still learning the ins and outs of my camera.
We are still the stages of renovation and upgrading our home. We are currently painting the upper level bedrooms. We have plenty of space, with two spare rooms, and love having people over - so don't be shy.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
The Honeymoon
For our honeymoon we stayed at an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Domincan Republic. We stayed 8 days/ 7 nights. This is our adventure....
All of the ladies recieved roses at dinner.
Day 5: January 01, 2008. New Year's Day. Happy New Year!
Day 5 - another relaxing day of sun. Dinner this night was: Mexican.
Sitting on the truck ready to go.
The name of the resort we stayed at was: Gran Bahia Principe - Ambar. We had full access to the sister resorts - Gran Bahia Principe (1) Punta Cana & (2) Bavaro as well.
The Ambar resort itself is very new. It opened on December 01, 2007.
Each night we could dine at one of the many restaurants. But reservations were a must. I would tell you what we ate each night but (1) it is hard to remember and (2) it was sometimes a gamble when the menu is in Spanish and has fancy names.
Day 1: December 28, 2007
Day 1 was a day of travel. We left Calgary in the morning for a 6 hour flight direct to Punta Cana and arrived at dinner time.
Sitting in the Calgary (Alberta) airport waiting to board our flight.
We've arrived - and found the buffet! (very important)
Day 2: December 29, 2007
Day 2 was relaxing. We explored our resort, Gran Bahia Principe - Ambar and the sister resorts Punta Cana and Bavaro. We went to the market and had fun bartering with the local merchants. Most items they over priced by 100-200%. Dinner this night was: Mediterranean. I had 'scampi' - which turned out to be lobster. It was cooked in the shell and was looking up at me from my plate.
This is the entrance to our resort.
The lobby at Bavaro
Day 3: December 30, 2007
Maple-Dawn was up most of the night with the 'travelor's bug' and slept most of the day. Peter returned from the gym at 10:47am and Maple-Dawn was still in bed.
Dinner this night was: Italian. I was feeling better by dinner time.
We were feeling a little 'nutty' (love does that to you)
so we made a fort with our bed and bed sheets.
Day 4: December 31, 2007. New Year's Eve!
New Year's eve, like many of our days on the resort was pretty relaxed - reading books and drinking slushies by the pool and on the beach.
Video Clip from Day #4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWXY_gODI-E
Dinner this night was: Gourmet/ New Year's Menu. All of the restaurants had the same New Year's Eve menu.
All of the ladies recieved roses at dinner.
Everyone recieved festive hats and beads when they left the restaurant.
The New Year's festivities were in the square on the resort.
Here they had a live band on the roof-top followed by live-skits.
Just before midnight it started to poor and people either ran for cover
or danced with their chairs lifted above their heads.
There was a lengthy and impressive fire-works show at midnight.
The bugs here are HUGE! Peter's a good bug killer.
Day 5: January 01, 2008. New Year's Day. Happy New Year!
Day 5 - another relaxing day of sun. Dinner this night was: Mexican.
A ship-wreck that was towed in to create a fake reef,
attracting fish and subsequently scuba-divers too.
Day 6: January 02, 2008.
Day 6 - we were had signed up to go on the Outback Safari Tour. But when we arrived in the morning they were full and could not take us. We had to postpone a day. Good thing we had one more day to spare. Instead we spent the day at the beach (suprise, suprise) on the katamarans and sea kayaks getting sunburnt - much fun! Sorry we totally missed out on photos of these adventures. Dinner this night was: Japanese. The Japanese restaurant was really neat. 12 people sat around a grill and watched as the chef prepared the meal. We were served sushi and tempera for appetizers.
Day 7: January 03, 2008. Outback Adventure Tour
Sitting on the truck ready to go.
Our truck and driver - Pappy.
Dominican coffee roasting and drying in the sun.
Dominican coffee we were told has a special distinct flavour - chicken poop.
A local school. Children are required to go to school until age 18.
They go 5 days a week, 9 months a year.
There were many children about in the streets on this Thursday afternoon
because they were on Christmas vacation.
A gas station !?!
The nearest 'pump' is over an hour away.
Since most people drive motorcycles - this is sufficient.
One of our stops that day - a traditional Dominican home.
This is their kitchen.
The house was two rooms. The kitchen and the bedroom.
With the outhouse in the backyard.
This is the owner of the home.
He and his wife make money by harvesting coconuts for the flesh and oils.
They also harvest and sell coffee.
This is coffee on the vine.
This is our tour guide Luis. He was very funny and very knowledgeable.
Here at the sugar cane and cocoa plantation he is talking about the products
and how they are harvested.
Cocoa plants.
We were told that none of the snakes in the Dominican are poisoness.
A local church. Most Dominicans are Roman Catholic.
Others practice 'Black Magic' or 'VooDoo'.
A cock-fight arena.
Cock-fighting is very popular and completely legal in the Dominican.
Tobacco leaves drying.
For a video of the cigar making: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yYbdtGp8_8
Coke in a glass bottle. Ahh... how refreshing.
At our stop for lunch.
This is our friend Bubba. (He works out).
24 hour Medical Services. Medical care in the Dominican is free.
They also have some private services in the large cities.
Police Station.
At the beach. Our last stop of the day - Boogey-boarding! The waves were fantastic.
The last supper. This night we had Gourmet.
Day 8: January 04, 2008.
Day 8 - we were hoping to go katamaraning and kayaking again but it was stormy and they would not let us out. Darn. So instead we walked down the beach in the rain to the market. We got a few deals because there were no other tourists out in the rain. Others wanted to rip us off to make their money for the day. We left the resort by 3 pm and were at the airport by 4pm. Our flight was delayed an hour and we didn't take off until 9pm. We landed in Calgary at 3am.
To see all of our photos click on the following links:
(1) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84231&l=1cfc3&id=726350440
(2) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84371&l=ac773&id=726350440
(3) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84386&l=bb833&id=726350440
To see all of our photos click on the following links:
(1) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84231&l=1cfc3&id=726350440
(2) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84371&l=ac773&id=726350440
(3) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84386&l=bb833&id=726350440
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