Sunday, March 30, 2008

Moab revisited




so i went to moab again this weekend! it was great fun. eric (my boyfriend?) wanted a random road trip, and i wanted an excuse to get away again, so i suddenly fell sick and had to leave town. the weather was beautiful we went to the san rafeal swell the first day, hiked little wild horse canyon (well, it wasn't so much a hike as it was a walk with a few rocks you had to climb over). then we went to moab and decided to go climbing. we tried one route and got royally trashed on it, so went to another one where i proceeded to completely dislodge my shoulder from its socket (yet again). so we were done climbing after that but we ate lunch then went hiking (well, walking with SOME uphill) to morning glory arch. then we had dinner in moab and drove home. it was lots of fun! except for the whole dislocation of my shoulder bit...

i heard chelsea's in labor... YAY!!!!! and i can't wait for the talent show on wednesday... someone will have to record it so i can see just how ridiculous we are... dad, i'm leaving that to you, as i'm sure you will be able to capture the whole effect.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

white rim!






so i just got back from the white rim trail in moab. that was the best time i've had since i kayaked in alaska last year. i really do have sores on my bum from the stupid seat and 100ish miles of riding on non-soft trails... thanks maria for lending me your bike (with no granny gear!!! have you ever tried biking up steep things without granny gear? it's fun... i HIGHLY recommend it) and thanks dad for lending your truck. i couldn't have done this without either of them!

the views were absolutely amazing. the personal battle was an unexpected challenge... seeing everyone in the group walk their bikes up certain hills (granted, i walked up hogback and hard scrabble) and me making it up all the way (without granny gear... just to remind you). the most scared i've ever been in my entire life (and i've done some crazy shit in my life) was riding down hogback, and then again coming down hard scrabble. i was pissed at myself for being so scared, but i rode the entire way! didn't walk on the switchbacks out of the canyon, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. the worst pain was getting back on the bike after lunch the second day, but after a half an hour and lots of screaming the butt goest numb again.

there is something truly majestic about being able to do things you love in beautiful places. i didn't know i loved biking so much!! i am most at peace when i am outside with good friends and beautiful surroundings... then again, who wouldn't be?

Tuesday, March 11, 2008





karaoke night, formal night and hiking in catalina. of all the highlights, these are my favorites!

Monday, March 10, 2008

cruise highlights

my favorite memories from the cruise:
1-genevieve's game show antics... knowing all the answers to the disney and sesame street showtunes
2-hiking in catalina with maria and gen
3-cruise food- buffet, dinner, etc
4-karaoke
5-hiking in catalina with maria and gen
6-meeting new people
7-karaoke
8-getting ready for formal night. 5 girls, one tiny bathroom and no hot water.
9-hiking in catalina with maria and gen
10-kayaking in catalina
11-playing ping-pong on the boat
12-karaoke
13-going up the stairs on the rocking boat
14-nighttime shows on the boat
15-karaoke
16-hanging out with my favorite roommate
17-hiking in catalina
18-battle of the sexes-maria not cheating in the spoon portion, and me running with some lady's dentures
19-spending time with my favorite sister
20-around the world ping-pong
21-massage on the cruise
22-karaoke
23-bartering taxi price to la bufadora in ensenada
24-REAL MEXICAN FOOD!
25-karaoke
it was lots of fun! i loved spending time with some of my favorite people in the world!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

work... work... work...

so i am working straight nights, which would be great, except for the fact that it's not. i love the people i work with on nights (lets face it, it takes special people to be able to pull off 12 hour shifts overnight) and the job is really good. even on busy nights... i just hate the night shift! i've lost 10 pounds and holding. -i know what you're thinking: she doesn't have 10 pounds to lose!- but miraculously, i've shed all my muscle mass! grrrrr... i took the night shift because there was a charge nurse position open that i wanted because it's the next step in my career. which brings me to my next point.
what is a 'charge nurse' you might ask. as a charge nurse i take only 2 really easy patients (as opposed to 5-6 hard ones) and i am basically everyone's go to person. if a nurse is behind with meds, blood, iv's, anything, i help them out. if there is an argument between cna's and rn's i have to sort it out (good thing i haven't had to employ my subtle but effective: "well, you're being a jack-ass and she's right, so deal with it or quit") but mostly i deal with the great influx of patients that happens at night. day shift discharges 7-12 patients/day and admits only 4-6. night shift fills that void and we admit 5-10 patients/night with fewer nurses which makes giving patients to nurses who are already behind loads of fun... i also have to be able to answer or find answers for everyone's questions about meds, procedures, "what would you do's" and so on. i don't charge every night i work. only 4-6 times a month. but it included a pay raise, and it looks good on my resume should i ever quit or move. also, it makes you sounds really cool when you say, "yeah, my sister/daughter/friend is a CHARGE nurse." it's good for your reputation. people might even kiss your feet!
i also recently accepted the safety council chair person position which would include a 5% pay raise if i had my bachelor's degree (i know dad, i can hear your thoughts from here). but this basically means i'm still in charge of the disaster preparedness (should a disaster ever hit the ever-so-righteous salt lake city) and i'm also in charge of organizing work parties. whoever thought of putting me in this position was WAY off! it also means i go to more meetings and do some jcaho-paperwork stuff, but i get a committee! a whole committee under me that i get to choose!
we have 2 charge nurses leaving from day shift. i've already spoken to my manager and shoved my foot in that door. if they are to be replaced, he knows he better put me there first otherwise i can be very annoying. he's awesome. he's going to try to work with me to get me off of night shift, but a lot depends on staffing needs, which i understand. i told him i'd do what he needs me to do, but i REALLY want to go back to days!!