Tidbits

The residents in my building are always in a rush.  Every time I get in the elevator with one of them they frantically push the close door button.  I learned on the first day I lived here that the button doesn't work, but these people are consistent and keep trying.  I'm almost insulted that they are in such a hurry to get the elevator going so they don't have to spend that extra 3 seconds of wait time with me.

The T (train/metro) stops running at midnight... even on the weekends.  It's probably the worst thing about this city.  My cab budget has increased dramatically.

The other day I was hanging out in Boston Common enjoying the beautiful day.  I was equally enjoying my book as well as the watching the man about 15 feet away from me read his book aloud to himself.  After a while he did about 10 minutes of fitness (sit-ups, push ups, and some sort of squatting action), then he gathered his things and went on his merry way.

At the Prudential Building you can pay $14 to go up to the skywalk on the 50th floor to see 360 degree views of Boston, or you can go to Top of the Hub restaurant on the 52nd floor and enjoy the same views by purchasing a $12 martini... no brainer??

Today I did a Celebrity Draft with my friends from DC via Skype.  Yep, just like a football draft.  You get points for how many times your celebs get on magazine covers, have babies, get married, best dressed list etc, you lose points for going to rehab, worst dressed, break ups, etc.  It was something I was really looking forward to before I moved.  I couldn't miss out!

Boston Week Two: Welcome to LD, St. Patrick's Day, and Harvard

Monday I started working on the floor at my new job, and by Wednesday night I was working "on my own".  Traveling nursing is pretty crazy.  Somehow I managed to figure enough out in two days to take care of my own patient with only a little... or maybe a lot of help from my co-workers.  There's still a lot to get used to, mostly remembering what I don't have to do.  I seriously feel more like a tech than a nurse sometimes there.  The docs are way more hands on and there is surprisingly A LOT less paper work!  WAHOO!!!  It obviously is still work, and I know some days will be tougher than others, but overall I feel like it might be like a little vacation from work as I knew it at "The Club".  Can't complain about that!!  Some info for those that are interested, they don't do deliveries under 37wks... level 1 nursery, anyone who's really sick gets transferred out.  Everyone who gets a fever >100.4 gets dx chorio.  Serial inductions are common... very common, although inductions are rare as well.  PAs run the show under the supervision of the OBs.  There are also midwives in house and they run a birth center across the street, so anyone what turns high risk or needs pain control comes over.  On the first day I had an induction, and not once was I asked what the pitocin was running at.  Needless to say, the c/s rate is quite low.  Oh, and docs and nurses are on first name basis... every last one of them.  I've had two deliveries and both made it without epidurals... by choice.  :)

Friday I met up with a few ladies that I worked with when I lived here before.  We went to dinner in West Roxbury and had drinks.  We had a blast.  Love those girls!  They definitely made moving to a big new city and new job so much easier the first time around.  Only downfall of the night was not paying attention on the T on the way home and getting off the train one stop too early.  Fail.  Luckily, the wait for the next one wasn't too terribly painful.

Saturday was of course St. Patrick's Day... also significant as Evacuation Day holiday for Boston which commemorates the evacuation of British forces from the city of Boston following the Siege of Boston early in the American Revolutionary War.  Not sure how many of the people binge drinking yesterday knew that, but a little history lesson none the less.  Thank you wikipedia.  Anyway, we did our part in celebrating.  We started around 1pm and made our way through several different bars, but managed somehow to not make it to one single Irish Pub.  Impressive, I know.  I was proud of us though, managing to stay out until around midnight without significant drama or sloppiness.  We had a great time!

Today Debbie and I were going to head to Southie for the St Patrick's Day Parade.  Today was also supposed to be the most beautiful day of the year so far.  Unlike the rest of the US, Boston has NOT been having 70+ degree days for the last couple weeks.  We've stayed in the 40s.  Debbie and I decided to skip the parade and the crowds to enjoy the day walking through Harvard.  I've never been to the campus before.  Today was perfect.  It was 70+ degrees and sunny.  We walked all around and ended up having a late lunch near Harvard Square.  We enjoyed the fresh air (through open windows) with a delicious cheese plate, glass of wine, and great entrees.  We felt like we were on vacation.  Maybe because the weather was so drastically different than what we've been used to.  Loved it!  It was a great day to top off an amazing weekend!!

A Weekend of Fun, Organization, and Fitness!

After a long week of orientation I had a great weekend.  I went out with friends both Friday and Saturday nights.  Friday I went out in Waltham with my friend from orientation and one of her friends.  We had a great time.  I love meeting new people.  Saturday we went to a couple of places on Boylston St.  The bars have been a lot of fun.  Every interaction with people I have has been great.  Everyone is so friendly and welcoming.  We met this group of people that were so much fun.  One thing I've noticed is that the boys in this area seem to love to dance... with or without girls.  It's hilarious! I wish I had video of some of the stellar dance moves I witnessed. 

I finally got everything put away and organized in the apartment.  I didn't have much left to do, but I had been avoiding the last few things. My closet is so organized!

 I also found the gym in my complex.  I've really been slacking lately, and I am determined to get back into shape.  Sunday morning I woke up super sore and I couldn't be more excited about it.  Haha!  Today I was lazy, until I realized it was 60 degrees outside.  I just had assumed it was cold.  It's been 30-40 degrees for the majority of the time I've been here.  Anyway, I decided I would take a quick jog just to get out of the apartment.  A quick jog ended up being a couple miles longer than I expected.  I was sure to bring my ID, but I neglected to bring cash or my Charlie Card (for the train).  I had just planned to "get lost" running around the neighborhood to explore, but didn't intend to actually get lost.  I made a few turns thinking in a grid I would end up back home or at least close to it.  Unfortunately, Boston and the surrounding areas don't believe in grids or any sort of pattern of roads that makes sense.  Needless to say I got lost and am very thankful to the lovely people who directed me back home.  On the positive side, I got a great run in beautiful weather and a lesson learned.

This week I'll be working on the unit for the first time.  I'm pretty excited to meet everyone, and anxious to get back to a career that I love.  In my free time I want to work on making a Boston and surrounding areas bucket list.  Three months flies by, so I want to be sure to do and see as much as I can.  If you have any suggestions on where I should go or what I should do, please comment!  I love taking day trips!

Sooo I'm Starting a Blog

I used to blog long before everyone blogged.  Then I stopped.  I have contemplated starting again for a while but wondered if my life was interesting enough for people to read about it.  I came to the conclusion that if the people on Jersey Shore or the Kardashians can make millions off a reality series I could probably write a post or two that people might read.  If I can't, then I'm just doing this for me... and for the people that I've moved away from at one point or another who want to know what I'm up to beyond facebook.

This past week has been sort of big.  I moved from DC, where I've lived happily for the past 3 years to Boston to pursue a second chance at traveling nursing.  It was a tough decision to leave, but apparently I am better at being decisive about big decisions, like uprooting my life than I am at silly decisions, like what cereal to buy at the grocery store or what drink to order at the bar.

So far the move has been pretty seamless.  I made it in one piece despite not being able to see out of any windows besides mine, and the front passenger.  I arrived at my apartment to find that it is home to a huge Asian population.  The halls smell consistently of Asian food.  My apartment is nice, but the kitchen has a few fake cabinets.  You open the door to find a wall.  The square footage huge, while the use of space baffles me.  The washer is half size.  I had to do 4 loads for one small basket of laundry.  I'm not complaining though, I'm so thankful to have it in my apartment!

Tonight I attempted to go see a movie with a friend I made in hospital orientation.  It was a bust though, as there was absolutely no parking.  We attempted to go to a different theater, but half way there realized the suburbs suck and you can't get anywhere fast, so we'd be too late.  The night was not all wasted though.  As I drove around I found new places I had never seen and I was reassured that the suburbs of Boston weren't all small stores and restaurants with names that meant nothing to me.  In a lot of ways that's cool, but when you're looking for a little bit of familiarity it can be frustrating.  On my way back home I took one of my favorite roads, Storrow Drive.  I wish I could say I took it on purpose, but I'd be lying.  It goes through the edge of the city and follows the Charles River.  It makes for magnificent views of the city, especially with the buildings lit up at night.  It was on this road that I decided I need a driver for the city because all I want to do is look around!  It's so beautiful!  I almost drove into a wall as I passed Harvard University.  I didn't get a chance to see it last time I was here.  I'm definitely going to have to go back during the day.

Tomorrow marks the end of hospital orientation.  It was a week long.  I'm excited to be done, because I swear I am developing a pressure ulcer from sitting too much.  It's a miracle I survived college... or K-12!?  How did anyone ever get me to sit for 8 hours straight and pay attention?  Maybe this is the effects of being a nurse where there are some days that the only time you sit is to go to the bathroom and there are even some days where you don't even get to do that!  I'm going to miss my orientation group though!  They were fun!  I've made some friends and the instructors and speakers have all been super nice.  Hopefully that carries onto the unit.  I will start my unit orientation on Monday.  It ends on Tuesday, lol. God help me.