Oooh right... I have a blog!

Well helllooooo!!!  It's been a while, again!  I've been at my latest job for almost 8 weeks now.  I like it a lot- well parts of it anyway.  :)  It's a busy unit, so I have many shifts with two deliveries.  I feel like a real nurse again after two "slower" assignments.  I'm not a big fan of the charting/paperwork, it's a bit excessive, but that's the trend these days.  Ugh.  The part I like the best is being back to 12 hour shifts 3 days a week!  I'm not going to lie, many days I would love to go home at 3 with everyone else, but I'm quite happy with more free days.

Over the past several weeks I've been back to Omaha twice for my 10 YEAR(!!!) high school reunion and a wedding/camp reunion.  I've also had numerous quick trips to Iowa to see my momma.  I can't tell you how happy it makes me to be able to be at my mom's for dinner or whatever in two short hours.  If only I could just drive down the street... that won't happen though, no small town Iowa living for this girl... on a permanent basis anyway- sorry Mom!

About a month ago I drove up to Duluth and the North Shore.  I drove up north of Duluth to Split Rock Lighthouse, hiked a little at Gooseberry Falls, and spent the night in a "cottage" near Two Harbors and then spent the next day driving the scenic byway in Duluth.  It was an AWESOME trip!!  I only wish I had someone with me to enjoy it with.  The fall foliage was gorgeous!

Split Rock Lighthouse

Gooseberry Falls

View of Lake Superior from the Scenic Byway in Duluth

I've also had the pleasure of attending the Renaissance Festival.  It was a day packed with extremely entertaining people watching capped off by a "Men in Tights" contest that... lets just say it wasn't for children.

In one week I had several friends in town.  Monday I got a random text from my friend GJ from DC.  He was in the area visiting family and wanted to go to Grizzly Bear (band) perform at First Avenue, which is a well known club/small music venue.  The concert was fantastic.  The venue is awesome.  I'm keeping my eye out for my next show there.  It was great to see GJ too.

Grizzly Bear at First Avenue

On Friday another friend from DC, Nate was in town for the weekend.  A group of us went to dinner and then to celebrate Oktoberfest at Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit.  It happened to be one of the first really cold nights in Minneapolis, so the huge tent they had set up was absolutely packed.  We made our way inside to the bar in the basement for dancing and a couple of rounds with Das Boot.  I won... twice.  Just sayin.

On Saturday my friend/former roommate Ash and her fam came up to watch her sister run in the Twin Cities Marathon and a little b'day celebration for Ash.  It was a blast!  I had so much fun showing the girls around the cities.  Hopping from spot to spot on the marathon route was a great way to see the city.  Makes me want to run it next year!  Well, maybe not, but you never know!  I like the idea of running Grandma's Marathon in Duluth as well, but considering I haven't run more than 5 miles in a very very long time, I've got some work to do!  Anyway, we had a fabulous weekend trying new restaurants and just spending time with old friends.  After spending the last nearly 8 months constantly meeting new people and familiarizing myself with the unfamiliar it is so so nice to be with people I can completely be myself around without hesitation.  The weekend also made me assured of how much I love Minneapolis.  I was very proud as my friends commented on how cool/pretty the cities were.

Last night a fellow traveler on the unit and I went to dinner and then open mic night at Joke Joint comedy club.  It was a lot of fun.  The stand up was, well some of it was really funny, a lot of it was incredibly incredibly awkward.  The crash and burns were made even more awkward because it was a small crowd.  I'm happy to report that the women did waaaaaaay better than the men.  Made me miss going to the Funny Bone in Omaha.

I still have my hesitations about the city, mostly it's due to the fact that the majority of the hospitals hire people into 8 hour positions, and ultimately my fear of commitment.  I've also been talking to a fellow traveler who reminds me of how fun traveling nursing can be.  Her stories remind me of how awesome it can be to move to a totally unknown city and throw yourself into it.  Meet new people and have some crazy adventures.  On the other hand, I want to be settled in one place, with lots of friends, and a place to call home.  Part of me also wonders if I should take this opportunity to start something new with nursing.  I just don't know what that would be.  I just feel all sorts of unsettled.  If anyone has any advice or suggestions I'm all ears.

In the next 5 weeks, I'm hoping to get out and about as much as possible.  Last weekend I was able to get my winter gear out of storage, so although I am not mentally ready for winter to start, I at least have my ski coat if necessary.  In a couple weeks I'll make my way to be a bridesmaid in my friends, Sharon and Billy's wedding in Virginia.  I'm really looking forward to seeing them.  It's been a really long time.  I met them on my first travel assignment in DC.  We had a fantastic summer together that year.

As of right now, Dec 1st is my last day of this contract.  I've told the manager I'd be interested in extending my contract for a couple weeks.  She said she was hoping not to need me, so we'll see.  I hope to extend just so I'm not out of work for a whole month.  I don't want to start another assignment right before Christmas.  For once I'd like not to have to worry about my work schedule over the holiday.  I'd like to get another assignment in MN for January.  I don't want to make a permanent move anywhere in the middle of winter!  Travel assignment moves are much easier than big moves! As for right now, I just have to wait and see what the opportunities are for the new year come December.