Monday, May 19, 2008

Life Continues

Life continues... Caleb came to visit me and meet Matt last weekend! Sarah and Bob graced us with their presence for Sunday lunch.

L to R: Sarah, Bob, Caleb, Matt, Amy
We had a nice time going to Matt's choral arts ensemble concert, playing Frisbee, hiking, eating sushi (my first time!), and of course, talking. I received my own private concert in the Ghonda building with Caleb on the piano and Matt singing.


Today completed 12 weeks of ICU training classes that I went through with some of my best friends here, Tiffany, Emily, and Sarah. This picture was taken by Bob, Sarah's special guy, on our last day of class.

Bob jumped through so many hoops to provide a feast for us during lunch break that day! His story brought many chuckles.

Below: Sarah and Bob. Enough said:)

My girls. These and a few others are my girls here in Rochester. They're fun, encouraging, inspiring, thought-provoking, interesting, beautiful blessings! Left to right: Kristy, Sarah, Lindsay, me, and Tiffany.

My friend, Leah, and I went for a walk and talk to a lake at the edge of town. Even though it is very green and the flowers are in full bloom, it's still rather cold for late May. Yesterday and today, the high was in the 60's.


Now that my classes are over, I will leave the neurological ICU and begin orienting on all of the others, including medical, trauma/general surgery, thoracic/vascular, cardiac transplant, cardiac surgical, cardiac medical, and the ICU at Methodist Hospital, including liver and kidney transplant patients. Thursday means a trip home to Texas! We will help Grandmother and Granddaddy celebrate 60 years together! Other things include camping out with family and friends, touring the Eagle Med flight team place where Daniel is working now as a flight medic, spending time with all of the family, and playing with the newborn baby goats! I'm just a little bit excited!

Sunday, May 04, 2008

New Growth Green

"Open your eyes to the beauty around you,
Open your mind to the wonders of life,
Open your heart to those who love you,
And always be true to yourself."
Donna Davis

The breeze is softly tickling my face, twirling my hair and lifting the music through the air. How can I convey to you how I feel in my heart right now? It's spring!

Several things have happened since I started this blog...Maurita came over for lunch, we tramped around the woods taking pictures and laughing, and I had a wonderful visit with big brother Micah. Now, I am listening to the St. Olaf choir on CD, drinking ginger tea, and downloading pictures from the walk today to share with you!

On our walk, Maurita and I had to stop to breath in the smells, admire the flowers, climb enbankments, run up hills and down little paths, sing, and laugh at ourselves. The green was that of new growth, so bright in the spring. I thought of Helen Keller quotes. Because she was unable to see and hear, she had to touch, smell, and feel with the heart.
"Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousand of miles and all the years you have lived." Helen Keller
"To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug." Helen Keller