Adios USA

Sunday

I went for a quick run before I had to meet with my research group at 4. Our third assignment is in the books and that means no more group work (for that class)!

I've been keeping my eye on the construction (it's hard to miss) that has been going on around my running path. Those pretty trees that were chopped down are now replaced with houses.

I stayed up rather late watching several lectures for my online classes. I was already a week behind and I needed to get one ahead. I posted my weekly forum and finished up some assignments.

Monday

The flowers are opening up beautifully!

I finished my portfolio early in the day.

I needed some sunshine and some food. I called Stesha and we went to Panera.

I received the second book in the Hunger Games series from Lance. It was part 3 of my birthday present. It was the perfect gift for me to read while I'm in Honduras.

Once my food settled, I went for a speedy walk.

I finished up some NCLEX prep questions and took Quiz #2 for my Research Class.

Thinking about all the stuff I have due once I return makes my head spin.

Today

I had a one hour class today. When it was over, I bought gas and went to Target to get some last minute trip things.

I came home and began the long process of fitting 10 days worth of stuff into 2 carry-ons. Erg.

I ripped the bag once and had to sew it back together. Thus adding another thing to my packing list: a sewing kit just incase it happens again.

I'm all packed up and ready to go!

I leave to pick up my carpool mates 4 hours...yikes!

If you want updates on how I'm (my group) is doing, check out exploringmedicine2012.blogspot.com

Adios! 

PS: I'll be back April 7th

50 days out

Thursday March 15

I had planned on sleeping in as late as possible so I could survive my first night shift. Let's just say I failed miserably. I woke up around 10:30 and tried to go back asleep. Instead of wasting time, I ran some errands that I had planned on doing once my mom landed in Durham.

I did end up picking her up from the airport around 3:30 and we went to lunch at Brixx. I had been there once before and I've mentioned it in another post. It is so delicious!

mom's pizza

my pizza

I had about an hour to relax at home with my mom before I headed out for my first shift.

Working a night made it feel like a slumber party. Almost a contest to see if I could stay awake and survive.

Well, I did survive. I feel like it was a right of passage. I have now worked a night shift!

I made it home and saw this little guy on the window.

We had 30 minutes until Target opened at 8 AM. We headed that way and were 4th in line for the new iPad. We bought it for my Dad and now he has a way to stay connected to the world via the internet. 

We bought the iPad 5 minutes after getting to Target. No lines, camping, or crowds.

I had to laugh at how similar all the Apple lovers look.

My mom and I went out for breakfast at IHOP.

I crawled into be and fell asleep around 11 AM. I woke up at 3 and started getting ready for the commitment to excellence ceremony.

My mom and I had dinner beforehand at Bali Hai (my favorite Mongolian place).

At 7, the ceremony started. There was a harp player and everything. 

One of my classmates volunteered to give a speech at this inaugural ceremony. It was a very touching speech and it was a tease. It felt so much like a graduation speech and I was almost in tears thinking I had finally finished nursing school. Then I came back down to reality and realized I still had 7 weeks and so many projects to finish. Such. A. Tease.

The next morning, Saturday, we went for a walk in the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Everything is blooming and it was gorgeous! 

We went to Noodles & Company for lunch. I took a detour to show my mom the outside of the new Cancer Center.

The pretty flowers my mother bought me

 Our next stop was Dick's Sporting Goods. I bought a bunch of goodies for my trip to Honduras. I got a self inflating mat, a headlamp, some Off spray, space saver bags to keep my stuff dry, and pesticide spray for my clothes. I'm just about ready.

On Sunday, I wanted to take my mom to Dos Taquitos for lunch. We drove 30 minutes only to be disappointed that they are closed on Sundays. We found an On The Border close by to satisfy our Mexican food craving. There was a Sonic down the road too. A bonus!

We stopped by Home Depot to buy some moving boxes and packing materials. Later on my mom got a bunch of boxes from the liquor store and a ton of old newspaper from The Herald Sun that is right up the road.

I worked another 12 hour shift on Monday, but it was a day shift.

My mom graciously drove me to work and picked me up so I didn't have to walk 15 minutes from the parking lot. It allowed for an extra 15 minutes of sleep.

We went to dinner at The Original Q-Shack for some Texas BBQ.

I met my research group up at school on Tuesday morning. We worked for about 2 hours and then I came home and we had lunch at Rockfish for lunch. We killed some time before they opened in Barnes and Noble. I bought a book on Medical Breakthroughs and I've been entertained.

I had to be back at school at 1 for a one hour lecture. Once back home, we relaxed and watched The Verdict. I started to nap halfway through. I had my last Honduras class at 6 pm and we talked about religion. We took our first dose of Chloroquine. It is used for malaria prophylaxis. I don't know if this was the cause of the 3 day nonstop headache I've had.

Wednesday, also known as MY 25TH BIRTHDAY, I worked another 12 hour day shift.

As soon as I got off, my mom and I went to dinner at Kurama. I was craving Hibachi and it was delicious!

When I arrived home, I saw the beautiful flowers that Lance had bought me. It was a ray of sunshine on a day that I barely got to see any light.

We celebrated with a cupcake and wine

Thursday, I had to drop my mom off at the airport and I was feeling super lonely. I hate goodbyes. 

I drove right up to school for a simulation/collaboration between us nursing students and the medical students. It was very helpful with learning how doctors and nurses both rely and need each other. 

I grabbed some free food from the reception afterwards and headed upstairs to print.

I need to print out all the protocols for my unit at the hospital. I figured I could read them while in Honduras. It would make things a lot easier.

I came home and went for a run.

I finished an ATI comprehensive exam and then applied for a job. It just opened up and closes in a couple of days. I hope I hear something soon.

Yesterday, Stesha took me out for lunch and a movie for my b-day.

I chose Sushi Love and had my favorite lunch special: Kung Pau Beef.

We saw The Hunger Games.

Stesha's apartment complex was having a cookout/pool party and I was in the mood for some fun.

We ate hotdogs and I got to meet some people from Sweden. I enjoyed talking to them and learning about their culture. We also taught them the word spatula and gratuity. 

I went out to Dane's place afterwards and tried a new cider. I think this one is my favorite so far.

Fun fact: Dane's has oreos and milk on their menu.

I had to be up at the crack of dawn for the Honduras packing party.

We broke down all the medications from their original packaging and re-packed them in different bags.

We were each assigned a 50 pound bag to check at the airport.

I got home around 11 and took a long nap. 

I woke up and worked on my group research paper. We have a meeting tomorrow at 4 and we hope to complete it.

I began gathering my papers for my professional portfolio. It is due on Tuesday.

I went for a walk and it began to thunder.

I turned around after a mile or so and headed back. I got rained on during the last 5 minutes.

I drove up to Office Depot to gather all the supplies I needed for my portfolio. I came home and printed everything out and I am just about done. It just needs some final touches.

I facetime chatted with my parents just a bit ago. I'm very tired and I might crash early tonight.