Touring Parts of Texas

Houston is quite the city.  Perhaps if I spent more time there I would eventually find short cuts and alternate routes to various destinations.  However, being as direction-handicapped as I am made navigating through the area a bit more difficult for me.  When you have large cities, you often have lots of traffic.  Again, no exception here - which added to the inadequacy I felt when I toured around the city.  Despite being turned around on more than one occasion, we eventually found our way to parks, concerts, restaurants, and more.

Before we left for our little Christmas vacation, to help get our minds off our apartment mishaps (see again I am finding a logical reason to justify spending money), we found our way to the Houston Symphony.  A few days later we were able to see the Rockettes perform their Radio City Christmas Show.  One of our last nights off before we flew home, we drove down to Galveston to see a Christmas Light display.  It was perfect for getting us into the Christmas spirit before we saw our families.







When we returned to Houston, we again were thankful that we were there during our normal winter months, as the temperatures were refreshingly mild and proved excellent for hammocking.  We wandered around different areas of the city, finding coffee shops and little boutiques...and occasional hearses - again Dad, for you...

Also much to my excitement, Texas is no stranger to country music.  As a result we were able to catch a few shows at a little nearby honkeytonk.  It served as fantastic people watching - oh and the concerts were enjoyable as well.  

When Becky and I had stretches off we explored some of the big cities outside of Houston.  One long weekend we visited one of Becky's friends in Dallas.  We were exposed to a couple of delicious restaurants and shown some hidden gems within the city.  After our visit with Julie, we ventured over to the John F. Kennedy Memorial and got a little history lesson of that dreadful day.

 

A few weeks before we left the great state of Texas, we had the opportunity to visit Austin and San Antonio.  While we were in Austin I experienced my first airbnb stay - I will most definitely use that to book future getaways.  One of the girls we were working with was originally from Austin so she was super helpful in filling us in on the "must see" attractions.  Again, that combined with Becky's research provided an ambitious list of activities for us to enjoy.

We stayed in a place just off South Congress, which proved to be the perfect location for the purpose of our visit.  Amazing restaurants, Home Slice Pizza and Hop Doddy to name a couple, were within walking distance and various shops and restaurants lined the remainder of the street.  Of course we found another Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives place and happily devoured our meals.  One of the days we decided to have no shame in playing tourist and took a Double Decker Bus ride around the city.  To me I feel like that sometimes is the best way to see multiple iconic parts of the city when you have a limited amount of time.  It turned out to be a gorgeous day as we cruised around snapping pictures, thoroughly enjoying our people watching/sightseeing experience.

 

 

We saw the original Chuy's and visited a delicious food truck station.

 

One of the afternoons we took our bikes for a spin and found a nearby pool, we didn't brave the cold water but it was a neat little area.  I never did quite get past the fact that people were swimming outside in the middle of February.  Our friend Nicole had mentioned a B-B-Q place called the Salt Lick about a half hour or so outside of Austin.  She said the experience would be worth the drive and I'm happy to say it didn't disappoint.  On our way out there however, we took a random little detour and found Hamilton Pool, a natural pool we had read about online.  As we were driving up to the entrance however, we noticed the park was closing in 5 minutes.  Of course it was...

The good news is, we've learned to make the most of these silly and frequent disappointments.  About a mile or so down the road we both noticed a sign for a nearby winery, why not see what that's all about since it was still a bit too early to head to dinner.  As we sipped some wine and chatted about our Austin adventures we made the decision to check out the pool on our way out of town.  It would add a few minutes to our drive, but we figured we had plenty of time.  It was definitely worth the stop.

 

 

After soaking up the sun for a little while we decided to make our way to San Antonio.  It was a fun area with a lively Riverwalk which was lined with hotels, restaurants, and businesses.  We toured around the city taking in as much of the culture as possible.  Later one evening there was an art projection show taking place downtown.  They used the facade of the church, projecting the history of San Antonio through a light show picture.  It was impressive, and my photos definitely don't do it justice.  The following day we paid a visit to the nearby village and the Alamo.  It was a sight to see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm sure I'll eventually make my way back to Texas, as there is plenty of the state I have yet to see.  For now though, I'm content with our three month packed visit.

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Following a nice visit at home and a hearty Thanksgiving meal at Andrea's, I was out on the road again.  I got to the end of her street, phone charged, gps navigating, and ipod ready for me to press play.  I took a deep breath, the road trip to Houston, Texas had begun.

Just kidding - I had to turn around and go back because I forgot my boots...I said another set of goodbyes and then was off for real.

I decided to leave in the evening in hopes that I'd miss out on some traffic.  I figured I could at least get to West Virginia and then meet up with Becky in Knoxville the following day.  Thankfully the rest of that portion of the drive went off without a hitch.  I made it to the hotel, got some sleep and was at it again in the morning.  I was trying to get away from the snow and sleet from the north, unfortunately, however, it seemed to follow me for a while.  When I arrived in Knoxville and lifted my bag up from the passenger seat floorboard, I realized the entire bottom of it was soaked.  Looks like the leak in the Jeep that was "supposed" to be fixed that previous week didn't go so well.  Little did I know, that would be the first of many mishaps...

Our first day of orientation was the Monday after Thanksgiving so we had quite a bit of driving to do in a short amount of time.  I stayed with Becky's family for a night and then we headed out toward Houston the following day.  Once we reached Texas we were greeted with sunny weather and temperatures in the 70's.  I was enjoying Texas already.

We unloaded our cars and unpacked the essentials as we mentally prepared for our new job.  Unfortunately the first few weeks of this assignment didn't go as well as we had expected.  The good news was the hospital and job itself were quite enjoyable.  The unit was constantly buzzing and the crew that staffed it was second to none.  The care and knowledge they provided to their patients and families was evident in every decision that was made.  It truly was a privilege to work among them.

Now for the continuation of the mishaps...unfortunately when we arrived at our apartment there were a few kinks that needed to be worked out.  One of which was the furniture - with this assignment we had taken the housing that our company provided which meant the rented furniture would be there when we arrived.  It took a few days and multiple phone calls to get that squared away.  The next issue, which was a bit more important was the construction.  I've said previously that Becky and I always find places that are being renovated or are closed - well again, no exception here.  Creating a new building right next door to our three month lease wasn't really okay.  It's something that should have been discussed prior to our move in, but unfortunately it wasn't.  Needless to say we moved out of there as soon as we could.  Perhaps we were asking for a lot, you may judge if you like, but nobody likes hammering on the wall next to you at 2am every day.

We moved into our new place and got settled rather quickly.  It was now mid December and the hospital was gracious enough to give us time off for Christmas.  Becky and I were each able to fly home and be with our families.  Two days before we left however, there was a ridiculous rainstorm.  Becky woke up to a dripping sound coming from the living room.  The up side of living on the top floor of an apartment building is that you never have a heavy footed person stomping above you...the down side - leaks...

Thankfully our apartment complex was on top of their game and the ceiling and roof were fixed by the time we got back from our Christmas vacation.  After that things seemed to start falling into place and we were able to enjoy Houston and surrounding areas a bit more.  I think we definitely made up for some lost time in the next couple of months and took advantage of every day off.

Connecticut to Virginia

Becky and I started and ended our contract in Charlottesville, Virginia at concerts.  As if we hadn't driven enough to get to our new apartment, we decided it would be a good idea to trek a little farther toward Richmond to see Jennifer Nettles.  I figured it was a great housewarming gift to ourselves.  You'll find soon enough that I tend to come up with a completely logical reason to spend my money.  This was no exception.  Unpacking could wait, it was time for some fun.

  

Charlottesville was familiar stomping grounds for Becky, as she had lived and worked there prior to the ship.  This made her the automatic navigator.  When we added the suggestions from some of her friends that still lived there to our bucket list, we had plenty of check boxes to fill in.

Did you know there are tons of wineries in VA?  That was news to me, pleasant news I might add.  It makes for a nice afternoon, as many have gorgeous views of the hills and vineyards.  Throw in some sunshine, friends, and of course, a little wine, and it's a perfect outing.

VA is also no stranger to an array of hiking trails.  I am embarrassed to say that although I love being outside, I've learned I'm not in the same shape I was a few years ago.  

What used to be a leisurely uphill walk has now turned into somewhat of a steep cliff of death where I find myself gasping for air.  Don't even try and have a conversation with me because I...can...only...get...one...word...out...at...a...time.  I blame the altitude...

See - I'm not kidding...

A weekend that we were both off, a couple of Becky's friends flew in for a visit.  We did a couple of things around town, and then decided to venture down to Williamsburg.  It was like a little history lesson, except I enjoyed it.  We strolled through town and appreciated being tourists for the day.

 How could I pass up this picture?  Aren't you proud, Dad?

Becky is a fan of lighthouses and I like road trips so we decided to go on a little Lighthouse Road Trip to the Outer Banks.  We lucked out on some pretty amazing weather for the majority of the mini vacation, cruising along the coast and stopping for some photos and of course, food.  Our first stop happened to be a Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives participant.  (Being friends with Sofia and Becky has allowed me to mark off quite a few – I’ll eventually do a little brainstorming and see what number I’m at).  From there we continued on our lighthouse quest.

 

                       

The Jeep had a little photo op as well. 

 

We also experienced a little trespassing after hours, thankfully no shotguns were involved but there were an exponential amount of mosquitoes.  Between that and my nervous nelly photography skills the pictures are less than ideal.  Serves us right I suppose.

 

 

We also found our way to the Wright Brothers National Memorial.  They were doing a little construction on site, but it didn't take away from the experience.  Besides, somehow Becky and I always find restaurants, museums, parks, etc. that are either under construction or closed so some orange cones on the memorial grounds didn't seem to put a damper on things.

 

We also met a few friends...

 

After the Wright Brothers Memorial we headed over to the Dunes.  They were pretty impressive to say the least.  It was one of those times where the farther you looked, the harder it was to tell where the sand ended and the sky began.

Once we made it to an open area, we decided to lay out our blanket and attempt reading our books.  As you can probably guess from clouds in the photo above, our plans didn't quite play out as well as they had in our heads.  Before long the skies opened up and the wind started gusting...

This may not be worse than sand in your bathing suit, but it's a close second.

 

Despite a few weather mishaps and some closed restaurants, we made it to and from our destinations in one piece - I'd call that a successful trip.

Although it was quite a challenge getting back to work after spending almost a year in Africa, I did actually enjoy the adventure. 

And The Traveling Continues

In the last year I have somehow made my way from Congo to South Africa to Connecticut.  I spent some time in Virginia, experienced the "Big" feel of Texas, and am now in awe of my surroundings in Colorado.  So much for being the homebody that I had always proclaimed to be.

It seems fitting, perhaps a little corny, that I get back into the blogging scene during Nurse Appreciation Week.  Of course the encouragement from my family and friends helped propel me out of my comfort zones, but it has been travel nursing that has provided me with exciting experiences.

Sure hospital orientation every three months makes me want to gouge my eyes out and feeling like a new nurse the first couple of weeks of each contract is somewhat intimidating.  But I get to work in a variety of hospitals, some better than others, alongside some pretty amazing individuals.  I've seen things that I don't wish upon anybody, but have also been witness to unbelievable outcomes.  Nursing has become a part of me, and although it has only been about 7 years since I first started this career, I can't quite see myself doing anything else.  Even though I allow a few complaints to sneak out, I do in fact enjoy my job - whether I'm in Africa or America.

Along with work comes play - that's the other fun part about travel nursing.  I like to think of travel nursing as a sort of three month vacation with a side of work.  When I'm in a new place for a short amount of time, I do my fair share of exploring.  Thankfully, my travel buddies Sofia and Becky are excellent researchers so I'm never worried about not being able to fill up my days off with good food, good friends, and good fun.

These next few posts will primarily be a recap of the most recent cities Becky and I have lived in.  Really I'm using this blog as an excuse to go through all my pictures - I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Getting Back on Track

I have tried to start this silly post countless times.  I was going to devote an entry to my time spent with friends in South Africa immediately after I left the ship.  Then I was going to share stories of what it was like being home and seeing my family.  Before I knew it, summer was coming to an end and I had taken my next travel nursing assignment.  It was hard to believe that my experiences as a travel nurse here in the United States would be viewed with as much interest as those that I had in Africa.  So I put this blog on the back burner for a while.

Then it was November, I thought maybe I could whip up something around the time of my birthday.  It was a new year, so maybe a new entry.  The ship had just arrived to its new destination in Madagascar.  Friends I had met more than six months prior were laminating facebook with posts about going back to Mercy Ships.  Screening days were being planned and surgeries scheduled.  I was headed into work.  I just couldn't quite muster anything up.

Christmas was the next big event on the calendar.  But instead of recognizing what Christmas was about, and reminiscing of past holidays with my family or thinking about the countless traditions that were being celebrated on the ship, I allowed myself to be preoccupied with the inconveniences I was facing with my new assignment.  Thankfully things have since smoothed over and my visit home was just what I needed.  Spending time with my family for the holiday was long overdue and as exciting, chaotic, refreshing, and tiring as always.  Again, just what I needed.  I was reminded of my one dollar joys - they exist in America just as they do in Africa.

So even though I won't be writing about visiting orphanages in Congo or sharing patient stories from another continent, I can still let you in on my most recent experiences.  I've realized that it's up to me to decide how much joy is received, and just maybe I can begin to focus on my experiences rather than the silly inconveniences that I often allow to take over.

When Patients Become Family

At home I hesitate.
At home I analyze.
At home I watch my back.

I've learned that Nursing is Nursing wherever you go.  To be put in a situation in which one can use the tools and knowledge that they have gained to provide care and compassion to another is virtually universal.  The manner in which an individual decides to disperse this knowledge and kindness however is enormously dependent upon the surroundings.

I think the hardest part about working in a hospital in the States is the fact that I am continuously looking over my shoulder.  I have been taught to dot every i and cross every t, not because if I don't a patient will feel the effects, but because I will get reprimanded, sued, or even fired.  Nursing has gradually drifted away from patient care and has eased it's way into a more politically driven profession.  Although I'm quite the rule-follower, I refuse to forget why I chose the nursing profession in the first place.  Often times all it takes is a brief thought about how I would want my family member to be treated, and I quickly throw the politics in the back seat and continue on with what I love to do.  Of course I love cuddling babies, snatching kids from their beds to rock them to sleep, and hugging or high five-ing the adults as they waltz by.  At home though, I am forced to consider what that looks like to those around me.  Did I finish charting my assessments?  Will I be done rocking him in time to hang a feed for my other patient?  My mind has been trained to think about the tasks at hand.  I have to consciously remind myself about what is important.

The time I've spent on the ward on the Africa Mercy has been just the opposite.  The patients that we have had the privilege of treating have become family.  Mothers have willingly handed their babies over knowing full well we enjoy and sometimes need the extra cuddles just as much as their child.  Parents reassure their children that we are only trying to help get them better and place a trust in us that is never taken for granted.  The adults get comfortable enough to tell us to get cracking on finding a husband and start our own baby making - typical family conversations.  Thankfully, my time in Africa has reminded me of the relationships we, as nurses, are blessed with.  I can only hope that I will bring what I've learned here, back to my future patients.

A few of my favorite moments:
When Hosanna's Dad and Emmanuel's Mom referred to me as Mama Kariiiiiin.  It was all the proof I needed that they trusted me with their children.  I was happy they could see the love I have for their boys.

 

 

 

When the three lovely ladies, Florence, Habiba, and Bijoux went all "Mama Bear" on me and showered me with gentle eyes and encouraging hugs when I visited the ward after Becky had left the ship.

 

 

When, on my final evening shift, I asked Habiba how many children she had.  She held up one finger as she was smoothing out the blankets on her bed.  I asked her, "Can I be your second child?"  Without missing a beat, and with a stern and very serious face, she looked up and said, "You already are my child."  She shook her head at me, as if to say - Seriously Karyn, you really had to ask that?

 

I'm beyond grateful for the relationships that were created during this experience.  Here on the Africa Mercy, my work nor my motives have been challenged or judged - and that makes a difference.  It allows me to make a difference.  This is what I hope to bring back home. 

 

 

Impending Transitions

Now that there’s less than a month left in this insane experience, I can’t help but get all melancholy and reflect a bit. 

People say that the transition period from ship life to my once familiar life on land may be difficult.  They say I should prepare myself for a time that is inhabited by overwhelming change.  I should be ready to face the shifts in support systems, adapt to new daily routines, and stand guard for the emotional turmoil that can erupt at any given moment.  Sounds like quite the picnic if I do say so myself…

I mean people do it all the time, right?  It’s a natural progression in life to experience one stage and move on to the next.  It’s normal to have a sense of reluctance to start something new and uncomfortable.  After all, I did just that when I came to Africa eight months ago.  But what about having anxiety about leaving something that was once so uncomfortable and foreign and returning to the only life you’ve known for the previous 26 years?  I’d love to say that I’m full of relief, that in less than 30 days I will have the freedom to eat whatever I want, whenever I want it.  I can hop in my car, turn the radio on and cruise with the windows down inhaling fresh clean air.  I can call my family and friends without counting my fingers to figure out the time difference, heck I can go see my family and friends.  So why then do I catch myself becoming frustrated at the fact that I’m actually a little scared about going home? 

Is it the work? 

I have the privilege of saying that I am a nurse and I love my job.  Prior to coming on the ship I had been enjoying the perks of travel nursing.  I’d like to believe/I’m psyching myself up and telling myself that traveling is still an option once I get my feet back on the ground and catch my breath.  And catching my breath is exactly what I am expecting to have to do.  I’ve been volunteering as a nurse onboard a hospital ship that is nothing like I’ve ever known.  It’s a place where patients stumble in hiding behind a scarf or a dim smile and waltz out with a new found confidence and sense of hope in their eyes.  It’s a place where selfless volunteers come together to serve others because they believe that is the right thing to do.  And it’s a place where love is given out freely without the expectation of anything in return.  So although I’m petrified of reentry into the PICU world after 9+ months, I still am excited and grateful to be involved in a profession that has needs to be filled.  I’m hoping that excitement will serve as the enabling factor that is necessary to lead me back into the intensive care setting. 

Is it the living situation?

As of right now, my plans are to move back in with my long term roommates (AKA my parents) until I figure out where I’m headed next.  Thankfully my parents and I have an amazing relationship, so I’m not too uptight about the new living situation.  In fact, I’m actually looking forward to it and my Dad recently assured me that they haven’t rented out my room yet so I should be good for a little while.  But again, it’s another hefty transition.  It’s similar to moving back home after college, only multiplied by 1000.  What is it going to feel like opening a refrigerator with only my food in it, none of which is labeled with a name and date?  As irritating as I think the dining room hours are, will I find myself eating meals at the assigned times onboard?  Am I going to dance around the house barefoot, sleep on my couch, or go for a midnight swim just because I can?  But where do I go when I have a sudden urge to check in on a patient to see how their day went?  Living and working in the same environment and seeing the same people on an hourly, never mind daily, basis can become somewhat suffocating.  But what about when I walk down the hall and my ship family is nowhere to be found? 

Is it the How was Africa?

As I evaluate and somewhat obsessively think about the next couple of months, I always hit a wall when I think about this question.  It’s a legitimate question; after all I have been living here for over eight months.  Of course my friends and family would be interested in my unexpectedly extended time away from home.  But how interested?  How much do you really want to know?  Will you be expecting me to be an African expert?  Because quite frankly, most days I feel like I’m living on an American ship that is docked next door to Congo.  It’s a very unusual phenomenon.  Will the conversation be limited to the weather in Africa?  Will you want to hear my stories from the fun visits we had to the orphanage?  Are you going to be interested in how the children became orphans, or what Mama Pasculine taught me?  Or will you simply be satisfied with pictures of children laughing and playing games?  Is ship life something of interest?  Will you want to know what it’s like to live and work with the same individuals, if so will you really understand what a challenge it actually is?  Can I adequately describe what it’s like to work on the ward?  Will you want to know about the lack of resources and the short cuts that have to be taken because there simply isn’t another way?  Should I discuss some of the difficult cases – the no’s that had to be handed out to the hopeful hearts?  Is it fair to let you in on the heart wrenching situations that didn’t go as we had wished?  Or do I tell you about Andredi, Grace, Chantal, Ghislain, Paul, Ruffin, Junior, Mahamadou, Emmanuel, Hosanna, Habiba, Epiphane, Natacha, Florence, Bozi, Rovel, Alice, Siara, Theresa, Nadine, Angelique, Mervielle…

I am scared.  I’m afraid of sharing so much that you lose interest and become distracted.  I’m nervous that my feeble descriptions of my experiences won’t suffice.  I’m slightly troubled by the realization that I may become frustrated simply because there will be instances in which you just will not understand.  But most of all, I’m afraid of falling back into my routine that was so comfortable before I left.  This experience wasn’t just a time-filler, it wasn’t just something I did in between travel assignments.  I don’t want to ever feel like I’m describing it as such. 

So as I prepare for life on land I have a few requests:
Tell me about what has happened in your life over the last nine months – I’m genuinely interested and nothing is insignificant.
Be patient as I try to steady myself.
Give me grace.  Give me time to find my words.

I’m not the same – I’m not even sure what that means…but ready or not, it’s almost time for that picnic.