Tuesday evening my mom came in town to visit with me before heading north to visit with a friend up in Maine. I gave her the choice of what to do on Wednesday and DC was in her sights. Just happens that I know my way around DC quite well.
We set out early on Wednesday morning at 0700 to catch the light Rail to Penn Station in downtown Baltimore; to then catch the Amtrak train down to DC's Union Terminal. That was my first time really traveling via train long distance. It was a neat experience and much more roomy than an airplane. I would definitely do it again.
As we arrived to Union Terminal and walked toward the museums, we noticed that people were gathering outside of the buildings and we heard a gentleman yell, "Two minutes!" I learned the night before via the news; that Wednesday August 28, 2013 is the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington with Martin Luther King. Good timing there, Roddy! But now we can say we were a part of history! As we were waiting for the Natural History Museum to open up we saw the masses gathering for the March on Washington. There was definitely a buzz in the city. It was neat to be there for it.
After the museum, we grabbed a bite to eat and headed towards the Lincoln Memorial to join the other 400,000 individuals in attendance. Thanks to a kind gentleman and and some speakers that faded in and out we were able to see and hear King's son, King's wife, and President Obama speak. In case you don't know DC very well, the Washington monument is very near the World War II Memorial which is then separated from the Lincoln Memorial by a one mile Reflecting Pool. It reminded me of the scene from Forrest Gump where he is at the Reflecting Pool and he and Jenny reunite. There were so many people and people lined the entire perimeter of the the Reflecting Pool. It is amazing to me how many people DC can hold before it feels crowded. Other than the huge mass of people gathered for the big occasion of the day, the rest of DC felt rather empty compared to when I was there April-June. So we had a great time milling around.
After our moment in history, we took advantage of a great program that can be found in northern Virginia and DC called bikeshare. We rented two bikes for a couple of hours and took DC by storm and visited all of the monuments. Luckily, we did this about 2 1/2 hours after the MLK event finished so several of the roads were still closed to car traffic, but open again to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. This combined two of my favorite activities, bicycling and the Washington DC monuments.
After museum going, marking our place in history, and biking around to the monuments, we headed back to the beautiful Union Terminal to catch a bite to eat before catching our train back to Baltimore. We were both tired from a very full day. We had a great time together and I am really liking the train as a mode of transportation. Where can I ride the train to next? I am thinking New York or Philly.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
A Weekend of fun
This weekend, I lived it up like a child. On Saturday, I went to the Maryland State Fair. I really had not been to a state fair in over a decade. The fairgrounds are only 5 miles north of me. I easily took the train up there and it dumped me off right next to the Cow Palace. I was in heaven. There were cows, and goats, and pigs, and babies oh my! They also had a birthing center where you could watch cows and pigs deliver their babies. I was amazed at how long people would sit there just watching a pregnant pig labor waiting for the arrival of her little piglets. Yes I was one of them. After seeing 8 day old piglets in another pen, I couldn't wait to see them minutes old. It didn't happen on my watch though.
I walked around looking at all the booths and steered clear of all of the rides and most of the fair food. After speaking with Blake, I did get a funnel cake; against my shagrins. I haven't had a funnel cake in over a decade either. So I splurged and got a funnel cake. It was just as good as I remembered.
On Sunday, I went down to Arlington, Va, my last homestead and got a haircut and went for a bike ride. I rode the Arlington Loop which was one of my favorites when I lived there. I saw the sites of Arlington and stopped at my ever favorite Gravelly Point where I could watch planes land and take off from Reagan airport. I just love that park. There is always a lot of activity there and I love seeing the planes.
Back to work tonight and then my momma comes to town this week. I am taking her down to DC for the day on wednesday to see the sites. Should be a good time. Til next time.
I walked around looking at all the booths and steered clear of all of the rides and most of the fair food. After speaking with Blake, I did get a funnel cake; against my shagrins. I haven't had a funnel cake in over a decade either. So I splurged and got a funnel cake. It was just as good as I remembered.
On Sunday, I went down to Arlington, Va, my last homestead and got a haircut and went for a bike ride. I rode the Arlington Loop which was one of my favorites when I lived there. I saw the sites of Arlington and stopped at my ever favorite Gravelly Point where I could watch planes land and take off from Reagan airport. I just love that park. There is always a lot of activity there and I love seeing the planes.
Back to work tonight and then my momma comes to town this week. I am taking her down to DC for the day on wednesday to see the sites. Should be a good time. Til next time.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
The Chill Runneth Down My Spine
Fort McHenry
Yesterday I made the trek to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. The War of 1812. I remember it as the War of 1812, the forgotten war. That pretty much sums up my recollection of it from history class. In April 1814 the British had just conquered and burned Washington and were headed north to complete their siege and overtake Baltimore. On September 12, 1814 British troops attacked Baltimore on land but knew in order to totally take Baltimore, they would need reinforcements from the sea as well. They would need to conquer Fort McHenry. The significance of all of this is that the British did not overtake Fort McHenry and were forced to retreat. This was all witnessed by Francis Scott Key whom was a young Washington lawyer that had been captured by the British fleet prior to their onslaught of Fort McHenry. It was when Key saw the American flag flying post British retreat that he jotted down some words that became what we know today as our national anthem.
I am by no means a history buff, but found this very interesting about how our national anthem came about. The visitor center at Fort McHenry is neat because they play a movie explaining all of this and at the end the movie screen lifts and you are looking at a replica of the same flag that Key was looking at on September 14, 1814 which inspired him to write our national anthem. As a nation, the display of the American flag and the playing of our national anthem brings us great pride. Immediately everyone stood, removed their hats, and stood at attention for the anthem. I thought that was an awesome ending to a history lesson. It gave me goose bumps and a chill ran down my spine. I didn't remember it from history class, but I shall remember it now.
I thought back to all the times I heard the national anthem prior to all of my basketball games. How the national anthem is played each time an American wins an event in the olympics. There were renditions of the anthem being sung by Whitney Houston. I could go on and on. It was just a really neat history lesson. Then I got to walk around and explore the fort and imagine what the soldiers saw and experienced looking out into the bay. Well worth the trip.
Yesterday I made the trek to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. The War of 1812. I remember it as the War of 1812, the forgotten war. That pretty much sums up my recollection of it from history class. In April 1814 the British had just conquered and burned Washington and were headed north to complete their siege and overtake Baltimore. On September 12, 1814 British troops attacked Baltimore on land but knew in order to totally take Baltimore, they would need reinforcements from the sea as well. They would need to conquer Fort McHenry. The significance of all of this is that the British did not overtake Fort McHenry and were forced to retreat. This was all witnessed by Francis Scott Key whom was a young Washington lawyer that had been captured by the British fleet prior to their onslaught of Fort McHenry. It was when Key saw the American flag flying post British retreat that he jotted down some words that became what we know today as our national anthem.
I am by no means a history buff, but found this very interesting about how our national anthem came about. The visitor center at Fort McHenry is neat because they play a movie explaining all of this and at the end the movie screen lifts and you are looking at a replica of the same flag that Key was looking at on September 14, 1814 which inspired him to write our national anthem. As a nation, the display of the American flag and the playing of our national anthem brings us great pride. Immediately everyone stood, removed their hats, and stood at attention for the anthem. I thought that was an awesome ending to a history lesson. It gave me goose bumps and a chill ran down my spine. I didn't remember it from history class, but I shall remember it now.
I thought back to all the times I heard the national anthem prior to all of my basketball games. How the national anthem is played each time an American wins an event in the olympics. There were renditions of the anthem being sung by Whitney Houston. I could go on and on. It was just a really neat history lesson. Then I got to walk around and explore the fort and imagine what the soldiers saw and experienced looking out into the bay. Well worth the trip.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Honest and open conversations with the Homeless
Yesterday I jumped on the Light Rail headed south to the Inner Harbor to visit the Science Center for the day. What an amazing center! If anyone reading this comes to Baltimore with children it is definitely a must see. I was so happy that I went when school was starting in this area because the Science Center was nearly empty and I got to play with everything without being bowled over by small children.
While on the Light Rail I saw a very sad situation. Two gentleman got on and barely were able to walk to their seats 3 feet from where they boarded because they were so incredibly high on something. Then a lady with a baby in a stroller and a toddler followed them. Let me just preface this with, I was luckily very sheltered through high school and college when it came to drug exposure. I credit sports for that. The two gentleman were in different phases of their highs. One guy was in the animated let me tell you every story I know phase and the other was moving in slow motion like a turtle doing unknown tasks with items in his backpack; though he literally could not muster the strength to open his eyes to stay engaged in conversation. Unfortunately for the toddler, this gentleman was whom she called Dad. It made me very sad to see this; though I know this family is not isolated. I am just so thankful that was not my environment for my childhood.
Yesterday was a very enriching day for me. I had a great time at the Science Center and then had a day of great conversation. Immediately when I got off the rail, I was approached by a gentleman of course asking for money. I find it very interesting the amount of money that these guys ask for. It is always 12 cents, 26 cents, one penny, 16 cents. It is always such an odd amount. So this gentleman approaches me and immediately started with "Hello miss, please don't cuss me out or spit on me. I was wondering if you had some 16 cents to spare?" This took me back a bit. I responded with " Why would I cuss you out or spit on you? You haven't given me a reason to cuss you out yet. Why would I spit on you? You are a human being just as I am." I spoke with him for a couple of minutes and learned that he says that he sleeps on the sidewalks and streets and hasn't eaten in a couple of days. I then said "You haven't eaten in days yet you wreak of alcohol. Maybe we should discuss priorities." He then went on to speak about the process of alcohol withdrawal which he really didn't know how to label it. He said that he would rather starve than go through withdrawal. I also discussed with him that I have heard too many stories about how many of the people that approach me are probably panhandlers and not really homeless and make more money in a week than I. I asked his input on how to tell whom was legit. I did not give this gentleman any money because I know he was just going to buy alcohol, but I think just giving him the time of day to listen made his day.
In the evening as I was waiting for my friend Silvia to come down and let me into her apartment building I was approached by several more people asking for money. It's just a gift I have, I guess. One of the gentleman lives in Ocean City, MD, but was up here because his old lady had to have some major surgery and the laundry list of organs that he listed that were removed, had they been healthy organs, she would have been the most complete organ donor ever. So I am pretty sure there were a few details missing in his story. After I figured out that "old lady" meant his girlfriend or wife and not his mother, I was back on track with him. He was actually a funny guy. His story was that he was walking around clearing some space in his head. He was only asking for 12 cents. I told him I had no change on me. He then asked for a dollar. Haha. I replied with "all I have on me is plastic." He replied "can we walk across the street then and you can buy me a beer with your credit card?" I credited him with his boldness, but told him I rarely buy myself a beer, so I am not going to buy him a beer. He laughed and said "Never hurts to try." Indeed it doesn't.
I really enjoyed my time in nursing school working with the homeless. I do hope to someday work with them again. As I have said before, everyone has a story and everyone just wants to feel heard. Many of the homeless around here are drunks but they are pretty harmless otherwise. Welcome to the big city kid!
While on the Light Rail I saw a very sad situation. Two gentleman got on and barely were able to walk to their seats 3 feet from where they boarded because they were so incredibly high on something. Then a lady with a baby in a stroller and a toddler followed them. Let me just preface this with, I was luckily very sheltered through high school and college when it came to drug exposure. I credit sports for that. The two gentleman were in different phases of their highs. One guy was in the animated let me tell you every story I know phase and the other was moving in slow motion like a turtle doing unknown tasks with items in his backpack; though he literally could not muster the strength to open his eyes to stay engaged in conversation. Unfortunately for the toddler, this gentleman was whom she called Dad. It made me very sad to see this; though I know this family is not isolated. I am just so thankful that was not my environment for my childhood.
Yesterday was a very enriching day for me. I had a great time at the Science Center and then had a day of great conversation. Immediately when I got off the rail, I was approached by a gentleman of course asking for money. I find it very interesting the amount of money that these guys ask for. It is always 12 cents, 26 cents, one penny, 16 cents. It is always such an odd amount. So this gentleman approaches me and immediately started with "Hello miss, please don't cuss me out or spit on me. I was wondering if you had some 16 cents to spare?" This took me back a bit. I responded with " Why would I cuss you out or spit on you? You haven't given me a reason to cuss you out yet. Why would I spit on you? You are a human being just as I am." I spoke with him for a couple of minutes and learned that he says that he sleeps on the sidewalks and streets and hasn't eaten in a couple of days. I then said "You haven't eaten in days yet you wreak of alcohol. Maybe we should discuss priorities." He then went on to speak about the process of alcohol withdrawal which he really didn't know how to label it. He said that he would rather starve than go through withdrawal. I also discussed with him that I have heard too many stories about how many of the people that approach me are probably panhandlers and not really homeless and make more money in a week than I. I asked his input on how to tell whom was legit. I did not give this gentleman any money because I know he was just going to buy alcohol, but I think just giving him the time of day to listen made his day.
In the evening as I was waiting for my friend Silvia to come down and let me into her apartment building I was approached by several more people asking for money. It's just a gift I have, I guess. One of the gentleman lives in Ocean City, MD, but was up here because his old lady had to have some major surgery and the laundry list of organs that he listed that were removed, had they been healthy organs, she would have been the most complete organ donor ever. So I am pretty sure there were a few details missing in his story. After I figured out that "old lady" meant his girlfriend or wife and not his mother, I was back on track with him. He was actually a funny guy. His story was that he was walking around clearing some space in his head. He was only asking for 12 cents. I told him I had no change on me. He then asked for a dollar. Haha. I replied with "all I have on me is plastic." He replied "can we walk across the street then and you can buy me a beer with your credit card?" I credited him with his boldness, but told him I rarely buy myself a beer, so I am not going to buy him a beer. He laughed and said "Never hurts to try." Indeed it doesn't.
I really enjoyed my time in nursing school working with the homeless. I do hope to someday work with them again. As I have said before, everyone has a story and everyone just wants to feel heard. Many of the homeless around here are drunks but they are pretty harmless otherwise. Welcome to the big city kid!
Friday, August 16, 2013
Extreme Tourist Take 2 - Baltimore
After two weeks of pure exhaustion from my month of play, orientation to my new place of employment, and one week of flipping days and nights, I have decided that I must start exploring the city that I am currently in. I made a to do list of activities that I would like to accomplish while in Baltimore. While most of the activities are in or around Baltimore, I would also like to take the train up to New York and see some sites there. Philadelphia is also very near by. Lots of fun activities planned.
Today I visited the Maryland Zoo and the American Visionary Art Museum. The zoo is obviously self explanatory and the American Visionary Art Museum is a museum made up of art from artists all without formal art training of any kind.
The Maryland Zoo is not exactly a zoo that you should race to go see. I guess the Cincinnati, OH zoo is pretty big and one of the nicer zoos out there. I had no idea. I should say that I did not see any pacing animals which always makes me happy. I got to see several babies too. I got to see baby prairie dogs and baby warthogs. My favorite were the baby warthogs. They were all relaxed and eating some grub and then all four of them were scared by a noise and they took off running. When they run their little skinny tails stick straight up in the air. Once again I am amazed at the screaming children kept out way past their nap time and their parents reactions to the temper tantrums. I actually heard a lady ask her four year old "Do you want me to smack you upside the head?" Luckily the little boy said no and sat down in his stroller. My favorite was a lady probably in her thirties looking at the Okapi and she described it as a zebra horse donkey. This child looked at her and said, "Really?!" Her husband said, "Well, he has a point. That was a horrible description of that animal." I just chuckled to myself.
The American Visionary Art Museum is a museum as I mentioned above that houses art from individuals that have never had any kind of formal art training. There are only a few permanent exhibits and the rest are exhibits that are changed out every couple of months. Some of the stuff was quite interesting while some of it I was really wondering how it made the cut. It is one of the more talked about museums in Baltimore. It was not far off the beaten path and all in all a good choice of a visit.
More play next week after I work the next three days.
Today I visited the Maryland Zoo and the American Visionary Art Museum. The zoo is obviously self explanatory and the American Visionary Art Museum is a museum made up of art from artists all without formal art training of any kind.
The Maryland Zoo is not exactly a zoo that you should race to go see. I guess the Cincinnati, OH zoo is pretty big and one of the nicer zoos out there. I had no idea. I should say that I did not see any pacing animals which always makes me happy. I got to see several babies too. I got to see baby prairie dogs and baby warthogs. My favorite were the baby warthogs. They were all relaxed and eating some grub and then all four of them were scared by a noise and they took off running. When they run their little skinny tails stick straight up in the air. Once again I am amazed at the screaming children kept out way past their nap time and their parents reactions to the temper tantrums. I actually heard a lady ask her four year old "Do you want me to smack you upside the head?" Luckily the little boy said no and sat down in his stroller. My favorite was a lady probably in her thirties looking at the Okapi and she described it as a zebra horse donkey. This child looked at her and said, "Really?!" Her husband said, "Well, he has a point. That was a horrible description of that animal." I just chuckled to myself.
The American Visionary Art Museum is a museum as I mentioned above that houses art from individuals that have never had any kind of formal art training. There are only a few permanent exhibits and the rest are exhibits that are changed out every couple of months. Some of the stuff was quite interesting while some of it I was really wondering how it made the cut. It is one of the more talked about museums in Baltimore. It was not far off the beaten path and all in all a good choice of a visit.
More play next week after I work the next three days.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
2 year Anniversary of an amazing man!
Today marks two years since my dad's passing. It seems like an eternity since I have spoken with him, yet the wound is still fresh as though it was yesterday. I don't really have much to say other than I miss him terribly. I am sad that I am not able to discuss my travel nursing adventures with him. As I went back and forth to MD appointments, radiation, investigational drug administrations, visited him in rehab, and of course to Dairy Queen; I spent a lot of time talking with him about the dream of traveling. I can remember telling him as a child that I wanted to be a truck driver. Like every encouraging parent, his response was "It is a great way to see the country." He was very excited for my adventures to come. I am so glad I promised him that I wouldn't not start traveling due to fear, because when I almost lost my nerve to uproot everything I knew and loved, I thought of my promise to him. I know that he would be proud of Blake and I today. I am living a dream that I have had since starting nursing and Blake is doing great in his career as well as raising two amazing children with an awesome wife. Thanks to our unbelievably awesome friends and family we are doing well. I do hope that he comes to me again in my dreams. I have had several really cool dreams. My dad was my Hero and I can only hope to touch and change the lives of as many people as he did. I know he is missed by many! Love you Dad!
Monday, August 12, 2013
Time to put on my Big Girl Panties!
Well, tonight I am out of orientation and on my own. I think I am ready. There are still some little nuances and quirks that I won't know that I don't know until it arrises that I don't know them. Did you follow that?
Friday, which was my last day of orientation, I was working alongside the other travel nurse that started the same time I did. We both had transfers and then were admitting post op OH patients. We both returned from our transfer only to find out that our patient was literally rolling down the hall coming our way. What a treat! I don't even have time to hydrate, pee, or eat and it is already 12:45. All of which would be nice. Okay, I will go with it because do I really have a choice? It was then that I remember why I have worked night shift for so long. Dayshift nurses are crazy, for one. And two, the schedule is ridiculous and you almost feel guilty if you should need to hydrate, pee, or eat. It is insane. Nursing has to be one of the few professions that the higher ups that regulate the hospitals really expect that you will work a 12 hour shift and not feel the need to quench your thirst. Luckily, the two go hand in hand. Since there is no hydration going on, the urge to pee really never hits you til 6 pm, which then I resist the urge because then I am exerting my final surge of energy to tidy up so that I can get out on time. So the result of a no open container law, you will find nurses in the clean utility room where the ice machine is bolusing themselves with water. I have never been a drinker, but I really think a water bong would be awesome and highly effective. Also nursing has taught me to eat small frequent meals whenever the chance arises, because there is no guarantee that the opportunity will arise again. All that aside, I do love bedside nursing. I guess every job has its challenges.
I spent the weekend out with Silvia, the other traveler, and her husband. We meandered down to Fells Point and walked around down around the Inner Harbor. This weekend there was an Otakon convention. What a treat! Apparently, it is the largest nonspecific anime' convention. Last weekend the convention center held PonyCon. That is a whole convention devoted to the biggest collectors of My Little Pony. Trust me, that is a whole different breed of human. I should really look at the convention schedule and let that be my gauge of if a downtown trip is warranted. I spent my Saturday evening watching street performers, which are very good in downtown, and taking pics of all of the people walking around downtown. It was quite the spectacle. I will post some pictures.
Wish me luck!
Friday, which was my last day of orientation, I was working alongside the other travel nurse that started the same time I did. We both had transfers and then were admitting post op OH patients. We both returned from our transfer only to find out that our patient was literally rolling down the hall coming our way. What a treat! I don't even have time to hydrate, pee, or eat and it is already 12:45. All of which would be nice. Okay, I will go with it because do I really have a choice? It was then that I remember why I have worked night shift for so long. Dayshift nurses are crazy, for one. And two, the schedule is ridiculous and you almost feel guilty if you should need to hydrate, pee, or eat. It is insane. Nursing has to be one of the few professions that the higher ups that regulate the hospitals really expect that you will work a 12 hour shift and not feel the need to quench your thirst. Luckily, the two go hand in hand. Since there is no hydration going on, the urge to pee really never hits you til 6 pm, which then I resist the urge because then I am exerting my final surge of energy to tidy up so that I can get out on time. So the result of a no open container law, you will find nurses in the clean utility room where the ice machine is bolusing themselves with water. I have never been a drinker, but I really think a water bong would be awesome and highly effective. Also nursing has taught me to eat small frequent meals whenever the chance arises, because there is no guarantee that the opportunity will arise again. All that aside, I do love bedside nursing. I guess every job has its challenges.
I spent the weekend out with Silvia, the other traveler, and her husband. We meandered down to Fells Point and walked around down around the Inner Harbor. This weekend there was an Otakon convention. What a treat! Apparently, it is the largest nonspecific anime' convention. Last weekend the convention center held PonyCon. That is a whole convention devoted to the biggest collectors of My Little Pony. Trust me, that is a whole different breed of human. I should really look at the convention schedule and let that be my gauge of if a downtown trip is warranted. I spent my Saturday evening watching street performers, which are very good in downtown, and taking pics of all of the people walking around downtown. It was quite the spectacle. I will post some pictures.
Wish me luck!
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Street Smarts
What a difference a one hour drive makes in your importance in the necessity of street smarts. I have been in Baltimore for twelve days and I have learned so much! I thought I was learning the life in a big city when I was living in Arlington, VA which was nestled three miles from DC. Oh Contrare! DC is a very safe and well protected city. Don't get me wrong, Baltimore has some really nice areas and some really bad areas.
After conquering the Metro system in DC I feel prepared for any public transportation challenge now. So when I rode the Light Rail from my place into the Inner Harbor and then took the Charm City Circulator (free bus system in downtown) to various points downtown, I feel like I rocked it. Granted the Light Rail only has a north and south route. Nonetheless, I was proud.
The other night when I was waiting for the Rail I took a different approach with the homeless. When a gentleman approached me asking for a quarter, because that surprisingly is all he needed, my response was "I just spent every last penny I had on me on alcohol. Sorry buddy." He stepped back a bit and said "Well, did you enjoy yourself? Because that is all that matters." He smiled and moved on. I will have to use that approach again.
Apparently a big source of crime here in Baltimore stems from the theft of smartphones and especially Iphones. Thugs are apparently watching carefully and looking for people distracted while walking the streets whether they are talking on their phones or texting. Regardless, once they see you are distracted they will apparently jump you or purposely knock into you to knock your phone out of your hand. An Iphone is worth anywhere from $40-$500 on the black market. Who knew? I had no idea. So strong advice given and very seriously taken by this girl is to not have your Iphone anywhere in view when out in public. No worries there. I love my Iphone and really want to steer clear of any trouble.
I will say that I feel very safe anywhere on the Hopkin's campus. It is well patrolled and they are more than willing to give safety advice and help you to your car. I park off campus and take a shuttle a couple blocks to the campus. The police patrolling the campus are very good about telling you what streets you are safe to walk on and where to steer clear of. I missed the shuttle this morning and decided to huff it the three blocks in to work. The shuttle leaves at 0612 and 0642. I arrived of course at 0625. What to do, what to do? I have to say the three block walk in was through a pretty decent area. The very weird thing about Baltimore though is literally one street over can be the difference between night and day. I find this so odd. When I asked the officer about walking today, his words were "You are safe to take Broadway up to Orleans and then cut over to campus. Don't take Caroline! You will be lucky to arrive with your pants still on going up that street!" My response, "Thanks for making that a no brainer for me. I have trouble keeping these drawstring pants up anyway."
Day 2/4 of orientation is completed. Everyone is very nice here and I am going to learn so much. I mean that in the hospital and outside of the hospital. Everyone can stand to be a little bit more alert and aware of their surroundings. Despite the stories and occurrences I feel safe here and I am learning a lot about street smarts. I have admittedly lead quite the naive life up til now.
After conquering the Metro system in DC I feel prepared for any public transportation challenge now. So when I rode the Light Rail from my place into the Inner Harbor and then took the Charm City Circulator (free bus system in downtown) to various points downtown, I feel like I rocked it. Granted the Light Rail only has a north and south route. Nonetheless, I was proud.
The other night when I was waiting for the Rail I took a different approach with the homeless. When a gentleman approached me asking for a quarter, because that surprisingly is all he needed, my response was "I just spent every last penny I had on me on alcohol. Sorry buddy." He stepped back a bit and said "Well, did you enjoy yourself? Because that is all that matters." He smiled and moved on. I will have to use that approach again.
Apparently a big source of crime here in Baltimore stems from the theft of smartphones and especially Iphones. Thugs are apparently watching carefully and looking for people distracted while walking the streets whether they are talking on their phones or texting. Regardless, once they see you are distracted they will apparently jump you or purposely knock into you to knock your phone out of your hand. An Iphone is worth anywhere from $40-$500 on the black market. Who knew? I had no idea. So strong advice given and very seriously taken by this girl is to not have your Iphone anywhere in view when out in public. No worries there. I love my Iphone and really want to steer clear of any trouble.
I will say that I feel very safe anywhere on the Hopkin's campus. It is well patrolled and they are more than willing to give safety advice and help you to your car. I park off campus and take a shuttle a couple blocks to the campus. The police patrolling the campus are very good about telling you what streets you are safe to walk on and where to steer clear of. I missed the shuttle this morning and decided to huff it the three blocks in to work. The shuttle leaves at 0612 and 0642. I arrived of course at 0625. What to do, what to do? I have to say the three block walk in was through a pretty decent area. The very weird thing about Baltimore though is literally one street over can be the difference between night and day. I find this so odd. When I asked the officer about walking today, his words were "You are safe to take Broadway up to Orleans and then cut over to campus. Don't take Caroline! You will be lucky to arrive with your pants still on going up that street!" My response, "Thanks for making that a no brainer for me. I have trouble keeping these drawstring pants up anyway."
Day 2/4 of orientation is completed. Everyone is very nice here and I am going to learn so much. I mean that in the hospital and outside of the hospital. Everyone can stand to be a little bit more alert and aware of their surroundings. Despite the stories and occurrences I feel safe here and I am learning a lot about street smarts. I have admittedly lead quite the naive life up til now.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Maine Photos
Maine Photos
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| Boston Barb, Diane, and Anne |
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| Mother/Daughter Peggy and Eliza. |
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| View of Bar Harbor, ME |
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| Buddy from the Ferry |
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| Break Time! |
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| Break Time w/ a smile. |
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| Sunrise atop Cadillac Mountain. |
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| WomanTour Maine 2013 |
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| Barb and Anne trying to make their kayak skirts look fashionable. |
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| Starfish |
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| Me, working hard of course! |
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| Hoisting the sails. |
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| The reason for all the elbow grease. There were 4 of these. |
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| Jordan Pond |
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| Eliza, Peggy, Anne, Jane, and Tammy |
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| Laurie, Sid, Barb, Lucia, and Joan |
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| Bubble Pond |
Easing into the role.
After three days of hospital orientation and one day on the floor, I am taking time to explore the city and make my list of things to do in my time here. They were very nice to me and gave me an easy patient to ease into the new charting system and ask any questions that I may have. The CVSICU here is quite the hopping unit. They get post-op open heart, heart transplant, lung transplant, ventricular assist devices of various sorts, and congenital heart malformation patients. Their average heart surgery is not just a bypass surgery x 3-5 grafts. Average here is bypass grafts x 4-5, an aneurysm repair, and a double valve repair/replacement. For the record, that is a lot to be done in one OR stent. Those patients usually come out of the OR pretty rocky. Next week I work wednesday, thursday, friday dayshift and will be admitting some patients from the OR and then this little bird must flee the nest on her own. Should be exciting!
Last night I met two other travel nurses down in the Inner Harbor for some drinks and to mingle. It is a married couple that have been traveling for about a year and a half. They are originally from St. Louis. They are very nice and very full of tips and tricks for the travel nursing realm. I am like a sponge for any tips they have to share with me. At my first assignment in VA, I was one of very few travelers in the hospital and I really didn't know there were other travelers there until the last couple of weeks there. So I was very excited to start orientation here and meet two other travelers whom were here with their husbands. Upon meeting other travelers it is an uncanny instant friendship. We both acknowledge that we are outsiders on our respective floors and often at some hospitals, the nurses make that very well known. I can't say that I have gotten that impression here though. Everyone has been very nice. It often depends how exposed the hospital is to travelers as well.
So last night I opted to take the Light Rail from very close to where my apartment is, south to just outside of the Inner Harbor. I then planned to pick up what is known as the Charm City Circulator, which is a free bus system that runs 3-4 routes through the city. I arrived at the Light Rail station and purchased my round trip ticket to get downtown. This system is run 100% on the honor system. Nobody checks your ticket other than at random stops someone may get on and check tickets. Interesting system. I found this experience to be comparable to my metro days in DC. It takes more time to get places, but it is much cheaper and the hassle of parking is eliminated. So the options must be weighed. Also, the parking here in Baltimore is either downtown and ridiculous as in $20 for anything greater than 4 hours or you have to park in a questionable neighborhood and then one must walk through that questionable neighborhood. I think the Light Rail is a good option. It just takes some time. Luckily I mastered the DC metro so this one is cake. Where the DC Metro has five routes, Baltimore literally has a north and south route. Easy Peasy!
On my way home from the Light Rail station I saw a very interesting animal crossing the road. It was a red fox. I believe I saw one of these when I was a child in the country where I grew up. I am kind of in suburbia here though. I did a bit of research and they are kind of taking over Baltimore City which is where I am residing. Apparently, they are making the rabbits disappear. Very cool to see, but I do enjoy seeing rabbits.
Have a great weekend. I am going to work on getting some pictures on here from Maine and of my new place, per request of some readers.
Last night I met two other travel nurses down in the Inner Harbor for some drinks and to mingle. It is a married couple that have been traveling for about a year and a half. They are originally from St. Louis. They are very nice and very full of tips and tricks for the travel nursing realm. I am like a sponge for any tips they have to share with me. At my first assignment in VA, I was one of very few travelers in the hospital and I really didn't know there were other travelers there until the last couple of weeks there. So I was very excited to start orientation here and meet two other travelers whom were here with their husbands. Upon meeting other travelers it is an uncanny instant friendship. We both acknowledge that we are outsiders on our respective floors and often at some hospitals, the nurses make that very well known. I can't say that I have gotten that impression here though. Everyone has been very nice. It often depends how exposed the hospital is to travelers as well.
So last night I opted to take the Light Rail from very close to where my apartment is, south to just outside of the Inner Harbor. I then planned to pick up what is known as the Charm City Circulator, which is a free bus system that runs 3-4 routes through the city. I arrived at the Light Rail station and purchased my round trip ticket to get downtown. This system is run 100% on the honor system. Nobody checks your ticket other than at random stops someone may get on and check tickets. Interesting system. I found this experience to be comparable to my metro days in DC. It takes more time to get places, but it is much cheaper and the hassle of parking is eliminated. So the options must be weighed. Also, the parking here in Baltimore is either downtown and ridiculous as in $20 for anything greater than 4 hours or you have to park in a questionable neighborhood and then one must walk through that questionable neighborhood. I think the Light Rail is a good option. It just takes some time. Luckily I mastered the DC metro so this one is cake. Where the DC Metro has five routes, Baltimore literally has a north and south route. Easy Peasy!
On my way home from the Light Rail station I saw a very interesting animal crossing the road. It was a red fox. I believe I saw one of these when I was a child in the country where I grew up. I am kind of in suburbia here though. I did a bit of research and they are kind of taking over Baltimore City which is where I am residing. Apparently, they are making the rabbits disappear. Very cool to see, but I do enjoy seeing rabbits.
Have a great weekend. I am going to work on getting some pictures on here from Maine and of my new place, per request of some readers.
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