What could possibly be better than the crisp cool air that creeps in your window at night; while you sleep soundly, with your windows open? This is my absolute favorite time of year! I love it when the temperature is not warm enough to allow just a t-shirt to be worn, yet it is not cold enough to bust out the winter coat. That my friends, is because it is "Sweatshirt Weather." This gal's favorite season. I will ride it out until the bitter end too. It unfortunately is not a very long season.
Some of my other favorites about this time of year are bonfires with s'mores, awesome bike rides through the country where you can hear the crisp dried out leaves rustling in the wind prior to their fall from the trees, homeowners decorate their front porches with pumpkins, gourds, and corn stalks, and you can smell the smell of fall. (Sorry, I can't describe that, but I know you understand what I am saying there.) This time of year also brings fond memories to the surface remembering collecting walnuts, peeling the shells from around them and then cracking them open with a hammer to eat the fresh nuts inside. Man those were good times. It is interesting that these walnuts that drum up such good memories from my childhood are now nearly deadly to me when I am biking. Those suckers are like land mines!I am going to collect a few though, to drum up those good memories.
Last week I explored another area of my neighborhood on a nice 30 mile bike ride. It is interesting, because in 30 miles I wheeled through suburbia, crossed over two major interstates, rode through horse country, as they call it here; obviously they have never been to Ky, and dropped into an area with the highest concentration of Jewish families in Maryland. I spoke with a very good family friend today and she depicted what I went through as a Hasidic Jewish region. Fortunately, I rolled through just after synagogue released and they flooded the streets. I have never seen anything like it. I think what really took me so aback, was that I was on a bike riding with the traffic; as I should, and I was literally almost weaving through an oncoming parade. Everyone was just in the street. The sidewalks were empty. It was the oddest thing I have ever seen and I was only hoping that they did not oppose cyclists coming though their neighborhood. I really was not conveying any malice or prejudice, I just have never seen anything like this. I am learning quite a bit about the Jewish culture, religion, and community as I live just next door.
Get out there and enjoy this whether it be on foot, on bike, or just driving on the back roads with your windows down.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
The day I disconnected and reflected.
A week ago this Friday I did something I had never done before. I waited 3 hours for a phone. But it was for an iphone. :-)
Prior to waiting for the much awaited iphone though, I mailed my phone in for some cash and went three days without a phone at all. Not even a landline people! I was a bit worried about living in Baltimore without a phone though. Indiana maybe, but I had to work the next two days and drive in and out of the city.
The lack of quality television, lack of technology tethered to my person, and the nice weather has induced deep thoughts by Shannon Roddy. It is really quite scary. I will be the first to admit that I love my iphone, but I will fully admit that we have become overteched in today's day and age. We are sadly living in an age where relationships are broken via texting, there are these ridiculously realistic video games (Grand Theft Auto) coming out and we seriously wonder why these kids don't think it is a far stretch to take guns into schools and violence is only getting worse. It is a scary world out there.
I love facebook for what it has to offer, I have kept in touch with many of you via my blog, and I love my new iphone, but I really took a bit to think if I was happy with me at this time. I determined that I HAVE to read more. My lack of literacy is just embarassing. I want to seriously commit to working out more consistantly. I need to get my behind back to church since I am only working every other weekend now. I need to focus on truly being present when I am with friends and family. This is a tough one to do and not be distracted by all the garbage we fill our lives with.
Dane Cook, a comedian, did a set once that said it best. Two people meet for dinner and one says to the other," I am going to set my phone face up right here, so I won't miss when something more exciting than you comes in." Well said Dane, well said. I know people that choose cell phone carriers on whether they get reception at their job. Aren't you there to work? Emergencies can always call you at work. Apparently, I am old school on that thinking though. Sadly, I just see a lot of nurses spending the majority of their shift texting anyone and everyone. Maybe I am just jealous. I don't have enough people to stay texting around the clock.
I have a good friend from college that is on his honeymoon and he continues to update facebook while on his honeymoon. Really?! I would beat that boy down! Seeing this only drove my point home further.
I am not saying that anyone else has to make these changes. I am merely acknowledging that it took a couple days of being off the grid to get me to see this. For that I am grateful.
Progress already attained. I went to church this past sunday. I have met some good friends that I made in Arlington out for lunch and out to a Baltimore Orioles game. I am one week into a 12 week weight lifting program and thanks to this, I struggle to feed myself and sit normally on the toilet. I have really started watching what I am putting in my body. I am only going to watch tv when my favorite shows such as The Biggest Loser, The Voice, and Modern Family are on. Because let me tell you, I have wasted many an hour watching back to back House Hunters or Golden Girls episodes. Guess I should also legitimately study for my CCRN, as certification I have only been wanting to get for 8 years. Let's make this happen, Shannon!
Misc:
I am coming home at the end of October for a couple of weeks and boy am I excited to be coming home! Things are good here, but there is no place like home!
Bike riding is good here, but not nearly the same without my peeps.
Is it Basketball Season yet? :-)
Prior to waiting for the much awaited iphone though, I mailed my phone in for some cash and went three days without a phone at all. Not even a landline people! I was a bit worried about living in Baltimore without a phone though. Indiana maybe, but I had to work the next two days and drive in and out of the city.
The lack of quality television, lack of technology tethered to my person, and the nice weather has induced deep thoughts by Shannon Roddy. It is really quite scary. I will be the first to admit that I love my iphone, but I will fully admit that we have become overteched in today's day and age. We are sadly living in an age where relationships are broken via texting, there are these ridiculously realistic video games (Grand Theft Auto) coming out and we seriously wonder why these kids don't think it is a far stretch to take guns into schools and violence is only getting worse. It is a scary world out there.
I love facebook for what it has to offer, I have kept in touch with many of you via my blog, and I love my new iphone, but I really took a bit to think if I was happy with me at this time. I determined that I HAVE to read more. My lack of literacy is just embarassing. I want to seriously commit to working out more consistantly. I need to get my behind back to church since I am only working every other weekend now. I need to focus on truly being present when I am with friends and family. This is a tough one to do and not be distracted by all the garbage we fill our lives with.
Dane Cook, a comedian, did a set once that said it best. Two people meet for dinner and one says to the other," I am going to set my phone face up right here, so I won't miss when something more exciting than you comes in." Well said Dane, well said. I know people that choose cell phone carriers on whether they get reception at their job. Aren't you there to work? Emergencies can always call you at work. Apparently, I am old school on that thinking though. Sadly, I just see a lot of nurses spending the majority of their shift texting anyone and everyone. Maybe I am just jealous. I don't have enough people to stay texting around the clock.
I have a good friend from college that is on his honeymoon and he continues to update facebook while on his honeymoon. Really?! I would beat that boy down! Seeing this only drove my point home further.
I am not saying that anyone else has to make these changes. I am merely acknowledging that it took a couple days of being off the grid to get me to see this. For that I am grateful.
Progress already attained. I went to church this past sunday. I have met some good friends that I made in Arlington out for lunch and out to a Baltimore Orioles game. I am one week into a 12 week weight lifting program and thanks to this, I struggle to feed myself and sit normally on the toilet. I have really started watching what I am putting in my body. I am only going to watch tv when my favorite shows such as The Biggest Loser, The Voice, and Modern Family are on. Because let me tell you, I have wasted many an hour watching back to back House Hunters or Golden Girls episodes. Guess I should also legitimately study for my CCRN, as certification I have only been wanting to get for 8 years. Let's make this happen, Shannon!
Misc:
I am coming home at the end of October for a couple of weeks and boy am I excited to be coming home! Things are good here, but there is no place like home!
Bike riding is good here, but not nearly the same without my peeps.
Is it Basketball Season yet? :-)
Monday, September 16, 2013
Words Matter
Last weekend when I was in South Carolina I went to my brother's church and heard a sermon titled "Words Matter." It referenced the impact that your words good or bad can make on someone. I decided to do a self experiment this week and really listen to how I speak to others and to listen to those around me. I learned a lot.
I know you won't be surprised that it started with a panhandler at the train station on my way home from the airport in Baltimore. I observed this lady going from person to person asking each and every one of us for a cigarette. At least it wasn't for money this time! Some people ignored her. Others were belligerent to her. And then there were those of us that said, "No, sorry, I don't smoke." At least the people that ignored her adhered to the motto "If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." I really don't understand the belligerent people.
And then I carried the experiment to work. I met individuals from Egypt, Ghana, Tennessee, and a local Baltimorian this week. I would say that the individuals from out of the country were by far the most gracious individuals I met this week. That is to not discount the lessons that I learned from the other two though. The respect alone that individuals from other countries show to their elders is impressive just in itself. Many American children today respect no one, not even themselves. It is a sad state.
The good news is; I have always thought of myself as a kind individual and I truly believe I am, after listening to myself this week. I was luckily raised to respect my elders and to treat others as I would like to be treated. The respect from the children and family of the Ghana and Egypt individuals identified the disparity that I too often see here in the states. It was refreshing to see and they were a joy to take care of.
The other two individuals I believe I identified with because they could have been my dad. They had both had several different extensive surgeries that all entailed lengthy recoveries. They had both been in and out of rehab facilities and nursing homes and really all they wanted was to go home. One of the gentleman really took me back when the radiology tech and myself were trying to get him flat for a chest xray. This gentleman had a very painful sore on his backside, which is why he said "I can't lie flat." The radiology tech said " I will be quick and this should only take a couple of minutes." The gentleman said "Nobody ever cares what I have to say." Those words shot right through me and broke my heart. His chest xray was really only to check on a pacemaker that he had just had placed yesterday. I told the tech to get the best picture she could get without lying him flat. I told her I would explain to the doctor. This guy broke my heart. He was such a sweetheart! I really try to acknowledge that what is normal to an ICU nurse is horrific to non-medical people. I learned with my dad that everyone is someone's father, brother, grandfather, uncle...... So I really try to treat everyone as I would have wanted my father to be treated. I often will throw this line out there when I think someone is being rude or insensitive regarding a patient. It always makes them step back and reevaluate things.
The other gentleman I got to know really well referred to me as the "sarcastic baller." Haha. He was a huge women's basketball fan that lived in none other than Tennessee. He and his family were awesome to get to know. They know Pat Summit personally. Really?!!! How awesome is that? I was sad to hear that Pat Summit really is not doing well with her Alzheimer's though. Pat was a coach like no other.
I love my job as a bedside nurse. I am a rare breed in nursing. Not many nurses will say that they love bedside nursing. I just love to meet new people, hear their stories, and meet their families. That has been known to backfire at times though. But 85% of the time it works out in my favor.
I have thought about words that have stuck with me for life. As the sermon went, I can remember everything about that moment; the color of the paint on the wall, where I was sitting, whom else was in the room, etc. It's always good to check yourself and intrinsically evaluate if you are really portraying your best image. So take a moment and listen to someone that you would not normally engage in conversation. You never know what you may learn.
I know you won't be surprised that it started with a panhandler at the train station on my way home from the airport in Baltimore. I observed this lady going from person to person asking each and every one of us for a cigarette. At least it wasn't for money this time! Some people ignored her. Others were belligerent to her. And then there were those of us that said, "No, sorry, I don't smoke." At least the people that ignored her adhered to the motto "If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." I really don't understand the belligerent people.
And then I carried the experiment to work. I met individuals from Egypt, Ghana, Tennessee, and a local Baltimorian this week. I would say that the individuals from out of the country were by far the most gracious individuals I met this week. That is to not discount the lessons that I learned from the other two though. The respect alone that individuals from other countries show to their elders is impressive just in itself. Many American children today respect no one, not even themselves. It is a sad state.
The good news is; I have always thought of myself as a kind individual and I truly believe I am, after listening to myself this week. I was luckily raised to respect my elders and to treat others as I would like to be treated. The respect from the children and family of the Ghana and Egypt individuals identified the disparity that I too often see here in the states. It was refreshing to see and they were a joy to take care of.
The other two individuals I believe I identified with because they could have been my dad. They had both had several different extensive surgeries that all entailed lengthy recoveries. They had both been in and out of rehab facilities and nursing homes and really all they wanted was to go home. One of the gentleman really took me back when the radiology tech and myself were trying to get him flat for a chest xray. This gentleman had a very painful sore on his backside, which is why he said "I can't lie flat." The radiology tech said " I will be quick and this should only take a couple of minutes." The gentleman said "Nobody ever cares what I have to say." Those words shot right through me and broke my heart. His chest xray was really only to check on a pacemaker that he had just had placed yesterday. I told the tech to get the best picture she could get without lying him flat. I told her I would explain to the doctor. This guy broke my heart. He was such a sweetheart! I really try to acknowledge that what is normal to an ICU nurse is horrific to non-medical people. I learned with my dad that everyone is someone's father, brother, grandfather, uncle...... So I really try to treat everyone as I would have wanted my father to be treated. I often will throw this line out there when I think someone is being rude or insensitive regarding a patient. It always makes them step back and reevaluate things.
The other gentleman I got to know really well referred to me as the "sarcastic baller." Haha. He was a huge women's basketball fan that lived in none other than Tennessee. He and his family were awesome to get to know. They know Pat Summit personally. Really?!!! How awesome is that? I was sad to hear that Pat Summit really is not doing well with her Alzheimer's though. Pat was a coach like no other.
I love my job as a bedside nurse. I am a rare breed in nursing. Not many nurses will say that they love bedside nursing. I just love to meet new people, hear their stories, and meet their families. That has been known to backfire at times though. But 85% of the time it works out in my favor.
I have thought about words that have stuck with me for life. As the sermon went, I can remember everything about that moment; the color of the paint on the wall, where I was sitting, whom else was in the room, etc. It's always good to check yourself and intrinsically evaluate if you are really portraying your best image. So take a moment and listen to someone that you would not normally engage in conversation. You never know what you may learn.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Amazing Race Trial Run
The Amazing Race has always intrigued me; though I have zero sense of direction. That is why it would be key to partner with my good friend Christa. She is quite worldly!
On Friday, September 6th, after working 12 hours saving lives and stamping out disease; mind you, I rushed home from work to finish packing to head south for a surprise visit with my family in South Carolina. Everyone knew except my brother. I do so enjoy surprising that boy.
My flight was at 11:00 which seemed like way too large of a gap of time after getting off work at 0730. Back it up an hour for the pre-hour arrival. In order to not pay for parking, I was planning to take the train to the airport which would consume 50 minutes and I wanted to shower, eat, and finish packing. So when I got home at 0815 I felt a bit of a crunch as I needed to catch the 0900 train which is a 10-15 minute walk from my house. All was in order til I got behind a moderate walker. He was not going slow enough to pass that I could sustain my lead, yet he was cramping my style at my current pace. So when I arrived at the train station a bit behind schedule, I knew another train was coming at 0911. So I jumped on the train in front of me and comfort set in til I heard the conductor say "This train is headed to Cromwell." My sphincter tightened and I looked online to see that the trains headed to the BWI airport were the 0900 and 0935 trains. Arriving at BWI at 1030 for an 1100 flight was not going to be good. I immediately started formulating 22 different ways in my head that were not going to work to get me there in a timely manner. My only option that was feasible was a plan that myself and 2 good samaritans on the train came up with; which was to hop off the train in two stops and walk/run to Penn Station and get a taxi. They really make Penn Station sound close to that stop. My conjuring good samaritan gentleman and I both got off together and he told me to head in the direction he was pointing and turn left at the second street and then turn left when it ended. So I ran ahead and was ready to turn left though I noticed the street name that he mentioned and what the street sign said clearly said; did not match. Sweating and very out of breath I turned around to check his cues and he was two feet behind me. I clarified the directions again and when we got the crosswalk I sprinted to the next crosswalk which was two blocks. I again turned to verify his cues because I had no time for a mistake and by the time I was cleared to cross, he crossed with me. 'Why I am I running?" Idiot!
Okay, I finally reached Penn Station and now I am dripping with sweat and out of breath and I jumped in a car with a foreign stranger. Sounds like a great idea! He was my only option to get to the airport on time, so cost was really not an issue here. The few times I have ridden in a taxi alone; I always feel like I am paying someone to drive me into the middle of nowhere and kill me so nobody will ever find me. Am I the only one that has that random terrible thought? He was a very nice guy though. After he asked me the obligatory "How are you today?" and I filled him in for a couple minutes, I realized he understood about 5% of my story because he spoke very little English. Epic fail. Needless to say, I made it to the airport on time and had no other major glitches.
It was awesome, I flew into Greenville/Spartanburg, SC where my awesome sister-in-law and my favorite munchkins picked me up. My brother beat us home and I let the family go in the house prior to me. I knocked on the front door and got to see the expression of surprise on my brother's face. I'm pretty sure after this surprise he is never going to believe me when I say I am working.
I had a great weekend with the Roddy's and my mom! I got to play games, bike ride, sit around a campfire two nights in a row, make Smore's with some of my favorite people, tell ghost stories, and enjoy a zoo owned by a friend I met in Maine while biking. If you are ever in South Carolina, Hollywild is worth a visit. Lots of their animals have been in movies and commercials; hence the name. A very interesting setup. Their bears are pretty much the happiest bears I have ever seen in captivity. Their animals were not pacing and didn't look sad. It was a neat experience. A quick but awesome weekend! I love my family and always have a great time with them.
On the job front: Hopkins is treating me well. The people are very nice and they treat their nurses very well. I will not expand in order to keep friendships with my Christ coworkers. :-) I just today extended my assignment for another 13 weeks after this assignment. So I will ride the holidays out here; though I negotiated to be off for Christmas.
On Friday, September 6th, after working 12 hours saving lives and stamping out disease; mind you, I rushed home from work to finish packing to head south for a surprise visit with my family in South Carolina. Everyone knew except my brother. I do so enjoy surprising that boy.
My flight was at 11:00 which seemed like way too large of a gap of time after getting off work at 0730. Back it up an hour for the pre-hour arrival. In order to not pay for parking, I was planning to take the train to the airport which would consume 50 minutes and I wanted to shower, eat, and finish packing. So when I got home at 0815 I felt a bit of a crunch as I needed to catch the 0900 train which is a 10-15 minute walk from my house. All was in order til I got behind a moderate walker. He was not going slow enough to pass that I could sustain my lead, yet he was cramping my style at my current pace. So when I arrived at the train station a bit behind schedule, I knew another train was coming at 0911. So I jumped on the train in front of me and comfort set in til I heard the conductor say "This train is headed to Cromwell." My sphincter tightened and I looked online to see that the trains headed to the BWI airport were the 0900 and 0935 trains. Arriving at BWI at 1030 for an 1100 flight was not going to be good. I immediately started formulating 22 different ways in my head that were not going to work to get me there in a timely manner. My only option that was feasible was a plan that myself and 2 good samaritans on the train came up with; which was to hop off the train in two stops and walk/run to Penn Station and get a taxi. They really make Penn Station sound close to that stop. My conjuring good samaritan gentleman and I both got off together and he told me to head in the direction he was pointing and turn left at the second street and then turn left when it ended. So I ran ahead and was ready to turn left though I noticed the street name that he mentioned and what the street sign said clearly said; did not match. Sweating and very out of breath I turned around to check his cues and he was two feet behind me. I clarified the directions again and when we got the crosswalk I sprinted to the next crosswalk which was two blocks. I again turned to verify his cues because I had no time for a mistake and by the time I was cleared to cross, he crossed with me. 'Why I am I running?" Idiot!
Okay, I finally reached Penn Station and now I am dripping with sweat and out of breath and I jumped in a car with a foreign stranger. Sounds like a great idea! He was my only option to get to the airport on time, so cost was really not an issue here. The few times I have ridden in a taxi alone; I always feel like I am paying someone to drive me into the middle of nowhere and kill me so nobody will ever find me. Am I the only one that has that random terrible thought? He was a very nice guy though. After he asked me the obligatory "How are you today?" and I filled him in for a couple minutes, I realized he understood about 5% of my story because he spoke very little English. Epic fail. Needless to say, I made it to the airport on time and had no other major glitches.
It was awesome, I flew into Greenville/Spartanburg, SC where my awesome sister-in-law and my favorite munchkins picked me up. My brother beat us home and I let the family go in the house prior to me. I knocked on the front door and got to see the expression of surprise on my brother's face. I'm pretty sure after this surprise he is never going to believe me when I say I am working.
I had a great weekend with the Roddy's and my mom! I got to play games, bike ride, sit around a campfire two nights in a row, make Smore's with some of my favorite people, tell ghost stories, and enjoy a zoo owned by a friend I met in Maine while biking. If you are ever in South Carolina, Hollywild is worth a visit. Lots of their animals have been in movies and commercials; hence the name. A very interesting setup. Their bears are pretty much the happiest bears I have ever seen in captivity. Their animals were not pacing and didn't look sad. It was a neat experience. A quick but awesome weekend! I love my family and always have a great time with them.
On the job front: Hopkins is treating me well. The people are very nice and they treat their nurses very well. I will not expand in order to keep friendships with my Christ coworkers. :-) I just today extended my assignment for another 13 weeks after this assignment. So I will ride the holidays out here; though I negotiated to be off for Christmas.
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