Sunday, April 27, 2014

It's a circular wind, but a wind no less.

It's that time again, when I and everyone else is asking where the wind will blow this traveler next. I currently have three weeks left in my contract here in northern Virginia. I looked at Boston, Vermont, New Hampshire, Cape Cod, Delaware, South Carolina, and the possibility of extending here in Virginia. I love the area that I am in here in Arlington, VA. I love all the bike paths, the close vicinity to Washington D.C., the diversity of culture, and the welcoming nature of the people here. So.............I extended here in Virginia and the mighty wind will merely be blowing me to another apartment here in the complex, away from the pool, so that when I am sleeping during the day from working night shift, the summer sun worshippers will not wake me.

I am working with a great group of nurses, doctors, and nurse practitioners. The diversity is something that I have always spoke of here. I am simply amazed how many people we get here that speak zero English. That has to be terrifying. With diversity though, you learn a lot about yourself and that as humans we are all similar but different.

I have plans to make it down to Monticello, Williamsburg, and up to the Catoctin mountains while I am here over the summer. Those are all lofty, though I am also going to Ireland in July for a bicycle trip. Looks to be a very good summer here in northern Virginia. I hope it is one of laughter, love, and exciting adventures. I hope that for you as well. I promise to be better about getting out and enjoying new adventures to tell you about. I have been on night shift almost this entire three month assignment, so I have been a bit lazy and playing a bit much, which has been fun, though not exciting for you.

Enjoy the new found Spring everyone. Winter is over! Get out, be active. Enjoy the sunshine, but don't forget your sunscreen. Take care.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Sometimes you just have to be a kid again!

I have seen a lot of sad situations at work as of late that really make me thankful for my health and make me want to maintain it. It just really makes me think back to when I was a kid and all I had to worry about was the next five minutes and how that would affect me.

I have no children but I do see the joy in having children in that you get to experience things through a child's eyes again as an adult. That has to be really cool! Just with my niece and nephew, Christmas time as of late has been a lot of fun. I have had the opportunity to be there on Christmas morning the last two years. Those are memories that I will cherish forever.

So the other day on a very nice day here in Virginia, it was quite windy and I headed out to Target to get a kite. I can remember flying cheap kites and box kites as a kid. I distinctly remember as a child, someone other than me running around a field trying to catch the kite in the wind to get it up in the air and once it was about 15-20 feet up, I then was handed the string and I got to enjoy the tug and pull necessary to keep the kite up there. I loved flying kites.

A couple key points that I should point out. Running in a field with unmarked holes, without stretching first, and having to zig and zag is downright dangerous as an adult. I enjoy running about three miles for exercise, on a flat treadmill with an occasional incline. I find that to be much easier on my knees and my confidence. It keeps the pounds off and elevates my heart rate, so it serves its purpose. It's also important to note that I grew up in the country and I was trying to fly a kite in the city in a soccer field. I really thought there was plenty of wind, til I had been running around for 7 minutes (yes only 7 minutes) and I was completely out of breath, nearly had a broken leg, and I had said a few choice curse words that the small children watching may have heard. So I decided to call the 7-10 feet of air that my kite got that day a successful failure. It was a dismal display. I had a lot of fun trying though. So after my successful failure and nearly tripping on my bottom lip, I headed over to the swings and remembered why swing sets are really just for kids. I crushed my hips into that rubber seat and I swung for about 15-20 minutes as high as I could go. That is such a freeing feeling!

So do yourself a favor and let yourself be a kid from time to time. It takes the seriousness of life away for a moment and just makes you feel better.