The Energy Club

Last night I had the pleasure of getting a guest pass to a spinning class at the Energy Club; which is the gym that I checked out yesterday.

As I mentioned before, it is still quite chilly here, so cycling outside would be quite miserable. So I have decided that I need to start spinning and cross training. When I got the tour yesterday, Karmina spoke very highly of Matt T. He apparently is an Ironman and does a lot of triathlons each year. So there is Matt T. whom is a killer in the spinning room, two Russians that teach the kettle ball class, and then the GM whom is also fit to the T who teaches a class with a step and a barbell on your shoulders. Pretty much is all looks miserable but I can only get stronger from it all. Just observing two minutes of the kettle ball class, made my legs hurt all over. Then can you imagine crying on the inside and having a Russian lady yelling at you? When I think of Russians and exercise, for some reason I think of pain.

I arrived at the spinning class about 10 minutes early, met Matt T., who by the way looks like every other serious triathlete I know, and started setting up my bike. Now I was told that Matt's class is the most demanding and he is the best instructor, so naturally the class was full. The room was 50/50 men and women. I was noticing though that everyone had not one but two water bottles and 3-4 towels, to my one water bottle and one towel. I turned to the lady next to me and asked, "Should I go get more water and just bring the rest of the towels in here, because I tend to work up a healthy sweat?" She just looked at me and giggled. A few minutes later, Matt welcomed the two French women that joined the class for the night. Of course, it would be me that says something smart-aleck to one of the two French women in the room. So I took that as a compliment that she didn't not think my humor was funny, she didn't understand me. :-)

If you have never been to a spinning class you really should go. It is an awesome workout and your butt hurts for weeks after the first class. The pain is what keeps you going back. Because it is only the repeated exposure that helps the pain dissipate. I like spinning because it really helps me hone my form which only helps me on the road. My hope for my Ireland trip is to beat Leslie, a social worker from IN that I met in Utah, up just one hill. She is an absolute beast on hills on the bicycle. She is an amazing woman!

Well, I am off to join the gym today. I enjoyed last night that I need to see what other pain they can offer me! Have a great day everyone.

Slow to get started

Okay, I have settled in here in Virginia and I am wrapping up my second week. I have admittedly been a bit lazy in getting started on my adventures. I think I am still recouping my energy from an eventful three weeks.

Today I visited my neighborhood gym and got some information on some spinning classes and some other cross training activities; as I cannot wait for it to warm up so that I can hit the bike trails around here. I have hit several of my favorite restaurants that I enjoy so much here in Shirlington. There is the Greek chipotle-like restaurant that is yummy. Guapo's mexican that has amazing out of this world guacamole. Then, I don't want to forget the yummy Thai restaurant that I frequent as well.

I can't really complain about it being cold here, as I know that I have readers from all over and everyone is having an unprecedented cold winter. I had the opportunity to go hiking this past weekend, as it was really nice, and I think everyone could agree with me, that Spring can begin anytime. Some of the things that drew me back to this area are not only the nice people, but the numerous bike trails sprawling the DC/VA area, and the many awesome hiking trails. I plan to go back to Great Falls park and hike the Billy Goat trail that I mentioned in a previous post.

I mentioned the zoo in my previous post and just heard today that not only is there a baby panda, but there are two baby lion cubs at the National Zoo. What, what? I can't wait. I just need a day maybe in the forties to head that way. Forty degrees is just warm enough that I won't freeze; yet cold enough that hopefully many of the stay at home moms won't be out in masses with their strollers. :-)

So I need to go mentally prepare for my spinning class tonight. I haven't been spinning in a couple of years. I will let you know if I can move tomorrow or Saturday. This weekend I head back to the dark side and will be back on night shift. It has been nice to be on days for 6 weeks.

The Blur of Three Weeks

Well, in the last three weeks I've moved from Baltimore, visited northern Kentucky and settled in here in Arlington, VA. My final week in Baltimore was busy with a couple of going away dinners and a going away party thrown by my good friends Renata and Emily. Some of my closest friends there in Baltimore were in attendance. What a great group of people!

It has only taken me a couple of visits back home in northern Kentucky to realize that I need to be there longer than a week to see and do all that I would like. Visiting NKY truly does give me a warm fuzzy feeling. It is a place that I know I am accepted no matter what and full of people I don't have to explain my background to. I love meeting all the new people that have the opportunity to meet, but it does get exhausting at times that no one knows whom my friends back home are, whom my family members are, what all of my favorites are etc...... It is the burden that I must bear though moving around so frequently. :-)

So now I am back in Arlington, VA! What a great area to live in! I really do enjoy this area. I am close to work, close to a number of great restaurants, and close to access to the metro. Next week I will start my adventures on the metro to destinations that I want to repeat or unseen adventures. I am uber excited! I mean, I need to get to the zoo and see the new panda baby. That is an obvious must.

I was a bit disillusioned that I would get a day or two of orientation upon my return. Yep, nope that didn't happen. I got there early and ready to go and was given a big welcome back with zero orientation and the sickest patient on the unit. That wasn't cool! I made do and my patient made it as well. That is the most important thing. :-) Day two was much improved and I settled into a rhythm with the charting system. So I am all good and ready to have fun now.

Today I had my cable and internet installed so now I don't have to live like it is the 1980's anymore. It was a rough couple of days! Luckily, I was still able to watch a couple of movies on my iphone. What's a girl to do.  Toodles for now and I will keep you abreast on my adventures.

The Yin and Yang

When I started off on this journey, I had no idea that it would make me so bipolar in my feelings. With every new beginning there must be tough goodbyes. With excitement of each new assignment there comes the trepidation of moving on. As I look around at my numbered possessions, I think why didn't I bring this or that. Then I start to pack my car to leave for my next destination and I think is this or that really a necessity to have with me? I am constantly seeking the confidence to become more of a minimalist. Key word "seeking." I am far from achieving that goal.

Things are winding down here for me in Baltimore. On Monday I am driving home for some down time in Cincy for the week and then back this way to start my assignment in Arlington. I am excited to get back to Arlington. I will be greeted with familiar faces and I am very excited that I will be staying in the same area that I was in with my prior assignment; nestled just three short miles from downtown DC. I have already started preparing my to do list of repeat attractions and things that I didn't have time for my last go around. 

I have really enjoyed my time here in Baltimore and I have made some really good friends. I am sure that I have said this before, but I was not prepared to have to say so many goodbyes with traveling. I guess I never thought I would get so connected with my coworkers. I have become really good friends with a fellow traveler in the unit and her husband. They are actually staying another 3 months for a total of 9 months. We have talked about meeting up at another assignment for sure. We not only have a lot in common but being a fellow outsider as a traveler creates a unique bond. It has really been a lot of fun. 

So it is time to say goodbye to the Charm City. I have thoroughly enjoyed your Inner Harbor, visiting Edgar Allen Poe's gravesite, taking advantage of another city with public transportation, enjoying the sights and sounds of historic Camden Yards, and honing my skills at Johns Hopkins. Til we meet again Baltimore! 

The Family Visit Glitch

This past weekend an event that has never happened occurred. My brother and his family came to visit me in Baltimore. This is the first time ever that Blake has ever come to visit me! I am not keeping track of my visits versus his though. I don't want to give the wrong impression. It was a brief visit but an amazing visit. I don't want to brag but I have the most amazing brother ever!

So the Roddy family arrived on Saturday evening. There were a few details that I failed to think about when 4 individuals were on their way to visit me. As a travel nurse, I am constantly seeking ways to become more and more of a minimalist. I am so far from a minimalist, I thought I would be good. I started thinking about the four dinner plates that I have, the four bowls that I have, the four salad plates that I have, the four chairs that I have, I am sure that you are seeing my point. I was not prepared for 5 people total! We made it work though, no problem. So the kids ate on the salad plates. Dessert was also served in coffee mugs/bowls. The coffee table was easily pulled up the table and was just the right height for a fifth chair.

It was after dinner that the usual Shannon Roddy observance was made. Shannon Roddy does not drink coffee, therefore I do not own a coffee maker. I do not own a coffee maker. I do not own a coffee maker. This situation I am learning can almost be a deal breaker. Coffee is crack to many. Luckily, I always manage to have a coffee shop within a couple miles of my domain.

It was that evening that the most glaring oversight became apparent. I only have three bath towels with me here. Hmm, never thought of this. So I offered to use a hand towel for the weekend. Blake came down asking for a wash cloth before the kids showered. I haven't used a wash cloth for years when I shower, I use a loofah. I mean, who doesn't use a loofah in 2014? The Roddy family apparently. Luckily, I was able to quickly locate a really old wash cloth that I keep with me that I use to clean my bike chain. The kids looked no worse for the wear.

Aside from the above listed glitches we had a great visit. We made a visit to Ft. McHenry which was pivotal in the War of 1812 and the writing of The Star Spangled Banner, thanks to Francis Scott Key. We then drove to Federal Hill and had a very nice packed lunch overlooking the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. The South Carolina folks were a bit chilly as it was only 42 degrees and sunny. It was one of the best days we have had here in Baltimore for a while. We have had quite a bit of snow. After lunch, we made our way to the Science Center and learned a whole bunch of nerdy science facts.

Packed into the weekend as well, were some intense battles on the Nintendo Wii. There was sword fighting, canoeing, boxing, tennis, and biking. We were just five kids having a great time together! Monday morning they headed south, back to South Carolina. :-(

Now that I know these things, I shall be better prepared next time!

The Traveling Wind Is Blowing Me Back To VA

Well, I apologize that is has been so long since my last entry. I have been super busy looking at possible assignments, finishing up my Baltimore tourism list, working, and working out. Quite the busy time.

I was looking at jobs in Boston, MA, Columbia, SC, Arizona and Texas. I hesitate to head west just yet, as there are still some areas that I would like to go to on the east coast. I really am trying to take a systematic approach to this traveling thing so that I am not zig zagging all across the US. So I was half heartedly looking at Arizona and Texas; though it would be nice to ride the winter out there. I really wanted to go to South Carolina to get closer to family, but that did not pan out. Guess it just wasn't in the cards this time around. I was really interested in Boston, but had to really evaluate if I was committed enough to Boston to go there in February. After a couple of snow storms here in Baltimore, my answer was absolutely not. Why not enjoy Boston when it is warm? What I didn't mention is through all of this, I had been in communication with the manager at Virginia Hospital Center where I started my gypsy days. They have had a few senior nurses leave for a number of different reasons and were asking if I would come back for an assignment there. I very much enjoyed the people that I worked with there and I could not love an area more than DC. So I chewed on this option for a couple of weeks and told the manager I would get back with her. I mulled the option over with my close friends and family as well, and decided that the move back to Virginia Hospital Center was speaking to me. So I am excited to go back to familiar faces and an awesome area to live. I do not look forward to the traffic again, however.

I never would have guessed that I would backtrack to a hospital, but as one friend said to me "Loyalty is a good thing...going someplace new is not always the way to go." I made a comment that I felt that my rationale for choosing to go back was sound and it kept popping up. She commented again "there is a reason....listen." So I did, and I am excited to have the opportunity to return. One of my recruiters said "many travelers don't even get a party when they leave and you have a manager calling you back, go Shannon."

So after my stint here is Baltimore, I am going home to Cincinnati for a brief week to see some of my peeps and see some NKU women's basketball! I am so excited to see everyone and eat some Skyline Chili!

The Dog Days of Winter

What have I been up to? Well, my good friend Sylvia is home for a month until January 20th, so while she is away  my goal is to not only find my next assignment, but also to finish my Baltimore "to do" list. I still have a couple of museums to see and some people to see.

Over the weekend, I went with some friends to the PA Farm Show. It is quite the to do in Pennsylvania, apparently. I went with friends from work, an African American and an Asian lady. Not stereotyping at all, but I almost died when the AA lady asked in the middle of a cattle show, "Where are all my people?" I lost it. I informed her that "On the average, there aren't a lot of AA farmers." She was shocked at this and upset with herself that she failed to wear her flannel checkered plaid shirt. This show was really just a glorified state fair, though it was huge. We walked through all the vendors and looked at their goods that they were selling, tasted all the samples we could until we were sick, and enjoyed a freshly milked and made milk shake; which was delicious. I was rightfully made fun of for the fact that every time I passed someone selling something leather, I fell onto the product like a Febreeze commercial as I do love the smell of fresh leather. My dad always worked with leather and I always loved those smells. Though I couldn't top the Asian being busted for trying to photograph a photograph stretched on a canvas. The lady said, "Excuse me ma'm, can you please no photograph the photograph?" I couldn't control myself. I said, "of the three of us, it would be you that would bust out the camera." Her response was, "It's not like I pulled out a Canon for the picture, it's just my iphone!" We had a great time and now I can check the PA Farm show off the list, not that it was on the list prior.

Well it is cold here; as I am sure it is much cooler than you are normally used to wherever you are at this time. I tell you though, this weather really makes me think that if I really have a choice for my next assignment to go somewhere cold or warmer, it is kind of a no brainer. Well, I will keep you posted. Tomorrow, I am hoping to go to the Baltimore Industry museum and the Walter's Art museum and then off to get my haircut. That should be enough to keep me busy tomorrow. Stay warm everyone.