S.C.A.N.

Yesterday, I went to a S.C.A.N. event-which is an event to prevent child abuse by offering resources, support,  and education to parents.  It's a wonderful program because over 107,000 kids are abused in N.C. alone every year.  I have seen it many times first hand.  Many times in my travels in the ambulance, I arrive to pick up a baby that has been shaken so badly that a head bleed occurs or a baby that is thrown against something and we have to provide airway support just to get him to our children's center.
  April is child abuse prevention month and I wanted to help make others aware of the severity of this problem.  Child abuse prevention is something I'm very passionate about.  It's really heartbreaking to see an innocent infant or child hurt and destroyed because parents don't feel they have the resources or they lose patience and can't control their frustration. It angers me every time I have to transport one of these precious children.  The sad thing is we probably see at least three a month or more at our children's hospital and at least one of those three don't survive.  I would encourage anyone who can to check into their SCAN programs or child prevention programs and get involved-or just keep your eyes open for things that may be happening around you.  This really must stop...

...and where did you come from?

As I was sitting at my desk reading some of my favorite blogs, I hear a buzz that rattles my window.  I look to my right and there it is, a yellow jacket the size of my small kitten.  How in the world did that just appear and from where did it get in?  My window is closed tight, not to mention the screen.  Well, thank goodness for the can of Raid I keep in my desk cabinet that sprays a good distance of at least ten feet.  And thank goodness it kills bugs dead because I was not getting anywhere near that monster.  It could have eaten my kitten it was so big.  I could literally count the black and yellow stripes on it and could see its stinger was the size of the little catheters I use to start IV's on babies with.  The Raid worked fast and from a distance...and all is safe in my house again...w-shoo.  So, maybe a little exaggeration with the size, but not much.  And I'm not afraid of bugs, but wow...that bee was, in relative terms, the size of Godzilla compared to the average wasp.

A rose

"A rose by any other name is still a rose" -Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.  Even though I am a fan of Shakespeare's plays, I'm not an expert and I don't sit around memorizing his prose.  But for some reason, when I read Romeo and Juliet back in high school, this line more than any other stuck with me and has always been my favorite.  It just speaks truth; it made me think then and it still makes me think.  We all judge, sometimes unconsciously, on the outside and with labels...but we may be missing out on some very special people because of our judgments.  Our concentration on all those thorns may be blinding us from seeing that beautiful rose right in front of us.  I had to recite this line to a friend today who told me I could call him by a name he didn't prefer if it would make me like him better.  As far as I can tell, he's a good guy no matter what name I call him.  So, once again, this line of a well-known Shakespeare play had me thinking.  Speaking of names and thanks to one of my blogger buddies, I am thinking of a new name for myself here in blog world...changes are taking place so maybe my name should be one of them.

Change 160

A new adventure awaits
each time the sun comes up.
When you meet the moon
say goodbye to what has passed
for change only happens
when the morning sun arrives

~What can you say in 160 characters?  Visit Monkey Man from blogs I love to if you're looking for a new challenge...come on, it's fun!

5K

My first 5K was a success...I finished!  I ran it in 35 minutes and some odd seconds...I don't have my official placing but came in somewhere in the middle of the pack.  I did come in first place out of my group of six friends I've been training with though.  I came in about 8 minutes ahead of four of them and 12 minutes ahead of one of them...it's a great feeling to work hard for something and accomplish it.  Now, I want to go do it again...but faster!

Six work Saturday

I ran my first race today!

Fabulous Friday...

For the past 12 weeks, five of my girlfriends and I have been training for our first 5K race.  The big day has finally arrived, the race starts at 8:30 tomorrow morning.  Tonight we decided to celebrate with a pre-race dinner.  Crab cakes, sauteed veggies, and sweet potatoe fries.  Plus, I decided to surprise them by baking us a celebratory cake.  French vanilla cake/cherry jello (Poke cake)...with cream cheese and cool whip frosting.  It was so good...I would have added a picture, but there wasn't much left of it.  Needless to say, my Friday was fabulous.  What's not to love about a bunch of girls getting together and gabbing while consuming lots of sweet carbs??  Now if only I can survive the 3.1 miles of running tomorrow!

Bittersweet Anniversary

A year ago today, I fell in love or at least, it was the day I realized I was in love....so today was bittersweet.  One year later...it's over.  I felt a little sad-maybe just melancholy, but I didn't cry.  I survived the day, smiled and even enjoyed most of it.  I know my heart is on the mend.   He crosses my mind still more often than I wish, and though I still sometimes wish it would have turned out differently, it didn't.  I am moving on, looking forward.  I have no choice.  There is way too much life left in me and way too much to live for.  Here's to the lessons of yesterday, the joys of today, and the anticipation of what tomorrow may bring.

Sunday 160

It's a beautiful spring day outside.
I know this even being inside.
seeing but not hearing the wind
guess its just a breeze.
rather be sitting by the seas

Six word Saturday

A great day for a run!

morning coffee...

I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but some mornings, I just have to have it.  And those are the mornings when I want it to be perfect-the exact strength which is a little more on the stronger side, with the right amount of flavored creamer and splenda.  The smell can be intoxicating and I love the smell of coffee more than I love the taste.  It's a great morning when you're craving that sporadic cup of coffee and you end up with the perfect cup.  Makes for a good rest of your day!

My job

You know, there are days that I can barely drag myself into work.  Five am comes way too early especially for someone like me; I have trouble turning my brain off and making myself go to sleep.  And 12-16 hour shifts last way too long...but it's days like today and most days-once I'm up and at 'em-that make me realize what a terrific job I have.

Today, I assisted with bringing two sweet little boys into this world; they were a few weeks early, so my help was needed.  It's such a wonderful feeling to see them born and come out screaming.  I provided a little oxygen, an iv, and some meds-then transported them to our children's hospital where they'll receive the care they need to grow and go home.  The day I get to see them go home-in hopefully six weeks or so if all goes well-will be another successful and terrific day. It will be another day that helps to validate the reasons I love being a nicu transport nurse!

Six word Saturday...

peaceful-continuing to  mend my heart

Letters to God

I had a wonderful evening spent with people dear to my heart.  My mom, aunt, sister, niece, and I went to see the movie, "Letters to God."  What an inspirational and heart felt movie about a child suffering from the horrible disease, cancer.  It is based on a true story and delivers a great message too.  I definitely recommend seeing it.
check out the trailer below...

the wind in my hair...

One of my favorite things to do is drive around with my windows down and my music on.  Good thing, too, because the air conditioner in my car is broke...but what a beautiful day today.  Spent some time with a few friends and found out my newly-married best friend is pregnant!  Walking through a beautiful botanical garden, I got some great pictures.  And speaking of pictures, I am making my way through the photography course.  I got an 8 out of 10 on my first assignment, and I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can over the next six months.  

six word saturday

(80) degrees + sunshine = don't want to work!

Quote of the day

"Hold on loosely, but don't let go.  If you hold on too tight, you might lose control. "

 The quote is from a song from the 80's, I think...and I felt it was relevant for me right now. 

Easter weekend has started and today is Good Friday.  So I'm going to share something a friend posted.  If Jesus was crucified on "Good Friday" and was resurrected three days later.  How, he asked, do you get three days from Friday to Sunday?   Good question!!