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| Can I just say, I luv off-price stores? TJ and Marshalls--most specifically--norstrom rack, 99c stores, etc. My mom once told me, it's never about how much money you make, but rather, how well you spend your money. So TJ and Marshalls became my friends at an early age in my life ;) The best time to go is early AM, soon after opening--never before closing. The shelves are restocked the night before closing, or soon after they close. The usual cluttered mess is no where to be seen, and in addition, sales reps. attitudes and moods play in your favor. They're not-yet overworked, or tired from the rush of demanding shoppers. Returns are even warmly welcomed! Never-ever spend $ on regular priced clothing...anywhere! The markup is unbelievable and if you're patient enuf, the prices will eventually go down! target, mark jacobs...it don't matter. The law of supply and demand can be applied here. I'm happy to say, I spent even more wisely this Christmas, than last. Cheers to hot chocolate, big hugs from 5 year olds, warm fuzzy blankets, running into 99.9% of highschool graduates in my senior class at Jewel/Osco 10min. before closing, hats, shoveling snow, and just missing the below 30 degrees freezing weather in chi~town. ;) More good times to come...2morrow! Happy Holidays...Merry Christmas...Feliz Navidad...happy 2 00 9! | | |
| and an extraordinary leader, already!! It's history in the making! Go B.Obama, the new 44th president!
Who would've thought this ingenue, first-term black senator from Illinois (awwyea), would be elected president today? I think even a year ago, many were confusing his name with "Osama," let alone, even aware of who he was. Who would've thought he would be setting foot inside the White House as President soon!
As I fought with a 300lb gentleman today, trying to control his pain and de-confuse him, I was able to get a glimpse here and there of Obama's victory speech. Obama truly speaks from the heart, which fuels his charismatic and captivating energy; but aside from these characteristics, there's conviction to his voice, there's desire and "unyielding hope." Some may consider this as naivety, while others believe it as a strategy to recruit votes; well, whatever it may be, it worked. I believe America was ready and wanting this remarkable change to happen, "right candidate at the right time," some may say.
We can't do the same things over and over again, ie: such as electing another Republican president, and expect different results, for our economy and for the state of our future. Especially with the downfall of our current economic climate, along with what's going on out in the middle east, etc. which was driven by the Republican party. I believe a large part of America wanted this; a Democratic man who represents "change," bc that is truly is needed. It won't happen overnight, and we can't forecast how remarkable it may be, but the hope, the drive, the desire to be our rock...who won't believe in him?! I don't think I've met so many youngens even reading the paper, and debating at work about props 2, 8, etc. during coffee, going out and voting during breaks, etc. He's moving the younger generation to participate during the election process, he's instilling hope, he's showing American ppl that if he can be the first black president of the United States, anything is possible. There's humility to his voice, and honesty in his eyes. He sets a precedent, perhaps a trend, which opens doors for all possibilities...that anything is truly possible...and to never ever lose hope in what you truly dream, vision, and believe in....
Go OBAMA!!
(now all is to start hiring some major strong, sumo-wrestling types that are fast, quick, who have 20/5 vision...to be his body guards.... ;)
Change by Tracy Chapman...kinda sorta fitting...listen and read!
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| ...jaipur and agra... So initially, I was excited...going out of the country other than SKorea, but truthfully, I wasn't too stoked on India. Before asking, no, I did not pick the destination, but didn't object either. Anyways, as the trip came closer and closer, I was getting more and more excited...up until ... http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g6oBbuA-rWJUShVB6FHab1SNWfdw (sept 27th, today, bombing) and prior.. http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE48Q1J620080927?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews (sept 13th bombing, larger and at Connaughaut place) Hmm...Connaughaut place was on my "to-go" list, one of the sites recommended by lonely planet as well. Anyways, I'm still excited, looking forward to "livin' on the edge." jk. I guess on a more positive note, this will be a great experience, no doubt! I'm sure I'll start appreciating l.a. more =P I'M EXCITED...really!!! toodleloo... | | |
| SO...she made it through the night, surgeons up all night...and she's going to UCLA, accepted by one of the cardiothoracic surgeons there, and will need a possible left ventricular assist device (LVAD)...
The cardiothoracic surgeons at Saint John's do not perform surgery on high-risk candidates...such as Estella. The hospital's not a trauma equipped facility, and the liability is too large...SO...she was accepted by another surgeon I work with at UCLA. She will be admitted post surgery right into the unit I work in--oh the irony. To put a spin on things, how bazaarre would it be if I admitted this patient on friday!
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| As I just finished a 12hour shift at Saint Johns hospital in santa monica,--which btw, is suppose to be the less intense, somewhat predicable, less crazy, job in the recovery room, compared to that of ucla cardiothoracic ICU--I'm beat. Man...for whatever reason, from having a 300lb patient with a first name like "Cinderella" (no joke and no, not a celebrity in disguise) last week, screaming, coming out of the OR butt hanging out and facing up north, bleeding, etc. to today, I'm confused, elated, shocked and t i r e d ... and overall happy to be nurse and grateful for my job ;)
I don't know if it's truly my fault, not complaining about some patients or if it's simply the luck of the draw. I seem to be receiving many of the complicated, ICU, sick patients right out of OR...or maybe I simply think that. So I try to handle it, the sickies, since it's expected of me to handle it well, although not always well, and in the process, sometimes get into trouble, get written up, sometimes get ignored, and once in a while, things surprisingly run its course smoothly. Imagine this: surgeons have one resolution, nurses have another, anesthesiologists have their own, we all collide on some level. I end up sometimes getting yelled yet, I often end up doing whatever I think is appropriate and updating the MDs after I've done x y z things--legally, this is a big nono. I realize it's not about being right or wrong, and it's not about obedience, or lack thereof; but it's about knowing, and trusting your gut that there's something that's just not right, and trying to convince 50-year-old, chief of thoracic surgery, chief of anesthesia that while I look like a 22 year old nursing student to "listen to me please...I kind of know a little thing or two!" In the midst of all the "saving lives" drama today, I tried my best to smile and be assertive, in a gentle manner...because especially males, they do not like being told what to do...even writing orders, and trying to convince the left-brained, cerebral, ballsy surgeons to listen to my "gut" as I follow my "heart?" The cards must be dealt with very very carefully, in a crafty, creative way...this too is taxing!!
So I've decided, it's a curse, catch 22. I like the sick patients, although I do sometimes complain, get tired and drained, and believe taking care of the sickies should be a shared responsibility among nurses. The truth of the matter is...I'm sick...I like the sick patients, the trauma, the craziness and saving lives in the most unforeseen circumstances, especially when you think hope is lost, the sense of "doom" caves in and you know your patient's either 1-dead or 2-on the accelerated road to death, being maxed out on all sorts of IV drugs. Then they somehow magically, turn around...from their eyes rolling to the back of their heads, going into arrest, bleeding into their heart and after 30minutes of resuscitating their lungs and heart, with 15 ppl arguing, barking orders, the pt becomes responsive, moving and trying to talk to you?!?!? It truly is nuts! I won't go into specific details, or post up pictures like Kayle loves to do for the lay ppl...but I'm amazed again and again...we can never predict the outcome of one patient's recovery...no statistical data, no written reports/journal archives from JAMA can provide us with logical answers at times, why things turn out the way they do. Often times, things just don't make sense, and we just need to accept it for what it is. I believe my patient was a special case, because when she first came out of the OR, within 3 hours, she went from 1-fully resposive, talking, moving to 2-no response, not talking, not moving, 3-flat line, vfib arrest, flat line, shocked a total of 5 times, and then 3-responsive...I mean...it's CCrraAZZy!
As much as we helped our lady patient today, she too taught me a thing or to about the gift of life. So today, I am just so grateful for my patient and her second chance at life. The long haul may be yet to come...it won't be an easy, swift, simple recovery for her, but I truly believe it wasn't by accident, it wasn't by nurses or doctors, it was truly meant to be! Thank you Lord..
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