Get Some Now

Have you ever beheld the awesomeness that is the Olive Garden's pumpkin cheesecake? It is the best thing you could ever imagine x 100. I don't lie. Find out now.

Full of Love

DENVER.....I love Denver....I love the mountains.....I love the city.....I love the snow! Well, there was not any snow when I was there....but there will be soon! My love of Denver is not what took me there however. What other reason could you possibly have for going to Denver you must be asking yourself. A different kind of love...... I went to Denver to see the love of my life.....this man.....

I went to see him work his magic and make a mockery of that team called the Denver Broncos. This is indeed what he did. I will admit they have struggled this year, but seeing Peyton in action was a treat in itself. It was a fantastic game filled with much anxiety, mostly on my part. But at the end of the day, Peyton again delivered a happy ending :D

This was not the only awesomeness that was to be beheld in the Mile High City. The Denver Art Museum had a special exhibit. It was King Tutankhamun: The Golden King & the Great Pharaohs. It was an exhibit all about King Tut and the Pharaohs of Egypt. It was really spectacular. I loved every minute of it. We saw King Tut's gold sandals! This was my dad's favorite part. I love art museums. I love art.

Once again I must re-iterate...I love Denver...I love Peyton...I love art....this may have to become and ritual.....

You want it, you got it....

I've been accused of not keeping my faithful readers updated on the marvelous and continuous excitement that is my life. I will at this point attempt to rectify this situation.

School....I'm currently in my second semester well on my way to receiving my BSN. This is taking place through the wonderful academic instution known as BYU-Idaho (insert sarcasm here). They never cease to find ways to frustrate me and thwart my progress to achieving this milestone I have set out for. I fail to see how the Doctrine and Covenants class I took in Provo at Brigham Young University differs from the Doctrine and Covenants class offered at their fine institution. What religion are they teaching! Regardless of these setbacks I should be finished in April 2011. Go Carol!

Work....Work is....well....work. Simply put. My job has lately begun to feel like just that....a job. I'm searched within the depths of my consciousness for an answer as to what has changed, why do I feel so complacent, and why do I not enjoy where am I as I once did? It is not nursing, I love nursing, LOVE nursing. And it's not my co-workers, they are magnificent and I do believe they are 95% of why I am still where I am. I also have a very nice schedule, I work days, I only work 3 days and I often have several days off in a row. So what am I feeling? What am I missing? What am I searching for? I have an idea. I want more, I need for challenge, and not challenge in the sense that I get 5 patients all crying that they are experiencing the worse pain they've ever felt throughout the course of their 30+ years, yet the woman down the hall who gave birth to 12 children and now has a fractured vertebrae insists she is comfortable. No, not that kind of challenging. Challenging on my intellect, not my patience. So the search continues......

Social....well my social life consists of three groups....my co-workers....my sister...and those I meed when I go to the grocery store. Quite intriguing I know. This paragraph is short....as is the list of my social companions....

Travel....I have taken a few trips lately. Both to Colorado. The first was to the Grand Junction area to see family. I enjoyed some relaxing time spent with my quiet and reclusive grandparents whom I adore, my younger brother and my nephew who I do not see near enough of. The other was to Denver for a magnificent display of athletic competition. This adventure deserves it's own post and will come shortly, I cross my heart.

To my critics....here it is in all it's glory. News and excitement worthy of people magazine or TMZ....at least it's better than Jersey Shore right ;)

If There's No Soccer In Heaven, I'm Not Going

Imagine that Christmas only comes around every 4 years. Imagine this Christmas will last for an entire month. Now imagine the anticipation leading up to that and magnify it ten fold, this is how I felt as I woke this morning knowing it was the beginning the of the GREATEST MONTH EVER. And what a beginning it was. The game that unites the world for one month saw a great beginning and only foretells of more greatness to come. On the stage of the world's greatest competition it is almost poetic that the host nation of this beautiful game score the first world cup goal. A beautiful strike off the right foot of midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala found the corner of the net giving South Africa a 1-0 lead over Mexico in the early minutes of the first half, but most importantly, scoring the first world cup goal every scored on African soil. In an article previewing the world cup a journalist for Sports Illustrated put it perfectly: "Man United. More than the name of the world's most popular team, it's a description of the state of the planet beginning on June 11. For one month in South Africa, as 32 national teams compete in the World Cup, vast portions of the globe's six billion people will be bound in an all-consuming passion for soccer. At its most basic level—a handful of kids kicking what passes for a ball around whatever open ground they find—the game is a source of joy, sometimes a means of escape. At its pinnacle it defines nations and dissolves differences. In short, this simplest of games unites humankind like nothing else." I love this game. It gives me such happiness and joy! Hope you all enjoy this month as much as I do.

Let the Danger Begin

I've never considered myself a rich person in monetary terms, lets face it, neither does the government. However, in terms of those things in life that really count, I'm one of the richest people in the world. I have an incredible family who loves and supports me. I've had an education and now have a career and am able to support myself. I have a roof over my head, food to eat, books to read, and amazing shoes to wear, all that a girl could ever ask for. I've had my share of trials and tribulations, but I've never had endure the immense tragedy of living in a poverty stricken third world country or had to endure the turmoil a natural disaster can impart on a life. My friend Lesly has. I call him my friend even though I only knew him for a little over a week, but that is enough time for you to get to know someone's heart and spirit, and Lesly's are amazing. Lesly is attempting to come to the United States to receive a higher education and my AMAZING friend Brooke and her husband are helping him. The immense response and support they have had already reminds me that there is kindness and love in this world, because I forget. If you are interested in donating to Lesly's education visit this website:

http://www.dayfordanger.blogspot.com/

Or you can find more info on facebook, or just ask me! Brooke and her amazing organization skills has calculated that it will be approximately $25 for Lesly to attend school. If you do not feel comfortable donating through the website let me know, and you don't have to do $25, every little bit counts, it really does! Email me with questions @ trist513@hotmail.com

This picture is absolutely horrible of me, but so fantastic of Lesly so I'm sacrificing my vanity so that you all may know him!

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

Two weeks ago I took a much needed vacation to San Francisco with my friend Lindsey. It was incredible. This city is so fascinating and brilliant. I love that it is built so differently from other cities across the earth. The big, sloping hills make it very unique. We did all of the "touristy" activities. Pier 39 and Fisherman's Warf were great. Fantastic shopping (3 pairs of shoes!) was had in Union square, where our hotel was located. We took in a baseball game and saw a production of Wicked. So many things to do and so little time to do it in. San Francisco is definitely a place I could see myself living.

I've discovered I'm a versatile girl. I absolutely love waking up to the sounds of the city already bustling with activity and walking outside to skyscrapers and people running here and there. However, I get a similar happiness with waking and walking outside to a sunrise unblemished by big buildings, without a soul in sight. Things so quiet you can hear your own heart beat. Which is better and where should I go? For now I'll leave it to chance.

Bottom of the Barrel

It is no secret that 3 of my greatest loves are Soccer, Football, and College Basketball. They span most of the year and bring great joy to many. There is however, a small portion of the year that most call spring and summer, I call it the worst 4 months in the sporting world. Why you ask? Because it is dominated by baseball and the NBA basketball finals. These two sports are not my favorite, to put it nicely and avoid obscenities. Yes I know, soccer spans most of these 4 months as well, however the US has yet to catch up with the rest of the world and recognize soccer as arguably the greatest game ever played. And this year we are graced with the greatest display of athletic competition known to the world, the World Cup. But that will be saved for the another time when I can treat it with more reverence. Since the college basketball season ended in early April, with order restored to the college basketball kingdom I might add, I have been a little bit, shall we say, blue. I turn on sportscenter and Mike and Mike in the Morning and Sportsnation and to my disappointment, I am bombarded with endless talk of baseball and the NBA finals, the only highlight being the NFL draft. Since ESPN is basically the only television I watch, this puts a huge damper in my spirit. In an effort to give my soul a little peace in this dark time of the year in sports, I have attempted to give these two sports a chance. Two different outcomes have resulted.
First....and by far the better of the two experiences....was the the Utah Jazz vs. the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA finals. Now I really do not like the NBA. I love basketball, it's an amazing and athletic sport, but I've always maintained a stand that the NBA is not real basketball! At least not in it's current form. I remember watching the Jazz and the Celtics and the Bulls when I was very young and it mesmerized me. I feel like it's become a huge offensive game with no real defensive effort involved and a display of tricks and stunts. However, there is always something to be said about the atmosphere at a very important game where the crowd is constantly on their feet, screaming and cheering for the home team. The arena is so loud you can not hear yourself think and you swear you definitely just felt the building shake. The adrenaline that inevitably ensues is intoxicating. And that is what I love about sports. So this game was definitely enjoyable. It may not have changed my views on the game, and I won't be following the NBA any closer than I have in the past, but it was fun.

Baseball, baseball and I do not get a long. It is professed to be "America's game" and I do not like that! First of all I think America should catch up with the rest of the world and realize that soccer is indeed the superior form of athletic competition. And if they can't muster that, it should at least consider football a good alternative. But for better or worse, baseball seems to be a favorite of a few million people or so. Therefore in an attempt to understand this bizarre way of thinking, I decided to attend an MLB game. The Colorado Rockies vs. the San Francisco Giants. Now I am continually told by everyone I have this argument with that if I were to see a professional game, my opinion would change. I hate to tell you this, but everyone was WRONG! The game was not exciting, the fans were obnoxious and down right rude. They barely cheered, nobody seemed to be paying any attention to the game, until maybe around the 5th inning(that's half way through the game!), and not to mention I was cold! Now I am willing to concede that this was one single experience, and if I were to see, say maybe the New York Yankees in Yankee stadium from the 3rd base line I might feel a little differently. So Derek Jeter, if you're reading this, I challenge you to change my mind! Until then, I will forever be wishing for the speedy passing of April through August.

Me enjoying my MLB experience.

Living the Haitian Life

As most of you who read this know I recently returned from a 12 day trip to Haiti. It was of course an experience like none other. The feelings and experiences that were felt and had are difficult to put into words but I will try my best.

First of all, the group that I went with is called Healing Hands for Haiti and they are a Rehabilitation organization that sends groups from all over the country. Most of their focus is on physical therapy and rehab but with the recent devastation from the earthquake the needs of the people and their country have changed. When I arrived it had been almost 2 months since the earthquake had happened. Seeing images on the news and pictures in magazines gave a very small idea of what to expect, and of course my thoughts and imagination conjured many possibilities. But when these events are put right in front of your face, when the people are tangible and their stories become personal and their tears are real it is unlike anything the mind could imagine, which is a blessing.

Our group did a variety of projects over the days we were there. As a group we consisted of MD's, NP's, RN's, Social workers, physical therapists, and ancillary volunteers. We helped out at the two major hospitals in Port-Au-Prince, CDTI and the Miami/Medishare hospital. We visited orphanges and evaluated the needs of the children and the caretakers. Healing hands also runs a clinic Monday's thru Saturday's where the people come to receive therapy and medical attention.

The most difficult place that I went were the orphanages. These childern are so special and they love so much. The caregivers do the very best that they can and they are wonderful but are limited to the care they can provide and these children are starved for human contact and love. It broke my heart to see it. It's difficult to see anyone is such situations, let alone a beautiful, loving child. They wanted to play and be held and just hug and love all over you. It was very touching. It's so easy to see the innocence and love in a child's eyes and know how sincere it is, something not easily witnessed in an adult.

The hospitals were very fun. Extremely difficult, but rewarding. At the Miami/Medishare hospital I worked a night shift from 7-7 and had 9 patients, 8 of whom had spinal chord injuries and one who had active TB and was in an "isolation" tent. I work on an adult medical floor where the patients are relatively stable, no spinal cord injuries. Being a fairly new nurse to begin with and being in an extremely unfamiliar situation, environment, and element, I felt ill qualified to be doing the work and caring for the patients I was caring for. Self doubt is something that comes naturally to me and something I fight to overcome daily, and this experience completely overwhelmed me. I will admit, when the long gueling 12 hours were over and we returned to the guesthouse I crawled up to my top bunk of the bunk beds I was sharing and cried and prayed that the people I had taken care had received the best possible care I was capable of and that they would be blessed with hope and faith to continue on the difficult road that lay ahead of them. The units were in huge tents with rows and rows of cots. I ran all night long and was exhausted beyond explanation. Yet it was a very rewarding night. One patient as I was leaving grabbed my hand, smiled and laughed to me, and said something in Creole. The translator that was with me told me she said that I was a beautiful angel and thank you for you love.

CDTI was another hospital. The patients here are relatively stable patients, the acuity of care is not as high. There are many tents each with approximately 7 beds, which consist of crates. There is a lot of physical therapy, rehab, and wound care that takes place here. The day that I was here I went through the tents and performed simple wound care and dressing changes. Wound care is not my forte. The wounds don't bother me so much as I'm just not experienced enough to judge which type of dressing should go here or what type of ointment would be best for this, etc. However it was a great experience and I rather enjoyed myself. After I was finished with my wound care I wandered around and helped out wherever I was needed performing basic nursing tasks, changing an IV bag, inserting an IV, administering medication, etc. It was busy and rewarding day. The medical staff that are at these facilities on a daily basis are remarkable. Nurses come to the Miami/medishare hospital and work 7 straight 12 hour shifts. That is insane under normal US conditions, never mind those in Haiti. I have absolutely no idea how they managed to do it, but to know how grateful they were for our added help felt wonderful.

By far my favorite experience was the "tent clinic." I was in my element. Run much the same as an ER(minus the "emergency"), I was in heaven. Patients showed up, I assessed, triaged and sent on to the MD or NP. On an occasional basis I made a clinical call what this patient needed such as an ace wrap and some ibuprophen. These people have no where else to go for their care and they appreciate what we provide so much.

Through it all the overwhelming feelings that occampanied the seemingly insurmountable tasks the lay before us were consistently along the lines of "What good are we doing?" and "Are we really helping anyone?" I felt as if we were appying a band-aid to a gushing chest wound. My wise father reminded me in an email that I was touching the lives of each individual I met. We couldn't be expected to change an entire country, but each hand helps. Of course what made it all worth the sweat and tears were the people. This is truly a remarkable group of people. I suppose living in such conditions as they do day in and day out and experiencing a devastastingly life altering situation will cause someone to find strength and hope they may never have imagined they possessed. I myself cannot imagine having everything I own destroyed and having to live in a tent and not knowing if I would be able to eat the next day or losing several members of my family at once. We all have our trials and our obstacles in life and I suppose we never really know what we can handle until it is foced upon up, but these are truly remarkable people in my eyes. I was not lucky enough to have been acquainted with them and their culture before the earthquake but I can see how much it has affected their lives and yet the move forward. Most, if not all, still have the remnants of sadness in their eyes and demeanors yet they smile. And they are sincerely grateful for the help they are receiving. It is part of the human condition to need to feel wanted and appreciated. And I can honestly say this is one place and one experience where I have felt overwhelmingly appreciated and needed.