We came, we biked, we conquered; they come, they bike, they conquer

This past weekend, M and I went to Cobourg with friends to have a relaxing cottage weekend – sort of.  We actually did a bit of “work” too because we all biked out the triathlon course just to get and idea of what we had in store.  It was a super windy day on Saturday, which made the ride really frustrating, but overall we did pretty well I’ve gotta say.  It only made sense that I did my leg of the journey by myself, seeing as M and the rest of the crew have to do 40 km and only have to do 20 km.  All the same I really pushed myself because in total I ended up doing 28 km – the longest bike ride I have consciously done to date.  Sweet!  It was especially good to know that I could conquer the hills on the course, seeing as the end of my first 10 km and the beginning of my last 10 km is the same GIANT hill!

As good as my effort was, I’ve gotta say it pales in comparison to catching the totally amazing Tour de France that is happening right now.  M and I started watching some of the race last night, and it is truly outstanding to watch these guys ride.  Can you imagine averaging about 50 km/hr on a bike?  Seriously.  That’s insane.  That’s faster than an old lady driving to church on a Sunday morning.  It was especially exciting to watch last night because we were watching the team time trial, and Lance Armstrong and the Astana crew won the stage!  We’ll just have to keep watching for the next couple of weeks to see if they continue to stay on top!  (Or we can keep watching the results here).  Ride on, boys!

Happy Canada Day!

It’s Canada Day in the T-dot. There is an 80% chance of rain, limited sunshine and a stench of garbage.  Good times.  There are few parks that have been excluded from being temporary garbage dumping sites and the fireworks have been cancelled.  And we don’t even have a long weekend this year!  Somehow this just doesn’t seem as fun a day as it has been in the past.  And it kind of annoys me.

The strike sucks.  It’s no fun for anyone.  I’m sure the people who are picketing don’t think not being paid, or the stress of negotiations.  I’m POSITIVE the residents of the city aren’t happy.  And the major is looking more and more like he wants to rip his hair out.  It will be interesting to see how long this tension plays out.  I’ve got to admit that based on the details being published about the requests of the city workers, it seems a little unreasonable to me that they are striking at all.  Here we are in a time of economic uncertainty and unemployment, and we’ve got a group of people who have jobs choosing to strike over 18 vacation days they want to bank so they can get paid out a ton of cash that the city can’t afford.  Come on!  There are people who don’t have a job at all!  Really?

But last night, I got to hear some of the other side.  I had the opportunity to talk to a Toronto EMS paramedic who is also on strike.  Apparently the city returned to the table with the following deal: no more sick days period.  For anyone.  What?  That’s not cool either!  You’re expecting people who work in an environment where they are at high risk of getting sick (coughed on by an person with H1N1 or something?) and not allow them to have a paid sick day.  Come on! Really?  There were a few more details to the deal to that didn’t sound great, so I could see his frustration.  Makes sense.

I just hope that both sides stop being so damn stubborn and start talking about this issue in a more open way.  It’s a bigger issue now that just the workers.  They are affecting the entire population of a huge city.  I don’t think anyone wants their summer ruined by even more garbage!  UGH!

Triath-wha?

M and a few of our friends have set up a goal for ourselves at the end of the summer – we’re taking on a triathlon weekend in August.  He is taking on an Olympic length, and I’ll be taking on a sprint version with some nursing friends the next day.  I can’t believe I took on such a challenge.  I was so afraid at first – what the heck have I signed up for? – but now that I’ve been working on some of my “training” I’m feeling really good about it.

I’ve been cycling and swimming for a while now, and within the last couple of weeks, I’ve been working on my running.  It’s my weakest point by far, but apparently I can do it!  A couple of weeks ago I decided to just do it – and I ended up running 4 km!  I only have to do 5 for the race, and I’ve since managed to do that distance with M and it’s been really fun.  Who knew that the girl who hates running might actually enjoy the challenge?  Now I just need to run after doing a 20 km bike!

It’s finally summer!

After a long school year, I am finished all the assignments, exams and such – yes, it’s official – I’m 1/2 a nurse.  Now I just need to wait and see how I did.  But that probably won’t happen until closer to the September.

Now it’s time to enjoy the summer sun, train for the sprint triathlon I signed up for, and work out some part-time employment hours.  Mostly I just wish that I get to spend tons of time with M because I’ve been really missing out on quality time with him because of school.  It will be like we’re dating each other again. 

When I stop to think about it – I really can’t believe all the crazy changes going to school has brought to my life – new friends, new skills, all sorts of things.  I’ve gotten a chance to see a myriad of different hospital facilities around the city, which is also pretty cool.  It gives me a much better idea of where I want to go after I’m done.  I’ve seen some truly amazing nurses in action.  Really – there are so many people who really go the extra mile to make someone’s hospital stay the best it can be.    On the other hand, it also made me realize that there are still tons of improvements that need to be done in some facilities before they can boast they are giving excellent care  Not huge things, just small things – the things that really count, like preserving dignity and such.  That’s why I’m so excited because I get to work towards improving those things when I finally start my career.  Cool.

Anyway, enough contemplation.  It’s summer – time to have fun! Woot!

Being sick blows (literally)

Today I’m home, missing clinical, because I’m sick.

It’s a funny thing being sick as a nursing student.  Unlike other jobs I’ve had where I would push myself to do as much work as possible – even work from home to not let people down – I’ve got a position where I am actually doing more good work for my clientelle by not going in to work.  Can you imagine having a nurse who is snotting all over you provide your wound care?  Ugh.  That’s just not cool!

So, today, I did a good thing, and called in sick.  Too bad that good thing doesn’t take away my runny nose, headache and the feeling like my head will explode!

Happy Nursing Week

It’s nursing week – and it’s time to celebrate all the hard work that nurses do on a day to day basis. Today, my best pal Alison passed on this article about my other best friend Jennifer. This totally shows what kind of impact I want to have in my career.

Here is the link, and the details are on page 5:
http://www.hospitalnews.com/content/magazines/May09/supple_May09.pdf

Oops!

I wrote the below post in April, thought I had posted it, but accidentally left it as a draft. Sorry!

It has been back dated to when it was originally written.

The misfit has returned

So, I’m working my way back to blogging. Apparently people do read what I write, and they are yearning for more. Ok, more like asking “what’s the deal, misfit?”. You see, I expect people like Dave to ask me why I haven’t been writing, but not my mother. When she asks, you know I’ve been seriously lacking on my updates. So, Mum, here’s one!

I’m back to class after a reading week, following my paediatrics rotation at SickKids. Loved it! Still really want to work there, but really bummed I didn’t even get an interview for a summer position there. But I’ve moved on, I’m embracing my new challenge – working at the surgical oncology unit at Sunnybrook. Should be intense, but my friend who were there last time loved it! I’m looking forward to a busy and rewarding time there. Keeps me on my toes, and keeps me learning for sure.

We’re starting in to wedding season this weekend. M and I have totaled it up – we’re looking at about 6 weddings between May and June. NUTS! Last year we had 8 from January to November (including our own). Instead of getting stressed about how expensive wedding gifts can be, we’re getting original. We’re hooking up some awesome creative ideas for our good friends that will be cost effective for us, but rich on love for them. I’m excited. I’ll try and post some of the creativity once it’s set to go (and they have been given – no sense in ruining the surprise, right?)

Anyway, it’s time for me to leave for class – this post is a start – I’ll try to get more up as soon as I can. And Mum – I love you!

Getting involved

On a bit of a whim, I decided to run to be on the “student council”, aka Nursing Undergraduate Society. Well, I guess things worked out because myself, and everyone else who ran we acclaimed to our positions. I’ll be chilling out with some of my friends and have direct input on events and stuff that we do as a nursing faculty. Cool!

Next year should be pretty good – we’ll be more spread out as a class, but I’m thinking I’d like to see more group activities happen during the year that really encourage people to come out for next to no money – I mean, who doesn’t want to have fun for free?

Apparently I take on my new role near to the end of the month – I’m looking forward to it! I’ll keep you posted.

Pipe down in back!

I know it seems like I’ve been ranting a lot lately on my blog. I haven’t started a complain-o-blog, I promise, I’ve just had a few things annoy me lately.

Today I had an awesome day at my paeds rotation – I’m learning quite a lot in just a couple of days at SickKids. The boy I was working with it totally adorable, and the nurse I was working with was awesome. I was feeling happy, I was feeling good. Key word: was.

I took my regular TTC commute home – eventually getting on the King streetcar heading east. It was all well and good until my ears were bombarded by the healthy voices of about ten kids that were about 9 or 10 years old talking loudly (and even more loudly) with each other in the middle of the car. There was no where to go, and I traveled about 10 minutes with this noise while it came up to an ear shattering level. By the time I got off my ears actually hurt from the noise. I was ready to scream “PIPE DOWN!” – and I can’t believe the people who seemed to be their supervisor did not. Seriously. That’s just not cool at all!

It’s been about 10 minutes now, and well, my ears are still ringing a little and I’m totally cranky. Thanks for nothing chumps. Next time – SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!