New Blog Site

I have changed over to my new blog site.... California Dreamin' Squirrel
Come visit me there!

Epilogue

My last shift has been worked.  My diploma is in hand.  All the good-byes have been said.  I don't know if I was sadder walking out the door of the E.D. for the final;  seeing the rays of the new day poking over the horizon, or packing my patient book into a box for the move cross-country.

For those of you who have followed my blog, you know that I have kept track of all the patients I have seen in the Emergency Department over the last three years.  There's a lot of stories held within those pages.  Stories of new life, and stories of death.  Stories full of hope, and stories of hope diminished.  My procedures are logged within the pages.  My disappointments are logged within the pages.  There's more than a few repeats;  some a sorry testament to the current healthcare system.  Sometimes, a sorry testament to the current government system that spends our tax dollars on those that know how to bend the rules.  But I digress.

The page has closed on this chapter in my life.  I don't know what the future will hold.  I know what hopes and plans I have for my future.  I know the type of physician I hope I will be.  There's still a few more challenges to overcome:  ie. board certification - a written and oral exam.  And, I will be a freshman attending working on my own for the first time.  It's going to be an interesting year.

I hope that you will continue to follow me on this journey.  Follow me to my new home:  California Dreamin' Squirrel where I will continue to write about my life, my hopes, my dreams.  Tomorrow the journey begins.... So, Let's Roll...

I'm Sailing Away

Tonight would have been my last night crewing on a colleague's boat, however last week we had extreme wind conditions and I re-injured my shoulder during two very taxing spinnaker exchanges.  Not to mention I almost fell into the water during an emergency maneuver to avoid hitting another boat, so I am sure that stressed my shoulder a bit as well while trying to hang on to the safety line.

I've enjoyed these weekly summer respites.  My husband finds sailing "too slow" for his taste, but there's nothing more soothing and relaxing to me than spending time on the open water.  Of course, I learned to sail on smaller boats like Lasers and Hobie Cats, so speed has always been an enjoyable part of the experience for me, which is probably why I like crewing on a racing boat.  But, some of the most pleasurable times have been the ride home, sipping beers while slowly making our way back to the harbor.  We rehash the race, talk about upcoming events, there's even been a few discourses on the merits of the local professional teams.

While I am excited about moving to California, I am saddened at all the things I am leaving behind, one of which will be this summer experience.  However, one of my favorites quotes is about sailing, and so I will end with this as I look ahead to my move and new life's experiences...


"A ship in harbor is safe -- but that is not what ships are built for." - John A. Shedd