Charlotte

Yesterday I worked in the Emergency Department at the hospital. I was bored most of the time because there wasn't much for me to do, but I think I would enjoy working there as a nurse. You see a wide variety of patients, make judgments, place orders, etc. Some days are slow and some days are fast, but you never know what you are going to get. I think it would also help me see where my interests were. Do I enjoy hands-on patients care? Or the paper work? Teaching? or Research?

I also attended a mandatory Diversity Training on Wednesday where I leaned about: "Diversity". I feel as though I am pretty culturally sensitive, but this was still a good experience and focused a lot on the effect of diversity and economics. I often forget that a hospital is a business :/ yuck. We each had to share a random fact about ourselves so I shared that I liked/wanted to travel. At the end of the day, the speaker told me to check out the "Transcultural Nursing Society". I googled it this morning and it looks interesting, but I don't feel like it is something I need to pursue right now. It is nice being comfortable in the unknown.

Last night I went out for a birthday dinner with friends and while we were dining my roommate Stefania (Sanji, as I like to call her), the birthday girl, said "Can you just not go home? I don't want you to leave." Sarah Joyce chimed in and agreed. It was then that the boys asked when I was going back to Charlotte and I told them monday. I guess they hadn't realized that it would be so soon, and one of them said "you are going to come back to Raleigh though, right?" I told him I didn't think so and he confidently replied "oh, you will." As I sit here and reflect, I realize I really do like the city of Raleigh. It is a nice size; not too big, not too small. It has the luxuries of a city but that same small-town feel that you grow to love. Not to mention they have fresh produce and NC State ice cream everywhere! But honestly, I am not sure I will want to move here. I kind of want to spend some time enjoying my home. I don't feel like I ever have. I am always on the move, always looking for another adventure or completely consumed by school. I want to enjoy what makes home, home: my people. Maybe this will be accomplished in this next year and I will be ready for another adventure once again, but who knows. Plus I think two big transitions at once may be a bit overwhelming. Moving away right when I graduate + adjusting to life as a working adult nurse = a lot of big change. I am usually one to embrace change, but maybe sometimes we don't have to force it. Maybe sometimes we are supposed to enjoy people and enjoy comfort. Just for a little while... so that we may be refueled to go out once again. I see time with those that I love as a battery charger: infusing life into my veins, filling me to the brim, so that I may be poured out. I still think I will travel as a nurse, but maybe not RIGHT NOW. I often say I just want a friend to come along with me, and I think that is the heart of it. I told my mom this and she said "get your friend Rachel to go with you!" Oh how I would love that! Doesn't Jesus send the disciples out in twos? Don't you think there may be a practical reason behind it?

Ok, time to go apply for a scholarship. Gotta pay them bills!