Many of y'all told me to keep you posted on what goes down post-Ike. So here's the new info I know....NOTHING. I'm pretty much just playing the waiting game, and trying to be patient.
As most of you know, Galveston was directly hit by Hurricane Ike. The words used so far to describe the scene there are "catastrophic", "complete devastation", and "the new ground zero." Granted, it's the media's job to sensationalize everything, but this time the pictures speak for themselves. I've got to say, these past couple of days have kind of been surreal. I remember watching the news broadcasts of Katrina and all of its destruction, and wondering how that must feel. It's hard to put yourself in that situation. But this time it hits a lot closer to home.
I've lived in Galveston since April...and was finally starting to really like it there. For now, that's my home. We are reading a news forum that updates us on the condition of different places in Galveston, as well as looking at pictures from around the island. Soo many of our favorite restaurants, fishing places, hang-outs, or just the places we drive past everyday are either damaged or completely gone. That is WEIRD! And sad. Even the road I drive to school on is messed up. Seriously?
My life for the next couple of weeks-the next year is all one big unknown as of now. We've been told that it will be at least one week until they can get our hospital back up and running, and then they will start to restore the rest of the island. The entire island is currently without water, power, and phone service. I've heard estimates ranging from several weeks to months for when that will all be restored. But we have been told we are not allowed to return to the island until the search and rescue operations are completed, and there is power and potable water available. The causeway (the bridge on and off of the island) sustained damage as the road buckled, and there are currently boats on it. Yah, that's going to have to be fixed as well.
So for now, I'm waiting on word on how my apartment is. (I heard at one point that there was up to 6 feet of water inside). We are waiting to hear about our school. We are waiting to hear about everything as of now. Do I need to start buying new everything, seeing as all of my stuff may be molding and rotting as of now? Or is my apt untouched? Do I need to start looking for a place to live in San Antonio? (there are rumors we might have to relocate there...just a rumor? I DON'T KNOW!). Will I graduate in time? What do I do until then?
All of these unknowns and concerns pale in comparison to what other people are facing. People lost their entire homes, businesses, and loved ones. All of my friends and family in Houston/Galveston area are okay, that is really all that matters.
I am glad to have places to stay, and glad that I left. I am sad for Galveston. And sad for the loss people are experiencing. But it's still surreal.
Until then, I'm waiting. And possibly crashing on your couch soon. Check back for updates.
*PS-several people have asked..."Why would you leave your car?!?!" "Why didn't you take more stuff with you?!?!"...okay, here's the answer. Put yourself in that situation. The last major evacuation left people stranded on the interstate for hours on end, running out of gas, causing huge problems. And I was advised that it would be better to travel together. So that is why I left my car...so if we did get stranded, at least I wouldn't be by myself. My stuff? Well, it's kind of hard to pack up an entire apartment in the middle of the night. So I took the essentials. Hindsight's 20-20.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
TAKE A HIKE IKE
Okay, reading my last post kind of makes me laugh now. But laugh only a little. The tone has changed since then for sure...not so excited about Ike anymore. Lemme give you a breakdown of what's happened since my last post...
To sum it up, I packed up enough clothes for a week, enough school stuff for the classes I'm in now, my laptop, and Baylie. I moved as much stuff away from my windows and doors as possible, and put stuff up on shelves in my closet. I left my car in a high place, and loaded all my crap into my friend Mary Alice's car...and we took off, in the dark, so that we didn't get stuck on the interstate for hours in traffic...Officially evacuees! (we decided if we use the word "refugee" we might get some free handouts? Yes? haha)...So after a quick stop for the essentials (Whataburger taquitos of course), we headed towards Austin, yorkipoo in tow, glad for a couple days of no school.
Yes, we knew a hurricane was coming...but not all that long ago we sat at a church dinner talking to a BOI (Born on Island...they're high status, FYI) and people who have lived in Galveston for years and years...and they totally calmed our fears about hurricanes. In fact, I sorta like hurricanes! The first one that came to TX while I lived in Galveston prompted us to get fishing poles and all the gear and venture out in the massive waves for our first fishing adventure...and that was one of my fave G-Town adventures thus far! Sooo....hurricanes=fun! Right?
Well, now we're sitting at her cousin's house in Austin, watching the news and weather. And watching pictures of the streets covered in water, and waves crashing over the seawall...with the 'cane still hundreds of miles away from landfall. And looking at predictions of where the flooding will be. And what is already flooded. In fact, earlier today, they were reporting live from the gas station across the street from my apartment.
Okay, so here's a little piece of info about my apartment. It's on the first floor. Less than one block off the seawall. Right by a lagoon. And it's old. Sooo, c'mon people, y'all aren't dumb...let's put the pieces together here. Flooding will not be good.
Basically, I'm just watching and waiting to see what happens. Hopefully all will be okay, and either Ike won't continue to gain strength, or it will shift just a little. I'm not sure. But as far as I know, all of my friends got out of there, so in the big scheme of things, that's what's important.
Safe in Austin, visiting fam and friends, and watching Ike. More updates to come.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
"Here Ikie Ikie Ikie!"
So this is just a quick excited update to say that we might get to evacuate tomorrow for the hurricane! "Get to evacuate"?!?! Yes, it's an exciting thing! Not the chance of destruction and damage, but the chance of getting a "free pass" to go to Austin for the weekend! So currently Mary Alice and I are sitting here drinking Red Bull, researching ol' Ike, texting with Laura, waiting for word about if we will be required to go to our clinicals this weekend, and calling Ike our way..."Here Ikie Ikie Ikie!!!" I'm about to go get gas in my car just in case! (Then we are going on a Historical Home Tour and to play tennis...obvi we are REALLY scared about the 'cane haha).
Monday, September 1, 2008
CONFESSION: I'm a Recovering Addict
I have a confession. I am in recovery. From a very serious addiction. An addiction that wreaked havoc on my life for the past month, taking my social life, routine, and productivity level and turning them upside down. Every morning I would wake up and tell myself that today would be different. But alas the night would come, and once again I would give in. Night after night, for three weeks straight. This addiction was short-lived. I'm now on the road to recovery, trying to find a way to move on.
So what is this addiction I speak of? I have no doubt this addiction hits very close to home for some of you. In fact, I have a feeling that many of you are experiencing the same trials of recovery I am now experiencing. My addiction? I feel it necessary to give it some formality...
"Hi, my name is Jessica, and I'm a recovering Olympics-aholic."
Well, there you have it folks...the SUMMER 2008 OLYMPICS! How great they were and how quickly they left me.
I loved them. I loved every second of them. From the opening ceremonies (yes, I admit to being one of the sappy ones who fell in love with Yao Ming's little friend from the earthquake) to the closing ceremonies (minus the yellow suits and white visors), I loved it all.
What's not to love? I mean, Ohh Emm Geee people!!!, this stuff was like crack in TV form! Shawn, Nastia, Michael, Sonya, Misty May...my new best friends! Sure, friendship usually requires the other person to be even slightly aware of your existence, but in this case I feel it's okay to make an exception. I love them. And in my addict's mind, I will choose to believe they knew I was rooting for them, on the other side of the screen. (or other side of the world, however you want to think about it). The point is, I was obsessed!
It's really a good thing that I was out of school during this time, because starting 8-8-08, life as I knew it was no more. My nights were spent watching balance beam routines and swimming races, and my days were spent contemplating where the female Chinese gymnast's fountain of youth possibly could be. *(I mean, they must be sitting on a fortune...to be 16+ years old and look like you're 9 is a miracle! Someone seriously needs to bottle whatever it is they're drinking, slap a label on it, ship it to the good ol' US of A, and BAM! You've got yourself an instant fortune! ORRRR, on second thought, someone needs to stop lying on documents and stop putting babies on Olympic teams! Whatever, back to the point).* If I had been in school, I surely would have failed, seeing as the Olympics take precedence over all.
But now I'm left, on the road to recovery. What am I supposed to do with my time without the Olympics? Yes, have a ridiculous amount of school/studying to do...but learning about chest tubes and pink frothy sputum doesn't quite have the same appeal. You get what I'm saying.
Well, I loved you Olympics of 2008, but the time has come that I must say so long old friend. It's time for me to move on, and stop living in the past. The past 8 days have been dull without you, and there are sure to be more boring days ahead. It gives me hope to know that I will see you in Vancouver in 2010 and then again in London in 2012. But until then, I'll be here. Waiting. And practicing my badmitton skills so I have a chance at being on some Olympic team. Because badmitton is the most hardocre Olympic sport there is.
So what is this addiction I speak of? I have no doubt this addiction hits very close to home for some of you. In fact, I have a feeling that many of you are experiencing the same trials of recovery I am now experiencing. My addiction? I feel it necessary to give it some formality...
"Hi, my name is Jessica, and I'm a recovering Olympics-aholic."
Well, there you have it folks...the SUMMER 2008 OLYMPICS! How great they were and how quickly they left me.
I loved them. I loved every second of them. From the opening ceremonies (yes, I admit to being one of the sappy ones who fell in love with Yao Ming's little friend from the earthquake) to the closing ceremonies (minus the yellow suits and white visors), I loved it all.
What's not to love? I mean, Ohh Emm Geee people!!!, this stuff was like crack in TV form! Shawn, Nastia, Michael, Sonya, Misty May...my new best friends! Sure, friendship usually requires the other person to be even slightly aware of your existence, but in this case I feel it's okay to make an exception. I love them. And in my addict's mind, I will choose to believe they knew I was rooting for them, on the other side of the screen. (or other side of the world, however you want to think about it). The point is, I was obsessed!
It's really a good thing that I was out of school during this time, because starting 8-8-08, life as I knew it was no more. My nights were spent watching balance beam routines and swimming races, and my days were spent contemplating where the female Chinese gymnast's fountain of youth possibly could be. *(I mean, they must be sitting on a fortune...to be 16+ years old and look like you're 9 is a miracle! Someone seriously needs to bottle whatever it is they're drinking, slap a label on it, ship it to the good ol' US of A, and BAM! You've got yourself an instant fortune! ORRRR, on second thought, someone needs to stop lying on documents and stop putting babies on Olympic teams! Whatever, back to the point).* If I had been in school, I surely would have failed, seeing as the Olympics take precedence over all.
But now I'm left, on the road to recovery. What am I supposed to do with my time without the Olympics? Yes, have a ridiculous amount of school/studying to do...but learning about chest tubes and pink frothy sputum doesn't quite have the same appeal. You get what I'm saying.
Well, I loved you Olympics of 2008, but the time has come that I must say so long old friend. It's time for me to move on, and stop living in the past. The past 8 days have been dull without you, and there are sure to be more boring days ahead. It gives me hope to know that I will see you in Vancouver in 2010 and then again in London in 2012. But until then, I'll be here. Waiting. And practicing my badmitton skills so I have a chance at being on some Olympic team. Because badmitton is the most hardocre Olympic sport there is.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Back to the BLOG World
Multiple people have informed me that I am long overdue for a new post, and that my last post was too depressing...here you go, this is for y'all :) Just a QUICK update and I promise I'll post more soon, and post some pics 2!
Since the whole "cloudy days" thing, a lot has happened. I think being happy and content can sometimes be a decision. So I decided to like it here, decided to try new things, and decided to stop bitching about anything and everything that was not perfect. We made a list of "THINGS TO DO IN GALVESTON BEFORE APRIL 24," and we are slowly marking things off of the list (and adding on every now and then as new things come up!). I'll keep you posted on the G-Town List adventures.
I just got back a couple of days ago from a 2 and a half week break from school. I crammed A LOT into that time! It was fun to see ppl, nice to get away, and a good mental break. And in a weird way, I wasn't 100% dreading coming back. That is a positive sign. There are several people I REALLY wanted to see over the break and I didn't get a chance 2 (McCrady and Miller, for example...dangit). But hopefully soon! And I'm trying to make it to BU Homecoming, so I'll get to see people there!
Okay, I'm off to grocery shop then study...2 of my most favorite things to do. Ha. I promise to post more soon!
Since the whole "cloudy days" thing, a lot has happened. I think being happy and content can sometimes be a decision. So I decided to like it here, decided to try new things, and decided to stop bitching about anything and everything that was not perfect. We made a list of "THINGS TO DO IN GALVESTON BEFORE APRIL 24," and we are slowly marking things off of the list (and adding on every now and then as new things come up!). I'll keep you posted on the G-Town List adventures.
I just got back a couple of days ago from a 2 and a half week break from school. I crammed A LOT into that time! It was fun to see ppl, nice to get away, and a good mental break. And in a weird way, I wasn't 100% dreading coming back. That is a positive sign. There are several people I REALLY wanted to see over the break and I didn't get a chance 2 (McCrady and Miller, for example...dangit). But hopefully soon! And I'm trying to make it to BU Homecoming, so I'll get to see people there!
Okay, I'm off to grocery shop then study...2 of my most favorite things to do. Ha. I promise to post more soon!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Cloudy Days
We've had some cloudy days lately...it seems like everyone in my program has been really discouraged. I feel like we've just been waiting for the sun to break through the clouds, and it just hasn't happened quite yet. At this point, I think we're all just holding on 'til our break in August.
We started our preceptorships this week. We just completed our first rotation of group clinicals, and now we're assigned to one specific nurse and we each work their schedule for the next 3 weeks. I did not enjoy the group clinicals. Not at all really. I consistently left the hospital discouraged. Leadership in those situations dictates a lot of how our confidence levels and attitudes will be, and we didn't have much help in that area. I lucked out and got a got preceptor, after being switched from a different one and then being told I was going to have to work at the hospital jail. I'm pretty sure mention of the jail (and rushing all my clearance paperwork through bc it would already be late at that point) was the last thing I needed to hear that day, and my clinical instructor and the floor supervisor could see that written all over my face, and so I found a preceptor on the floor I had been working on. But that's not the case with all of my friends. Preceptors-not always so good. So here we are, thrown into a new environment, new responsibilities, new expectations, little guidance, and basically zero encouragement. We are working 12hr shifts day after day on top of studying for ridiculous tests, while still trying to 'make new friends, and keep the old'. It's all manageable and doable, but here's the kicker...(and I can't believe I'm about to actually admit this, but here it is...)
At this point, I'm not even sure I like nursing. And the problem is, that is how most of my friends here are feeling too, which doesn't help the overall morale. I have put my life on hold for what I felt was preparation for a career that is perfect for my life's passions and purposes, and now I'm consistently discouraged. Sounds ridiculous, I know. And I keep telling myself that I will enjoy it a lot more when I am in an area/unit that is more specific to what I want to do. (right now I'm on a general medicine floor). We are learning some very interesting stuff (I secretly like school sometimes). The patient interaction is my favorite part. I will go almost the whole 12 hour shift questioning why I'm here and why I'm doing this, but one smile from a patient, or one sweet word of affirmation brightens up the day. Nursing opens up so many doors and opportunities, and I'm praying my attitude will change. I'm sure this is just an attitude problem and I just need to 'put on my big girl panties and deal with it.' Yes?
I just feel like I keep pushing off "starting my life." I have known since junior high what I wanted to do with my life. What I am here for, what my purpose is. It hasn't changed. And I never seem to get there. I've changed the path to getting there a million times. Am I making my life take detours for fear of actually achieving my goals? Scared of reckless abandonment in exchange for a fruitful life? Am I scared to loose connections here? Am I being obedient? What am I supposed to do with my life here Lord?!?!
I want to be overseas... Loving on kiddos all day. Loving people. Teaching parents how to best provide for their family. Encouraging and empowering women. Swooping up orphans in my arms and giving them the biggest hug they've ever had. Sitting down at a feasting table with precious children who haven't had a good meal in who knows how long. Loving the Lord with all of me, and letting that overflow onto everyone around me. (Idealist?)
Yes, I can get there with nursing. But when? It's just discouraging. I feel like my life will never 'start'. AHHH....Until then, I'm still here. Thanking God for a couple of precious friends I've made here, without whom I don't know what I'd do. Praying for a positive attitude, clarity, and affirmation that I'm right where He desires for me to be. Praying the same for the rest of my classmates who feel the same way right about now. And the sun will break through the clouds soon.
We started our preceptorships this week. We just completed our first rotation of group clinicals, and now we're assigned to one specific nurse and we each work their schedule for the next 3 weeks. I did not enjoy the group clinicals. Not at all really. I consistently left the hospital discouraged. Leadership in those situations dictates a lot of how our confidence levels and attitudes will be, and we didn't have much help in that area. I lucked out and got a got preceptor, after being switched from a different one and then being told I was going to have to work at the hospital jail. I'm pretty sure mention of the jail (and rushing all my clearance paperwork through bc it would already be late at that point) was the last thing I needed to hear that day, and my clinical instructor and the floor supervisor could see that written all over my face, and so I found a preceptor on the floor I had been working on. But that's not the case with all of my friends. Preceptors-not always so good. So here we are, thrown into a new environment, new responsibilities, new expectations, little guidance, and basically zero encouragement. We are working 12hr shifts day after day on top of studying for ridiculous tests, while still trying to 'make new friends, and keep the old'. It's all manageable and doable, but here's the kicker...(and I can't believe I'm about to actually admit this, but here it is...)
At this point, I'm not even sure I like nursing. And the problem is, that is how most of my friends here are feeling too, which doesn't help the overall morale. I have put my life on hold for what I felt was preparation for a career that is perfect for my life's passions and purposes, and now I'm consistently discouraged. Sounds ridiculous, I know. And I keep telling myself that I will enjoy it a lot more when I am in an area/unit that is more specific to what I want to do. (right now I'm on a general medicine floor). We are learning some very interesting stuff (I secretly like school sometimes). The patient interaction is my favorite part. I will go almost the whole 12 hour shift questioning why I'm here and why I'm doing this, but one smile from a patient, or one sweet word of affirmation brightens up the day. Nursing opens up so many doors and opportunities, and I'm praying my attitude will change. I'm sure this is just an attitude problem and I just need to 'put on my big girl panties and deal with it.' Yes?
I just feel like I keep pushing off "starting my life." I have known since junior high what I wanted to do with my life. What I am here for, what my purpose is. It hasn't changed. And I never seem to get there. I've changed the path to getting there a million times. Am I making my life take detours for fear of actually achieving my goals? Scared of reckless abandonment in exchange for a fruitful life? Am I scared to loose connections here? Am I being obedient? What am I supposed to do with my life here Lord?!?!
I want to be overseas... Loving on kiddos all day. Loving people. Teaching parents how to best provide for their family. Encouraging and empowering women. Swooping up orphans in my arms and giving them the biggest hug they've ever had. Sitting down at a feasting table with precious children who haven't had a good meal in who knows how long. Loving the Lord with all of me, and letting that overflow onto everyone around me. (Idealist?)
Yes, I can get there with nursing. But when? It's just discouraging. I feel like my life will never 'start'. AHHH....Until then, I'm still here. Thanking God for a couple of precious friends I've made here, without whom I don't know what I'd do. Praying for a positive attitude, clarity, and affirmation that I'm right where He desires for me to be. Praying the same for the rest of my classmates who feel the same way right about now. And the sun will break through the clouds soon.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Birthdays full of Blessings
This past week both of my grandparents celebrated big birthdays...my grandma ("Nini") turned 80 and my grandpa ("Pop-Pop") turned 83! 
If you've known me for longer than a week it's quite possible you've heard me talk about how awesome my grandparents are...maybe you've even heard me say something to the effect of "I'm like seriously OBSESSED with my grandparents! Seriously!"...but in an attempt to ditch the Baylor-girl lingo in exchange for real-word vernacular I'll simply say that I really enjoy my grandparents company...hmm, yah, no...that's not gonna work...."I'M LIKE SERIOUSLY OBSESSED WITH MY GRANDPARENTS! SERIOUSLY!"...yah, that sounds more like it! :) Obsession is a strong word, I know. But if you had grandparents like this, you'd be obsessed too! Why you ask? Because I will forever have these cherished memories with two of the most important people in my life...
-Nini had a special pink teddy bear sippy cup that had the inexplicable ability to make us feel better in seconds.
-My grandma spent countless hours on the floor playing with us and reading books to us...I'm talking "Danny the Dinosaur" here!...it doesn't get much better than that
-Baking Christmas cookies with my Nini EVERY SINGLE YEAR since I was born...going on 23 years of cookie baking! Mmm Mmm
-When we would spend the night, we would get "sandwich treasures" in our school lunch...made everyone jealous haha
-They would come to our house at ridiculously early hours on Christmas just to make sure they saw what Santa brought us...and Nini never fails to make her famous Frederick coffee-cake (ps-I still make them come early on Christmas morning...they secretly love it. I think? haha)
-My Pop-Pop always had donuts for breakfast...always! We did NOT have that at home, that's for sure!
-My Pop-Pop teased us 24/7 growing up...He is a funny funny guy and keeps us smiling!
-My grandparents are the type of people who would do anything for anybody. I have a feeling my grandma would give the shirt off her back if someone needed it. They both love completely with their ever-expanding hearts, and love unconditionally. They have become surrogate grandparents to my friends, and to countless people at their church and, well, pretty much everywhere they go!
-You know that cute couple that still holds hands everywhere they go? And you can just see how hopelessly in love with eachother they are after almost 60 years...you know, the couple that every person dreams of being when they grow up? The people that restore your faith in true love and in relationships grounded in respect and addoration...yah, my grandparents are those people! (good example, that's for sure!)
-They love the Lord. Love the church. Love their family and friends. Love eachother.
Basically, they bless me immeasurably. I love them more than mere words can express. I do not take it for granted that in my life I have had the privilege of knowing 3 grandparents, and for having my Nini and Pop-Pop be so deeply invested in my daily life for so long!
Happy Birthday Nini! Happy Birthday Pop-Pop! I love you both! :)
If you've known me for longer than a week it's quite possible you've heard me talk about how awesome my grandparents are...maybe you've even heard me say something to the effect of "I'm like seriously OBSESSED with my grandparents! Seriously!"...but in an attempt to ditch the Baylor-girl lingo in exchange for real-word vernacular I'll simply say that I really enjoy my grandparents company...hmm, yah, no...that's not gonna work...."I'M LIKE SERIOUSLY OBSESSED WITH MY GRANDPARENTS! SERIOUSLY!"...yah, that sounds more like it! :) Obsession is a strong word, I know. But if you had grandparents like this, you'd be obsessed too! Why you ask? Because I will forever have these cherished memories with two of the most important people in my life...-Nini had a special pink teddy bear sippy cup that had the inexplicable ability to make us feel better in seconds.-My grandma spent countless hours on the floor playing with us and reading books to us...I'm talking "Danny the Dinosaur" here!...it doesn't get much better than that
-Baking Christmas cookies with my Nini EVERY SINGLE YEAR since I was born...going on 23 years of cookie baking! Mmm Mmm
-When we would spend the night, we would get "sandwich treasures" in our school lunch...made everyone jealous haha
-They would come to our house at ridiculously early hours on Christmas just to make sure they saw what Santa brought us...and Nini never fails to make her famous Frederick coffee-cake (ps-I still make them come early on Christmas morning...they secretly love it. I think? haha)
-My Pop-Pop always had donuts for breakfast...always! We did NOT have that at home, that's for sure!
-My Pop-Pop teased us 24/7 growing up...He is a funny funny guy and keeps us smiling!
-My grandparents are the type of people who would do anything for anybody. I have a feeling my grandma would give the shirt off her back if someone needed it. They both love completely with their ever-expanding hearts, and love unconditionally. They have become surrogate grandparents to my friends, and to countless people at their church and, well, pretty much everywhere they go!
-You know that cute couple that still holds hands everywhere they go? And you can just see how hopelessly in love with eachother they are after almost 60 years...you know, the couple that every person dreams of being when they grow up? The people that restore your faith in true love and in relationships grounded in respect and addoration...yah, my grandparents are those people! (good example, that's for sure!)
-They love the Lord. Love the church. Love their family and friends. Love eachother.
Basically, they bless me immeasurably. I love them more than mere words can express. I do not take it for granted that in my life I have had the privilege of knowing 3 grandparents, and for having my Nini and Pop-Pop be so deeply invested in my daily life for so long!
Happy Birthday Nini! Happy Birthday Pop-Pop! I love you both! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)