tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73085131951442347272024-03-14T05:36:31.282-05:00nurse on the runrunning and whatever else might come my way...Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-16505244261347973832009-10-23T12:36:00.001-05:002009-10-23T12:36:03.418-05:00New feed!<p>Don’t forget to update your google readers for my new site:</p> <p><a title="http://www.susanruns.com/feed/" href="http://www.susanruns.com/feed/">http://www.susanruns.com/feed/</a></p> <p>Click on that link to set up my new site…I’ll miss you if you don’t follow me over!  Don’t forget to update your blogrolls either!  :)</p> <p>(Let me know if that doesn’t work…or if I’m missing something!  I think that’s all you need to do.  Maybe.)</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-81001039622458013992009-10-22T19:53:00.001-05:002009-10-22T19:53:26.545-05:00Made an impulsive move…<p>So I got called off of work today, and I made the impulsive move to buy my own site!  It’s a major work in progress (I have NO clue what I’m doing!), but you can check out the new site at…</p> <p><a href="http://www.susanruns.com/" target="_blank">susanruns.com</a></p> <p>Yayyyy!  Update your google readers and such…not that I know how to do that!</p> <p>If anyone has insight into how to find a good theme that is easy to customize (I’m no good at this web design thing!), please let me know.  I’ve been trying all day to get the site to look how I want it to!</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-41013205751415657862009-10-21T09:59:00.001-05:002009-10-21T09:59:44.101-05:00Pumpkin + Veggies + Apples = STUFFED<p>You may notice that I rarely mention my current roommate on the blog.  Due to our opposite schedules, I never see her, which is a bit sad because despite the randomness of our meeting (go craigslist!), we actually have a lot in common and she’s pretty awesome.  She likes to cook and even ran a half marathon (her first!) last month, so you can clearly see what we’ve got going for us.  This weekend she asked if I wanted to cook something together on Monday (my day off!), so we did.  And kind of went all out.</p> <p>My roommate dug out an old Martha Stewart Living magazine from last year and found a "Stuffed Pumpkin Stew” that she wanted to try.  She invited a bunch of people over (since it serves ten!) and away we went.  I hope you like your veggies…</p> <p></p> <p>Here’s the deal:</p> <p>You find a cheese pumpkin.  Yes, a cheese pumpkin…not your ordinary carving pumpkin.  I called five grocery stores and everyone gave me funny looks when I asked if they had them (okay, I imagined the funny looks since it was on the phone…but I know it was happening on the other end!).  My roommate went to a local farm (yet more proof that I live in a small town) to get one.  Anyway, you cut the top off, scrap the insides, lather with olive oil, and roast for an hour:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8hyj2AzLI/AAAAAAAAA24/7Erl6wH9W8k/s1600-h/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%289%29%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Martha Pumpkin Stew (9)" border="0" alt="Martha Pumpkin Stew (9)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8hyzT5fsI/AAAAAAAAA28/ZM7-geNzxHE/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%289%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Cheese pumpkin!</p> <p align="left">Next up is veggies galore.  Step one involves ten brussel sprouts, six ounces green beans, and four ounces sugar snap peas.  Boil them for about two minutes, then transfer to an ice bath.  (I’m not sure why the boil/ice bath combo is necessary…feel free to inform me!)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8hzRwdt4I/AAAAAAAAA3A/KgpJiiH1wTQ/s1600-h/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%282%29%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Martha Pumpkin Stew (2)" border="0" alt="Martha Pumpkin Stew (2)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8hzrzZK-I/AAAAAAAAA3E/f8p2MDM5rQ4/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%282%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> I hope you like your greens!</p> <p align="left">Now for all those weird veggies that you look at in the store  but have no clue what to do with.  Including:  12 white baby potatoes, two leeks (light green and white parts only!), five carrots, two turnips, four parsnips, half of a butternut squash, and half a celery root.  I admittedly have never had half of these veggies before!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8hz9z1XPI/AAAAAAAAA3I/ANflYHIqTlE/s1600-h/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%284%29%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Martha Pumpkin Stew (4)" border="0" alt="Martha Pumpkin Stew (4)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8h0cSQYuI/AAAAAAAAA3M/TabfORIocKM/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%284%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Toss with oil, salt and paper…then roast for 40 minutes!  And remember to invite your friends…</p> <p align="left">For those meat eaters of the blog world, here’s some chicken!  Ten chicken legs and thighs, with the skin on.  Season with salt and pepper, then cook in a skillet with some oil for 3-4 minutes on each side.  Place on a baking sheet and roast for 40 minutes.  Once the chicken is removed from the skillet, add one cup chicken stock to the skillet, bring to a boil, then place in a bowl.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8h0ngTHeI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/b5a5ooNTBmA/s1600-h/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Martha Pumpkin Stew" border="0" alt="Martha Pumpkin Stew" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8h047RktI/AAAAAAAAA3U/OSoYOCoxHAI/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Yummy!</p> <p align="left">Just when you thought all the flavors were covered, we’ve got three baking apples and seven ounces vacuum-packed whole peeled chestnuts!  Heat some butter in a skillet and brown the apples for about ten minutes…then add the chestnuts!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8h1JyFAsI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/lOZrze7Hszo/s1600-h/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%287%29%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Martha Pumpkin Stew (7)" border="0" alt="Martha Pumpkin Stew (7)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8h1bd7SzI/AAAAAAAAA3c/2KAEKnrnpk4/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%287%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> I’ve never had a chestnut before…new adventures!</p> <p align="left">Once everything is done roasting (it takes awhile…), add the brussel sprouts, green beans, snap peas, and apples along with two tablespoons garlic to the giant veggies mix and toss.  Then roast for ten more minutes.</p> <p align="left">Now for the fun part…take EVERYTHING (chicken, all veggies, 1/2 cup parsley, stock, and two tablespoons reserved pan juices) and combine.  Then stuff the pumpkin!!  Roast until “heated through,” about fifteen minutes.  Note:  over half of the veggies didn’t even come close to fitting in the pumpkin, so we stuffed what we could.  I have no clue where Martha got a gigantic pumpkin.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8h1msfxEI/AAAAAAAAA3g/pELfwlRuDSQ/s1600-h/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%2811%29%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Martha Pumpkin Stew (11)" border="0" alt="Martha Pumpkin Stew (11)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8h2E6f5kI/AAAAAAAAA3k/7Gpt8OwyULc/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%2811%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> STUFFED!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8h2TKC-_I/AAAAAAAAA3o/cNvIFBoujQE/s1600-h/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%2812%29%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Martha Pumpkin Stew (12)" border="0" alt="Martha Pumpkin Stew (12)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8h2mAqToI/AAAAAAAAA3s/HQuKggPTM1c/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%2812%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Look at all those flavors!</p> <p align="left">When you’re finally done roasting, turn off the oven!!  (Since it’s been on for hours…)  Slice the pumpkin and serve with the chicken and stew.  It will look something like this:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8h2_jUebI/AAAAAAAAA3w/pKtXSUn0ecc/s1600-h/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%2814%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Martha Pumpkin Stew (14)" border="0" alt="Martha Pumpkin Stew (14)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8h3CeHlbI/AAAAAAAAA30/0D74o4PQzuc/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%2814%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Devour!!</p> <p align="left">This was a labor-intensive meal, but it was something totally different than anything I’ve had before, and it was quite tasty!  Since we had a bit of a dinner party, it was fun to cook with other people and then enjoy the food.  I rarely eat with other people (unless you count eating while blogging!), so it was nice to actually sit and enjoy a meal.  I definitely recommend this to enjoy an evening with your friends/family.  It kind of felt like a mini-Thanksgiving, especially with the addition of dessert:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8h3cr3ToI/AAAAAAAAA34/5zObAVEiHZ4/s1600-h/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%2815%29%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Martha Pumpkin Stew (15)" border="0" alt="Martha Pumpkin Stew (15)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/St8h36De3zI/AAAAAAAAA4A/CpZZhnnr0IM/Martha%20Pumpkin%20Stew%20%2815%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Blueberry pie and ice cream!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>There you have it…an absolutely amazingly ridiculous meal like I’ve never had before.  I think it’s fun to try new recipes and eat new foods, especially when you can share it with others!  Give it a try!</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-32285483079393235442009-10-20T12:56:00.001-05:002009-10-20T12:56:02.135-05:00i’m still a runner :)<p>Another successful run today!  The weather is so perfect for running…it was in the high 50’s and sunny!  I was warm in my long sleeve shirt, so I guess it’s still short sleeve weather.  Fine by me.  :)  I took it easy again today, going for five miles this time!  My left calf/quad actually felt a little tight, so I guess I spent too much time stretching my right leg yesterday and not my left leg.  I evened it up after my run today, so no worries there.</p> <p>The hardest part about getting back into running after my month off is trying to not get caught up on the pace.  My legs can feel that they haven’t ran in a month, and I need to remember that any pace is a good pace as long as it’s pain free!  One of my miles was 8:50-ish, and I admit that I did a double take when my garmin beeped.  Not that 8:50 is actually slow, but when I’m used to more around eight minute pace, it doesn’t seem quite right.  I reminded myself that for my second day back, that’s not too shabby.  There will be many more days to run faster…eventually.</p> <p>Tuesday, October 20 <br />5.04 miles in 42:41, avg pace of 8:28</p> <p>We’re getting there!</p> <p>Time to get ready for work…only having one day off (which is how it works when it’s your weekend to work…we get a random day off the week before and the week after) really doesn’t seem like enough to reenergize!  Hurry up, Friday!</p> <p>Stay tuned for the absolutely ridiculously amazing dinner I had last night…you won’t be disappointed!</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-32305988621820967592009-10-19T16:03:00.001-05:002009-10-19T16:03:00.961-05:00I RAN today!!<p>Short but oh so so sweet post!</p> <p>Saturday marked the official one month anniversary of the last time I ran…not exactly something I wanted to celebrate!  After sitting around for a little bit today, I decided that I wanted to give running a try.  I ran about a block and the pain wasn’t too terrible, and I remember the sports medicine doc saying that sometimes IT Band Syndrome is a little better after a warm up.  So I kept going.  My leg loosened up after about a quarter mile, and away I went!  While it wasn’t <em>perfect</em>, my stride actually resembled something of a running gait, which it definitely hadn’t in recent times.  Yay!  I told myself to take it slow and not push the pace at all…just run.  It felt great!</p> <p>I passed a guy in a truck, sitting in the parking lot of an office building I pass on most of my runs, since it’s on the way to the trail.  He gave me a thumbs up and yelled, “I see you running by every day!  Run five miles for me!”  This comment was kind of funny since I haven’t run by in about a month, but it was fantastic in that I haven’t been out of commission long enough for the locals to forget that I run!  I kept it short and went out for four miles:</p> <p>Monday, October 19 <br />4.10 miles in 34:15, avg pace of 8:21</p> <p>I came home and stretched stretched stretched…and iced!  My leg feels pretty good.  :)  Hopefully I’ll be back tomorrow!!</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-59700034938918376012009-10-16T12:31:00.001-05:002009-10-16T12:31:33.498-05:00Iliotibial Band Syndrome for the win!<p>I just got back from the sports medicine doctor, and it’s the iliotibial band for the win!!  My internet research/running injury savvy told me that this was most likely the culprit, but I figured an expert opinion couldn’t hurt.  More or less, I have classic iliotibial band syndrome…pain right outside the knee, radiating up towards the hip.  This excellent visualization helps show the IT band:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/Stit6_dAQZI/AAAAAAAAA2g/ckgidszOnxE/s1600-h/image%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/Stit7Ljq32I/AAAAAAAAA2k/0kTGs_-ScoU/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="244" /></a> <br />As you can (hopefully) tell, the IT band is kind of important in running and is a pretty common injury.  The IT band functions to help stabilize the leg during “knee-bending activities” (aka running), so with repetitive motions, it can become irritated.  The friction created between the IT band and the underlying anatomy at the outer knee (the lateral femoral condyle, if you really want to know…the outside bony part on the bottom of your femur) can result in pain and inflammation.  Fantastic.</p> <p><strong>Risks for IT Band Syndrome include:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Distance running!  And other knee-bending activities such as cycling</li> <li>Increasing mileage or intensity too quickly</li> <li>Lack of flexibility, especially in the IT band</li> <li>Lack of proper warm-up prior to activity</li> <li>Anything that puts increased stress on the outer leg…such as always running on a banked surface (think:  always against traffic on the road) or wearing improper shoes</li> </ul> <p><strong>Treatments for IT Band Syndrome include:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Rest!  Ahhh, every runner’s worst nightmare.</li> <li>Checking your shoes to make sure they’re the right type for your feet (check the wear on the bottom!) and making sure to rotate/replace your shoes at the proper intervals</li> <li>Change the direction you run!  Run on both sides of the street, run both directions on the track.</li> <li>Stretching!  Increased flexibility, especially of the IT band…when your muscles are warm.  “Sweat before you stretch.”</li> <li>Apply heat to the area prior to exercising, apply ice after exercise.</li> </ul> <p>Here are some examples of stretches for the iliotibial band, compliments of <a href="http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=6099" target="_blank">Running Times</a>:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/Stit7nWJARI/AAAAAAAAA2o/I5lo8rLQtrc/s1600-h/image%5B9%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/Stit76B8eKI/AAAAAAAAA2s/pt7_0XzKyic/image_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="320" height="304" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/Stit8STrzKI/AAAAAAAAA2w/1WmLpSpd6EU/s1600-h/image%5B10%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/Stit8xoCtjI/AAAAAAAAA20/S-LhvDUL46U/image_thumb%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="233" height="304" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>So what’s the main treatment for IT Band Syndrome?  Figuring out what the <strong>cause</strong> of it is and removing that factor.  I’m not necessarily sure what caused mine to flare up.  I’ve worn the same shoes since I was 17 (that’s eight years!) and I replace them at the proper intervals.  I run mostly on a trail which is flat…even if it’s not, I run out and back on the same side (mostly), so I’d be mixing it up.  I increased my mileage properly, and I’ve successfully trained for marathons before so I know my body can handle the volume.  </p> <p>One activity I don’t do religiously is stretch.  When my mileage creeps up, less time is available for stretching and strength training, and they tend to fall by the wayside in my life.  Perhaps my IT band is just tight and I need to do some stretches to loosen it up.  I’m not flexible by any means, so hopefully some flexibility work will help with the pain.  I’ve certainly done the resting part…I haven’t run in a month, and I took the first week completely off…no biking or anything.  I’m hoping that by stretching and continuing to ice, I’ll be able to run again soon.  I would still like to run the Philadelphia Marathon, although at this point I realize I won’t be setting any records!</p> <p>Hopefully this post was at least somewhat informative!  I’m hoping that I will be able to implement some stretching that will allow me to run again…stay tuned!</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-69015793976013308412009-10-15T10:31:00.001-05:002009-10-15T10:31:20.824-05:00New Domain Help!<p>It’s a rainy day here in Pennsylvania…that doesn’t bode very well for my biking adventures!  I’m much more wimpy when it comes to biking than running…I can run through most anything, but biking isn’t quite the same.  I still have a little bit of a sniffle, so I won’t chance it.  I’m going to the sports medicine doctor tomorrow, so hopefully we’ll sort out this whole not-running thing.  It’s been almost a month!  Yikes.</p> <p>**********************************************************************</p> <p>In blog news, I’m thinking about transferring to my own domain…moving up in the blog world?  Maybe not, but I think it would let me try new things with my blog and such.  I’ll think of it like a new toy!  Anyway, the current problem is that “nuseontherun.com” is already taken!  I suppose I should have looked into that prior to naming my blog…but then again, I never really thought that I would try moving to my own domain.  So the dilemma presents itself…Do I:</p> <ol> <li>Change the name of my blog to fit the URL?  This would involve actually thinking of a new name…</li> <li>Come up with something similar to “Nurse on the Run” for the URL?  Such as:  runnerRN.com.  I feel that could be confusing.</li> <li>Just do "susanruns.com”…Right to the point, if nothing else.</li> <li>Something else?  I’m open.</li> </ol> <p>I ask you, blog world, to help with my little dilemma!  It’s nothing earth-shattering, but I know some of you have made the switch to your own domain and may have some insight.  Let me know!</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-6004710655561763492009-10-14T14:53:00.001-05:002009-10-14T14:53:10.230-05:00Thank you Frayed Laces!!<p> If you’ve been around the blog world, you probably know about <a href="http://frayedlaces.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Frayed Laces</a>.  If you don’t, you should…go check out her blog now!  She’s a Hawaii-living, grad student researching, marathoning and triathloning blogger…who happens to lead a pretty cool live!  Recent adventures involve spending some time with Brooks <a href="http://frayedlaces.blogspot.com/2009/08/brooks-run-happy-day.html" target="_blank">in a lab</a> and <a href="http://frayedlaces.blogspot.com/2009/06/report-from-brooks-run-camp-part-1.html" target="_blank">at camp</a>!  To share the Brooks love, Frayed Laces had a <a href="http://frayedlaces.blogspot.com/2009/09/brooks-run-happy-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Brooks Run Happy Giveaway</a>!  The idea was simple:  I<em>f you were Brooks CEO for a day, what would be the top three things you would change in your running shoes?  </em>You could enter some practical ideas, as well as not so practical ones for the Frayed Laces Special.  I love a good giveaway, especially related to my favorite running shoe company, so enter away I did!  Little did I know that my nerdiness would pay off with my entry of:</p> <p><em>Add moon bounces to the shoes!! When I was at Space Camp (nerd alert!), we all had a chance to be in the 1/6th gravity chair simulator, where you could bounce around like you were on the moon with 1/6th of the gravity of the Earth. How fun would marathoning be if you could moon bounce your way to the finish line??</em></p> <p>Yes, I went to Space Camp when I was in the sixth grade.  It was AWESOME.  I saw a shuttle launch and got to go on all these cool simulators.  You’re jealous, admit it.  (The Rocket Scientist also went to Space Camp…add that to the cuteness factor.)  Moving on.</p> <p>I looooooove getting mail, so I was super excited when an envelope was sticking out my front door!  I won the Frayed Laces Special (quite an honor, if you ask me), and my package of goodies arrived today.  Here’s the magic:</p> <p align="center"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Frayed Laces Special (6)" border="0" alt="Frayed Laces Special (6)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StYsGR89fhI/AAAAAAAAA14/ufz11CGfn1w/Frayed%20Laces%20Special%20%286%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" />Nothing excites me more than a package in the mail!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StYsG08x_lI/AAAAAAAAA18/VTkNaV7kOU8/s1600-h/Frayed%20Laces%20Special%20%282%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Frayed Laces Special (2)" border="0" alt="Frayed Laces Special (2)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StYsHKn_kgI/AAAAAAAAA2A/yp8kzCay73M/Frayed%20Laces%20Special%20%282%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Look at all that good stuff!!</p> <p align="left">Time for some close-ups:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StYsHinHbWI/AAAAAAAAA2E/-OYQTWXnUh8/s1600-h/Frayed%20Laces%20Special%20%283%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Frayed Laces Special (3)" border="0" alt="Frayed Laces Special (3)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StYsH3ugjyI/AAAAAAAAA2I/aGA8Mwcs238/Frayed%20Laces%20Special%20%283%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a>Brooks stuff…and a note from Frayed Laces herself!</p> <ul> <li> <div align="left">Note from Frayed Laces…how cool!</div> </li> <li> <div align="left">A Brooks Guide to Injury Free Running…how timely with my current running hiatus!  It even has a little chart with eight common running injuries…Iliotibial Band Syndrome included!  (Which is what I think I have…to be confirmed or denied on Friday!)</div> </li> <li> <div align="left">A Brooks book…Handmade by Frayed Laces from an old Brooks shoe box.  I love it!</div> </li> </ul> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StYsIG2X5zI/AAAAAAAAA2M/ClY22Erdgrc/s1600-h/Frayed%20Laces%20Special%20%284%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Frayed Laces Special (4)" border="0" alt="Frayed Laces Special (4)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StYsIb5CYlI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/o7EMG0BQD6o/Frayed%20Laces%20Special%20%284%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Recovery and Injury info and prevention…definitely timely.</p> <ul> <li> <div align="left">Japanese injury and stretching book…complete with interesting pictures and lots of Japanese that I don’t understand!  I will try to decipher if any can help me with my current injury.  :)</div> </li> <li> <div align="left">“Pain Relieving Plaster”…also Japanese.  Looks like an icy-hot band-aid.</div> </li> <li> <div align="left"><a href="http://www.recoverysock.com/" target="_blank">RECOVERY SOCKS</a>!!  I kept putting off buying them…Soooo excited!  I may or may not have put them on right away (okay, see below for photo evidence), and I’m definitely wearing them tomorrow and work.  Yes!!</div> </li> </ul> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Frayed Laces Special" border="0" alt="Frayed Laces Special" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StYsIjiULFI/AAAAAAAAA2U/WO-znWME1hw/Frayed%20Laces%20Special_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /> <p align="center"> Recovery socks!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StYsJBrSoTI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/4dZEXz8V5YY/s1600-h/Frayed%20Laces%20Special%20%285%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Frayed Laces Special (5)" border="0" alt="Frayed Laces Special (5)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StYsJZ-5CDI/AAAAAAAAA2c/YJNPz-mdKUA/Frayed%20Laces%20Special%20%285%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a>Some running necessities.  :)</p> <ul> <li> <div align="left">Hand wipes!  You never know when you’ll need some on a long run post-bathroom.</div> </li> <li> <div align="left">Toilet paper…see above!</div> </li> <li> <div align="left">Power Bar for pre-long run energy…can you believe I’ve never actually had a Power Bar before?  I’ll have to give it a try!</div> </li> <li> <div align="left">“Pocari Sweat” = Japanese Gatorade…we’ll have to see how it compares.</div> </li> <li> <div align="left">Lava Energy Gel…maybe this will be a gel I can actually swallow?? </div> </li> </ul> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>This made my day!!  I was so excited win the Frayed Laces Special and check out the goodies.  I love it…Thank you so much <a href="http://frayedlaces.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Frayed Laces</a>!  Be sure to head over and check out her blog…you won’t be disappointed!</p> <p>************************************************</p> <p>Time to take off the recovery socks and head to Princeton.  I’ve got a fun activity planned for tonight!  I took a rest day today because I’ve got the sniffles and am a little achy.  I got the flu shot last night, and she definitely got it into my muscle!  (Note:  I don’t think my sniffles are from the flu shot…I had a headache last night so I think it’s just an October cold…woo!)</p> <p>Alright, I’m off!  Thanks again FL!</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-63352458278902919662009-10-12T12:52:00.001-05:002009-10-12T12:52:26.474-05:00Mediterranean Chicken a la Martha<p>Being a faithful reader of <a href="http://lostandallalone.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sarah</a>’s blog, I have come to love Martha recipes as Sarah cooks her way through one of Martha’s cookbooks.  When in a bind (or at the Rocket Scientist’s and therefore sans cookbooks), I hit up the <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/food" target="_blank">Martha Stewart Food</a> website for some ideas.  The recipes are usually pretty quick and fairly healthy, so they’re right up my alley!  Yesterday prior to grocery shopping, I selected <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/mediterranean-chicken?" target="_blank">Mediterranean Chicken</a> as my meal of choice for the week.  (Cooking for one for me means making one meal to last almost all week!).</p> <p>Let’s see how mine turned out:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StNs1AozKCI/AAAAAAAAA1o/69mFxyl0F-o/s1600-h/101209%20Mediterranean%20Chicken%20and%20Spinach%20Salad%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="101209 Mediterranean Chicken and Spinach Salad" border="0" alt="101209 Mediterranean Chicken and Spinach Salad" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StNs1tjTFpI/AAAAAAAAA1s/FxhwxjMCVDE/101209%20Mediterranean%20Chicken%20and%20Spinach%20Salad_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Mediterranean Chicken + Kashi Pilaf</p> <p align="left">I admittedly set off the smoke detectors while cooking…I guess the olive oil reached it’s smoke point!  Oops!  I opened all the windows, which makes it a little chilly in here, but that’s what sweatshirts are for.  :)  I really like the <a href="http://www.kashi.com/products/kashi_pilaf_original" target="_blank">Kashi pilaf</a>…it was easy to make (threw it in the rice cooker!) and has a nice nutty flavor.  The chicken is quite tasty…anything with olives is made infinitely better!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StNs2IB5D5I/AAAAAAAAA1w/MGrsu4aCCwk/s1600-h/101209%20Mediterranean%20Chicken%20and%20Spinach%20Salad%20%282%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="101209 Mediterranean Chicken and Spinach Salad (2)" border="0" alt="101209 Mediterranean Chicken and Spinach Salad (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StNs2VCPfMI/AAAAAAAAA10/S3UZ1y23lPY/101209%20Mediterranean%20Chicken%20and%20Spinach%20Salad%20%282%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Spinach salad!</p> <p align="left">On the side I’m currently eating a spinach salad…complete with strawberries, dried cranberries, feta cheese, pecans, and a raspberry walnut dressing.  Gotta squeeze that iron in.  :)</p> <p align="left"><strong>on the <strike>run</strike> bike front</strong></p> <p align="left">I biked in Princeton for about an hour and a half yesterday…my garmin’s battery was dead so I have no clue how far I went.  Back to the old days of just using a watch!  Although I didn’t even have a watch, so I just went by the time on my cell phone.  A little more relaxed environment than staring at the data on my wrist.  The Rocket Scientist ran seventeen miles while I was biking…his training is going well, and we’re hoping he qualifies for Boston in November so we can run both run Boston in April.  He finished the <a href="http://susanruns.blogspot.com/2009/05/100th-post.html" target="_blank">Delaware Marathon in 3:13</a> this year, so he’s close!  Fingers crossed.</p> <p align="left">I’m also heading to a sports medicine doctor on Friday, so hopefully I can at least get some direction in what’s going on with my leg.</p> <p align="left"><strong>giveaway!</strong></p> <p align="left">The aforementioned Sarah is having a <a href="http://lostandallalone.blogspot.com/2009/10/giveaway-and-some-goals.html" target="_blank">giveaway</a>!  She’s a planner galore and wants to assist you in your future planning.  Check it out!</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-75195356386987425152009-10-11T22:02:00.001-05:002009-10-11T22:02:21.620-05:00A Photographic Philly Wedding<p>It’s Sunday night…where did this weekend go??  I know exactly where…Philly!  The Rocket Scientist’s sister got married this weekend in downtown Philly, and it was quite the site to be seen!  Lucky for you, I took lots of pictures.  :)  This was our second wedding in three weeks (first can be viewed <a href="http://susanruns.blogspot.com/2009/09/wedding-weekend.html" target="_blank">here</a>!), so it was interesting to see the differences between the two.  Here we are, a photographic journey into my weekend!</p> <p><strong>Friday Night – Rehearsal</strong></p> <p>I was actually supposed to work on Friday night, therefore missing the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner…I was just going to head down on Saturday for the actual ceremony and ensuing festivities.  When I showed up at work on Friday, I jokingly said that I would go home if they didn’t need me, but they hadn’t heard about staffing yet.  We got the word on how many nurses we needed…and then another nurse showed up!  She had been called off but didn’t have her cell phone with her, so she headed to work anyway.  Since we had an extra nurse, they said we could battle it out about who would stay and who would go.  The other nurse remembered that I had something else to do tonight, so she said she would stay.  Yay!  Night off.  :)  I raced back home to shower and pack and head down to Philly.  I ended up missing the actual rehearsal,  but I made it in plenty of time for the rehearsal dinner!</p> <p>The rehearsal dinner was hosted at the <a href="http://www.vesperboatclub.org/" target="_blank">Vesper Boat Club</a>, which is on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boathouse_Row" target="_blank">Boathouse Row</a> in Philly.  The area is very pretty at night, with all the boat houses lit up…definitely gives a good view from the highway, but it was fun to be on the other side!  When we first showed up, some of the crew teams were still out on the water.  The view of the city was quite nice:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKb71NI1lI/AAAAAAAAAyE/0_t1lNcjJSM/s1600-h/EC%20Rehearsal%20Dinner%20%282%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="EC Rehearsal Dinner (2)" border="0" alt="EC Rehearsal Dinner (2)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKb8qFkW7I/AAAAAAAAAyI/noqxGn1Mjzg/EC%20Rehearsal%20Dinner%20%282%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> It’s no Chicago, but I guess it works. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKb8xeI6lI/AAAAAAAAAyM/26e5YCch7VM/s1600-h/EC%20Rehearsal%20Dinner%20%2812%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="EC Rehearsal Dinner (12)" border="0" alt="EC Rehearsal Dinner (12)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKb9X6VS8I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/dHeEMynLK4w/EC%20Rehearsal%20Dinner%20%2812%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Lights of Vesper from the deck.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKb9esjKVI/AAAAAAAAAyU/sndRaxsM5gM/s1600-h/EC%20Rehearsal%20Dinner%20%287%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="EC Rehearsal Dinner (7)" border="0" alt="EC Rehearsal Dinner (7)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKb9_vn-lI/AAAAAAAAAyY/s9FTl7HwxEw/EC%20Rehearsal%20Dinner%20%287%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a> University of Pennsylvania’s boat house.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKb-EixuxI/AAAAAAAAAyc/6abde5LTXh8/s1600-h/EC%20Rehearsal%20Dinner%20%2822%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="EC Rehearsal Dinner (22)" border="0" alt="EC Rehearsal Dinner (22)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKb_FEoq0I/AAAAAAAAAyg/XSDI1ad-Y98/EC%20Rehearsal%20Dinner%20%2822%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a>Hanging out in the window.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKb_bu6NuI/AAAAAAAAAyk/iCvljrgVrJM/s1600-h/EC%20Rehearsal%20Dinner%20%2824%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="EC Rehearsal Dinner (24)" border="0" alt="EC Rehearsal Dinner (24)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcBfkWOFI/AAAAAAAAAyo/tpLfufk7hVo/EC%20Rehearsal%20Dinner%20%2824%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a>  Rocket Scientist sporting his mom’s lovely leopard print jacket.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Saturday – Play Time</strong></p> <p align="left">The Rocket Scientist’s family are not city people in the least.  Soooo when Saturday rolled around, there was no actual plan of action.  (And I quote:  “What is there to do around here?”  Ummm…anything your little heart desires!  Anyway.)  No one had to be anywhere until 3pm, so we had plenty of time to play.  After sitting around in the hotel for awhile, we finally headed out into the city.  The wedding was to be at the <a href="http://www2.fi.edu/" target="_blank">Franklin Institute</a>, so we headed over there to check out the exhibits and such beforehand.  It brought back memories because we visited there many times when I lived outside Philadelphia as a wee little one.  (Ages 1-6!)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcBu_gzsI/AAAAAAAAAys/CsXASjPmWUc/s1600-h/Franklin%20Institute%20%282%29%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Franklin Institute (2)" border="0" alt="Franklin Institute (2)" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcBxVJKAI/AAAAAAAAAyw/BbpQAWbx0Y0/Franklin%20Institute%20%282%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcCKhPZJI/AAAAAAAAAy0/xYiOuKFyKRY/s1600-h/Franklin%20Institute%20%283%29%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Franklin Institute (3)" border="0" alt="Franklin Institute (3)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcCewTqmI/AAAAAAAAAy4/n83Fq2bnuSo/Franklin%20Institute%20%283%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a>  </p> <p align="center">The Pendulum that demonstrated that the Earth rotates…every 25 minutes it knocks off a different peg.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcDISVmuI/AAAAAAAAAy8/_2eexL121v0/s1600-h/Franklin%20Institute%20%2810%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Franklin Institute (10)" border="0" alt="Franklin Institute (10)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcDfTyDKI/AAAAAAAAAzA/g3KZTMMZ7JI/Franklin%20Institute%20%2810%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a> Touring the giant walk-through heart!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcDonPPrI/AAAAAAAAAzE/FwAFlGstAHY/s1600-h/Franklin%20Institute%20%2813%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Franklin Institute (13)" border="0" alt="Franklin Institute (13)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcDyMa1sI/AAAAAAAAAzM/KTLt9Urpz6E/Franklin%20Institute%20%2813%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Learning about arteries and blood flow…keep your heart healthy!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcEMS1eCI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/9V2134CwKQo/s1600-h/Franklin%20Institute%20%2815%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Franklin Institute (15)" border="0" alt="Franklin Institute (15)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcErbZvgI/AAAAAAAAAzU/TiyKr2oI_0A/Franklin%20Institute%20%2815%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a> The Rocket Scientist learning about lift!  Not that he didn’t know about it already…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcE8iwHoI/AAAAAAAAAzY/b3OctLp-WjY/s1600-h/Franklin%20Institute%20%2818%29%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Franklin Institute (18)" border="0" alt="Franklin Institute (18)" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcFaAWBhI/AAAAAAAAAzc/DJIzW8HTjJ0/Franklin%20Institute%20%2818%29_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="257" /></a> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcFmtp2lI/AAAAAAAAAzg/L3hCrFcEl9A/s1600-h/Franklin%20Institute%20%2820%29%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Franklin Institute (20)" border="0" alt="Franklin Institute (20)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcF_XOgbI/AAAAAAAAAzk/-Z7FQx9Enuo/Franklin%20Institute%20%2820%29_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="257" /></a></p> <p align="center">We’re flying!</p> <p align="left">After we left the Franklin Institute so the boys could get changed for the wedding, the RS and I went on a hunt for a card…because he was clearly planning ahead.  After walking a few blocks, some friendly pedestrians pointed us in the direction of a CVS.  As we <strike>strolled</strike> power walked along, we passed this beauty:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcGe5X7rI/AAAAAAAAAzo/CM-zXUigaHM/s1600-h/Franklin%20Institute%20%2822%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Franklin Institute (22)" border="0" alt="Franklin Institute (22)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcGm7g3kI/AAAAAAAAAzs/oeKsqRE1Zv8/Franklin%20Institute%20%2822%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> BAKERY!!</p> <p align="left">When my dad lived in Philly back in the day (like…wayyyyy back in the day), he used to live a few blocks from the <a href="http://www.swisshausbakery.com/" target="_blank">Swiss Haus Bakery</a> and loved one of the cakes that they had.  When my parents came to visit in August, we walked outside his old apartment and found this bakery.  While he said the cake was different than he remembered, the goods were still fabulous.  Since I can’t pass up the chance to stop at a bakery, I went in while the RS powered on to CVS.  Please note that the guy working in the bakery laughed at my photography as I stood outside.  Maybe I should try to get a job there…then I could eat/bake this deliciousness on a daily basis:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcG8bxOvI/AAAAAAAAAzw/wM2PQYnGV0I/s1600-h/Franklin%20Institute%20%2823%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Franklin Institute (23)" border="0" alt="Franklin Institute (23)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcHCQGClI/AAAAAAAAAz0/7EiuCDO3NBI/Franklin%20Institute%20%2823%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Rocky Road Brownie!!!  Normally I hate nuts in my brownies, but this was tasty.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Saturday – The Big Event</strong></p> <p align="left">Saturday night was the big night!  Since it was at a museum, it was a rather late event.  The actual ceremony was in the Planetarium, so of course the crowds had to clear out before we could head in!  Pictures were first taken outside…luckily the sun came out in the afternoon for some pretty pictures.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcHQGy_hI/AAAAAAAAAz4/BjS4t3TOkbM/s1600-h/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Erin and Chris Wedding" border="0" alt="Erin and Chris Wedding" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcH2zmFaI/AAAAAAAAAz8/zu2uIFnsuos/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a>Rocket Scientist’s family with the bride and groom.  Three other wedding parties were also taking pictures.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcIPqmUiI/AAAAAAAAA0A/Hw4iVSgB04g/s1600-h/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%286%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Erin and Chris Wedding (6)" border="0" alt="Erin and Chris Wedding (6)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcIkremKI/AAAAAAAAA0E/D_r9jRf8z_c/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%286%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a> Woo!  Thanks to my friend for actually picking a bridesmaid dress I could wear again!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcI0wz15I/AAAAAAAAA0I/AW4J2NGVEfY/s1600-h/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%284%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Erin and Chris Wedding (4)" border="0" alt="Erin and Chris Wedding (4)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcJRXcxzI/AAAAAAAAA0M/WFrJeEl8c-w/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%284%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> View of City Hall (and Ben!) from Logan Square.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcJnjK3-I/AAAAAAAAA0Q/6EZqzoqRi74/s1600-h/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2814%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Erin and Chris Wedding (14)" border="0" alt="Erin and Chris Wedding (14)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcJp4RNEI/AAAAAAAAA0U/CAE3v-T3G2s/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2814%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a> Married!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcJ9Kx_7I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/zXAzpim2bNg/s1600-h/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2816%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Erin and Chris Wedding (16)" border="0" alt="Erin and Chris Wedding (16)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcKarEueI/AAAAAAAAA0c/DRV61v7JzIU/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2816%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a> The reception was in the main hall…no joke, we ate at the feet of Ben Franklin. <br /> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcKkFAUeI/AAAAAAAAA0g/UcVvpPocK1o/s1600-h/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2819%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Erin and Chris Wedding (19)" border="0" alt="Erin and Chris Wedding (19)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcKwQhlVI/AAAAAAAAA0k/mXRrJkmI_JA/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2819%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="304" /></a>Menu!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcLGuMzrI/AAAAAAAAA0o/llyJj7Nh17g/s1600-h/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2825%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Erin and Chris Wedding (25)" border="0" alt="Erin and Chris Wedding (25)" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcLZfuTbI/AAAAAAAAA0s/ptK95vBSNg8/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2825%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcLXD6i4I/AAAAAAAAA0w/7s3Rp7CoC8s/s1600-h/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2830%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Erin and Chris Wedding (30)" border="0" alt="Erin and Chris Wedding (30)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcL2Sl8oI/AAAAAAAAA00/G9ry936hBYM/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2830%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a> The salad was AMAZING.  I had Sea Bass for dinner…tasty tasty!  Definitely some of the best wedding food I’ve ever had…I usually feel like it leaves something to be desired, but this was awesome.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcMCPRNiI/AAAAAAAAA04/s7jdRkyaI9M/s1600-h/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2841%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Erin and Chris Wedding (41)" border="0" alt="Erin and Chris Wedding (41)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcMbK-ITI/AAAAAAAAA08/ruenHsjr9_g/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2841%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Not going to lie…I wasn’t too impressed with the cake.</p> <p align="center">Okay…LET THE AWESOME PICTURES BEGIN.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcMdDsQYI/AAAAAAAAA1A/0M1YvAoqLgw/s1600-h/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2836%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Erin and Chris Wedding (36)" border="0" alt="Erin and Chris Wedding (36)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcMxzPqXI/AAAAAAAAA1E/3zJH8bpNwgI/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2836%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a>  I told you he’s nerdy…the socks/glasses were for the wedding pictures…each groomsman had a different color! <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcNFmO_fI/AAAAAAAAA1I/X0Sf4Egb3BU/s1600-h/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2842%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Erin and Chris Wedding (42)" border="0" alt="Erin and Chris Wedding (42)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcNWgxdEI/AAAAAAAAA1M/0MKtQUjioJ8/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2842%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> The Rocket Scientist found another scientist!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcNgbkAWI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/d9ujTqxIdEo/s1600-h/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2843%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Erin and Chris Wedding (43)" border="0" alt="Erin and Chris Wedding (43)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcN81klAI/AAAAAAAAA1U/wVppvAB5gUw/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2843%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> The heart is an awesome muscle…so I flexed mine!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcON9sVpI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/KRx8YSyL0Uo/s1600-h/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2853%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Erin and Chris Wedding (53)" border="0" alt="Erin and Chris Wedding (53)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcOvla6KI/AAAAAAAAA1c/Pg_tRaJTxSs/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2853%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Flashing our gang signs…that’s “EAST COAST” for the Rocket Scientist and “MIDWEST” for me.  :)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcO6PfQ9I/AAAAAAAAA1g/EQ3ah73z8eY/s1600-h/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2854%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Erin and Chris Wedding (54)" border="0" alt="Erin and Chris Wedding (54)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/StKcPKz1v1I/AAAAAAAAA1k/xGsRgpND1xY/Erin%20and%20Chris%20Wedding%20%2854%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a>Okay…that’s actually kind of cute.  </p> <p>It was a really fun weekend, filled with lots of good food!  Dancing was a little limited at the reception…everything was kind of broken up so it didn’t really get started.  Annnnd we got pulled away for lots and lots of pictures.  But that’s okay, fun was had by all.  It was one of the fancier weddings that I’ve been to, and I can’t say I’ll ever see anyone get married in the Franklin Institute again!  I hope everyone else has glorious weekends as well.</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-9082674621392300062009-10-08T12:24:00.001-05:002009-10-08T12:24:33.609-05:00Clearing My Mind: A Realization<p>One of the hardest parts about working my evening shift schedule is the fact that I can’t call and talk to my mom whenever I want.  Yes, I’m twenty-five years old and want to talk to my mom on a daily basis.  It was nice when I first move here because my first month was spent on day shift (evening chats!) and by the time I switched to evenings, my mom (the elementary school art teacher) was on summer break…I could call whenever I wanted!  I try to catch her during her lunch break now, but any longer chats are reserved for weekends or days off.  Therefore, when I do have a random day off work, I’ve been known to call my mom two-three times throughout the day.  I had already called my mom three times yesterday when I had a realization on my way to Princeton…so I called her one more time.</p> <p>It’s no secret that I’m not really happy right now.  I don’t like my job (and being my first and only job in nursing, it makes me question my career choice), I don’t really like where I live (middle of nowhere…I really wanted to be in a big city), I don’t know many people around here (I’m shy + work odd hours…it’s probably just excuses), and I can’t even run right now (biking just isn’t the same).  All of these are a bit difficult to contend with, but the main thing I realized on my drive to visit the Rocket Scientist was this:</p> <p><strong>For the first time in my life, I am not actively working towards a goal.</strong></p> <p>In high school, I was busy studying, running, playing in the band…to get into college.  Once in college, I wanted to go to medical school, so I was working hard at that and I had classes.  Once I realized I didn’t want to be a doctor, I put my effort into figuring out what else I wanted to do with my life…and I still had classes with immediate goals in front of me.  After graduating from Maryland, I had some time off but knew I was headed back to nursing school.  I spent all of 2008 in nursing school with little breathing room (that’s what you get for cramming two years into one!), and then post-nursing school was spent job hunting.  Like crazy.  My goal was getting a job.  Now I have that job, and I don’t have any immediate goals made for me.</p> <p>If I stayed where I am for the rest of my life (as some of the nurses at my hospital have!), it wouldn’t be totally crazy.  After all, I went to college (twice!), got a well-paying, supposedly rewarding (some days…not so much) job, and I could get married, have kids, and live the American dream.  (Okay, that was a bit over the top.)  Anyway, the point is that I no longer have those straightforward goals of midterms, projects, and applying for the next step in life.  For me, this is very disorienting because I feel like I have no direction.  I’m obviously not going to stay at this job forever,  but I don’t really know where to go from here.  I keep looking at graduate programs (in a wide variety of topics) because it seems like the next step.  The Rocket Scientist and all his grad school friends are still living the academic life (go PhD programs!), and my college roommate just went back to grad school for a PhD as well.  Not saying that’s what I need/want to do, but the academic life is definitely different than the “real world.”  Schedules are ruled by semesters and exams, while I don’t even know if I’ll be working on Christmas or not.</p> <p>But that’s not the point.  The point is that I feel lost because I don’t feel like I have goals right now, which is such a foreign feeling.  It’s never really been up to me to dictate my goals (outside of the larger “I’m going to nursing school” plan, etc), and this feeling of being stagnant and lost may contribute to my current unhappiness.  I called my mom to explain this to her, and she definitely agreed.  The working world is full of different goals than the school world.  For now, my goal may be to plan a vacation, make a new cupcake recipe every week, or learn a new hobby.  These are definitely different goals than learning the steps of the Krebs Cycle or creating a care plan for my patient at the hospital.  (Although I’m immensely glad that I no longer have to make care plans!)  My mom reminded me that I have a well paying job, and although I tend to get stuck upon the fact that I have loans to pay back, I have money to do things I want to do, like travel or take cooking classes or learn to paint or <em>whatever my little heart desires</em>.</p> <p>In the end, work is work.  Although it’s a big part of my life, at the end of the day, I go to work and get a paycheck.  That sounds terrible because I feel as though nurses are expected to say that they were called to nursing and care and would help people despite the paycheck…but let’s be serious.  Nursing is way too stressful for me to say anything like that.  The point is that I need to find something else to make me happy.  Whether that’s planning a trip to Europe for next summer, working part time at a bakery, or learning to teach group exercise classes (all things I’ve thought about doing!), I need to pick something and do it instead of dwelling on how much I don’t like my job or how I think other people are happier than me.</p> <p>Easier said than done.</p> <p>***************************************************************************************</p> <p>That was a bit long winded, but thanks to those who stuck through it.  Here are some questions for my readers!</p> <p><strong>For those who have graduated and are working, did you feel anything like this?  I can’t possibly be the only one who is (has) experience(d) this.</strong></p> <p><strong>What goals do you have for yourself?  Are you planning a wedding?  Taking a dance class?  Joining a flag football team?  Let me hear them!</strong></p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-86800646388036881922009-10-07T13:59:00.001-05:002009-10-07T13:59:25.709-05:00My two best friends<p>My leg still hurts!  I will be making an appointment to see a doctor.  Still pain when I try to run.  I start my workout by running half a block to see if today is the day…and it’s usually not so I hope on the bike.  I would like to introduce you to my two current best friends:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SszlCGcH5GI/AAAAAAAAAx0/dYb5tSF9CLk/s1600-h/Foam%20Roller%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Foam Roller" border="0" alt="Foam Roller" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SszlCm5iIEI/AAAAAAAAAx4/bBn8glMTCqI/Foam%20Roller_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a> The foam roller</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SszlC84FBjI/AAAAAAAAAx8/JXJY0q5rgCU/s1600-h/Ice%20Cup%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Ice Cup" border="0" alt="Ice Cup" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SszlDCMK5FI/AAAAAAAAAyA/Z1kWEbBRsC8/Ice%20Cup_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a> THE ICE CUP</p> <p></p> <p>During high school cross country when we had shin pain, we would all flock to the trainer’s room and grab some ice cups to use on our shins.  Admittedly, I did this even when I didn’t have shin pain because it was kind of fun.  The idea behind it is very simple…you fill some (wax-coated) cups with water, freeze them, then peel down the sides and rub all over where you have the pain for about 10-15 minutes.  For me, I use it on my outer thigh/knee.  This method has been shown to be more effective than icing alone, as you have the massage factor going on too.  It feels good for me.  I recommend the ice cup.</p> <p><strong>some good rides</strong></p> <p>When we got back from <a href="http://susanruns.blogspot.com/2009/10/hellooooo-college-park.html" target="_blank">Maryland</a> on Sunday, the Rocket Scientist had his 20 mile long run to do…and I had some biking to do.  I figured I’d go bike about ninety minutes, as the longest I’d gone this far was about seventy minutes.  I live right by a nineteen mile trail that I go on all the time, so I headed over there.  Once I got about 45 minutes out, I figured I must be near the end of the trail…so I kept going.  The end of the trail ended up being about fourteen miles away, so at that point I decided to go for an even thirty mile ride.  That’s a long way to ride, but I made it!  I think I did pretty good for my first two hour plus ride!</p> <p>Sunday, October 4 <br />30.08 miles in 2:13:07, avg pace of 4:26 (13.6 mph)</p> <p>Rest day on Monday…my legs were tired!  On Tuesday I decided to ride for about an hour, exploring a different part of the trail.  I ended up getting lost in the local state park, but a friendly park ranger pointed me in the right direction.  Yay!  This ride was pretty hilly…hills on a bike are so difficult!  But I made it and had a really fast ride based on my overall speed.  I must be getting better at this whole biking thing.</p> <p>Tuesday, October 6 <br />14.72 miles in 1:02:44, avg pace of 4:16 (14.1 mph)</p> <p>Ahhh legs were ridiculously tired today…and it was crazy windy!  I almost fell off my bike sideways…good thing I wear a helmet!  Really nothing else to write about this ride other than I wish I was on my feet!  I rode past a couple runners and all I wanted to do was tell them that I’m one of them…not that they really cared about my biking!</p> <p>Wednesday, October 7 <br />11.22 miles in 49:02, avg pace of 4:22 (13.7 mph)</p> <p><strong>cancelled-ish</strong></p> <p>I got called off for the first four hours of work tonight since I stayed about 45 minutes late last night.  I have to call at five to see if they want me to come in at seven…I don’t know whether to hope that I get called off the rest of the night (day off, woo!) or hope to go in for four hours (how bad can four hours be?  Plus, money is always nice.)  I guess we’ll see…</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-16186346832273443822009-10-06T09:23:00.001-05:002009-10-06T09:23:05.779-05:00Hellooooo College Park!<p>This is a bit overdue, but I had a glorious weekend in College Park!  It was very odd to go back to my alma mater and not really know many people.  Last time I was there, I had only graduated a few months earlier and therefore still knew many of the people on campus and in the band.  It was also homecoming so many more people showed up.  This time was quite different…the people who were freshmen when I was a senior are now seniors themselves (crazy!), and it was a random game instead of homecoming so the spectators were few and far between.  I was able to see many people who I went to school with, so that was exciting…but let me tell you…I felt so <em>old</em>.  Something about being around eighteen year olds really makes you realize how far you’ve come.  My goodness.</p> <p>Can we also note that I am not a fan of noon football games?  We left my house at about 6:45 in the morning to make it to campus in time for some tailgating…soooo early!!  Anyway, here’s the fun in pictures:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSnfngBpI/AAAAAAAAAwE/1n68BW1MEbs/s1600-h/DSC09717%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09717" border="0" alt="DSC09717" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSntE0xoI/AAAAAAAAAwI/zCi1JuPtXMc/DSC09717_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a> Maryland has these specially decorated Testudos all over campus…and this one is a Marching Testudo!  Love it.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSoMHhZQI/AAAAAAAAAwM/BJdnYHBcki8/s1600-h/DSC09718%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09718" border="0" alt="DSC09718" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSoTz0uEI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/BwtASi0ZS0w/DSC09718_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a>I hit my knee on the corner…showing Testudo who’s boss!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSo7ilnTI/AAAAAAAAAwU/SyLfbvqRvO4/s1600-h/DSC09720%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09720" border="0" alt="DSC09720" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSpd36G9I/AAAAAAAAAwY/cxbjrcm9jo0/DSC09720_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Pre-game tailgate with my dorm neighbor from sophomore year!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSp2cPhiI/AAAAAAAAAwc/paJVMEm5UJQ/s1600-h/DSC09728%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09728" border="0" alt="DSC09728" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSqCMIDhI/AAAAAAAAAwg/X-FJqeZn8q8/DSC09728_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a> Maryland flag in the end zone.  Fantastic.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSqicFWTI/AAAAAAAAAwk/Se1gU4qotlc/s1600-h/DSC09731%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09731" border="0" alt="DSC09731" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSqyc1PEI/AAAAAAAAAwo/picKe9D__JU/DSC09731_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> The band all lined up for pre-game…I remember those days!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSrd_3bXI/AAAAAAAAAws/nrcu_p5LYiY/s1600-h/DSC09733%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09733" border="0" alt="DSC09733" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSrnXLvxI/AAAAAAAAAww/Gp1k_TV1DVE/DSC09733_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Spelling out “Maryland” on the field…I remember being in the “a”!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSsBAptsI/AAAAAAAAAw0/terhr07Y7uo/s1600-h/DSC09738%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09738" border="0" alt="DSC09738" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSsSMavSI/AAAAAAAAAw4/XVtdcUtG-nQ/DSC09738_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Pretty view of Byrd Stadium.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSs7E8-iI/AAAAAAAAAw8/IB_zZZPB4BY/s1600-h/DSC09742%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09742" border="0" alt="DSC09742" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstStWy7qcI/AAAAAAAAAxA/Vctc9ceYHA0/DSC09742_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> My band buddy from senior year is now drum major…here she is leading the band!  I like to think I shaped her into what she is today.  :)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSth1-e1I/AAAAAAAAAxE/qyXBrmvnc74/s1600-h/DSC09746%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09746" border="0" alt="DSC09746" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSuFN_0HI/AAAAAAAAAxI/PYGjKyRzOFQ/DSC09746_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Aw I love Testudo!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSumAoIII/AAAAAAAAAxM/2-uTyjdeqHc/s1600-h/DSC09751%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09751" border="0" alt="DSC09751" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSu87Zg-I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/4DEJ8px3QIk/DSC09751_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Crowd surfing mascot!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSvrBL8eI/AAAAAAAAAxU/sC5Q3WnjFUg/s1600-h/DSC09756%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09756" border="0" alt="DSC09756" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSwGcLkmI/AAAAAAAAAxY/MnRsBW_-kaI/DSC09756_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> The Rocket Scientist and me and after the big win!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSwX9cehI/AAAAAAAAAxc/hLdS9WAJ3ZY/s1600-h/DSC09757%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09757" border="0" alt="DSC09757" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSw-tSV9I/AAAAAAAAAxg/Ty2-IPg-W6U/DSC09757_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> With one of the gigantic Testudos on campus…rub his nose for good luck!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSxBcX8QI/AAAAAAAAAxk/gGKfPwbIF9k/s1600-h/DSC09759%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09759" border="0" alt="DSC09759" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSxcava5I/AAAAAAAAAxo/ISOtGO8RdYw/DSC09759_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a> Chris was my bus buddy senior year…we sat together during all the band trips, so when we hopped on the shuttle bus, I knew it was picture time!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSx6Ho9uI/AAAAAAAAAxs/GbluhV7j5l0/s1600-h/DSC09761%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09761" border="0" alt="DSC09761" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SstSyadXHiI/AAAAAAAAAxw/8JeWLL2V8CM/DSC09761_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> At the bar with Julianne, my band buddy!  I’ve never felt so old in a bar before…</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The game itself was quite exciting…We were expected to lose (boo!), but we managed to pull through and win.  Both teams spent about ten minutes going back and forth on our 30 yard line, which made for a nail biter in the end!  The Clemson field goal kicker missed two (yes, two!  I know what he’s doing this week…) field goal attempts that would have tied the game.  Luckily, we pulled through and won.  Woohoo!  I think the Rocket Scientist and I are good luck and we need to attend more games.  Obviously the solution here.</p> <p>After the game, we headed to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner (which is now open in College Park!  Oh how I wish they had one when I went to school there), which was quite tasty.  Then we headed out to the bars with my now of-age friends.  I can’t believe they’re seniors!!  Next year I won’t know anyone at all!  Very sad.  The bar was an interesting experiencing, as apparently the style these days is to wear dresses that aren’t quite dresses…in fact, I’m not sure what you would call them, but they certainly didn’t cover much.  Also, while I may not quite look the part of 25 (even though my birth certificate says so!), I definitely felt old among this crowd.  So young!</p> <p>I always say that I would love to go back to college.  I love the college life…learning, going to class, projects, being involved in all the activities, etc.  I was never a huge partier or anything…I’m such a nerd.  :)  While I miss college, I realize now that I was done with it.  A part of me is sad saying that because walking around campus, I didn’t feel like it was “mine” anymore.  I’m no longer a student…other people call campus “home.”  I definitely miss the freedom and automatic group of 250 friends (go band!), but I suppose we all have to grow up sometime!</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-41879005054367892022009-10-02T11:30:00.001-05:002009-10-02T11:30:21.906-05:00Marching band nerds…I mean awesomeness<p><em>Dear doctor,</em></p> <p><em>Thank you for not biting my head off you returned a page that the previous shift had made and I wasn’t fully prepared to take your call.  I appreciate the fact that you kindly reminded me to have all the information at hand instead of screaming at me for wasting your time.</em></p> <p><em>Love, Susan</em></p> <p>In my defense, the patient had only been back about ten minutes, most of which were spent getting her back into bed and changing her diaper.  Like I said, I appreciate constructive criticism much better than I enjoy getting yelled at.  Overall, not a terrible week at work.  KNOCK ON WOOD.  This is probably the first week that I’ve worked all five days since…July?  That’s a bit crazy and super tiring.  My legs are tiiiiiired.  And I’m not even running much…blah.</p> <p>I’m thinking I should have a doctor check out my leg…I don’t even have a primary care doctor here yet.  (Is that bad?  I don’t know…)  My insurance website has a doctor look-up where you can search for doctors that take my insurance, and I found a sports medicine doctor nearby.  Maybe I should make an appointment…It’s been about two weeks since I’ve run and my leg still hurts.  Better safe than sorry…especially maybe with time to salvage my marathon attempt.  I hope.</p> <p><strong>M-A-R-Y-L-A-N-D</strong></p> <p>I’m so excited for tomorrow!  The Rocket Scientist and I are headed to Maryland to watch our Terrapins take on Clemson.  I haven’t been to a MD football game since Fall 2007…long overdue!  My post-college football experience is a bit different than my college football experience, as I spent four years in the glorious marching band.  While I loved it, I never tailgated or anything like that.</p> <p>Then:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsYqgb7UxsI/AAAAAAAAAvI/nCfyB74S37A/s1600-h/victory%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="victory" border="0" alt="victory" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsYqhpcmvdI/AAAAAAAAAvM/kx8npPQXH2g/victory_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="335" /></a> Pre-game rehearsal…freshman year!!  Guess which one is me??</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsYqh2-TwsI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/zlz6FlHOiFc/s1600-h/FIU%20Game%20004%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="FIU Game 004" border="0" alt="FIU Game 004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsYqifdxbwI/AAAAAAAAAvU/yjiXUcIlzG4/FIU%20Game%20004_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></a> Massage line?  Yes, please!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsYqih4gIEI/AAAAAAAAAvc/Bd1BeSU0AkE/s1600-h/FIU%20Game%20020%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="FIU Game 020" border="0" alt="FIU Game 020" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsYqiyn9K1I/AAAAAAAAAvg/5oiuGC_LiwA/FIU%20Game%20020_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="504" /></a> With the Rocket Scientist!  (Yes, I played the trombone…AWESOME.)</p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsYqjRqzgyI/AAAAAAAAAvk/qI1etyhpL94/s1600-h/FIU%20Game%20048%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="FIU Game 048" border="0" alt="FIU Game 048" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsYqjopoCwI/AAAAAAAAAvo/gXSFC5eLZoU/FIU%20Game%20048_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></a> Trucking into the game!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsYqkLPQ00I/AAAAAAAAAvs/tXZE8niYBok/s1600-h/before%20game%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="before game" border="0" alt="before game" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsYqkY38K3I/AAAAAAAAAvw/HDFcaU6DYk4/before%20game_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></a>Awesome pre-game picture of (half of) my section.  :)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsYqk5NFXeI/AAAAAAAAAv0/QgwX4Tt4JG4/s1600-h/WVU%20Game%20063%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="WVU Game 063" border="0" alt="WVU Game 063" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsYqlBbfrGI/AAAAAAAAAv4/mBI-w9e-43E/WVU%20Game%20063_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></a> Maryland shield on the field!</p> <p align="left">Now (circa Fall 2007):</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsYqmQKXecI/AAAAAAAAAv8/I0WZ9BINvPA/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsYqnEDyZCI/AAAAAAAAAwA/4jHjDAI3yUE/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></a> My first tailgate EVER with my roomie.  :)</p> <p align="left">SOOOOOO EXCITED.  <a href="http://run-girl-run.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jess</a>!  Let me know if  you’re going to be there…we can exchange numbers and have a bloggie meet-up!  I’m working tonight, but I’ll check back late tonight/tomorrow before we leave.  I hope to see you!</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-22863747684898891362009-09-30T12:47:00.001-05:002009-09-30T12:47:42.742-05:00in a rush<p><strong>always in a hurry</strong></p> <p>Yesterday was just another day at work…I started with four patients with the knowledge that I would be getting a post-op at some point during the night.  As the night went on, I realized that my post-op wouldn’t be coming up until late in the night.  While this bodes well for the rest of the night, it makes for a madhouse when they come up from the PACU at 9:00pm and I have ALLLLL the paperwork to do and four other patients to deal with…all while trying to get out on time.  I wouldn’t have been worried if my manager didn’t yell at me on a daily basis about getting out on time.  We’re just supposed to leave stuff for the next shift to do since nursing is a 24/7 job, but no one likes having stuff left for them.  I did most of the paperwork (OBSCENE AMOUNTS), but I did it in a hurry and I left hoping I didn’t forget to do something.  That’s all I think about all day.</p> <p>You’re not supposed to dread going into work, right?  Ugh.</p> <p><strong>the job search</strong></p> <p>On Sunday night, I applied to a job I (think I) would like…it’s at a large university hospital in the city.  Any tips on getting my foot in the door?  Should I call HR to “make sure” they got my resume?  Maybe it’s too soon to start looking…but maybe not.</p> <p><strong>biking, day three</strong></p> <p>I went “the other way” on the local trail today, which was fun to explore.  I don’t usually go that way because it becomes pretty isolated after about 2.5 miles, and I’m wayyyy too much of a worry-wart to be a female runner on an isolated trail.  But, on a bike…I worry less because I can fly away from any scary people.  :)  I biked the furthest that I have yet (okay…not say much) and for the longest time.  Woo!  The only problem with this way on the trail is that it is mainly downhill on the way out and uphill on the way back…yikes!  But I survived…my shin is kind of sore right now…I don’t think that’s from biking?  Biking isn’t supposed to hurt…right?  Gah.  I foam rolled when I got home…fantastic.</p> <p>Wednesday, September 30 <br />16.31 miles in 1:12:27, avg pace of 4:26 (13.5 mph)</p> <p>My speed was in between my two previous rides, so I’ll count that as a victory.  I guess.  I just miss my running shoes.</p> <p>Okay, I don’t really have anything exciting to report today.  Off to work…hoping it’s a good day…</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-41625305142264039492009-09-29T12:13:00.001-05:002009-09-29T12:13:58.444-05:00It’s All About the Bike<p>If you haven’t tuned in for awhile, you may not know that I am currently taking a break from running.  I haven’t successfully run more than two miles since <a href="http://susanruns.blogspot.com/2009/09/marathon-of-nursing-post.html" target="_blank">September 17</a>…yikes!  It started in my shin, and while my shin feels better now, something is weird with my knee.  My form isn’t correct at all, and it would be impossible to get through any sort of mileage without lots of pain and slow, slow, slow running.  Basically, it wouldn’t be constructive at all, and I’d probably ruin my shot at the Philadelphia Marathon.  So, I’m riding a bike for now.</p> <p>I’ve never really had to deal with any major injuries in my running career.  This is a pretty good feat, as I’ve been running since the seventh grade (circa 1997…check out <a href="http://susanruns.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-running-story.html" target="_blank">my running story</a>!).  That’s a long time to go without any major injuries, so I think I’m pretty lucky.  Every now and then my shins would hurt at the end of cross country season (and there was that one time when I ended my season during marching band practice…but I guess I tried to keep that out of my mind!), but overall, no major problems.  I’ve always been a runner and never much of a cross trainer, so I’m a bit at a loss of what to do.  The gym that I signed up for doesn’t open until November, so that doesn’t help me much now!  I would totally jump in the pool and such if I could.  For now, I am stuck riding the bike that I borrowed from the Rocket Scientist’s parents.</p> <p>I have no clue how to bike.  Sure, I rode my bike all the time when I was younger.  I was known for riding around the neighborhood, asking my friends to join me on a bike ride and we would ride and go play on local playgrounds for hours.  <em>Those were the days</em>.  Anyway.  Not for speed or a workout or anything.  I don’t even know what a “good” bike workout is, what gears to be in, how far to ride to attempt to simulate marathon training (although never a <em>real</em> comparison), etc.</p> <p><strong>Any insight would be lovely!  I know there are bloggers out there who faced similar situations.  Help this non-biker runner out!</strong></p> <p>I took the bike out for a spin yesterday and didn’t hate it too much, so I took it out again today.  I was a bit jealous biking by anyone who was running…it made me so sad!  I’ll be back there soon, I hope.  At least I’m getting in some cardio.  Here are my stats from garmin, even though I have no clue what they really mean or if they’re really any good at all!</p> <p>Monday, September 28 <br />13.51 miles in 1:03:01, avg pace of 4:40 (12.9 mph)</p> <p>Monday’s ride was on the local trail where I run, which has minimal hills.  Is 12.9 an okay pace?  Beats me.  Although I was thinking about it, and I was riding about as fast as the top male marathoners run.  That kind of made me sad…</p> <p>Tuesday, September 29 <br />10.02 miles in 43:25, avg pace of 4:20 (13.9 mph)</p> <p>HILLS ON THIS ROUTE.  I’m not sure which I like less…running up hills or biking up hills.  Neither one is particularly pleasant, although it is definitely more fun to bike down the hills!  I was flying on some parts…woo!</p> <p><strong>foam roller</strong></p> <p>Yowza!  Rolling out your IT band is painful!  I was going through the exercises on the DVD that the foam roller came with, and I kept thinking “oh, this isn’t too bad.”  Then we got to the IT band…gahhh what pain!  I guess that means it’s working??</p> <p>Time for some mental preparation for work…I had a good night last night and actually got out on time, but I’m always scared to go into work to find out that I missed something or that I made a mistake and didn’t realize it or something.  It happens…although I wish it didn’t…</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-40095465275376169172009-09-27T23:59:00.001-05:002009-09-27T23:59:47.327-05:00Wedding weekend!<p>Okay, I lied…here’s the wedding post now! It was so much fun!  While the weather wasn’t 100% perfect, the rain held off until everyone was in the reception hall, so I think it was cooperative enough.  The Rocket Scientist’s two friends from high school made up the lovely wedded couple…they’ve been dating since high school (we graduated in 2003!), so it was about time.  :)  RS has some fun friends from high school who I’ve met and seen throughout the years, and they were fun wedding company.  Since we all know a picture is worth a thousand words, let’s relive Saturday via photography…and you can see which dress I chose.  :)</p> <p align="center"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Driving Dog 2" border="0" alt="Driving Dog 2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCsZdVOhI/AAAAAAAAAt0/AMHWdyg6s5c/Driving%20Dog%202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" />We saw this dog chilling in the driver’s seat at a location prior to the wedding…I thought it was HILARIOUS.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCsUVioOI/AAAAAAAAAt4/pxw9C5Jnclo/s1600-h/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%2810%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Aj and Ange Wedding (10)" border="0" alt="Aj and Ange Wedding (10)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCsyEofDI/AAAAAAAAAt8/oG34ozGOt0k/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%2810%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> The bride and groom exchanging vows!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCtNa8YUI/AAAAAAAAAuA/I_-P0WJ17xI/s1600-h/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%2825%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Aj and Ange Wedding (25)" border="0" alt="Aj and Ange Wedding (25)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCtT0sriI/AAAAAAAAAuE/WAIsmdgd4Ow/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%2825%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> On the way to the car…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCtquRnfI/AAAAAAAAAuI/cVfjI_sPpxY/s1600-h/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%2811%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Aj and Ange Wedding (11)" border="0" alt="Aj and Ange Wedding (11)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCtwtGf9I/AAAAAAAAAuM/UWjSPAXVK7Y/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%2811%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a>Check out their ride!  An English taxi!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCuAS_L8I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/zZStXKbXBFc/s1600-h/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%2813%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Aj and Ange Wedding (13)" border="0" alt="Aj and Ange Wedding (13)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCua4uVDI/AAAAAAAAAuU/oYzo4hMwN_8/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%2813%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a> Rocket Scientist and me…in the blue dress!!  (It boogies quite well!)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCuRgYW6I/AAAAAAAAAuY/SnEu7Uw-H9I/s1600-h/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%2836%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Aj and Ange Wedding (36)" border="0" alt="Aj and Ange Wedding (36)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCusAXpxI/AAAAAAAAAuc/sVbufIHDbkU/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%2836%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a>Each table had its own pasta, and the favors were homemade pasta sauce!  The groom is Italian and has traveled Italy extensively. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCu6TiJFI/AAAAAAAAAug/wQu2i8e_9fQ/s1600-h/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%2830%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Aj and Ange Wedding (30)" border="0" alt="Aj and Ange Wedding (30)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCvFdS_xI/AAAAAAAAAuk/sgF5gs1Twf8/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%2830%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a>Blurry as can be first dance to Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCvDPiboI/AAAAAAAAAuo/5JJ9gqdBi8E/s1600-h/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%286%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Aj and Ange Wedding (6)" border="0" alt="Aj and Ange Wedding (6)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCvRD2RLI/AAAAAAAAAus/QLUHkBfooLk/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%286%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> LOVED the cake!  So pretty.  And tasty too!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCvmeqNCI/AAAAAAAAAuw/LpZni76A-BQ/s1600-h/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%2831%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Aj and Ange Wedding (31)" border="0" alt="Aj and Ange Wedding (31)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCv4XXQeI/AAAAAAAAAu0/AltqtFq0Kps/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%2831%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> I got the only vanilla slice at my table.  :)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCwGuRVHI/AAAAAAAAAu4/FGbUaFPCUxo/s1600-h/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Aj and Ange Wedding" border="0" alt="Aj and Ange Wedding" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCwMqyllI/AAAAAAAAAu8/b6OqyAJm7EU/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Rocket Scientist and his high school boys…and his dad…haha</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCwUskY4I/AAAAAAAAAvA/3zwxt8R_TFY/s1600-h/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%289%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Aj and Ange Wedding (9)" border="0" alt="Aj and Ange Wedding (9)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsBCwgP6A5I/AAAAAAAAAvE/il0E_OrONIY/Aj%20and%20Ange%20Wedding%20%289%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> High school girls/girlfriends of the boys…and RS’s mom.</p> <p align="left">I didn’t bring my camera on the dance floor, although lots of fun dancing was performed!  I may not have many moves (the only dance class I took was for a girl scout badge…), but I know how to have a good time!  We tried requesting Miley Cyrus’s <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToPS-hDZWWk" target="_blank">Party in the USA</a>, but it hasn’t reach the Billboard Top 100, so the DJ didn’t have it.  :(  That’s okay, we still got to boogie down to other classics.  The open bar is always quite nice, but I don’t remember the last time I had three glasses of wine and two beers…that may not be much to some of you, but I was quite sleepy when we got home!  I thought that the wedding ended a bit early, as we were cleared out around 10pm.  There was much talk about who was going to be fighting for the bouquet, but the bouquet toss never ended up happening!  I know I saw a bouquet labeled “tossing bouquet” on the head table, but they must have decided to skip that tradition.  It’s probably overrated, but it’s fun to watch girls fight for the bouquet!  I guess you can have a wedding without a bouquet toss…</p> <p align="left">Overall, the wedding was quite fantastic (what wedding isn’t??), and I have to gear up for the Rocket Scientist’s sister wedding in two weeks.  Wedding season is upon as…as is marathon season!  Or both, <a href="http://ifyoucantbeatthem.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">in some cases</a>…</p> <p align="left">I’m totally putting off going to bed…the later I stay up, the less quickly Monday comes…right?  Please say yes…</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-2087870764891516822009-09-27T23:23:00.001-05:002009-09-27T23:23:00.673-05:00Foam Roller Fun<p>I just wanted to do a quick post to demonstrate the glory of my recent purchases.  Since I’m still experiencing shin and knee pain while running, the Rocket Scientist and I headed over to his parents’ house to borrow a bike for my cross training purposes.  Since it’s been awhile since I rode a bike, we stopped at Dicks Sporting Goods to pick up a bike helmet (safety first!)…and we checked out their foam roller stock.  Score!  See below for fun.</p> <p align="center"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09712" border="0" alt="DSC09712" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsA6II7J79I/AAAAAAAAAtg/sRrIf_mwLjM/DSC09712_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" />Foam rolling is dangerous business…helmet needed!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsA6IRJP_lI/AAAAAAAAAtk/eSuX_HoT-6A/s1600-h/DSC09713%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09713" border="0" alt="DSC09713" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsA6IiLNf9I/AAAAAAAAAto/iBCXFIBYjCs/DSC09713_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Happy foam rolling!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsA6Iop2GqI/AAAAAAAAAts/S2XiDYqyS_w/s1600-h/DSC09714%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09714" border="0" alt="DSC09714" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SsA6JJkHneI/AAAAAAAAAtw/vJ13RGyiZpY/DSC09714_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Foam rolling is exhausting…</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Wedding recap coming tomorrow!</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-78533960743607206152009-09-25T12:48:00.001-05:002009-09-25T12:48:18.689-05:00Target: FAIL. Run: FAIL.<p><strong>nursing personality</strong></p> <p>Last night at work wasn’t too bad…until my post-op came back at 10pm!  I waited for her all shift, and then they sent her up a little after 10.  This does not bode well for getting out on time!  We’re supposed to leave stuff for the next shift (since nursing is a twenty-four hour job), but I hate leaving all that for the next shift since I hate being dumped on.  I got her fluids up, her pain under control, and called the doctor about her blood pressure.  That’s all I could do…and I still got out late since three of the nurses I was giving report to were coming from other floors.  They had to give report on the floor they were pulled to and then come up and get report.  I have a feeling I’m going to go into work today and be told that I just should have left without giving report because my manager is telling people to do that now.  That’s safe, right?  I have a license that I would like to keep.</p> <p>Anyway, one of patients (easy as pie patient to take care of!) told me last night that I went into the right profession for my personality.  It’s nice to hear that every once in awhile because we never really get positive feedback from our manager…just criticism.  For example, yesterday we were reviewing mistakes that I made a couple weeks ago.  You know, the second to <a href="http://susanruns.blogspot.com/2009/09/im-going-home.html" target="_blank">worst night</a> of my life at work?  (With the worst night being <a href="http://susanruns.blogspot.com/2009/09/marathon-of-nursing-post.html" target="_blank">Wednesday</a> of this I-hate-my-life week.)  I hate to say it…but mistakes will be made when I only have three months of experience and you give me six patients and zero time to think on a floor I work on.  Just saying.</p> <p><strong>target:  FAIL</strong></p> <p>So I went to Target today to get a foam roller, as I’m willing to try anything to help my shin (and now knee…more on that later) feel better.  First of all, there were mad amounts of traffic on the way to Target.  I live in a town of 4,000 people (okay, 5,600 now that the local college is back in session), but urban planning is nonexistent and I don’t think people work…at all.  Or maybe tons of old retired people live around here.  Either way, traffic was backed up for two miles.  I don’t understand this place.</p> <p>Anyway, I find the “exercise” section of Target, and the ONLY THING that they’re completely out of is the foam roller.  I had no clue they were so popular!  Time to hit up <a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, I suppose…</p> <p><strong>run: FAIL</strong></p> <p>My legs felt a little better today, so I figured I would try to go out for an easy, easy (emphasis on EASY) four mile run.  With the option to do three.  Or five.  Well, I made it to the end of my street (read:  about a tenth of a mile) and my knee felt all funny and my form was wayyyyy off.  This run clearly wasn’t going to go well.  I decided to detour and run around the block (about half a mile) to get a better gauge of how I was feeling.  With my limpy form, I decided to call it a day when I returned home.  I looked up Caitlin’s (from <a href="http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/" target="_blank">Healthy Tipping Point</a>) <a href="http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/2009/09/knee-pain.html" target="_blank">knee exercises</a> and did them…I’m open to anything, I just want to run again…</p> <p><strong>brrrr, it’s cold in here</strong></p> <p>Icing as we speak.  That was the only non-fail part of Target.</p> <p><strong>the dress dilemma</strong></p> <p>Looks like the blog world is split on my <a href="http://susanruns.blogspot.com/2009/09/dress-dilemma.html" target="_blank">dress dilemma</a>!  I’m going to consult my mother by phone tomorrow (pre-wedding…cutting the decision time so close!), but I do think that I need to consider the boogie factor.  <a href="http://susanruns.blogspot.com/2009/09/dress-dilemma.html" target="_blank">Yasi</a> reminded me of this important consideration…you have to be able to do the electric slide in the dress!  This makes me lean more towards the blue dress.  I know you’ll be on the edge of your seat all night waiting for my decision!</p> <p>Okay, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.  Happy Friday to everyone!</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-1939181540104887462009-09-24T11:13:00.001-05:002009-09-24T11:13:21.983-05:00Dress Dilemma<p>After work yesterday, I headed to the local (huge, massive) mall to get my mom’s birthday present (it’s in October…I can’t believe it’s almost October already!), and I walked around a little bit because I had some time to kill before heading to Princeton for the night.  I wandered into Macy’s and just happen to look at their dresses.  I have multiple weddings coming up, so for the past few months I’ve had my eye out for a new dress to wear to at least one or two of them.  However, I’m a bit picky and hate spending money, so I better really like what I buy!  It is also a little known fact that my mom is my favorite (and only!) person to shop with, which makes shopping a bit difficult when we are 650-some miles apart.  I narrowed down my choices to two and decided to buy both and then ask for opinions.  So, here we are!  My two options are:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SruanMzQJnI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/CTTem-v1Zpc/s1600-h/DSC09666%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09666" border="0" alt="DSC09666" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SruanuLACpI/AAAAAAAAAtU/5JdsRtjppxE/DSC09666_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="471" /></a> Black with red flair.  I loooove the color red, and I think adding anything red to a dress gives it a boost!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SruanxBjE1I/AAAAAAAAAtY/ivF-rUrQGqk/s1600-h/DSC09669%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC09669" border="0" alt="DSC09669" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SruaoUdXZCI/AAAAAAAAAtc/C2IuNzwF--k/DSC09669_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="471" /></a> Black top with a blue patterned bottom.  I love the shape of this dress, especially the neckline…which is surprising to me because I’m usually a strapless dress kind of girl!</p> <p>So, which one do you like better?  I really like the black/red dress, but I think that the black/blue one is more versatile.  It can be dressed up with heels or dressed down a little with some flats (or flip flops, as the case would be in my line of fashion).  Also, it seems a little more wedding-appropriate, if there is such a thing.  The black/red one seems much more formal to me, but I like the bottom on it a little better.  Thoughts?  Opinions?  Hate them both??  One wedding that I would be wearing this dress to is on Saturday (yay!), so I need to make a quick decision…totally not my style!  I look forward to hearing your picks!</p> <p><strong>on the sidelines</strong></p> <p>Taking another day off of running…I don’t remember the last time I went five days without running!  I don’t understand how people can sit around all the time since I feel like such a slug!  (It probably doesn’t help that I’m still eating like I’m running fifty miles this week…oops?)  I iced last night (with a bag of green beans, if that counts), and I’ll ice today before work and then when I get home.  Maybe tomorrow I’ll try heading out for a short run…we shall see.  I’d rather play it safe for the time being.</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-60585664584645728282009-09-23T20:05:00.001-05:002009-09-23T20:05:43.548-05:00IV Master<p><strong>if you need an IV, i’m your girl</strong></p> <p>Instead of working a normal shift tonight, I went to the hospital’s pre-op area to practice starting IVs all day.  People who are having outpatient surgery show up about an hour and a half before they’re scheduled for surgery, and a nurse starts an IV, draws any necessary labs, goes over the pre-op checklists, etc.  Basically, I got to start IVs on a bunch of people.  Let’s just say I was at 100% for the day!  I got each one on the first stick…woo!  However, I must say that these people have much better veins than some of the people we see up on the floor.  Since they’re coming and going from surgery in the same day, they’re generally a little bit healthier.  My confidence is still up, however!  This area of the hospital is MUCH less stressful than the floors, and it’s easy to see why older nurses work there after working at the bedside for so long.  I could see it getting old day after day, but it was definitely a nice change of pace.</p> <p><strong>mercy</strong></p> <p>As I blog, I’m watching the new nursing/medical show <a href="http://www.nbc.com/mercy/" target="_blank">Mercy</a>.  While I was slightly annoyed that the first five minutes of the show included a patient yelling about “stupid nurses,” I haven’t really seen enough to form a real opinion.  I identify slightly with the new grad nurse, who one review says she looks like she’s never been in a hospital.  For the record, I looked like a deer in the headlights for at least the first two weeks of orientation!  It doesn’t help that I look twelve.  I may not watch the show on a regular basis (since, you know, I’m usually working now!), I may tune in now and again.  I think that the media plays a huge role on how the public views nurses and the medical profession in general, so I think it’s important to tune into shows that have a nursing emphasis.  One of my patients today asked if the three little bubbles in her IV tubing would kill her like she saw on TV last week.  (The answer is no.)</p> <p><strong>i love me some leftovers</strong></p> <p>Over the weekend, I made some a <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Black-Bean-Tortilla-Casserole/Detail.aspx" target="_blank">Black Bean Tortilla Casserole</a>, compliments of <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Default.aspx" target="_blank">allrecipes.com</a>.  (Love that site!)  Anyway, this is a quick and easy recipe and makes for awesome leftovers…especially when you’re cooking for one.  :)  I probably should have halved the recipe, but I’ll be happily eating it all week!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SrrF4qamNpI/AAAAAAAAAtA/NU_7bL60iPs/s1600-h/092009%20Black%20Bean%20Taco%20Casserole%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="092009 Black Bean Taco Casserole" border="0" alt="092009 Black Bean Taco Casserole" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SrrF5Dc2uxI/AAAAAAAAAtE/fxdp_qqfLsw/092009%20Black%20Bean%20Taco%20Casserole_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Mmmm fresh out of the oven!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SrrF5RUibVI/AAAAAAAAAtI/438OHUMNGRE/s1600-h/092009%20Black%20Bean%20Taco%20Casserole%20%283%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="092009 Black Bean Taco Casserole (3)" border="0" alt="092009 Black Bean Taco Casserole (3)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SrrF5ySFq0I/AAAAAAAAAtM/zVszdvikfXg/092009%20Black%20Bean%20Taco%20Casserole%20%283%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> My slice with some tomatoes and green onions on top!</p> <p align="left"><strong>injured reserve</strong></p> <p align="left">Took another day off from running.  It hurt while walking around at work and going up and down stairs, so i figured another day would be a good idea.  Maybe tomorrow…</p> <p align="left"> <p>I’ve thought about getting a <a href="http://www.target.com/White-Ultimate-Foam-Roller-DVD/dp/B0007W2FEU" target="_blank">foam roller</a>…maybe that would help loosen me up a bit?  No clue.</p> <p><strong>randomness</strong></p> <p>Sorry about the randomness of my posts lately…I kind of like the variety, and I hope you do too!</p></p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-48402425023559932842009-09-22T20:05:00.001-05:002009-09-22T20:05:17.658-05:00Rest + shoe advice + dress! + pasta<p>As you may or may not have noticed, I haven’t posted about running for the past few days.  My last post about a “run” was on Saturday, and we all know what a <a href="http://susanruns.blogspot.com/2009/09/sometimes-all-you-need-is-some-good-old.html" target="_blank">disaster</a> that was.  My shin <em>still </em>hurts, which is terrible.  I decided to take some time off because it was very painful to run and I don’t want to risk injury at this point in the game.  Training has been going well and I don’t want to risk losing the marathon that’s two months away still.  I have plenty of time to recover (hopefully…) and still be in great shape for the marathon.  I kind of wish I had a bike or something so I could be doing some sort of cardio…sadly the gym I signed up for doesn’t open until November otherwise it would be PERFECT right now.  I’ll see how I feel tomorrow…maybe I’ll just try going out for a few miles.</p> <p><strong>it’s all in the shoes</strong></p> <p>I switched my shoes at work to a less old pair of old running shoes…I definitely need to buy better shoes.  Do any nurses/doctors/other people who spend wayyy too much time on their feet have any recommendations for good shoes?  I’ve heard about <a href="http://www.dansko.com/" target="_blank">Dansko</a> shoes, but they’re a bit expensive…although worth it if they’re really as great as people say they are.  Especially because I bet they last longer than three months, which is about how much I’m getting out of my running shoes!  (and that’s with rotation…yikes!)</p> <p><strong>here comes the bridesmaid</strong></p> <p>My friend who is getting married actually picked our bridesmaid dresses, as well as the color!  This is none other than a major victory, so I’m pumped.  This is the winner, color and all (no, that’s not me!):</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/Srl0SJJSOHI/AAAAAAAAAsw/qMXL_s8_x0o/s1600-h/image%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/Srl0Sp6t7UI/AAAAAAAAAs0/-YUf_kKVkko/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="219" height="304" /></a> <br />I headed over to the not-so-local David’s Bridal to try on sizes and placed my order, so it will be all mine in about six weeks!  We’re going to wear silver shawls during the ceremony because we have to have our shoulders covered.  My friend (another bridesmaid) is making them with her mom, so at least that will cut down on costs a bit.</p> <p><strong>cooking light presents</strong></p> <p>My mom sent me a subscription to <a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/" target="_blank">Cooking Light</a> (yay!) since I always read hers when at home, and they have some tasty recipes.  When I got my first issue, I immediately bookmarked some recipes!  I started with this <a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1918479" target="_blank">Fresh Tomato, Sausage, and Pecorino Pasta</a> recipe.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/Srl0S1Hl72I/AAAAAAAAAs4/x_Bl7K6QvZo/s1600-h/091709%20Sausage%20Pasta%202%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="091709 Sausage Pasta 2" border="0" alt="091709 Sausage Pasta 2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/Srl0TR6JpfI/AAAAAAAAAs8/UmtsSFIrtXI/091709%20Sausage%20Pasta%202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Not the best picture, but it was tasty!</p> <p align="left">I haven’t had sausage in awhile since it’s not really all that healthy, but it added a great taste to the pasta.  I would definitely make this again!  I also had some lemon-y asparagus on the side, which was fantastic.  This recipe seemed to make many more the the four servings that the recipe says it makes, which just means I get to enjoy it that much longer!</p> <p>Back to the Biggest Loser!</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-382467826099185072009-09-21T09:51:00.001-05:002009-09-21T09:51:24.661-05:00Yumminess: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough CUPCAKES<p>So I love to bake…no hiding that.  However, when I bake, I’m going to eat ALL of whatever I make, so I haven’t been doing that lately because I don’t have anyone to pawn my goodies off on on a regular basis.  I don’t feel comfortable taking them to work for whatever reason.  Anyway, I overcame my fears this weekend with a fantastic result.</p> <p>I love chocolate chip cookies…and cookie dough!  My favorite ice cream is chocolate chip cookie dough (especially of the <a href="http://www.turkeyhill.com/" target="_blank">Turkey Hill</a> variety), so what could be better than chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes?  If your answer is “nothing,” then you would be correct.  Read on for the deliciousness.</p> <p>I’m not that creative, so I scoured the internet for some recipes…yum!</p> <p><strong>Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Filling and Icing</strong></p> <p>For the cookie dough filling, I headed over to the <a href="http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2009/03/raw-cookie-dough-thats-safe-to-eat.html" target="_blank">Cupcake Project</a> to steal the eggless recipe, which allows you to have a chewy center and cookie dough frosting without any raw egg.  Sounds good to me!  For the frosting, all you do is take a cup of the filling and mix it with a half cup of heaving whipping cream.  Spreadable yum!</p> <li>2 C all-purpose flour </li> <li>1/2 t salt </li> <li>3/4 C unsalted butter, melted </li> <li>1 C packed brown sugar </li> <li>1/2 C white sugar </li> <li>1 T vanilla extract </li> <li>4 T milk</li> <li>Mini-chocolate chips to taste</li> <p>Throw everything into a bowl and mix!  As as <strike>pie</strike> cupcake!</p> <p>I recommend freezing the dough before baking it to help it maintain its “chewiness” instead of baking.  A nice surprise in the middle. </p> <p><strong>Vanilla Cupcakes</strong></p> <p>Now, you could safely use a vanilla (or chocolate, whatever) cupcake mix from a box, but where’s the fun in that?  I went searching for a super yummy vanilla cupcake recipe.  Success was found over at <a href="http://foodhappens.blogspot.com/2007/10/best-vanilla-cupcakes-ever.html" target="_blank">BURP!  Where Food Happens</a>.</p> <ul> <li>1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter</li> <li>1 1/2 cups sugar</li> <li>2 eggs</li> <li>2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract</li> <li>2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder</li> <li>1/4 teaspoon salt</li> <li>2 1/2 cups flour</li> <li>1 1/4 cups milk</li> </ul> <p>Heat oven to 375 degrees F.</p> <p> <br />Put butter in mixer and beat at medium speed until somewhat smooth. Pour in sugar and beat well. Add 2 eggs.  Mix well. Add: vanilla, baking powder, salt, flour, and milk. Beat it!</p> <p><strong>Cupcake Assembly</strong></p> <p>This is where I had to experiment.  Do I just fill the cupcake liners like normal and then drop the cookie dough in the center?  Fill halfway, drop the cookie dough in the center, and then top with some more batter?  Well, after my experiment, I would recommend the first method.  The cookie dough ball drops to the bottom anyway, and the batter bakes around it.  It may poke out the top a little, but it looks cute too.</p> <p><strong>Photo Evidence</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS0beRGHI/AAAAAAAAAro/7nz-ODBnTTA/s1600-h/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes" border="0" alt="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS0ydFbyI/AAAAAAAAArs/jaMCrCOVvi8/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a>Frozen cookie dough balls! <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS1OpvSCI/AAAAAAAAArw/-PzKvKwpJK8/s1600-h/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%285%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><strong><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (5)" border="0" alt="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (5)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS1tb3THI/AAAAAAAAAr0/JZRq4eDpkkc/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%285%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></strong></a><strong> </strong>Trial #1:  Covered cookie dough balls</p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS18eV8BI/AAAAAAAAAr4/2gRttKukWpo/s1600-h/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%286%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (6)" border="0" alt="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (6)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS2HLCTTI/AAAAAAAAAr8/Efzl9RtvkWs/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%286%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a>Trial #2:  Uncovered cookie dough balls…success! <br /> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS2lmhF5I/AAAAAAAAAsA/QNSYX7F0_m8/s1600-h/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%288%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (8)" border="0" alt="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (8)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS3IXOarI/AAAAAAAAAsE/PkXGQao7SNw/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%288%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> Post-baking…cookie dough peeking out! <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS3mbeCFI/AAAAAAAAAsI/RPcIJ4iORmo/s1600-h/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%289%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (9)" border="0" alt="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (9)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS4IcrpXI/AAAAAAAAAsM/OahrlDJMgcs/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%289%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a>Frosted and decorated with some more mini-chocolate chips!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS4bwnZLI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/KstqElUIGtI/s1600-h/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%2812%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (12)" border="0" alt="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (12)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS44gM3xI/AAAAAAAAAsU/1LmDUPSbu3U/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%2812%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> So pretty!</p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS5CH0FyI/AAAAAAAAAsY/-dtvtfAsQz8/s1600-h/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%2813%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (13)" border="0" alt="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (13)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS5lVcJKI/AAAAAAAAAsc/Qzzz4MD9P6k/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%2813%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a>Cookie dough surprise!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS52YdReI/AAAAAAAAAsg/h8Q8K3tAgrY/s1600-h/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%282%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (2)" border="0" alt="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (2)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS6PL2bLI/AAAAAAAAAsk/-oJqFEuKguA/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%282%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> From the top!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS6mQFpUI/AAAAAAAAAso/9dfjpjki8B0/s1600-h/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%284%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (4)" border="0" alt="Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (4)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SreS6654O9I/AAAAAAAAAss/neWf-6Fhock/Chocolate%20Chip%20Cookie%20Dough%20Cupcakes%20%284%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="304" /></a> Taste test by the Rocket Scientist!</p> <p align="left">The result?  Yum!!  HIGHLY recommend this recipe.  So tasty and a definite crowd pleaser.</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-19275359823374920042009-09-19T18:39:00.001-05:002009-09-19T18:39:59.652-05:00Sometimes all you need is some good old fashioned comfort food<p>Thanks for all the support on my last post.  It’s been a really bad week, and I was super excited to be called off of work today.  I’m not sure I would have survived working today.  I was very angry this morning and called my parents crying and cried for awhile this afternoon…hopefully that got out a bunch of emotions.  Maybe.</p> <p>I know once I have a year of experience, I will be much more marketable and be able to move to a job/location that I like more.  But to think that I have to do this for eight more months is very difficult to think about.  I’m going to start looking and maybe applying when I get closer to the six month mark.  Unless I get fired before then?  …I’m only kidding.  I think.</p> <p>Running this morning was terrible.  The Rocket Scientist showed up and we headed out for six miles, and my right leg hurt immediately.  I’m a mess from all this work junk, and I was really upset that running hurts!  I made it for 2.5 miles (not fast, let me tell you), then we walked home.  A loooong 2.5 miles.  And I was not a happy and/or pleasant person, let me tell you.  Maybe I should take a few days off?  I don’t know…I’ve never really been injured before.  My runs this week have been fine…starting off a little stiff, but I usually loosen up.  Maybe I’ll start out slow tomorrow and see how it goes.  I reallllly hope it’s nothing.</p> <p>I was trying to figure out what to eat for dinner…the Rocket Scientist had plans to go to his parents while I was at work, so he still had to go.  The last thing I wanted to do with my day off was to spend time with his mother, so I stayed behind.  I sat around, watched tv, and called my mom.  I also got a recipe for some cupcakes that I will share when they’re actually made.  :)  They’re going to be tasty, I just know it.  Anyway, I have all the ingredients to make a really healthy dinner, but all I really wanted was some grease and such.  Nothing makes you feel better like French fries.  :)  I researched local places and found a restaurant that does sandwich/fries take-out, so I ordered up a buffalo chicken cheesesteak and French fries.  I like to think that I eat healthy most of the time, so meals like this are totally deserved.  In all its glory:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SrVrzVVJCmI/AAAAAAAAArg/nh_Htk7Nz2I/s1600-h/091709%20%283%29%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="091709 (3)" border="0" alt="091709 (3)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UywgjK5uDDk/SrVrzx9Py7I/AAAAAAAAArk/vaU9gxIVVGU/091709%20%283%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="274" /></a>I’m pumped.</p> <p align="left">I just rented <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17_Again_%28film%29" target="_blank">17 Again</a> from the local Redbox, so it’s going to be a fantastic evening.  Especially once I get my cupcakes in the oven.  I fully appreciate Zac Efron.  And French fries.  Yummmm.</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7308513195144234727.post-81419615308188948082009-09-19T00:47:00.001-05:002009-09-19T00:47:23.714-05:00A marathon of a nursing post<p>I haven’t posted all week!  Yikes!  That’s probably because I’ve had a miserable, miserable week.  Work has been an absolute nightmare all week, and today I sat staring at my phone, hoping to be cancelled for the night.  I know my turn is coming up again soon.  Let’s backtrack and see why this week was so…not fun.  I hope you have something to drink because this is going to be LONG.</p> <p><strong>Monday</strong></p> <p>Seven nurses, no nursing assistants.  I had an admission (a young person admitted with diarrhea, otherwise healthy), and I didn’t get her vital signs by the time the doctor came around.  I should have gotten them, but with only four blood pressure/temperature things floating around and seven nurses trying to do vital signs at the same time, I didn’t get to her.  While an admission is a priority, so is my 80-something year old woman who I found with an oxygen saturation of 75% on room air (apparently the last shift forgot her oxygen??).  Of course, the doctor decided he needed to speak with me NOW, while I’m trying to get my other patient’s oxygen saturation back up to an acceptable level.  Basically, he told me that I needed to get the vital signs (to which I said, “okay”…it wasn’t anything I didn’t know), then told me “No, you can’t just say okay, you need to get them.”  (I’ve been standing here for five seconds…)  Then told me that I need to get my nursing assistant to do them.  </p> <p>I had to bite my tongue to prevent myself from saying, “We don’t have any nursing assistants.”  Anyway, she asked that the patient have a new nurse.  Nothing says “welcome back” like “you suck as a nurse.”  Whatever, no one likes this doctor anyway.  The patient was upset about having to be stuck multiple times for IVs and labs and what not and almost signed out AMA.  I often wonder why some people even come to the hospital at all.</p> <p><strong>Tuesday</strong></p> <p>Since we are having so few patients, management is really trying to crack down on any overtime.  Which is fine, I don’t really want to be there past 11:30 anyway, but many times it’s not in my control.  My manager told us that we should be efficient by three-six months, so she doesn’t understand why we late.  We told her that we often don’t even get a dinner break, or at least that the “full half hour” that we’re “entitled to”  (aka:  not getting paid for).  I actually had a good night until I got a post-op at 9:30 and an admission at 10:00.  I clocked out around midnight.  No worries, I got yelled at on Wednesday for not leaving all the admission paperwork for night shift…which is obviously what the next shift wants.  The oncoming nurse already gave me a hard time because I didn’t give the post-op one of her medications.  But everything else was done!</p> <p><strong>Wednesday</strong></p> <p>I don’t even want to talk about this day.  I swear this hospital is setting me up to fail.  I’ve been a nurse for four months (as of today…Friday, that is), and many people say that it takes one-two years before you actually feel comfortable.  I spend a lot of time asking questions and looking things up because I don’t want to make a mistake, and it’s even more difficult when you’re feeling the pressure to not get out late.  I’m doing the best I can!  I started with five patients, one of who I was waiting to come back from surgery.  All of my remaining patients had some sort of electrolyte replacement running, two had blood products infusing, and one was getting a bowel prep (don’t ask if you don’t already know!), but she was too nauseated to drink it.  One of the families interrupted our report in the hallway to ask for mashed potatoes for dinner (obviously an emergency).  Then, I got an admission from a doctor’s office, so she needed an IV started and labs drawn and all that stuff because she didn’t come through the ER.  Then she needed to go for a test, but was complaining because she didn’t get to eat yet and her med schedule was all messed up.  She actually yelled at me later in the night.  About twenty minutes after that admission came, my other patient came back from surgery.  This family was absolutely ridiculous…they stood in the hallway and stared at me as a ran around like a chicken with my head cut off.  I don’t want to go into too much detail (for HIPPA reasons), but if you are a doctor, and your family member is the patient, please know when it is appropriate to hunt me down in the hallway to point out when you think something is wrong.  If the machine says your family member doesn’t have a pulse, but she is happily chatting away, you, as a physician, should know that she indeed does have a pulse.  Or should at least know how to check for it.  Please don’t attack me the hallway (when I have a handful of stuff) and ask me what’s wrong.  Because nothing is wrong, your family member just moved her finger the wrong way.</p> <p>Okay, this is really long.  Long story short, I ended up sobbing (literally) at least three times and tearing up multiple more times.  I could not get caught up at all…I passed my 5pm medications at 6:30, etc etc.  I was terrified to go into work today because I knew my manager would be yelling at me about not being efficient and getting out on time.  The night nurse was talking to the nursing administrator and said something like, “They really need to stop short-staffing second shift.  Over 75% of those nurses have less than one year of experience, and they expect them to take patient assignments that even seasoned nurses would have trouble managing.  We’re either going to push them out of nursing or out of this hospital.”  THANK YOU.  I almost quit yesterday.  No joke.</p> <p><strong>Thursday</strong></p> <p>Praise be to God, I had the day off.  I went for a dentist appointment to have cavities filled, but the dentist said he didn’t need to fill them…back to bed!  I slept until one in the afternoon.  Glorious.</p> <p>That is, until my neighbor came and yelled at me.  When I first moved here, I had my credit card statements sent to the wrong address (I can be a bit dyslexic with numbers), and I didn’t realize it because I actually pay my credit cards online.  She came and talked to my roommate about it, and I switched my address.  My mom ordered me a magazine and apparently switched the numbers as well, so the magazine went back to the same lady.  She must have brought it over when my roommate was home, but I’m sure the magazine sold my address to some ad companies, so she got junk mail for me.  She brought it over and told me that it was “really bothering her” that she was getting my mail and that I needed to change my address immediately.  I told her I can no clue what the mail even was.  Honestly…if it bothers you that much, just throw it out!  Nothing important is coming to your house.</p> <p>People here are so unfriendly.</p> <p><strong>Friday</strong></p> <p>Not too bad of a day, outside of a family yelling at me within ten minutes of being there.  They wanted to go home and the patient needed an IV taken out.  I need to get report so the day nurse can go home (and therefore not get yelled at…), so you can hold on for twenty minutes.  I actually caught the patient as he was walking out into the hallway to go home with his IV in.  People in this world are so impatient.  Overall, I had a pretty good night (once I talked myself out of crying in the parking lot before going in).  I got out on time, so hopefully no one yells at me on Monday.  I really hate this place.</p> <p>*****************************************************************</p> <p>Doesn’t this sound like fun?  I’m going to do a “life post” on where I might want to head in the future…I can’t keep going on like this.  Last time my parents were here, my mom actually suggested I go talk to someone…like a counselor/psychiatrist or something.  Everyone says that this is normal for a new nurse, but this is miserable.  I often dread going to work.  I like nursing…I think.  I just hate not knowing what I’m doing (or at least not being confident in it…) and getting yelled at for not being perfect…it’s only been four months!  Gah.</p> <p>******************************************************************</p> <p>It’s safe to say that I’ve also had a pretty blah week when it comes to running.  Something in my right leg doesn’t feel right…I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I think I need better shoes for work.  I just wear an old pair of running shoes that probably don’t have any support anymore.  I need to look into that…</p> <p>Short and sweet because I really don’t have much to report…</p> <p><strong>Tuesday, September 15 <br /></strong>6.01 miles in 52:41, avg pace of 8:46</p> <p>Painful run, I couldn’t wait for it to be over.  I actually had a 9:03 mile in there.  It was uphill, at least.</p> <p><strong>Wednesday, September 16 <br /></strong>6.03 miles in 49:23, avg pace of 8:11</p> <p>I ran behind two bikers for about two miles…so annoying!  I didn’t want to speed up because I wanted to take it easier, but it was so annoying to be fifteen yards behind them for so long.  They clearly weren’t cruising at all since I wasn’t even going that fast…</p> <p><strong>Thursday, September 17 <br /></strong>14.16 miles in 1:54:01, avg pace of 8:03</p> <p>An awesome run with negative splits.  I ran in the afternoon since I slept the day away, but it was still cool out so that was nice.  People were actually running on the trail since it was later in the day, and I think I passed the entire local high school cross country team.  Woo!  This was a good length for a run…I needed a longer-ish run to clear my head a little, so this felt great.  I like medium-long runs because you can feel accomplished running for so long, but you don’t feel like you’re dying at the end.  Works for me.</p> <p>****************************************************</p> <p>Working the weekend this weekend…I hope it’s not terrible.  Thanks to anyone for reading all my complaints…I need to vent somewhere and I think my real life people are growing tired of my misery…</p> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09753977885503823287noreply@blogger.com13