Here at Last

I can't believe that I am here at last! I took a long flight from Seattle to London and was picked up by Suzie. It felt incredible to be welcomed warmly with a hug and immediately feel at home due to the offer of a Starbucks coffee. The two of us then took the tube to the northern London town of Islington where the family lives. The charming streets wind around and are lined with houses that have been there for centuries.

I then met Gennie; an energetic, funny, and absolutely lovely 17 year old who I will be living with for the next 6 months. After a good meal at a little Italian restaurant down the street I finally got some much needed sleep.

The next morning Suzie, Gennie, and I went out to a little cafe for fresh croissants and juice as we went over all of the details for our time in Brussels. Then Gennie and I were off to Brussels by train! The little that I have seen of this beautiful city has already exceeded my expectations. Our apartment is picturesque. My lovely room has a three pane window that opens to a stunning view that overlooks the city. We live just across from a luscious green park with an old Abbey on the grounds. The cobblestone streets give Brussels a feeling of richness and history that is comforting.

Percy, Gennie's puppy, is actually quite endearing (I can't believe that I am saying this). She snuggles up into my lap whenever she has a chance and follows us wherever we go in the apartment. All the shops are closed each Sunday and Gennie was shocked when I told her that most stores are open on Sundays in the States.

I think that these next months are going to be full of new experiences and I cannot wait for it all to begin!

A New Journey in Life

The past four years have changed my life. Seattle Pacific University has been a wonderful experience that has given me friendships, laughter, and a thousand unforgettable memories. I am eternally grateful for all of the opportunities that SPU has given me and will always remember those years of spontaneity, staying out late, painful hours of studying, and most of all the life-long friends that I have made.

It seems like yesterday that my parents dropped me off in my room on 5th Hill and said goodbye as I started my freshman year of college. Little did I know that the next four years were going to fly by and all of my expectations be completely exceeded!

As each chapter in my life comes to an end I am waiting with anticipation for the next chapter to begin. After much prayer and consideration I have decided to move to Brussels for the next 6 months. I will be living with a 17 year old girl who needs some companionship and support while she finishes her senior year of school and her mom is working in England. I have no idea how this experience is going to be, but I am confident that this is the direction that God has for me right now and I am eagerly waiting to see what He has in store for me!

In just 2 days I will be on my way to Brussels! My hope is that I can travel, study French, go to museums, soak up the culture, make new friendships, and become a more loving and compassionate person.

After I get back from this journey, I plan to begin working as a nurse... maybe Labor and Delivery or possibly Pediatrics. We'll see!

Camping

the smell of a campfire... the crisp sound of a tent zipper... the quiet babble of the nearby river... squeals of ecstatic delight from neighboring campsites... hot dogs and smores permeating the cool night air...

Some of my greatest memories of when I was a little girl were from the magical summer nights when our entire family was enjoying the anticipated annual camping trip. We would run throughout the campsites, dodging tents and firewood (while parents tried in vain to keep track of all the cousins' sticky fingers and mischievous smiles), planning for the evening of marshmallow roasting and games. Finally we would be tucked in, exhausted from the day's important activities, and fall fast asleep under the dreamy stars.

Little did I know of the immensity of planning such a memorable vacation! Apparently it is extremely easy to take the brilliant, well-orchestrated planning of moms and dads for granted.

In a last minute decision of spontaneity we decided to take advantage of our final weekend off by camping in eastern Minnesota. Thankfully, Kalan had a kindhearted coworker named Bob who hooked us up with some outdoor camping necessities... a small tent, two chairs, two sleeping bags, and a cooler.

Before I continue, I must take a brief timeout to expound upon this kindhearted coworker. One sentence is all that is necessary, actually one word. Talladaga. Joe and his wife went to Talladega for their honeymoon. Yes, Nascar was the event of choice for these newlyweds and Talledaga was the exotic location.

Now I will continue with the rest of this riveting narrative that I briefly interrupted with the amusing details of Bob's pastimes.

So Kalan and I set out in search of a state park that rendered itself worthy of spending one night. We ended up finding a neat park right on a river that was a stones throw away from Wisconsin. After we picked out a picturesque campsite we decided to set up camp. We took out the mangled looking tent and couldn't stop laughing as we stared at the heap on the ground. I'm ashamed to say that I've never actually put a tent up entirely myself. All growing up I've had the expertise and knowledge of my Dad and brothers, not to mention willing uncles and cousins.

I looked at Kalan and all I could say was, "I refuse to be one of those girls who can't figure out how to put up a tent." We kicked into gear.

Within minutes we had our humble campsite set up. We were ready for a relaxing day of reading, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors! By the end of the night we were sitting by our fire, in a full fledged battle with the mosquitoes, enjoying a warm drink with the slight sounds of crickets in the background.

Patriotic Indulgence

The way to a college student's heart is through his or her stomach.

I'm not gonna lie. I was definitely guilty of overeating this 4th of July... but I figured in the spirit of our independence I would fully indulge in all the festivities. By the time the day was over and everything was set and done, I participated in an extensive breakfast, two food-filled BBQs, and multiple desserts- including my first authentic southern sweet potato pie.

I had a lovely time visiting some of Kalan's family for the 4th of July yesterday. We stayed in a little cabin on a lake in Holcome, Wisconsin. It was such a blessing to be welcomed into a home, eat homemade food (for the first time in what seemed like ages), and enjoy the beautiful scenery of rural Wisconsin.

By the time evening rolled around and BBQ number one and two had come and gone, we were all without a doubt unable to take another bite. In utter discomfort we sprawled down on any surface that was available... evidence of our shameful food consumption still in plain view for all to witness.

We needed rest from the eating.

There are various moments in life when I know I'm full and I forge ahead without restraint. This holiday was admittedly one that would certainly fall in this category. However, in retrospect I think that even though I made myself nearly sick because the irreverent amounts of food I consumed, it was definitely worth every bite.

Orthopedic Trauma Floor

Working on an orthopedic trauma unit can be quite interesting. Of course there are the total hip and knee replacements that seem to plague such a floor, however, some of the other reasons patients find themselves there cause one to examine life a little deeper.

Last week I helped care for someone who has been diagnosed with cancer in her twenties. Unfortunately, this diagnosis has left her with a complete amputation of her leg, half of her pelvis missing, and completely dependent on those around her for help. Among all of these horrific circumstances she is wondering how she is going to mother her two children under the age of three. Amazingly, this woman still offers a sweet 'thank you' each time a doctor or nurse leaves the room.

What kind of words can you offer someone whose life has taken a dramatic turn in just a few weeks?

Or how about the man who no longer has a sacrum because of the disease that has ravaged his body? Not long ago he was running around with his children, coaching sports teams and enjoying life. Now he is flat on his back with a feeding tube, catheter, colostomy, numerous IVs running, and all of his privacy and independence gone. Every morning his wife without fail welcomes us with a smile as she sits by his side.

I don't think one can ever know what to say to someone experiencing such immense pain. There are no magic words that a textbook teaches or simplistic formulas to follow as a nurse. I still don't know how to react in these circumstances. The one thing I have learned in the short time I've been here is that as bleak as it seems to these patients and their families, when I greet them by name, offer a small smile, or simply put my hand on their shoulder, often times they smile back.

The Amish Country

On Monday Kalan and I decided to take a little road trip and visit the simplistic beauty of the Amish country.

Before I start, I have to introduce Kalan, my roommate for the summer from Alabama. When I first found out that I was placed with a girl from Alabama, Bethany and I wracked our brains of all the possibilities of what an Alabama girl could be like. My first thought was that I was most definitely going to meet a hick. Bethany quickly stepped in and assured me that I would without a doubt get a southern bell.

Kalan cannot be placed into a neatly described category. At times I wonder if we speak the same language. We are continually having to define the words we use and repeat our commonly used phrases so the other can understand. Apparently her friends keep asking her if she has turned into a Yankee now that she is living with one. She's shocked that biscuits and gravy, casseroles, and fried chicken are not part of my regular diet. The funny thing is... we get along great.

So, after much deliberation the two of us decided it was time to get out of Rochester and visit some Amish country in the area. We passed through acres of corn fields, cows, and manure until we reached a town called Harmony. Population 1080. We visited the tourist information center and found out that most things are either closed by 3pm or never open on Mondays. So we hopped in the car and continued on our way to Lanesboro, a beautiful little town in the Bluff country.

Lanesboro is a wonderful little town that has unique cafes, ice cream shops, and little boutiques with lovely things for sale. It was like a breath of fresh air... a town with personality. We went to a bakery where we met a stoic woman who should reconsider being in customer service. By the time we finished she had warmed up to us slightly. At one point she actually asked where we were from and if it was humid outside.

Mind you, I've been absolutely sizzling here in the humidity, barely able to accomplish anything when I'm outside... my productivity almost entirely gone.

Kalan piped up, "she's from Seattle and doesn't know what humidity is. I'm from Alabama and this isn't humid at all. We're probably not the best people to ask." That pretty much sums up the difference between Kalan and myself.

We continued on our way and visited Winona, a college town that borders Wisconsin. I saw the Mississippi River for the first time. What an amazing opportunity to witness the different parts of this country for the short time that I am here!

Famous in Seattle

Who knew that I would be famous when I arrived in Rochester Minnesota. I'm practically a celebrity when people find out I'm from Seattle... apparently being from Seattle makes me good friends with the cast of Grey's Anatomy. Living with a handful of nursing students who are die hard fans of the TV show makes for an amusing first introduction.

The conversation goes something like this:

nursing student: "Hey, how's it going? what's your name?"

me: "Gitta"

nursing student: "Dita?"

me: "no Gitta"

nursing student: "Eeeta?"

...there are a couple more awkward attempts at my name until we get that phase of the introduction process wrapped up. Unfortunately I don't have a friend or family member there to clarify the correct pronunciation of my name, but I guess that's what I get for taking an internship in the middle of exotic Minnesota.

The conversation then naturally moves to the next typical question. "So, where are you from?"

When I answer that I am from Seattle, it never fails to get the same twofold response. The first thing that comes out of every person's mouth is "Does it really always rain in Seattle?"

I may be biased growing up in the northwest, but of course my most favorite day in the world is one in which it is raining and overcast outside, the fire is glowing and I am surrounded by the people I love most. We are tucked in and enjoying a good cup of tea, a classic book or possibly making preparations for a delectable meal. So naturally my response is "no, it doesn't always rain in Seattle. It drizzles alot but it is actually quite pretty." Deep down I kind of like making the northwest a best kept secret... if people really knew how beautiful it was I think too many people may want to move on over and enjoy the picturesqe mountains and natural beauty that are characterstic of our part of the world.

The second response I get without fail is if there is really a Grace Hospital in Seattle that is featured in Grey's Anatomy. Obviously there isn't, but I get quite a reaction when people find out that I take a ferry boat on a routine basis to go home. I grew up on the classic white ferry boat with green trim and the words 'Wenatchee' or 'Spokane' written on the side of the big boat, faded from the countless trips across the Puget Sound.

I can't imagine growing up anwhere else besides Indianola, Washington.

Minnesota has its own kind of beauty. There are no forests, the 'mountains' the locals speak about would be put to shame by Queen Anne Hill and when you think you are going to a beach you may be surprised when you arrive at a lake surrounded by grass. However, the large sky, corn fields, lightning storms, fireflies, and kind people with thick accents all give Minnesota a unique flavor.