There's something I just don't get about this place. Everywhere that I've gone and brought my canvas grocery bags, the people insist on putting my stuff in THEIR bags first. I shop at a SuperFresh grocery store here. At first glance, you'd think this was a very progressive, earth-friendly grocery store- after all: they sell their reusable bags at the counter, and have signs offering rebates for re-using bags. Every SINGLE time I've gone, I've brought my own canvas totes, and let the checker know. Without fail, every single time, they've used their plastic grocery bags instead. I don't get it.
Today was even more of a kicker. I went to Target.. bought a LOT of stuff. And bought 2 more of their large canvas bags. The checker not only put everything in plastic Target bags, he threw the canvas bags *into* a plastic grocery bag.
Why oh why?! I just don't get it!
1st night off orientation. (I've only had 2 days- but really one). Last night was uneventful, and for that I'm so thankful. I thank god, santa, the inventor of seroquel... anyone - everyone! Off to bed so I can do it all over again tonight. I truly hope it remains status quo.
naps. are. delicious.
(but is it really a nap if you only slept 4 hours- or is it simply going back to bed?)
It is loud & bright outside.
I need to go back to sleep.
I'm in need of sleep
so I can work all night.
And my water tastes awful.
And there's neverending sirens.
-- I'm too cranky.
Dear Baltimore:
Everywhere I go, your water tastes awful. Can you do something about that?
Trying to stay up late, but not doing a very good job at it. Tomorrow is my 1st night shift- 2nd day on the floor. I don't know - not really sure that 2 days will cover it considering EVERYTHING is done by paper! I thought the hospital I came from was primitive with their paper charting - Oh, I just had no idea. Like everything is paper here - and a lot of it is still with carbon duplicates! Holy wow, I have traveled back 20 years in time. They even make credit card things for the patient - to "stamp" the forms... I remember those vaguely as a little kid! Put me in front of a computer & I'll find my way. All these crazy forms kept in all these crazy binders, & I'm not feelin' so confident.
I pray it goes well - my 1st day of orientation I really don't feel like I learned shit. And I've got exactly ONE day of orientation left... and they're making me play charge, and working the code team!?!?
35 muthafucking more shifts.
They can call it whatever they want - but this is a damn psych ward that I'm working on.
(A psych ward with a seriously tight budget!)
Without saying his name, I just thought it was kinda funny, there is a dude on the unit that, for the first 30 minutes of my day, I swear, I thought they were calling him Mr. Gobshite!
Wore my new hoodie today - I needed another hoodie like I need another hole in my head... um, yeah, couldja please pass the drill?
35 more shifts to go.
Drove back from BFE to BWI today. My butt is so tired of sitting! Start my job in the morning. Pretty much hella nervous...
I need to leave the house by 0615. Suck. I'll be better at nights, I think. With this being a locked unit - I still have no swipe card - I'm not exactly 100% sure how to get in there!
I pray it'll be a good day.
PS. Somehow I feel a sense of accomplishment that I've driven > 1000 miles this weekend and remained ticket-free! (Knocking the hell outta some wood!) I've had (I think) 5 speeding tickets. I really don't need or want another. (Even though I will admit, I pretty much broke every speed limit tonight!)
I had a bit of a micro-meltdown/ identity crisis when in BFE. Felt a bit like a stranger/guest in my own home. Living out of suitcases is suckity-boo. I kept cleaning saying how I want to be able to come back to a clean house.. It was deja vu- exactly what I did before I left my apartment here!
It occurred to me that I had 2 jobs, and 2 homes, both in 2 different states. And that whole thought was just a little overwhelming!
Pearl of wisdom: Spending the extra money on the expensive winshield wipers is SO worth it!
It's been too long since I've blogged. I feel out of touch with my own world if I haven't written about it! Strange introspection there, but I guess it's true. I had brought a spiral-bound notebook with me to Baltimore, with the intention of writing in it every day. I wrote a half of an entry. Yes a half. I was too tired to continue after about a paragraph. Then... I don't know. I guess I got caught up in my new world.
I like Baltimore. I've had prejudices about the city forever. Probably because the only time I was ever there, I was like 3 and spent time in the ER. I tell people I almost died there. Whether or not that's true, it was true in my 3-yr old mind. I vividly remember two things about Baltimore: 1) Waking up on a gurney and screaming while they were trying to repeatedly poke me to find a vein. and 2) Throwing up Apple Jacks cereal in the rental car... ick. To this DAY, I won't touch Apple Jacks. And I also have an uneasy feeling every time I'm in a car with red interior. Seriously.
Friday marked 1 week that I've been there. I got in late Friday evening, and spent Saturday & Sunday exploring my neighborhood a bit. I live right behind Baltimore Street, which I learned from my cable-guy is "the Block". There's even a Larry Flynt Hustler Club there. In the same area is the local courthouse, and police HQ. *shrug* I don't feel unsafe, but I'm not hanging out outside, either... there's a lot of shady stuff that goes on there. Hold the purse tight, and walk with a purpose, ya know?
I'm about 5 blocks or so from the Harbor. And my hospital is another 2 blocks away from that. I walked to work every day this past week... and have loved every minute of it! (It would take just as long to drive as it would to walk, so my truck is sitting in the Valet garage). Notsomuch sure how I'm gonna handle that when it REALLY gets cold... I don't know what this California girl is gonna do when there's actually several inches of snow on the ground!! But I hope I'll continue to walk.. I enjoy it. Headpones in, and listen to heavy music along the route.
I bought myself a big knee-length down parka the day after I moved in, because I quickly realized that my wimpy jacket would NEVER do! Today, I bought myself some boots.. two pairs. One galoshes, and the other a suede/shearling boot. I was kicking my butt for buying myself things when I'm still waiting to get paid from Piedmont, but the way I see it, these things will pretty much be necessities if I am to continue to walk through the coldest points of the year!
Yes, still waiting to get paid. I went PRN at my local (SC) hospital. And when you go PRN, they are supposed to cash out your PTO. Well, I've got over 160 hours in my bank, and I'm still waiting to see that money. ::Groan:: I could REALLLY use it about now, Piedmont. And it's MINE! I earned it! Somehow I see them trying to screw me out of them.
::change of subject before i cry::
The drive from Baltimore to BFE... it's long. About 8.5 hrs long. My butt hurt from sitting that much! I wish my stereo played mp3's, because ((xm)) just isn't cutting it these days. I've said it before, but it bears repeating- ((xm)) has pretty much sucked ever since they got rid of the punk channel! I don't think it's coming back... I did some reading, and one of the stipulations of the xm/sirius merger was to create a bunch of "minority" programming. I guess their way of freeing up and making room for that was to delete what's perceived as "skinhead" music. ::eyeroll::. I really may cancel the service.. it's just not enjoyable like it used to be. And at home I listen to internet radio over the xm, so what good is it? (especially when most days my truck is sitting in the garage!)
I love that I have a great (nosy) neighbor! I checked in with her before I left. Last night when I came home, it was late... and first thing this morning, my neighbor called me to say, "You're back!! Is everything ok? Are you staying home?" <333 Southern nosy neighbors give an increased feeling of safety when you're leaving your place all alone and vulnerable. My security alarm is great, but a nosy neighbor is icing on that cake! :D
Ok, i think I'm done for now. I took a lot of pictures & video... was planning on vlogging, but I accidentally deleted a BUNCH of shit off my SD card. I do have some pictures on my laptop. Will upload later. May try to scrape a vlog out of it eventually... but for now this is it. I've written.. and I feel more at peace.
So, I had been wanting to journal this new journey
- and all I could think was "39 shifts."
Seriously - that's kinda my thoughts on this travel business-
you go somewhere new to work, show up 39 times,
then go somewhere new & start all over again!
You are a Bette -- "I must be strong"
Me: bleh.. I need Immodium AND tampons!
Mom: Didn't I ever tell you there'd be days like this?
Me: (pouting) No.
Mom: Hahah..well that's cuz I didn't want you to commit suicide!
Me: Don't make me laugh! I'll shit my pants!
(The n00b & me)