So they say the nursing shortage is over. WHA-AH-AA-T ?!?!?

That's what this fish looks like it's saying! It looks surprised.
For now.
I love how my career choice (finally made after years of hazy plans for the future, AND three years of prerequisite education) has coincided with the fact that I still won’t get a job!
Thanks to the recession. All the retired nurses have come back to the work place to cover for their husbands and families who have lost their jobs. Hospitals aren’t hiring. Medical places are trying to get by with what they have on staff already. But people keep getting sick. People keep going to the hospital whether they want to or not.
I dramatize for effect. In the next paragraphs of all these doom news stories, they go on to say that most nurses will go back into retirement after the pressure is off, and there will be even more nurses leaving the field in the next 10 years, just because it’s their time. And that’s where all us newbies come in. Someone has to cover the exiters. So I am still moving forward with no fear.
I just thought it was kind of funny to read this early on Saturday morning and only one week before I start full time nursing school!
Now back to our regularly scheduled posting.
Bonus Cool Word! because I like to confuse myself, and I need this word typed out to understand.
Existential (adjective)
Definition: Relating to existence, living or occurring; Based on experience.
Thereby, Existentialism (noun)
Definition: A philosophy that emphasizes the absence of supernatural authority and the freedom of and responsibility of the individual in a universe that lacks essential meaning; Randomness of the universe.
The problem I have here, is that I believe in the randomness of the universe, but not in the idea that things like a solid, physical object can suddenly appear with NO explanation at all. Even if the explanation is that there is no explanation.
Confusing? I know. That’s my brain right now. Which means I have to stop. That’s what those philosophy courses are for at the big universities! My brain is going into shut down and I need it to drive my mom back to the doc for her eye check in a few hours. I’m going to go take a shower and watch TV. Hot water and television will restore all the brain cells I need to complete my day. Ciao. Internationale!

I didn’t really think it would turn out

The deer pictures. I have two, well, I have about a hundred pictures, that upon closer inspection on the big screen are composed of a lot of grass, trees, leaves, shrubs, weeds, and sky shots, with a small, blurry, deer-shaped smudge in the center, or off to the side, or at the bottom. Just your basic professional camera-phone, nature-photo photography. It’s mostly crap.
But this came out pretty good. I’ll only bore you with one, because the other one looks just like this except the deer might have tilted his/her head ever-so-slightly to the left. (Nope, actually, I change that thought—one below—one above, if that isn’t confusing enough) I notice the change in color too, now that I have it here. One seems darker and more natural. Almost the same shot, from the same distance, from the same spot on the trail. All I had to wait for in between was my phone to save the picture.
And all you thought you were getting was long, rambling stories about nothing and here it’s a (could be) college-level (generous) type discussion on the technical and and artistic capabilities of camera phone technology. I am sure I can make up any number of time-frame-exposure-light sentences for you to read and we can all feel extra smart during our day today!
But, it’s the usual, simple, at my favorite running trail, deers so close they are trying to jump on me! See past post for THAT exciting story! Even the babies are bigger than you want bumping into you!

A picture to jazz up the long paragraphs.
It’s my school. In the winter. With snow. They only shovel half the stairs. I don’t know why.
(I was just looking at my phone camera and just wait until tomorrow(??) I have “Power Line” photos!! We went back to that trail on Sunday!)

I grew it myself!!
That’s a little “inside” joke of the family! But that doesn’t mean you can’t gaze upon the pictures below! And I have to say, looking at them now, they came out really good! Exceptionally good, especially when you consider these were taken with my phone camera. No kidding.

This is "with" the owner! Looks good huh?
Now check these out. Camera phone. Against the white garage door. Horizontal shot first, then vertical.


We need some pictures in all these words! How about…SUSHI!
I’ve been promising pictures. You’ve been waiting. This was after our 25 mile bike ride; that was after our 19 mile bike ride the day before. It was good. The sushi.
Never been a big fan. That black stuff they wrap the rolls in always makes me gag, but this place has a mild wrapping. Or I’m just getting more, “cultured”! (Hahaha, NEVER!)
Now, if I could just get the whole pieces in my mouth without looking like an idiot or like I’m about to have it all fall out, we’d be all set.
(Sorry, but I don’t know the names. My apologies to the experts and lovers out there…maybe next time!)

This was the better picture. The guy who prepares it made it special for us. Spicy crab, and something. It was large and delicious and hot! I'm sure he thought I was some kind of crazy person taking pictures of the food.

We had already eaten 3 rolls that I DIDN'T take pictures of, when we ordered these from the specials. They were beautiful, BIG, spicy and so delicious! I was stuffed and I didn't think this kind of food would do that. (I think I want to go again tomorrow now!) The picture is making me hungry!
To the Zoo!
Quality time with the kiddies. Stevie is on board. Mason says no. Majority rules! Pictures and updates later! Summer is almost over!
It’s sunny and beautiful here in Chicago! 72° at 10 am. They say the rain is on its way. We better go!
Enjoy your Thursday wherever you are!



EVERY time we go to the zoo! Alligators attack my kids!

Victory is sweet!

