arriba, abajo, al centro, pa dentro

I think I picked both the right profession and the right job. After two shifts on my floor, the externs were shuffled into a week-long orientation for new employees and nurses. While eight hour days of sitting and listening to “this is how UMC works” are more than a little boring and tedious, the staff was welcoming and full of pride for their hospital. When compared to the apathetic staff at the VA, these nurses are enthusiastic and thrilled to have us, students, at their hospital. It totally blew me away. Needless to say, it got me super excited to be starting my career there. It also made me realize that I am most definitely not cut out for a job that requires five days a week at a desk. I’ll take my three physically-and-emotionally-demanding twelve-hour shifts over a 9-to-5 any day. Thankfully, Friday was a shorter day, allowing Brandi, a friend from nursing school, and I to grab a few drinks at Frog ‘n’ Firkin for happy hour. (Their cider is really good, BTW.)

Yesterday, Annie (and her guest and our friend Jon Gordon) and I made the very long trek to Rio Verde- it’s way north of Scottsdale and Fountain Hills- for our friend Tom’s wedding. We met him through NAU Summer Music Camp about nine years ago and, alas, the majority of our little group has stayed in touch. My first summer there was in 1998 when I met Marisol and Amber, my neighbor in the dorm we were staying. They introduced me to their middle school friend, Danny, who ended up becoming one of my best friends. The following summer, my sister and my best friend Marissa joined us, along with others like Tom. I haven’t seen or spoken to Amber, Danny, or Tom since my freshman year here at the UA (Marisol, and unfortunately still, since she stopped going to camp sometime in high school). A few things have changed, Danny’s sexual orientation and other issues, Amber’s pregnancy, and Tom’s new marital status and news that he’s moving to London to study composing to name a few, but it was as though a single day hadn’t gone by. We may as well have been thirteen year-olds dancing to “Baby Got Back” in the NAU gym. There are few people that I’ve known for a decade that have solidified themselves so much in my life, and I feel so lucky that I got to see them again this weekend. We had SO much fun! For more pictures, check out Annie’s facebook album.

This is Danny. When we met, I was about a foot taller than him. I think we hugged for an entire minute when I saw him in the church.

This is Tom, child prodigy. He’s attractive, funny, a talented musician, and probably will be a famous composer someday. And now, he is married.

In order: me (obviously), Annie (duh), Tom the Groom, Danny, and Amber (plus her new addition). To see our stellar dance moves, see the facebook album.

Following the reception, Annie, Jon, and I made our way to Glendale to crash at our parents house while they were out camping. Alas, the screen door, to which we have no key, was locked. So I drove us home and we got back a little before 2am. Which is fun.

This week: I learn phlebotomy, or the art of drawing blood. So, next time y’all come over, I’ll probably have better luck sticking you. It’s another five-day stretch of eight-hour days. How do you people do it?!

P.S. Email me your bios and I’ll put them on your page. Have a good week, everyone!