Out and About

Well its been a good, frustrating, interesting, and challenging last few weeks. From a 3 day power outage that only affected my apartment (forcing me to stay the the Q again;which was fine). To 3 flat tires in 2 days (and 2 repairmen later) and chipping my tooth (just needing a little filing) I am ready for my vacation in T minus 6 days! I am probably sounding pretty dramatic, because in reality all worked out as quickly and smoothly as I had expected with my unexpected troubles and all is fixed and at 100%. 

I found an amazing hair lady; at least for color. Monika is a German woman who lives across from Nas 1 and speaks English, and does a fabulous job for just €50, so I am a happy camper. 

Its great to have so many cool places to travel to within a short distance. It really helps to bring me back down when I am uptight and frustrated and helps me to realize I am really lucky and blessed to be living here. Last weekend was Taoromina, with a historic Greek Ampitheater and amazing coastlines. This weekend was Cefalu with sweet beaches and coastline, not to mention amazingly clear turquoise waters. 

Taoromina

Cefalu

Work has been going well; I am working independently in the ER now and really enjoying it. I am getting good at working with the babies and peds and used to their blood curdling screams when I have to draw their blood. Poor things! Its fun though. 

More later, this girl will be happy August is over (the Italians are off of Vacation till next year now) and looking forward to next weeks 2 week vacation to Ireland, Scotland and England with Bill! 

ER

So after a few weeks of debate I found I am officially 'owned' by the ER and will be staff almost 100% there. I may go and help the MSW, aka "baby floor" occasionaly, but my boss, chit routing, etc, etc...will be in the ER. This is much closer to my passion of ICU, though the most exciting things we've seen so far have been vaginal exams, hemorrhoids and old wounds. Its a small island of healthy people; can't expect a juicy trauma or complex medical patient very often :) Its real nice to have a "home" unit and know I won't be training and orienting to both floors learning various styles of paperwork, etc... I am really happy that my "old boss" stood up for me and was able to get me my leave by having me stay on the MSW just a few weeks longer. Long story I suppose, but it all worked out.

My car is fantastic! I am loving it. The Alero, oh the Alero!

Sept leave looks like at least a stop to Ireland which is exciting as well as the potential and flexibility of pit stopping other northern countries. If anyone has any suggestions, please pass them on. We were thinking possibly Norway and Sweden, or stay southern and do Belgium and Netherlands and Germany too. The cruise option was rescheduled with our short notice and cost effectiveness of it all. With time narrowing, the cost was doubling by the day it seemed. I am estatic to see a familiar face and spend time traveling with my favorite non blood relative travel partner :) Sorry Julie, Mom is my favorite non blood relative partner of travel!

Ciao Ciao!

All in One Piece

Gosh...some days it seems like I just got here and others it seems as though I have been here for years. Today I received my car, my beloved Alero! It was great to see it and to drive the automatic transmission and be at ease on the roads. Even when I got a little misplaced (or lost...whatever) I felt a lot better being in my car than the rental due to the size of the Fiat. I felt like anyone could have jumped on or in that car in a heartbeat. Mind you that the streets here, some of them, are so narrow that you are driving at the toes of people sitting on their doorsteps. Something I have gotten used to. 

On the flip-side; I am still struggling to deal with the laid back attitude and style of Italian business. Its nothing for them to give you a time they will be at your home, for example, to install lets say a phone...and then call THAT day to push it to next week. Or the movers; who set to come pick up my boxes at 1300 Tuesday, though really didn't show up till 1700. That mean 4 hours of me being impatient and not being able to take care of business on my day off. I know its a cultural thing, and I just need to take a chill pill....but it can be my greatest challenge here. I am used to the prompt service in the states and being able to file complaints if you needed to. No such thing here. 

Today is a perfect day for me to relax and soak it all up while I sit on my patio typing this enjoying the cool Sicilian evening. I really am so incredibly lucky and must remind myself "one day at a time".