Where did Sept go?

Wow... I totally spaced and didn't realize I  did not post a darn thing for Sept! This was the most exciting month; I was able to get my 2 weeks leave to meet B in Dublin, go around Ireland. Then we flew to Edinbourgh, Scotland and then on to London. It was a fantastic get away which was just the break I needed. Sad to say I was ready for an escape already, but it was a great trip and helped me get my head back on straight :) I will post pictures when I can. I still do not have my own internet and thus am still on limited connectivity. Soon they are telling me, soon. 

I do have AFN, which is like real TV for me, not real commercials or updated shows (old Greys Anatomy), BUT its fabulous to have mindless TV on sometimes. 

Work continues to go well, I am battling with being able to sleep; but am getting there. It takes time for me and I have never adjusted easily to nights. 

Hope all is well with everyone. Happy wedding weekends to Allysa and Andrew (Friday) and Eric and Tenille (Saturday). Wish I was in Minnesota to celebrate!

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".

Settling In

Things are getting settled a lot better now. I finally have all the painting done and the pictures on the walls. With the concrete I can not do my shelves, but thats okay. Everything looks great and is feeling very homey. Still spacious, but homey. 

My car should be here in a few weeks so I am still driving the rental Fiat 500. I am getting the manual down pat now and rarely stall or have troubles on the hills. Not that they are my favorite, but I feel much more comfortable to drive anywhere now. 

Work has been going good; slowly but surely picking up the routine and the baby stuff. I have only been in 1 delivery, but it was pretty cool. The paperwork has been the biggest obstacle. 1/2 of the charting is on the computer and 1/2 is on paper. Pain in my arse, but I am getting there. The people are real nice, so that helps a lot. I also will be training to the ER and work there when they need some help. I look forward to that, but hope to get more comfortable delivering as well. 

Some recent travels have been on the island; Palermo (Sicily's Capital) which has the catacombs and some amazing churchs. Also ventured to some local festivals such as the Vendare beer festival and the Caltigone Patron Saint festival. To be honest is hotter than heck right now, so thats been keeping travels to a minimum. 110's is about my max...hot is just hot...but the humidity sure sucks the life out of you. Thank goodness for air-conditioning! 

Hope all is going well back in the States with everyone! Take care! Caio Caio!

Its Moving Day...Finally!

So after paying for my new place since the 9th, I finally get to move into it. My household goods (HHG) had a delivery date no later than 30 June...well that didn't happen and so my whole move in was significantly delayed. But it really worked out (after being super ticked off) because I was able to make some purchases for my place and to slowly move from the Temporary Lodging (the "Q") to my new home. The Navy also offers members to file an inconvenience claim towards delivery of late HHG, but that was not needed since the Navy is already paying me rent as well as will pay the cost of my $45/night stays at the Q. 

It will be like Christmas to open some boxes! I packed out the 1st of May...so its been eon's living out of suitcases for so long. It will be well worth the wait. The kittens have been staying here and getting accommodated to the place, so that has also worked out well. Thank-you to Ramir who kept care of them for me since I arrived on the island. 

Also good news; I am done, done, DONE with all indoc classes...there are 1/2 dozen here it seems...Military, Base, Cultural, Hospital...blah, blah, blah...they have been useful (some) but sitting in a classroom all day is not my idea of a good time! Friday will be my first day of work on the Multi-Service Ward (everything you can think of...including delivering babies). I look forward to doing patient care again, though its less than my ideal 1st choice (critical care; which they don't have here. Or ER...which my boss is going to aide me getting there). 

I hope all is well back in the states...once again...enjoy your cable TV, DSL Internet and convenience foods and shopping for me :) 

Traveling WoMAN

So the last few weeks have been busy as I am in Indoc now (which is a combo of military as well as Italian Culture classes) along with getting settled and getting keys to my new place, etc, etc...not to mention the travels that I have been so lucky to do; I went ot Rome the last weekend of June on an opportunity I could not pass up with my sponsor, Dana, and Hannah, a fellow nurse who has now gone back to the States. It was amazing. Here is a photo of the girls and I at the Vatican:

This past weekend I went on an organized tour/trip to Volcano Island, which is part of the Aeolion Island groups that stem from Volcanic rock creation and also got to tour Lipari by boat (a few of the other islands are Stromboli, Panerea, Salina, Alicudi, and Flicudi; 7 in total) which are all just north (1 hour ferry) of the Sicilian Coast. And then to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento which is 2 hours SouthWest of Sigonella on the coast. Catania and Sigonella are so central is great! Volcano Island; with Sulfer baths: And the 2nd is of the Temple of Guinone;

Enjoy and more to come! Ciao Ciao!