To change or not to change: THAT is the question

I finally acted on the feelings that have been nagging me for several weeks but I've been too chicken to do anything about. Last semester I spent a day following one of the cardiologists that specializes in electrophysiology (basically the electrical conduction of the heart) and I really really enjoyed it! I caught on really quickly to the stuff in the EP lab where they do ablations and put in pacemakers. The doctor told me they'd hire me if I ever wanted a job. At that point I wasn't ready to switch positions but... lately I've been feeling a little on autopilot at work, in need of some shaking up, some mental stimulation. So, today I talked to that cardiologist's nurse about working in the electrophysiology lab. Turns out they have 8, 10, and 12 hour shifts and take call on weekends and holidays (which could be really really nice). I'd have to work in the cath lab as well as the EP lab but I'm not sure I'm totally adverse to that idea. Now I've set the ball in motion a bit cause I'm sure Debbie will talk to the manager over in the lab.

So... I have to decide whether to stay in my comfortable little bubble with the people I know, where I interact one on one with awake patients, and am basically a floor nurse or get out of my rut and try something new that will shake my brain up a bit, probably make me very uncomfortable for about 6 months, make me learn 500000000 new things in a very technically oriented job, and give me experience in another area of cardiology. I do not like risk and change = risk. Especially in the middle of a master's degree. Anyway, I would like your prayers while I think about this...

One more prayer request... One of my coworkers has a 2 year old who has been having seizures (now up to 20 every hour) has found out in the last few weeks that there is no cure for his problem. Each seizure is causing a little more brain damage despite medicines and he is too weak to survive surgery. She's been in contact with Dr. Carson at Johns Hopkins, a doctor in MI, and at Emory without any hope. She has been told that he will probably have to be institutionalized some day and may never progress developmentally beyond his current level. So please remember this little boy and his family in your prayers.

random pictures from a random weekend

This weekend was probably one of the most relaxing and laid back in awhile. Maybe it's also because I wasn't exhausted since my week wasn't that crazy because I only worked two days and successfully procrastinated on some of my homework. Carrie and I decided at the last minute that she should come down for the weekend since nothing exciting was going on at Highland. As usual, you can look at MJ's blog or Carrie's blog for some other pics!

Sabbath morning Ryan, Tanya, and Stephanie joined us for breakfast.

After going to the Third for church, we came back and made lunch: chicken and rice casserole, rosemary potatos, and veggies. (The menu is for your benefit, Dad. ;-) Here's Ryan and I on clean-up.

Before Ryan had to work in the dorm, we took a trip to the Veteran's park for a quick game of catch. Unfortunately it started raining and we had to go back home. I'm trying not to fall off this guy's really hard, small lap.

On Sunday, Carrie, Tanya, Stephanie, and I went to Joylynn's house (my old boss in the President's office) for brunch. We FINALLY got there after going halfway to Shallowford because we weren't paying attention to our destination and getting stuck while a pulverized car was pulled out of a ditch. Here's Carrie with Joylynn's dog Kayde (I think that's how you spell it). She's part Akita and usually very fluffy.

Here's my newest addition to the living room art collection. Carrie drew the organ picture on the left during a vespers way back when we first came to Southern and she took the picture on the right after vespers one night when I was in photography class doing a project of self portraits. She matted them last time she was here and I picked out frames. This time we hung them up!

This week is going to be lots of working - M, W, Th. Fortunately, yesterday was an easy day so I'm not starting the week wiped out from working. Unfortunately, I'm having a really hard time getting my brain in gear to do my homework. I think it's decided to resist going to school any longer. It's telling me: "You've gone to school for 17 years, I'm THRU!" (Wow, that's depressing...) My symptoms are: not getting homework I don't like done until the last possible second and getting frustrated with assignments I think are unnecessary. Maybe this is partially because I'm going into education and I don't always agree with my teacher's poor instructions on assignments or teaching methods. Whatever it is, I'm gonna have to fix it... soon...

In other news, last night I got to the last 5 minutes of Ryan's 2nd softball game, just in time to see him hit a homerun over the left field fence! They won both games, too bad I can't leave work at 5 instead of 7ish.

(almost) Undefeated

Tonight was a big game for team Shazam! They put up a good fight and came back from behind but unfortunately lost 9-8. Considering they've won every game up to now by a wide margin, I'd say they're doing pretty well. Once again I was fighting the lighting to get good shots but here are a few for your enjoyment...

The studly first baseman warming up... Gotta love powerful zoom lenses!


The team gathers to "Shazam!" before the game

Eric in the air on his way to first base

Miller Time and Abercrombie and Litch on the run

In the midst of the comeback

Ryan with my fellow spectators/commentators

view at your own risk

Sorry but this is the only picture I have from my weekend... This is Ryan's friend Faudi (also know as Jerad) who came up to my house on Sabbath afternoon and watched Cinderella Man with Ryan, Stephanie, and me on Saturday night. The weekend was a relaxing one with perfect weather. We went to the Heilmans for Sabbath spaghetti (of course) then for a hike on the Biology trail before Evensong and a Taco Bell trip (along with half of Southern and a tour bus). I stayed up far too late watching the movie but how can you go to bed when there are people bashing each other in the face? Boxing so totally goes against my ethical principles as a nurse (and a human)... but the movie was good, if you can stand all the face smashing. Sunday was a very non-Sunday-like day at work with me opening charts at 5 PM, just in time to close them... Grrrrr... Thankfully I'm not working again until Friday and even more wonderful, somebody wanted to switch with me so I don't have to work next Sabbath! So the next few days are going to be FULL of studying because I have a big Pathophysiology test on Tuesday and various papers and case studies to do. Sigh... time to stop avoiding my 2 ton text book...

On the loose!

Despite the road work in Ocoee, we made it to Murphy, NC today and they condescended to give Stephanie the privelage of driving her vehicle. AMAZING!

A full and exciting weekend

Sabbath afternoon Carrie's parents and grandfather, the Heilmans, Stephanie, Hollie, and I went to the park for a picnic and a little catch playing.

According to the photographer (Stephanie) I am highly unphotogenic when playing catch so this is the best picture you get folks. Mr. Iverson took pictures too so I'm sure you'll be able to see some more on his blog (and Carrie's of course). After we got back, Carrie spent time with her extended family while Stephanie and I took a nap. Then we drove Stephanie's car around for awhile before meeting up with the Iverson clan. The night finished off with some Uno Attack at the Heilmans.




Here's a picture of Stephanie testing out her car, in the parking lot of course. Today we're going to the DMV in Murphy, NC to get her driver's license. It's going to be weird to think I don't have to pick her up all the time to bring her over.



Sunday night, Ryan, Robin, Stephanie, Jonathan and Chris came over to eat a few goodies and watch a bit of Giants vs. Colts. Unfortunately, the evening ended with Robin getting a sprained ankle in the crater in my driveway and Chris driving into the grand canyon off my driveway. Fortunately, the boys have friends with chains and big trucks. However, Robin's ankle won't be so easy to fix...

F is for Friday

I just have to say I love Fridays. Especially when Carrie is here. We used to have so much fun on Fridays cooking, cleaning, going to Walmart, doing random fun things. And this Friday was no exception. We spent the morning cooking for Sabbath since we're going to have so many extended family and friends here.

Then the Ryans took us on a double date to the Olive Garden.

After Randy and MJ got off work we headed to the lake.


Ryan and Carrie with their new hats.

Boating has to be one of my favorite things in the world...


Carrie took some great falling shots of several people. Here's a sequence of Stephanie falling, realizing she's goin' down...


Randy gets into wakeboarding pretty well for an old guy... ;-)

More pictures!

Yes, this post really is from 5:30 AM. I got a friendly morning wake up call at 5 to tell me I've been cancelled at work for the day. 23 patients with 10 intents to discharge means no work! (Our floor usually holds 32.) I forsee a little nap in the not so distant future, after a little quality time with the organ of course. Ryan's mom sent me some pictures from their camera of the weekend, so here's a few more pictures for your enjoyment...

Stanley and Valeri (Ryan's parents) take a turn tubing.

Here's Southern's current mode of entertainment: SOFTBALL! Makes me severely jealous and want to play myself but I decided with working I didn't want to make a team handicapped all the time. Ryan's team beat the other team soundly. It took me half the game to figure out how to make my camera get good shots in the twilight sports actionness of it all. The picture of Ryan batting is taken from the end of the fence down by 3rd base thanks to my trusty zoom lens (thanks Dad!). Now that I know how to make it do what I want, more softball pictures may be coming to a blog near you!

Oh, and by the way, CARRIE and RYAN are coming tonight! YAHOO! (Heilman that is...)

An Alabama lakehouse weekend

This weekend Ryan and I met his parents and grandparents at Highland Lake in Alabama.

The new boathouse

Footrubs are the Friday night Knight tradition...

but as you can see, Stanley got the works. ;-)

On Sabbath morning I woke up at 6:30 CT and went down to read my Bible on the dock. How peaceful...

Max enjoyed the view with me.

The Roebuck SDA Church. Ryan's dad did the sermon, Ryan did the children story, and I got recruited on the spur of the moment to accompany the lady singing special music. I guess playing the piano comes in handy sometimes. I was introduced as the girl who "thinks she's found her Knight in shining armor." What can I say... the truth is the truth...

Sunday we did a little jet skiing and tubing.

And now it's back to the grind... but there are so many people coming this weekend there's a lot to look forward to!