I walked out of the hospital late Tuesday night (the 10th). Uncharacteristically I hadn't packed or prepared for the trip. After a stop at Ben’s house (I have now introduced Andrea into the circle) to see everyone I ran home. Amber and I sipped coffee on the way to the airport and I was off.
As an adult I’ve traveled the world and navigated my way through quite a few airports. So, it was a bit weird to be back in a student role having a chaperone freaked out someone would miss a connection. In Dallas I stepped up to the desk to see if I could obtain credit for my miles. My chaperone came up behind me in a tizzy rebuking me for leaving her sight. Um…I was at our gate…and I told the girls… Regardless, it reminded me that I was in a different role. I’m back to being 15 and traveling in a TMI travel group. =0))
Listening to lectures the whole way there afforded me a few naps. As you can see here we were being complete nerds on the plane studying for upcoming tests (and tests we were missing due to the trip)
We arrived in California to be informed that we could not check in until 4pm. Our chaperone was set on a nice lunch and wanted to poll the locals. Many of us were on super strict budgets and weren’t looking forward to cab rides and a big tap. But she was set on a nice place. We ended up getting some cabs and going to this place the desk attendant swore we’d like. In fact, she would call ahead and make reservations for us.
We had a little trouble with the English barrier between our drivers, and were a bit concerned they had never heard of this place. Still, we made it there. We walked in and it was the most ghetto place ever.
“Um…I’m pretty sure if there is a PICTURE menu, you don’t need reservations.” Was the observation of the person behind me. A gruff deep Latino voice came over the loud speaker “uhhhh number ocho wet burrito with cheeps.” It was quite the place and we continued to giggle every few minutes when the gruff voice would announce the meal up at the counter.
For weeks I had been asking the current president of our local chapter just what the heck this was all about and only getting the answer “umm, it’s hard to explain its just cool and you’ll see in California” Yeah, took me about 3 days to finally figure it out. Basically it’s a national lobbying organization for student nurses and we vote on national leaders and resolutions sent to groups like nursing associations or the AMA.
Friday was my turn to sit during resolution sessions and vote with the other schools from Texas. The night before they stayed up to the wee hours of the morning interviewing candidates running for national organization so Texas would know how to vote. Apparently TX has one of the hightest numbers of votes (based on membership) and they aren’t shy about it. I pretty much sat back and went with the flow except for a few things that I chose to stand in opposition. (got a few “you go girl”s on that)
As you can see in the picture the delegates from TX like to eat...the had it delivered right into the house of delegates.
Though we were down the street from Disney I didn’t go (can you believe its like 83 dollars these days?!?) WE did eat at a restaurant outside the park and took pictures in the “R..N” section of the word CALIFORNIA outside the park. cheesy. =0))
It was an exhuasing trip with late nights. Sunday I went on a nice stroll in the sun to read and prepare to go home. Once again American delayed the return to our West Texas city, but I was home by midnight.
I guess the trip just seemed wild because it really hasn’t sunk in yet that I’m in nursing school and will be a nurse next year. I’ve been discouraged with school recently. Its not necessarily hard information, just that they throw such a huge quantity at us. Being social hasn’t worked out for me as much and I think I need to go back to being a hermit. =0)) Ok, so maybe I need to balance both extremes.
The outgoing officers
My dear leaders from my 3 TMI mission trips are in the US on furlough. When I heard they would be in TX I couldn't pass up the chance to go see them. (And once again do a crazy 36 hour weekend of driving)
Saturday was my birthday and I stayed with Charity. The birthday hat was sent to me by my mom. We went to teh store and she made a meal that would make Martha Stewart proud. (Chicken in puff pastry with basil cream sauce.) We ended the night with some mocha almond fudge ice cream.
