soon so-long.

my time in nelson is coming to a close... 2 more shifts- tonight and tomorrow, and nursing school will be complete. can't even express how wonderful it's been to be welcomed so fully, so warmly into this home, with this family. hours with the girls, play time, reading time, snack time... and this place is getting warm. suddenly it's green. there are leaves budding on the trees, the mornings are milder, and the birds are chirpier. it's bittersweet to say so-long to a place such as this!

KLH

on my walkings to and fro the hospital.

this is kootenay lake hospital.

this is near the street i live on.

this is me after my 2nd night shift.

nelson time.

some of my surroundings in this lovely home...

special lunch in front of video with kid friends!

drawing by big girl from a couple years back...

sunny mornings when i have to sleep all day, but can't complain as now the sun has disappeared and it's drizzling and cold...

beautiful stove that is easy to obsessively shine.

first self portrait in the front hall...

h1n1

it got me. the h1n1 influenza knocked on my door and waltzed right in without asking. it made me feel like i'd run a marathon- legs aching, back aching, head pounding, heart pounding. confirmation with a 38.1 degree fever. didn't even have time to get the damn vaccine.

daily, i read the newspaper. new pandemic headlines- "why panic is not the answer," "provinces scramble to fight flu's second wave," "flu-shot clinics struggle to keep up with demand," etc etc.

there is something odd, and perfect, about sitting on the couch with the flu whilst reading about the pandemic sweeping the nation. at least i know it's not all about me.

we're on day 4 here, the h1n1, and i have to say we are a bit more amicable with one another, since we've had so much Q time on the couch. i want to ask, "when are you leaving me? i've had enough. i've got halloween to enjoy, school to work on, clinical to pass. so why you staying past your welcome?" it doesn't say much to me. it watches battlestar gallactica over my shoulder, observes my mindless browsing of facebook and other such internet sites, all while perching comfortably at the edge of the sofa sipping orange juice.

i'm trying to be patient here, trying to ride through this, but moments of frustration can overcome, so now i am making granola.