My writing. Also very protective of it.
Questioning myself…
Since I have been taking my nursing pre-requisites I have felt that I have made the right decision. Some things happened recently at work that have me questioning this decision a bit. The other night I get to work and am chatting with a co-worker when she informs me the other night she was the only nurse technician on the floor and was assigned ALL twenty-six patients! Not only did this shock me but I was absolutely mortified! She stated it was all she could do not to walk out but she too is in nursing school. Talk about burn-out.
A lot of nurse managers, I surmise, were either never CNAs or nurse technicians, or if they were then they definitely have forgotten how labor intensive being a tech is. They would have never done this to any of their nurses on this floor! So why do techs continually get abused and treated this way? Then management sits around scratching their heads, wondering why they cannot get and keep good CNAs or nurse technicians. Is it not any wonder that most nursing students drop out or change their majors after having to work in this capacity? Why does South Carolina, like so many other states, not have patient limits? This not only protects our patients but also the nurses/nurse technicians, as well! I used to work in an ER in Texas and not only does that state enforce patient limits they also limit the number of hours a shift-worker can work. I found out from one of the RN’s on my floor that Texas and California are currently the only states the enforce patient limits.
I am now wondering if I should change my degree to radiology so I do not have to worry about a working in a state that not only does not seem to care for its nurses or hospital staff, but its patients!
Nurses/Nurse Techs Healing Prayer for 2010…
Dear God/ess,
Today and throughout the year I wish to be mindful of my archetypal role as Nurse/Nurse Tech to patients and other Nurses/Nurse Techs here in Earth School.
This awareness extends to the many roles we all carry at different times and different places that help us see ourselves more clearly. As we step aside from the roles and the games we’ve all played, we grow into our authentic selves, finally realizing that roles no longer serve us.
Dropping the mask allows us to simply serve whomever we happen to be with, without pretension, or any degree of self-importance.
Service opens the heart for giving and receiving, a flow that cannot be stopped.
The Spiritual Masters teach that the highest truth comes from Love and service to all of humanity. This serves the highest good of all, including my own life and also yours.
Today is the day I see everything I do, including the beating of my heart and the breathing of my spirit as an act of unconditional service to all.
Om, Peace, Amen.
Thank you to my healing nurse friend, Kate:
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Why Are They Single if They Have it All?
Sometimes you meet people who immediately engage you. You're taken by their energy, their good looks, their kindness. They talk to you—not at you. They ask you questions, are genuinely interested in finding out about you. You learn about them. They have a great job, have loads of friends, always are doing interesting things. But then you find out they're single, and have been for a long time.
This is when you hit the breaks. "If you're single, what chance do I have?" you might ask if you, too, are single. There are people out there who could qualify as being the "total package": great personality, good looks, successful. And when you find out they're single, you have to scratch your head. Sometimes they choose to be single, that their life is better when they're free to do whatever they want. But other times, they can't seem to make it click. Why is this?
I have a few friends—both gay and straight, male and female—who are in their mid- to late-30s and can't seem to make a relationship flourish. Some of them are totally ok with that, but others are depressed and really want to find a partner to share their life with. Why is it that there are people who are always in a relationship and they're possibly the most annoying people you encounter in your life? How is it that someone who grates on your nerves is able to get a boyfriend or girlfriend and the ones who are deemed a great catch continue to remain single?
So what do you think: Are these people afraid to commit or are they just better off being single?
Written by Ari Bendersky on July 27, 2009 in IN THE NEWS | Email this article 
What have I done? Reflections on my move “home”…
I definitely would only consider Mullins, South Carolina for a short visit. I grew up in Mullins, joined the military and moved away and only recently relocated from Dallas, Texas due to my mother having a stroke May 2007. Let me say, it was the one of, if not THE worst decisions I have ever made in my life! I came back to help my siblings with my mother and other than being closer to my family it has been pure HELL! Don’t get me wrong, I love Mullins and it is a nice, small, quaint town that, like so many other small towns across America, is dying. I still have family friends here I grew up with but most have left for good reason. Families may fair better in Mullins but be warned.
There are NO movie theaters, no semblance of any cultural activities (i.e. no symphony, opera, etc.) Public transit is a joke (what public transit – PDRTA?). Lots of Christian churches, no synagogues, or Catholic worship facilities. Restaurants are a joke unless you want a good old fashioned artery clogging meal. Shopping is non-existent. Two “scary” motels, one large chain hotel near the new Super WallyWorld (that was 24 hrs when it open but not so now!). A public school system in need of funds, new books, and teachers. Private school charges over $300 a month (for all 12 months) for each child, no group discounts here. Also, if you are a military Veteran, like me, you will have to drive to Columbia or Charleston for your healthcare because the Florence and Myrtle Beach VA clinics cannot accommodate any new Veterans!
Someone tell me how you could ask $150,000.00 for a 2 bedroom, 1 bath home with no garage or other amenities? And no it is not on Horseshoe or in Pecan Point either. Where do they think they are? Myrtle Beach? It is one whole hour away, yes closer than most, but last time I checked there is no ocean front view with that home! Unemployment is rampant, the homeless shelter charges the homeless (what’s up with that?), jobs are non-existent, and there seems to be a lot of hatred of whites here…to the point that it is so noticeable that it is scary…especially in the fast food places here. VERY conservative town with no apologies. The “old boy network” is still alive and well here. Some old family monied still reign/rule with the new tobacco monied families. Example, one of the largest “family” banks that my father and mother contributed to its growth over the years and my mother worked for, took my mother to court because she could not continue her payments to them because she lives in a nursing home on a limited income now due to her stroke! My siblings and I have been trying to help keep up her payments but can hardly pay our own way because of the economy and pay structure here. It took me from May to October last year just to find a full-time job in Mullins and now that has even gone by the wayside.
Lots of the plants are closing down and other businesses are laying off as well. I have been looking for work since the first of October, to no avail. To find work you have to drive to the beach or to Florence and neither is a commute I would like. Unless you are independently wealthy and could afford to travel away often, I would re-consider a move to Mullins. Grocery stores close at 9 pm and do not open until 8 am! Banks and some businesses still operate under the antiquated “blue law” – which means they are closed on Sundays and lock the doors at 1 pm every Wednesday.
Leaving ALL of my friends and a LIFE behind in Dallas was one of the BIGGEST mistakes I have ever made in my life. And with my familial obligations it appears I will be here for a while. Whisper a prayer for me.
“Live & Achieve Your Best Life”
"You wish you could live the best life possible – and who wouldn't? There are several simple steps you can take to make your wish materialize.
Put Yourself First
Putting yourself first may sound selfish on the surface. In reality, it is not selfish at all. In addition, it does not mean that you hurt others in order to achieve your goals. Rather, it means that you do not allow others to selfishly interfere with your goals and with your priorities. If you hope to live your best life, you need to make your dreams and goals a priority.
Don't Give Up
Along the path toward achieving the life you have always wanted, you will inevitably run into some roadblocks. This doesn't mean you turn around and go back home. Rather, look for a way to work around that roadblock or to use it to your advantage. Never focus on the obstacles in your way – allowing all of your attention to be drawn to a problem is really just your self-critical voice speaking to you out of fear. Continue focusing on your desired outcomes and working toward your goals.
Working from Your Strengths
No one can do everything. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Don't waste your time and energy beating yourself down, worrying about the things you don't do well. Instead, recognize your strengths, take full advantage of them, and ask others who have counterbalanced strengths to do the things that you don't do well."
by Sandra Sinclair
"The Happy Path Mini-Course — 5 clear steps you can take to create your ideal life."
A proper Martini for you. Enjoy!
Martini drinkers are a breed unto themselves. These days just about anything can pass for a martini. Take, for example, the Cosmopolitan: Vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, Cointreau. Even though this drink is typically served in a martini glass, we all know it is far from it. Martinis are made with gin and are NEVER shaken. Below is just one of the many acceptable methods of making a drink that can bear the name "MARTINI".
Method 1: Stirred
What you will need:
Dry Gin
Noilly Prat Vermouth
Large hand blown glass pitcher
Hand-blown martini glasses
Lots of clear, hard ice
Lemon
1. Fill the glasses with very cold, ice water.
2. WAIT 5 minutes (have some light conversation with your guests).
3. Fill the pitcher with the clear, hard ice.
4. Pour the gin into the pitcher. It must be CAREFULLY poured along the sides of the pitcher so it is not "bruised" by crashing into the ice cubes.
5. Pour the vermouth on top of the ice. Be sure to maintain the required 36.5 parts gin to 1 part vermouth ratio.
6. Let the drink cool down by SLOWLY stirring. Each full turn of the pitcher's contents should take 2.5 seconds.
7. Watch the ice in the pitcher carefully. When it looks like it's starting to melt, stop stirring & completely empty the glasses.
8. Take a large strainer & pour the drink SLOWLY into the glasses.
9. Add a lemon twist & SERVE!
Customer Service? Going the way of the dinosaurs…
Here is a recent letter that I mailed to AmTrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Board of Directors and Mr. Alexander Kummant/AmTrak CEO:
November 30, 2006
AmTrak Guest Rewards
P.O. Box 1762
Minneapolis, MN, 55440-1762
Re: AmTrak Guest Rewards Program & AmTrak “Customer Service?”
To whom it may concern:
I am very surprised with AmTrak’s current declining and otherwise poor attitude and treatment towards it’s frequent travelers and rail travel lovers. This is probably one of the many reasons AmTrak will never even be compared to the great rail service providers in Europe.
For instance, while most airlines’ mileage points earned almost never expire – AmTrak’s expire frequently and are loaded with hidden travel rules and ‘black-out’ dates that fall during peak travel periods. I personally had over 824 points that have since ‘vanished’ due to my inability to travel while battling cancer. I love to travel by rail, and if the option exists, will always choose AmTrak over the major airlines. Alas, I am re-thinking my loyalty to your company since AmTrak apparently does not seem to care about this value.
Another example of this is when your railroad decided to not allow ANY pets to travel via AmTrak anymore. Imagine my surprise, and eventual dismay, when I recently called 1-800-USA-RAIL to secure travel from Dallas, Texas to Los Angeles, California for my two cats and I when your “customer service?” agent hostilely told me “pets have never been able to travel via AmTrak” and that I need to “hang up and consult your local yellow pages to find another way to travel with your pets” – upon which she hung up on me. Without even allowing me the chance to ask any other questions. So, I had to call back to speak to another equally rude “customer service?” agent to get a phone number for AmTrak shipping to see if they could be of any assistance. Well, “assistance” must be a foreign word to AmTrak agents because once I finally secured the number from the second RUDE agent and I dialed your shipping department to my surprise…I got another agent who apparently did not want to be at work or answering the phone for AmTrak. I was told by this non-customer service agent to contact the airlines or to drive them to California myself!!
Moving to California, I was dreaming, would be great for me because rail travel on AmTrak is easier on the West Coast and possibly more frequent. Like I said, I was dreaming. I will never subject myself to any of AmTrak’s “NAZI” customer service agents ever again!
I know AmTrak recently actually posted an earnings for the first time in many centuries since the inception of a national rail line. I guess AmTrak officials feel these earnings were created out of thin air and not as the result of their travelers and loyal clientele whom paid for their rail fare with their sweat and back-breaking labor that keeps America running.
Continue down the road, AmTrak, as most large corporations seem to be headed today, in regards to pitiful or non-existent customer service, and you may realize too late that NO customers or NO travelers = NO profit and NO jobs!
Regards,
Johnny D. George, Jr.
(#7000186754)
CC: National Railroad Passenger Corporation Board of Directors and Mr. Alexander Kummant
P.S. This letter will be posted to my international web blog. We, as consumers, tend to forget at times we have a voice, and a right, to fair and civil treatment from ANY company we choose to spend our hard-earned money at. Chugga-chugga, choo-choo!
When did we forget our Dreams?
The infinite possibilites each day holds should stagger the mind. The sheer number of experiences I could have is uncountable, breathtaking. So here I sit refreshing my stupid inbox. We live trapped in loops, reliving a few days over & over, & we envision only a handful of paths laid out ahead of us. We see the same things each day, we respond the same way, we think the same thoughts, each day a slight variation of the last. Every moment smoothly following the gentle curves of societal norms. We act like if we just get through today, tomorrow our dreams will come back to us.
And no, I don't have all the answers. I don't know how to jolt myself into seeing what each moment could become. Although fighting a bout with cancer sure did give me a kick in the pants! But I do know one thing: the solution does not involve watering down my every little idea & creative impulse for the sake of someday easing my fit into a mold. It does not involve tempering my life to better fit someone's expectations. It doesn't involve constantly holding back for fear of shaking things up.
Rant, rave, write, dance, sing, play, love, LIVE!!
