Sorry it's been awhile!

I realize it's been awhile since I've written but we finally got the internet today! It's pretty much been the best day ever, we got hooked up to the internet and then I proceeded to buy tickets to see Prince at Croke Park in June with Jenny on my newly hooked up internet. 

I continue to settle in well. Work is very different. The people are extremely nice but things are going to take some getting used to. I didn't realize how great I had it at home. Here are some things that I'll have to adjust to:

1) No AC in the hospital. As nice as it is to be able to open the windows and get some fresh air, I can't imagine it's good as far as infection control goes. I really hope it's a mild summer otherwise I will refuse to work day shifts. 

2) No computers, well, I take that back, there is one computer used only for looking up labs and ordering formula. We're talking stacks and stacks of paper. 

3) The hospital sort of shuts down after business hours. If you want labs run at night, you have to call an on call lab person to come in and run them...and it better be important. Forget about any PT/OT/Social work/etc on the weekends or after business hours. There isn't even a pharmacist in the hospital at night. If the phlebotomy team is gone, an MD has to place IVs and draw labs...suckers!

4) Nursing Assistants have a completely different role. All they do is pass meals and stock the unit. Allyson, I love and appreciate you! There is no such thing as Respiratory Therapists here, I also love and appreciate you guys. 

5) Report takes forever! No, seriously, like 45 minutes. The night charge gives report and then the day manager lays out how the day is going to go. I hope they don't notice me in the corner rolling my eyes and doodling on my paper. We have to know about every patient for whatever reason. Everyone does 12 hour shifts, but despite that, we have another report at 3 p.m. even though it's the same staff. Drives me nuts.

6) Forget about Pyxis. You have to find keys to the drug cart and then a second person to check drugs with...very efficient.

7) We actually get breaks! I almost feel like we get too many breaks. You get a breakfast break in the morning after passing meds, then you get a lunch break, then you get a tea break later in the day. They make you go, it's crazy. In total I must get 2 hours worth of breaks. 

8) Working with kids has its perks. I haven't checked a single blood sugar. Baby nappies (diapers) are way easier to change than adult ones. Kids are easier to lift and turn. 

9) There are not bathrooms in the rooms. There is one shared lavatory with a few toilets. If a kid uses a urinal or bedpan, you have to walk it down the hall to the "sluice" (still haven't quite figured out what this means) and put it into this crazy dishwasher type thing. 

10) "Isolation" is a joke. No yellow gowns here, just an apron that doesn't even cover your arms made out of plastic. No hats or masks. I've only seen people use gloves a couple of times. My co-workers probably think I'm some kind of OCD freak that's obsessed with hygiene. They're probably going to have to increase their glove budget now that I'm here. I'm sorry but I'm not changing some strange kid's nappie with my bare hands. Shake your head at me if you will. 

There is so much more I could add but we'll let that rest for awhile. Regions folks, just know you have it way better than you'll ever know. 

I went to Sam's (Chandra's husband) American Football game yesterday. It was pretty entertaining. We represented in our Packers gear. Chandra's mom was recruited to be in the chain gang. Chandra and I got sun burns. Ireland isn't really a place where you think about the threat of sun very often but...lesson learned. 

The apartment is awesome. I have a view of Drimnagh Castle from my bedroom and a view of the golf course from our balcony. There is a little creek below us too. 

I had a great birthday weekend with everyone. The international nurse facilitator at the hospital gave me a list of pubs/clubs to go as homework so we tackled that. I was hoping to run into Collin Farrell along the way but he must have been busy that weekend. 

That's all I can think of for now. Now that I have the internet (!) I'll be updating more frequently. Thanks for all the nice birthday messages. 

My New Address!

Here is my new address. We move in May 1st and there is plenty of room for visitors. Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a huge living room. Paid the bond and signed the lease today.
185 Lansdowne Gate, Lansdowne Valley
Drimnagh, Dublin 12
Ireland

Birthday ideas

I'm going to go ahead and steal Heather's idea (she is a genius) and make a request for my birthday (May 2nd). If everyone could send me (via e-mail) a song, or songs, or playlist that you think I would like or that you think will remind me of you or of home I would really appreciate it. You don't have to send me an actual file or anything, just title and artist, and I'll download it from i-tunes. Then, when I get homesick or when I'm missing you, I can just listen to your song(s). Thanks in advance!

Good News!

We got the apartment!!!! We move in May 1st; what a wonderful birthday present for me. Here’s the website:

http://http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?search=1&s[cc_id]=ct1&s[a_id]=pc13&s[mnp]=&s[mxp]=&s[bd_no]=3&s[search_type]=rental&s[furn]=&s[refreshmap]=1&limit=10&search_type=rental&id=553273

Hopefully I’ll sort of figure out what my schedule is going to be in the next couple of weeks so that you all can start planning your vacations.

I added a list of my favorite things I've experienced here at the bottom of the page. I'll add to it as I go along. Make sure and check it out every now and again.

Apartment?

I know I haven’t written in awhile. I was sort of waiting until I got the internet...however there is a change in plans. There is a possibility that I will be moving out May 1st. Bridget and I found a beautiful apartment about a ten minute walk away. It’s about two stops away on the bus also. It’s a brand new complex, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, fully furnished. I cannot do it justice here. We found a girl who is interested in living with us at least for awhile. Her family is Nigerian but she’s from London and she’s lovely. We’ll have our own little UN...but I digress. I want to hold off on signing any mobile internet contract because the apartment is set up with broadband. We turned in our paperwork yesterday so hopefully we’ll hear something soon. There was another group of people who were interested that applied last week but they are a group of six and the leasing agent said that the management company would be more likely to take a group of three over a group of six. Bridget and I would like to take advantage of rent free living as much as we can but, if living in this affordable palace means we have to leave a little early...we’re willing. I would be able to walk/bike to work and it’s a short bus ride to the city center. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. If it doesn’t work out, it will be fine, we’ll find something else but I’m keeping positive.

Work is still pretty uneventful, still just classroom stuff. We don’t get onto the units until next Thursday. Everybody I meet tells me how lovely St. Anne’s is (the burn unit) so I’m really looking forward to it. Today one of our speakers was one of the chaplains and she’s from Chicago. She says there are three other Americans in the hospital, one social worker and two girls on the PICU. I’m not alone! I’ll be interested to meet them and get their take on things.

Bridget and I have been very good about leaving the hospital pretty much daily...mostly for our sanity. I think I’m really going to like it here, there is lots to see and do. I’m in the process of making a list of things I want to do...I can’t wait to be able to cross things off. This Sunday we’re going to go to Malahide Castle to check that out. I’m going to keep a list of my most favorite things here.

Sarah Had A Little Lamb

Last weekend I went up to Glencolumbkille (Donegal) because we had Friday off. It was a nice relaxing weekend. I met a few people from Washington State who will be there until June for an independent study. Eunan (Alisha’s brother-in-law) was playing at Biddy’s (pub) on Saturday night so we had a good time. It’s lambing season so there are little baby lambs all over the place...they are so cute! A couple of Cathal’s sheep died during childbirth so they have been having to bottle feed the lambs every few hours. Coming from the city, I think it’s fun to play farmer and was more than happy to help with the feedings...even at 2 in the morning. They have some singles, twins, and triplets so I was kept busy. I wanted to sneak my favorite one out of the barn with me but Big Tom (Cathal’s dad) told me to take as many as I wanted, I think they are sick of taking care of them...he says they are worse than children. I figured the hospital wouldn’t be too happy with a little lamb running around so I’ll be content with visiting them. It was funny to see all of us standing around in the barn each with a lamb in our arms bottle feeding them. 

A Lesson In Irish

One morning of one of my cultural classes was dedicated to Irish/Dublin slang. I thought I would impart my new found knowledge on the rest of you. Some of them are rather inappropriate but we actually learned ALL of these in class. As you’ll see, the Irish are rather casual...even in the workplace. 

banjaxed - broken down

chiseller - a young child

couldn’t be arsed - couldn’t be bothered

fair play to you/good on you - well done

header - mentally unstable person

I will in me bollix - I won’t 

jax - toilet

make a bags of something - mess it up

me belly tinks me trote’s been cut - I’m rather hungry

rag order - bad condition

ride - have sex with (remember to ask people for a LIFT to the pub...not a ride!)

scarlet - blushing

shite - rubbish

shorts/wee one - spirits/hard liquor

slagging/taking the piss - teasing

trow a wobbler - have a temper tantrum

work away - go ahead, after you

yer man - that guy

yer one - that girl

yer wha’? - excuse me?!?

yoke - inserted to describe a noun when the actual word has slipped the speaker’s mind

Feck!/Feck off! - An acceptable way to drop the F-bomb

Jaysus! - This one is self explanatory

He’s a chancer - risk taker

Eejit - Idiot...only it’s way more fun to say it the Irish way

jar (Do you fancy going for a jar?) - drink

culchies/boggers - country folk

jackeens - Dubliners

gobshite (I’ve never met a bigger gobshite in my life) - bullshitter

slagging - making fun

I made a holy show of meself last night. - made an ass

It’s jammers - full/packed

That’s gas - fun/funny

Was the film any use? - any good

cuppa - cup of tea

pissed/bollixed - drunk

grand - lovely/great/etc

Yank - American

craic (crack) - fun

craic agus ceol (crack ahgus keeole) - fun and music

slainte (slawncha) - cheers/your health

cead mile failte (kade meela fallcha) - one hundred thousand welcomes

pog ma thoin (pogue ma hone) - kiss my arse

go raibh maith agat (gur rev moh agut) - thanks

In conclusion, don’t make make fun of me when I adopt these terms into my vocabulary. It’s much too hard to use the American versions and then have to explain myself to people.