So, it has been about four months since I left home and came to California. So much has happened, it seems like a lifetime! My uncle asked me over Christmas, "Is it really as good as the emails [blog] say[s]?" Yes, there are times, like two days ago I am homesick and miss Texas, my friends and all the familiar places and things and I'll wear my cowboy boots around and listen to country music in an attempt to make myself feel a little better. But, then I'll have a fun day at work or with my fun, new, sweet friends or see a beautiful scene and it makes the pangs of that homesick feeling not so sharp. I know I'm an idealist and am probably ignorant of many realities of situations, including my own. But, I cannot help but feel this has been a positive and fun experience, for which I am so thankful for every little bit.
Every so often, I'll think of a little lesson I've learned during these short 4 months, some profound and some not at all. Here's a short list:
1. Cities are smaller than I thought they were. I'm not even really sure what I mean by that. A drive from San Jose to San Francisco takes an hour and you never leave "city," and can take a couple of hours to traverse the Bay Area metro area, like the Dallas metroplex, so, that's really still very big. But, it also does not take me very long to get other places and it doesn't take as long as I thought to become familiar with the main roads, even though I still make wrong turns often. So, it feels smaller here than I expected.
2. This may seem contradictory to number 1, but GPSs are definitely worth the $200 (although they do no eliminate every wrong turn : ).
3. Simple living is the way to go! I only have a car-full of belongings out here, half of which I use consistently and much of which I could still probably donate to Goodwill and live without. I have really enjoyed the simple living traveling has made me accustomed to now. Even though I have half a car-full of things I have for "just in case," it's still about 6 carloads less than what's in storage in Texas . . . which is much easier to manage. Less is more!
4. Travel nursing is a good shopping deterrent! Coinciding with number 3, knowing you have to pack up in your already-near-full-capacity car and move everything you buy after every assignment keeps you from buying junk you don't need! When thinking about buying something, the question "do you really want to pack this?" comes to mind, to which I usually respond, "nope!" and happily place it back on the shelf or rack.
5. It's been worth it so far. I love and miss Texas, Lubbock, McAlisters, The Cracker Barrel, WPC, my family and friends there. But I have enjoyed so much the new friends I have made, the beautiful country, the diversity of the people here, the thrill of the adventure and being stretched and challenged. I have also enjoyed trying different hospitals (albeit, two . . . ) and seeing how each has evolved from before healthcare regulations or standardization to modern healthcare institutions independently--each developed separately to become essentially the same, while maintaining remnants of their own process of evolution (very interesting to see).
6. Life should be and can be an adventure! I don't think we should necessarily pursue every little desire of our hearts, especially at the expense of others or our relationships, but, I do believe God lays passions on our hearts, and, if pursued appropriately and responsibly, will be used for His good purpose. I believe our lives can be thrilling--maybe not every single moment will knock our socks off, but, "thrill" exists for a reason! Have some!
7. We are all different but we are all the same.
8. "Parking garages" are "parking structures" . . .
9. Recycle or get flogged!
10. I get called a "traveler" at work. When I float to another unit that's short, to help them out, I am designated a "traveler" as well as in regular conversation at work--I am a "traveler." This just really means I'm not permanent staff but reminds me, I'm viewed as "passing through." I know California is not a foreign country or land, but, compared to Texas, it is somewhat different. I think it's a good thing to be a true outsider, foreigner or sojourner at some point. I have been dependent upon the hospitality and kindness of absolute strangers. Being a "foreigner," of sorts, has forced me to have to trust strangers and to look to them for help and friendship. Some have been very warm and welcoming while others have not. It's been good to have to rely on people and things other than my probably overly independent, "self-sufficient" self, which has made proud me have to be more humble than I naturally would choose! That's probably a good thing. (I know people say "if you say you're humble, you're not humble." I'm not referring to the internal personality characteristic of humility but the application of humility from an external situation or circumstance--being a humble person v. being humbled. Ok, end of sidenote!)
Pictures from the last week!
I know . . . more of the shoreline. Sorry! It's what I do when I get bored!
Rain for 2 and a half weeks produces this.
I hope you all are blessed and healthy and warm and dry! Feel free to shoot me an email if you are bored! I would love to hear how you are doing! : )
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