the only constant is change

Yes, we really need to start having more “real” conversations. But it’s so, oh so hard, to break out of the mold of what we’re used to.

http://everyday-isa.com/2012/05/30/when-we-talk-about-real/

my summer so far has been a ton of work, but also a ton of awesome! i feel kind of? like a grown up. idk in terms of working 48-hour weeks, yes. 

anyway, i’ve been eating a lot (as my mom likes to point out, how the hell did you spend 43 dollars on food in two days??) i went to aloha eats (an awesome hawaiian place in lincoln park) and we went to get all you can eat sushi at sushi para two! which is totally awesome. WE ORDERED 4 ROUNDS. of tons of rolls and nigiri and appetizers. yes yes yes. 

and we topped it off with fro yo at yoberri. seriously my stomach was so full that i couldn’t go to sleep and then i couldn’t move after i woke up. 

working in IV room is also pretty sweet right now! i love that everyone who got assigned to it was grumpy at first and now totally happy. it’s so chill and we’re learning to do so many cool things~ i’ve pretty much mastered making TPN’s (total parenteral nutrition) which means that i’m making these bags which basically contain a patient’s complete essential diet in them and cost them 2000 dollars. yes.  

uh yeah i’m a little bummed that now that i’m working 2:00-10:30 i basically won’t get to hang out with anyone except for on my days off (which are few and far between) but i’m still trying to make the most of summer that i can. when i get home i still have plently of time to goof off on the internet so that keeps me happy. 

So I haven’t really documented anything in a while, but SUMMER 2012 has started! ^__^ hello sundress weather, even though it’s too windy in chicago to wear dresses unless you have some really cute underwear as well. 

Anyway, I got a new phone which means a ton more pictures, more tweets, and more texting back (although not that much more of that). Amazing how a new apartment and new phone can change your QOL/general attitude towards things, oh I guess the new job changes that too. 

I’m getting pretty used to 7 am shifts, and I can actually see why people like them so much. I get off at 3:30 and the weather’s still great and I’m completely free to go see whomever I want and do whatever I want! Yesterday, I went to Portillo’s to see off addison (since he’s leaving for hawaii today :[ ) and it was great, apart from having to pay cta fares now. But I do live like one minute from the blue line now which is nice. Oh,  and I helped TWO people with working cta machines and getting money and even telling them which stop to get off at, etc - I’m almost a true Chicagoan! I also have plans for dinner almost every day this week and I ain’t even mad about spending money because I’m making so much. 

Overall, the externship so far has been a good experience with getting to meet new people and really getting into the UIC hospital mindset. I’m also definitely a few steps ahead thanks to my experiences at Mt. Sinai. I just wish I had some more days off to spend at the zoo and go home and stuff :(

mounabowa:

1. First Important Lesson - “Know The Cleaning Lady”

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

“Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say “hello.”

I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2. Second Important Lesson - “Pickup In The Rain”

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.

A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man’s door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home.

A special note was attached. It read: “Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.”

Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3. Third Important Lesson - “Remember Those Who Serve”

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. “How much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked. “50¢,” replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

“Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. “35¢!” she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins. “I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn’t have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4. Fourth Important Lesson - “The Obstacles In Our Path”

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand - “Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.”

5. Fifth Important Lesson - “Giving When It Counts”

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, “Yes, I’ll do it if it will save her.”

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away?”.

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

— Author Unknown