Sunday, July 31, 2011

The Magician

Lately I have cared for many four year old patients at work.  This is unusual because I normally have babies or older children, so I am stumped when it comes to this age.  I have learned A LOT in the past two weeks, and am now a bit more comfortable with fours.  After being met with lots of tears, screams and a few kicks during my recent shifts, I have come to rather enjoy this age and realize that the child is really in control.  I just do as much as they will allow for me to and then quickly exit the room.  It really is very heartbreaking to see them suffer and cry through so many of the pokes and procedures they experience during hospitalizations. 

Thankfully there is a very wonderful priest who makes his rounds a couple of times a week.  I really believe that he must be Heaven sent.  He is always so happy and kind.  He comes in and talks with the children and their families.  The patients normally scream for fear of one more interference in their day.  After some time chatting he slowly breaks out his magic tricks, and the mood quickly shifts from sad to joyful.  It is truly incredible to see the happiness that he brings to these hospitalized children.  They get especially excited when he shows the mouse that lives in his sleeve.  And silly me, I usually end up getting tearful because it is so endearing to see smiles and hear laughter from our sick little ones.  His presence is such a comfort to our families.  Even when the unit is crashing and things are very bad, he comes and brings such warmth and love.  He can even make a four year old smile!  No doubt, this man is magical.  Who knows, maybe he really does have a mouse living in his sleeve?

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Company

Well, our friend from Chile arrived two weeks ago, and we have enjoyed having her in town.  Aaron and Carolina are currently both in Colorado, so I have a week to myself here in San Francisco.  I must say that I am enjoying the solitude, and I have some fun things planned for the next couple of days.  It was nice to come home from work last night and have a glass of wine and do absolutely nothing.

I think we have shown Carolina a pretty good time so far.  She was quite out of sorts her first week here  adjusting to a new time zone, getting over jet lag, and eating a different diet.  We took it pretty easy and just spent our free time showing her around the city.  We eventually made it up to the Russian River area and stayed in a cabin for a couple of nights.  The wineries we visited were great, and as always we came home with a perfect variety of reds and whites.  The Russian River wine country tends to be less touristy than parts of Napa and Sonoma.  There are many wineries to choose from and they are tucked away so perfectly in the quiet countryside.  It was good we had a map or we most certainly would have missed the places we visited.  I love this part of California.  The small towns are quiet, the woods are full of towering Redwoods and lush green forest, and the air is especially fresh.  A very special and unique place for sure.

This past weekend Carolina and I went out and experienced night life in the city.  I tend to enjoy the pub scene more than a wild night of dancing, but we just had to dance.  After working all day, I ran home and changed into skinny jeans and heels and managed to dance til closing time at two in the morning.  I was even at the gym the next morning by nine.  Anyways, the club scene is most interesting here in the city.  The first place had a twenty dollar cover charge and drinks also cost a fortune.  It was pretty much an Asian dance club, so we stood out a bit.  Our next destination was free of charge and had great pisco sours.  There was a large gay population here, so that made for an interesting time.  We laughed a lot at this place!  The last club we visited was the Tunnel Bar, and it had a lovely mix of people.  We both got a beer and head upstairs to dance until closing time.  Good times!

Fortunately when Carolina returns to the city I have five days off, so we can enjoy the remainder of her time here together.  We have a party to attend on Saturday and then a concert on Monday.  Maybe there will be one more night of dancing, and hopefully Aaron can join us!

C and Z

Carolina and Aaron, Half Moon Bay

Carolina meets The Castro District

Beer time on Haight St.



Golden Gate

 View from Marin County

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Quick Update

We have really been enjoying our days off lately.  Here are a few pictures.  We had a great time watching the Giants play.  It was especially exciting to watch Lincecum and 'The Beard' (Wilson) pitch.  I have also included some pictures of recent recipes.  I have had way too much fun cooking up new and interesting foods for us to try.  Also, here are some pictures of Zuri searching for moles in Golden Gate Park.







 







Aaron really enjoyed a day in the park yesterday.  He took a sandwich and his book, and Zuri had her own little pack of treats and water.  She spent about five hours running about and chasing moles while he enjoyed a leisurely afternoon.  When I got home from work she was pouting and acting like she had been trapped indoors all day.  Bad dog!

Our friend from Chile comes in Monday.  We are incredibly excited about her visit!  I hope she comes home and gets a nap so that we can enjoy a fun evening of fireworks and celebration!