Goodbyes and Makeovers

Potsdam, Germany
20:21 pm
Chilly Night

Hiya,

well I had the official graduation from my nursing school. I wore a complete different style for this celebration and a lot of people didn't recognise me at first glance. My sister did my hair and make-up and helped with the choice of clothing.

The celebration started with speeches, a high school gospel choir singing and us, graduates, getting the congratulations and such. Afterwards they had a huge buffet with all kinds of things.

Two girls in my class had become pregnant and will finish the education about one year later. They also joined us afterwards. The first baby that was born is Collin Oliver. Our second "class baby" is Yannick. He is the cutest little guy I have seen in a while.

One of the patients I have been taking care of is a 17 year old girl with a chronic inflammation of the colon. She had it taken out, survived multiple infections and her last operation was yesterday. She was white as a sheet when I visited her today on our ICU (I had promised her to come in my graduation outfit).

With Becca I have learned that it takes courage and lots of love from the family to survive a lot of bullsh** that is thrown into your life. After everything she's been through, including countless hospital stays, IV-medications, operations and a stoma, the thing that helps lifting her spirit is a smile. Whenever I visit her, we talk about funny things that happened to me, anecdotes from work, things I've seen on TV, things that make both of us laugh. Today she thanked me for visiting her and giving her a short break from feeling totally out of control.

Never forget the power of a simple smile. It is free, the richest person can not do without it and even the poorest can give it. It cannot be forced, only given freely, without harming the giver. But if you are graced by someone smiling at you, please return the favour and take a break to enjoy the simple things in life.

" You are only truly seeing with your heart. The most important things are not visible for the Eye."
- Antoine de Saint-Exapèry (free translation)

Have a great evening,

A.

40 Years Star Trek

Potsdam, Germany
09:10 pm
Nice night

Welcome,

to all the Trekkies out there a hearty „Live long and prosper“.

40 years Star Trek, isn’t amazing how things change. I started watching TNG when I was 10 and I loved it from day one. The movies are great, though I admit I am for a change of crew, too. From all the Star Trek Series Voyager is still my favourite. DS9 is good, but too much war for me. Enterprise was a great show but had a lot of weak moments.

The greatest time was when I went to a convention in Düsseldorf. I went by train in my red uniform, met some Klingons and chatted with them till we arrived. Every moment I experienced there was awesome as well as the day I spend at Star Trek the Experience in Las Vegas.

Okay enough Star Trek for now. (Am just watching the first Star Trek movie… Bones..LOL)

Today was eventful. I slept in till 11:30 am, finally. My sister came back from a party night in Berlin and we cleaned the apartment. New glasses were ready to be picked up as you all can see.

That’s all, folks.

A.

Breaking glass

Potsdam, Germany
19:58 pm
mild, starry night

Phew,

we finished the moving process. Sandy out, Marina in. My apartment looks like a mess, but I am too exhausted to clean up. I still have 2 days off, enough time to do something about it.

2 days ago my glasses broke. Another unplanned thing in my current day to day life. Yesterday, I ordered a new one which hopefully will be delivered tomorrow. My reserve glasses are round with a bluish colour and pink bows. I look like a cheap female Harry Potter, LOL.

During my sister’s move her glass ball broke. It was given to her by my mom and had a horse inside of it. At that same Christmas I got one as well with a Sultan in it, which broke this year, too. Coincidence, I don’t think so.

Sandra is out with friends and staying the weekend at her mom’s place. Marina is on a date with her “not yet” boyfriend. And I am alone at home, nursing a coke and watching “Dirty Dancing”, while my feet sway to the music.

*Falling asleep on my couch.*

Good night,
A.

Coffee breaks and moving days

Potsdam, Germany
11:25 am
Rainy, mild day

Hiya,

Well, I spend the night at my friend Donnée’s place. She graduated from a college and has now a business management degree. We celebrated her and my graduation together with her mom, some chocolate and champagne.

At breakfast I managed to spill some coffee, not just on me but on the whole table. Note: This was not a first.



I decided to drive home early to change. At home, my roommate Sandy is preparing to move out on Friday. She is spreading restlessness and stress all over my apartment and it makes me itch. On the same day my sister is going to move in so I will caring boxes and heavy furniture 5 floors downstairs, be driving about 250 km, carry boxes and heavy furniture 5 floors up to be able to fall into bed that night, exhausted, drained and with muscles hurting, that I didn’t know I had. Looks like it’s gonna be one fun day.

"If everything is going well, you obviously don't know what the hell is going on."
- Murphy's Law


So long,
A.

In the beginning

Potsdam, Germany
09:23 pm
It's dark outside, mild, with a light breeze.

Hellu.

Well, I have to start somewhere. I'm Rea. 24. Nurse.



My days are usually busy...with work, with family, with friends, with other stuff.

The place I work at is a hospital in Potsdam, Germany on a ward for toddlers and kids to age 5. I love my work, because I am able to interact with people, especially children. It is a great challenge that I love to take every day. To listen, to chat, to teach, to touch, to smile, to laugh and to cry.

In Potsdam, I live in a 3 room apartment with my friend Sandra and a co worker, Sandy, who is going to move out next friday. My sister Marina, who's 5 years younger, is going to move in on the same day. Her goal is to successfully finish the nursing school, which she starts at the 1st of October.

The thing is, I am currently on the phone with my mom, who has been talking nonstop for the last 30 minutes. She is overly concerned about...herself. For the last 4 years that I have lived away from my family, my mother has been calling on a frequent basis, telling me about her life and her problems, not caring whether I have the time or the interest to listen to her ramblings. I do understand that she is alone (my dad ignores her and my sister flees whenever mom starts babbling), but I do have a lot on my mind that doesn't concern my mother.

Alright, I guess enough of my ramblings for today.

"For justice, for peace and for the future, we have come home. "
- JMS

Have a lovely night,
A.