In Sickness and Health

Potsdam, Germany
09:00pm
Nice warm and sunny

Hi!

Okay,

I admit (once more) that I haven't blogged in awhile...

Well, I work and still do my sport.

At the moment I have a bad bronchitis (once again), but despite that am planning to drive to Hannover tomorrow (including all my meds in my luggage).

Patty will join me and if I am better, we'll drive to Jana's place in Saturday evening for it is lil' Laura's first Bday!!!

Harry Potter is coming out this weekend and I am very excited, though I fear that I will have to see it German first - argh - because Hannover will only show it in English from next week on. Life sucks :-).

Other than that ... oh, I bought a Scooter and I love it very much!! It's fun riding it, easier to find a parking spot and navigate in Rush hour.

Mel and two friends visited me for a weekend. She was staying in Austria for a couple of weeks to study art there. We had a power sightseeing weekend:
- pick up 7am Potsdam main station on Friday
- Hospital to get some meds for an eye infection
- Home for breakfast and a short nap
- off to Sansoussi for an extended tour of the castle and the gardens
- Leave the girls downtown to get lunch and home without me, because I needed to work - argh
- Home by 10:30pm, DVD laughs and bed
- Saturday morning get up at 5:30am, shower, breakfast with the girls and off to Berlin
- Victory statue, Reichstag, Brandenburger Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and lunch, Alexander Place and wall exhibit, Körperwelten exhibit, East Side Gallery
- Dinner and party date at Patty's
- Off home by 10:30pm, talk, bed
- up by 8am, off to the train station
- Bye girls!

It was so much fun and I so miss these girls!

That's all folks,

Nighty night

Italy here I am

Imperia, Italy
11:00pm
Warm with a light sea breeze

Ciao,

I am feeling very well. My vacation in Italy started and I am so enjoying myself. We, mom and her bf, took off on Friday and drove down to the Bodensee, where we stayed for 1 night at an old pension. After a filling breakfast we drove down to Imperia, Italy.

We are currently staying at Villa Giada, a holiday park, with cozy apartments, 2 pools and the beautiful view towards the Mediterranean Sea (except for the autostrada).

We spend the first day just relaxing at the pool and enjoying a walk down the coast line. Imperia has one of those very old Gelaterias, where the ice cream is handmade and heavenly!

On Monday we drove to Genova down the SP1, which is the road down the coast. Lovely scenery, fresh ocean air. We took a detour (unplanned) through the mountains, which I loved (small Italian villages and a lovely chapel in the middle of the small road), mom didn’t. Genova is a huge Italian city (35km along the Sea) and it took us a while to find the aquarium but when we did, whoa. It’s right at the Antique port.

Yesterday, the weather was awesome, lots of sun, light sea breeze. I spend some hours at the pool, napping under a big umbrella, catching up on my reading and cooling down from time to time.

I am currently sitting in a small Internet Café in Imperia with smells of Coffée and Italian banter as background noise.

Another 1 ½ weeks of rest and recreation, trip to Nizza, go to the market, more walking practice in the mountains and lots of naps.

Have a marvelous week,
Love,
Andrea

Work, Sports and Migrain

Potsdam, Germany
10:30pm
Nice Spring night

Hi folks,

Well, I am good. There's a lot of extra work at the moment, because of one 2 long term sick colleagues. One of them is not coming back and we'll get a new nurse (around May 15th), till then work, work, work.



The weather turned out to be awesome the last couple of days. Lots of sun and a nice spring wind! Spend most of my spare time outside.



Finally, I found a chandelier for my living room! Lamp and candle holder all in one! After some troubles installing it I finally am able to use it!


I am still doing my sports. Once a week Bodytransformer and now walking twice a week again. It's strenuous, but does wonders to me! Last week, I also bought new trainers - gosh I love those - I did spend some good money, but after keeping up with my walking for over 1 year I thought it was time.


Today I finally have a day off. After going to BT, I met with a colleague to go visit one of the long term sick ones. She is staying in a nice clinic about 20 min away from here. During the visit I started getting a mild headache and thought I'd managed, but it got worse. Stupid I had my pain killers at home. By the time I left my colleague at home, I felt sick and needed to pull over to stop. One thing don't ever do: take heavy migraine medication on an empty stomach (bought some at a pharmacy before we left for home)!!
I managed to get home, but it was pretty stupid of me to risk my health like that and others too. After 4 hours of sleep I am kinda better. Still have an aura, but late shift tomorrow and need to sleep now.

I send my love out to all of you!

Rea

Angels

Another Angel gone to heaven. We'll miss you, baby girl, but are glad that your fight is over.

Life in General

Potsdam, Germany

08:00pm

Cold

Hey,

Life in general is okay. Lots of work, especially know, that one of my colleagues has cancer and she's not able to work anymore. Let's call her E for now. E has been a nurse for decades. Most of my colleagues have gone through her school. For years she took care of her sick mother until she died. No husband, no kids and few friends. Her reputation had reached me even before I knew her - tough nurse, stern look, hard school. But let me tell you, she's one of those bark, but don't bite people. When you have gained your trust, by working hard and showing her that you love your work, she'll be kind in her own way, defend you and stand by you. She's been shutting us off for the last couple of month, though I always thought that she was afraid of the truth, of how ill she is. I am just hoping that she either has a second chance at life or be able to go in peace, as hard as it is to write this down. We all love her very much.

I've playing around with Picasa and like to share these with you... give me your thoughts.

There is more at my flickr page. Link is on the right side.

Love,

Rea

"Quiet is good, too quiet is boring."

Spring feelings and air

Potsdam, Germany
0830pm
Spring is in the air

Hellu,

I am back in Potsdam from a week long break.

Last weekend I was at Lea’s birthday party at Patty’s new apartment. Yep, he moved and got an apartment with his brother. I like the area he lives in – lots of world cuisine (Thai, Indian, Chinese, and Italian) and the “BIOriental” market is right around the corner. Yay!

Julia, a new colleague of mine from Hamburg, celebrated her “finally here”-party at the same night. Kai and I spend 2 hours at her new apartment – it’s fabulous! 4 rooms, high walls, a “to live in” bathroom!

The following Monday I was on my way to Jana in the Harz Mountains. The 3 days were spent talking, laughing, cuddling with baby Laura and just letting my soul ease. Here some pictures. Laura is now 7 month and a very lively toddler – the family will have to secure the house when she starts walking!

On Wednesday, we climbed the Hausberg. Despite me not having hiked for some time, there was snow and ice (partially melted) and Laura in the stroller to push up the mountain. Half way there we stopped and looked over the small town, listened to the first birds (singing of spring to come) and simply enjoyed being there.

Yesterday, I drove up to Hanover to visit a friend and patient of mine. He has CF and is waiting for a new lung transplant. We played some DS (Mario kart) and I accompanied him to some diagnostic. It makes me realize how precious our health is and how fortunate I am to have healthy lungs. Those who do believe in a God or higher being, please pray for him.

Afterwards I drove to Gifhorn to visit my great aunt Traute and her friend Gert. It was his birthday and we had a lovely evening. The guests were talkative and I enjoyed the company of some very smart and cultivated people.

Well, now I am back and facing a weekend of sports, work, English class and guess what – more work. But I really was able to finally breathe again.

Much love,

Rea

Not so bad after all

Hey,

just a quick note on my grabby day. First of all, I am still fine and no I am not suicidal, just having a bad hair day.

And it turns out that it wasn't all that bad, 'cause I ended up having dinner with a smart guy and pretty good company while watching 2 pretty awesome movies all tugged in on my couch.

Much Love,
Rea

P.S.: A shy person sometimes needs a nudge into the right direction.

Feeling Low

I am feeling pretty sad and kind depressed today. This was brought on by a song I listened to. It is so beautiful and it just struck me in the chest.

I am anxious to leave Germany. The day I finally leave will be one of the happiest days of my life. The people around me are depressing themselves, looking grim, looking hopeless and smiling at a complete stranger (which is what I usually do) makes them look at you like you’re a nut case.

I am also tired of being alone and terribly afraid of growing old all by myself without having felt real love. Yes, I have loved and been loved, though mostly by friends and family. There are days that this isn’t enough.

I miss having someone to meet with to talk English. Just chat, have a cup of coffee and listen to what is going on in their life. There are friends that live in Europe and that I can call on the phone, but you know it’s not the same. I want to hold Chris’s baby, dance with Eliza, share a joke with Sonya and Colleen over a homemade salad and watch Renu in action.

Its unsatisfying knowing that money is keeping me from doing that. Have you ever imagined what it would be to live without money? I know, that some people think that it would give all those lazy butts a reason to stay home and do nothing. But I think about unlimited traveling. About those people that crave an education so badly, but either can’t afford it or are not allowed one because of the color of their skin or maybe the way they look. And yes, prejudice is still going on nowadays. Sometimes stronger than ever. Sorry, back to topic. I would work. Because I love what I am doing. And I do know that there are millions of people thinking the same way. What a dream.

I wish on every shooting star that people’s dreams come true. That my dreams come true.


Rea

New Year's and Resolutions (or not)

Potsdam, Germany
08:30pm
Icy!

Heya.

It’s winter in Potsdam and I love it!! J

We have really cold days, though most with a lot of winter sun and it’s lovely going for walks.
When I returned from Mom and Dad’s my town was covered in snow.

What happened since Christmas?

I worked (no surprise there), though because my colleagues helped I was able to get off one night early. The next days were spent at Dad’s place with long visits with Mom.

It felt really good to be out there – fresh air, lots of quiet and peace. On my birthday I had plans to go to a spa, but it was too expensive and didn’t offer what I wanted. So instead, I spent the day at Mom’s, and we went to the movies in the evening. Australia is an amazing movie, not just for Hugh Jackman with no shirt and being wet, but for a great story and three awesome actors.

New Year’s eve, I stayed at Dad’s neighbors’, who have been friends with me for a long time. After preparing a small buffet, we ate and played activity.

By midnight we (my friends, Dad and his girlfriend Inge) gathered at the frozen lake and watched the fireworks.

Dad’s girlfriend has a dog, whose name is Pongo, he’s a Dalmatian half-breed. I so love this dog. Pongo is huge, but such a teddy bear.

After returning to Potsdam, I started learning for my NCLEX RN. It’s a lot of material to cover and I will need more than just the 4 weeks I planned. But I am keeping it up.

My Body transformer study is over. I didn’t lose weight, but lost girth (stomach and hip), yay! So I decided to keep it up for 1 year once a week.

Well, I guess that’s it for now.

Much love to all of you!

Andrea

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Potsdam, Germany
08:00 pm
Stormy

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you,

It's been a busy month.

We had a Thanksgiving Dinner. This year it was a very small gathering of friends but nevertheless very enjoyable. My godson Max and his family visited and he is such a sunshine.
Besides delicious food, I was busy building houses with wood bricks that I had bought for the little guy. Every day I am thankful for friends that share their love with everyone.

Then the weekend of the annual pediatric ward Christmas party came. I worked late shift that Friday, but drove to the party afterwards with a friend. It's lovely every year: loads of home-made food, nice drinks, creamy desserts, nice conversations and plan making for the annual summer party.

I drove 2 friends home and went to bed by 3am. Got up by 8 and started preparing for my Christmas party at home. Patty had stayed at my place and I kicked him out of bed by the time I got back from Christmas shopping. I cleaned, made Christmas cookies, prepared the turkey and set up the tree.

By 3pm, my mom and her boyfriend arrived with homemade waffles and ice cream for coffee.

We played games, welcomed the other guests,

exchanged gifts and prepared the tables for the big feast.

The food was delicious

as was the dessert (white and brown mousse au chocolate). Some left, others arrived and we did "Stehrumchen". The night ended with a comfy gathering in front of the TV watching "Three hazelnuts for Cinderella" - a classic in Germany.

On Sunday, we got out of bed by 9,

cleaned up a bit and had a nice breakfast. Jana, Steffen and little Laura left for home and shortly after Mom, Henry, Sis, Sandra, Anja and I left for Chemnitz. The Christmas Market there is very nice, though it was more crowded and we were all so beat from the day before so we just stayed a couple of hours.

You can guess that by Monday I was very happy but exhausted to the bone. Thank goodness I had the day off.

The rest of the week was filled with loads of work, very unsatisfying because we were not enough nurses.

I will have nightshift at Christmas, but will get comfy at work.

To all my big family (by blood and by heart) - I love you and wish you all the best and a very Merry Christmas!


Andrea

Work, Snow oh and more Work

Potsdam, Germany
09:00 pm
Snowy and cold

Hey,

As you noticed in the title, I've been pretty busy! Work is loaded at the moment. Too many sick children, not enough nurses. But we still do our best and from the feedback I had, the parents very much appreciate everything we're doing.

Thanksgiving will be soon and I am having a small dinner again. It's not so much as celebrating the American holiday, but the idea behind it. Being thankful as something humanity forgets too fast, especially the so called industrial nations. I am very much looking forward to having a nice dinner and conversation with my friends.

Last weekend I attend a medical Congress our hospital is hosting every year. It has seminaries for doctors and a one day seminary for other medical personal. It was very educational and I am looking forward to attending again next year, if thinking about speaking at it. Who knows...?

Sis and I have been taking part in a study for a friend. It involves us being hooked up to electronic charges and doing exercise. Believe me; it’s more harmless than it sounds. The electricity stimulates the muscles and in combination with some exercise is supposed to be better training than simply aerobics. We'll see. I am just glad to be able to do something for my physical education this winter. lol.

One other thing. Our sleep lab is participating in a German wide multi center study. Its goal is to find out more about the healthy sleep of children in order to help children that are have problems in their sleep behavior. We are looking for children between the age of 0 and 17 years. It involves spending a night in our sleep lab, no pain, just sleeping. If you are interested in finding out more... mail me!

To the Weiss men (you know whom I am talking to!): Get a grip! You have one life, one chance to do the right thing, do the wrong thing (like doing nothing or very little) will most certainly lead to failure and regret. I never gave a damn about what other people thought I should achieve, but I've always wanted to do more than just live. And I know both of you have similar goals. So get your head out of your rear and do something about it! Don't make me come down!!

Much love (even to the two "gits")
Rea

P.S.: tried posting pics . . not working... check Flickr

Halloween leaves me Speechless

Potsdam, Germany

04:30pm

Foggy like London

Hiya,

hope everyone had a gruesome (lol) Halloween or a nice and quite day of reformation. I specificly changed shifts to have that day off. This years Halloween party had the theme "Hooks and Pimps" and it was quite shocking. The few people who came had dressed up amazingly! We had Raclette (small pans that you can fill with your hearts desire and cook under a small heater) and loads of good conversations. I will only present few pics, because some felt the need not to share their darker side with others - rofl.

You asked about being speechless?? Well, I was left with no voice afterwards. Yep, it finally happened, by sunday the only sound that could be heard was a squeal. Adding to that I have a nasty Bronchitis - again. Yes, Renu, I am gurgling with salt water and yes, I am having enough fluids!

Much love to all of you,

Rea

Life - Vacation - Smiles

Potsdam, Germany
05:30pm
Typical cold and wet autumn day

Hello to all of you!

As you noticed I just posted to updates, though the first one is from 3 weeks ago. I didn’t post it the first time, because I got fed up with my computer being a slow Joe.

Okay, living room finished, I even have a dining table with 4 chairs, now. Looking forward to Thanksgiving now!

I spend a long weekend at Jana’s place in the Harz Mountains.

It was fabulous! Her daughter Laura is 3 months old and a real doll. When I drove to her place, Marina offered me her Navigation System, and despite me not being fond of them, I agreed to use it. Thankfully, I was on vacation and not in a hurry! It took me 3 ½ hours instead of 2, but the route was very scenic!

We did a lot of long walks, talks into the middle of the night and playing with Laura. Jana lives with her parents and I like those two very much, despite only having met them for the second time. Johnny (her Dad) makes his own bread and bakes it in a stone oven out in the back yard. I could die for that bread. Add some garlic butter… heaven!

We also did some digging in the garden, which felt amazingly good. Being outside, sun in our faces and burying our hands into the earth. After a couple of hours and a homemade lunch (courtesy of Jana’s mom), the two of us drove to Goslar. A medieval festival took place and the town is very pretty without that added bonus.

How to get a Baby to smile - take a look and listen:

On Monday I drove home, stopping in Hannover to visit some friends. After a late breakfast (missed my exit and was a tiny bit late) with loads of good conversation, I had a light lunch (soup and salad) with another friend, and a long walk afterwards. Drive home was uneventful (170 km/h – go Schorschi!).

So, here I am, enjoying my last day off.

Hope all of you guys are doing well! Much love,
Rea

P.S.: If anyone from the Potsdam area is reading this, I am looking for someone to take a walk in the woods like once a week (no matter the weather). Preferably English speaking and female. Mail me.

Feedback - Repost from 23.9.2008

Potsdam, Germany

Midnight

Cold, clear night

Just a quick note: I did survive - lol!

We managed to renovate the kitchen (new paint) and completely change the living room:

Saturday:
- Buy Furniture at IKEA (Me and Sis)
-Clear stuff from old furniture (Me)

- But up for sale at EBay

Sunday:
- Early shift at Intensive Care for Children (Me)
- Take down old furniture (Me)
- Sell it for 50 € to a first grade kid (her dad).
- Prepare Kitchen (Me and Sis)

Monday:
- Get old furniture down to basement (I live 5th floor - no elevator) - (Me, Sis, her bf)
- get new furniture up to apartment (Me, Sis, her bf)
- Help mom and her bf get stuff (for painting and tools) upstairs
- Paint kitchen (5 walls) and remove wallpaper from 6th wall (oil stains!)

- Build up furniture and connect electrical devices

- trip to tool shop
- Move stuff from bedroom to living room (mostly books - lol)
- New wallpaper onto 6th wall
- Clean up
- Go to bed

Tuesday:
- Finish painting the kitchen

- Put supports under the drawers (Steel!)
- Small repairs
- trip to tool shop (Baumarkt ?!), ordering Hobby glass for 6th wall to prevent new oil stains
- take apart the bookshelves and bring them to basement
- go to nightshift

Phew, I feel really, really good!

More at some other point - will spend next 2 days at friends place.

Love, Rea