04.30.10

Katie, Susan and I listening to one of Katie's favorite bands -- "Hot Box" :)

04.29.10

So...I got a summer job today! A very flexible job...therefore the first thing that I did when I got home was look at a flight back to MN! :) These are tentative dates, but a reminder to myself to see if my taxi service (i.e. mama) can come and get me and then bring me back to the airport. What a beautiful two week vacation this could be!

04.28.10

When I was little I never really understood why the price of produce mattered so much to my parents. It all makes sense now! Grapes for 99 cents a lb -- count me in! :)

04.27.10

Best professor in the school of nursing: Dr. Laura Taylor -- teaching us about heart rhythms by performing a little dance to each of them to the tune of Johnny Cash's "Walk the Line." I believe we were just starting out NSR here (normal sinus rhythm). :)

04.26.10

Today I went to a meeting with a woman from the International Rescue Committee, which is an organization that a lot of our Birth Companions mothers come through. I was fascinated to learn about all of the cool things that they do -- and I really like their little slogan, so I thought that I would share.

04.25.10

When I drove past this paperstand this morning I only saw the big "CP" on it -- and naturally I thought of the two "CPs" in my life. :) Although I haven't read the city paper I do believe it is fairly popular out here.

04.24.10

Our kickball team in action! :) We missed our bid for the playoffs today (seeing as we have yet to win a game) but we have fun while playing and that is all that matters. :)

04.23.10

The Waterfront + HEP + Beer + the following lyrics + guitar player on bar = Happiness.

"Josie's on a vacation far away

Come around and talk it over

So many things that I wanna say

You know I like my girls a little bit older

I just wanna use your love tonight

I don't wanna lose your love tonight"

:) Sing it if you know it!

04.22.10

Look what I got in the mail?! :) Two of my favorite things -- together! Diet Coke and the Polzin's! Congrats again Ryan and Steph -- I'm excited to hear all about it when you are stateside again.

04.21.10

It's Susan's BIRTHDAY! :) Happy 24th to you!

04.20.10

Well, hello Jesus! This statue is well known throughout Hopkins, and sometimes when I am cutting through the hospital I pass it. Today I decided to take a picture, because many people have come to this statue to pray while their loved one was being treated at Hopkins. Actually, his big toe on his right foot is slightly worn from people rubbing it for luck.

04.19.10

The picture was from walking home from school today -- an old rundown building that they are renovating is apparently getting some insignia on the side of it -- I don't know yet what it will be, but it was nice to see that they are trying to clean up the area a little. :)

04.18.10

DOULA POWER! Haha. :) After a 20 hour training, these lovely ladies have now completed the DONA International training and can be Birth Companions through the School of Nursing. Woohoo! :) In order to complete the class, however, we all have to assist with a birth. So -- if you are preggers, or know someone who is that would like the FREE assistance of a doula, just let me know :)

04.17.10

Confession: I did not take this picture on 4/17. Although I am sure that this will happen multiple times throughout the year, I will try not to make a habit of it. Nonetheless...this really would have been the perfect picture of the day. I have never had seasonal allergies before, and if you have suffered from allergies for a long time, let me just say that I'm sorry...because I never knew. Welcome to Baltimore -- and new allergens! Here's to being able to breathe out of both nostrils soon!

04.16.10

A storm is coming! The clouds were getting dark, and the air was getting heavy. I love thunderstorms!

04.15.10

Coffee...at 8pm = Long Night Ahead! However, it was FREE coffee from Starbuck's for tax day (as long as you brought your own mug)...so that is a bright side. I also saw my first laboring patient today, which was exciting. However, my care plan is due by the time I go to clinical tomorrow -- and I am fighting off sleep as we speak...ugh. I am ready for this long, long week to be over!

04.14.10

I brought my camera on my run this morning and came across one of the few remaining old-school "Baltimore Believe" trash-cans. The "Baltimore Believe" campaign started in 2002 as an anti-drug campaign...so I'm not really sure where the trash cans came in...but in different areas around the city (fire stations, the blue flashing lights that have police cameras in them, etc.) the slogan is posted. The campaign ended not too long after it started, but the mass advertising done around the city still lingers, like this beat-up old trash can.

04.13.10

My summer book reads! Sometimes when I get stressed I find it best to just plan for the future -- any type of planning seems to calm me somehow (I am my Mother's daughter). Anyway, if you are looking at this list and getting concerned...don't. I am working towards becoming a doula and therefore there are a number of books on birth...no other reason! :) Gone With the Wind is a beast of a book, but since it is my Mom's favorite book of all time I added it to the list. The last two on the right are summer dock reads. :) Ok, back to studying the books that didn't make the "fun book list" cut!

04.12.10

Today we got on the topic of planners (as I was coveting one of my fellow classmate's planners in OB). That combined with the fact that it is going to be a long week (increased highlighting usually means increased stress) sparked today's photo. Regardless of all of that, I really do live by my planner. There isn't anything much more satisfying than crossing each of those items off as the week goes by. :)

04.11.10

Ok, so I know that I promised that I wouldn't post stuff about the Masters all 4 days of the tournament, but PHILLY WON...and so I had to post twice. :) He is an all-star. All around gentleman, supportive husband, loving father, amazing golfer, and THREE TIME Masters champion. That green jacket looks good!

04.10.10

Susan, Anna, Lisa, Katie, Anna

Gabrielle, Hannah, Ashly

Nursing students all together on a Katie's deck on a B-E-A-UTIFUL Saturday afternoon...which happened to be "Privateer Day" in Baltimore. We saw the pirate ship battle in the harbor from a distance!

04.09.10

So happy! Katie was an all-star today and helped to bring a beautiful baby boy into the world (believe it or not) via a vaginal birth! It was the first vaginal birth that anyone in our clinical group saw, and Katie was there one contraction at a time. Proof that good things come to those that wait. Well done Katie! :)

04.08.10

Ok, I promise not to put up pictures of the Masters for all 4 days of the tournament, but I have been glued to the TV since I got home from clinical, so it seemed appropriate for today. Philly will always be my favorite, but I am ok with Fred being ahead of him (for today!) :)

04.07.10

She's so brave! Hannah got acupuncture at the School of Nursing today -- and said that it really did work. :) It looked like they hurt going in, but must have done the trick afterwards!

04.06.10

A fun little part of Baltimore -- not too far from Hopkins. A community garden, labyrinth for meditation, and murals are part of this little area on "Amazing Port Street."

04.05.10

Oh my gosh! I got so excited on my walk home from the gym today when I saw another MN license plate! This has only happened one other time in Baltimore -- and this one was within 6 blocks of where I lived. My goal is to meet this fellow Minnesotan before I leave here!

04.04.10

Windy Easter Sunday in Baltimore. Ashly, Anna, Hannah and I attended mass along with our photographer (Anna's boyfriend Mike).

04.03.10

Another life goal checked off the list -- seeing the Cherry Blossoms in DC! (Confession: these are not actually Cherry Blossoms...but they were really pretty!)

04.02.10

The Maryland Flag. I still think it looks like a racing flag, but it did look pretty on a sunny afternoon.

04.01.10

A beautiful afternoon for a walk in Baltimore led me past this little coffee shop. Puns never get old.