I'm going to miss this Texas home of mine

So, this afternoon, I was standing in the livingroom with my tea in hand when I got to experience Ryder (age 6), running into the doorway yelling, "Lehi, I have something for you! I made it in school!" He throws his bag pack down, hastily searches for something, and then jumps up to hug me while giving me this artwork of his.

In that moment,  I was very touched with his thoughtful and kind gesture. It got me thinking of how lucky mothers are to get things like that from their kids... I can't wait to have kids of my own.

I spent some time talking to Zane and Ryder on the couch shortly afterwards. They're so cute. I'm going to miss these boys, even their amusing and sometimes annoying fights.

Another learning experience for me here in Texas on top of living with a roommate, who happens to be a man with two sons.

One month in Texas

So, yesterday marked a month of me being in Texas. Time flew by fairly quick... I am glad to be able to reflect on how busy and active I kept myself this past month as promised.

I am learning and seeing things from a different perspective especially at work.  The nurses here are so much more supportive, friendlier, and kinder. I learned that most of my coworkers have actually started as travel nurses themselves. They ended up liking Texas and the hospital, and so they decided to relocate here permanently.

Below are pictures of my entire day yesterday. I went to the Dallas Arboretum in the morning, went archery shooting for the first time, a block party, and then hung out with Vivek for a little bit.

Texas bound - finally!

My drive to Texas was long, boring, and TIRING! I was not able to leave last Wednesday as I had planned due to unexpected events - from the physical at U.S. Healthworks where I waited 4 hours and 40 minutes, to the PICU test I had to take and study for, an additional urine test and making sure to see "a someone of interest" and my dad before heading out on Friday, September 5th at 10 PM.

I drove 5 hours to Arizona and slept over at Brent's apartment until 2PM on Saturday, Sept 6th.

Drove for 8 hours until I found myself in New Mexico and slept at a rest area overlooking the city for 4 hours. Drove intermittently until my destination, stopping only for gas and lunch at Popeyes.

I arrived at "my TX home" at 10 PM on Sunday Sept 7th, sweaty and exhausted where Kib and I met for the first time. He was very kind to help me unload my belongings from the car and bring everything upstairs into my room.

After, my attempt of trying to go to sleep before having to wake up at 5AM the next morning was unsuccessful, making it a very painful first day of orientation for me...

Taking the plunge!

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

The quote above resonates deeply within my heart. For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to get out of California and see what else is out there. Finally, after careful planning and thinking, I've decided  to make a longtime dream and curiosity of mine into a reality by actually doing something about it and not waste anymore time. Time really is of the essence...

Travel Nursing

I first heard about it back in 2006 when I was in my LVN class. I remember the teacher and her stories very well, and from that moment on, I knew that it was something that I wanted to experience for myself.

There's no turning back now - as of September 8, 2014,  I will be starting my first travel assignment!