As I sit by my freshly lit candle and smell in the sweet aroma of "poached pears" I can't help but reflect on the spirit of Christmas. With the stress of life, including the added stress of our ever-growing pandemic crisis, the meaning and spirit of Christmas can easily be overlooked. While I personally get distracted by the twinkling lights, bright snow, and jolly Christmas tunes, I can also get distracted with every day struggles. Doing the laundry, cleaning the apartment, going to work, needing to work out... everything just piles up and I never know what to do with it. For that matter, I am notoriously bad at buying Christmas presents early enough, so I've been running around attempting to make sure all of my presents will get in on time. For an Emergency Department nurse you think I would be better at planning things (mental eye roll). This year, though, I've been thinking about family (mostly), God, and humanity. Praying for the safety of my family, willing myself to strengthen my relationship with God, and pouring every ounce of faith I can into humanity in hopes that everyone can get along. I know the world has many problems that won't be fixed easily, but I'm hoping that if I spread kindness and have faith that maybe, just maybe, the stress and hatred revolving around the world will dissipate - for the holiday spirit of course. 

Enough about Christmas spirit, though, I'll tell you a bit about settling down in at Reston! So far, the hospital has been very welcoming and fast paced. The demand can be heavy some days but overall they have a great work ethic and cohesive atmosphere. I will say there are some downsides like with any place we've been at. One thing in particular that bugs me is that they do not run their department with a triage nurse. For those of you who don't know what that means, most all Emergency Departments have a triage nurse to greet each patient. They are the first nurse you see when checking in and they usually take your vital signs, get your story, and determine how sick you are. Once they do this, they'll give you a number - 1, being CPR is in progress, to 5, meaning that they need a prescription refill or an xray. This is essential because it will get the sickest people back faster than the others. However, at this facility, they just place people in rooms without triaging them and expect the nurse in that section to do it. So far it's been okay, but in hindsight this is pretty irresponsible and unsafe. As Mike has pointed out before, the sickest patient in the ER is the one that hasn't been triaged. But what do we know? ;)

As for our living situation, the apartment is as cozy as ever. We have been able to stay warm in these tight quarters for sure. On the bright side, I have officially decorated around the house - hanging lights and finding a small replacement for a Christmas tree that we have no room for. It's been easy moving in and this place feels like home. I have never lived in a big city or even in an apartment complex that had an elevator, so it's been quite the change. I am still not used to having to leave 10 minutes earlier to account for potentially missing the elevator. Regardless, traffic isn't as bad as I thought it would be and the people aren't as scarily harsh as I anticipated.

The funny thing about living in a city out here is that you still feel as though you are in a rural area because of the foliage surrounding you. It is almost as if you are one city in the middle of a forest, and that is why I think Mike has been okay living in a city. If it wasn't for the numerous outdoors activities, both Mike and I might go mad! It has been quite a difference from Corpus Christi with regards to healthy lifestyles as well. Since there are so many activities to do here that keep you active, everyone is fairly healthy. Not to mention the excessive amount of Whole Foods stores down here. Since I refuse to spend 20 dollars on a carrot, it takes me about 15-20 minutes to find a grocery store around here. Downside to living in a wealthy area where everything is organic... Upside? I'm forced into a healthy diet. There's a Yin and Yang for everything it seems. Anyway, after about 3 weeks here I feel officially settled in, which was way faster than our first assignment. I think I'm finally getting the hang of this lifestyle!

So, as always, stay in mind, stay in touch, and have a merry Christmas! (or happy holidays for all other religions :)) P.S. pictures are coming! I just have to download them and it takes a minute for my non-technological self. 

A REFLECTION
As previously mentioned before, time is a wild and wonderful thing. It escapes you when you most need it, and engulfs you in times you most want its absence. While I have been traveling and blogging, I have found myself getting lost in time. I can forget my obligations as a daughter, as a traveler, and as a blogger. Even though I try my best, time flies by and makes the simplest tasks feel as though they are the hardest things in the world. I've met and loved so many people these past few years and I always feel bad about losing touch with some of my closest friends. But, that is how time works. It makes me make mistakes, but also makes me realize who I truly want to be as a person, friend, and nurse. I owe my life to time and sooner or later I will pay back my debt. 

DECEMBER 
Hello to all and happy December! I apologize for a month-long absence, but it was much needed. Not to worry though, because you haven't missed much. After our adventure in south Texas, Corpus Christi to be exact, Mike and I decided a month-long hiatus was necessary. We headed back to Kansas and lounged about meeting up with old friends and visiting family. Thanksgiving rolled around and shortly after it was time to start our venture out East. This next assignment brought us to Reston, Virginia. Reston is about 30 minutes outside of Washington, D.C. It is a very wealthy area with beautiful homes and lush forests surrounding it. Mike and I found a place in Tysons Corner, VA, which is about half way between Reston and Washington. While our apartment is about the size of my parent's living room, it is in a great location. So far the hospital staff have been amazing as well - very welcoming and kind. While I have had no problems with any of the staff, I have over worked myself a touch these first couple of weeks. Not to worry, though, because a 5-day break is headed my way after my next few days working. Regardless, our adventure out here has only just begun and  I can't wait to tell you all about it! As always, stay in touch, stay in mind, and stay safe out there!