I've been in Greenville, SC for a little over two months, and I will be extremely sad to leave. If I had the option to make more money and extend my contract I absolutely would. Unfortunately, I have other responsibilities in November AND the hospital did not extend an appealing offer. That being said, I will miss being able to walk down the nature path and grabbing a cup of coffee, playing soccer on Monday nights, or grabbing dinner with a few of my friends. Greenville has shown me so much, giving me back that adventurous spirit I thought I left behind at my last contract in Minnesota. While it will be a bittersweet goodbye, I'm not going to think about it before I have to. Instead, I want to look back on all of the fun experiences I've had so far! I know I still have some time to make even MORE memories here, but I still wanted to express how much I've loved it. That being said, below are a few photos showing everyone just why Greenville should be put on your list of places to visit. 

​Whenever I travel to new places, I feel like I always get asked the exact same questions: how do you constantly move places every time, how do you find housing, what do you pack, and what is your favorite place so far? While I am happy answering all of these questions, I can’t help feeling inconsistent with what I tell people - mainly because I’m still figuring out how to move all the time and, quite frankly, how to travel nurse. I have nothing figured out no matter how much I pretend I do. In short, I want to attempt to answer all of these questions as of right now, so I can fully disclose my thoughts on these popular questions.

I have no idea for this one. I honestly just like moving. Even growing up and heading off to college I noticed that I would get bored living in one place for too long. At some point I would get this certain itch; This feeling that I needed to leave and see something else. I enjoy meeting new people, finding new favorite spots, and getting comfortable for a while. I can’t say I don’t ever wish that I had a place to call my own, because I do. Finding a new job in a different state, however, is so exciting for me and plagues my mind more-so than buying a house does. I mean… waking up at 5:00 am has a different meaning when you’re doing so to drive 12 hours instead of work 12 hours. I really can’t explain it. I love packing everything up, preparing the coffee, and preparing the trip. Traveling has always been a passion of mine, so constantly moving places isn’t a problem for me. That being said, if it is a problem for you, travel nursing still isn’t off the table. My profession has many different categories in my eyes. When people think of travel nursing they often think of moving different states every time (basically what I’m doing.) You can travel within one state though. As long as you meet the milage requirements, you can still get travel pay staying within a few hours from home. So don’t worry, there’s room for everyone!

​Okay, this is an easy question. I use online sources to find fully furnished, long-term housing. I use a site called furnishedfinder.com most of the time. However, I have had to dabble in the month-long rental selection airbnb.com has to offer. Furnished finder is more cost effective for me. You can find full units, rooms inside houses, or hotel rooms which makes the versatility user-friendly and brings the cost down. With airbnb you will be facing many uncharges for cleaning and other fees, making it more expensive. However, they do give discounts for long term stays. 

​I try to pack as little as possible. That being said, I am the world’s best over-packer. When I say I try and take as little as possible, I mean I try to keep my packing to a maximum of 5 boxes. That’s a difficult task I promise. Depending on if I will be in a single unit or a room inside a house I will pack different things. I do have a linens box and a kitchen box that I can utilize as needed. Aside from that, clothing and shoes take a toll on me. I love shoes too much and when I go to places with multiple seasons at times when the seasons are changing, it can be difficult to cut out my closet. SO I’m still working on that aspect and obtaining clothes that can be worn year-round. If I was a boy I think packing would be a lot easier. I do drive everywhere, which gives me the upper hand when I do over-pack. I can always keep boxes in my car and I can take bulkier items as needed. What I recommend? To try and limit packing to two suitcases and a  couple of boxes. I only do 13 week assignments, but I am still trying to figure out how to take my own advise and cut out a majority of my wardrobe!

​ALL OF THEM! I have learned so much about life and about my job at every single location. I have noticed, though, that my favorite places are central locations to other things. I loved being in Arizona because I was two hours from all of the fun spots (i.e. Flagstaff, Phoenix, Sedona, and the Grand Canyon). Same with Vermont. Mike and I would head into Maine or New Hampshire constantly because everything was so close! It was so much fun and I would recommend finding central locations when searching for travel nursing jobs. It can be difficult, but by being patient and knowing what you want, it is possible to find a place you actually enjoy being at. 

​Alright folks, those are my most frequently asked questions in a nutshell. Travel nursing does have it’s ups and downs, but with my experience the benefits have outweighed the hassle. 
With that in mind, stay in touch, stay in mind, and stay adventurous!

Walking in the crisp autumn morning, I breathed in the fresh scent of foliage. Being in South Carolina I wasn’t expecting much of a seasonal transition, but have been pleasantly surprised now that the cooler weather has moved in. Fall has always been my favorite time of the year. I’ve always loved football games with the family, watching the colors slowly shift from greens to yellows, reds, and oranges, and finally being able to break out my favorite sweaters. Fall is a cozy season with something in it for everyone. As much as I could talk about the joys of Fall, I have to mention that one of the prettiest seasons comes with death. The beautiful colors seen in the foliage are only produced when the leaves begin to die. Trees are dropping their leaves in preparation for the harsh winter to come. However, I am in love with this juxtaposition. I think that dying is a beautiful thing and should be thought of in that way. Obviously it can be a painful experience for people since we want to hold on to our loved ones forever, but dying and death is a part of life that everyone must go through at some point. It represents so much and holds the importance in what we’ve been able to accomplish while on this earth.

​A few years back, my Aunt Julie passed away. She was a charismatic woman with so much joy and passion in every part of her. I loved her very much and it was a shock for everyone that she had died. While I would give anything to have Aunt Julie back, I can appreciate how much closer my family has become. We were all fairly close to begin with, but now I talk to my family members almost every week (ALL of them) instead of just at family gatherings. I’ve become more comfortable reaching out and seeing my aunts, uncles, and cousins when, before, I didn’t want to feel like a burden. We all came together in that time of trial and became stronger because of it. This is why I say death is a beautiful thing. Not only are we stronger for it, but Aunt Julie will never be forgotten. She will always be with us in memory and spirit, making me a better person as I strive to be as contagiously happy as she was. 

​While most people refer to death as a person dying, that is not always the case. Death can be in reference to almost anything and can be equally as challenging. This week my parents had to put down our dog, Aggie, of 15 years. No, I’m not comparing the death of my dog to the death of my Aunt, but it was still a challenging experience for all of us. The last about year and a half for Aggie has been a steady decline. We all looked at her with sympathy since she not only lost her hearing, but also part of her eyesight. She was in pain due to her increasing arthritis in her back legs as well, which did not help her case. We constantly joked at her expense when she would run to fetch a toy and just tumble to a stop when her back legs went out. However, being the loyal dog that she was, she would always return with her bone ready to play again. My parents have never had to put down a dog before, since the last dog we had died peacefully at one of his favorite kennels while we were on vacation. That being said, I can only imagine how difficult it was to see her finally close her eyes. I will miss her energetic and hilarious spirit, but I am glad that she’s finally not in pain (and that she at least survived all of my dad’s threats to kick her off the deck). 

​While the initial sting of death hurts, the aftermath is beauty. The Fall colors represent that in the most iconic way and, for that, it will remain my favorite season. Seeing the beauty in some of the most painful experiences is a difficult task, but is made easier with the help of friends and family. I thank Aunt Julie for her energetic, charismatic, and joyous personality that I strive to apply in my own life daily. I thank my dog Aggie for her uplifting goofiness that got me through the worst of times. Both have been influential to me and both are dearly missed. 
That being said, stay in touch, stay in mind, and stay in the moment! 

​I began this blog with the sole purpose of documenting my travels, not only for me but for those that would potentially be curious as to where I am or what I’m doing. That being said, I didn’t start it with the purest of intentions. What I thought would happen is that I could list out my experiences and not have to tell the same story over and over again in a social setting. Instead, people could be referred to my blog and the conversation could move on to more important things. What I’ve found, is that blogging is much more than simply listing places you’ve been or what you’ve eaten. It’s about reliving and reflecting on the most impactful moments; Self reflection. I don’t know about any of you, but self-reflection has never been a favorite past time of mine, mainly because I know some of my most embarrassing moments will come out. However, it is a much needed tool in today’s society - reflecting on both your actions and how your actions can impact other people. It is a way to better yourself, much like I think travel nursing is doing for me. I go to new places, meet new people, and throw myself in challenging situations constantly. Yes, it does get taxing, but I think it is making me a better person and shaping me into the young woman I want to be. 

​I haven’t posted in a long time mainly because I wanted a break from it all, including traveling. While I didn’t take a break from working, I thought eliminating my blogging would give me some much needed relaxation - one less responsibility. In reality, I wasn’t REALLY relaxing, I was simply avoiding self-reflection. To be sincere, I was being lazy. Since I’ve been away, I have completed 2 more assignments in 2 different states, took time off in Kansas, AND am officially one month into my new assignment in South Carolina. I’ve been all over the place it seems. However, during my time off I noticed that I was experiencing anxiety. I finally slowed down enough to listen to my body and it was not happy with me. Throughout my life I have been graced with the ability to handle high stress situations with little to no anxiety. So, when I was suddenly at my most relaxed and most vulnerable, I was having panic attacks. Looking back at it now, I think I wasn’t giving myself enough time to reflect on my experiences, accept the things I couldn’t change, and move past my mistakes. When I took the responsibility of work off the table, I finally was able to think of every stressor I had been avoiding for the last 6 months and BOY did it accumulate. Luckily for me, I was able to move past my anxiety rather quickly with the help of friends, family, and a packed summer. My experience did, however, force me to make some changes for a healthier way of life. Needless to say, blogging and self-reflection are back on the schedule and recommended for anyone and everyone!

​Right now I’m sitting at soon-to-be one of my favorite coffee shops. It’s noon, and I feel like my laziness knows no bounds, since my morning consisted of me going back to bed twice. At this new contract I took a day-shift position in Anderson, SC. I’ve been there for over a month now and I always imagined I would get more accustomed to waking up early. Long story short: I haven’t. My work day starts at 4:45 am and ends at 8:00 pm, consisting of eating at my desk when I can. That being said, this nursing shit is hard. I feel tired more often than not both on my work days and off-days. For some reason, other types of shifts feel easier to me. Tell me to be at work at 11 am and stay until 11 pm? I can do that. But make it 7? I’m over it. It doesn’t help that I have about a 40 minute commute. I truly love my commute thought because it gives me time to inhale my coffee and listen to podcasts. It’s the little things in life you have to appreciate, right?

​At this hospital my colleagues are EVERYTHING. They’re fun and inviting and answer all of my annoying questions without animosity. They’re the only reason this assignment isn’t hell. The facility is what we call a “pull to full.” That means any room available will have a patient in it. My nurse to staff ratio is 1:4, sometimes 1:5. Five patients to be responsible for in an emergency department is absolutely insane. When I originally signed this contract I asked specifically about the ratios because I wanted to know what I was getting myself into. I was told 1:4 unless you’re in fast track (taking care of easy patients that don’t require much attention) in which case I would be 1:5. However, I’ve quickly learned that I will have five patients in pretty much any section I work. I’m not trying to make the facility sound horrible because the care that patients receive is great. I like the doctors and nurses I work with, so this really is not a “let me bitch about my job” post. However, I want everyone to understand what frustrations I deal with on a daily basis. (I also want to validate me being lazy today… I deserve it lol) Nurse to patient ratios have been a nation-wide problem in this profession. This is not the first time or the last time this problem has been addressed in my nursing career. However, this is the first time I’ve encountered the problem head-on. 

​Safe ratios equate to safe patient care. In the emergency department we take care of multiple levels of acuity. For example, I could be taking care of an 80 year old septic patient with pneumonia, a 20 year old abdominal pain diagnosed with a UTI, and a 60 year old chest pain having an active heart attack at the same time. Because of this varying acuity, the nurse to patient ratio needs to reflect that. According to nationalnursesunited.org, safe ratios in the ER are as follows: 1:1 for trauma patients, 1:2 for critical care patients, and 1:3 for all other ER patients. Has this been the case in the last two and a half years I’ve traveled? nope. I typically have four patients. Regardless, five is way over the recommended limit and I think it is unfair to require workers to accommodate their career to this ratio. 

​I could absolutely go on about this topic, but my post is getting quite lengthy. I’ll be sure to make another post about this once I do more sound research on the topic. There are plenty of articles out there so I’ll be sure to find some great ones :). Aside from the ratios, I am LOVING Greenville and Anderson SC. It’s a fun area with plenty to do. I’ve made many friends and have been able to truly enjoy myself this contract. I will end with more promises to actually blog my experiences. I’ve done SO MUCH, so I’ll try not to get too overwhelmed with typing it out. 
In the meantime, stay smiling, stay true, and stay in touch. See ya’ll next time!

With many of my blog posts I've talked about the joy in traveling and experiencing the United States. That being said, not all of it is sunshine and rainbows - especially with regards to the nursing world. While I haven't been victim to extremely abusive situations as seen with other nurses, I feel obligated to shed light on the change in the nursing atmosphere. I will a more recent look into my life just to amplify the stressors involved on a daily basis. I would like to say, though, that I never intended to make this blog about nursing in general because once I leave work I like to not think about it. I guess that has always been my way to deal with some of the more unpleasant aspects of the Emergency Department. However, I do have have a voice and a platform with about ten viewers, so I'll share. 

In the hospital that I currently work at, the Emergency Department is separated into about four different sections, or pods - A, B, C, and D. Each pod has a designated "sickness level." I say "sickness level" because I think that is the easiest way to describe it. When a patient walks into the front and checks in, the front nurse assigns that patient a letter depending on how sick they are presenting. Vertical (V) patients are the least sick, meaning those that will maybe get a COVID test and get sent home. Those patients are quick, easy, and meant to only be in the ER for about two hours or less. Diagonal (D) patients are a little more complicated. They will most likely get an entire work-up including labs drawn, medications given, or imaging. They won't necessarily be admitted, but that is a possibility. Lastly, horizontal (H) patients are sick. They come in with their oxygen saturations below 90% on room air and working to breathe or complaining of stroke-like symptoms. These people need immediate care. That being said, this hospital doesn't have a true triage system. They go by the letters for placement into the ER, but will not get vital signs, height and weight, or their official story for coming into the ER until they get a room in the back. That being said, if you have a bad front nurse, patients won't get accurately placed and care could be delayed. I digress.

I walked into the hospital expecting to be placed in either D or C pod, which is where the mid-shifters typically go. However, I was pleasantly surprised to be graced with B pod, in which I could actually see some sick people. Let me tell you, I was unprepared for the day that I would have. We had a TON of severely ill people that day. I sent three to the ICU and one to intermediate care. Not only that, but I seemed to have all of these sick patients at the same time or back to back. There was no break and while that makes my shift go by quickly, it is completely exhausting.

One chronically ill woman came in ventilated through her tracheostomy with oxygen saturations in the 70's. She was sent by the facility for a blood transfusion due to her hemoglobin being low at 6.6. Since we were questioning the accuracy of our oxygen saturation readings, the respiratory therapist said she would recheck after visiting another patient in the ER. Meanwhile, I'm attempting to stabilize this patient while awaiting a unit or two of blood. While this patient is unstable entirely, I had another ICU patient next door on a diltiazem drip. Diltiazem was started on this patient since he was in a-fib RVR and we needed to get his heart rate controlled. This particular drip is a titratable medication, meaning that the nurse is to titrate the rate at which the patient is receiving the medication depending on what the heart rate and blood pressure do. If you give too much you can decrease their blood pressure, but if you don't give enough the medication won't be effective. My last patient in this assignment was a man that had such a consolidated pneumonia that the physicians almost placed a chest tube thinking he had a pneumothorax (collapsed lung for simpler terminology). These three complicated patients were the first three patients I was only able to see two of those patients once. Two of the three complicated, sick, and time-consuming patients I laid eyes on ONCE. Not because I didn't want to check on them more, but because I was trying to stabilize my new ventilated patient who almost died while I was in the room. 

I'm explaining my assignment to you because I want to paint a picture. I want everyone to know the stressors that we nurses go through on a daily basis. I am glad I got to care for these sick patients, don't get me wrong, but the amount of pressure we have on our shoulders is unparalleled. Everyone has stress in their lives, but not everyone has the life-line of a human being resting in their hands. Luckily, my pod-mates were able to keep an eye on my other patients while I stabilized the sickest of the bunch. However, if I didn't have that kind of help things could have gone downhill fast. The worst thing in a nurse's career is knowing that the care you've given wasn't enough to save a patient's life. In the ER, we are faced with many weird and challenging situations which always include the possibility of a patient dying. I think that's why a majority of us have a dark sense of humor.

Getting back to the point I want to make, imagine sprinkling difficult family members that ridicule and question everything into the mix. Not only do I have to make patient care decisions that are crucial, but now I have a family member yelling at me because I didn't get an extra blanket for them. I understand being upset about family members or trying to look out for them, but I only ask for people to be respectful of the profession. We have a ton of things to think about and do for more than one patient. Do you work well when people are breathing down your neck or yelling at you? I've learned to, but I don't think that's something I'm proud to admit. I like to think of myself as a people person. Getting along with people has always been easy to do for me, but times are changing and tensions are high. The fear that COVID has instilled in people has only added to the stress of my profession and created a distrust between patients and medical staff. Nurses used to be the most trusted profession, so what happened? 

With that, I will sign off and post more about nursing in the future. It is about time I talk about it. Until then, keep in touch, keep in mind, and stay curious. 

Since my last post was a bit of a downer, I thought I'd share something I've been working on here and there. I do LOVE creative writing, and this is a story I've started. I will probably take a break from it since I have an awesome story idea I want to put all of my time and effort into, but if ya'll like it maybe I'll pick it up again. Enjoy!

​Sucker for Romance
​Hanna Heline

​ONE
It was a bitter morning in the heart of Kansas with the sun barely grazing over the skyline. Wind blew fiercely and the fresh snow brushed over the buildings making them look like gingerbread houses. Melanie waltzed throughout the city, taking in the quiet before the storm. Snow was funny that way. It hushed the voices and the sounds and the vibrations that a normally busy city would amplify. It made the day seem like an endless possibility of adventure instead of the mundane 9-5 job that everyone seemed to have. Even though calmness rang through the December air, Melanie’s thoughts were as loud as a fucking bull horn. Listing out the tedious tasks she needed to perform that day, the people she needed to please. She was sick of it and she was sure her clients could see past her facade. Swimming in her own world with her own thoughts she stopped noticing her surroundings. Cars and people faded from her vision and the whiteness from the snow blurred everything. Looking down at her hands she noticed a bright red shape forming on the ground, growing until everything around her was that blood red color. Her blood. Only then was the rest of the world heard. The pain and screams came, but her vision remained a mixture of white and red until the black void swallowed her up. The morning was bitter that day, but not because of the December air. Melanie Carmelle’s color faded before officials lined the streets and the yellow tape blocked off the sidewalk.
    In the shadows, long before Melanie dared cross the street, Daimen had timed his steps perfectly. The snow would make any escape nearly impossible if each intricate detail hadn’t been laid out before. He had tracked Melanie for weeks, making note every inch she walked and every person she talked to. He observed every detail of her work from who her clients were to when she took her lunch break. He was a professional and a damn good one at that. There was only one problem: he wanted out of the game. For years he had been everyone’s A-listed hit man. From the richest of the rich to the lower class beginners freshly diving into the harsh world of the elite, he could find and kill anyone. Only thing he needed to do was name his price and it would be handed to him on a silver platter. However, being a hit man brings many enemies and way too much drama. Daimen wanted a simple life and a simple retirement. They say to start early with retirement funds. Well, as a thirty year old man with a chiseled jaw line, not yet greying hair, and a muscular physique, he had his retirement plan figured out. The only loose ends he needed to tie up were briskly walking across the street as he waited in the darkness. The only one who knew his official identity - by mistake of course.
    Carefully, Daimen aimed his sniper. One shot through the heart, to make sure everyone knew how heartless she truly was. One shot was all he needed and one shot was all it took to watch her petite figure fall to the ground. With a smirk on his face Daimen slid the sniper into the apartment and gently latched the window. Once out of sight he packed up his things and unmasked himself. Shooting people was sweaty work complete with a pang of guilt and a tiring trail of thought. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Daimen replaced his black mask and slid out of the small apartment. It wouldn’t be long before the investigators followed the line of fire back to this building and Daimen would be long gone by then, leaving no evidence of his very existence. This is the last job he though. The last thing that stood in the way of my freedom. Now, who do I want to be?
    The air hit him to the core, sending a shiver up and down his spine. He had followed the sewage line allowing him to stay underground until he was about a mile and a half away from the incident. In the background he could hear sirens piercing the air causing chaos in the once serene environment. Before emerging into the open, he had traded his dark and very menacing look for a cut trouser and crisp jacket. The mask, along with the rest of his clothes, were burning in a trashcan below the interstate. Daimen lowered his head and walked to Connie’s,  the coffee shop around the corner. It was one of his favorite places on earth and the barista had memorized his order from the first week he had arrived in Kansas City.
    “Daimen! So good to see you. Staying out of trouble this morning?” Juliette exclaimed as he walked through the small shop. Juliette was a short, plump woman with bright red hair and a fresh young face. She was around 27 from what Daimen could gather having talked to her almost every morning for three years. Why she was still a barista he had no idea. She never seemed to be the smartest of the bunch, but he knew she had finished school a few years prior. Unfortunately for Juliette, Daimen didn’t like talking to people. He could care less about what she did or why she did it. Pretending to be interested in people, though, is what made Daimen’s cover so convincing.
    “Morning Juliette. You know trouble always finds me somehow.” He said with a wink. Juliette blushed as she continued preparing his morning coffee.
    Did he just wink at me? He’s never shown any type of emotion before. I wonder what’s going on in his head… She wondered. She couldn’t help but notice his handsome features while twirling around behind the counter. For three years she had been trying to get his attention. Three long years. Was she finally finding it?
    “Here you go! Black as always.” She chirped.
    “Thanks Juliette. You’re a life saver.” Before he could put his hand on the door he heard a faint call.
    “Hey Daimen?” Juliette asked. Daimen spun around at his name. Juliette’s gaze made its way to the floor before mustering up any last confidence she might have.
    “Yes?” Daimen replied.
    “The shop is having a fundraiser tonight. In case you’re interested of course. I just know how loyal of a costumer you are and thought you might want to show up.” Juliette rambled on for a little longer before Daimen interrupted. He could tell she was fascinated by him. In fact, he could tell she had been trying multiple things to get his attention for the last few years. He liked her and he liked this shop, but he didn’t need her drooling over him like a lost puppy.
    “I wish I could, but I’m busy this evening. It’s been a pleasure, as always.” He flashed her one last smile before exiting the shop. He didn’t want to be there for when her face dropped into disappointment. Onward bound, Daimen made his way to the office, carefully avoiding the block where Melanie’s body lay lifelessly on the ground. The sun began rising, changing the dark morning to a bright, orange tone. It was going to be a good day, he could feel it.

As I sit out in the sunshine, enjoying a beer on one of the few patios found in downtown Spokane Washington, I can only reflect on all of the things I’ve seen and experienced this past year. Through thick and thin, poorly managed hospitals to well-managed ones, I can only be grateful for the opportunity God has given me to provide care and travel the United States simultaneously. Not once have I regretted my decision to become a travel nurse, while I have questioned my sanity in becoming a nurse in general - Pandemics really bring the worst out of people I guess. Regardless, this experience has shaped my nursing career, my worldly thoughts, and my confidence as a person. For that, I can only be grateful.


In the past few months I have been on the move constantly. So much so, that I feel I haven’t been able to, and probably won’t be able to, express and describe the things I’ve seen. From hiking the various trails in Vermont, to visiting 4 states in 8 days, to taking a much needed break in Kansas, to finally making my way to the next assignment, I’ve barely had time to breathe! Not to mention the trips taken in between moving. I guess that is something I just have to get used to… living out of a suitcase and driving everywhere. Luckily, though, the drives have been far from boring.


Whenever someone asks me if I ever plan on leaving the country, my answer is always the same: The United States is where I am born and raised, so I want to see what it has to offer. I will gladly visit other countries, but many people visit the United States claiming it is one of the most amazing places. I want to see what they’re talking about. That being said, after driving from quite literally coast to coast, I’m beginning to see what is so amazing about this vast country. The differences in landscape, people, cities and towns, and animals are INSANE. A mountain isn’t just a mountain around here. For instance, the mountain ranges in Vermont are nothing compared to the mountain ranges in the Pacific Northwest. Mount Mansfield, Killington Peak, and Camels Hump all range from 4000 ft to 4500 ft, all located in the Vermont area. The forests in Vermont are dense consisting of Maple, Birch, and Spruce trees primarily. (I’m sure ya’ll could’ve guessed the Maple tree since Maple syrup is a staple there.) Whereas in Northern Idaho I’m around the Rocky Mountains, with the highest range in the Idaho area reaching 12,662 ft. These mountains are surrounded by forests consisting of white pines, which make the forests feel less dense. My point being that I never fully understood how different each place and landmark could be. I always classified mountains as mountains and beaches as beaches, but that is far from the truth.


Continuing with comparisons, the cities and people fluctuate with each place. While Kansas will always hold a spot in my heart, I have to say that some of these places have brought great friends and a beautiful atmosphere. I’ve always described Kansas as friendly with the feeling of a town rather than a city. The people are inviting, considerate, and always wearing Kansas gear. Around Vermont there was a sense of mountainous pride. The people there were friendly but more blunt. Their personalities were strong and everyone did some type of outdoorsy activity whether it was kayaking, skiing, hiking, or biking. So far, in Idaho, the people are more reserved it seems. They are confident, but not as outgoing as other places unless stimulated. The city itself has been the most city-like place I’ve lived so far. I’m right downtown, making any place accessibly by walking. I’ve absolutely loved the convenience, but am missing the suburb-like atmosphere. Regardless, these are only my observations. So far, though, seeing the differences only makes me more interested to see what other States bring to the table. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you posted ;)
​

That being said, keep in touch, keep in mind, and keep being curious!

While I'm sure I have a million things to do now that I am back in Vermont, I keep distracting myself with some creative writing pieces I have since left behind. To my astonishment, I think I used to be a much better writer than I am now. However, I still find enjoyment engulfing myself between the lines of fantasy and fiction.  Below, I have shared couple of poems I wrote a while ago. I am actually pretty proud of them and can't wait for my five solid audience members to have a look. I would actually LOVE to hear what you guys think of them (good or bad), so don't be afraid to leave a comment or shoot me a message. 
Don't worry, I still have tons of photos to upload on here for those of you whom, like me, would rather look at the pictures. Some cool views from Bar Harbor Maine should be uploaded later this week! 

Just a Thought
Hanna Heline
​
What are words
but a collection of thoughts
as warm as winter
swift as summer
somber as spring
with a facade of fall
to rejoice in the world
or to drown in what one thinks

What are thoughts
but a collection of words
and a string of sentences
thread by the thinnest twine
held by the strongest support
but able to crack like cement
on a sidewalk to nowhere
or to anywhere one can envision

What are moments
but a collection of memories
soft as cotton
rough as calloused hands
with the smell of rain
and the sound of thunder
clapping in the clouds of the mind
as one ponders in a daydream

What are memories
but a collection of moments
sifting through the mind
threatening to come forward
yet retreating when convenient
too far to reach when one wants
but revealing themselves
when one has just a thought

I Wanna be a Nurse
Hanna Heline
​
Mommy I wanna be a nurse today, Elaine exclaimed
I fixed my turtles back, my giraffe’s neck, and my elephant’s trunk is a mess
My dear, mother said, I know you would be great
You have a kind heart, are passionate, and smart, now go out in the world today

Mommy I got to be a nurse today, even Mrs. Everett told me so
I fixed my friend and ran with her again
My dear, mother said, I knew you would be great
You have a kind heart, are passionate, and smart, now go out in the world today

Momma I traveled with a nurse today and took care of the sickest
The ER was packed, but each patient got through
As mother looked down at her loving child she smiled
Although weak, she exclaimed with all the excitement she could:
My dear, I knew you would be great
You have a kind heart, are passionate and smart, now go out in the world today

As the years went by, Momma’s loving daughter grew
But the years were not kind to momma
Momma, I wanna be your nurse today Elaine exclaimed
I’ll cook your meals and get you to bed; we’ll have an amazing day
My dear, said momma, you are great
You have a kind heart, are passionate, and smart, but other people need you today

Not long later momma awoke in a cold hospital room
Momma, Elaine exclaimed through tears, I wish you let me be your nurse today
My dear, said momma, you are too great
You have a good heart, are passionate, and smart, and I’ll be able to see you every day

As the monitor went still and momma went cold, Elaine squeezed her hand
As a nurse, you know time is short, so you must cherish each day
Elaine looked at momma for one last time
You have a good heart, are passionate, and smart, momma go to heaven today

Well, as promised I adequately died on the side of a mountain this week in an attempt to increase my stamina and do some sightseeing at the Mount Pisgah Trail. This particular hike was about 4 miles out and back reaching an elevation of about 1600 ft. That being said, I felt like I was rock climbing instead of hiking - and not the fun kind with ropes and harnesses. The rough kind where you don't use your hands even though you kind of want to. Me, being the clumsy, lanky type, almost fell twice which is a personal best seeing as I didn't actually complete the task. Mike and I saw more people than usual on this popular trail, one of which decided to hike with a large barreled shotgun. Upon further investigation this man apparently hikes with a gun for personal bear protection. That being said, bear spray is cheap, light, and 1000% more affective. Regardless, after passing him I couldn't get the image out of my head of attempting to hike with a shotgun in my hand. That would be a recipe for disaster and I am positive my family can attest to that. 

​After having my ass handed to me by a measly 4 mile hike, and Mike for that matter, it was my time to shine. I like to pride myself on picking places to eat, so that is exactly what I was tasked with. Unfortunately many places here in Vermont are still very wary of opening up due to the pandemic, making my job a bit more difficult. I finally found Riley's Fish Shack in St. Johnsbury. This lovely establishment has only been open for about 4 years, but the ever-growing line leading to the order counter would have anyone second guessing that fact. This small shack is open currently for takeout or picnickers, but will most likely open the dining room soon. Mike and I grabbed a couple of sandwiches, some mozzarella sticks, and a beer before setting up camp in the large, grassy space right next to the restaurant. Luckily, the sun shone brightly down on the afternoon and I had a blanket in the back of my car. ​

Not wanting to go home just yet, Mike and I sought after a brewery to end the day with. We finally found a brewery in St. Johnsbury that wasn't closed called Whirligig. The interesting thing about Whirligig is that the bartender also happens to be the head brewer and owner. So, we learned a few interesting things from him to say the least. To our surprise, Whirligig still is not open for in-house drinking, but we were able to take a couple four-packs to go. We settled on a New England style IPA and a Cider seeing as Ciders are very popular around here. The Cider we bought was tangy, but not tart like many Ciders can be. The blend was very well done and I overall enjoyed the sweetness to it. I definitely will be back to say the least. Since we still weren't ready for home, we ventured next door to a tap room that was officially open for business. Getting a seat outside in the sunny 65 degree weather, Mike and I toasted to a day well spent. 

All in all, I didn't actually die hiking even though halfway though I thought I might. In the meantime, stay in mind, stay in touch, and take one step at a time.