Tuesday, August 26, 2008

My New Job





Ward 45B is a 12-bed combined Medical and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit serving as a local, regional and world-wide referral center which offers sophisticated medical and nursing care to adult and pediatric critically ill inpatients arriving at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.



Patients are considered for admission who present with complex symptomatology requiring continuous monitoring and/or invasive procedures including, but not limited to, use of intra-arterial pressures, pulmonary artery pressures, cardiac outputs, mechanical ventilation and acute hemodialysis.


The most frequently diagnoses include:
- respiratory failure
- ARDS
- sepsis
- gastrointestinal hemorrhage
- altered mental status
- acute renal failure
- high risk pediatric surgery
- potential respiratory compromise


In addition, the staff will provide care for all patients whose needs for monitoring of critical functions exceeds the capabilities of the general wards either in terms of frequency of observation or requirement for specialized skills or equipment or those who require specific interventions not available elsewhere or during which the patient is at higher risk for developing a potential complication requiring intensive care skills.

The unit is organized to provide an environment, equipment, supplies and personnel necessary to recognize/treat life threatening illnesses, support vital functions and aid in the healing process and/or be conducive to death with dignity for patient populations along the continuum of care.

Friday, August 22, 2008

California Shakespeare Theater

Tonight I went with my parents to an outdoor theater in Orinda to see Uncle Vanya. Romantic entanglements upset life on a Russian estate in Anton Chekhov's tragicomic masterpiece of yearning and regret.

The theater known as Cal Shakes is a beautiful amphitheater that faces the local hills. As the sun sets you are able to watch the cows leave their grazing area and head for the trees for the night. The coyotes often howl as the play comes to a close. It is a gorgeous setting. Click on the picture to go see their site.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Boating with Kyle


My former boss and still good friend Kyle lives in the Santa Cruz area. He has always been a huge dreamer. And it has been really cool to watch as his dreams often become reality. I have been blessed to be his friend and play an early part of his now successful company. A true family man who has worked to create a home for his entire family. He has never been one to keep things to himself as he love to share with others what he has been blessed with.


One of his latest dreams was to learn to sail and get a sail boat. And he did just that. I am eager to hear of his upcoming adventures that I am sure will involve sailing to exotic places for vacation. I am looking forward to coming home again and going sailing with him. The Notta Lotta Yachta is a gorgeous boat!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Visiting Mission Springs




I spent today and yesterday with Kim (Prato) San Gabriel. She and I worked together at Mission Springs when she was Curly and I was Shucks. We had lost touch for a while so we had a lot of catching up to do. So much has happened over the past few years. We hit up some of our favorite places while in town such as Mobo's for sushi and Marianne's for ice cream. Ah, the good times and good food of Santa Cruz.
Mission Springs is so different yet still the same. New faces, but the scenery and the heart of the place remains a constant. For those that know the place, who could imagine a green Frontier Ranch lawn in August?
We capped off the two days there with an evening hike up to Eagle's Landing, a deck built on the highest point of the property with a view all the way to Monterrey on a clear day.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Kayaking with Dad



Today my Dad and I went Kayaking off Bethel Island in the Delta. It was a pretty windy out so we did not go out too far but had a good time paddling around Little Frank's Track. The icing on the cake was the blackberry bush we came across before heading in. It was stocked full of berries. We sat in our kayaks filling up on berries before heading in.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Family Time in the City

After arriving home to my parent's house in the East Bay I got a little sick. I think this happens quite often to me. I get a little time off after an exhausting few months to then come home and get sick. Thankfully it was just a few days of being down.


When finally feeling better it was time to hangout with my parents. I went to church with them and got to see a lot of people who have watched me grow up. It was fun to see them and fill them in on what is going on in my life and hear all about their adventures as well. We then went into the city to check out Golden Gate Park. I am sure my parents had taken me there when I was little but I couldn't really remember going. So we walked around a bit before checking out the Japanese Tea Garden and the DeYoung Museum. It was a nice cool day in the city making it a nice day to walk around.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Welcome to the world!



Welcome to the world Mikenzie Ann Langdale!

Congratulations Donnie and Lisa!

Makayla, welcome to the world of being a big sister!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Welcome Home!

The fog rolling in over San Francisco.
Welcome Home to me!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Chinese Take-out



You know when you watch TV shows or movies there is often that scene sitting on the couch watching a movie while eating take-out Chinese food. So, Amy and I did just that. We got some take-out and enjoyed Nim's Island (would not really recommend the movie). It was nice to have a chill evening after three days of playing in SoCal!

Monday, August 11, 2008

The Happiest Place on Earth!


I love Disneyland! I used to go there all the time while in college. There were times we would go there to study too. We would go to New Orleans square to get a bread bowl of clam chowder then hit the books for a few hours before taking a break to ride one of the rides before hitting the books again. Oh the memories!



This time Amy and I went to see the new rides that had opened since I had moved to DC. The new Toy Story ride and the new Finding Nemo ride were the two I needed to ride. I will still always enjoy my favorite rides like Indiana Jones, Tower of Terror, Soarin' over CA, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Haunted Mansion (just to name a few).

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Right Hand! Left Hand! Shamu! Shamu!

Since we were already in San Diego, Amy and I decided to go to Sea World to meet Shamu. He was very welcoming and even provided a salty shower for his guests on such a hot day! What a gentleman! We toured the park watching the different animal shows. The seal lion show was a lot of fun. Their evening show poked fun at all the other animal attractions, it was hilarious! The dolphin show was fun. They sure can jump high! Then there was the dog and cat show. I was amazed to see how well you could train cats. I always knew you could train dogs, but to see how well you could train cats was pretty amazing. The Atlantis water ride was pretty fun too. Actually any water ride on a really hot day is great!

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Becca's Wedding

My roommate Becca got married today. She and Brian were married in front of family and friends at the San Diego Wild Animal Park in CA. Her dress was beautiful and so was she. Her nieces were her flower girls and were adorable. Her younger brothers looked great all dressed up. Her parents were so happy for her and Brian. The reception was also at the Park. The food was fantastic. Becca and Brian picked a great place to start their new life together! Congratulations to you!

Friday, August 08, 2008

Taking Leave


Now that I am done with my course, I am taking leave for two weeks. I will be attending my roommate's wedding at the San Diego Wild Animal Park on Saturday (yeah for her) before heading up to LA for a few days. After LA, I will be heading home to the SF Bay Area. If anyone will be around let me know. I would love to see you!

Graduation



Today was the day I have been looking forward to for the past 14 weeks. I graduated from the US Army Nurse Corps' Critical Care Nursing Course! It is true, I am now an Intensive Care Nurse at Walter Reed Army Medical Center! I have been assigned to the Medical and Pediatric Intensive Care Units. My Area of Concentration (AOC) has now changed as I have a specialty identifier. I am now a 66H8A! I have wanted that 8A since before joining the Army, so I am stoked. Seven of the original 8 completed the course and graduated today. This course is very difficult so it is unfortunately common to have at least one student not make it to graduation.



Aside from the excitement of graduation itself, my cousin Anita was able to attend. She came up to DC to hangout for the week and was able to extend her stay long enough to meet my fellow classmates whom she had been praying for and to watch us graduate. Thanks Anita!




P.S. Pretty hot in the Class A Uniform, right?