Everything happens for a reason. Only sometimes it's tough waiting for that reason to come. Almost a year ago when I graduated with my BSN degree then passed my NCLEX with flying colors, I felt like I was on top of the world! I took my solo trip to Spain, came home and I was ready to take life by the reigns. I knew exactly where I wanted to be in life and could not wait to start. Things started spiraling downwards as days started to pass by and nothing was happening. Days turned into weeks; weeks into months. The decision to move home seemed to be my last option.
The very next day after I moved back home, HR from my senior practicum called me about a job at the unit for night shift, but disqualified me because they needed to fill the position "immediately." How funny fate works out. I began my full-blown search for a RN position in the city. By the third month, it was not looking promising. All the excitement of moving home drained away fast and I began to feel unemployment's pangs of misery gnaw at my insides. Welp! I'm SURE glad that's done with!!!
Three months later after I had somewhat got "disqualified" for the job due to my hesitation, I received a offer from the same hospital for day shift on the unit with the best manager in the hospital. "Everything happens for a reason." Although I messed up with the first job offer, I'm glad things turned out the way it did. In the three months that I've spent in SF, I met a lot of new friends, received certification for ACLS (which gave me a higher step in my annual pay worth 2g), and got an offer for day shift. That is BIG for a new nurse.
I'm finally a REAL nurse now. YEP! I have a job!! And I'm doing what I love to do! Even though I had to leave my family and friends again, I am happy to be one step closer to my dreams. I'm back on track. I'll start blogging my adventures in nursing - of course, within the bounds of HIPAA. From now on, various patients that I encounter will forever be named, Bobby.
"Hello Mr. Bobby! My name is Mee and I am the nurse who will be taking care of you today."
Mar 23, 2010
R.I.P. Seba Jun - Nujabes
February 19, 1974 – February 26, 2010
Alas... The death of Jun Seba aroused the need in me to share how much love I have for this DJ's music.
The night before I found out about his car accident, I had been at a local lounge, SOM, with some friends. Shortly after sitting down with a gin and tonic in hand, Nujabes' soothing instrumentals and jazzed up hip-hop beats fill the air. His style is so unique and distinct that I can always recognize his music within five seconds into the song. With much enthusiasm, I pointed out to my friends that this DJ was playing Nujabes!!! I was slightly hoping for a response like: "OMG!!! COOL!" But instead, everyone nonchalantly took a sip from their drinks and continued to chat. Nonetheless, I am always delighted when a DJ plays Nujabes' music at a lounge. In fact, I was first introduced to Nujabes at one of my most frequented bar in Seattle, Fort St. George. Come to think, SOM was only the 3rd lounge I've encountered with Nujabes music. I didn't know it then, but the DJ at SOM was making a tribute to Nujabes...
Like my friends, most do not know of this underground hip-hop, Japanese music producer and DJ (unless you are either a avid anime fan and have watched "Samurai Champloo" OR you are a underground-different-type-of-hip-hop-music lover). Hopefully his music will be spread even further now... since a death of an artist usually revives their music and (sadly, only now) garners more attention to the deserved artist. Unfortunately, the truth is, his death motivated me to purchase all of his albums. Yes, I have been an avid fan, yet showed no financial support throughout the years. I had an epiphany though - I'm going to start purchasing albums of artists' whose music I believe and love!
Many nights, stressed out to the T, I play Nujabes to sooth my soul. Rest in Beats Jun Seba and Nujabes. Much love and prayer goes out to his family. So, without further ado, a collection of my favorites from Nujabes with the first being dedicated to Jun Seba.
Reflection Eternal - Dedicated to Jun Seba
Luv Sic Part 2 - The #1 song I play most on my ipod from Nujabes
Luv Sic Part 3 ft. Shin02
Aruarian Dance - first song I heard of his at Fort St. George
Lady Brown ft. Cise Starr & Akin - now for more of the upbeat songs
Oridinary Joe ft. Terry Callier
A Tribute Video for Nujabes found on youtube
*Note: Nujabes composed the music/beats but not the lyrics in songs that feature an artist.
Alas... The death of Jun Seba aroused the need in me to share how much love I have for this DJ's music.
The night before I found out about his car accident, I had been at a local lounge, SOM, with some friends. Shortly after sitting down with a gin and tonic in hand, Nujabes' soothing instrumentals and jazzed up hip-hop beats fill the air. His style is so unique and distinct that I can always recognize his music within five seconds into the song. With much enthusiasm, I pointed out to my friends that this DJ was playing Nujabes!!! I was slightly hoping for a response like: "OMG!!! COOL!" But instead, everyone nonchalantly took a sip from their drinks and continued to chat. Nonetheless, I am always delighted when a DJ plays Nujabes' music at a lounge. In fact, I was first introduced to Nujabes at one of my most frequented bar in Seattle, Fort St. George. Come to think, SOM was only the 3rd lounge I've encountered with Nujabes music. I didn't know it then, but the DJ at SOM was making a tribute to Nujabes...
Like my friends, most do not know of this underground hip-hop, Japanese music producer and DJ (unless you are either a avid anime fan and have watched "Samurai Champloo" OR you are a underground-different-type-of-hip-hop-music lover). Hopefully his music will be spread even further now... since a death of an artist usually revives their music and (sadly, only now) garners more attention to the deserved artist. Unfortunately, the truth is, his death motivated me to purchase all of his albums. Yes, I have been an avid fan, yet showed no financial support throughout the years. I had an epiphany though - I'm going to start purchasing albums of artists' whose music I believe and love!
Many nights, stressed out to the T, I play Nujabes to sooth my soul. Rest in Beats Jun Seba and Nujabes. Much love and prayer goes out to his family. So, without further ado, a collection of my favorites from Nujabes with the first being dedicated to Jun Seba.
Reflection Eternal - Dedicated to Jun Seba
Luv Sic Part 2 - The #1 song I play most on my ipod from Nujabes
Luv Sic Part 3 ft. Shin02
Aruarian Dance - first song I heard of his at Fort St. George
Lady Brown ft. Cise Starr & Akin - now for more of the upbeat songs
Oridinary Joe ft. Terry Callier
A Tribute Video for Nujabes found on youtube
*Note: Nujabes composed the music/beats but not the lyrics in songs that feature an artist.
Jan 19, 2010
Stiff Fingers Need Piano Therapy
Sara Bareilles - Gravity
I hope winter ends soon. Every time winter comes knockin' on my door, my extremities never stay warm, I eat more, I run outside less, I get fat... and my fingers get stiff. And when my fingers get stiff, I start missing my grand piano back at home. The light-oak brown instrument has it's very own space in the large dining area, with a large window behind it letting sunlight peek through the blinds and dance on top of the closed top - probably a very dusty closed top. The piano must be really lonely now that no one comes to play it's keys.
I never wanted to play the piano but my dad forced me to like all Asian parents. But during the last year of high school, it grew on me. Right when it started to grow on me, I had to leave for college. I was never a really good piano player anyway. Never a good student. But for some reason, I became a better player during college. I missed making music with just the touch of my fingers. I sought out opportunity to practice and play.
While I participated in the university choir, I had access codes to piano rooms. Then when I quit choir, I started sneaking into auditoriums. Until one day I finally set off the alarm. I haven't played in Seattle since! I wish I practiced more. I could sure use some piano therapy.
I hope winter ends soon. Every time winter comes knockin' on my door, my extremities never stay warm, I eat more, I run outside less, I get fat... and my fingers get stiff. And when my fingers get stiff, I start missing my grand piano back at home. The light-oak brown instrument has it's very own space in the large dining area, with a large window behind it letting sunlight peek through the blinds and dance on top of the closed top - probably a very dusty closed top. The piano must be really lonely now that no one comes to play it's keys.
I never wanted to play the piano but my dad forced me to like all Asian parents. But during the last year of high school, it grew on me. Right when it started to grow on me, I had to leave for college. I was never a really good piano player anyway. Never a good student. But for some reason, I became a better player during college. I missed making music with just the touch of my fingers. I sought out opportunity to practice and play.
While I participated in the university choir, I had access codes to piano rooms. Then when I quit choir, I started sneaking into auditoriums. Until one day I finally set off the alarm. I haven't played in Seattle since! I wish I practiced more. I could sure use some piano therapy.
Jan 14, 2010
Life of the Unemployed RN
Finally after a three month hiatus of blogging, I decided to return. Well, then again, I only posted once anyway (to which I did not hesitate to delete). I'm hoping that blogging will help me differentiate the days. When you are unemployed, the days start blending in together with no significance. Everyday is the same story - wake up, check every hospital website in hopes to find a new posting for residency, watch a few episodes of HOUSE M.D., meet an old friend for coffee/dinner, a glass of wine and straight to bed.
When I first set out on my journey to become a nurse, I thought, "Hey! I want to make a difference in humanity! It's not all about the money!" Such a naive thought. If you want to be a nurse, this better be your passion and not just the passion you claim you have on your personal statement to impress admission counselors. I'm talking about, four grueling years of working your ass off - studying for exams that you must get a C+ or higher, enduring long clinical hours, sucking up to professors so that you may get the placement in hospitals and units you want (I wish I knew this during college), working for free (they call it "training") - all that! After college, when you do land a residency, it's probably night shift because you have no seniority. All day long you bust ass making sure people stay alive but at the end of the day, they may not even thank you. Nurses often have to clean up poop, pee and vomit. All this for a starting rate of $25.44. This is not easy money and definitely not a easy profession.
So, this brings me to, WHY THE HECK DID I WANT TO BE A NURSE!? Well, someone's gotta take care of the sick folk. Ever get so sick that you couldn't fetch your own medicine or water but luckily your mom/pops/honey/sister/brother went out of their way to care for you? What if there wasn't anyone there to care for you? You don't want to know what it feels like. Thank and be appreciative to your nurses people.
I can't imagine being a nurse for the rest of my life, but this is where I want to start. Just as soon as I find a residency program!
DAMN YOU RECESSION.
When I first set out on my journey to become a nurse, I thought, "Hey! I want to make a difference in humanity! It's not all about the money!" Such a naive thought. If you want to be a nurse, this better be your passion and not just the passion you claim you have on your personal statement to impress admission counselors. I'm talking about, four grueling years of working your ass off - studying for exams that you must get a C+ or higher, enduring long clinical hours, sucking up to professors so that you may get the placement in hospitals and units you want (I wish I knew this during college), working for free (they call it "training") - all that! After college, when you do land a residency, it's probably night shift because you have no seniority. All day long you bust ass making sure people stay alive but at the end of the day, they may not even thank you. Nurses often have to clean up poop, pee and vomit. All this for a starting rate of $25.44. This is not easy money and definitely not a easy profession.
So, this brings me to, WHY THE HECK DID I WANT TO BE A NURSE!? Well, someone's gotta take care of the sick folk. Ever get so sick that you couldn't fetch your own medicine or water but luckily your mom/pops/honey/sister/brother went out of their way to care for you? What if there wasn't anyone there to care for you? You don't want to know what it feels like. Thank and be appreciative to your nurses people.
I can't imagine being a nurse for the rest of my life, but this is where I want to start. Just as soon as I find a residency program!
DAMN YOU RECESSION.
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