Saturday, February 28, 2009

Dear Glenwood High School,

Dear Glenwood High School,

When you have a whole bunch of people in your building taking very important tests related to their careers, can you please not set the thermostat at 95 degrees. That would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Mandi

*Illinois Basic Skills Content Area Test - complete. I'm ready to work with the children.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Felt!

A few days ago I received an invitation in the mail for a baby shower. Joshua's cousin is having a baby in April, and it's time to celebrate.

I had grand plans of making a cute onesie set with baby Jaylyn's name on them, but after spending hours stitching, I hated the result. I just don't get along with stretch knits. Alas, I will never design swimwear.

Anyway, after giving up the dream on stretch knits, I came up with this cutie little name banner, made of my favorite medium, felt. I'm quite pleased with it. Hopefully baby Jaylyn's parents are, too. It's now on sale at my etsy store.

I tried to make it coordinate with all the nursery stuff on the registry. I really could use some soft yellow and peach felt. I need to send a letter to ecospun felt about expanding their color line.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Week Six - Check, Done.

My medical internship is rolling right along. Six weeks down, and for the rest of my classmates, two more to go. For me though? Not the case. I will be staying a full twelve weeks at the hospital, working for free. Is this a problem? By no means. I will continue to learn. Great! Except yesterday a snafu came up that irritated me.

My university supervisor, Jane, came to visit and talk to my hospital supervisor, Mary Ann, and me. The two supervisors talk. I talk with Jane, and she tells me Mary Ann is so pleased with my work that eight weeks really would have been enough. Most students require 12 to get it, but I'm doing great. What a compliment, right?

Later that day, Mary Ann approaches me about possibly staying on at the hospital after my internship and working for money. I'm not entirely sure what money is, but I've heard it's great. Another nice compliment, right?

Not exactly because the two compliments together make me feel that I'm being taken advantage of. They're using me for four extra weeks of free work and then only paying me when they have to.

What's a girl to do? Be grateful for the money when it comes or on principle tell Mary Ann that it's unfair? Any thoughts?

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Sad News

Today my grandfather died. It wasn't unexpected, but I still feel awful for my grandmother.

While working at the hospital over the past five weeks, I've learned that the husband nearly always goes first. The wife is always there. That makes me really sad for my grandma and for myself in 70 years.

Other news of the day: during a therapy session with a gentleman, his tracheotomy tube started spurting blood, lots of blood. My supervisor was suctioning it out of his airway as fast as it was spilling while I called for the nurse and rapid response team. The man is stable now, but that was the scariest thing I've seen at the hospital. I hope I don't see it again.

Weird day.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Working 9-5, What a Way to Make a Living

Well, really 7:20-5:00, but who's counting?

I've been at my hospital externship for four weeks now, and despite the long hours, I do like it more than the schools. As time passes by, I'm beginning to think more and more about next year, and there is such a to-do list! Unfortunately I won't begin to work on this to-do list until after match day. March 19th, get here already!

1. Get a job. This morning I spent three hours finishing my resume, (It's fantastic, I'm sure.) and posting it on some popular job search websites. I do feel that it's a little early to actually begin filling out applications, but I'm not sure. Does anyone know the perfect date to begin applying? There's one job I'm particularly intrested in at a nursing home in Davenport. I'll keep my eye on it for the time being, maybe until mid March.

2. Get a place to live. Joshua and I have been going back and forth about buying a house or renting an apartment. Both have their advantages. As I sit here and listen to my neighbor's music, buying is looking good. Scottie, being the responsible realestate loan officer that he is, is a bit pessimistic about the process, but I just want a quiet cottage with rooms I can paint and a yard for Heidi and/or Skittles. One came on the market not too long ago that's pretty much Jenna's twin house. That could be good. It looks clean and updated. It's the affordable one I'm thinking of at the moment, listed at $110,000.
Then there's a ranch that looks bland but nice (and bigger) for $149,900. I need to figure out how much house I could potentially afford. Anyone know how to do that?

3. Get a dog. Maybe. Only if it's really smart. And cute.

Things to think about. That's what I do best though, think. And think. And then think some more.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Expanding the Crafting Empire

Jenna and I have been thinking that etsy.com is getting rather crowded. We're just not sure our store is getting enough traffic to be successful. So, Jenna found an additional place to feature our handmade lovelies, www.shophandmade.com. Toodle-ooo is up and running, but posting items could take some time. We're quite busy studying for the three big graduation and licensing exams we have coming up at the end of February and beginning of March. (At least we should be.)