Part-time Paramedication

Small Update

2007-10-17T12:24:00.001-07:00

Well hello friends, those still out there. Here is a small update and it will be in point form because I am not a very good writer and cannot make a whole paragraph sound interesting, especially in my current night-sick state. However I am known to ramble...

1. Wednesday - my car was stolen. I was rushing around in the morning and couldn't find my keys ANYWHERE and so I took Ryan's spare car key but not his spare 'the club' key. So, when I pulled up to work I thought to myself 'ah ah ah, don't put the club on cuz that would be stupid, you don't have the key to get it off.' That was the only day ever that I didn't put my club on. That was the only day ever that my car was stolen.

2. Found out I'm kinda sorta mostly getting screwed over at work. This is frustrating and a very long and complicated story. The long version turned short is that no one knows what's happening or what's going to happen and no one really even has a plan to fix a situation that no one even planned for in the first place.

3. I got to go in a helicopter and it was awesome. If I feel ambitious I may write about it later this week.

4. Whilst in said helicopter the cops called - they found my car. Now I have to figure out what to do next....

Pie

2007-09-29T00:08:00.000-07:00

So, the last post 'Saskatchewan: Part 1' implied that there would be a post about further Saskatchewan adventures. I was planning to call it 'Saskatchewan: Part 2.' However, anyone who may still read this knows how committed I am to blogging... ahem....

Anyways, Saskatchewan was great, but it's good to be home.

Also, Ryan and I ate a whole pie tonight. It was blueberry and it was delicious.

Saskatchewan adventure, part 1

2007-08-31T21:42:00.000-07:00

So, I debated even keeping this silly blog going. 'Who reads this blog anyways?' asked I. Well, mayhaps people are like me.... I read many people's blogs but never comment on them and then find myself horribly upset when I don't see an update for almost a month. Like, don't these people know I thrive off of reading about other people's lives? I love to hear how so-and-so loves this-and-that, or how such-and-such makes so-and-so happy/angry/confused/lethargic. Even mundane things, you know? So I decided that so what if Rachel is the only person I know reads this... it makes me happy to write it so there. So there. On to other things....

I am on vacation in Saskatchewan. Many people laughed when I said I was going to Saskatchewan for vacation. 'Why Saskatchewan?' they would ask. And then they'd kinda scoff and snicker and mutter something unintelligable under their breaths. One guy even asked me if I would be able to access my internet while in Saskatchewan. Come on people, Saskatchewanians are not barbarians. Saskatchewan is very beautiful. Plus, anywhere is a vacation when you log over 130 hours in a two week pay period.

So, I'm already into week 2 of the vacation and we are actually going home in 2 short days.... mostly we spent a lot of time in the car. This, I find, is a common thing to do here. You know, travelling long distances to somewhere because, why not? We flew into Saskatoon and then drove 3 hours to Regina to visit the sister in law for a night. The next day we drove 6 hours home to Meadow Lake (total = 9 hours). Then 2 sleeps later we drove back to Saskatoon (3 hours, 12 hours total) in preparation for a wedding in Ebenezer (population 150) which was another 3 hours out of Saskatoon (15 hours so far). The wedding was good, quaint and involved a horse and carriage and the first meeting of my husband's cousin's daughter... the first of the new generation in the family. So cute. Pictures to follow when I get home and find my cord. The next day we drove the 6 hourse back to Meadow Lake. So in one week we drove a total of 21 hours. We are glad we decided to fly here and not drive.

Whilst here we (and by we I mean mostly me) played animal bingo. The following animals I have seen in 1.5 weeks while in Saskatchewan:
1. bison (so tasty, have you ever tried!?)
2. mule deer
3. white tail deer (yes, there are 2 kinds of deer, very different and plus it's my game and I can count as many different species of animals as I want)
4. moo cows
5. horsies
6. llamas
7. alpacas
8. a black bear
9. demon ravens (imagine a regular sized raven and then feed that raven some kind of nuclear waste or goo or something and then imagine that the goo made it grow to like 5 times it's normal size and that's how big the ravens are here. They could eat your face in a single swoop)
10. a cougar (it was majestic)
11. a fox
12. a porcupine
13. one alive skunk and about 20 dead road-kill skunks
14. prarie dogs

Well, that's far too much writing for one night.

I am both excited and not excited to come home. It's been great getting a normal amount of sleep, not setting any alarm clocks and not having to be anywhere at any certain time. But, I am anxious to get home and find out if my hedgehog is alive or not, and get back to work (because work=money and money=fun therefore work=fun), and also I need to get an audiogram... anyone know how to do that!?

A giant peanut.... and also life update

2007-07-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

Really....

One day Ryan and I were out to visit some friends. When we pulled away from our house what did we see but a gigantic Mr. Peanut in the park. I made Ryan turn back around to get the camera and we took some pictures. These were not photo shopped... this is actual footage of a giant Mr. Peanut shaped hot air balloon in the park.

And if that's not enough for you, here he is relative to other real-sized people:

Other important things that have happened include:

- I passed all prerequisites for ambulance dispatching. This is kind of exciting... I'll find out if I am in the September training class in the next 2-4 weeks.

- We bought Chandler a wheel so he could get some exercise because we dont want him to be a super fat hedgehog and he used it for the first time today! Unfortunatly I was at work at the time so I didn't get to see it but Ryan assures me it was super cute. I kinda feel like I missed my child's first steps although I'm not 100% sure how that would feel since I've never had a child nevermind one that is old enough to take steps.

- I finished reading Harry Potter and it was freaking awesome. I read it in 2 days.

- I made the hugest pot of most delicious chilli ever. I mean ever. I am so domestic. In fact, I think I will go eat some of said chilli now. mmmmmmmmmmmm

foiled again...

2007-07-18T16:13:00.001-07:00

Well, this week I was supposed to bake in the sun, read many books and become a bronze goddess. Instead it decided to rain and I am stuck on the 'Sunshine' Coast making $2 an hour and sulking inside because what shall I do now. So, I took a page from Rachel again and we'll see if I am passing at life.... I don't expect that you read all this unless you too are stuck inside on a rainy day with nothing else to do. If you like, just skip down to the end and you'll find out if I am winning at life or losing....

Physical environment:

My personal files, papers, and receipts are neatly filed away.
Yes, I bought a fancy new file folder from IKEA and it was probably the most exciting thing I bought this year. I jest, but it is pretty awesome.

My car is in excellent condition. (Doesn't need mechanical work, repairs, cleaning or replacing)
Well, it squeeks and rattles a bit.... so I guess no....

My home is clean and tidy. (Vacuumed, wardrobes and drawers organized, desks and tables clear, furniture in good repair; windows clean).
I'm gonna give myself half a point on this one.

My appliances, machinery and equipment work well. (Fridge, toaster, lawn mower, water heater, hi-fi etc.).
Yes!

My clothes are all ironed, clean and make me look good. (No creases, piles of washing, torn, out-of-date or ill-fitting clothes).
Yes, and may I here express how much I hate ironing...

My plants and animals are healthy. (Fed, watered, getting light and love).
Yes, my one pet Chandler is fed, watered and loved and my one rubber plant just sprouted a new leaf!

My bed/bedroom lets me have the best sleep possible. (Firm bed, light, air).
Yes again, I love sleeping in my own bed... it only happens maybe 3 times a week, but my bed beats the pants off the government issue ones that I sleep on at the ambulance stations.

I live in a house/flat that I love.
Yes, space is good. 2 bedrooms so Ryan can have all his music things in one room is good.

I surround myself with beautiful things.
I'll go with yes. I think my things are beautiful. At least I have things. This is a funny question though because why would I go buy something horrible?

I live in the geographical location of my choice.
Yes, we love love love North Vancouver and will cherish every day we are there because we know that we will never afford to buy anything here... we'll love it while we can!

There is ample and healthy lighting around me.
Yes, and again, wierd question... why would I shut myself away in darkness?

I consistently have adequate time, space and freedom in my life.
I think I'll get another half point here due to my random word schedule... it's hard to plan anything when you don't know when you're working.

Nothing in my environment harms me.
Not purposefully... Chandler is very spinety!

I am not tolerating anything about my home or work environment.
No, I am loving both.

My work environment is productive and inspiring. (Synergistic, ample tools and resources; no undue pressure)
haha, undue pressure.... ample tools and resources... hahaha....
Do I love my job? yes.
Do I think the company needs more synergy, tools, resources and less pressure? Yes.
Half point then? yes.

My computer works very well and fully supports my efforts.
Yes, when Ryan and I married we amalgamated computers to make one SUPER computer!!!

My hair is the way I want it.
No, I'm never happy with my hair... it takes so much work to make it not look like a big frizzy mess.

I back up my hard drive at least monthly.
no... people do that?

I surround myself with music which makes my life more enjoyable.
Oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!

My bed is made daily.
Nope.

I don't injure myself, fall or bump into things.
I sure don't. I'm practically accident proof. So far...

People feel comfortable in my home.
I'm pretty sure they do.

I drink at least 2 liters of water a day.
Suprisingly yes, and now I want a glass of h2o... oh yeah!

I have nothing around the house or in storage that I do not need.
I have many many things that I do not need and every time I move I get so disgusted in myself

I am consistently early or easily on time.
yes, I am a big believer in punctuality.

My Physical Environment total is 18.5

Well-Being

I rarely use caffeine. (Chocolate, coffee, colas, tea) less than 3 times per week, total.
I'm a caffeine addict.

I rarely eat sugar. (Less than 3 times per week).
I have a sweet tooth....

I rarely watch television. (Less than 5 hours per week).
Man, what a bad streak... I guess I would say I watch more, but not much more than 5 hours a week.

I rarely drink alcohol. (Less than 2 drinks per week)
Well, it depends on the week. How about a half point?

My teeth and gums are healthy. (Have seen dentist in last 6 months).
I would say they are healthy because I have never had a cavity or any kind of dental problem... but since I haven't seen a dentist in the last 6 months..... another half point!

My cholesterol is at a healthy level.
I'll go with yes

My blood pressure is at a healthy level.
Yep, I'm about a 110/80 kinda gal.

I have had a complete physical examination within the past 3 years.
Yes

I do not smoke tobacco or other substances.
Yes. Wait...no. This one should have a qualifier too, like, 'I smoke less than two cigars a year' in which case, yes, but it doesn't, so no. (I stole that answer right from Rachel)

I do not use illegal drugs or misuse prescribed medications.
I definitely don't!!!

I have had a complete eye examination within the past two years.(Glaucoma check, vision test).
Yep, just this February!

My weight is within my ideal range.
Nope, see first 2 questions of this section for possible explaination

My nails are healthy and look good.
Yes, my nails grow so fast I have no choice but to keep up with them.

I don't rush or use adrenaline to get the job done.
This is a stupid question... in my job you have no choice... sometimes your adrenaline kicks in naturally and it's a damn good thing it does too! I will take the half point.

I have a rewarding life beyond my work or profession.
Yes, very much yes!

I have something to look forward to virtually every day.
I'm gonna say yes

I have no habits which are unacceptable to me.
No, I do things that later piss myself off.

I am aware of the physical or emotional problems or conditions I have, and I am now fully taking care of all of them.
Yes, I keep myself in check pretty well thank you.

I consistently have evenings, weekends and holidays off and take at least four weeks of holiday each year.
Ahahahahahaaaa... whoever wrote this has never heard of shift work. This is a big fat NO.

I have just the right amount of sleep.
No way.... either not enough or too much.

I use well-made sunglasses.
Yes, in the sense that they protect my eyes from those harmful whatever rays.... they aren't prada or anything but they get the job done and cost 1/10th the price.

I do not suffer.
I do not suffer.

I laugh out loud every day.
Yes, my husband is quite clever. We are quite the comedic duo in our own little world.

I walk or exercise at least three times per week.
Again, it depends on the week. Half point?

I hear well and protect myself from loud noises / concerts / music.
No. We're supposed to wear hearing protection in the ambulance but I dont... and the last concert I went to I forgot my earplugs....

My Well-Being total is 14

Money

I currently save at least 10% of my income.
Yes, more actually.

I pay my bills on time.
yes.

My income source/revenue base is stable and predictable.
Always stable, never predictable. Meaning: it always works out and we have enough money but the hours are never predictable. Half point again.

I know how much I must have to be minimally financially independent and I have a plan to get there.
Oh yes.

I have returned or made-good-on any money I borrowed.
Yes... as far as I remember anyways. ACTUALLY, someone owes ME money!

I have written agreements and am current with payments to individuals or companies to whom I owe money.
Well, yes if you mean loans I am paying back.

I have 6 months' living expenses in an easily accessible account.
Yes, at least that.

All my tax returns have been filed and all my taxes have been paid.
Done and done.

I currently live well, within my means.
Yes, I was raised by my father.

I have excellent personal insurance. (Life, accident, disability, medical etc.).
No... excpet through work... and that's only while I'm working... so no.

My assets (car, home, possessions, treasures) are well-insured.
The car is but we dont have renters' insurance YET. It is in the plan. half point? thank you.

I have a financial plan for the next year.
definitley.

I have no legal clouds hanging over me.
I have to go to court for a call I did involving a drunk driver. Is that a legal cloud? It's not really my bad... I'm gonna say no. The cloud is over the drunk driver not me!

My will is up-to-date and accurate.
I don't have one... everything is in both Ryan and my names though so he will get everything.

Any parking tickets, alimony or child support are paid and current.
Yes, since I dont have these things...

My investments do not keep me awake at night.
No they sure dont. I have a great financial advisor.

I am on a career / professional / business track which is or will soon be financially and personally rewarding.
Very much yes.

My earnings are commensurate with the effort I put into my job.
I'll go with yes

I have no "loose ends" at work.
Does this court case count? I think I do have loose ends... oops....

I am in relationship with people who can assist in my career/professional development.
Um, I suppose so yes.

I rarely miss work due to illness.
Yes, very rarely... I have a super Asian immune system.

I am putting aside enough money each month to reach financial independence.
Yes

My earnings outpace inflation, consistently.
Yes, suprisingly!

My Money total is 19

Relationships

I have told my parents, in the last 3 months, that I love them.
Yes!

I get along well with my sibling(s).
Yeah, my brother is pretty much the coolest person I know.

I get along well with my coworkers/ clients.
Normally, yes.

I get along well with my manager/staff.
yes

There is no one whom I would dread or feel uncomfortable "bumping into". (In the street, at an airport or party).
No, there are many people I would feel uncomfortable bumping into. I think everyone has those kind of people.

I put people first and results second.
Yes.

I have let go of the relationships which drag me down or damage me. ("Let go" means to end, walk away from, declare complete, no longer be attached to).
All gone.

I have communicated or attempted to communicate with everyone whom I have hurt, injured or seriously upset, even if it wasn't fully my fault.
I think so.

I do not gossip or talk about others.
I am guilty of this.

I have a circle of friends/family who love and appreciate me for who I am, more than just what I do for them.
Very much yes, thank you friends.

I tell people how they can satisfy me.
Not all the time no. I hate to creat conflict.

I am fully caught up with letters and calls.Emails and Facebookings.
No.... I am ashamed...

I always tell the truth, no matter what.
No. But I think that this can be better sometimes... enter theological debate here....

I receive enough love from people around me to feel good.
Yes. I feel loved.

I have fully forgiven those people who have hurt/damaged me, intentional or not.
Yes. yes, I have.

I am a person of his/her word; people can count on me.
Yes, and I hope that comes through.

I quickly correct miscommunications and misunderstandings when they do occur.
I do try. Again, I hate conflict.

I live life on my terms, not by the rules or preferences of others.
Mostly my terms yes.

I am complete with past loves or spouses.
I don't get it either... I do not see or have relations with past loves, is that what it means?

I am aware of my wants and needs and get them taken care of.
For the most part yes.

I do not judge or criticize others.
No, I do sometimes even though I know I shouldn't

I do not "take personally" the things tat people say to me.
No I don't normally take things personally, although this would depend on who was saying it.

I have a best friend or soul-mate.
Yes, my dear old husband :)

I make requests rather than complain.
I like to think I do. I hate whiners so I hope I'm not a whiner myself.

I spend time with people who don't try to change me.
yes

My relationships score is 19

I score 70.5/100... I am also passing at life.

bleughhhhhhhhhhh

2007-07-11T21:32:00.000-07:00

Heat is disgusting.

I know we were all asking for more sunshine and complaining about the rain and the cold and the clouds, but I think we asked a bit too hard and got a bit more than we bargained for. I worked today in my gross thick poly-cotton pants, heat-absorbing-non-breathable boots and 2 shirts because if I just wore one you would be able to see through it when I sweat. Yummy.
I think it must have been about a billion degrees.... I think the wind was hotter than the stale air. What a tease.

So, heat = sick people.
And sick people = more work.
And more work = less down time.
And less down time = one exhausted paramedic
And one exhausted paramedic = said paramedic eating reward pie
Therefore: heat = reward pie.
Hmmmm... maybe this is not so bad after all. I do like pie.

So, yes, heat is disgusting and I hope that it rains. Yeah, that's right. I hope that it rains. I love the rain. I love that wet pavement smell that happens when it rains after it's been real hot for a while. I think I belong in Prince Rupert.

Also, I'm going to see the Tragically Hip tomorrow. Should be a good show.

The newest Bishop

2007-06-29T22:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, the Bishop family is growing by one.

Now, now, before you go facebook all your friends about who's having babies, see below:

This is Chandler. Could he be any more of a hedgehog? He is the newest member of our family and we got him just today! He survived the long, windy ride home from Keremeos and now sits in his Rubbermaid bin on the floor of our living room. Ryan is already calling him Chanandaler Bong. So far, besides being rediculously cute, he eats, sleeps and poops. Man, he poops a lot. I read a great deal of literature about hedgehogs before buying this one, but nowhere did it mention how much poo this little thing can make. I wish I could farm it and sell it as fertilizer. I bet it would make house plants grow like a charm.

This is the only picture I got of him before my camera died. And, of course, at the very moment that I am motivated not only to blog, but to take pictures, load them to the computer and attatch them to said blog, I cannot find any more AA batteries OR my battery charger. Insert curse word here.

Wait till you see his little face.... and his little paws... and his little eyes... seriously, I can't get over how cute he is.

So, again, for the record: not pregnant.

Earth day?

2007-06-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Anyone remember Captain Planet and the planeteers? One morning I was awake at 5am-ish or so preparing to go to work. I turned on the tv although I don't know why... what was I expecting to be on at 5am? Needless to say, I was pleasently surprised when I discovered that re-runs of Captain Planet are indeed on at this time in the morning.

With all the fuss about global warming I think this show should be played at a more prime time so as to educate children and adults alike about the ways we can have a positive effect on the environment. Plus, Captain Planet has a dreamy mullet.

oh fine.... 7

2007-05-24T22:12:00.001-07:00

Well, since I don't want seven years bad luck, people to think I am not hot, my next kiss to be a flop or my dog to die I suppose I will have to tell you (those who still read my blog, which I am sure is just you Raych) 7 random facts about myself. (see Rachel's post for context)

1. I am afraid of power tools. They're so...powerful. They could cut off your hand!!!! Or worse, your whole arm!!!! Seriously though, I am petrified of power tools. I will never be a handy-woman.

2. I am really, really good at nintendo. I could beat any girl and most guys at most games (any game but 1st person shooters, which make me dizzy). I attribute this to growing up with a brother and being super competitive with him. He can beat me. Most of the time...

3. Pork makes me gag.

4. It takes me a minimum of 30 minutes to blow dry and straighten my hair after I shower. Total shower to ready-to-leave-the-house time is at least 45 minutes. And I don't consider myself high maintenance.

5. I donate blood on a regular basis. Look at me and my bad self, contributing to my community.

6. I sleep in the recovery position.

7. I like tofu. Really... it's good when it's made right.

Good thing the list is only 7 long. Go now ye bloggers and create lists of yer own or else ye may have bad things happen to ye and so forth.

In which I paint a table...

2007-05-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

In an effort to make my home look less 'college' and more 'real-life-person-with-a-career' I decided to paint the furniture.

My first venture was the coffee table.

This is the coffee table before paint:

And the coffee table a la primer:

The finished product!

This project took about 3 days... now all I have left is the desk, movie shelf x2, microwave stand, printer table, bedside tables x2, and dresser.

Also, I met scary drug man. His name is Mike and he has a sweet mullet and fake tan.

Drugs anyone?

2007-05-15T20:13:00.000-07:00

I think there's a grow op in the garage behing the house.

One day I pulled up to the house and an Italian or East Indian male stepped out of a green ElDorado looking all shifty. He walked up the stairs to my house, went through the gate, walked around the side of the house and went to the garage door. The whole time he kept looking back at me all shifty like... I cleverly pretended to fiddle with something in my car, la dee da, I don't notice you big Italian/East Indian shifty man.

He opened the door of the garage, went in and closed the door...

I went into the house but my curiosity got the better of me and I had to go back out to see if he was still lurking around. So, oops, I forgot something in my car and went back to get it. THEN, I see him drive down the alley behind the house in a red convertible....

Wierd? Yes...

When I asked my landlord if I could store stuff in the garage, he got all shifty too and said no because he was renting it out to a friend who was storing stuff there. I think 'no' means 'dont you dare go near that garage' and 'renting it to a friend' means growing pot or making meth... I think I best get some renter's insurance really really fast...

1 whole year!

2007-05-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

Ryan and I went away to a beautiful bed and breakfast on the Sunshine Coast this weekend to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. The bed was comfortable, the breakfasts were delicious, the view of the inlet was amazing, the hot tub was warm and the roses smelled oh so pretty. Also, we went to an Orthodox monestary and got a special anniversary blessing from the monks there.

This is the quaint little monestary... only 3 monks are there! They make their own candles, grow their own veggies, grow their own grapes to make their own wine, write their own icons and bake their own break in a wood burning stove!!!

This is the view from atop the hill at the monestary. It's a short 5 minute hike and it is just breathtaking. The orthodox cross has three beams... the top is the sign that read 'King of the Jews,' the middle is the regular part of any standard cross, and the bottom beam is where the feet would rest.

I can't believe it's already been one year!! It was better than I could have imagined, we had a great 1st year...

I hope that those I know getting married this year have as good a year as we did (thinking of you Rachel & Joel, and also Jacki, and also Ryan's cousin)

Ryan hates bunnies

2007-04-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

Despite what I had previously believed about Ryan loving all animals, and most notably bunnies, he does not. You see, I really want to get a pet and when the subject came up the conversation went something as such:

(please note that we have mutually agreed that although we both desperately want a dog, neither of us has the time to devote to it and thusly, it would be unfair to the dog if we were to own one)

Robyn: "I think we should get a pet"
Ryan: "Yes, I like pets."
Robyn: "Can we get a bunny?"
Ryan: "No, they smell"
Robyn: "How about a guinie pig"
Ryan: "No, they smell"
Robyn: "A hamster?"
Ryan: "No, they smell too. In fact, no rodents because they all smell and you will never clean their cage" (this coming from a man who has has not cleaned the bathroom once in the one year that we have been married)
Robyn: "How about a turtle?"
Ryan: "No, they smell"
Robyn: "How about a bird!?!"
Ryan: "No, they're too loud. And they smell."
Robyn: "Well, you smell too and I've had to put up with it"
Ryan: "You smell."

And that was about as far as we got. So apparantly all animals either smell (rodents and amphibians), are too loud (birds), I am allergic to (cats), or require too much time (dogs). Will I ever have a pet to love?

Don't worry friends, the story does not end badly. We finally agreed that a hedgehog may be an appropriate pet because a) their really cute, b) apparantly Ryan thinks they wont smell so bad, and c) how unique of us, cuz who has a hedgehog!?

I will be taking suggestions for the name of said hedgehog. Please note that 'Sonic' will not be accepted... be creative people, think outside the box!!!

lol, j/k, omg!

2007-04-22T23:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Rachel's wedding. It was fantastic.

On the way home I saw a girl driving her car on Highway one whilst fully engrossed in text messaging on her cell phone. This should be illegal. I watched her for about a minute and I dont think she looked at the road once. Not one time!!! Now, I have just recently jumped on this whole 'text messaging' band wagon (yes, friends, call me old school) and have realized it's advantages. But seriously... most people can't even talk and drive never mind text and drive. I should start a campaign! I should wage war! No texting and driving!!!!

Also, I thought this picture was funny:

So folks, try not to text and drive. If you get in a crash... well, that would be to bad.

Always a bride...

2007-04-19T13:50:00.000-07:00

This weekend I am the matron of honour in my good friend Rachel's wedding. This marks the first time that I will be a bridesmaid... all other weddings I have been in, I was the bride. I am excited about the event and the festivities and the roast beef and the wedding pie. However, I am less than excited about the dress. Don't worry Rachel, I do not hate you or your choice of pattern or your choice of fabric. The pattern really is lovely and the fabric is beautiful, however I do not look good in this dress. Mostly I think I look like I have a big bow for a chest and then a big bell for a skirt. Really, I am all chest in this dress (and NOT in a good way). Also, I look approximately 8 months pregnant from the side... So, if you are attending this wedding, do not look at me from the side. I don't really want any rumours started about a small Bambino of my own. Wait a minute... maybe Rachel knew I would look horrible in the dress... she's doing all this to make herself look better! Well, I'm on to your plan there bridezilla! This isn't the last you've heard from 8-month-bow-chest-bell lady! You best be watching your back on Saturday...

Also, I may have made a stupid decision to work a night shift tonight... Thursday night work... Friday morning hair appointment... Friday afternoon help set up church... Friday night sleep over at Rachel's... Saturday day is wedding.... this leaves little to no time to sleep....oh crap.

I haven't forgotten!

2007-04-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, I haven't forgotten about the blog world. To be honest, I was in kind of a funk because nothing too exciting happens to me and I feel that I am neither clever nor eloquent enough to write about random thoughts in any kind of interesting way.

Anyways, this is day one of trying to blog more often... we'll see if there's really even a point or not. Whatever. Here goes.

Rachel is getting married in exac-e-tally one week! I am trying to slyly downplay how much of a panic I am in because my dress is still in the form of a giant piece of fabric... yes, not made yet. Hopefully my mother is as competent a sewer as I think that she is. When my brother and I were just wee, she sewed our Halloween costumes in the form of a ketchup and mustard bottle. One that creative should be nothing but an expert sewer, right? right?

I am once again in Madeira Park... mayhaps the boredom setting in is the reason for the post. We got a 'new' refurbished ambulance. They did a really crappy job of refurbishing it too... there are so many things wrong with the thing. Par example: you can't open the side door from inside the ambulance. So, hopefully there won't be some crazy guy trying to attack me and alas I wont be able to get out.

Well, until next time, which is hopefully not a month from today... keep fit and have fun

Finally

2007-03-06T20:33:00.000-08:00

Finally I am not so sick that I cannot move. Last week I got sick very very badly. I haven't been so sick since I was 10 or so. It was a head-cold turned cough turned chest infection turned fever turned nausea/vomiting turned headache/dizziness and now just back to the head cold. I even had a short stay in the emergency room for that one time last week when I was coughing up blood. Mostly I was concerned since I had a patient that may have had TB a few weeks earlier and one thing about my job is that you never really find out the conclusions of these tests and things. Anyways, turns out that I should be relieved... I don't have TB (and neither did my patient), I was just coughing so much that I burst some blood vessels in my lungs and that was why I was coughing up blood. My lungs hurt.

Finally we are moved in to our new place. Although there are boxes of unpacked junk randomly placed around the new place, we are officially moved in. Well, except that most of my mail isn't forwarded to the right address and I left my crock pot behind at my old place... Anyways, the new place so far is so good. Props to my wonderful husband who packed and moved the whole house by himself since I was sick on the couch.

Finally I can get on the internet again. It's amazing how disconnected from the world you feel when you don't have an internet connection. Is this sad? Probably... but whatever... sweet sweet internet... I could quit any time I wanted to... I could...really...

Well, since I did spend a whole week on the couch, that's all the updates I have.

Until next time, keep fit and have fun.

too much work makes Robyn something something

2007-02-18T19:50:00.000-08:00

Well shoot, I got coerced into this new Blogger thing too... really, I had no choice and who is Blogger to take that choice away from me?... okay, I'm over it now.

So, we're moving on March the 1st! We found a beautiful 2 bedroom suite in a quadraplex in central Londsdale. It is a really nice area, will get far less snow in the winter, and it is a much shorter scoot for Ryan to work. It's a little more expensive but it has everything I want, including dishwasher and full bath tub, and I figure I deserve it since I worked 72 hours this week.

Its been a good week, here are some things I did:
-visited with Mike who is visiting from Calgary
-worked 72 hours as previously mentioned
-almost got attacked by killer raccoons.... 3 very large killer raccoons
-helped my mom plan her 'pooh' room
-looked for bridesmaid dresses with Rachel with little to no results
-got in a yelling match with a nurse AND
-discovered this hilarious video:

apartment hunting

2007-02-03T15:45:00.000-08:00

So we just recieved word that we will have to be moving...

Our landlords upstairs have a small terror named Caelen who needs a rec room for himself and his new little brother or sister and as such, we have been given the boot and need to be out by June the first. This is both good and bad. For one thing, we KNOW that Caelen needs a rec room for himself because we hear how loud and stompy he can be... we will be moving into a place with no baby upstairs. I would love to have a full bathtub and a dishwasher and am now willing and able to pay more per month in order to have these things.
However, as I have been looking around at different places I'm finding lots of things that I will miss about this place that I have taken for granted. These things include lots of storage space, my huge amount of counter space, our private deck, and our gas fireplace... hopefully we will be able to find a place that we like in time for the June 1st move...

In other news today I went and saw a family friend perform in her high school cheerleading competition. It's something I thought I would never do, but it was pretty neat watching them flip and yell and smile and flip again and yell really loud. Ok, really, it was more interesting than I though and her team won first place in their division!

Everyday

2007-01-19T22:59:00.000-08:00

So here we are, and by we I mean me, wishing that there were something interesting to post. Seems like every time I have an 'Oh, I should blog that' moment I just as quickly proceed to forget what it was I was going to blog. Mostly, I feel that my life is lack luster compared to some who may be getting married or having small Bambinos (that's Ramer-speak for babies). There will be no Bambinos here for quite a long time.

Mostly I am quite happy carrying on, and being married, and struggling to come to terms with my erratic part time ambulance schedule in which I work strange and wonderful hours for a thankless employer and a slow-moving union, and anxiously watching each Canucks game thinking 'this is the season boys... I can feel it' and also a little of 'I hope there's a lot of Taylor Pyatt in this episode because dang he's hot.'

One piece of advice I can offer is that if you ever live in a basement suite try oh so hard not to live underneath a newborn to 3 year old child. They like to throw things, drop things and stomp their little feet. Also, while your upstairs neighbours can call you and tell you to turn that dang bass on your stereo down you can't in turn tell them that sure, we will turn our bass down if you turn your baby down. Apparantly Bambinos don't work that way.

So until next time when maybe something interesting will happen... keep fit and have fun.

P.S. Take that Leafs

A Fair Warning

2006-12-30T15:31:00.000-08:00

For Christmas I got a new hair straightener which heeded this warning:

6. Never use while sleeping.

Phew, that was close.

Christmas is coming!

2006-12-11T21:24:00.000-08:00

So it finally hit me that Christmas is coming and there's nothing I can do to slow that down.

This is our first Christmas as a married couple and we are very excited to be spending it with my inlaws. Although, I am less excited that this means we have to travel to northern Saskatchewan to do it. It's cold there. Really cold. No, seriously, I don't think you understand how ridiculously cold it is.

Anyways, that aside, we decided we wanted a Christmas tree for our own place even though we wont be nuzzled around it on Christmas day. Mostly we love the aroma and the atmosphere that our little tree gives us in our cozy basement suite. Also, it reminds us that Christmas is indeed coming and that we better make sure we have all the gifts that we need pretty darn soon.

This is our tree in all it's glory:

We even bought lights, garlands and bobbles to put on our tree. This was quite the initial investment. If you know anyone getting married before/during/or just after the Christmas season, I think a great thing to get them would be a little Christmas package because you dont think about these things when you get married... you take for granted that these sorts of things just lie about the house all year.

Anyways, what we bought for our little tree, who's name is Linus (becuase we were listening to the Charlie Brown Christmas CD whilst we decorated), wasn't quite enough. At present our little tree looks like this:

Tomorrow I will buy more lights and garlands.

Poor Linus. Don't worry friend, soon we will have you glowing and sparkling.

As per Rachel's *blink blink* blog entry, I bring you the paramedic thought of the day:

If someone is hurt or sick right outside of a hospital enterance, why dont you just take them in to the hospital? Don't call an ambulance to come from 10 blocks aways when really they could walk to the hospital door. All we will do is take their name and address, walk them up to the hospital door ourselves and then send them a $54 bill for our troubles.

Snuffalufagitis... or, whatever.

2006-12-02T10:27:00.000-08:00

I have come to a new realization. This stems from my lack of knowledge of syndroms or diseases. You see, nurses think that paramedics know a lot more than we do. They ramble off all these medications, diseases and symptoms and expect that we know what they are and what they're for.

'Oh, well, Mrs. So-and-so has hepatoma, scleroderma, chostochronditis, Trichinellosis and has had a colposcopy so that's why (obviously) she takes Maxaquin, zanamivir, and erlotiniv.'

blink. blink. blink.

In the past I have simply nodded my head and smiled and said 'ohhhhh yeah, of course, obviously, ok, no problem' but I have since realized that this does not do me or my patient any good. Plus, I figure I like to learn stuff and what better way than to know what these things are. So watch out all you nurses because I will be asking you a lot more questions about these things. I sure hope they aren't faking it too.

I know it's been a while since I posted. The most recent exciting events are as follows:
1. I couldn't get home when it snowed the other night because I live on a big freakin hill and had to crawl along the freeway to my parent's house.
2. Snowboarding season is upon us and I am going on Monday
3. Saw the Canucks play the Ducks the other night (LIVE, not on TV). We lost (of course) but it was glorious. I had a $6 slice of pizza and an $8 beer. We even had the obligatory drunk guys behind us telling the Canucks that they were morons and that they better skate harder. They were so drunk that they left a full $8 beer behind when they left.
4. Braden is in Korea! Check out his blog!
5. Christmas is coming in less than a month and I have 2 presents so far. Crap.

Hope everyone out there in blog land is doing well... I will try to post more often even though I'm sure people have stopped listening and caring.

4.

Madeira Park again...

2006-11-07T11:59:00.000-08:00

So, here I am in Madeira Park. Again. For another 5 days. Here are some more things I found out about Madeira Park:

1. No one sells towels. I forgot my towel so I thought 'well, I'll just have to buy one.' But really, no one sells them. 'hmmmm... towels' says the cashier, 'nope. You can't get those here in Madeira Park.' What kind of town doesn't sell towels!?!?

2. Construction starts at 0730. Blasting to follow at 0800. Blasting is loud. And, it shakes whatever building you are in.

3. The locals aren't too fond of you referring to the town as "Mad Park." Really guys, I wasn't implying anything about you!

4. There are no good places to land a hovercraft. If you are ever hurt in Madeira Park and it is too stormy to land a helicopter. Well, darn, you are stuck with us until the storm lifts or you die from your injury. Pretty crappy hey?

I really want to go home.

Calgary

2006-10-29T07:11:00.000-08:00

So, I just got back from Calgary. My mom and I suprised my brother with a visit for his birthday. He is a-studying-very-hard at the University of Calgary taking a BFA in acting. I had the privilege of attending one of his third year acting courses while I was there. I have to say, it was a lot like high school drama class except more structured and a lot less ADD. I got to see a play that my brother was in called Baal which was ridiculously artsy but quite enjoyable, especially the second time around when the lead actor's fly was down for the entire first act. I had to sit back and laugh and laugh... it was unintented, but how very artsy.

Being at the U of C stirred up many fond memories of my time at college and at the academy. Part of me wishes that I could still be a student and then I wonder...why? What would I take? I really would want to be there just for the sake of learning. When I decided to go to Bible College after high school people sometimes asked me why I would waste my smarts by going there when I could be a doctor or a lawyer or whatever I wanted. Do I think my 'smarts' were wasted? No way. Not only did I learn so much at CBC about myself and my faith, but I also met my wonderful husband. Sometimes God leads you places and at the time it may seem like it makes no sense.

I do, however, feel that I need more education, that I could definitely stand to learn more. And, I think that if one ever thinks that they can't possibly learn any more, they have surely lost their mind because one should always be ready and willing to learn more; learning is what makes us better.

My paramedic course was only 8 months. Hopefully, in the future, God will open doors to allow me to learn more and advance in my profession. For that and many other blessings, I eagerly await. I find even here where I am now, I really do learn something new every day. I don't think I've ever been more content.

Random Blog surfers welcome

2006-10-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

So, I know this is lame, but whatever cuz Rachel does it too, but I was randomly reading some people's blogs and I found myself so wrapped up in reading about other people's lives that all of a sudden an hour had gone by.

Today I met a 33 year old single mother trying to make it to her son's soccer games, a missionary family in China, an agoraphobic woman who can't even check her own mail on her front porch, a Chinese model, a 19 year old divorcee, a help site for rapper's trying to get play on the radio, teenage angst via a 14 year old who was just recently rejected by a boy, a farmer's wife who makes some delicious looking pies, a bunch of Spanish sites and oh, did you know that it is snowing in Wisconsin already?!

Of course, now I am curious to know if any random people have stopped by and read my blog. If so, please leave a message. But leave a nice one.

If you've never nerded out and read random blogs, give it a try. You might find something interesting... some people are very funny.

Paramedic tip of the day: Do not tailgate an ambulance. It seems like people think they need to get right up close in order to read that "Stay back 15 meters" sign. Perhaps they should instead invest in a pair of glasses. Or, maybe, just stop being so darn rammy and slag right off. I will not drive faster and endanger the lives of my partner and patient because you think you need to drive 110 km/hour all the time.

Short stories

2006-10-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know it's been a long time. Sorry.

Not much has been going on lately but here are some short stories for you because I know you all care so much...

1. Just got back from Madeira Park. I was there for 4 nights and 5 days and got a total of 0 calls. Don't people know I get paid if they get hurt? Seriously...

2. As per Alan's comment: I would love to tell you all about the lives I saved (the count is up to 2 now!) however I know that many people have got in a lot of trouble for sharing personal information about their jobs (See Rache'ls blog also for this point). Especially in a job such as mine where there are huge confidentiality issues.

3. My mom may be on the jury for a certail trail involving a certain PoCo pig farmer this January. How crazy!

4. Hockey season has started and I am happy.

And that's about all. I promise if something interesting happens I will blog about it right away. Also, if you haven't seen "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" you should. It is amazing.

Chicken Fries.... ah ha..hahaha...ha

2006-10-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

Saving lives and warm fuzzies

2006-09-26T18:27:00.000-07:00

For the record, in 6 months of being a paramedic I have technically saved one life.
I think I can safely say that 'saving lives' is not the main part of this job. The other day, a medical office assistant reminded me what this job is all about.

My partner and I were waiting in a doctor's office for a patient to finish his appointment with the doctor. The office assistant looked over and said, "You guys do a really great job!"
Enter awkward moment... what does one say to this? "I know" or "no, go on" (Paramedics are not good at being glory hogs).
Anyways, she continued to tell us that when she was a small child, she had Crohn's Disease and was at one point taken to hospital via ambulance. She said, "the paramedics were so nice to me... they made me comfortable and even stroked my hair... now every time I see you guys I get warm fuzzies."
That is the reason I love my job. People don't remember treatments you do or medications you give, they remember the way you made them comfortable. When you got them an extra blanket or fluffed their pillow. People remember your good and caring attitude and I hope I never lose that.

Respect nurses. Respect them.

2006-09-22T23:39:00.000-07:00

Nurses, I think, are the most patient people in the most frustrating job.
This story must begin with another story.

Story 1:
Last night I worked in PoCo. We got stuck at Royal Columbian Hospital. Surprise, surprise... there were no beds available. Wait, tangent... new story.

Story 2:
Why did we, as the city of Vancouver, decide to spend billions of dollars on the Olympics while our health care system goes down the drain? Why, when people are dying on ambulance stretchers in the hallways or sitting on said stretchers for 19 hours at a time without any privacy or proper medical care, are we deciding that we need to spend an extra 5 million dollars on the esthetics of the speed skating rink in Richmond (which is just going to sink in 5 years anyways)?
Ok, back to:

Story 1:
So, while sitting in the hospital I was given 3 other crews' patients so as to clear up crews from the hospital so they can go out to the street and bring more people in. We were there for 3 hours. You may think, wow, that would be quite boring. Well, apparantly sick people need quite a bit of attention.
Patient 1 vomits and needs to be cleaned.
Patient 2 is short of breath, terminally ill and needs to be readjusted constantly so he doesn't aspirate on his own saliva.
Patient 3 needs to go to the bathroom
Patient 4 is cold and needs another blanket
Patient 2's oxygen has run out
Patient 1 vomits again
Patient 4 is thirsty
Patient 3 wonders why a doctor hasn't come by yet and proceeds to complain about the health care system as if there is something I can do about it
Patient 1 vomits again and needs their IV bag to be changed (the fluids goin' out as fast as it goes in!)

Story 3:
This brings me to my point: Nurses are amazing.
Nurses care for at least 5 patients at a time. Being a nurse would be like being stuck in 2 hallways for 12 hours at a time. Blughhhh. Nurses do everything for their patients from keeping them comfortable to medical care to wiping their asses.
So, while some nurses sometimes seem grumpy, you must remember that they are people too. People working 12 hours and wiping everyone's asses.

*DISCLAIMER: any comment in this post is a personal view; the point of a 'weblog' if I am not mistaken. I am in no way intolerant of the beliefs, creeds or opinions of Olympians themselves. And hey, if you disagree with me and think that all nurses are cows, I guess that's your prerogative.*

Raining!

2006-09-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

It's finally fall in Vancouver, and that means that it is rainy season!
I, personally, love the rain. This dreary, damp, wet weather makes me so happy. I think I have opposite SADS.

Ryan and I finally made it to church together this last Sunday for the first time since June. My work schedule has been so random and with working so much I haven't been able to commit to going to church. We went to an Anglican church in Vancouver and it was actually pretty good. Before you get all sketched out I'll tell you that this church is leading the part of the Anglican church that is trying very hard to stick to it's orthodox roots.
I'm not normally a fan of liturgical services but this one was very good. The pastor was from England and gave a very good sermon on Jesus' first miracle.
Also, the acoustics in the church were incredible! The choir was placed at the back of the sanctuary up in a loft-like balcony thing. When the congregation was singing the hymns, the choir added the harmonies and the sound echoed in the entire place with an almost haunting beauty; it almost brought me to tears!
Although the service was very traditional and we read almost the whole thing (prayers and such) off of a piece of paper (which I'm not normally a fan of either), it was filled with more emotion than some of the more 'rowdy' evangelical services I have been to.
Perhaps we will go back one day?

Paramedic tip of the day:
If your leg is broken, you will probably know it. Bruising does not = broken.

Oops

2006-09-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

Oh crap....

Well, I fixed the 5x posting of my coffee likeness.

Maybe I was really trying to make a point, or maybe there was some crazy virus, or maybe blogspot screwed me over and made me look quite the fool, or maybe I just had too much double espresso.

Mmmmm coffee

2006-09-13T12:15:00.000-07:00

You Are a Double Espresso

Hey Energizer Bunny Girl! Do you ever slow down?You're a mix of high energy and ambition, perfectly matched with strong espressoWhen you want something you get it - by any means possibleYou're driven, determined, and no nonsense. Which is just how you like your java.

What'>http://ynr.blogthings.com/whatkindofcoffeeareyouquiz/">What Kind of Coffee Are You?

A good weekend

2006-09-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

What a good weekend!

I went with my husband's band Laureate (see link on side of page for delicious good music) to Seattle to play in a little cafe.

Even though sitting in a basement (graciously donated by Matt Wall) listening to the guys rehearse all day was a little bit boring for me, it was all worth it. Not only did I finish 2 very challenging Sudoku puzzles, but the show was great, the hot tub was warm and bubbly, the pizza was fresh and the beer was cheap.

Plus, look at how hot my husband is...

Hands off ladies.

Other highlights included naming Mike LaRoy's car (Perquacky) and laughing at the middle aged man with pony tail driving the miada (see Mike LaRoy's blog for pictures).

Paramedic tip of the day:
If ever impaled by anything, do not remove it. Just leave it be man, because that thing is holding in a lot of blood that will come out should you remove said object. I wonder if poor Steve would have survived had he left that sting ray thing where it was for a bit.

Another job?

2006-09-06T13:46:00.000-07:00

With September here and many full time paramedics realizing that they do, in fact, need to work in order to get paid and can no longer milk their copious amounts of vacation time any more, I am left with little to no work.
This raises the question.... should I try to get another job?
Or, do I wait and trust that I will get enough work to pay the bills?

The kind of work I could get would probably be minimum wage.
So, lets say I work 8 hours a day, 4 days a week... I would make $256 minus taxes.
This is depressing because that is how much I would make in one shift with the ambulance.
PLUS, I would probably not enjoy the minimum wage job and would dread going to work.

What to do, what to do....

An update

2006-08-31T01:33:00.000-07:00

So, here are some picture insights into my life... who doesn't love a good picture? Don't lie, I know you all do. The pictures are out of order but I really dont want to shuffle them around right now, so think of it as a challenge.... what order did I really want to put the pictures in? How fun. I am jealous of you for having the fun that I will never myself experience.

This is the shack in Madeira Park. Or, as Rachel so eloquently called it, the sin shack. While I do know for a fact that this poor innocent one room shack has been violated many a time by lonely paramedics (who were dating at the time so slag off, don't be so quick to judge), it has not been used as such lately.

Outside the shack is 'the other' Ryan (one I went to school with) with a reluctant looking Code 3 the Station Kitty.

This is Grandpa's new puppy, Ruff. He is a fan of biting.

This is the coveted ambulance mobile. Made entirely of cardboard cut-out ambulances, some sticks, strings and 2 pennies it is a state of the art mobile, perfect for decorating any lonely part timer paramedic shack.

AJ and Lindsay got married!!!!!! Our little AJ all growed up...

Code 3 the Station Kitty thinks he owns the place.

My paramedic tip for the day:

DO NOT take 20 15mg tablets of Robitussin in a time frame of 4 hours. You WILL feel 'funny' and dissassociated with your body. You WILL NOT feel any kind of good or pleasant high nor will you die. You WILL feel tingly. That is all.

Ahhaha ahha haha ha...

2006-08-16T17:50:00.000-07:00

I worked 73 hours last week.

Ahhahaha haha ha ha... ha....

(this picture I think is funny and maybe I am going a bit crazy, who knows)

Fungus?

2006-08-09T18:23:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else ever feel neglected by their GP Doctors?
I have this spot of skin on my tummy that is about dime sized and a funny reddish colour and so I asked one doctor about it.
Sun spot he said, keep an eye on it, should be ok.

Ok, I thought, but the next time I was at the doctors and saw someone else you better bet I asked about it again.
Fungus, here I'll give you a perscription for some cream.
Ewwwww fungus???

But seriously, I have my doubts... cuz these doctors just glance at the spot and form their conclusion almost instantaneously! No questions are asked like, 'how long has this been there' or 'does it itch' or 'is it getting bigger' or anything...
I feel as if my little red spot needs to be properly diagnosed... I don't want to go around putting fungus cream on everything you know?
Maybe I should poll 100 walk in clinic doctors and see what the majority say.
Am I being paranoid? I don't know...
Maybe I just don't want to admit that I have anything to do with fungus.

Patient woes

2006-08-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

Let me start out by saying that I love my job.

That being said, I would like to share a story about one particular patient. I will not use the words I would like to use to describe him but lets just say that a bigger moron I have never met.

Moron point #1:
It is fireworks night and we were called (on overtime at 2am) to the bench outside of Royal Columbian Hospital. Who calls from outside the door of a major hospital?

Moron point #2:
We convinced him to go inside to this hospital instead of going to a different hospital. He was complaining of back pain but would not lie on a nice comfy bed nor let us touch or help him. Nope, it was a wheelchair for his royal highness and he had to drag himself over to said wheelchair. The poor man. He could hardly move he was in so much pain. (This is meant as sarcasm). Who calls paramedics and then insists on doing everything himself and refuses any help you try to offer? My spidy senses are tingling at this point. Something is up.

Moron point #3:
So we took him inside and the nurse said he could wait in the waiting room like everyone else. Upon arrival in the waiting room our patient proceeds to throw a hissy fit.
"I am not sitting here staring at those guys!" (the security guys)
Uh oh, we think, there is more to the story than we think.
Turns out this man's girlfriend is in the ER having seizures and this man (who is also drunk, did I mention?) was inside the trauma bay trying to take pictures and generally pissing off all the nurses. So security throws him out almost literally which is why he has back pain in the first place; they had aggravated an old injury.
Who pisses off nurses? They are among the best people in the world in the most thankless job in the world. Please, let me wipe your ass for you while you flail about and swear at me and tell me what a horrible nurse I am. These things they deal with every day.

Moron point #4
The man would not sit in front of security. I was mad at this point and my partner had given up. Ok, I thought, time to take charge. So, I wheeled him over to the other side of the waiting room.
"I can still see them, wheel me somewhere else!"
Excuse me? I say... you want me to do what?
"Move me."
Enter horrible glare here.
"Please... I don't care to sit here"
That's better, I say, and proceed to wheel him behind a wall where no one has to stare at his ugly face. I tell him I don't appreciate his attitude towards me, I am here to do my best to help him and I don't need this kind of abuse towards me.
"But your cohorts (security) hurt me! They hurt my back!" (ah ha... hahaha... cohorts... look at the drunk man trying to use big words)
I dont care, I say, I dont deserve to be yelled at and ordered around.
"Listen, I want...." (I cut him off here with yet another death glare)
"I would appreciate an update on my girlfriend"
I told him I would see what I could do and promptly stormed out of the hospital in a rage, fighting every urge I had to punch this man in the face or maybe pick up those crutches over there which could cause more damage than my little fists.

So, after way too much trouble, way too many tax payers dollars and many moron points later, we finally got to leave Mr. Moron in the loving care of the security men who had already shown him how much they cared about him and his aching back.

And it's fireworks night again tonight... rather than watching and enjoying, I get to clean up after all the drunks that beat the crap out of eachother. But, dont get me wrong because remember, I do love my job!

So until next time, keep fit and have fun.

Yarrrrr

2006-08-01T10:24:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I saw pirates yesterday and while the ending left much to the imagination, it inspired me to learn more about pirates. Oh pirates... how we are so uneducated about your ways. We often look at the glory and fun of the pirate life, but there is a dark side to pirates. Actually, most of the pirate life is quite horrible. I wonder why we like pirates so much...
Here are some quick tidbits about pirates:

There are reports of the beginnings of piracy being around the 1st century BC in the Mediterranean region threatening the comerce of the Roman Empire.

Modern definitions of piracy include the following acts:
Kidnapping of people for ransom
Robbery
Murder
Seizure of items or the ship
Sabotage, resulting in the ship subsequently sinking

Does this sound like piracy or terrorism? Well, piracy is defined as robbery comitted at sea (or sometimes on shore) by an agent without a commission from a sovereign nation. In other words, they do what they do for their own profit.

Did you know that in the first half of 2003 there were 234 pirate attacks, 16 deaths, and 52 people injured worldwide. There were also 193 crew members held hostage during this period.

Modern pirates use modern technology and are today most prevalent in Indonesian waters.

Other names for pirates include:
buccaneers
kapers
zeerovers
vrijbuiters (also freebooters, filbustiers, filibusters)
Lanun
Bajak
picaroons

But, despite their tainted past and most criminal present I think pirates are wicked cool.
Maybe this is why:

Not quite literary genious...

2006-07-20T15:09:00.000-07:00

So, I have noticed that there is a growing trend in literary genious sweeping the blogging world. As I have been 'blog hopping' I have seen an increase in deeper thoughts, more pressing issues and more articulate text. The pressure for us under-educated-with-only-a-diploma-and/or-certificate folk is immense. I, for one, am feeling crushed with the pressure to perform and create a more articulate blog than the last.

But, I don't think I'm going to do that.

Instead, here is a picture of my new blender!

And my rubber plant, which is thriving having grown 2 new leaves! It's the first house plant that I have had that I haven't killed!

Perhaps one day I'll venture in to the more literary relm and attempt to create something more meaningful and interesting. But give me a break, I just got off working 4 night shifts in a row and I like my new blender and rubber plant. So, now you are forced to look at them too. And although I can't make you like them, look at them in all their majesty.

I hate traffic

2006-07-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was working a night shift in Chilliwack. It started at 7. I left North Vancouver at 5. It was bumper to bumper traffic from the Lions Gate Bridge to 232nd.....
I pulled into the station at 6:59.
Will my traffic woes ever end?

The worlds worst map

2006-07-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a long day.
I had to work in Abbotsford, which is a long ways away.
I had to work at 6 am, which is very early.
So, I worked for 11 hours and 20 minutes and braved the long drive home (which, coming west on the number one, was backed up to 176th). It took me 1 hour and 1 half.
Ryan had a staff meeting and afterwards we were all going to go for drinks. Hooray, I thought, drinks will be fun!
So, he comes home to pick me up (at 10ish) and we head out to have a great adventure!
Do you know where we're going? I ask
Yes, of course. I even got a map!
Oh good, now we wont get lost!
But we did, we did get lost. Horribly lost because the directions were horrible and here is the picture of the map:

I think the scribbles are supposed to say '2nd nar' which I'm assuming means the second narrows bridge.
When, after we drove around for about an hour, we couldn't find the stupid place so we retreated home defeated and angry with not a drop of alcohol in our blood.

Mundane Life

2006-07-06T11:41:00.000-07:00

Okay, Rachel, here is another post just for you.
Really, the reason I haven't posted in a while is, well, nothing much is exciting... I am not in Thailand, or Hawaii, or maintaining my own newly bought house, or preparing for camp.
Ummm.... so here is a list of mundane things going on right now:

1. My mom is redoing the floors in her house and she painted her bedroom purple and black. We had steak last weekend with my parents. Yummy.

2. I worked the stat holiday and got double pay, hooray for the trambulance (that is a clever combination of the words 'transfer' and 'ambulance' for those of you who don't know. And they say paramedics aren't clever. Well, we are. So slag off.).

3. I am once again in Madeira Park, but THIS time, with a stove! Delicious stove... However when I got here at4 the landlords were painting the shack. They said they would be done soon. Fine I said, and came to hang out in the station. 4 hours and a hungry grumbly tummy later, they were gone. All I wanted to do was use that new stove. Also, my partner just recently bought a tub of ice cream and said 'help yourself.' I don't know if he realizes the dangers of this invitation.

4. Ryan and I have been married 2 months today! And also Ryan hates blogs. Any mention of blogs or blogging and he gets very angry. Like, genuinely angry. I think it's hilarious how he is mad at something that he can't take his anger out on and so he just fumes in his own rage for a while. But I dare not laugh and it is so hard.

5. Disclaimer: Nate Ramer is also one of the coolest guys I know. (Happy Nate?)

In the not so mundane. we airlifted two cyclists off the sunshine coast highway yesterday who got hit by a car. There is nothing quite like seeing a helicopter land and take off on the freeway and know that you are making a difference by helping these two boys (who will be fine by the way, but have a long road to recovery). I love this job.

I think I better go check on that ice cream.

Garbage dump + fire = stink

2006-06-26T21:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's true. If one mixes the already repulsive smell of the garbage dump and the miracle of fire, one gets a disgusting smelly mess. How would I know? Well, I'll tell you. It's because I was there. For four hours! Presently in Squamish protecting the lives of thousands via the ambulance service, I was called out for a fire standby yesterday. This is normally pleasant and here is why:

A fire standby is required at most major fires by the fire department. Our job on scene is to be at their staging area (command post) and, when one firefighter comes in overheated we are to strip them down, douse them with water, cool them down and monitor their vitals before recommending they return to 'light duties' and sending them on their way. You can see how this would be good n'est pas? This particular fire standby was not pleasant and here is why:

We were at a dump, and it smelled bad.

Not only that, but the fire department decided to stage right beside a pile of poo that was being treated (read: sitting in the sun, drying out) (I stole that 'read' thing from Mike Laroy, I think it is clever. Props to Mike Laroy, one of the coolest guys I know).

So when we finally cleared to go help some poor elderly lady with her chest pain we smelled like pooey garbage and so did our ambulance. Poor, poor lady.

Tonight we are expecting a call from the police department. A man in an SUV sideswiped a truck, did a full 360 flip, lost a tire, and then drove for another km before taking off on foot naked with his rotwieler. They haven't found him yet, but how long can a naked man with a rotwieler go unnoticed?
It could be a busy night...

Delicious anger filled rage!

2006-06-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

The following is a list of things that make me really angry. I feel as though I need to get these things off my chest.

1. Slow turners.
Imagine if you will that you are driving at a normal speed, say 50 or 60 km/h. The car in front of you signals to turn right. Oh car, you think, thank you for signalling because equally as frustrating is drivers who do not signal before they turn. What makes you so special that you think you do not have to signal like the rest of us? Should we just know that you will turn? Sorry, tangent. Anyways, turns out the car that so politely signalled slows to almost a complete stop before turning, causing you (if you drive a standard like me) to have to shift down 3 or 4 times and also to almost stop. So angry.

2. Dropping things.
Why sometimes must I have such slippery and clumsy fingers? Dropping things is so preventable. Then, after dropping said thing, you must also pick it up. So much expended effort for the lazy like me. And all this is so unnecessary. So angry.

3. People are suing KFC and Starbucks for serving fatty products.
What? Seriously... can you believe this? I saw it on the news last night that horrible companies like KFC and Starbucks are out to make us all fat and that we better sue them because it's obviously their responsibility as to what they feed us. I don't like or eat KFC, but if they want to serve a fatty product, go ahead and let them. It's your own damn fault if you choose to eat it. Morons. So angry. So very angry.

There are no stoves in Madiera Park

2006-06-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

Ok, that may be a lie.
BUT, there is currently no stove in the shack in which we paramedics stay whilst we are in the quaint town of Madiera Park, anxiously awaiting a call-out so that the 41 dollars we paid for the ferry is not in vain.
No stove = no cooked food for me.
For this, I am sad and will either be hungry or even more poor because I will have to buy some food that either a) does not need to be cooked or b) can be cooked in the microwave.
I suppose I could cook chicken in the microwave but, come on, we are not savages.

Camp Luther

2006-06-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

For all those who are just itching to know the truth about Ferozza and whether or not she will return to Camp Luther this summer....

Here it is....

The answer.......

To the question you've all been asking......

maybe.

Shark Bait and Ferozza would like to make another appearance at Camp Luther during senior teen week. Hopefully all works out and we can afford to take time off our respective works.
Oh camp.
How I miss waking up at 3am to give a cough drop to a child. And how I miss eating endless crappy macaroni and cheese. And how I miss wrapping thousands of 'sprained' ankles. And how I miss pretending to have energy when really I want to strangle you.
Yes, we are looking forward to coming back. Wierd how God works hey?

Wedding photos!

2006-06-14T13:08:00.000-07:00

Today is another day and here is another post. Alright. Can you feel the excitement?

Last night our raccoon friend visited again. He waddles past our patio window every night setting off the sensor light. Last night WE surprised HIM when we opened the curtain. He froze in place, lifting his right paw in the air, desperately trying to balance himself while staying perfectly still; quite a feat considering he only has half a tail. We waved emphatically, hoping that maybe he would become curious and come closer. But after an intense staredown, he waddled away yet again. How disappointing.

Well, here are some wedding photos...

Yes, in an ambulance. Ahhhh... I am such a loser.

Awwww, how cute.

Here are my boys, acting like monkeys under, yes, a monkey tree. Braden is the most proper monkey in the jungle.

Ah, what a day. And soon it will be AJ's turn. Yes, that dashing young man third from the left is no longer available ladies. He and his lovely fiancee, Lindsay, will be married this August. I think the best part about the wedding day is knowing that you no longer have to plan this freakin' wedding. Anyone who has ever been a bride: I dare you to disagree that it is the best feeling in the world to just be done.
Have a lovely day.

A good old fashioned gnome chase

2006-06-13T13:45:00.000-07:00

This gnome was chasing us down the highway. It had crazy eyes.

This weekend Ryan (my husband, if you didn't know) and I went to a wedding on Quadra island which is a beautiful island just off the coast of Cambell River, which is also a beautiful place.
Coincidently, the wedding was also beautiful.

It reminded me of my own wedding which was only a short month ago. (When I get pictures on my computer I will post some). It's crazy how even after a month you can forget the crazy things that you vow to do for this other person that you have chosen to spend the rest of your life with. I think it should be a requirement for being married that you have to attend at least one wedding per month to remind you how you need to be and how you need to treat your spouse.

Well, hopefully this blog will be a good way to reconnect with some people. And, even if they don't reconnect, they can spy on my life and then, perhaps, when we meet again at a reunion or a chance encounter in an airport or mall they will know all this stuff about me and I will know nothing about them and it will create a delightfully awkward moment. Ahhhhh... I can't wait.
Seriously though, I would love to hear from all of you.

So, have patience please as I am new at this. Hopefully all my posts wont be this boring. To spice things up, here are some other things we did on Quadra.

I'm Sick Today

2006-06-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

(editor's note - warning: this story contains blood and vomit. If you are sicked out by such things and are perhaps ill like me to begin with... proceed with caution)

On today, the first day of my blog which I'm sure no one will read (and really, do I care?) I am sick. I blame my husband.

Being sick now reminds me of the last time I was sick. Wierd? Yes, I know.

I was working in Whistler. By working, I mean sitting around the ambulance station hoping that something not entirely lame was on television (Top 10 scariest creatures was the winner today). This story should be prefaced by yet another story.

Yes, the abundant life of the paramedic is not as glamerous and exciting as one may think. As a new paramedic my career consists of sitting at the station making $2 an hour to hold a pager in my hand and anxiously hope and pray that it will go off so that I can feed myself for yet another day. Have I saved any lives? Officially, yes, I have saved one. But as a paramedic what counts more is that someone needs help, and I am there to give them whatever help they need. A ridiculously crappy union coupled with interactions with crabby employees and horrible pay is overruled by a passion for patient care and a love of preserving life.

Anyways, I was sick. It was that horrible 'I've just woken up at 3am and have to drive to Whistler' kind of sick and it stuck with me all day. Nausea and dizziness and an intense urge to sit completely motionless so as not to disturb the contents of my stomach which wanted to leap out and find solice in a ceramic, water-filled home. (sorry, that was gross). At 9pm when I wanted to sleep the pager went off. Yay! Food for another day! But NO! I am sick and now need to be in the back of an ambulance with a sick patient down the sea to sky highway.
Unfortunately for me and fortunately for my patient, he was conscious (Unconscious patient's are less demanding you see, plus I was sick and did not feel like talking. Am I a horrible person?). He could not speak anyways as he was suctioning blood out of his mouth. But even if he could speak, it would not be in English. He couldn't understand a work I said either. In my efforts to try to keep him as comfortable as possible and while dealing with a tricky IV, my stomach decided that now was the time to give way. Yuck. Unfortunately for both of us, throwing up sounds the same in any language.

I hope that guy is ok today.

Anyways, today I will take it easier. No rollercoaster rides or ambulance adventures today. Grocery shopping is on the agenda and hopefully my food will stay where it belongs.