Do something new every month

What can I say about September? It seems that this month has progressed unnaturally fast.

I did find a new place to live and went to a downtown live music event. I found an interesting new magazine to read. I’ve adapted to working on my new unit at the hospital. I joined the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. I can’t think of anything else brand spanking new.

I took my kids and their friends to the Warped Tour concert. That was a crazy day! I think I learned a few things – not sure if they would be useful to me though.

I started working on the cardiac unit at my current hospital. Too early to tell if I will like it better than the old unit.

I got a new blackberry cell phone when my old one died. Love it.

A few new things:
- got a new haircut.
- went camping alone with my daughter.
- tried a new restaurant.
- am driving a new/er car. And I financed it myself which is new.
- interviewed for and landed a new job (which will officially begin in August)

I started training as a home health nurse – interesting so far.

I dyed my hair a different shade of blonde. It’s darker than I expected, but I like it. Kind of toffee colored for lack of a better way of describing it.

I went with my dog (and husband and daughter) on a hike through a gorge nearby. I hadn’t been there in about 2 years and had never brought the dog there. He loved it. So did we!

I joined an online book exchange called bookins I am sending my first 2 books tomorrow.

I tried a new vegan recipe. It was for garlicky grit cakes and was much more delicious than it sounds.

I took care of a patient (and her family) as she was dying. It made me appreciate my family and the gift of living.

I will be starting orientation for my new part time job in home health care next week (just in time to be included for May).

I had my navel pierced today. This was less painful than I had anticipated – now to keep it from getting infected.

I applied for my nursing license in PA.

It’s halfway through April, and I just returned from the Dominican Republic. I finally had the chance to get outside the walls of my American comfort zone. It was enlightening in ways I can’t fully articulate. I have had wanderlust since childhood. Now it has magnified tenfold.

I went shopping with my daughter, her best friend, my sister in law and 2 nieces today. It was not my first girls’ day, of course. So technically I suppose this doesn’t constitute a “new thing”. But it was an interesting dynamic with 2 teenaged girls (daughter and friend), 2 preteens (nieces) and the 2 30 something women (sister in law and myself naturally). We had to adapt to each other’s rhythms and compromise at times. It was tiring and fun. It made me thankful for where I’ve been and where I am going in terms of life experience.

I got my ACLS certification (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) which could open doors in my nursing career.

I did several smaller new things: went to 2 new restaurants, hung out in the art district, applied for new jobs, went to an art exhibition opening, and got my passport.