dreaming over the ocean

There are some pretty exciting things happening in life right now... despite TOO many things happening in life, I know that everything is just rolling along at a decent pace, that this feeling of having too much stuff to do will not last forever, and that right now it is essential.  It is just CRAZY how different everything feels from being in Malawi. but, one of the things about being in Malawi, is being able to be involved in amazing causes.  This past weekend, I met with a few people about WHEAMS, and the process of making WHEAMS a canadian charitable organization.  Also about what our roles are probably going to be, in taking up this initiative.  folks, you may be taking to a co-chair of WHEAMS in Canada.  woooooOOOOOoooooo!  So, one of the things that will consistently be on my mind, is how can I help to raise money for the fantastic work that is being done? And, this is one thing that can happen. do you shop?  for food, for groceries, for gifts, for clothes, for accessories,

I have been back in Montreal since Friday the 6th.   And, in many ways, it actually feels really good to be back.  Which, I know, might be shocking to you!  the first few days didn't feel good... I missed the boy I like love, it is fricken cold here, conversations that i was having were somewhat frustrating, and I was just wanting to be half way around the world again.  but, things have been going on an upward swing, which is a relief. In the past couple days, I have had great conversations that have just hit the spot.  You know those conversations... the ones that allow you to reflect on the past, and get prepared for the future. I am sub-letting a room for 4 months, with two beautiful girls, L and R.  And, to tell you the truth, it is a big risk (for both them and me) to sub-lease to someone they have never met... no matter how much you exchange via email and "social media" you truely cannot know someone until you meet them face to face.  The other night, R and I s

Lessons learnt Clinical 1)     Lack of human resources plays a major role in care provision a.      RNs are stretched between care and administration roles b.      Students are not adequately supervised c.      Care is brief, with basic skills sometimes being missed (i.e. vital signs), or others done without thinking about why (i.e. medications) d.      Nurses are being called back after long locums, and this results in lack of skills 2)     Role of a nurse a.      Possibly still viewed as a “physicians assistant?” b.      Advanced clinical nurses are rare, and severely needed. c.      Quality interdisciplinary dialogue is lacking. d.      Spiritual care is culturally appropriate, and given more readily. 3)     Death is dealt with differently than in Western cultures/hospitals a.      Nurses may not want to be associate with it, and this may cause withdrawal of care (both technical and emotional) when death is near b.      Due to limited resources, interve

HURRAH!  IT IS 2012! I celebrated the new year by taking a ferry on New Year's eve, from Victoria to Vancouver (i know, amazing, right?  but... it was only 5% full, which is shocking...).  I have been in Van-city since then, and will be returning to montreal on Friday.   Coming back to canada has been better than I thought it would go.  Only about 2 break-down-and-cry moments.  I think, that the reason why it has been easier than planned is that I have been able to spend time with my beloved, and also his family~  his parents live part time in Laos, which makes talking about international-work & living & differences in cultural aspects very easy.  nice to transition with.  also, it has been filled with fun things.  Like going to the Kinsol Trestle.    and going on my first bike ride since august 20th (um... can we say sore butt and legs and back and hands?).  and drinking good coffee and wine and ciders, and eating good food.  watching movies (um, hello wat