Ho Hum

An update is coming on our recent trip(s) to Baltimore, but lest you think all we do is travel, I thought I'd take a minute and write an update about some of the more normal stuff we've been doing.

I think I've mentioned it in passing but I never really just flat out said that I switched to the day shift at work. I put in my request to be switched to days as soon as I was done with my internship at work and then I started waiting patiently for a day shift slot to open. It was probably only 4 or 5 months later when I was informed that a slot had opened up for me. They would move me there as soon as they hired an RN to replace me. Since I was working on a skilled unit, they wanted an RN instead of an LPN. So I waited.... and waited... and waited. A couple of weeks later, they told me they had someone in the pipelines. A few days after that, they informed me that the person they were going to hire had decided not to accept the position. So I waited... and waited. A couple weeks later, they told me they had hired someone and she was supposed to start orientation. Then she had child care issues and her orientation was pushed back for another 2 weeks. So by the time all of this happened, it had been about 3 months since they told me I was going to switch to the day shift. I had to stay on afternoons for 2 more weeks to orient the new girl and then, at long last, I switched to days at the beginning on August. I am thrilled to be on this schedule. Okay, I absolutely hate getting up at 5:45 every morning. But it makes it all worth it when I get home before 4 in the afternoon. I do miss some things about the afternoon shift-- I used to get all my shopping done during the day. The stores were a lot less crowded at that time. And I learned yesterday that it's a lot easier to work a double shift when the second 8 hours is the night shift, which has a lighter work load. But I love actually getting to see/hang out with my husband every day, and being able to attend things that happen in the evening. So woo hoo!

Zack just finished his latest school term last week. Drexel is on a quarterly schedule instead of semesters. He is now enjoying a couple of weeks off before diving into the next term. I don't think he has registered yet so no word on what classes he will be taking. He has 3 terms remaining. He will finish next June. Beyond that, we have no particular plans.

We have now been in this apartment for a couple months and we still adore it. We are also thrilled that a new couple that just moved into our ward has moved into our building. They contacted us before moving out here to have us look at some apartments for them, which we did. We decided to also look at a unit in our building for them even though they didn't ask us to. We have seen literally dozens and dozens of apartments in this area and we know that this building is pretty great so we thought it couldn't hurt. Well, I guess they liked it because they moved in. They have a darling little 1 and a half year old boy. And we are thrilled to not be the only couple in this part of the city again. We were getting lonely.

And some current events I am interested in (perhaps for posterity):

The Phillies just pulled into 1st place in the division last night. C'mon boys!

A minister in Florida is threatening to burn the Qur'an on September 11. I guess he has the right to do so, but I still think it's wrong. Lots of terrible things have been done in the name of lots of religions throughout history. It's sad to define an entire religion and everyone who is a part of it by the actions of some extremists. I personally know several Muslims, and I am tired of all the bigotry against Islam.

The investigation into the BP oil spill that happened in April is ongoing. Now seems like the time when everyone blames everyone else for what happened. Or maybe that's what has been happening all along.

Did you hear about those miners in Chile? 33 of them have been trapped underground since a mine collapse on August 5. They are able to get supplies through a hole drilled down to them, but they will probably not be rescued until December. Can you even imagine?

Are you bored yet? That's okay because that's about all I have to say for now. Pictures coming.