heat and work

I didn't know this sort of heat existed. 106 was the high temperature today, one degree shy of the all-time record for Portland. Not cool (no pun intended...okay, so maybe it was). And more hundreds for the rest of the week, too. At least I know that if I survive this, then I may survive Haiti weather.

I have been applying to jobs around Portland and Eugene and even some on the coast and in Eastern Oregon, but I think all the jobs for new grads are completely dried up, just like this desert of a summer we're having. So, after being rejected from everywhere I've applied and getting no good information from nurse recruiters, I decided to go to Haiti for a few months instead of sitting on my sweltering tooshie for the rest of the summer, throwing pathetic pity parties, and not getting a job. Granted it will be hotter than Hades over there, not to mention the hurricanes/tropical storms sure to hit as soon as I leave (Murphy's law, dontcha know). Anyway, I think this will be the best idea for me, to get some amazing experience, live with a whole new group of people (I think most will be Chilean, the rest Haitian, with the occasional American wandering through), and work and serve some of the most amazing people I've ever met. Currently, I'm working on learning Haitian Creole and Spanish (what was I thinking? I don't know. I rarely do.)

Other than Haiti and stubborn job markets, nothing new with me. Tomorrow, I think I'll spend the day trying to beat the heat by being a recluse in my basement, knitting, and making something for a friend's coming-home party, back from the "even-hotter-than-Portland" country of Mexico. Now off to bed to re-energize for tomorrows good times.

Margo, RN, BSN

Well, I graduated. And I'm licensed. Can I get a high five? Anyone? Anyone? Now to find a job. I've had my license for about 2.5 weeks so far and I've applied to about 10 positions and no bites yet. I've also found out about an opportunity to go to Haiti to work in a hospital for six months to a year (which would be absolutely fantastic!). So I'm figuring out my priorities about where I want to go: Haiti for six months (away from friends and family), move back home to Springfield (I'd REALLY rather not. Too easy to fall back into old habits. But tons of friends back there), or stay in Portland and keep on the quest for a job (this is plan A. Praying it will work out!).

In the mean time, I'm enjoying my summer, working at the Naked Sheep Knit Shop (love it! spend hours around yarn!), and visiting friends back home in Springfield I haven't seen in a long time. And trying to get back into reading my Bible and reconnecting with a God I've put on pause for the past few years. Lots still to think about and far too much to write about at this moment. Midnight is not really the best time to talk about deep and meaningful things, since I'd probably read this in a few weeks and wonder what in the world I was thinking posting at this hour. Now that I'm essentially unemployed, I'll be keeping up with this blog a bit better (at least, I'll do my best. Give it the old Girl Scout try. Girl Scout until the end, it seems...)