Needed a Change

As you all have noticed, I changed things up a bit. I was getting bored of the old background. I'm going to give this one a trial run. It may change again very soon!

Our Thanksgiving Trip

Blake and I just returned from a few days in Rosewood, Ohio, where some of Blake's family lives. Below is a picture of Grandpa Maurice's house and land. This is where we celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas (since some of the family won't be able to make it in December). On Thursday we had a Thanksgiving breakfast and dinner. You can imagine how many calories I consumed in those 24 hours. After breakfast we stopped by Blake's uncle's farm to watch them finish up their afternoon milking. And I tagged myself the city girl by bringing along a camera to take pictures of the cows. Ah well. In a few years visiting the farm will not be such a novelty. I might as well take advantage of my innocence now, and get as many pictures of those cows as possible!

Quick Trip to Breezewood

Just came home from a quick visit with Lisa and the kids. Was a great time, as it always is when we're together. We did just about all you could possibly do in Breezewood, PA, from visiting the local starbucks (twice) to sampling Perkins rainbow pancakes (Abbey was pretty excited to try sprinkles on her hotcakes). Can't wait to see y'all again!

I love Fall!

Our schedules have been so busy lately, that Blake and I have not been able to see each other as much as we'd like. Sundays have been our day to spend time together, and rejuvinate for a new week with more busy days and nights. We don't wander far from home, usually. This last Sunday we took a walk to Starbucks where we drank coffee and read (or studied), then stopped in at Whole Foods to pick up a few groceries. These are the kinds of days that keep me going through this busy year. I am so thankful for my husband, and the life that we're establishing here in Pittsburgh. I've posted a couple of pictures from our neighborhood. Nothing special. Just a look at where we spend our days!

New Experiences, New Thoughts

Hello, Everyone! Life has been pretty been pretty busy around here. Nothing new, just a lot of the same old thing. Yesterday was my last day at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, the hospital at which I've been doing my psych rotation. We now go to an outpatient resource center for people with mental illnesses. We are going to observe group therapies and other activities that help people develop the skills they need to function in life with their illnesses. It will be interesting. This whole rotation has been a great learning experience. I am so glad that we've had the opportunity to observe and interact with the patients and staff in this field for these seven weeks.

I have to admit I leave feeling a sense of hopelessness for the patients I interacted with. They have illnesses that will be with them forever, and will only be managable if they comply with their drug regimens. And as far as I could tell, most of the patients will not be able to once they leave the hospital, whether they lack the money, the support system, or an understanding of the importance of staying on their medications. Many of the patients are homeless and jobless because their illnesses disable them. I learned that 1/3 of the mentally ill population are people with schizophrenia, and 50% of those with schizophrenia are homeless. And after talking with the patients, I truly understand how this could be the case, especially if they lack the familial support that is so necessary for them to thrive. God is giving me much to think about. So many glimpses into others lives. So many opportunities to see the advantages that I have in life. I only hope that I use these opportunities wisely. It would be so easy to move on from this experience viewing it simply as a part of my nursing education. I pray that God will use it to shape my thoughts and, especially, my actions.