Day 8 Awed and Honored

 

"I love making new friends and I respect people for a lot of different reasons."

Taylor Swift

I look back on my career and feel blessed that, in the midst of obtaining all that experience and all those skills, I have been fortunate to meet and work with strong, highly-motivated professionals who challenged me to be better at what I do more than ever.

After a grueling 3rd day of ground training, some of the new AMR Air crew went out for a bite to eat and a few drinks. I am awed by these people who surround me. Many more are not pictured here, but the experience level combined from all the people in our classroom would add up to hundreds of years. Most have flown before - fixed-wing, rotor, or both. 

We all share something in common - the relentless need to learn more, to be challenged, to be better at our professions. I am honored to be part of this crew.

Day 7 Time Worth Wasting

 

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.

John Lubbock

I had homework to do. Lots of it. Hours of studying needed to be done and only so little time left. Tom and I ran a few errands this day with the plan of getting them done quick and returning home so I can get back to the world of academia.

As we approached home, Tom said he'd like to go see the waves close to our house. He was curious to see how big they were because they have been especially loud and can be heard at our house. We are a couple of blocks away from the shoreline.

I paused a little and thought about how much time that would take away from my studying, but it was so beautiful out. It's been raining daily but today was beautiful. The skies were clear blue and the temperature was perfect.

The last few days have been brutal. I've been locked away in my books that I've barely had time to spend with my husband. Today was a good day to do it. I thought about how much time I'd lose studying but I also thought it would be worth it to spend time with Tom.

We went to Kaloli Point and the waves were huge. 20-30 foot waves crashed onto shore drenching us in salty sprays. We oohed and gasped and giggled and laughed. 

It was a great day . . .

Day 6 No Pressure, No Gain

Everything negative - pressure, challenges - is all an opportunity for me to rise. 


Unknown

My hubby took this picture of me on our lanai studying by tiki torches and a small lamp. The dining room table out there has been my workstation for a few days now.

This is the reason I've been lagging on my 365 Project. 

Cramming in studying that other people usually do for months into 5 days plus writing a paper in 4 hours that the school gave me a week to do. In addition, I have to complete a 300 multiple choice question test by Monday dawn because I have to be at the airport at 0530 to attend an 8-hour lecture.

Wish me luck.

Day 5 The Smell of Rain

This is what I saw when I stepped out of our bedroom lanai still groggy from sleep. It's been more rainy than not around here in the past week. As much as I love the sunny days of Hawaii, I also love the rain.

Maybe I can say that because I haven't yet experienced the constant pour that lasts for days. So far, what we've been getting here has been huge downpours interspersed with nice sunny moments. Frequently, we are rewarded with gigantic rainbows.

I like the rain. It makes everything feel fresh and new. In my groggy state, I inhaled the fresh air and  enjoyed the goosebumps from the slight chill of the morning. I marveled at the sight of our banana plants and the fast-growing hibiscus. I inhaled again and held my hand out catching raindrops on my palms.

The feel of the rain transported me back to a time in my childhood when my friends and I ran outside and played in the rain. Some days, I went home from school soaked from head to toe, freezing, but exhilarated.

I sat on our front lanai for a short while listening to the insistent pounding of rain on the roof. The heavy blanket of rain made the trees and bushes look almost ethereal.

Some minutes later, I walked downstairs to prepare for another day of studying. I was rewarded with some sunshine as I opened the windows and the front door for ventilation.

By the time I had my study materials ready, the downpour started again and the familiar smell of freshness permeated the air once more.

Day 4 A Snapshot in Time

March 7, 2011. It was my first day. I was hired as a Field Office Coordinator with the American Red Cross branch at the Naval Air Facility Atsugi in Japan.

It was 7:45 in the morning and I just walked into the office. I've been there before as a volunteer but today was different. I was responsible, well, for something. I wasn't sure yet. I spent the last 14 years of my life as a nurse. What could I do for the Red Cross? I remember sitting in the office that morning wondering . . .

Days later. March 11, 2011. A date the Japanese will never forget. The Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami disaster struck. What could I do?

As I snapped the photo above, a flood of memories almost overwhelmed me.

A line of Marines at makeshift tables laden with food.

The base clinic staff gladly chattering as they ate homemade meals prepared by many of the Navy wives and DOD employees.

The rows of luggages in the theater . . . people running around getting ready to return to the States . . . the phone calls for pick up and drop off from the towers to the theater . . .

The happy faces of the Japanese sailors at the sight of so much home-prepared meals after two weeks of eating fish and rice out of tin cans.

The unending visits to the Red Cross office from so many willing volunteers dropping off food, supplies, drinks . . .

The generosity of the NAF Atsugi community was heartwarming. The support of the leaders was encouraging.

I reserved a corner on my display cabinet for the mementos you see in the photo above. To be part of the Red Cross was an honor and a privilege. I hope that I have contributed my part to such an honorable organization. Through them, I have memories that I will treasure to the end of my days.

This photograph is a snapshot in time that brings memories that are timeless.

*********************************************************************************
I dedicate this to all the volunteers who made the Operation Tomodachi Food Drive possible. We are scattered across the globe, but know that I truly appreciated all your help. You made a difficult time into treasured moments. In less than 2 weeks, we reached 1000 Marines, Atsugi sailors, and the Japanese sailors. You not only fed them, but lifted their hearts. Thank you, my many tomodachi.

Day 3 The Stretcher Lens

When I think about all the patients and their loved ones that I have worked with over the years, I know most of them don't remember me nor I them.  But I do know that I gave a little piece of myself to each of them and they to me . . .  


~Donna Wilk Cardillo~


A Daybook for Beginning Nurses

An ER stretcher sits empty. A trauma bay gapes open. 

If this stretcher could talk, what tales would it tell?

It would tell a tale of a grandma who was laying on it, short of breath as fluids filled her lungs. Wide-eyed, she gasped for air. It would tell a tale of a young man who, desperately aggrieved about life, took his own by hanging himself.

It would tell a tale of the nurses, ED aides, and doctors who, with expertise, save lives and change lives everyday. It would tell a tale of how, with compassion and care, they touch lives like angels.

What stories would it tell if it could speak?

It would tell of a teenager who was rushed in by paramedics with advanced life support in progress. Every effort is exhausted but the young life energy is no longer there. It would tell of the grief of a father, of the empathetic hug from the doctor, of the nurses' tears . . .

If this stretcher could say what it has seen, what would it be?

It would say that life and death happens in and around it. It would say that people have a great capacity to despair, to be cruel, to be angry, to self-destruct; 

but 

it would also say that people have an equally great capacity to empathize, to love, to care, to fight for life.

Today, this stretcher sits empty. But, oh, the tales it could tell . . . Quietly, it sits . . . waiting for the next story.

*****************************************************************************

I dedicate this to all the nurses, the ED aides, and the doctors with whom I have worked with in the past few months. Thank you for your kindness and your friendship. I appreciate what you do everyday.

Day 2 For the love of dog

Animals are such agreeable friends.
They ask no questions. They pass no criticisms.

George Elliott

I woke up this morning with rain heavily crashing down on the world. The sound was comforting but not as heartwarming as the feel of Gwynn's head on my leg. I sat up on my elbow and smiled at the sight of our dog curled up at the foot of the bed using me as her pillow.

Tom was already gone. He left for the Dive Shop early this morning. I slowly made my way downstairs and Gwynn happily padded after me following me everywhere.

I sat at the table outside on our lanai poised to do some more homework. I had so much to do. I didn't eat. I didn't shower. I didn't even brush my teeth yet. My hair was hurriedly tied into a ponytail. Even my pajamas were askew. I was so focused on my paper. Shortly after snapping this photo of her and apologizing for my disheveled state, Gwynn stood up and put her paws on my leg and gave me her version of a kiss. I still can't believe how great of a dog we've got.