I'm a little ashamed for neglecting this blog for so long. The old title "North to the Future" was the state motto of Alaska, and I started it in the first place because I moved there. I wasn't sure that living in northern Illinois would be as interesting to write (or read) about. Then I got caught up in the notion that very few people would care about what I write anyway let alone read it. I don't have any interesting skills or hobbies to share. I'm not experiencing anything really unique or embarking on a grand adventure. I don't have any profound insights or opinions that will break the internet. Recently, however, I've realized that I just miss writing. Even if this ends up simply as a journal of my random ramblings and summaries of life events, I want to continue telling my story. I'll try not to put too much pressure on myself. I know at least my mom will keep reading it. :)
So...
In my last post 10 months ago, Cory and I were preparing to leave Alaska for our new home in South Beloit, Illinois. Well, we left! It felt so surreal and took a long time to sink in that it wasn't our home anymore. We've been in IL for 7 months now, but I still catch myself sometimes looking up at night hoping to see northern nights. Or keeping an eye out for moose when I'm in a wooded area. Or expecting to see the silhouette of mountains in the distance. Oh how I miss those mountain views. And reindeer dogs. Also super long summer days, the smell of pine everywhere, northern lights, Moose's Tooth pizza, Beluga Point, being able to say "I live in Alaska" (because, come on, that's pretty bad ass), and so much more.
Still, not very many people can say they've lived there. It's fun to see people's reactions when I tell them. I get a lot of questions about how cold it gets, how dark/light it gets, if it's anything like all those reality shows about Alaska (which I've never seen), but the question I get asked the most is the new title of this blog: "How did you end up here?" I've lost count of how many times I've explained my journey from Phoenix to South Beloit (often including how Cory and I met since we're from different states), but I don't mind. I find it interesting how different the population is here. In Alaska, there are plenty of natives and people who grew up there, but it's such a melting pot. I met people from all over the world. Here in the Midwest, the majority of people I've met grew up here or close to here. Families have such deep roots in the area for multiple generations. The history is pretty cool.
Along with location, there have been plenty of other changes since my last post. One of the biggest has been my career. I'm still very much a nurse, but I'm finally doing what I've always wanted to do. I'm at hospital in Janesville, Wisconsin (only 20 minutes from home) on the mother/baby unit! We do all of labor, delivery, and postpartum on our floor (I'm a night-shifter again), so it's been a vast and intense learning experience. As much as I love it, it's really hard feeling like a new grad again. I've been there for 6 months now and I've grown a ton, but I still feel underqualified much of the time and I doubt myself a lot. Thankfully, my coworkers are outstanding! I had designated preceptors during orientation, but every one of them has been patient and willing to teach me. They all reassure me that I'm doing well (even when I don't feel like I am) and that it takes a few years to feel fully comfortable in this field. Still, I want my patients to be comfortable in my care. Such is nursing. It's just more nerve-racking when tiny humans are involved! They're my favorite part though. :) I really miss my coworkers from St. Elias (and feeling comfortable in my craft), but I do NOT miss med-surg nursing! I really feel like I'm where I belong.
One of the best things about living here is being near family. We live within 15 minutes of both sides of Cory's family which has been such a blessing. I love being able to get to know everyone better and being present for holidays and get-togethers. It's also comforting to be closer to Arizona! I've visited home twice already, and I'm going back next week for a sisters' weekend. They originally planned to visit here, but (long story short) we had to change plans last minute, so I'm coming to them instead. We want to take advantage of this season to spend some quality time as just the 4 of us because Laura will be having her 3rd baby in September and Julie will be having her 1st (girl!) in October! There's nothing I love more than new babies in the family! I'm a happy Aunt Tata! (That's what Elouise calls me. And Cory is Uncle Toto haha)
Well, I'll try my best to follow through when I say I won't wait so long to write my next post. And hopefully I'll come up with something truly gripping and insightful. And maybe some elaborate pictures too. Or I'll just tell you what I'm up to. Who knows. In the meantime, here's the last picture Cory and I took together in Alaska...
So...
In my last post 10 months ago, Cory and I were preparing to leave Alaska for our new home in South Beloit, Illinois. Well, we left! It felt so surreal and took a long time to sink in that it wasn't our home anymore. We've been in IL for 7 months now, but I still catch myself sometimes looking up at night hoping to see northern nights. Or keeping an eye out for moose when I'm in a wooded area. Or expecting to see the silhouette of mountains in the distance. Oh how I miss those mountain views. And reindeer dogs. Also super long summer days, the smell of pine everywhere, northern lights, Moose's Tooth pizza, Beluga Point, being able to say "I live in Alaska" (because, come on, that's pretty bad ass), and so much more.
Still, not very many people can say they've lived there. It's fun to see people's reactions when I tell them. I get a lot of questions about how cold it gets, how dark/light it gets, if it's anything like all those reality shows about Alaska (which I've never seen), but the question I get asked the most is the new title of this blog: "How did you end up here?" I've lost count of how many times I've explained my journey from Phoenix to South Beloit (often including how Cory and I met since we're from different states), but I don't mind. I find it interesting how different the population is here. In Alaska, there are plenty of natives and people who grew up there, but it's such a melting pot. I met people from all over the world. Here in the Midwest, the majority of people I've met grew up here or close to here. Families have such deep roots in the area for multiple generations. The history is pretty cool.
Along with location, there have been plenty of other changes since my last post. One of the biggest has been my career. I'm still very much a nurse, but I'm finally doing what I've always wanted to do. I'm at hospital in Janesville, Wisconsin (only 20 minutes from home) on the mother/baby unit! We do all of labor, delivery, and postpartum on our floor (I'm a night-shifter again), so it's been a vast and intense learning experience. As much as I love it, it's really hard feeling like a new grad again. I've been there for 6 months now and I've grown a ton, but I still feel underqualified much of the time and I doubt myself a lot. Thankfully, my coworkers are outstanding! I had designated preceptors during orientation, but every one of them has been patient and willing to teach me. They all reassure me that I'm doing well (even when I don't feel like I am) and that it takes a few years to feel fully comfortable in this field. Still, I want my patients to be comfortable in my care. Such is nursing. It's just more nerve-racking when tiny humans are involved! They're my favorite part though. :) I really miss my coworkers from St. Elias (and feeling comfortable in my craft), but I do NOT miss med-surg nursing! I really feel like I'm where I belong.
One of the best things about living here is being near family. We live within 15 minutes of both sides of Cory's family which has been such a blessing. I love being able to get to know everyone better and being present for holidays and get-togethers. It's also comforting to be closer to Arizona! I've visited home twice already, and I'm going back next week for a sisters' weekend. They originally planned to visit here, but (long story short) we had to change plans last minute, so I'm coming to them instead. We want to take advantage of this season to spend some quality time as just the 4 of us because Laura will be having her 3rd baby in September and Julie will be having her 1st (girl!) in October! There's nothing I love more than new babies in the family! I'm a happy Aunt Tata! (That's what Elouise calls me. And Cory is Uncle Toto haha)
Well, I'll try my best to follow through when I say I won't wait so long to write my next post. And hopefully I'll come up with something truly gripping and insightful. And maybe some elaborate pictures too. Or I'll just tell you what I'm up to. Who knows. In the meantime, here's the last picture Cory and I took together in Alaska...
And here's a family picture we took a few months ago with Melissa in our new home. :)
Oh yeah! We celebrated our first anniversary 5 months ago! We spent the weekend in Chicago having a grand time together.
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