Fabricated Friday's- Oasis Edition

In approximately 2 hours, the Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International’s Latest & Greatest masterpiece) will arrive at homeport in Port Everglades, FL. Uniquely equipped with 7 distinct neighborhoods & 16 decks, the Oasis is able to travel up to 22 knots, servicing 5,400 guests. From the Aqua Theatre & Vitality at Sea Spa, to the Royal Promenade & Broadway spectaculars, the Oasis of the Seas is sure to revolutionize cruising.









http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=9075072

I am absolutely thrilled that my family & I will be embarking on this voyage in the summer of 2010. What an amazing adventure awaits?!

My Nursing Niche

I am honored to be a nurse; to be in a profession which has so much to offer and affords you the opportunity to participate in the lives of others. In my current practice, I have the pleasure of working with people of varying backgrounds; Drs., STs, PAs, PTs, OTs, NPs, etc. The list is so extensive. No day on the job is ever the same. I’m what Johnson & Johnson calls a Nurse Educator. (Yes, Mom. I have a real job!)

Although I’ve been in the profession for a few years now, it still amazes me that there are so many options for specialization within nursing. Each day I receive an email or letter updating me about a new program, job opportunity, or field of study. One area that currently interests me is Nursing Informatics. With the use of so much technology, electronic medical records, and the ability to work virtually from anywhere, I’m definitely interested in what this has to offer.

There is, however, an area that really holds my heart- Holistic nursing practice. Holistic nursing is defined by the American Holistic Nurses Association as “all nursing practice that has healing the whole person as its goal.”

You see, some people simply don’t care that their leg is going to fall off because they have a fear of hospitals. Others don’t care that they have had the same cough for six months because they must ensure that their electricity bill is paid. Yet, there are others who do not believe that their beliefs or religious practices will be respected or honored, therefore they shy away from the healthcare system all together. I’m all about making sure that not only are the physical needs of each person tended to, but the spiritual, mental, emotional, & financial needs as well.

Health is the overall condition of something; it does not only revolve around physical aspects. In some ways, health is relative to each individual; therefore, I must meet the perceived need of an individual before I can ever address or ensure that their physical health will be taken care of.

My focus can not be self motivated or self-serving. To truly make certain that lifestyle changes will be made, I must direct my attention to the well-being of the whole person; caring about what they care about & viewing the big picture.

I view people holistically in my personal and professional life. It is much more than something I can do; it is who I am.


Now, I just need a few scholarships & airline tickets and I’ll be on my way. Here is the very well rounded program I wish to attend.

http://www.nursing.umn.edu/DNP/ProspectiveStudent/Specialties/Integrative_Health_and_Healing/home.html

Maybe I’ll venture into the health & wellness spa industry or provide holistic care in some sort of spa environment to underserved populations or I could teach a holistic care curriculum completely designed by me. Then again, I might just do all three!


http://www.tiffanikiminstitute.com/

http://www.nycollege.edu/academics/holistic_nursing.php

http://www.tnstate.edu/interior.asp?mid=1408

http://www.trihealth.com/ser/ihm/ihm_index.aspx

Embracing the ever-evolving, excellence-aspiring, truly unstoppable me!

Veterans Day Vacancy

I’m a bit torn today. Part of me is elated to have this day off. The sun is shining. I don’t have any pressing matters to attend to. I’m lounging on my couch surrounded by my many projects…. Yet, I’m thinking about my family today.

The sadness comes and goes as I remember his voice loud & clear. Who am I? Who am I? I’m PAPA! With a deep laugh and strong pat on the back. This is my family! Pointing to each one of us as he gazed around the room. I will never forget our last conversation- the day our first Black president was inaugurated.

You see, this is one of those days that he truly enjoyed. He was proud to be an American; proud to have served his country. He would definitely be watching the specials honoring our troops & listening to the radio programs doing the same. Now, he is resting, free from all the pain. So I pray for my family; for their comfort & their strength as we all remember.

I hear my Granny’s words- “You did it your way. All is well.”

I hear my Aunt’s words- “He would be proud of me.”

I hear my Mama’s words- “Pop was driving by the school & when he saw that we were having our Veteran’s Day ceremony, he turned around, got out of the car, and stood there, proud as ever, taking it all in until the program was over. It’s going to be hard for me this year.”

Well ya’ll. All is well, he is proud, and although it’s hard, we still have each other. We are amazing because of him; each in our own way. And we will never forget. How can we? With so many coined phrases, memories, and high expectations.

Today, I’m proud to be an American- it meant so much to him.

Yes Pop. I’m being a good girl & I’ll always say my prayers. I'll see you in my dreams…

We love you & you are truly missed!

Date Night

For the past few weeks, my hubby and I have been trying something new; date night for free. One night each week, he gets home from work, we take the five minute drive to Borders, share a few short stories on the way, and then nestle into the comfy chairs for a couple hours of uninterrupted reads.

You see, I have this "thing" for a few locations in the world. One of which is the airport. Going to the airport reminds me that the world is active and vibrant. It is constantly moving and shaking and there are endless possibilities on where to go and what to do. It seems to take the blinders off of every day routines which restrict my ability to dream beyond my doorstep.

Another favorite is the beach. Sitting on the beach at sunrise is an experience like no other. I seem to hear and see God anew & afresh. I feel full of life, purpose, and potential with every rippled wave, grain of sand, and polished shell. Feeling the warmth of the morning sun as the Earth & the atmosphere obey God's orders is miraculous.

The following favorite is the cafe scene. There’s something about the intimate setting that a café has to offer. Bringing together eclecticism; embodying warm and fuzzy ambiance. Umm! I just love it. Whether it’s my soul mate or a group of friends, the café affords a sense of serenity. A warm cup of greatness, whispered smooth jazz, smothered with a hint of laughter, supplies me a great appreciation of the free flowing venue.

Lastly- the bookstore. While in a bookstore, excuses are incomprehensible. Surrounded by every topic and culture conceivable, there is a sense of empowerment to ensure that your life is remarkable. Encased by so many individuals expressing their personal perspectives & experiences, optimism & expectation, you find yourself willing to face another challenge and try a little harder the subsequent day. With each book ending up side by side, row after row, shelf upon shelf, often describing the same issue with a trivial twist, you begin to ask, What’s your excuse?

Exactly, the bookstore renders all excuses null & void. I mean can you believe that there are ten different magazines about crocheting? Seriously?! There is absolutely no explaination for not creatively express who you are and what you’ve ascertained on your life’s journey in whatever manner you choose.

So each week, as we sit together engulfed in various literary manifestations, I thank God for my breath of fresh air; for the time to relax with my husband, as I am revitalized & propelled into fortitude.

I will unwrap & exploit every gift that God has granted me.

Who Am I?

I had to take the time to remind myself of

who I AM & whose I AM.

I AM- Not MY Own

~1 Corinthians 6:19~

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.

I AM- A New Creation

~2 Corinthians 5:17~

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

I AM- God’s Workmanship

~Ephesians 2:10~

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I AM- The Temple of God

~1 Corinthians 3:16~

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

I AM- Friend of God

~John 15:15~

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

I AM- Light

~Matthew 5:14~

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

I AM- A Citizen of Heaven

~Philippians 3:20-21~

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

I AM- An Alien (Foreign) & Stranger (Visitor) of this World

~1 Peter 2:11~

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

I AM- Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

~Psalm 139:14~

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

I AM- Chosen, Royal, & Holy- I Belong to God

~1 Peter 2:9~

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

What a relief!