I’m sitting in a tiny lunch room in a big hospital  in Porterville California.  Deliciously listening to my new co-workers chat and enjoying a garlic laden tri-tip sandwich (the perks of the job). I drove only 3 hours from Los Angeles but this is different place.  All farmland and rows of deep forrest green shrub like trees with their tops shaved off. Oranges and lemons I am told are the main crops but I’m sure there are others. Evidence of drought is obvious but it’s part of nature. Like a blonde surfers back the hills are smooth, strong and comforting.  I shared , with my lunch companions, that “once you let the cat out of the bag” …even when asked “Where do you live?” “Well in a truck and Las Vegas but not really til late Oct. And sometimes in “The Cement capital of the United States”.  Irwindale California.  And Huntington Beach but not til 2017. I feel compartmentalize but it’s not a bad thing or is it?  I do feel at home here. I find it interesting that most of the peeps I’ve encountered, may go away for awhile like to school or the military but they find their way back easily. I guess it’s a spiritual thing because when I am  less distracted by the “stuff”, there is  room to be closer to God nature  and family and this seems to be the unwritten law here in Porterville.

I have, in a nutshell, woven a series of events or mishaps into  tapestry of sorts. I wish to apologize for quasi-abandoming this blog.  Planning a month long trip to Southeast Asia I panicked when I realized I was not  going back into the OR once I returned from the road….darn.  And  getting back out on the road was out. What’s a gal to do? Start applying for OR positions like crazy. And then there were crickets. One major hospital said “didn’t meet criteria” one interviewer said was “over qualified” translates to “we rather pay less and new grads are chosen” Nursing is funny and fickle. Experience counts but gaps in employment don’t. I chose nursing specifically so I could travel. Then I got pounced on by several nursing agencies and their goal is to land a fish, filet the heck out of it and if nurse is lucky she’d get the  scales.  One particular agency was aggressive and told me this position  pays 35 an hour. I said “that is new grad pay.” “Well how much do you want? Back and forth ensued then I dropped them when they said “we will give you a 10 dollar stipend” “So 45 an hour?” Sensed hesitation the “Yes yes”  a ten dollar stipend is 10 dollars a day and not 45 an hour. They called often throughout the day set up interviews and pushed “so are you accepting the job…right….yes” when I asked to “think about it” the agency gal put her boss on the phone to put the squeeze on. Bottom line I choose a reputable agency and taking an 8 week OR  assignment in Porterville California. Porterville is a farming community with rich farmland and their owners, who I’ve heard, seek out their health care elsewhere because they can.  And that’s fine I wish to treat any and all people regardless of their livelihood.  I have no idea what I’m walking into, so cheers Mazel Tov to another adventure.

From time to time I succumb to the trappings of a tourist. The tours offered up to catch a glimpse of the Matt Damons or Hotels where  a tryst between you know her and him took place. TMZ tour happened to be a one trick pony but the non-celebrity status of it all  made it enjoyable. Locals Bearing gifts, how did they know there was a bride-to-be on board.  I had the best company and we yelled  screamed and giggled at the delight of it all.  Thank you Roseanne and Jennifer.

The saying is as ubiquitous as drinking milk. I have so many things to say about these last several months. I read one of my recent entries, which I state I’m glad to be back at the surgery center. I’ve should of said I’m glad I have nursing to return to until my next adventure. I am both restless and contemplative. I’m still concern about the TV commercials that portray men as inept and lost without a female. Men are neither so I’ll be glad when it stops. I’m thinking there is no word to express this habit of thinking my time with my mom is finite and who will I be without her? A surge of tears overwhelmed me. I was merely  playing an app game where it says “Marilynn gave you a life” who am I if not Marilynn’s daughter which I seem to introduce myself aplomb. And although I am not homeless I want my condo back and  October can’t get here soon enough. Lastly I love the quality of my problems. “Like my Cadillac is in the shop” I watched a 1500 meter individual medley swim match on TV. This gal breaks a world record and  is a Stanford grad. I imagined her life. To be the best in the whole entire world what must that be like?  And if that isn’t enough she was delightful in the post swim interview. I’m hormonal, angry and sad and yet underneath this temporary cloud something wonderful awaits. For this I am grateful.

This picture was taken over a couple years ago. Brian, the driver and I along with two local helpers on my first move in Flagstaff AZ. I was excited to begin a new adventure and has been just that.  I’ve transported a Rembrandt and I’ve transported used kitty litter. I’ve met people who wouldn’t acknowledge my presence and others who became friends.  “We are movers and there happens to be a truck involved” I get that now. The truck has been my primary home. I’ve gone from getting up during the night putting on clothes and walking across a large lot to use the bathroom to peeing in a cup. I used to place the blackout curtains up to block both light and noise now I just turn and face the back wall. I say the “F” word more as part of the vernacular than out of anger or expression of road rage. I mustered up the courage to tell the driver that I’ve had my fill and I want out of the truck. Of course I’ll finish up the season  He’ll ask what are you going to do?  Wo bu zhi dao. ” I don’t know”.

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Off the road and out of the truck for a few weeks. I feel fortunate to go back to the surgery center.  I also realize that most people including myself have no idea what comprises as a successful move. Traveling across from coast to coast is roughly 2300 miles give or take a few hundred. These roads are not paved smoothly and good help is challenging. I have a feeling the driver has had enough. God bless the shippers and the driver,  he has been doing it for 20 years and I  for only 2 seasons but it’s enough to understand that work needs to have its merits and benefits to off set the drawbacks. So I am  going to start small and take sailing lessons.  I shared with a patient the notion that once you are in this gypsy vagabond lifestyle it is hard to go back and stay put. I realize I am one of those people. I want to thank the driver for showing me the ropes and pointing out all the beauty that surrounds us all.

Delivering household goods to a little city named Las Vegas. So I will play a little sleep a little and enjoy a cocktail or two. I’m lucky to know some of the wonderful and funny gals that serve you and I drinks.  Here’s what they have shared. If someone is not so nice and doesn’t tip that’s okay they understand but every now and then they can’t let it go.  Let’s say you order hot chocolate well they’ll put in the packet add hot water, not stir add whip cream and no straw. Or let’s say you have raised a glass in attempt to get a free drink. These gals know you’ve just pick up someone else glass. “I’ll have another ie: bloody mary. You’ll get a virgin one. Or the fake out. Someone  will look as though they are placing  a dollar in the machine but of course the screen on video poker reads 0.00$. Anything to get  free etoh. “You will drink yourself sober at my station”. Or finally the Rude guy who screams not yells but screams. “Cocktails ”  the gal will fast paced walk around rude guy “mouth the word cocktails” and skip over him. The eye in the sky will use play back and see she has announced but alas his back was turned indicating “No thanks”. I’ll max bet that if you are nice and courteous you’ll be served. Ziajian

Stopping in to see all the Stuff.  Heading West. ZIAJIAN

It’s hot out so looking at these brings a sense of coolness. Ziajian