Youth on Age

Hiking. It is something I have been longing to do for the past ...six ish years. As soon as I left the west (best) coast after high school, I came to appreciate the nature it holds, and started hating myself for not taking advantage of it for the 18 years I lived here before venturing off into the flat wasteland known as the Midwest.
A couple of weeks ago the weather was actually awesome. I googled 'free seattle hikes' and found the Issaquah Alps Trail Club. I saw "free guided hikes" and was floored-- I would love to go for a hike by myself, but I don't know any trails and I refuse to be that clown on the news who is lost for 12 days after hiking in a new place all alone. The fact that these people would guide me on a hike-- for FREE-- was very exciting.

I roped in a friend (pictured above) from college who was in Seattle, home on summer break before heading to Alaska for the summer. I packed all the things the website said were required-- even though it was mid 70s without a cloud in the sky, I put a garbage bag in my pack to act as 'rain gear.' I was so nervous they would say "you can't go" if I didn't have everything on the list. The hike we chose was described as follows: "Echo Mountain- interesting plants and views of Mt. Rainier, 5 miles, 600' gain." It was estimated to take 4 hours and have 'some climbing/difficulty.' So I was slightly nervous-- What if I'm too out of shape? What if I hold the group back? I don't want to be that kid. I resolved to try it anyway and hope at least one person was in worse shape than me. After much planning and packing, I went to bed the night before with three alarms set, so as to not oversleep.
I picked up my friend on the way, and then we got there more than an hour early. I have a serious getting-there-early problem. We found a Starbucks to pass the time-- all the while my anxiety grew. People in Seattle are kinda serious about their hiking. I've only met the kind that climb real mountains-- with ice picks and stuff. They're the crazy people who have to train for their climbs because the climbs are so insane. They're the unfortunate ones who fall in the ice crevasses and survive for days drinking their own urine and chewing the buttons of their coat. Who am I to be hiking with them? I'm just a pudgy girl escaping from the Midwest, they're going to laugh me back to Chicago. WHAT AM I THINKING?!?!? Had I been alone, I probably would have gone home and wallowed in self pity-- but I wasn't. I dragged my friend out of bed at an ungodly hour, so I had to follow through. So we left Starbucks (early of course) and arrived at the 'club house.' We got out of the car and waited. We were the first ones there. I was nervous that we were at the wrong spot or that we missed the group (which was impossible, we were still like ten minutes early). We saw another lady looking at a sign by the building and I asked her if she was there for the hike. She said yes, and I was relieved that we were in the right spot. Then I really saw her. She was in her 50s (ish?), wearing long pants-- normal pants... like khaki pants... had a heavier coat on with big boots, a hat and sunglasses. My friend and I were in shorts and at-shirts with running shoes. Hmm, she must be in good shape to go on this hike at her age. More people started trickling in and an overwhelming theme emerged: old. Everybody there was a grandparent. WHAT? This is a senior citizen event! Truthfully, I was relieved.. if these people could handle this hike, then surely I could too! I'd better be able to. An older gentleman who was somewhat in charge came and told my friend and I that our shoes would be okay for this hike, but if we planned to do more hikes with them in the future, we needed hiking boots due to the slippery nature of the trails. I suppose its a valid point, but I couldn't help thinking if these arthritic clowns can handle the slippery trails, I think I'll be fine in my running shoes thank you very much. So we congregated when Betty (pictured below), our leader (age... 70? I'm not kidding) arrived. She gave some shotty directions to the trail head (which, btw, I still don't understand why we didn't just meet there... as it was like a 30 minute drive from the clubhouse..) So we get there and Betty starts talking. She starts talking a little bit about the area. I am surprised at how knowledgeable she is about the hike and how involved she is in the preservation efforts and what not. Totally a sharp 70 year old lady-- and I can only hope that I am that spry when I age. She warns us to stay together as people have gotten lost before, but "Paul finally made it home..." What?! I had visions of some poor elderly man wandering through the forest for days on end and then finally emerging out of the forest back at the trail head only to see that his group had deserted him and he had to walk all the way home. It was so hard to contain my fits of laughter. Everything anybody said that had any potential of being comical was a MILLION TIMES funnier (is that a word?) because they were so... aged. Don't get me wrong-- I have a ton of respect for the elderly in our society and think they are very wise and have a lot to offer to younger generations. Hooray for elderly! And-- my friend and I stuck out like sore thumbs-- we looked like we were headed to the gym, while everyone else was in pretty normal clothing-- button up shirts and 'slacks,' and ...fanny packs (not that those are normal on ANY level).
Betty also announced that this was a "flower hike." A what??? Apparently we would be stopping to identify different flowers and plants along the way, and not to worry, Betty had her book so we could look up the ones we weren't sure about. A flower hike? What did I get myself into?! I exchanged looks of 'wtf' with my friend and we started hiking. Several of our hike mates whipped out their ski poles to help them along the rugged terrain. We stopped every 7th step or so to identify a new (or the same) flower. The first we saw was Youth on Age (pictured below).

(*Youth on Age)*
How ironic. How fitting for the dynamic of this group. I glanced up to the Heavens and shot a "Really?" prayer up to the Big Guy. So we continued on. Every third flower we saw was Youth on Age. "Oh there's some Youth on Age!" Betty would bellow and it'd pass along the line of hikers.
I was in a state of shock at the whole situation. I'd invested so much energy in being a nervous nellie for this hike. I was convinced I wouldn't make it and would have to borrow someone's inhaler.. or call for a rescue ranger to come escort me down the mountain when I couldn't keep up with the group. But here I was, looking at flowers with other people's grandparents.. and probably great grandparents. I was just ... flabbergasted. How did I not see this coming? But I couldn't have seen it-- that's what happens when you embrace activities you find on Google. It was all I could do to not die laughing the whole way up. Of course I'd land myself in a senior citizen hike-- it's only natural. I really had to keep my sarcasm in check though-- so many doors were flinging open all around me, begging for a wisecrack, but I was sure my comments wouldn't be appreciated. That was probably the hardest part. *(Stopping-- again-- to look at flowers) *
So in about... two hours we made it up the roughly 2 mile 'mountain.' It was beautiful-- I love nature. Trees-- lots of flowers-- sun... it was awesome. I couldn't help but think "this would be awesome to run up," and then I remembered that I can't run to save my life. We made it to the top and had a beautiful view of Mt. Rainier. We stayed up there for about 20 minutes and everyone ate their lunch. My friend and I released all the funny comments we'd been holding back on the way up and prepared for the way down. *(If you look real hard you can see Mt. Rainier...)*
This was the complete opposite of a bad day-- just so unexpected! It was gorgeous weather and the other hikers were very friendly. I met a running enthusiast and we bonded over our knee pain! Ha!
At one point someone asked my friend and me if we had the day off of school and I was like "..no I have the day off of work," and naturally they asked what I do. I hate revealing that I am a nurse in any group environment because I feel like if some medical emergency were to happen, it'd fall on me to fix it. Sure there's the oath I took that already obligates me to do so, but still I hate announcing it. NOT TO MENTION I was hiking with people who are at a prime age for medical issues to explode. Fortunately we made it down the hill without any medical event. However-- they started EATING THE PLANTS! "If it's the one I'm thinking, it should taste like black licorice," Betty rattled. I watched in horror as person after person chomped down on the strange plant trying to figure out what I'd have to tell the 9-1-1 dispatcher when they all were doubled over with abdominal pain unable to hike to their cars to seek medical attention themselves. One guy even ate a mushroom. I figure he was suicidal. * (My new runner friend. I tried to get out of him if he had any grandsons-- no dice.)*

All in all, a great day outside in nature. But also a day that caught me TOTALLY off guard. We finally made it back to our car and I was ready to peel outta there. As I put my car in reverse Betty popped up at my window to make sure we knew how to get back. She scared the living daylights outta me! Seriously-- what a day. "Oh look! Youth on Age!"

ROTFL

*Eleven days after my decision to embrace prolonged sun exposure without skin protection, I am still peeling. I sat outside on a Thursday, and worked Saturday-Monday. Babies don't care that you're sunburnt-- they'll grab you and scratch you and give you baby lovin' no matter how bad it hurts. Lesson learned? ... let's be honest-- probably not.

*Ridiculous things continue to happen to me, and I am convinced that God's throne is empty because he is rolling on the heavenly floor laughing at me.

*I applied for a straight days position and was not senior enough to get it. I noticed another straight days position open that is different-- I'd float between my current floor and the other surgical unit floor. I hesitated for about twenty minutes then decided to apply anyway. I like my floor and am not overly enthusiastic about things on the other floor, but I will do close to anything to not have to work nights.


*My foot hurts.

*It has been a year and a half since I've had a haircut, and the only reason it happened then is because I chopped off 12 inches to donate therefore it was free. I am mortified at how much it costs to get a decent haircut nowadays-- not to mention that a tip is expected. I have issues with the great-clips, super-cuts places. They ruined me in middleschool. Looks like I will be getting haircuts bi-annually as that's how long it takes this mop to grow long enough to donate.

*Coming up on the six month mark of when I moved here has caused me to be somewhat reflective. I made this as I thought about what's gone down over the past half a year.

Freak Lobster

I love the sun. I love everything about it. I love feeling warm from it, I love how it makes colors brighter and people happier. I cannot get enough of it. I also love how it makes my skin tanner. Vain? Very. I'm over it. However, to achieve the tan-ness that I long for during winter months, some trial and error is usually required. Today was a major error.
Since starting day shift last week, I have so much more energy during the day and fall asleep at much more appropriate times at night (not in the wee hours of the morning). Today it is 72 degrees outside without a single cloud in the sky. I knew this miracle was coming, thanks to weather.com. I woke up early this morning to get to the gym and then came home, put a tank top and flip flops on and walked to the Starbucks that is approximately a quarter of a mile from my apartment. I used a gift card to get an iced green tea then took up residence at one of their outdoor tables. I brought two books (in case one bored me). I started reading and stayed there for four hours. HA! Ironically, I am really not a fan of reading. I could feel my skin soaking up the glorious UV rays. I could see the little shadows of heat waves rising behind me. And I loved it. Every second. I masochistically welcomed the almost burning sensation on my arms and legs. BRING ON THE SUN. It has been a long winter of pasty paleness and I am soo ready to give that up. So I sat and took a good chunk out of a book I've been trying to get into for awhile, did some serious eaves dropping and peopel watching (two of my new favorite activities..). Before I knew it it was four hours later. I moved my arm and my watch slid down my wrist. I then noticed the BRIGHT WHITE skin that was under my watch and how it contrasted with the skin around it. Uhoh. I wanted to ignore it so I finished the chapter and then decided I should probably put an end to the charade. I walked home in a warm and peaceful state of euphoria. I love the sun. It warms my soul. It's like a hug without anyone having to touch you hahahaha. I walked into my apartment still feeling tranquil-- first stop the bathroom-- four hours and a caffeinated beverage will take their toll. I glanced at the mirror and my zen was rudely interrupted by alarm. RED. Not a pink rosy glow, BRIGHT RED. But not everywhere-- my neck remains amazingly white, apparently I put my head down while reading?! WTF. I pulled my tank top to the side to reveal a THICK white strip of skin. I hate the sun. It's turned me into a freak lobster. My skin is going to fall off. I will be outcast like a leper! My panic increased when I realized that it's going to get worse before it gets better. If I'm this red now, give it six hours and the blisters will appear probably accompanied by eschar tissue and I'll have to go to the ER for amputations. Then I'll lose my job because who wants the 6 fingered nurse whose skin is falling off?! ... So.. I'm on my way to the store to get some aloe-- a fat lot of good that stuff does, but better than nothing I suppose. And I think I might invest in sunscreen. I've always hated the stuff-- quite a lot actually. It's greasy and it maintains my pasty pigment. There's gotta be some compromise between the lobster leper and the pale translucence I've displayed all winter. We'll see. For now I will be dealing with this:

Kujo

Running. It's essentially a swear word to me.
Regardless, I forced myself out on the country roads when I went home this weekend for a surprise mothers day visit. I dilly dallied Sunday morning and waited for prime tanning time (which I've declared to be between 11am and 2pm). So I waddled down my driveway onto the little dead end street which apparently is a hill. I was trying to decide between the three mile loop and the almost five mile loop. A-top the 'hill' I thought "uhh three mile loop-- duh." However, to get to both loops you go down a SUPER steep hill. By the bottom I was like "oh... I'm okay, I can do the almost-five." Wrong sauce. The hills are ridiculous. Regardless of the route, there are hills everywhere and they are so steep and so long. I am not one to swear like a sailor but I find myself cursing each hill the ENTIRE time it takes me to shuffle up it and even for a while after. So here I go on this just about five mile loop-- once atop the first hill I seriously considered turning back. Then I realized that I'd hate myself if I did, so I pushed on. How dramatic am I-- it's not like I was a pioneer on the Oregon Trail that just lost an oxen to the harsh weather conditions while I wasted away from Dysentery.. but it kinda felt like it... I turned to a gravel road which is my favorite part of that run because it's at a super slight downhill for most of it.. So there I am trotting along like an escapee from fat camp, rocking out to some angsty Kelly Clarkson... and all of the sudden out of the corner of my eye I see a LARGE dog LUNGING AT ME. Only after I saw it did I hear it barking viciously. Funny, I thought. This dog has no leash... this dog has no owner apologizing frantically for the its ferocious antics... NOT FUNNY. Panicked, I pushed its nose away and breathlessly said "Hi Puppy..." and booked it down the road. You're lame, self-- you couldn't out run this dog to save your life. Surrender now. Fortunately I gave that little self depreciating voice the mental middle finger and kept going until I couldn't hear Kujo barking anymore. So I escaped without rabies, but it scared the living day lights out of me! The rest of the run was terrible, as the adrenaline quickly stopped flowing and I still had a sickly huge hill to climb. I would be lying if I denied a walk break or two.
When I woke up before dawn this morning to get back to Seattle before my call shift (I caved on calling in.. such a wuss), I could barely get out of bed-- not due to exhaustion and the wee hour of the morning-- due to ridiculously sore legs. It's sad really. There was a time that I'd rejoice in the lactic acid and think "awesome that means I'm working hard," but now I think "EFF that hurts!" I have no intention of doing that loop again in the near future to get better at it.. I have little intention of running outside really. So it seems all for naught. HOW DO I GET OUTTA THIS FUNK!? Seriously, it seems way more mental than anything and you'd think that would be the easiest to fix because it's your mind, you have complete control-- but let me tell you it is far from easy. Don't get me wrong, my lack of cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength is no help either.. but seriouslyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. I'm soo irritated.

Holy Day Shift

Yowzer. I knew it was coming... but my awareness did not soften the blow of day shift. Jeepers creepers it is literally twelve PLUS hours of GOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGO.
My first DAY SHIFT (off orientation) on a weekday (not a lot happens on weekends.. it would have been more ideal to have a first DAY on a weekend, but nay-- I got a Wednesday), I got a four patient assignment. Excuse me? Did I read that right-- YES. FOUR patients. FOUR BUSY BUSY BUSY patients. Less than ideal. Thursday and Friday I got 3 kids-- far more appropriate but was still running around like a crazy person and clocked some significant overtime. Whoops. If the overtime was my fault, I'd feel bad-- but it wasn't... so I don't.
BUT I WILL CONTINUE TO GENUINELY WELCOME THE CHAOS because it means I am on days and that means my sleep schedule will be so much more regular. Praise the LORD. I make sure to NEVER complain about how busy it is on days and try (but sometimes (read: frequently) fail) to always appear cheery.
AND-- I found pharmacy allll by myself-- the secret agent way, too, where oyu have to have a staff ID badge to get through several double doors.... Things are looking up.

Practice

Ooooh my goodness, last night work was ridiculously busy! Supposedly, it's a bad idea to write specifically about work events on blogs, facebook, etc. because if anything legal ever goes down such postings can and will be used against you... (I guess someone's facebook status was used once... I don't know, it's part of my paranoia) --BUT-- believe it or not I embraced the PURE chaos with an almost 100% genuine smile as it was good practice for my upcoming day shift debut. Mayhem and obstacles and craziness all await me Wednesday morning at 7:00am. It's about darn time.

--AND-- I got to x-ray without having to ask someone to remind me how to get there. This, my friends is huge. My place of employment is quite the maze-- especially for the clown that fainted during the orientation tour. PAH. Next up, pharmacy.