Aching Shoulders, Tired Eyes

Oooohh, just spent the looongest time beating a deadline (more than 15 hours of computer work). My eyes are so blurred, despite the thick lenses, I can't seem to see anymore. My shoulders are sore from the stiff position, and my back's crying for a massage.

Nursing is not all patient care. The paperwork behind it is also immense.

(Not to mention the pressure from the almighties. Ahhh!!)

Thank You, God, I am done! Will get some good rest. Hope your day was better.

They HATCHED!

See the beak on the left? That little chick is looking up! Haha! So excited! I've become a bird watcher all of a sudden! Now all that's left is for them to fledge! Hope I catch that, too! Yey!!!

Trails

Whenever I think of trails, the Appalachians come to mind. I read a funny anecdote about it in the Reader's Digest back in the Philippines, something about hikers running into skulls and bones, on account of the length (over 2,000 miles), not to mention the wildlife and the wilderness as a whole.

I never did think I'd live in one of the States they traverse. Can you just imagine breathing the history of the nomadic Indians and their life and culture?

Another thing that comes to mind is the book Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins. I remember him writing about coming to North Carolina, being a houseguest to a black family and wearing green shoes to church (don't quote me, though, it's been so long). Haha!

I guess in my heart I'm a hiker. But for now the only hiking I do is over at the four-block walking trail across the street when I'm not working, with a son, or the whole family. Matthew and I did some walking yesterday, and I was regalling him with tales of my childhood while on the look-out for some mushrooms. (Brought down memory lane by Rainfield's black mushrooms of Malaysia.) My son can't quite comprehend the fact that when I was his age (six), I'd already plucked and 'cooked' plenty of mushrooms, had near-brushes with snakes, played with so many different kinds of caterpillars (so rashes are not new to me), caught jars of dragonflies, climbed countless fruit trees, nearly drowned from the frequent trips to the beach, flown kites in the fields while carabaos watched, planted and harvested several garden vegetables, and so many more.

I guess a trail, any trail, is an entrance to any life journey. I miss those carefree days of learning, exploring, yearning, reaching out, just BEING. Now it's my son's turn.

It's surreal.

Little Nest by the Ledge

There's a nest sitting in the corner of my windowsill. From what little I've read about nesting, this one is called a CUP, a nest woven in a circular pattern, out of grass, leaves, string, hair, saliva and mud to help hold it together. Birds are really not above man when it comes to architecture! My nest builder is likely an enterprising Robin, who, by the way, I have not heard pecking yesterday.

The nest has 4 eggs in it, and the momma bird sits there most times. However, it was thundering really bad about two nights ago, so my husband, thinking to be a good fairy godparent, went out there to give it cover of some sort, and sprinkle a good amount of birdseed (our lovebirds died) on the ledge. What do you know, momma bird flew away as soon as he got close enough. AND that was two nights ago.

We've been waiting for Mrs. Robin since. Yesterday morning, we found a dead ground lizard (my son says dinosaur) close to where the nest is and I am just so worried the momma of that creature might come looking for it and see the eggs instead.

How long before these little chickies hatch to become fully flighted aviators? How sturdy is this little nest to last them while they incubate, and to protect them from predators? We have plenty of tree squirrels and crows roaming the area, and also an occasional cat. Oh, Lordy.

I hear a lot of singing outside now, I guess I'll check it out. In the meantime, any information on missing robins will be highly appreciated.

Thank you all, and good morning!

Scrubbed

Who says 12 hours of shift work can't be fun?

Two days ago, we went to my favorite uniform store, the Uniform Junction for some new scrubs. We were given our yearly uniform allowance and I couldn't wait!

See, their scrubs are so creative and stylish, and there's plenty to choose from! I chose designs of butterflies and flowers in colors of purple, blue, orange. They have laces and ribbons and are loose enough so you can move around and run in an emergency, and climb on beds, and reach for the bags hanging on the top of the IV poles. They have pockets big enough for pens and scissors and a penlight, my rosary, my celfone, and a small pad. They are pretty enough to keep my patients' attention while I poke and palpate and percuss. They are inspiring enough to motivate my co-workers to buy the same and come to work feeling good about themselves, ready to clean up goo, and lift and turn, and spread some smile.

I love my work and I don't mind the grit. But it's a good nurse who takes pride not only in patching up broken bones but also in how she commands respect in how she looks while doing so that is tops in my book. So, who says 12 hours is a drab? Not with the right attitude! So put on your best scrubs and comb that hair back! Be ready to roll!

Two Boys and A Museum

Hello, friends, another day out for the family. This post is for those who love kids, have kids, are kids at heart, and/or enjoy family time. Please enjoy our day with us at the Museum of Life and Science!

At the entrance...

Yes, ma'am, just being good over here...

Trying out a shot - at some Weather Area....

Then we entered a room and saw the following...

Sorry, guys, the 'gator shots weren't too good...

Fishies...


Turtle-y....


Little Miss Prissy Groundhog...




We then spilled out into a craft room...

AJ said he was making tracks...

And M a tower...

We walked into a Weather Station or something...

No, that wasn't hot...

And some Fossil Room of sorts...

Rocks, crystals, gems on this side...

You push that button on the wall for light effects...

Something, haha...


Then we headed out...

Summer camp was in full swing! Staff everywhere as guide for other visitors!

Yippeee, a train ride! Ten minutes and two rounds of this, with dinosaur-sightings at the side, and a tunnel where we howled....

Sure took a good while before Conductor Tom tooted that whistle. M managed to scrape a knee from jumping over one of those chains on the far left from boredom. (Sure, mom had an ever-ready band aid. :0)

Had plenty of time to monkey around the bars, whew!

Tried the seat on for size, hehe. M sat with me and AJ with Aris..

Ten to go, smile for a quick snap!

Chug-chugging on. I hope you can tell I was worried about the poison ivy scare again seeing how close those green thingies were, haha!

After that ride, we trekked...

The outdoors were a lot of fun...

Entrance to the Wilderness...

Too bad, staff only, no public access yet...

The boys and an awesome view...

Black Bear (ursus americanus) coming out of some cool bank...

Hand on a Black Bear's fur...

They were good! They identified the blueberries and apples! There were holes on top of those white cannisters and the answers were under those black flaps.

Look at all that, what do you make of it?

Each button corresponded to an animal sound - this was a lot of fun!

Doing their stream thing

Ponds and greens and trails and bridges everywhere...

Lemurs - these ones were allowed out.

We'd covered sooo much ground by this time, all of us hot and sweaty, but he looked like a happy camper...

This here's at an area called Catch the Wind...

The boys steered their boat with the pink and white sail quite well. We all learned about sails and boating today.

Giving that rudder a run for its money

A very determined sailor, I tell you - "NO!!! Me, me, me!!"

U-huh, good to know...

This was a contraption that showed Travelling Seeds (like dandelions, maple). The kids put a magnetized paper below that moved up, up, up, until it reached the top and got blown down and away by the wind. AJ had fun here.

And this here's the Farmyard...

Sheep, hogs, goats, etc. everywhere

For the hogs

Back inside...

Aerospace wonder

Inside Apollo 11, doing a loud countdown before pressing one of those buttons

AJ's signature good bye, as you know. :)

Hoo-boy, what a lengthy thing! I had omitted several pictures already, including those of side trips to the scientific play areas - with sand, contraptions all the way from the ceiling to the walls and floor with balls rolling, etc. And we had not even seen the Insects Area! The boys had had two sets of change of clothes - AND that wasn't quite the end of the day. We had at least two more stops before going home. That's another post. :) Thank you all!