Progress

My new job has been both exciting and slow at the same time. I really believe it is an important concept.. culturally safe nursing practice in our First Nation communities. But, it's been looked at before, and I uncovered a complete manual which has already been completed. This leaves me wondering whether I should reinvent the wheel or work on the previous information.

A pile of meetings and information sharing sessions have been put off until the new year, which also leaves me in a hurry-up-and-wait kind of situation. What can I do to look busy at work when I know that January is going to be crazy, crazy busy?

We had snow like there was no tomorrow. I went to Ukee for a day and a half, and ended up stuck there. I tried coming back to Port on Thursday, and hit some black ice, sliding about 100 feet and barely missing 2 semi-trucks. So I went back to Ukee and stayed a few more days. I got some stuff done at my Mom's gallery, including some framing she was behind on.

Tonight I move my horse to her new home, and at 1:30 I get my dog's ultrasound done to check for puppies.

Could it be more wet?

It’s been a while.

I got my flu shot and then got a cold! When do they come up with cold shots?

I attended a CBT board meeting with the intention of joining as an alternate. Something interesting to put on my resume etc. etc. I have always had an interest in Canada’s Parks and the environment in general. The Clayoquot UNESCO Biosphere’s focus is on conservation AND sustainability, which is a pretty cool concept I think. I grew up in the communities of Ucluelet and Tofino, and while it would be great to maintain a pristine ecology, it’s easy to see that soon everyone would starve. My father has always worked in forestry, and in order to bring home a salary, he had to plan the chopping down of trees. These meetings take place monthly, so it appears that more travel is in my future.

We survived a nasty storm and series of rainy (understatement) weeks. I haven’t been able to visit my horse, and my dogs are quite ready to escape the house. Juno has been living with my parents, and seems to prefer living in Barkley Sound. Chloe hasn’t shown any signs of being pregnant, but it’s early yet and we’ll look at doing an ultrasound next week. My brother took a cool picture of Juno which I’ll upload.

RAIN RAIN RAIN AGAIN!

This is our local river. It would be more impressive if I had a before and after view.. (= But believe me, this is HIGH!









This is our boat launch. The tide at 12 noon was 12.5 feet, added to the crazy volume of water down the river and someone could drive their boat into the parking lot without the help of a boat trailer.

Wings over the Vancouver Island Coast

Seems that I am getting all my flying time in over a two week stretch. I was in Ahousaht two weeks ago, and we flew back out after boating in. Our boat lost a propellor half-way there which was a frightening experience in itself. The flight back was easy and fast, I think we landed within 10 minutes of takeoff.

Last week we flew to Hesquiaht, and that wasn't so fast and fun. The weather was coming in, and by the time we flew out we were 40' above the waves. The trees were taller than we were flying, and I even saw a whale come up and blow.

Wednesday is the kicker. We are flying in a cessna to Kyuquot from Gold River. It's a 45 minute flight, in November.... Here's hoping for a nice day. It's fun to visit these communities, and I love flying, but I do get nervous when the winds and fog pick up.

Ciao!

Tacia and the clinic.

We did a clinic Sunday morning with Marion Weisskopff. Tacia of course was a complete sweetheart, as she only demonstrates her stubborness when no-one is looking but me. I did learn a lot however, including a new way to lead her properly so that she doesn't crowd me and she has room to make mistakes in. I forgot my camera, but Shawna took a few pics, so I'll post them when they are mailed to me. The rest of the day was really cool, as I watched Marion work with 7 more horses and riders.

Sony, the wild thing.

When Sony is in the mood for love, he wants to be near anyone, even Midge... but Midge doesn't return the regard much. When Sony is in the mood for ripping around and tearing things up, he usually hits me at 60k, claws first, as I come unsuspecting around a corner.

My new job - Nursing Practicum Coordinator

Nursing Practicum Coordinator

Position Summary

Work with applicable departments in all aspects of planning and development of the Practicum and Preceptorship curriculum and training. The program objectives will be met by the end of the project. The position will start immediately and run until December 14, 2007.

Specific Responsibilities

To develop and coordinate committees for the project
To compile information for the development of a curriculum and training package
To develop practicum training for nurses
To provide training for nurses
To assist in the provision of student placements
Perform other duties and responsibilities as necessary in the performance of the position

My horse has a Dad...

...and here he is:

I GOT A NEW JOB!!!!!

I am so happy. I interviewed Monday for a position and was informed today that I was selected.
Will post more later!

Des chats qui parlent? 喋る猫？

Oh my..... CUTE cat!

I am addicted to web video sites.

Newspaper Ads - cute

These are actual newspaper ads:

FREE Yorkshire Terrier: 8 yrs. old. Hateful little bitch. Bites.
FREE PUPPIES: 1/2 Cocker Spaniel - 1/2 Sneaky Neighbor's Dog.
FREE GERMAN SHEPHERD: 85lbs. Neutered. Speaks German.
COWS, CALVES: Never Bred....Also, 1 Gay Bull For Sale.
NORDIC TRACK: $300 - Hardly used, call Chubby.
GEORGIA PEACHES: California grown - 89 cents lb.
JOINING NUDIST COLONY!: Must sell Washer & Dryer $300.

Girls are like Apples!

Girls are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree.

The boys don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they get the rotten apples from the ground that arent as good, but easy. So the apples up top think something wrong with them when in reality they're amazing.

They just have to wait for the right boy to come along, the one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.

Students need food too

October 12, 2006

Just got back from a road trip for work. Back in the office after two days out is always fun. Paperwork!

Saw The Guardian while I was gone as well as Lady in the Water. I loved The Guardian, but I could have missed the Lady movie easily. What a boring piece of drivel! I would have enjoyed it better if they had spent more time on the CGI or tried to make it even a bit more believable. The storyline was interesting.

I’m interviewing for a contract position on Monday. I am very nervous, but it is not a huge change. I would just be working for 15 months in another department in the same organization. After it was over I’d be safe and secure in my old job. So this weekend I will be brushing up on nursing practicum info…

This weekend will be the local dog show. I am in training to be a ring steward as my dog is still away being bred (hopefully). It should be pretty fun to see all the dogs, and I have to make 3 bean salad for 100 people on Friday night. Tacia has her feet looked at Saturday morning and we will work out a trimming schedule for her.

That’s my update for now.

PS – Sony is a ball of fur and claws now, he’s really trying out his different speeds and jumping abilities.

Ouchie back

Stupid flu made my back go out, so yet another run of days stuck on the couch. I did go and see Tacia and get some pics, but I couldn't work with her.

Thursday, Sony developed a fixation on my cichlids...

Tacia is looking good, but I only got to see her a short while on Friday. Saturday I went to Leann, Maudie, Veronica and Allison's housewarming party which was a very good time.

Happy Birthday to ME

October 3, 2006

Had a good birthday, despite being sick. Went for a long walk with my dog and my friend Maudie, and then out for pool and a drink at Karaoke with Leann.

The George Canyon concert was amazing. Kelley and I had so much fun, both at the concert, where I met Dave Gunning and got him to sign the cd I bought, and at The Roxy, where we boogied down until 3am. The fiddler from George Canyon's band came and partied with us as well.

Today I went and asked Shawna to help me desensitive Tacia to fly spray. I have been too sick to go out there for a while, so Tacia was pretty nervous about the attention. She did really well though, and I'm glad Shawna could help as I had no clue what to do.

I adopted a kitten 2 weeks ago. The poor thing was hanging out by my truck while I was doing an event, and at the end of the event we decided it would be better for me to just throw the dirty little thing into the canopy. He has definitely improved!

Sigh..

I went to work with my yearling yesterday and I don’t know what happened. She is afraid of the lead rope and halter, like actually shying away like she had been hit with it. She followed me around like a puppy last time I was out, and now she was looking at me like I was an alien. She stood nice and still in her stall, with the lead rope threaded through the loop but not tied, for me to groom her all over and attempt to pick up her feet, but she was really spooky the whole time. And then when it came time to use the fly spray, she was flinching and moving away like I was gonna kill her.

After that, I walked her to the ring for some exercise as I am not working her at all yet, but I am trying to develop her leading manners. She was a cow about it, tossing her head and crowding me, and when I did let her loose.. she trotted out about 20 feet and kicked her back feet toward me. It wasn’t near enough to me for me to be scared, but the message was clear. I forced her to move out and picked up a whip for safety. She trotted around for about 20 minutes, and then stood quiet for me to catch her again. Leading her back she was a goof again, stepping sideways into me as if the world was scaring her to death.

She’s such a different horse. I will head to my coach’s after work for some advice before going back to the barn to work on her manners again.

Day Six - September 18, 2006

Did a 1/2 hour handling lesson then went and visited Tacia. She is sooo darn cute. It's too rainy to do much so I just did friendly lessons and got her more used to being touched all over. She looks at me and says, 'been there, done that'. She is very well started with ground basics, so I'm mostly doing the exercises for my own level of trust with her.

I can't get myself out of the gloom I'm in however. Maybe it's just the rain, and maybe it's the diet, but I just can't seem to think positively.

I started an Atkins type diet a week ago, and I'm down between 8-9 lbs. I have one more week of no-carb induction to go, then I start to add carbs slowly. Right now my energy is low, but I have started taking a multi-vitamin daily. My goal is to reach 140, then I will reassess my weight goals again.

September 17, 2006

I figured I better put some stuff up about my upcoming puppy adventures. Following is an ad I made up to put in our kennel club pamphlet. We are organizing a show on Oct. 15 .

RAIN RAIN RAIN

Day Five - September 17, 2006

RAIN - I skipped going to the barn yesterday to do housework and go out for the evening. Now it is pouring down buckets.... I am invited for dinner at Leann's tonight. Yesterday she gave me a tour of their new property and the plans they have for it.... WOW, it's amazing.

I'm going out to Karaoke! I haven't done that in a year and a half.. since the night I met my now-ex boyfriend. Woohoo! Probably looking forward to it a bit too much.. hehe

Day Three - September 15, 2006

Today I got various news, both good and bad. I started out freaked out at my money situation as I watched my savings account dwindle from all the cheques I have been writing lately.. then, a $500 education scholarship blossomed into a $2500 scholarship by noon! I was about to bounce off the walls, when I got home and found a message from the girl who was all set to move into my spare room and share living expenses, saying that she can't move in now... so poof I'm sad again. I cooked up some crab at lunch to eat after work and tried to figger some things out. I'll just look for another roomate.

Tacia is great, I went there after work and played with her a bit. Shawna helped me (read - did it all) worm her, which Tacia wasn't too thrilled about but was so very polite. I need to go buy brushes and other grooming products this weekend.

Think I'll munch on some leftover meatloaf and watch some mindless TV. Soon I need to buckle down and set up a workstation to get my darn research project done.. Kelly Johnsen, M.Ed.

(=

Day Two and a Half - September 14, 2006

Went out and visited Tacia again, tried to take some pics when I was in with her but she follows so close all I got were blurry pics of a nose, or an eye, or forelock. She is such a sweetie, she follows behind wherever I go. I worked on space with her and got her to lift one foot when I asked. I can touch her all over and she doesn't flinch or move away an inch, just stands quiet and still.

After Leann came to visit Tacia, we went and picked up a freezer. I thought I was gonna die when I tried to lift my end and it fell over onto my legs. With some help we got it into my truck, but on the way out, we got the news that alfalfa hay was being delivered. Oh my god that alfalfa is heavy. I tried to lift one but just couldn't.. so my job was to slide the hay to the edge of the trailer for Leann and two men to haul.

Day Two - September 14, 2006

More pics, and I am headed to the barn now to visit her and take new pics with my newly batteried camera!

Day One – September 13, 2006

Tacia came in at about 7pm. I was visiting with Leann a few blocks away and missed the unloading, but I was there at about 7:20. She was hyper and had her head high, but she was polite enough to not run us over. She sneaked under the electric wire in the first pen we put her in and was making friends with a grey arab, so we moved her to a bigger paddock. She didn’t look like she was going to respect the chain gate on that paddock, so we moved her again to a more secure paddock. She walked right through the enclosed stable breezeway with not even a flinch.

She is a beautiful slate grey in colour as she was born black and is graying as she ages. She will end up completely white grey. She’s BIG! At one year she was standing higher than the grey arab she snuck in with, but we haven’t measured her yet. I figure she is about 15 hh now, and will grow to around 16’3.