Organ Donor

Since starting my job, I have spent a lot of time with patients who have had organ transplants and I am of course designated as an organ donor on my drivers license. But now I have a whole different type of organ to appreciate:



That's right friends- today I was set apart as the ward organist. Apart from a few informal lessons, I have no prior experience. I got a few hints from my mom and sister ( http://johnstonjive.blogspot.com/2008/06/day-in-life-of-organist.html) who are vetran organists but I still have a lot to learn.

The chair and the game

I've been looking for an armchair for my room. I finally got this one for free off of craigslist. It is pretty worn but it was the right size and very comfortable.

So three yards of fabric later and I have a chair that actually matches my room. I've never reupholstered a chair before and actually I still haven't. This was just draping new fabric over the chair. Right now it is mostly being held together by safety pins so it is a good thing that I have another day off tomorrow to finish the job.

Oh and we went to a Mariners game the other night. When we got there, they were losing 6 to zero but they came back to win it after scoring 10 runs in one inning! It was pretty darn exciting.

As requested, a post about work...

This is me. I am a nurse!

I work on the 11th floor of this very large hospital

The people that I take care of have trouble with these.

When I come home, I amsuper tired but I sure love my job.

More to come!

WANTED:

I recently opened a bank account with a bank which shall remain nameless. After having some trouble with my ATM card, I went in the bank to find out what the problem was.

Two hours with the bank manager and I was informed that I had essentially stolen $500 and was under investigation.

Let me 'slpain. When I opened my account, the banker accidentally gave me the wrong ATM card. Of this I had no idea, and over the course of a few weeks, I withdrew $500 (since I hadn't received my checks or debit card yet). I knew I had enough in my account so I didn't bother getting a receipt and didn't realize anything was wrong.

However, the account holder did realize something was wrong and filed a claim with the police, who when I went into the bank were trying to find out who was using her card. Poor lady. Well I withdrew the money from my account and deposited into hers and the bank informed the claims department that it was their mistake so everything seems to be cleared up now.

Better that it happened this way instead of the cops banging on my door.

The Seattle Scene

Here I am in Seattle. Wahoo! Mom helped me move out and get settled before she headed home (super big thanks mom!!).

We have a lovely and spacious apartment that we have been making into a home. Here are some glimpses.

My roommate Camille- isn't she so nice to do the dishes?

Our best Craigslist find-the futon of my dreams...for free! And the man that we got it from was from Omaha. It was just meant to be. :)


Our worst Craigslist find- this vacuum must have been previously owned by a smoker because you can totally smell tobacco whenever we vacuum. I think we are on the market for a new one- at least we didn't pay for it.

Our most impulsive Craigslist find- 52" screen TV. I figured if we had bought a new TV, it probably would have been at least as expensive as buying this used one and it is really fun to watch movies on.

My Ikea dresser- a half an hour to drive to the store and three hours to put it together. There is a certain satisfaction from putting together your own furniture. And a certain frustration when you realize that you put it together wrong.

The view from our balcony. Can you see the sign among the trees? You have to look close....

That's right, friends- just hop over our balcony and you are just steps away from curly fries and roast beef sandwiches.

Alright, the reservations books are now open. Come see me!

Aunt DiDi Tour 2008: Hoboken, NJ

Well, the great Aunt DiDi tour concluded on the east coast where I got to hang out with the Lincolns and the Petersons. 

The newlyweds are as cute as ever.

Of course we played some Ruckus!

We made a last-minute decision to go to Six Flags on Saturday. By pooling our money for a Flash Pass, we were able to skip the lines and cram in as many roller coasters as possible. The roller coaster below is Kingda Ka, the tallest and fastest in the world. As a roller coaster enthusiast, I was in heaven!

Here is Thurman getting off one of the many rides that he could ride by himself!

We also managed to squeeze in a little Rock Band and I improved greatly. :)

And of course a Broadway show. After failing at the Wicked lottery 3 or 4 times, I got student rush tickets for "Legally Blonde". Emily and I enjoyed front row center seats.

I also took my NCLEX last Tuesday (the test to become a registered nurse). As probably most of the people reading this blog know, I have been studying for this for the last couple of months. After 75 questions (the minimum number of questions), the test shut off. I was so worried I had failed but a couple of days later, I saw that I had passed. It was a pretty  unsatisfying testing experience but I am just relieved to have it done with and be able to get on with my life. Stay tuned for Kristen's big move to Seattle!

Credential Last Name First Name MI Credential Type Status Year of Birth State CE Due Date Action RN60023188 Bylund Kristen Marie Registered Nurse License ACTIVE 1983 UT No

Aunt DiDi Tour 2008: St. Louis, MO

This week, I write from St. Louis, the home of Kevin, Emily, Gracie, and LOTS of water. The Mississippi is 10 feet above flooding levels and is supposed to flood another 10 feet this week. Here is an example of things underwater. The lamp pole is supposed to have a road in front of it!

Happy moment in Missouri included:

*Emily teaching me how to change my blog layout.

*Stretching with Gracie

*Visiting the Arch

*Going up to the top of the Arch

*Going to the Childrens Museum (aka The Magic House). It sure is fun to have lots of hair!

*One night, Kevin and Emily had a super-duper suprise for me. A fifties night! They came out in bow ties and poodle skirts and this was my placemat:

*What fifties night would be complete without a sock hop?

It will sure be hard to say goodbye to my Bylund buddies!