Hello, all.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Crispy atmosphere, pumpkin pies, turkeys, and football games. Since I'm new on the block here in Austin, I have to work on the holidays. However, that's not ALL bad. I enjoyed a Thanksgiving lunch with my colleagues and patients' families at the hospital, and then later went home to warm up in front of a fireplace with hot chocolate. I can't complain.
I'm thankful of so much that I can't even think where to begin!! My Family, friends, my latest career adventure as a travel nurse, ....... Too much. That's not even scratching the surface. This has been an awesome (and quick) year, and now it's time for Christmas. Wow!!
What made this a Texas Thanksgiving for me was a football game. There's this huge college rival between Univ of Texas Longhorns(here in Austin) and Texas A&M Aggies(in College Station) . Every year, day after Thanksgiving, they have their game, and this year it was in College Station. One of my friends at church invited me to come with her to watch the game live. It was interesting, educational, and entertaining. Interesting words for a football, huh? It was a great game to watch, but I was intrigued with A&M's ....um.....traditions. A&M has A LOT of traditions, but what made it entertaining were their "Yell Leaders". That's right. They don't have cheerleaders, they have "Yell Leaders" that look like they time traveled from the 1940's. Letterman cardigans, white pants, and crew cuts. During the game they have these hand signals that the students obviously know, and the whole maroon crowd (Aggies) would yell what consisted of vowels "AAAAAAA" "OOOOOOO" "UUUUU" with each hand signal. I guess you have to be an Aggie to understand, because I still don't. I also found out the Aggies means farmers (Agriculture). This is a farming university. I saw some students wearing overalls painted with maroon and white, and then it finally dawned on me. "AAHH. Farmers. Farming college." Took a while for me to get it.
UT lost, but I came away from the game learning a lot more about Aggies (A&M). It's one thing hearing about it, but another to actually see it. I hope this has been entertaining for you though confusing, as it has for me.
Happy Thanksgiving, all!!!
Leona
Pictures of the UT/A&M game
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Prayers from Austin.
Hello, all.
Even though I'm here in Austin, my heart's in San Diego, especially now. I heard about the fires Monday night from the Rock Church. My brother WAYNE told me that I-15 was closed, but didn't say why. Later I got an enews e-mail from the Rock giving an update and what was needed for the evacuees. I've been staying updated AND praying that everyone will be safe. So far, my family is safe. At least, the ones I could reach, but I've heard from some of you that you evacuated and already returned home. Praise God. If you haven't returned home yet, my prayers are with you. I wish I could do more.
Just to distract you guys a bit from what's going on in San Diego: I am finishing my travel assignment here in Austin, and will start a permanent position here on 11/12 in the same Unit. My company couldn't find a travel assignment in Austin, and I've decided to stay, so I took a permanent position, and a significant pay cut. (Lord provides and is faithful) My roommate and I will be moving out of the apartment my company is leasing for me, and moving into our 2-bedroom apartment in the same complex, but smaller and cheaper. We love the apartment we are in right now, but it's too big for us, especially since we don't have much furniture. Even less furniture when we move into our new place. Since my company has been putting me in furnished apartments in every city I've been, I'm starting from scratch. Only furniture I have with me is my air mattress I've used for my family's visits. I didn't think I would stop traveling this early on.
Of course, many of you that have been reading my e-mails have noticed how much I lean on the Lord's guidance on which city to go to and when, and He's the reason I'm staying here. I've got something to do here, but I don't know what that is yet. He'll reveal it soon enough. So far, I've just been planting my roots in Austin: changing my permanent address, drivers license, and license plate to Texas. Now, I'm going to be permanent staff in Austin. I'm at peace with it all. If I need to settle somewhere, I'd choose Austin (now that I've already experienced it earlier this year).
I'm going to work at Brackenridge hospital, Central Texas' Regional Trauma Center. Best place to get trauma experience. This place is much busier than Grossmont Hospital (who would have thought that's possible). I'm going to take some classes for a couple certifications while I'm here, so I can be "more marketable" if and when I return to Travel Nursing. I'm still going to Austin Stone Community Church. I returned to the church when I got back from St Louis, and it's like I never left. Of course, I still have acquaintances and friends coming up to me asking when I got back, and surprised I've been here since August. (it's a big church)
That's it about what's going on. I've been working more often, and familiarizing myself to South Austin, my commmunity. So, no new pictures. Sorry. I promise if anything happens here that's newsworthy, I'll notify you.
Love ya, and I miss everyone.
Grace and Blessings,
Leona
Even though I'm here in Austin, my heart's in San Diego, especially now. I heard about the fires Monday night from the Rock Church. My brother WAYNE told me that I-15 was closed, but didn't say why. Later I got an enews e-mail from the Rock giving an update and what was needed for the evacuees. I've been staying updated AND praying that everyone will be safe. So far, my family is safe. At least, the ones I could reach, but I've heard from some of you that you evacuated and already returned home. Praise God. If you haven't returned home yet, my prayers are with you. I wish I could do more.
Just to distract you guys a bit from what's going on in San Diego: I am finishing my travel assignment here in Austin, and will start a permanent position here on 11/12 in the same Unit. My company couldn't find a travel assignment in Austin, and I've decided to stay, so I took a permanent position, and a significant pay cut. (Lord provides and is faithful) My roommate and I will be moving out of the apartment my company is leasing for me, and moving into our 2-bedroom apartment in the same complex, but smaller and cheaper. We love the apartment we are in right now, but it's too big for us, especially since we don't have much furniture. Even less furniture when we move into our new place. Since my company has been putting me in furnished apartments in every city I've been, I'm starting from scratch. Only furniture I have with me is my air mattress I've used for my family's visits. I didn't think I would stop traveling this early on.
Of course, many of you that have been reading my e-mails have noticed how much I lean on the Lord's guidance on which city to go to and when, and He's the reason I'm staying here. I've got something to do here, but I don't know what that is yet. He'll reveal it soon enough. So far, I've just been planting my roots in Austin: changing my permanent address, drivers license, and license plate to Texas. Now, I'm going to be permanent staff in Austin. I'm at peace with it all. If I need to settle somewhere, I'd choose Austin (now that I've already experienced it earlier this year).
I'm going to work at Brackenridge hospital, Central Texas' Regional Trauma Center. Best place to get trauma experience. This place is much busier than Grossmont Hospital (who would have thought that's possible). I'm going to take some classes for a couple certifications while I'm here, so I can be "more marketable" if and when I return to Travel Nursing. I'm still going to Austin Stone Community Church. I returned to the church when I got back from St Louis, and it's like I never left. Of course, I still have acquaintances and friends coming up to me asking when I got back, and surprised I've been here since August. (it's a big church)
That's it about what's going on. I've been working more often, and familiarizing myself to South Austin, my commmunity. So, no new pictures. Sorry. I promise if anything happens here that's newsworthy, I'll notify you.
Love ya, and I miss everyone.
Grace and Blessings,
Leona
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Labor Day fun
Yet another late blog. Let's celebrate Labor Day again.
Happy Labor Day!! (though it's a couple days later)
I got a chance to celebrate a holiday. WooHoo!! One of my friends owns a boat and invited us to celebrate Labor Day with him and his friend Travis. It was fun. Since it was overcast, not that many boats were on the lake. But, I doubt that would matter much or not. Lake Travis is HUGE. We were driving across the lake for an hour, and we have yet to see half of it. We finally stopped, and swam a bit before being pulled on an inner tube.
Lesson 1: do not go any faster than 20 mph when pulling someone on an inner tube. We didn't know that until AFTER the fact. Travis was no typical boat driver. He went 40 mph like everyone else, but decided to do figure 8's, zigzags, and loops with me. So, I was holding on tight. The smile is pasted on (or actually frozen on) my face when the picture was taken. I could feel the water touching my feet, and it wasn't soft while he was going fast with me.
Afterwards, they took us to a restaurant located on the edge of the lake. We drove the boat up to the restaurant's dock, parked, and walked in. A few of restaurants and coffee shops like that here. Pretty cool.
No other new updates in my life. I hope everyone had an awesome Labor Day, not laboring.
Love ya and missing everyone. Click to see Labor Day Pics.
Leona
Happy Labor Day!! (though it's a couple days later)
I got a chance to celebrate a holiday. WooHoo!! One of my friends owns a boat and invited us to celebrate Labor Day with him and his friend Travis. It was fun. Since it was overcast, not that many boats were on the lake. But, I doubt that would matter much or not. Lake Travis is HUGE. We were driving across the lake for an hour, and we have yet to see half of it. We finally stopped, and swam a bit before being pulled on an inner tube.
Lesson 1: do not go any faster than 20 mph when pulling someone on an inner tube. We didn't know that until AFTER the fact. Travis was no typical boat driver. He went 40 mph like everyone else, but decided to do figure 8's, zigzags, and loops with me. So, I was holding on tight. The smile is pasted on (or actually frozen on) my face when the picture was taken. I could feel the water touching my feet, and it wasn't soft while he was going fast with me.
Afterwards, they took us to a restaurant located on the edge of the lake. We drove the boat up to the restaurant's dock, parked, and walked in. A few of restaurants and coffee shops like that here. Pretty cool.
No other new updates in my life. I hope everyone had an awesome Labor Day, not laboring.
Love ya and missing everyone. Click to see Labor Day Pics.
Leona
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Back in Austin
This is a VERY LATE blog I drafted, but forgot to send. ooops. Be on the look out for more late blogs. :-) (sheepish grin)
Hello again.
I'm back in Austin, TX. I made it safely. I stopped at Branson, MO for a couple days to visit my friend Vicky that I met in Seattle last year. Since she's from Branson, I got a personal tour of Branson. We went to a show called "Dixie Stampede" with singing and horse riding performances. Dolly Parton started it in Tennessee at Dollywood. We also went to an attraction park called "Silver Dollar City" with craftsmen making basket, glass blowing, candy, candles, etc., AND (most importantly) there were a lot of water rides to cool off with. :-)
Later, we went to a Go-Kart park, and rode go-carts with my friend's grandkids. It was so much fun. Drive figure 8's 3 stories up, and come back down for 15 mintues. (pictures will explain it all) Vicky's brother also owns a pizza parlor just north of Branson. She has been talking about her brother's restaurant for so long that I had to taste his pizza. VERY GOOD, but hard to find if you're not a local.
I started off for Austin on Wednesday, stopped in Little Rock, AR, and then made it into Austin today, this afternoon. I'm staying with a couple of friends for the night before I can move into my apartment. I'll send pictures of my latest travel once I have them downloaded.
Leona
Hello again.
I'm back in Austin, TX. I made it safely. I stopped at Branson, MO for a couple days to visit my friend Vicky that I met in Seattle last year. Since she's from Branson, I got a personal tour of Branson. We went to a show called "Dixie Stampede" with singing and horse riding performances. Dolly Parton started it in Tennessee at Dollywood. We also went to an attraction park called "Silver Dollar City" with craftsmen making basket, glass blowing, candy, candles, etc., AND (most importantly) there were a lot of water rides to cool off with. :-)
Later, we went to a Go-Kart park, and rode go-carts with my friend's grandkids. It was so much fun. Drive figure 8's 3 stories up, and come back down for 15 mintues. (pictures will explain it all) Vicky's brother also owns a pizza parlor just north of Branson. She has been talking about her brother's restaurant for so long that I had to taste his pizza. VERY GOOD, but hard to find if you're not a local.
I started off for Austin on Wednesday, stopped in Little Rock, AR, and then made it into Austin today, this afternoon. I'm staying with a couple of friends for the night before I can move into my apartment. I'll send pictures of my latest travel once I have them downloaded.
Leona
Monday, August 06, 2007
Downtown St Louis
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Downtown St Louis (1 album) | | I took one last trip around St Louis Downtown. Here's my last sightseeing trip in St Louis before leaving. Anyone eager to come to St Louis and check it out for yourself yet? - Leona Sign-in and be rewarded! Sign-in before the slideshow and get a special offer at the end! Not a member yet? | |||||||||||||||||
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| If you can't see the pictures in this email, click here to see it in a web browser: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=arh5lzo3.3sl7sxa7&x=1&y=-q6uef3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Back to Austin I go.
Hello again, all.
My assignment ended this past week, and I'm packed and ready to go back to Austin, TX. There wasn't an assignment available for me, and Austin was an "If all else fails" option. I have my license in Texas, and a great rapport with the hospital I worked at. I'm also considering settling in that area, and travel from that point. Maybe. I do miss my friends there, and I can still tour some areas that I missed before I left. Traveling the way I have has taken it's toll since I don't have some anchor in a city. I love San Diego, and I miss everyone there, but it's the most southwest point in the country (and expensive to live there). I use my parents' address for my mail, but other than that, I technically have no "home". A transient nurse. Austin is more centralized than San Diego, and I don't have to live in snow for the winter (just heat and humidity). I still have hills to hike (and maybe bike), and Town Lake and Austin Lake may not be the Pacific Ocean, but it'll do.
I have a week to kill before my apartment in Austin is ready, so I'm leaving today for Branson, MO for a couple days, and then I make my way to Austin via Little Rock, AR. I should be in Austin by Thursday late afternoon or early evening. I'll stay at a friend's house that night before heading to my apartment on Friday.
Of course, with a week off, I went to visit my dad's side of the family in Michigan this past weekend, and found out a lot from them and my dad, and also where he gets his "quirkiness" from. It's a hereditary thing. I also got to visit my great aunt Irene (my grandfather's sister). She's a feisty and funny lady. Though she may have Alzheimers, she's still has a quick wit. I also met a lot of my dad's cousins. I miss them already.
I'll stay in touch with everyone. If there are any changes on my end or any adventures, I'll share them with you. After my trip to Branson and Little Rock, I'm going into settling mode and won't be traveling for a while until the Lord says it's time to go back out. It's been fun. I enjoyed visiting my family and hopefully will be able to go to the east coast later. I hope everyone enjoyed the pictures and e-mails I sent of where I've been. It was fun to share it with you.
It's not over yet. Just a break.
Leona
My assignment ended this past week, and I'm packed and ready to go back to Austin, TX. There wasn't an assignment available for me, and Austin was an "If all else fails" option. I have my license in Texas, and a great rapport with the hospital I worked at. I'm also considering settling in that area, and travel from that point. Maybe. I do miss my friends there, and I can still tour some areas that I missed before I left. Traveling the way I have has taken it's toll since I don't have some anchor in a city. I love San Diego, and I miss everyone there, but it's the most southwest point in the country (and expensive to live there). I use my parents' address for my mail, but other than that, I technically have no "home". A transient nurse. Austin is more centralized than San Diego, and I don't have to live in snow for the winter (just heat and humidity). I still have hills to hike (and maybe bike), and Town Lake and Austin Lake may not be the Pacific Ocean, but it'll do.
I have a week to kill before my apartment in Austin is ready, so I'm leaving today for Branson, MO for a couple days, and then I make my way to Austin via Little Rock, AR. I should be in Austin by Thursday late afternoon or early evening. I'll stay at a friend's house that night before heading to my apartment on Friday.
Of course, with a week off, I went to visit my dad's side of the family in Michigan this past weekend, and found out a lot from them and my dad, and also where he gets his "quirkiness" from. It's a hereditary thing. I also got to visit my great aunt Irene (my grandfather's sister). She's a feisty and funny lady. Though she may have Alzheimers, she's still has a quick wit. I also met a lot of my dad's cousins. I miss them already.
I'll stay in touch with everyone. If there are any changes on my end or any adventures, I'll share them with you. After my trip to Branson and Little Rock, I'm going into settling mode and won't be traveling for a while until the Lord says it's time to go back out. It's been fun. I enjoyed visiting my family and hopefully will be able to go to the east coast later. I hope everyone enjoyed the pictures and e-mails I sent of where I've been. It was fun to share it with you.
It's not over yet. Just a break.
Leona
MO Botanical Garden Pictures
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Missouri Botanical Garden (1 album) | | Here are the pics I promised. Enjoy Leona - Leona Sign-in and be rewarded! Sign-in before the slideshow and get a special offer at the end! Not a member yet? | |||||||||||||||||
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| If you can't see the pictures in this email, click here to see it in a web browser: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=arh5lzo3.2zbx8zan&x=1&y=rk3gu2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Sunday, July 22, 2007
Missouri Botanical Gardens
(This blog was started on my birthday, but I didn't get to finish until now. Sorry)
Hello, all.
Happy Birthday to me!! This Thurs (7/19th) was my birthday, so for this birthday weekend, I went to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Really beautiful. It has multiple gardens, in different forms and culture themes. There's a dome-like warehouse that houses plants from the rainforest, and waterfalls set around the area. They also have a large beautiful Japanese garden, larger than the Japanese Garden at Balboa Park. This weekend must be a busy wedding weekend for the Botanical Garden. I saw 3 different weddings set up for the weekend. It would be nice to marry with a garden as your background. I'll send pictures to you soon.
The end of my assignment is coming fast, so I'll be touring one last time around St Louis.
Leona
Hello, all.
Happy Birthday to me!! This Thurs (7/19th) was my birthday, so for this birthday weekend, I went to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Really beautiful. It has multiple gardens, in different forms and culture themes. There's a dome-like warehouse that houses plants from the rainforest, and waterfalls set around the area. They also have a large beautiful Japanese garden, larger than the Japanese Garden at Balboa Park. This weekend must be a busy wedding weekend for the Botanical Garden. I saw 3 different weddings set up for the weekend. It would be nice to marry with a garden as your background. I'll send pictures to you soon.
The end of my assignment is coming fast, so I'll be touring one last time around St Louis.
Leona
Monday, July 16, 2007
Heritage Day Pics
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Heritage day pics (1 album) | | They may be boring to some, but like I've always said, I LOVE history. Never boring to me. Enjoy. Leona - Leona Sign-in and be rewarded! Sign-in before the slideshow and get a special offer at the end! Not a member yet? | |||||||||||||||||
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| If you can't see the pictures in this email, click here to see it in a web browser: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=arh5lzo3.58kcvupb&x=1&y=-351fjw | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Questions? Visit http://www.kodakgallery.com/Help.jsp. |
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