I've Been Livin' Outta This Here Suitcase For Way Too Long*

Pretty much packed.

The last few days have not involved a lot of sleep, but have involved me wrestling with many bags and suitcases. My last shift as a nurse was a pretty quiet one, but a nice one.  It was one of those days where nothing really bad or sad happened, no one yelled profanities at me, I didn't end up sprayed in a bodily fluid.

Just another day in the ED, running with crash
carts and IV poles.

Returned back to the house, finished packing and organizing. The morning was hectic and I was tired as hell. The long and many hours of hospital work this summer seemed to really catch up with me the last few days. I went through the usual cycles of hating my belongings "how come I have so much stuff??" feeling nostalgic about the place I am leaving "why do I always seem to be leaving great people and places??", excited about where I am going "can't wait to see Tobie, can't WAIT to see Tobie", and then just pure limp exhaustion.

Left early for Alberta, but had a long delay in Vancouver so I treated myself to a 10 min neck massage (best airport store idea EVER) and bought Tobie's birthday present.
Arrived back in Edmonton and have basically been unpacking, repacking, organizing, doing last minute errands (buying new runners, internet cables, international drivers license, etc.) Last night a dinner and night out with some very very near and dear friends. Ate at one of my favorite restaurants (hello bison short ribs, where have you been all    my life??) and then pints at a casual pub. The girls are good, so good to see.

And finally getting to see my family. My beautiful nieces and nephews who really just continue to amaze me with their intelligence, humor, talents, and cuteness (naturally). We had a delicious feast which included some nice cuts of meat that ye olde student will not be enjoying again for some time, a seriously 5 star home made birthday cake, gnom, gnom, gnom, and bubbly.


Tomorrow some very very last minute purchases to make, one last great pack/re-pack and then it is off to the airport and direct to Heathrow. A painfully long 3.5h layover and then to Ireland.

Year 2. Bring it.

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*A line from one of my favorite Ray LaMontagne songs, Jolene.