2012 WordCount Blogathon

I decided to sign up for something called the 2012 WordCount Blogathon that starts May 1st.  Rules are you have to post a blog at least once a day for an entire month. 

I may not have the most ingenious of posts, but I hope to keep up with it and post something everyday! 

On a different subject, I volunteered again today.  While I still don't have computer access (last week the guy didn't feel like doing it and this week I show up only to find out I didn't have all the necessary documents), I was still able to help format a newsletter and even compile a spreadsheet for a compliance issue.  It was fun doing real work for once.

Another side note: Little Baby A punched and kicked at my insides for FIVE HOURS STRAIGHT last night from 8pm to 1am.  I was in tears and tried everything I could think of to calm her down or at least make myself comfortable so I could go to sleep.  An no - I had not had one drop of caffeine (not even one snid-bit chocolate!).  Any advice on what to do next time would be much appreciated. 

Counting My Blessings

Don't get me wrong, I still hate Italy. BUT, in the midst of wishing and wanting things to be different, I was able to come up with a few things that I do appreciate having here!

1. Library - I'm a book nerd at heart and having the libary on base has been wonderful

2. Burger King - with the chocolate shakes that I LOVE

3. Movie Theater - popcorn is amazing there and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to watch a movie and buy snacks

4. American "comfort" food at the PX - what would I do without my favorite box Kraft Mac'n'cheese?!?!

5. American Red Cross - I start volunteering this coming Wednesday and can't wait to finally get back into doing something with my time again

6. Jobs openings - they are few and far between but they still exist!

Excitement for First Day

Wednesday is my first real day working as a volunteer for the Red Cross at the health center (pictured). I can't wait! I'm so excited.

Main dilemma is what to wear?! Good thing the weather is warming up here so I can pull out my summer CAbi clothes that fit this prego belly. Very few of my other professional clothes fit other than my CAbi shirts and skirts. Go figure. I knew I liked that clothing brand for a reason!

If I can muster up the energy for it, I might be volunteering every week day until we go on vacation (to home!) for block leave. The main person is leaving sometime soon and I need to learn as much as I can before she leaves. Right now we have no idea who is going to fill her spot.

Picture Source

Death by Power Point

Today was the 2nd day of clinical orientation, and in typical Army fashion, we were stuffed in a small room like sausages and brainwashed with power point after power point. I could literally feel brain cells being slowly sucked out of me. To bad it wasn't by one of the Twilight characters. Oh well...a girl can dream.

Good news, I have a volunteer role now! At first I was going to help with hospital administration, but today I got switched to education because the need was greater there. I'm stoked. Education and in-processing for all our the new employees and volunteers gives me the chance to get to know a lot of people (especially the big-wigs), as well as learn the inner workings of the health center.

As part of the orientation, we got to tour the whole building including the birthing center. I was a little freaked out when they said they can only handle two women in labor and anyone else that comes in has to get sent to San Bartolo Hospital. I'd rather have my baby in the middle of a deserted field with no help and no epidural, than be forced to go to the Italian hospital.

Anyways, the birthing center was pretty cool. The rooms are nice and "homey," or as much as a hospital-type room can be. There is a bed for the husband to sleep on, and the place was really calm and quiet. There were no screaming women so hopefully it means the docs and nurses know how to manage our pain well!

Friday I go in for all my immunizations. Hopefully, I won't need to many of them. I don't want to be sick when my hubby comes home!

Happy Hump Day.

American Red Cross: Day 1

I haven't finished all the in-processing to become an official volunteer with the cool badge and vest, but I was able to go to my first staff meeting this morning, and hang around for the mass casualty training brief. Next up I have clinic orientation, HIPPA, and immunizations. But it's all good. Can't wait to start for real. Then I'll actually have something to do here. Whew.

Was talking to another volunteer wife and soon to be first time mom. It is so great to meet women who are in a similar situation as me (prego, bored, trying to give this place a positive go). She is a nurse, but is going to volunteer so she has something to do during her week, because the clinic has no job openings for nurses...or so they "say." Apparently they reserve nursing jobs for docs wives. You wouldn't think the doc's wives need to work, but a lot of them are nurses and they get jobs right away it seems. Sucks for the rest of us, but oh well. Life isn't fair.

On a positive note, I've gained a pound! Or so the scale says, and it makes me so happy! Docs gave me more anti-nausea meds and they worked and helped me avoid paying homage to the porcelain last night. I have my fingers crossed for good luck tonight.

Projects

Unfortunately, one of the norms here in Italy is seeing my hubby off for training in other parts of Europe and such. I absolutely hate being apart from my hubby even if it is only for a few weeks at a time.

According to the veterans of military wives and one of my sisters, projects (and lots of them) are my biggest key to staying sane! So I’m racking up a list. On my list is “start volunteering for the American Red Cross.” I love that I’ll be able to volunteer as many days as I want and pretty much set my own hours…as they take anything they can get.

With my non-clinical healthcare background, I’m slated to work in the clinic. Can’t wait! So what did this silly girl do in preparation? I ordered a pair of pants just for the occasion! Of course I’ll have to buy a few more (none of my dress pants fit at the moment), but one pair will get me through till we visit home and I can shop in real stores. I’ve never ordered pants online so this was a scary first.

Now I’d better scoot off here and start completing all my online orientation classes.