SoCal.

Mission calls really do come!

California Los Angeles Mission

Spanish speaking.

Mexico MTC.

Leaving July 23, 2014.

I wouldn't have chosen this mission for myself, but the more I learn about the California Los Angeles Mission, the more convinced I am that it's the perfect mission for me. I AM SO EXCITED I CANNOT EVEN TELL YOU.


Here are some things I cannot wait for:


I adore Spanish..

LOS ANGELES.

I will teach and learn from people all over the world.

And not just investigators - my mission teaches in eight languages and has missionaries serving from over 25 countries.

I will get to simplify my life and just focus on the people I meet, my spirituality and missionary work for 18 months. 

SoCal 100% fits my personality.

Apparently, sixty degrees is considered cold. No more Iowa winters. Goodbye wearing seven layers of clothing and still being freezing!

Maybe I'll just move there post-mission?

I cannot stress enough how happy I am to be serving in a warm climate.

...and way more things


I am GOING ON A MISSION. Can you believe it?

estoy practicando mi español

en específica, mi español médico

ahora, sé las palabras:

/ tener tos

/ las gotas

/ escalofrios

/ el mentón

/ tener manreos

/ la ceja

/ tener ansiedad

/ senale

/ ¡y más!

ER Stories 3: DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)

Note: These posts are intentionally vague (with no names, ages, or dates) so as to protect patient confidentiality. These stories are random and their publication dates have no correlation to the dates they occurred.

This is a sad story and it is difficult to tell, as I want to approach the subject with respect.

The first time I saw someone die was in the Emergency Room.

She was an older patient with a preexisting condition. Her family expected her to pass away soon, but her husband did not want to sign the paperwork to make his wife a "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR for short.).

If a DNR patient's heart stops, we don't attempt CPR.

...............

Before this day, I had never understood why anyone would want to make themselves or their loved ones a DNR. In my uninformed mind it seemed like giving up; and giving up seemed weak.

.........................

The patient came into the Emergency Room as a CPR in progress; the ambulance had already started chest compressions.

classic monday moment

I arrived at work last night to the loud and high-pitched squealing of the hospital's fire alarm system.

The elevators are off-limits during a fire or fire drill.

Guess who works on the sixth floor?

Happy Monday to me.

that feeling of waiting for one's mission call

I mean it is mostly : 

but there is a little bit of....

Okay, there's a lot of it.

But I'm keeping a happy face on while I excitedly [and anxiously] wait.

Next: Mission calls really do come!

march 21st: World Down Syndrome Day

 

http://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/

ecuador archives: un poco del fútbol

place: Puerto Quito, Ecuador
              my front yard

who: my [host] cousin

ER Stories 2: It's a Boy!

Before I worked as an ER Tech in the States, I worked as a CNA in a little clinic in Puerto Quito, Ecuador.

We have a small Emergency Room and I got a lot of hands-on experience with the burning, the broken and the bleeding (and I loved it).

...........................

In this little clinic, we have a small room dedicated to giving birth. I knew about it, but in the six months I had been working at Patronato, we had never used it.

On February 7, 2013 I came into work to find that little room occupied by a doctor, nurse and mother in labor.

Um, what?

I stood outside the door for five minutes wondering if it was appropriate to knock on the door and ask to help. I tend to over think things. I finally decided it was an opportunity I could not pass up, and knocked.

"¿Quién es?" I recognized Dr. Rios' voice. "Sydni," I replied and he immediately opened the door, welcoming me inside; but not before he instructed me to scrub in.

reasons i would(n't) make a good mother

PLUS TEN MOMMY POINTS: I would make a good mother because this mom who makes her daughter paper dresses is my idol & I do believe I could make a mean paper dress.

MINUS FIFTY MOMMY POINTS: I think this baby meme is hilarious and would be excited if my child starred in one.

PLUS TWENTY-FIVE MOMMY POINTS: Kids are kind of hilarious. 

MINUS FIFTEEN MOMMY POINTS: I teach six three-year-olds for an hour a week in Sunday school & that is exhausting enough.

MINUS ONE HUNDRED MOMMY POINTS: I read this Buzzfeed article and I believe it.

I'm just thinking the being a mommy thing isn't my thing right now.

selfie sunday.

ER Stories 1: Ruptured Achilles Tendon

Note: These posts are intentionally vague (with no names, ages, or dates) so as to protect patient confidentiality. These stories are random and their publication dates have no correlation to the dates they occurred.

1. Healthy Male Patient in his twenties presents to the ER with ankle pain.

Patient was playing basketball and reported he felt a snap followed by severe ankle pain.

Not the most exciting story ever; it's the diagnosis that is fascinating.

And the diagnosis isssss....

Mr. Healthy Male Patient ruptured his Achilles Tendon.

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/achilles-tendon-rupture

"WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH MY LIFE?!" -liz lemon

http://www.buzzfeed.com/krystieyandoli/times-liz-lemon-said-what-youre-actually-thinkin

(Twenty-three Times Liz Lemon Said What You're Actually Thinking)

“I pretty much just do whatever Oprah tells me to.”

Strength (poem)

This is the first poem I have ever written. I dedicate it to my mom, who is the strongest person I know.

Россия

I'm learning Russian.

(Well... I'm trying to learn Russian.)

WHY?

Wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll.

My family

is

moving

to 

Россия.

(AKA

RUSSIA).

Crazy, right?

new hair.

things are happening [red cross]

I joined my local chapter of the Red Cross!

I feel so much more justified in taking photos with my friend/coworker of us wearing the leftover Red Cross shirts from our clinic.

P.S. I am a Disaster Recovery Specialist/ShelterSurveyor.

"Feminism is Having a Wardrobe Malfunction" by Megan Rosalarian Gedris

 

-  http://rosalarian.tumblr.com/post/78124344560/feminism-is-having-a-wardrobe-malfunction-does

I LOVE this cartoon...

I think feminism should be about allowing women to have the space and ability in society to do whatever they want to do in their life.

I do not think feminism should be about flip-flopping from women being expected to cook, clean and care for kids in the home and being judged for leaving the home to work to expecting women to work outside the home and judging them when they choose to stay at home. This applies to every choice a woman makes in her life -- her clothes, her career, family planning, etc. 

If we combat societal expectations with more societal expectations, we are not solving the problem.

Drumroll, Please.

I've turned in my mission papers.

Lots of emotions.. mostly positive ones.

Here are some Mormon Hey Girl memes to celebrate:

Next: that feeling of waiting for one's mission call