"Hey watch out!"

I've already been here for 3 weeks, and it's gone by so quickly already! I'm learning a lot and am enjoying my experience thus far. I've had the opportunity to work with the ID population (intellectually disabled) and have also dabbled in some experience with eating disorders as well, not me personally. It's been a bit of a challenge, especially with the ID folks, but so far I'm enjoying it. I've found that sometimes I wish I had the child-like mentality that they do; they likely don't understand what's going on with them, but more often than not they're smiling, being friendly and constantly having the staff in stitches while they're laughing too. I distinctly am enjoying one case in particular where every thing that's funny is as if it's the funniest thing in the entire world; I'm talking about the slightly dramatic, head thrown back and audible laughing. Thinking about it right now is making me smile. Granted, I've also had to really exercise patience and at times put on my best "mom voice," even though I'm not a parent, mostly in regards to putting an end to the sometimes exhaustive play-by-plays.

As for my free time, I'm still getting to know this large city. I made a few friends from orientation (fellow travel nurses) and have been hanging out with one a few times. A few weeks ago we had dinner at a pub by the hospital. Last week we ventured off to a pumpkin patch and a corn maze, and we discovered the $1 therapy of shooting ears of corn into this Mythbusters like beat up car and trash cans, some decorated with yellow splats of paint due to an adjacent paint ball course. After the corn maze we ate dinner at a nearby restaurant, just in time for happy hour! We each ordered an adult beverage and they brought us out two (I barely finished one of mine.) Other than that I've been enjoying my quiet time and binge watching ER again! And this upcoming Saturday I'll be going to my first (and possibly ever) NCAA Football game as the Hawkeyes take on none other than Ohio State. I'll be sitting on the Iowa side, so hopefully I won't get any flack from my OSU adoring family. All I can say is may the best team win! After that I'll actually be at home for the weekend, next weekend that is, for Holly's bachelorette party weekend! Don't worry; nothing too crazy is going to go on. Nothing but a weekend in a gorgeous cabin in southern Kentucky, my sister and my best friend. Ahh, I can hardly wait. Not particularly enthused about my 6:30AM flight, but hey, it's worth it. Totally worth it! All I've got for now; have to work tomorrow!

Corn shooting taken by my friend Jenny :)