Paradise and water under the bridge.

Epic. That's the only word which can really describe exactly how the past two days have been for Eric and I. Epic.

A few years ago Eric embarked on a quest to 4x4 to the closed down Paradise Mine, located behind and above the town of Invermere. After years, literally, of researching and planning - we finally did it! We toodled around for the better part of the morning, thinking the worst we were going to encounter was this:

Pheasant/Quail/Whatchamacallit birds like these were everywhere! And wanted to walk SLOWLY in front of the truck.

Soon though, we were on to things like this:

"I spy with my little eye, something that is green!"

And then this:

Eric walking the trail to ensure its Jeep worthiness

When we got here, we were pretty sure we weren't going to make it to the mine without first each getting a new pair of undergarments. This was a leeedle-bit intense...

"Umm honey, we are above the tree line. And there is snow."

So we decided to turn around, thinking that we weren't going to find the mine on this trip.

Before I continue with this tale, I want to make it clear to everyone reading that we were following a trail and were NOT driving off of it. We packed out all of our garbage and even left the trail in better shape then when we originally drove through. Tread Lightly!

On our way back down the mountain we decided, on a whim, to try one more road which appeared to be heading in the general direction of the mine. We found this:

Old log cabin which had a stove and bed still inside.

Then we stopped here and walked around for a while as we girded our loins to go even further.

 Finally! After risking both swing arm and human arm, CV boot and my boot - we made it!

There aren't very many structures left standing, most of them burned down about 10 years ago. Also, an outfit which rents ATVs in the area has unfortunately allowed their patrons to go mudding and discard all sorts of quad plastics, broken brake light covers and even a few sparkplugs (?!?). Eric and I parked the truck and walked around the old site on foot, taking lots of pictures, admiring the wild life and wondering if the miners called this place Paradise because of its overwhelming beauty or a tongue-in-cheek comment on the incredibly rough conditions they would have endured daily.

On the way back to the villa, we stopped and dipped our hot feet in the Kootenay. The Jeep told us it wanted to get wet too; so we promised it a nice truck-wash when we got back to Calgary. Good job Jeep-Jeep!

For those interested in EXACTLY where we were, Eric has kindly made a map.

Epic.

Today we went for 16km canoe trip from Invermere to Radium on the Columbia river. There is not much to explain. There was a boy - and a girl - and a little canoe... I nearly burst into song there. The water was wet, the sky was blue and the weather was amazing. Here are a few pictures of our journey.

Eric looking smashing in his new hat (yes, I forgot to pack hats too).

Look at the size of that bird foot print! Great Blue Heron?

Yup, mighty fine two days we have had. Interspersed with plenty of relaxing! But, the bacon'n'beans are done cooking now and Eric looks ready to eat the table leg. I'll provide another update as soon as I can. Until then, my tip of the day is this: NEVER underestimate how deep you can sink in river mud. It will surprise you.

This little piggy went to market...

...this little piggy stayed home.
This little piggy had roast beef.
This little piggy had none.
and this little piggy went 'wee-wee-wee' all the way...on HOLIDAYS!

It's weird being just the two of us. We haven't been just the two of us for months, in fact, years. The condo is perfect, third floor on the end overlooking the hoodoos! Coffee is brewed and cinnamon buns are awaiting consumption. Plan for today is to relax and at some point head into Invermere to purchase the things I forgot to pack. Things like: deoderant, hairbrush and eggs. But don't worry, I remembered the important stuff; we both have pants!

I'll try and blog more regularly to let you all know how we are doing, in the meantime, my tip for the day is: Always carry an extra pair of gloves because you never know when it will be YOU doing the delivering...

I can't decide.

I can't decide which emotion this 'thing' invokes. Part of me is terrified of it (I mean, look at it!), the part of me wants to laugh hysterically (again, LOOK at it!) and the final part of me is impressed that someone would actually create such a thing. It's an otamatone - and it's weird. Check out the youtube video. For more information, check out the manufacturer's website here.

Stay tuned for further meaningful blog posts as I get my ducks in a row, cats in a line and dog in the bath.

:)

Life is grand.

start.

I was there this week for three new beginnings. Wide open eyes, unfocused and searching. Arms reaching, hands grasping and legs flutter-kicking. Two people looking at each other over a squirming, crying, angry wet baby.

"There is no word to describe how awesome you are"

"He is so perfect!"

"I love you"

"You're finally here. We did it, I did it"

As quietly as we can, we move through the room; not daring to disturb this sacred moment. We use dad's unattended camera to take a few pictures. They will see them later. The first moments of a new beginning.

"She knows your voice, watch how she turns her head towards you."

"Really?"

"Really. She has been listening to the two of you for the last nine months"

I stand for 12 hours every shift, have used my shoulder to brace a woman's foot as she pushed for 3 hours, ran for countless towels, blankets, cool cloths and warm cloths. I have charted until I thought I would lose my mind...then tried to count a fetal heart rate during labour and I knew I lost my mind (you try counting 180 bpm between contractions!). I have knocked over a stand of birthing balls, been lost trying to find the staff lounge and nearly contaminated a sterile field (I've only been to the OR once before). Listening. Counting. Accel or Decel? ROA or shoulder dystocia? Dilation and effacement, SRM, SVB, PNOB, LSCS...Oh not another acronym please!

I get home and I have blood on my shoe, my ankles are swollen, my hands are dry and cracked, I haven't used the bathroom in 8 hours and I didn't eat supper. My shoulders are killing me and I don't know 1/10 of what I need to know yet...but all I can really think about are those beginnings and how this is SO worth it.

Wa-la-wa-la-wa-luigi...

So I think I may have found a new song for Eric and I. Eric found it and immediately thought of me - probably because I am such a nerd - and I love it! It's by an independent artist named Sam Hart and the title of the song is "Mario Kart Love Song". To listen to the full song, you can check out the YouTube video here (I personally totally dig the yarn mustache!). Otherwise, I have reposted the lyrics for those who want to really read it over, you know, fur the full awesome effect.

---------------------------
Mario Kart Love Song

You be my princess
And I'll be your toad
I'll follow behind you
On rainbow road
Protect you from red shells
Wherever we go
I promise.

No one will touch us
If we pick up a star
And if you spin out
You can ride in my car
When we slide together
We generate sparks
In our wheels and our hearts

The finish line
Is just around the bend
I'll pause this game
So our love will never end
Let's go again

The blue shell is coming
So I'll go ahead
If you hang behind
It'll hit me instead
But never look back
Cause I'm down but not dead
I'll catch up to you

Don't worry about
Bowser or DK
Just eat this glowing mushroom
And they'll all fade away

The finish line
Is just around the bend
I'll pause this game
So our love will never end
Let's go again

The finish line
Is just around the bend
I'll pause this game
So our love will never end
Let's go again

To the mushroom cup
And the flower cup
And the star cup
And the reverse cup
---------------------------

Honestly. This is the best. song. ever. Thank you Sam Hart for filling my heart with Mario Kart love!

I'm such a nerd.

Dorothy.

This picture is of the grain elevator in Dorothy, AB which I took this summer whilst on an adventure. I have always thought that grain elevators must be lonely. For the longest time they were the tallest thing on the prairies - towering above almost everything else. A landmark, a statement and a testament to the will of the people and industry.

I know that this is yet another emo blog entry in a string of emo blogs (well, let's be serious, my last entry was July!), but I gots to write how I feel and right now, I feel pretty darn emotional. I just finished clinical and can now claim that I have been with babes within hours of the start of their life and with adults within hours of the end of theirs. I have always felt that I had an old soul, but it seems it is possible that my soul has aged even further. I feel enriched, but I also feel I gave a part of myself away - and I am all right with that. I was supposed too.

Just a lot to think about, and think I shall while I am knitting. For the third year in a row I am starting a scarf for my beloved. Hopefully this year I will finally finish, I feel more confident now that I have figured out the secret of keeping the edges from curling (thanks Grandma!).

With that final thought, I tip my hand to the world and say good night, fare thee well and I will greet you with a smile in the morning.

Inferno.

I'm rip roaring mad. Spitting nails angry actually. Check out this link to read an article in the Cochrane Eagle which discusses the new Code of Conduct created by Alberta Health Services.

Being a critical consumer of media (which in this age is mandatory), I did not give this article much credence until I read the Code of Conduct myself. Although the document does cover some important topics, there are a number of things I am unimpressed with. The best example is p. 18 Examples of Inappropriate acts include:

"engaging in any conduct that may adversely affect Alberta Health Services or its reputation"

If you think they are just referring to getting drunk in your scrubs and posting pictures of it on Facebook; you're wrong. Page 16, paragraph one states "Public statements on behalf of Alberta Health Services are only to be made by a designated spokesperson" and paragraph two states "If you are approached by the news media to provide information and/or interviews concerning Alberta Health Service's practices or operations, immediately refer all such requests to the Communications Department". Now in the case of a sensationalized medical case, such as the current H1N1 Influenza outbreak at ACH, that makes some modicum of sense. But what about other issues? What about the issues which are inconvenient for politicians to deal with?

If you are interested in reading on, please visit the Code of Conduct here. I have to admit, I feel a bit like someone pulled the wool over my eyes. By working in the region, I believe even as a student, I must adhere to this document. Yet, nobody asked me. If I am a valued member of the team, then how come I can not speak up? Oh I know I can call their toll free number... but what happens if they do not listen? What about taking it to the media? What about taking it to the public? After all, this is public health care which, at least in my mind, equates to a publicly ran business. If you can not accept that, how about the fact that it is publicly funded? Hmmm...publicly ran...publicly funded... so why do we have censor what is said to the public?

I am a huge proponent of acknowledging strengths as well as weaknesses. In fact, I try to practice my life by countering every negative with a positive; but with recent changes to our health care, this is getting harder and harder to do. The basic human rights of Health Professionals in Alberta are being contravened by not allowing us our right to free speech. This document strikes me as something which could be considered unconstitutional. What do you think?