The reflecting. Part 1.

I'm back. It's safe to say that my lack of blogging is directly related to all the fun I've been having, but I plan to make a valiant effort to regularly record the amazing experiences that go along with traveling the country and delivering babies. So to catch up, here is what I didn't document:

• Angels vs Dodgers in the MLB play-offs
• Craig's for dinner, first round of celebrity sightings (Craig Robinson, Mike O'Malley, Jeff Ross), and an impressive car accident
• My sister came for a visit!!
• Ferris Bueller's Day Off on the Santa Monica Pier
• Exploring and astonishment of Beverly Hills
• Watching football and teaching those around us what they need to know about college football before Julia left
• Manhattan Beach Pier lighting for Christmas (they pretend they have seasons)
• Thanksgiving in Venice Beach with Cousin Brooke's awesome family (how lucky am I that they came here?!?)
• A really sweet, appreciative send-off from possibly the most challenging assignment I'll have

After finishing my first assignment, I was sure I could handle almost any situation given to me. I thought I was confident in my skills before this, but God knew how far to push me without causing me to doubt myself. There were times when I had 2 active laboring patients who both needed attention without the advantage of a supportive charge nurse while all of my fellow nurses were either in the OR or attending to their own patients but always able to lend a hand. The other nurses are 100% what upheld me during this experience and I am so thankful for them and their assistance and education. I also gained some great friends from this assignment! The end of this assignment brought me to Christmas and a much needed trip home.

I have some amazing friends and family who took time to catch up and hang out with me, and I'm so glad they did! I definitely wouldn't have the confidence to continue this adventure if it wasn't for the support and some serious encouragement from my family (friends included in that category). I also got to see my B'wood coworkers and it felt so good.