Day 1 of 72

I arrived yesterday May 27, 2009 at 5:54 p.m. – at least that’s what the clock said when I had a chance to glance at it in baggage claim. JoVeta said she would meet me at baggage claim so I had a bit of a panic when I did not see her. I knew I had told her that my flight would be in at 5:40 and I figured she would ere on the side of early. Maybe, I thought, she gave up on me and left. It’s 6:00 and that’s 20 minutes late. Nope. That was out of the question. Someone like JoVeta would wait until doomsday for me… or more likely would call me to see where I was. I stared at a woman hungrily and then thought better of it. She looked too mean to be JoVeta. As the panic took over I realized I didn’t even have JoVeta’s cell phone. So I resorted to calling my parents. Of course I couldn’t find any writing utensil. When I finally found a pencil and scrap of paper, she pulled up and waved just as I was writing down her home number. Great! I thought. Thanks anyway dad… I love you… Bye. I walked out into the freezing cold that Professor Feenstra described would be one word…. HOT and was quite comforted by the fact I had worn a sweatshirt. JoVeta popped out and I thought… well she doesn’t look anything like I imagined (imagining a tiny matron similar to Beth Gordon). She’s certainly not tiny! I hope she’s nice. I hauled my heavy luggage into the car blaming my mother for its bulk just as she said I should do.

Inside the car, JoVeta anxiously asked if I had been waiting long. In fact, it was just ten short minutes ago that I had made my nervous entrance into the baggage claim so I reassured her about my wait. She went on to explain there had been a terrible car crash in which a 28 year old women had died. I was shocked into silence. It isn’t every day a mother of a 1 year old and 3 month baby dies. JoVeta then began the long questioning. I answered everything as best as I could. She tried to pin me down for a choice on dinner… whereupon I assured her that I was anything but decisive. She could pick any restaurant and as long as I didn’t have to eat octopus I wouldn’t complain. I forgot about the 1 hour time change so even though I was nervous, I was actually pretty hungry. We dined at Abuelos because it had the least amount of cars in the parking lot. It was a nice Mexican restaurant. I settled on the appetizer of quesadillas because they were cheap, more than enough to eat, and yummy. J Once we got home, I was WIPED OUT – what with catching a deathly cold right before I left. The freezing cold airplane did nothing to help. So after calling the p’s again and taking a steamy shower, I conked out at 9:15 (it felt like 10:15 what with the time change and all).

Today May 28, 2009. After a feverish night of sleep, I awoke at 6:45 am (groan). Leave it to me to get deathly sick right before my summer internship. Mass was at 8:00 so we had to leave at 7:40, but since I was awake I might as well have some quiet time. I rolled out of bed, grabbed my bible, and pleaded with God for survival skills. Well, really I pleaded for strength and joy. I stayed in the Adoration chapel instead of going to Mass. I figured I would have an hour of quiet time which seems like a luxury. Of course, when you’re deathly ill and trying not to disturb your neighbor in the adoration chapel by coughing or sneezing it can be rather torturous. Thankfully, mass turned out to be only a half hour. Then JoVeta and I had a meeting with other parish nurses and community workers. Normally someone from the community comes in and updates the ladies on what’s going on, but today JoVeta wanted it to be informal so I could meet people. It was quite nice although I did get lost in some of the conversation.

I carry a lot of things for JoVeta because I found out she’s diabetic and has fibromyalgia. I’m pretty sure that before the end of this internship, she will be utilizing my sweet backrub skills. Anyway, her medical conditions explain why she’s not tiny. Don’t think I’m saying this to sound mean. I am always curious if people have an explainable reason for their weight. I’m a detail oriented person who likes figuring out what makes people tick.

Anyway, I had chicken and rice soup for lunch. It was the most I could manage and absolute comfort food. Then I relaxed and read until 2:30 when we had to go for a TRIAD meeting. The meeting was absolutely fascinating. It’s a combination of law enforcement, nurses, bankers, and other people in the community committed to protecting the elderly from elder abuse. Bubs… the police speaker for the day discussed financial fraud. It made me so angry I thought I would whop someone. Not only do people take advantage of the vulnerable older adults, but they also use homeless people and drug addicts to do their dirty work. ARGH! Sometimes it seems like there’s too much to combat in this world. Already there are so many things that I want to do and yet I am so unsure of how much I will be called to do. I can only do what God has planned for me. This I know. Let’s just say I hope he has BIG plans. Even better, I don’t have to hope… I KNOW he does. (ACHOO – scuse me… ugh I haven’t had a cold for at least a year).

Anyway (you’re going to be counting how many times I use this word to keep myself on track) it’s been a long, busy day and again I am worn out. I plan to do all that I can to help JoVeta get ready/help her avoid carrying heavy objects. Unfortunately I read through all four books that I brought already. Fortunately, a) more are coming in the mail b) JoVeta has quite a collection c) there are books online d) there is plenty for me to do besides read e) I will most likely re-read all four books at least 3 more times. Sorry, this has nothing to do with my internship… only with bookwormish me. Anyway, I need to quick write up the Thursday email and attach this link.

Much love,
Your exhausted sister
Katie