On my mind: Taking the time to really care for another human.
I just completed my fourth week at the clinic here in Salt Lake City. It’s been a real treat for socially anxious, introverted little me, to take a good chunk of time out of my day and just listen to someone else talk about what’s going on in their life, with their eyes. Being able to dedicate my schooling and three hard years of learning to actually helping(!) someone, is an incredible thing. In school, I’m usually so selfish, 100% in self-preservation mode. Here, I get to chat with people and find out all sorts of things (like the story of the firefighter who doesn’t like to slide down the pole). In between problems of dry eye, haloes, and even things like visions of mysterious shadows, I get snippets of the wonderful lives people lead/have led. I’m not just treating eye disease, I’m treating people.
On my mind: “They say when a parent dies, a child feels his own mortality, but when a child dies, it’s immortality that a parent loses.”
Constance Langdon from American Horror Story… American Netflix, amiright?
I’ve been devouring this show since I crossed the border, and never have I heard a quote that so succinctly describes my feelings on death.
On my mind: Life in Salt Lake City.
I’ve been to a tulip festival, indulged in the sunshine and patios, enjoyed a few hikes, found a good local pub a short walk from home… and there is still so much to do! Mostly, there are a lot of restaurants I need to try, but still… my SLC bucket list keeps growing.
Other than that, I’ve been demolishing books, writing/editing/writing, taking care of myself, and learning as much as I can about ocular disease; each passing day is a reminder of how little I know!
On my mind: What I’m missing at home…
Between my parents’ new puppy and my beautiful and every-changing niece, missing the goings on at home is pretty much a constant. I miss my grandparents on a daily basis. And while, now, after 4.5 years of long distance, I’m more or less accustomed to being away from my guy, it never gets easier. I can’t believe I’m in the last year away from him and everyone else at home. Soon, I’ll have cozy roots and be able to have dance parties with my niece. She’ll be walking soon, after all.
On my mind: Upcoming travel plans…
I still have a few things to confirm for my bigger trips, but here’s what I can tell you: While I’m here I’ll be heading to Las Vegas, to Portland, Oregon, and tomorrow, I’m going on a wee road trip! Can’t wait to hit the dusty trail.
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What’s on your mind lately?