Red Flags

The storm warnings on every media outlet…

The closing of all NYC public schools…

Yes, there were several red flags that should have clued me into the fact that this Wednesday would be far worse than the average hump day.  But I’m never one to heed warning signs (that or I’m too dense optimistic to let them get to me…).

Exhibit A: Favorite stila eye shadow smashed to pieces

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This photo was not taken at the time of the crime (4:45 am) but rather at 8 pm, after I returned home from an insane 14 hour work day.

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So sad 🙁  The ONLY reason I didn’t cry when this happened was because it was before 5 am and my brain couldn’t process how devastating it actually was at the time.  It didn’t hurt that it was too dark to see what had fallen, either.

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Since I knew there was mayj blizzard action heading for the Big Apple, I packed lots of food…prepared for the worst (i.e. EVERY nurse calling in sick), but hoped for the best (i.e. a semi-normal patient load and subway commute) – I guess 1 out of 2 isn’t too bad though.  The subway commute is partially my own fault.  I mean, who leaves 10 minutes later than normal during the biggest snow storm of the season?  Again, red flags galore.

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Above is my fave Larabar (I say that about every single flavor though) and a corn/edamame salad with Bragg’s up the ying yang…which leads to another tragic situation that I should have seen as a warning sign.

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Empty!!  No, no, no.  This is all wrong.

Regardless of all the aforementioned issues, I made it to work on time (ok, I was still early), and before 8 inches of snow hit the pavement, too.

Work started off rocky.  I was pleased to find that only one other nurse called in sick, so I wasn’t too far behind in my work, but then a patient coded and the day really took a turn for the worse.  For the first time in my entire employment, I did not leave the hospital once during my entire shift.  Even on days I don’t get real lunch breaks, I ALWAYS make it a point to get outside at least once, even if it’s just to run across the street to Starbucks.  Today, not so much.

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I took this from a patient’s window with my bberry.  It was completely white due to all the snow whirling around at crazy speeds (wind like whoa!).  The pic doesn’t do it justice.  It was way more gorgeous in real life.  I know it may seem contradictory, but I actually LOVE snow.  As much as I b!tch about the weather on the East Coast, I really like it when it snows.  Somehow it makes the brrrrr worth it.  And it’s pretty.

So yeah.  Negative on the lunch break.

Instead, I sat across from a lady in the hospital’s excuse for a lobby and watched her chomp her way to the bone marrow of 5 chicken thighs…it was horrible.  I nearly gagged a few times.

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Fortunately, I had this foggy tupp full of yummy spinach, steamed asparagus, carrots, sweet taters, and raisins.  Fabulous!  Things were looking up again, and I headed back to work with a happy tummy, feeling totally recharged.

Things got hairy again around 4 pm when a crazy craaaaaaaaaaaazy patient was transferred to our unit.  He was CLEARLY still on drugs, and took over two hours in the bano to produce a “urine” specimen (I used quotations because I am 100% sure it was not his urine).  Five minutes after getting on the floor I found a urine sample in his pants pocket AND three loose unlabeled pills.  Who bring a urine sample INTO the hospital you ask?  People who are doped up and trying to get a negative tox screening (and thus be cleared for surgery).  The the pills mysteriously disappeared…and his story as to where they went was changing by the second.  Needless to say, he will NOT be going for surgery tomorrow morning.

So yeah.  My day was a doozy.  But then I got home to this:

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Greens.  Balls.  Sweet tots.  BBQ.  Jealous?

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Bow down.

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I carbed up din-din with bread lathered in hummus and sprinkled with nooch.

Given the day I had, dessert was a given.

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Currently I am decompressing with a fatty mug of Tazo chai tea and a crossword.

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Look closely, because clearly the world is trying to tell me something…

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Since my birthday is Oct. 23rd, I am going to take this to heart and be happy that I made it hope from work in one piece with all my patients alive.  Red flags be damned.  Ya dig?

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Comments (34)

  1. Jenna

    Great dinn to end the day

  2. Olga

    Sorry you had such a crazy day! At least you had a wonderful dinner 🙂

    Hope you get some rest…and less crazies…

  3. mayapamela

    I dig! This is take 2 of the snow for DC folks and it sucks! Grrr. Trying to make the best of it!

  4. The Foodie Diaries

    phew i wish i could’ve picked up some of your craziness to help a hermana out. i didn’t leave mi casa once today. it was glorious. notttt as glorious well-endowed (on the balls front) cena.

    oh F. i just realized i never emailed you back. i blow. on that ahora.

  5. Marina

    Not Stila’s kitten?! (That’s what it looks like to this makeup artist at least! lol) Yes, it is hard to cope so early in the morning. 🙁

  6. Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine

    The snow today was RIDICULOUS, wasn’t it?! I totally would have cried over that eyeshadow!

  7. Mama Pea

    I can really sense you TRYING to keep a positive attitude throughout it all and that is more beautiful than any eye shadow, chicken bone suckin’ or pill induced high!!!

    Keep that chin up, Lovey!

  8. molly @thevegandorm

    Wow what a crazy day! Glad you get to relax a little tonight!

  9. snackface

    I dig. What an extraordinarily taxing day! Taxing is an understatement, I’m sure.

    How do you feel when people with office jobs get “early release”? Little ridiculous? I dunno. I’m sure I’d love it if I were still working in an office.

    I love that crosswords relax you. They totally stress me out! Hahah.

    I hope you have a fabulous Thursday and that you make it through in one piece! xoxoxo

  10. Serena

    Phew! What a long day!
    At least you have your tasty eats to keep yourself company. 😀 I haven’t tried the corn/mame combo, but it looks delish! Do you buy them frozen or fresh?
    Hope you have a less stressful workday in the near future. 🙂

  11. julie

    ugh idk how you made it out alive 🙂 you’re a champ for sure to the zillionth degree

    take some time to rest today and i’m pretty sure you need to take a walk over to sephora to get some new eye shadow, then a quick stop at WF for some braggs. it will make you a happier camper 🙂

  12. Katie

    Yikes! That sound like s zoo! Goooood for you for still hanging on to the positive after a day like that. Stay warm today. 🙂

  13. Jessie (Vegan-minded)

    Phew, what a day! When I worked in the hospital, there would be days that were so busy that I could barely take a lunch break. I know how it feels to be “stuck” in there all day, it’s not fun at all! Beautiful scene from the window though, glad you made it home safely in that weather. 🙂

  14. Katie

    Mmm, I should take that advice too (I’m also a Libra)… seems to be the theme of the year thus far!

  15. prettyladycmu

    Unbelievable day!! I’m so glad you survived it though, and I hope today is much better. Can’t believe the crazy patient – what a mess 🙁

  16. Krissy

    OMG what a day you had. As a fellow RN I can TOTALLY relate – gotta love those 12hrs days when you’re so busy you forget to go to the washroom (LOL).
    I can’t believe you Bday is Oct 23 – that’s my Mom’s Bday and my FURBABY!!!xoxo

  17. Adam

    Ah well, i hope your Thursday turns out to be a little smoother and you get to see the sky at least once or twice… 🙂 That’s really weird about the pills… Wonder where they went? haha

  18. Jessica (jesslikesithot)

    Sooo i’ve been eating bowls of edamame + corn at my sorority house lately, and thanks to you!! When the options are lacking and I need a yummy, protein punch…i throw a bowl of that on the side of whatever else i’m having 🙂 been sprinkling it with red chili flakes lately and i…love….it! Unfortunately, they do not keep a BRAGGS stocked, so balsamic has made do!

  19. KathyR

    Well, if you had to be stuck inside, at least the weather had the decency to be snowy and horrid.

    Sheesh, what a day.

  20. samantha

    you made it out alive! and seriously, you are a dedicated nursie to go in for your patients.

    kudos on the positive attitude – it totally makes all (well not all, but a lot) of difference. hoping today is better for you.

  21. ksgoodeats

    I feel ya on the snow – it’s pretty but if I have to go out in it, ew. Glad you made it home to that mighty fine dinner! Balls, SP, BBQ sauce, and hummus can turn any day around.

  22. Run Sarah

    What an absolutely crazy day, wow. I hate not leaving the hospital for hours as well, I totally know what you mean — I think I’ve done a few 30 hours without leaving before and it’s just awful! I am also a Libra and should follow the horoscope’s advice, I was grumpy this AM after call towards a few people and I probably shouldn’t have been…time to rest and rejuvenate! Sleep makes everything better.

  23. schacalieu

    Wow! What a day that was! At least you got through it…and look, today was nice & sunny. 🙂

  24. Lara (Thinspired)

    Oh no! So sorry about the eyeshadow…guess that’s an excuse to go out and buy a brand-spankin’ new one, eh? 😉

    Nice combination with the raisins and sweet potato + asparagus! I bet that was so yummy. Need to try that one.

    Just got my first sample of Braggs Liquid Aminos. Not quite sure what to use it on! Stir-fry, maybe?

    Hope the weekend brings better days 🙂

  25. BroccoliHut

    Eek! I, too, have been victim to the empty Bragg’s bottle tragedy. Hope the snow clears out and you can restock soon!

  26. Abby

    Wow, insane day… Im glad you had some sweet taters to make you smile (that always works for me) lol

    I hope today (or tomorrow) isnt as nuts for ya.. hang in there, hun.. spring is right around the corner! 😉

  27. Cole

    Sometimes life throws monkey-wrenches into things but it seems like you handled it all very well!

  28. Heather Eats Almond Butter

    My gosh, I’m just exhausted after reading your post. I truly admire hospital nurses. Honestly Elise, working those 12 hour shifts has got to be one of the toughest jobs out there…thanks for doing it.

    Mmmm, hummus and nooch. Totally OBSESSED with that combo lately…with a little drizzle of tahini on top of course. 🙂

  29. jqlee

    day was crazy but you had all those awesome eats! that’s a plus right?

    i love that tazo chai tea. it’s soooo good made latte style with a cup of skim milk and a packet of stevia.

  30. annie

    i love your blog. you’re hilarious. best food blog everrrrr

  31. lynn @ the actors diet

    every time i have a larabar i’m convinced it’s my new fave flavor.

  32. caronae

    Wow, what a busy day! Glad you made it through,and also glad you had such good eats on hand 🙂 The snow in NY has been so beautiful, especially in the parks!

  33. Shelley (findinghappinessandhealth)

    ugh sounds like a crazy stressful day! i hate hwen my make up breaks like that..boo 🙁 tomororw will be a fab day for you- ic an feel it 🙂

    xoxo
    shelley
    http://findinghappinessandhealth.wordpress.com

  34. elise

    haha, right?? they are so good!!

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