Let me start with my New Year. I spent New Year's Eve working, which wasn't as bad as I thought because I knew I was going on leave so I was excited. New Year's day my friend and I left for Korea at 1:44 AM and landed around 4:30 AM in Korea. We spent an amazing 4 days there and I had the time of my life! I loved it so much that I will hopefully be going back in May and I might even ask for orders there, I don't think they will have a spot but I am just curious to see. We saw so many different sites and Seoul is an amazing city, I encourage everyone to visit there! No one ever thinks of Korea as a really good tourist spot but I think it is by far one of the best places I have visited, I loved it!! The city is so vibrant and the culture is so different from anything else I had ever experienced. And the shopping is amazing! Anything you could want, especially Korea skin products which I am obsessed with now. I am also obsessed with Kpop now too! And I really want to learn Korean, not sure why I love the culture so much but I do. I love Japanese culture as well but there was just something about Korea! I want to learn both Japanese and Korean before I leave. Better get started!
Next we flew to Thailand, first to Phuket, then to Chiang Mai and back to Phuket for a day. Thailand was amazing too! The first day when we got to Phuket it was pouring so our tour to the Phi Phi islands was cancelled which really put a damper on the day but we tried to make the best of it. We saw a lot of cute little tourist things and then went to a night market they had there which had an insane amount of things to buy! Such an experience! The next day we flew to Chiang Mai where we walked around and explored, went bungy jumping, zip-lining, got a three hour massage and facial and enjoyed the city. I think I liked Chiang Mai more than I liked Phuket but I also did not get to see the best Phuket had to offer because of the rain so I would give it another chance. The last day we flew back to Phuket and spent the day relaxing and enjoying the beach which was so beautiful. I was sad to come back but I had such an amazing time. The wanderlust is real!!
After I got back I was thankfully switched back to days, at least for a little bit, about a month. I was also able to go to the world famous Snow Festival in Sapporo, Japan which was another amazing experience. There are huge snow and ice sculptures throughout the city and a ton to do in Sapporo. We went to a little town called Otaru that is famous for their music boxes and glass sculptures and I was able to get some beautiful music boxes that I hope to give to my daughter one day. We also toured the Sapporo beer factory and tasted some beer there, that was fun too. It was soooooo cold there but it is northern Japan so that is expected. I wasn't able to snowboard while I was there but I think I will just go again next year! I enjoyed the trip even though it was quick, only three days. But I will definitely go back.
Navy life is still treating me well besides my work schedule. Unfortunately we lost a nurse on the floor to one of the clinics and I had to take over her schedule so I will be switching back to nights already. I only got a month of days and I will be switching between nights and days these next 3 months, which will be hard on my body and sanity but it is what it is. We all have to do it at one time, it just happened to be me this time. The floor hasn't been too busy, although when I'm on days I am reminded about how busy they are! I like the faster pace because it can get really really boring on nights. Honestly I am already bored on my floor because the acuity just isn't there but I keep myself motivated and busy by constantly taking classes and trying to further my knowledge. I recently took NRP and I am looking forward to taking ATLS coming up. I came to Japan to travel and explore and I have been taking full advantage of that.
The cherry blossom season is starting so I am excited to see all the different viewing spots. I plan to go to Hiroshima in March and then I put in for leave in May to go back to Korea and leave in June to hopefully go to Bali. I might even try to take some in July! I am trying to take all the leave I can while I can so I am able to see all the things I want to see. Although there is no way I will see everything. There is just too much!
I have been getting more questions lately because I know the applications are vamping up for this year again so keep them coming! I look forward to helping out future Naval nurses! :) Thanks for following!
Below are some pictures from the last two months!