Someone Else's Turn

This past month I have been a frequent flier - not on the airlines but to the doctor's office. I wish you could get bonus points for it because I would have accumulated enough to go on a very, very long trip somewhere that has adequate health care, just in case I need to earn even more points. The antibiotics for a sinus infection led to an abscess on my chin that conveniently decided to make its appearance while I was on vacation in NY. It is next to impossible to find a doctor around here so I have been forced to resort to ER visits. For example, I called to see about making an appointment for a sinus infection & told them all of my symptoms & the lady asked if I could wait 3-4 weeks...enough said.

I am one of the lucky ones to have semi-decent insurance. After all of these medical bills are said & done I might tell you otherwise. Part of the Americorps experience is living at the poverty level of those you serve. However, most of these people do not have or can not afford insurance. It is tough enough to make the copays for each of these visits much less paying the full price for someone to spend 30 seconds in 'consultation' with you. I now have a better idea of how people are forced to choose between seeking medical attention and putting food on the table for their families.

This is just another example of how this experience has taught me something outside of my 9-5 work. The lessons I have learned extend far beyond the office where on work on a day-to-day basis. Many of these are indescribable & will last me for the rest of my life...unlike this abscess I hope.

It is now someone else's turn as I am taking myself out of medical rotation...at least until the end of this month!

Best Three Things About NH

When I moved her in January they told me the best three things about NH are June, July, & August. That seemed funny & unbelievable back then but now I have to agree. I have finally thawed out from the winter & begun to enjoy all the wonderful flies & mosquitoes. You don't have the oppressive humidity of Washington DC & the nights are quite cool here. There is a lot of outdoor stuff to do around here - beach, hiking, kayaking, Lake Winnipesaukee are all within 2 hours of my home, office. Fortunately, Molly has been doing better so she is able to tag along with me as she loves the outdoors.

Next week will be a few days of R&R in upstate New York. It will nice to have a few days off & Molly will come along with me of course. She is terrible at giving me directions in the car so I will just let her nap on the drive back & forth. Getting lost all the time has nothing to do with me being geographically challenged of course!

Time Flies

It seems hard to believe that it's already the middle of June. This Friday, the 15th, will be 5 months since I moved to NH. The time has gone by incredibly fast. I have been challenged & stretched way more than anticipated & learned more than I expected to in an entire year. For example, this past weekend I learned to drive an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV), took a Psychological First Aid course yesterday, & plan to participate in a Shelter Ops & Simulation class this weekend. That means I can drive an ambulance-like vehicle to an emergency, assist in setting up a shelter, & assess you psychologically! Be afraid...be very afraid.

The grant writing continues as well. There are currently 4 in process for July deadlines. There is also the ongoing process of making plans for next year. I know that this year will lead to a number of opportunities for me. I've got 4 more months to decide though many of the application processes have to start at least a year in advance. I know that God has placed me here & He will show me where to go next...just wish He would hurry up with that!

Things continue to be busy here but I am enjoying myself. Guess the old saying is true - time flies when you're having fun!

Catching My Breath

It has been an incredibly busy month. I am still unpacking & have a few remaining boxes in my living room. Molly won't know where to take her naps once all the boxes aka hiding spaces are gone!

The flood relief work was an amazing experience. There are still some families needing additional assistance though most of the relief operation has been completed. Another disaster action team member & I have been rounding up furniture & miscellaneous donations for some of the families. There have been 3 floods in New Hampshire during each of the the past 3 years. Many people were just recovering & rebuilding from last year's flood when their home flooded again.

Spring/Summer is finally here which means no more snow, at least for a few months. The weather has been fantastic for the most part. I can't say that I miss the lovely humidity of Washington DC...not yet anyways!

My best friend won a trip to Bermuda & I really enjoyed having some r&r after the flood relief work. It was a great time & now I am ready for hurricane season!!

Floods

It has been a busy couple of weeks with the flooding in NH. I had the opportunity to see a disaster relief operation (DRO) go from the local RC chapter to the national RC level. They set up an office space & warehouse within 2-3 days with 200+ people coming from all over the country to help in different capacities. I am glad to have experienced this firsthand as I hope to be deployed sometime in the near future. There is still lots of casework & follow up needed though FEMA has FINALLY arrived to give some assistance.

The move went well despite working on the DRO & trying to pack up my things. There is a couple who is renting me an in-law style suite above their garage. They even helped me with the move! There is a person on the disaster team who has taken me under her wing & found me this place. Then she asked family members & friends to let me borrow all kinds of furniture, lamps, etc. to use in the new place - definitely a gift from above.

Molly is doing great at the new place & loves to run around - both inside & outside. Last night I ended up on the rocking chair since she had spread out on the couch for one of her infamous naps! Yes, she pretty much runs the place! The couple I am renting from will be getting a puppy soon named Molly so this should be fun.

Update

It's been a really busy week here. The flooding was statewide & the damage is extensive. I had the chance to do casework this week - people come to a RC service center & you speak to them & provide assistance with food & clothing, as needed. There were so many similarities to the people I met in Alabama - lost everything, not sure where they will stay tonight, anxious, frustrated, etc. Many of the people had just finished fixing their house from the 2006 floods. One of the guys I spoke to had just finished repairing the wall board this past weekend then his house flooded again. The National RC has taken over the relief efforts so things should calm down a bit...that's what I have been told anyways. It's a beautiful, sunny weekend in NH at last. I hope to be off work soon & able to take Molly out so we can enjoy this gorgeous weather together.

Flooding

It's still raining up here & there is flooding everywhere. There are many problems with dams, rivers flooding over, landslides. Fortunately the house where I live has not experienced any flooding. It is supposed to rain through Thursday but not as heavily as Sunday & Monday. There are people, families being evacuated all over the state. The RC chapter where I work will have open a service center so people can receive assistance & report property damage. 20+ shelters are currently open throughout the state. Hope everyone else is on dryer ground.