Soooo.... I am living in South Padre Island, Texas now...don't know where that is? Look at a map and trace Texas all the way down to the very wee tip and that's where I am. Right on the Gulf of Mexico, baby. It's actually a very popular destination for Spring Breakers. I started my "second" assignment (though, really my first full 13 weeker) 3 weeks ago. I am working in Brownsville, Texas which is about 45 minutes away from the island I live on. Brownsville is a border town - meaning right smack on the border of Mexico. But essentially, it IS Mexico! My coworkers jokingly said to me "Welcome to Northern Mexico!" Everyone - and I do mean everyone - speaks Spanish there. And a good majority don't even speak English. When asked before if I spoke Spanish, I would say "I get by." What do I say now? Hell no. I don't even remotely "get by" anymore!
I work in an outpatient clinic inside a hospital. I do mostly outpatient work but occasionally I treat patients in acute care or SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility). I'm learning a whole bunch of new things there! Since my experience over the span of my career is mostly outpatient, I have no real professional experience working in acute care or a SNF. And definitely no experience in wound care. The therapists are patiently teaching me the ropes and it is ever so slowly coming back to me. But I feel like a new grad again! It's painful but definitely necessary. I'm challenging myself personally by going on this journey, so might as well challenge myself professionally as well! The extra challenge is definitely the language barrier and cultural differences. But when I leave here in 3 months, for sure my espanol will have improved, which is a HUGE bonus!
I've had a chance to enjoy island life a bit. I've sat on the beach. I ride my bike around the island (it's very small). I take walks with Buster. And I most definitely enjoy the beautiful sunsets. I live in a small efficiency condo RIGHT ON the bay. I literally walk out my back door and there is the bay. The sun sets directly behind my condo with the bridge to the mainland in the background. It is breathtaking. I figured out how to post pictures now as you can see haha...BUT... now I have to figure out how to put them in the correct part of my blog...those pics you see up top? Yeah, they go here....LOL....those are the pics of the beautiful sunset.... :)
I'm beginning to make a few friends and am settling in nicely. I DEFINITELY miss home and all the comforts of home, but I will continue on this journey and hope it brings something wonderful to my life....more to come later!
