OK, OK, I know it has been FOREVER since I added any info to the blog! Sorry about that. I feel like we've been really busy trying to see and do everything there is to do here. I have to say that even though I loved my job in Asheville, this job at CHOP (CHildren's Hospital of Philadelphia) is amazing!!! I am working on the oncology unit so all of my patients are kids with cancer. I will admit that there are extremly sad moments, but I really do enjoy it. Dealing with these children and their families during what is most definitely and hopefully the hardest trial that they will go through can be a challenge as well as a rewarding experience. A patients dad asked me today why I love oncology and why I would choose to work with children with cancer knowing that many of them will die. I tried to describe it to him, but could not really find the words. The only thing I could really come up with is that it is where my heart is. I have realized that there is alot to learn from many of these children who may be dying. Many of them realize this, but either refuse to let it get them down or are determined to be positive. They simply want to live and to enjoy life however long it may be. The hospital is incredible and I am learning so much everyday. It really is a great place to be and it is going to be hard for the next place to measure up to it. I am glad that I have this opportunity to learn about different places and experience things that I would not see or do back home.
We live really close to Fairmount Park which is the largest park system in America (I think). It has some really big claim to fame. Anyway: it is the "Central Park" of Philadelphia. The park is really pretty great. It has great walking trails by the river and lots of sculptures and statues, many of which have been there since the 1800s. Shane and I took Nike and Samson there on one of the "warmer" days we had last week. It was about 16 degrees without the wind chill added in. Other than that, it was a beautiful day for a walk. We found that if we walked really fast, we did not get as cold. It was definitly a speed walk. It was good to get the dogs out and let them get some exercise. The cold didnt really phase them at all. They had a wonderful time although they were worn out by the time we got back home, especially Samson. Our 4 miles was more like 40 for his short legs! You will notice in the pictures above that the river is completely frozen and the ducks are walking on water. Samson kept trying to, but I was afraid he would hit a weak spot and fall in. So we let him walk on a part of the sidewalk that was completely frozen with about 2 inches of ice. He didnt seem to be as excited about that though. I think he just wanted to chase the ducks. It was a nice day. We cant wait to do it again when it is much warmer!
Here are a few pictures and some updates from what we have been doing.
We live really close to Fairmount Park which is the largest park system in America (I think). It has some really big claim to fame. Anyway: it is the "Central Park" of Philadelphia. The park is really pretty great. It has great walking trails by the river and lots of sculptures and statues, many of which have been there since the 1800s. Shane and I took Nike and Samson there on one of the "warmer" days we had last week. It was about 16 degrees without the wind chill added in. Other than that, it was a beautiful day for a walk. We found that if we walked really fast, we did not get as cold. It was definitly a speed walk. It was good to get the dogs out and let them get some exercise. The cold didnt really phase them at all. They had a wonderful time although they were worn out by the time we got back home, especially Samson. Our 4 miles was more like 40 for his short legs! You will notice in the pictures above that the river is completely frozen and the ducks are walking on water. Samson kept trying to, but I was afraid he would hit a weak spot and fall in. So we let him walk on a part of the sidewalk that was completely frozen with about 2 inches of ice. He didnt seem to be as excited about that though. I think he just wanted to chase the ducks. It was a nice day. We cant wait to do it again when it is much warmer!
One problem that we are having with the extreme cold and ice is that when we take Samson out, his feet freeze and hurt him so he tries to limp on a different foot with every step. As you can imagine, it doesnt work out too well for him. So, I got these dog booties at Target for him. He wasnt too excited about his metalic silver and blue shoes. He couldnt figure out ow to walk in them. It was incredibly funny. The pic above is when he finally gave up and just laid down. We also got both dogs new beds because they had chewed up the others. Nike's bed is big and fluffy and Samsons is very small, but is the perfect size for him. Nike was determined that they should both be hers though. You can see in the pic above that she tried to fit into samson's little bed. She would go back and forth between the two of them and would try her best to fit in the little one. When we woke up the next morning, she was lying on her big bed with her head in samson's little one. She definitely is the queen of our household.
The first pic above is a picture off a bridge over Interstate 76 (AKA Schukyhill expressway). This is the road that I take to get to work and home and traffic is usually terrible on this road. Traffic will be backed up for miles for no apparent reason. The day that the picture was taken looked like a good traffic day. It is usually worse than this. The next 2 pics are of us smooching and standng on the Rocky steps with Philly in the background. My friend Julie is a major Rocky fan so we went with her to film her running up the steps. You can see her topping the steps with her feet off the ground. She was so excited about it. However, the excitement started to wear off after the third trip of running up the steps. There are ALOT of steps! While we were there, a bus pulls up to the bottom of the steps, the doors open and tons of teenagers start running up the steps to the top. they ran to the top, had a picture, ran back down and got back on the bus. It was pretty funny. Apparently climbing up the Rocky steps is a philly must for all visitors. It was alot of fun. The last pic is of us in front of the statue.
I still have lots more to add, but that will come later. I promise it wont take me as long. So, until next time . . . . . .
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