Attend An APHON Conference

Happy Nurses Week!

I know a lot of my friends don't believe this because I travel so much, but I do have a job.  I am a full time Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Transplant Nurse.  

APHON stands for Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses.

In the field of nursing I am in, APHON is like the nursing equivalent of attending the Oscars.  It attracts the cream off the crop. You meet nurses making positive changes and huge strides in the field.  I had attended the local chapter (Scaphon) conference a few times in the past.  If we are still relating this to award shows, Scaphon is like the MTV Awards or Teen Choice Awards.  It is a total drink fest, and it is the best way to see how crazy nurses really are.

The conference was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Since I had never been to Pennsylvania I decided to attend my first APHON conference.  I had arrived two days early so I had some extra time to check out the city.

Walking distance from the convention center was the Heinz History Center which was a museum that focused more on Pittsburgh History.  I thought it was a beautifully done museum, and reminded me of a mini Smithsonian.  Only after visiting did I discover they were affiliated with the Smithsonian.

They had two displays that were a perfect representation of the attendees of the APHON Conference.  To the left it portrays the power of a group of nurses creating change in a tough field.  To the right, an old school nursing uniform just showing how much change nursing has overcome.  Thank goodness we don't have to wear outfits like that anymore!

After the museum, I walked along the main road from the Convention Center to Point State Park.  That evening I went to dinner with one of my co-workers and one of her old colleagues from Florida.  Her friend was SHOCKED that I had walked around Pittsburgh on my own.  I then proceeded to tell her all the other places I have traveled on my own and her eyes almost bugged out of her sockets in shock.  I guess she doesn't know very many independent women in her life.

We enjoyed so much yummy food while in Pittsburgh with most of the best food coming from restaurants in the Strip District.  We ate in the area three times during our stay.

My wound was still healing from my cancer surgery, so I was with the best group of people that would understand my little cancer predicament.  The conference was filled with inspiring and informative lectures, and in between lectures we headed to the "swag" area to talk to drug, medical supply, and organization reps.  In the other end of the exhibit hall were posters filled of research and  evidence based practices.  My friend, Lani, had created one to represent our hospital.  The exhibit hall was always filled with food, drinks, and prize giveaways.  The conference is also a great place to network, and I even saw some of my old Los Angeles co-workers and preceptors, and a nurse I had met when taking my cancer patients on a trip.

As you can imagine, the group was predominately women, so in order to accommodate our bathroom needs we took over this place.....

The men's bathroom became a women's bathroom, and yes I am quite aware I took a random photo of urinals!

It was a great conference, and I learned so much from it.  I have already implemented change in one of our practices after getting advice from nurses working in other institutions.

Date Accomplished:  October 16th, 2012

See The Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell is a famous American iconic symbol.  Made in 1752, it was formally housed in the steeple of Independence Hall.  The quote "Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof" is inscribed onto the bell.  But the bell got the name "Liberty Bell" by abolitionists fighting to end slavery.

Sometime in the early 19th century, the Liberty Bell began to acquire its famous crack.  In 1885 the Bell went on tour around the country, and in 1915 it went back to its home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The bell now lives at the Liberty Bell Center right in front of Independence Hall.  Entry to visit the Liberty Bell is free, and the line to enter the building can be quite long, but thankfully moves relatively quickly.  I waited approximately 10 minutes after arriving in the early afternoon.

Once entering the building you are required to go through security, and after passing through security you can browse through exhibits and video presentations.  At the other end of the building, surrounded by a large glass window is the Liberty Bell.

Date Accomplished:  October 8th, 2012

Visit Love Park In Philadelphia

A bride running in front of the Love sign

Valentines Day.  Schmalintines Day.  

Yah, I admit it, I am probably the non-biological offspring of Ebenezer Scrooge except the Valentine's Day version. I'm a bigger fan of Easter because at least I have reason to stuff my face with Cadbury Eggs.  Mmmm...Cadbury.

Last weekend one of the gals at work began complaining about having to work Valentines Day.  

I told her, "I purposely scheduled myself to work Valentine's Day."

She laughs, "You're so funny" as she shows hints on her face hoping I am joking.

I tell her with a stern tone, "No, I'm serious.  I always schedule myself to work it."  She stands up and awkwardly walks away probably thinking how sad and bitter of a person I am.

So even I surprised myself for wanting to visit the Love Park in Philly.  I had seen the bright red sculpture pop up in tons of people's photos.

Love Park is located across from Philly's City Hall.  It famously gets its nickname for being home to the Love sculpture created by Robert Indiana during the seventies.

After skipping up the Rocky Steps, I asked my friend who is SUPPOSEDLY a Philly native if we were close to the sign.  "No, we're pretty far."  Boo freaking hoo, or rather Bah Humbug if I am still playing my Scrooge alter ego.

We walked the scenic Benjamin Franklin Walkway, and in the distance I saw the sculpture.  I turned to my friend and yelled, "I thought you said it was far away!!  Isn't that Love Park?"  "Uhhh, ohh yeah, I guess it is.  Hey, I gotta go pee, I'll meet you at the front of the sculpture."  I smirked, "TMI dude, TMI." 

After being harassed by a homeless man wanting to take my photo in front of the sign in exchange for money (No matter how many times I read that last bit, it still sounds like I committed some heinous crime),and waiting for an entire wedding entourage to take their lovey dovey pics, my friend finally showed up from his extended "pee" break.  

I say "Let's go!  I'm over it!  Let's find some Philly Cheese Steaks!" and I was back to my Scrooge self. 

Date Accomplished:  October 7th, 2012

Eat A Philly Cheesesteak In Philly

This following post will display my most recent obsession to Instagram. Anyone else addicted to it as much as I am?

While visiting Philly, eating a Philly Cheesesteak was on the list. I surprised myself by crossing it off my list THREE times!  Philly Cheesesteaks are sandwiches composed of thinly sliced pieces of steak, and cheese inside a large loaf of bread.  It was created in Philadelphia in the 1930's.  Most cheesesteak joints give you an option of having grilled onions, and a choice of cheeses like Provolone, American, and Cheez Wiz!

My first Philly Cheesesteak was at Reading Terminal Market.  My friend and I walked through the endless stalls of eateries looking for a cheesesteak place.  The only cheesesteak joint still open was Carmen's Famous Italian Hoagies.  I had it with grilled onions and Provolone cheese.  This was my most favorite from the three because it was the most fresh, and everything was cooked to order. 

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The couple I was staying with through Airbnb told me about the next two cheesesteak joints that were walking distance from where I was staying.  Each evening I took the walk to 9th Street and Passyunk to try the cheesesteaks at the rivaling restaurants. 

My second Philly Cheesesteak was at Pat's King Of Steaks, which just so happens to be the restaurant of the creator of the Philly Cheesesteak, Pat Olivieri.  Surprisingly this was my least favorite Cheesesteak.  I had it with American Cheese and grilled onions.  The meat was lukewarm, and the meat tasted like it may have been sitting out for awhile.  Disappointed, I was hesitant to try another cheesesteak.

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The following evening, I decided to give my cheesesteak adventure another chance.  I went to the restaurant across from Pat's called Geno's Steaks.  The people I was staying with had told me that a Philly Cheesesteak is pure junk food.  I didn't realize how true that statement was until I had the Geno's Steak with Cheez Wiz!  Holy Oily Guacamole!  Despite it being oily, the Cheez Wiz Philly Cheesesteak wasn't half bad.

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In the end, the winner of my little Philly Cheesesteak taste test goes to Carmen's!

Date Accomplished:  October 7th, 2012

Climb The Rocky Steps At The Philadelphia Museum Of Art

Rocky is probably one of the most iconic movies of all time.

The first Rocky movie was released in 1976, and it currently has SIX movies in the saga.

Rocky was predominately filmed in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia.

Probably the most famous scene in Rocky is during the first film when he climbs the steps of The Philadelphia Museum of Art to the tune of Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now."  The steps are now most notably known as the Rocky Steps. 

There are 72 stone steps to the top.  At the very top is a beautiful view of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and a pair of footprints where Rocky once stood.


Instead of running up the Rocky Steps, I decided to skip up the steps while humming the famous tune.  Because I had a real crummy September it was almost liberating doing this, it was like a celebration for conquering all the hurdles thrown at me the previous month.

I might not be a boxer, but I'm a fighter and warrior in my own way!

Date Accomplished:  October 7th, 2012