The Job

I've started work out here, and I've decided to describe that first before I write about and add pictures from the time my Dad and I got to sight see around the Big Island.

I am a clinical Dietitian at the only decent sized hospital on the island. It has about 150 beds and a 120 bed long-term care unit. Adjacent to the Hospital a VA (veteran's affairs) home is being constructed with a capacity of 90 residents. So far I've been reading policies and procedures, getting tours, and training under some very intelligent and experienced Dietitians. I've been "let loose" on the surgical, or Laulima floor as it is known to the people here. Soon I'll also be getting trained in on the Medical unit, Cardiac Critical care unit, OB, Psych, and long term care. All the nurses, doctors and Therapists have been nice so far, but most ask me why I moved from MN? I guess everyone wants to know, they all think I'm what they call a "traveler", someone who signs on for relief work for less than 6 months.

I'm slowly getting more comfortable with the flow of care at this hospital and have had good experiences when talking to patients so far. Today I made my first visit to a patient in the Psych unit...interesting but not very beneficial for either of us at the time!

My co-workers in the department are nice people, and they've been very helpful sources when I come across local food or lingo. It seem like all the meals here come with rice, miso soup is huge here, and so is Saimin (ramen noodles) and shoyu (japanese for soy sauce).

I'm living with the Hospital's kitchen manager, Mark, for the time being. It's nice since he lives less than a mile away from the hospital and just over a mile from the downtown area of Hilo. Hilo is an old town where life is slow and the peole that live here enjoy it that way. Most stores and restaurants are closed on Sundays and the nightlife is pretty much non-existent from what people tell me. I think it will be a great change of pace from the hustle and bustle of Grand Forks! THe town is about the same size, 45,000 people, with a University that has close to 5000 students and another community college too. The surrounding areas bring the number closer to 70000 who use Hilo as there main retail market. The town reminds me slightly of Duluth in that it has a port and is laid out on a hill. It's nearly impossible to get lost because you'll eventually run into the bay or be going uphill and get your bearings. There is a lot of history and tradition here with the native Hawaiians and the other cultures that migrated here over the years for a number of industries that have come and gone.

I'll have more than enough to explore with all the culture, outdoor activities, food, and everything else I have yet to find in Hilo. I'm excited to be here even though it is hard at times to realize I'm alone in this. I've already made some connections with some neat people and have talked to some of you who will read this blog. I always get excited when I get to tell people what I'm doing over here! I'll write more bumbye (later), but for now it's Pau Hana for me (done for the day).

If you read this, feel free to comment (it's free) because it will help jog my memory to write about all I've done and seen here so far. Pictures will be coming soon too...

Take care everyone!

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Start Blogging, move to Hawaii
I'm really doing it, making a huge move away from family, friends, and everyday familiar things on the mainland. Excited? yes. Nervous? yes. Excited? yes! I hope this online journal will inspire me to share my everday discoveries living on the Big Island at random times and with everyone at once (at your convenience of course). I graduated last spring and have been living at home in Minnesota all summer in between travels to see friends and family during my hunt for a job.

I decided to accept a job as a Dietitian at Hilo Medical Center on the rainy side of the Big Island of Hawaii. This is an opportunity I did not want to look back on in the future and regret not having done it. I know it will be a huge adventure and I'm asking a lot of my friends, family, and Girlfriend to let me take this flying leap into the Pacific. I've been dreaming of the chance to decide for myself where to live and experience life off "the parental payroll" so why not try paradise on for size?

I am most excited about the diffent culture and attitude about life in general the Hawaiian people are known to have. They are a very laid-back, grateful people who still aren't afraid to take a few minutes to enjoy the environment around them. The islands have welcomed and resisted other cultures invasions over thousands of years and are still celebrating all they can share with visitors and relocators.

I have a number of goals for my time in Hawaii, many of which are to be done in my free time, but some are to be accomplished at work. I won't bore you too much with the work ones on this blog but I promise to keep you up to date with my career. That's the beauty of blogging, you can let me know what you want to hear more or less of, just leave me a comment. I want to run Hilo Marathon in March 2007, and I've got some getting back into shape to do...I also want to explore one the most fascinating national parks that changes size every day, Volcano. I want to camp under the stars atop the 13,796 ft. Mauna Kea, where the worlds largest astronomical observatory is. I want to ski on the top of Mauna Loa with the Big Island Ski Club, and later that day surf in the pacific. I want to train to someday to the Kona Ironman, and sea kayak along the shores of the black, white, and even green sand beaches of the Big Island. As you can see, I'll be busy but that doesn't mean I don't want any company! Come and Visit! Most of you that will read this have all told me that now that you know someone in Hawaii, you'll finally be able to afford a trip? Do iiiiiiiit!

Let's not get ahead of ourselves though, I am, after all, going there for a job. It doesn't mean I won't ever be back in MN or the mainland for that matter. I know I'll miss the lakes and my family and friends. What a cool place for a first job out of college, gaining experience that I'll need for any other job in the future!

Wish me luck in getting settled in Hilo and I promise to get into a routine of keeping this blog current and answering your comments. Thanks to my buddy Eric (Sundog) in Grand Forks for inspiring me to start this blog. I'm addicted to his online narrative of his quest to run very fast at the upcoming Twin Cities marathon (anexerciseinutility.blogspot.com). I will write my next post when I sit down next in Hawaii, for now I have to pack!

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