California Girls

Chris was in Chicago this weekend for an Ophthalmology Conference and I didn’t have work for once this weekend! I went to LA to visit my longtime friend who I knew from pre-school, Mandy Blair. We have known each other- and she is probably one of my oldest and dearest friends. Although we live in different states we can always reunite and pick up where we left off. It was fun to have some girl time and we definitely had a memorable time in LA.

 Mandy showed me around LA and we took the metro downtown to go to the Natural History Museum and butterfly exhibit. A butterfly even landed on my hand. Isn’t that good luck? We saw a huge crowd outside the museum. There was confetti and a big race that said marathon on it. There were people running through the finish line. Me being a runner had to go see what was going on. We went over and stood in the side line for a minute. I went and asked a guy who was in charge of some cameras what this was for. He said that they were shooting a Samsung commercial. Watch out for the commercial maybe you will see a pregnant lady running through the finish line!

There are many things that I learned about the people and culture in LA. Well first of all, it is very different the STL. It is crazy how different they are, the trends, fashion, materialistic type vibe. LA is filled with young people who take lots of selfies. I literally witnessed a woman taking a selfie while we were at the farmers market watching a pig race. She went to the front and turned her back so that you could see the race in the background. She puckered her lips and took a selfie. Mandy bet that she would retake it, and guess what she retook it. Not one time but at least five times. I was so embarrassed for her. Also I learned that everyone is into moon readings (idk the exact name) and also astrology (zodiac sign/birthday stuff). Crystals are really big there too sending out mass energy. Although some of it sounds a little crazy, there’s something about California that speaks to me. The chill atmosphere, friendly people, healthy living/food, beach, great weather, and fun trends.

Of course LA being the city of rising fame and Hollywood everyone is into anything media- social media, TV, movies, music etc. Everyone has at least one account in facebook, twitter, snap chat- which I got thanks to Mandy, Instagram, Vine etc.

Anyways after the museums we went to dinner at this Italian restaurant that makes their own pasta. I got gnocchi artichoke that was super garlicky but very good. Mandy is pescatarian and I found this to be very common in LA well more so vegetarian. You can modify anything at restaurants and people are very accommodating- I like this because I am guilty of modifying a lot!

It’s Kesha! It’s Kesha! No I swear I saw her. Hurry let’s go! We heard these kids point out near a store we were by. Everyone is always on the lookout for celebrity spotting’s. You can especially tell where they are if you follow them on twitter or instagram ;).

That night we carved pumpkins and made caramel apples while watching Halloween movies in the background. Mandy told some real scary stories and made us all scared and freaking out when her roommate got home.

One morning I got up early and did some homework and thought I would just grab a yogurt from the fridge. Not thinking anything of it- Mandy asked me what the expiration date on it said. I was like I have no idea, I didn’t check?! So I reached in the trash and you would never have guessed what the expiration date said…. April 2014. Okay ladies, you got to clean out your fridge! Mandy was freaking out I was going to die. I just told her if anything I will get a really bad stomach ache. The yogurt tasted fine though! At least I didn’t notice anything strange…maybe that’s a bad thing.

I had the plan of going running on the beach and Mandy kept thinking I was going to fall dead. Nope perfectly fine! We went running and it felt good to be by the ocean!

We did a few more things that day: went to GreyStone Mansion- overlooks the city of LA, and we went to the farmers market and got dinner, then ended the night with a improve show and some famous cookies from LA. We went home and watched HP but I ended up falling asleep! And I never fall asleep during movies!

I went to the singles ward with Mandy on Sunday where she had to teach Relief Society. She did a great job! Before I went out to California, I got released from Young Womens. I was so sad, I love young womens but I was called to relief society teacher which may be good…especially having a little baby on the way.

I had an ultrasound today and baby has chubby cheaks! He is three pounds and measuring right where he is supposed to be! Can’t believe he will be here in no time.

(I am trying to figure out the best way to do photos I don't have any more space in my dropbox!) if anyone has some good suggestions I would be willing to consider!

pregnant women enjoying the sun

Butterfly exhibit

I apologize in advance, Mandy wanted to take a bunch of pregnancy shots!

ICU

I went to the floor expecting it to be a regular crazy day on Labor and Delivery. Instead I was told to go to the ICU to monitor a patient who had status asthmaticus "really bad asthma". The charge nurse actually called an ACT on this lady (which is like a code) she had really low sats and high HR and could barely get out the words: I can't breathe.
So I went to the ICU and monitored this patients baby while she was intubated. A MICU doctor came in and asked me how baby looked...I told him, honestly not so good. I had a feeling that something was going to happen..and guess what of course it did!! Because it's Barnes.
Baby and mom were in metabolic acidosis (really bad). The OB doctors came down to the ICU and said we are going to do a c-section. Everyone in the ICU was so into it, most had never seen anything like this. They asked me is that a baby carrier? Are those baby monitors?? ICU pregnant women, so sad but everyone wants to be in on the case and I was her NURSE! There were probably about 50 people there consisting of the ICU team, NICU team, Peds team, special care team, respiratory team, OB docs, and many more standby people watching.
The lady before she was intubated provided us a number of an Uncle Carlos. We called Uncle Carlos..not her Uncle.. but a neighbor who was able to contact her mother in Puerto Rico. This women was considered black out status, which means that basically she has identified her husband as if he were to come looking for her that we would not be able to tell him where she is. The husband tried to stab her and successfully did so while she was pregnant. I understand things get heated but stabbing really?? Did I mention this girl was 20 years old and has two kids but we had no idea who was watching the kids...and she just got major surgery and had her baby...
Baby did okay after, mom on the other hand did much worse. It was so sad, she had to go on echmo which basically breathes for you and is a last resort before death...
She is still in the ICU and this all happened a week ago.

Chris had an interview at USC which he surprisingly really liked! I got to do a girls night and went shopping and had dinner. I spent the day at my high school friends house who moved to Saint Louis a couple of weeks ago and are in STL for good! We watched conference together and ate rollercoasters. I would have made cinnamon rolls if Chris was here and kept the Smith tradition alive ;).

Now I have a test I am studying for in Pathophysiology!! Definitely the hardest class to date in my program. At least I am getting it done before BABY comes!!!

Love,

Cameryn

NYC

Somehow I was able to schedule myself to get off monday-friday. I don't know how this happened since it is rare to not be on call or have a class or something this week. My dad and I were talking and he told me he was going to NY and jokingly said you should come! Well, I actually have time to go! So we made it happen. I was able to spend a few nights in NYC with my dad and I daughter/father bonding. He had to work most of the day but we ran in central park in the mornings, got lunch in the afternoons, and hung out at night.

When I first flew in I had the most miserable flight! Usually I like to fly Delta because I don't have a layover and they are pretty accommodating. I fly on the oldest/smallest plane I have ever been on before. The flight left at 6am so I had to wake up at 4am to make it on time. I made it but not with much time since TSA has gotten a little more uptight it being close to Sept. 11th I think. I didn't have time to ask for a seat or trade a seat to an aisle because of course I have to pee three times an hour. So I sat crammed up against the plane wall with a big man to my right snoring away. Uh! I just couldn't drink water the whole time and held it until I made it to NY which was surprisingly only a 2 1/2 flight.

I made it to NYC and took good ol' Uber into the city. A lot cheaper than what I was thinking it would be. He was telling me about all the good broadway shows in broken english of what I should see. His suggestion was Jersey Boys. We stayed in the Marriott Hotel where I was dying to take a shower from the flight. I then met up with dad for lunch at ate probably the exact replica if I could create a lunch place this would be it. It was called Hale and Hearty Soups, so good! I met Erin who works with my dad and knows one of my friends from St. Louis Grace. After lunch I ventured into the city where many people told me to go to Magnolias Cafe. Everything looked really tasty but I am not a big fan of cupcakes. I did get a few cookies though that were delicious! I walked towards the way to central park where I saw the MOMA (Museum of Modern Art). I think I had been there before maybe last time I was in NYC but honestly cannot remember it may just be that I remembered a bunch of the paintings and I just thought I had been there. This surprisingly was one of my favorite things I did in NY. I have found out that when going to museums you have to listen to an audio where someone explains the painting otherwise I have NO idea what I am looking at especially in modern art... The MOMA also has one of my favorite paintings. Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh.

By the time I was done with the museum I met my dad, erin, and her fiancé at a restaurant that was "fancy Mexican food". I asked the waiter if he had anything that was like fajitas, he looked at me like I was crazy. I ordered something with shrimp and who knows what. It was tasty! Not the Mexican food I am used to but it was good!

We got up early the next morning to run, and I swear I saw Gabby Douglas walking. You probably run into a lot of celebrities in NY but they are just wearing regular clothes and you probably walk by them and then think was that...? I know they were in NY so it is possible! We ate breakfast in the continental breakfast area for premium Marriott members, thanks dad, that had an awesome view of the city. I was trying to decide what to do on my second day in NY and knew the US open was going on. I got last minute tickets and took the subway into Queens where I thankfully didn't get lost, or approached by any crazy people. I actually feel a lot safer in NY than in St. Louis, when I came back to St. Louis I got approached by two men two different times but one with Chris when we were at the gas station. Anyways, that's a different story.

Its always been a dream of mine to go to the US open or Wimbledon. It was a hot hot day and I had to sit in the sun, but they give you a fan at least to cool yourself. Now was the chance! I got to see Plikova and Kojuh who were the first to play. Plikova was ranked 11 and Konjuh was ranked 92. Konjuh was the underdog for sure and everyone was cheering her on. 6-2 6-2 was the final score. Then the second match I saw was Andy Murray from England and Nishikori from Japan. That was an amazing match to watch, the guys hit so hard. It makes me want to play.

That night we went to an italian pizza place by Broadway, and my dad told me theres someone you know who will be at the show tonight? I told him to give me a clue, and he said he's from California.. automatically I knew it was John Call! We went to Fiddler on the Roof which was really entertaining. I forgot the ending of the show which was kind of depressing, I won't give it away but I forgot to look it up because I don't remember why it is called Fiddler on the Roof? I must have missed that part in the beginning.

My last day in NYC..so sad then back to reality. I went to the "Night at the Museum" Natural History Museum. Which was pretty cool, probably better with kids but now I can say I have been! I met my dad for lunch and we went to Chelsea Market and the High Line. Such a cool area, if I lived in NY that would be the place to live.

Back to work back to school, back to life! Had a great time with my dad! Could be a last alone time before baby comes! So happy to have this wonderful man in my life and a great example.

Love,

Cameryn
Books in the park
























MOMA (Museum of Modern Art)






























Natural History Museum (Night at the Museum) 





The High Line and Chelsea Market