Boondoggles

Today I saw a grown man tying a boondoggle key chain on campus. Made me happy. And made me think of this girl. Which also made me happy.

Its been quite a while.

Well, just in case there are a few people that still periodically check this blog, I thought I might update it a bit. Not that there is much to update with, and I don't have any pictures...but at least there have been some changes in the last little while.

I moved! I now live in a great little condo south of campus that is much larger and much nicer than Monticello was. And I live with the greatest roommates on the planet, so life can't get much better. I am still doing nursing and working at the Utah State Mental Hospital as part of my psych rotation and at IMC for my ICU rotation. I am liking this semester a lot and it has been fun meeting up with my fellow nursing friends after several months apart. I technically only have two more semesters including this one before I graduate, so thats weird to think about. Decided to join the racquetball team again so I am busy with that. Still in the anatomy lab, this time as a group leader, so I have a few more responsibilities this time around. Its still a lot of fun.

It feels good to be back in provo after being gone for a summer. Not too much is going on, but life is great! I love it!

Summoned

I have been summoned. And its my civic duty to be on the jury. But I'm not even registered to vote! How'd they find me? I hear its from the drivers license. To be quite honest, I have always thought it would be interesting to be on a jury. However, they want me there September 28. Slight problem with the fact I will be in school in PROVO at that time. I tried to get exempted, but they said no. So I can instead reschedule for the week I am back in Washington. Unfortunately that is over Christmas. So I may spend my Christmas break sitting in a court room. Can't wait. Perhaps it will be a controversial case and I will end up on Oprah. Yeah, thats possible.

SYTYCD

This week my family has made the comments that I am obsessed and addicted to the show "So You Think You Can Dance". And well...I will admit it...I am!!! And I don't see any problem with that. It's quite possibly the greatest show ever made and I love it. And as far as obsessions and addictions go, I think its fairly mild. And really...if you watch the show, its easy to see why I am obsessed. These people are incredible. Absolutely crazy good dancers. And while the judges annoy some people, I actually kinda like them. They make me laugh and they actually know about dancing and what it takes to be a good dancer. And they have power to kick people off as well for a while which makes it more legit. I basically love everything about it. I am so excited that they are doing another season in the Fall, which means I don't have to wait very long to see more of my favorite show. The top ten dancers also go on tour together which I think would be one of the best shows to go to ever. Personally. So if you ever wonder what Megan is up to on Wednesday night between 8-10pm and Thursday 9-10pm...the answer is simple. She is busy. Watching SYTYCD. Call if you want to join her. Everyone is welcome. Last season I would watch with a big group, usually in apartment 31 with their giant TV. Now, its usually just me and whomever in my family wants to join. Anyway you watch it though..you know its going to be good. Watch it...You won't regret it.

Workin' hard for the money....

This is where I work. Toyota of Kirkland. Sure I could have been a CNA or done something more towards my major. But I figured...I am going to be in health care for the REST of my life. Why not do something kinda new and different? So, lucky for me, I had an in to Toyota, with Jenna working there for 7 months already and I already knew the service manager and together, I got a job. I am not sure what my official title is actually, but I just do a bunch of things. Number one, I am a shuttle driver. That means I drop people off and pick people up when their car is being worked on. When I am not driving all over the east side, I welcome people to the service drive and move cars back and forth throughout the lot. I work with a bunch of crazy people, but its a lot of fun actually. And I get to work with Jenna for a couple hours each day so that is a lot of fun. I guess when I first started and Jenna and I would walk around together people kept asking each other if we were a package deal or something. So, its a random summer job, but hey...its a great time.

Oh...Hello!

So its been a long time since I have posted and a lot of things have happened. So sorry, its gonna be a long one...

I am officially finished with my study abroad in Taiwan. I learned so many wonderful things there about the people and different cultures. I loved these people and they were so kind and very easy to love. I miss them and am grateful for all the pictures that we have to remind me of the fun times that we had and the people that I got to know so well. Of course we had a final, farewell dinner with all the nurses and administrators and doctors that we worked with. It was a great way to say goodbye and enjoy their enthusiasm and excitement one more time. I tell ya...it takes a lot of energy to be with these people, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Gam Bei! They love toasting!

They presented each of us with our own scroll with our names in chinese with the hospital name and things. In the middle it means peace and safety forever. Or something like that...

Two of my cute community nurses. They were the ones I spent the most time with. I love them so much!

After I was done with my "school" trip, Whitney and I headed up to Taipei where I was heading to Adam and Kay's house where Jenna had been for a couple days and Whitney was meeting her parents. After collapsing and nearly being trampled in the train station (really funny story actually) and almost missing our stop (another funny story) Whitney and I made it to Taipei in one piece. I spent a week with Adam, Kay, Lizzy, James and Jenna, tramping around Taipei and having a great time. It was fun to just be on vacation...no hospitals and no papers to worry about. And it was very fun to hang out with my family! I hadn't seen Adam and his family in a long time, and never met James so it was great.

This was a funny little paddleboat that Lizzy and I took for a spin. I was soaked and it was hilarious.

We went on a beautiful hike together and then hit the beach. It was a great day.On the Ferris Wheel! Jenna was scared out of her mind...and Lizzy was loving it!! We rented bikes and rode along the coast. It was really funny and really beautiful.

Then, Jenna and I headed off together to go to Hong Kong. Boy, that was an adventure. After checking into our very spacious and secure hostel room (insert high amounts of sarcasm...) we headed out on the town. This place is busy! People of all ethnicities and backgrounds everywhere and huge buildings made for quite the atmosphere. We were there two days and two nights. We went to several markets, went on several hikes and saw thousands of buddahs. We had a great time together and were happy to have this adventure just together. Thursday poured as we left Hong Kong, and I left Asia after living there for six weeks. I knew I was going to miss it terribly.

High-fives for the Big Buddah as the mist comes in.

At the temple of 10,000 Buddahs. This hill was covered with these golden buddahs. Each with a different expression and position.

The main temple for the 10,000 buddahs. It was filled with tiny buddahs everywhere.

On a rock atop the wisdom path, with an incredible view.

The famous Tai O Fishing Village stilt houses.
Our last morning in Hong Kong, on the 42nd floor of the bank of China tower. It was pouring.
The entrance to the compound where our hostel was located. It was...interesting.

From Hong Kong, I boarded a flight to Taipei, a flight from Taipei to LA, and a flight from LA to Salt Lake. I gained 3 hours coming back to the states and lived Thursday, twice. That was a long day. I stayed at Laura's house that night where after being awake for 32 hours, I crashed. It has taken me quite a while to get over that jet lag thing and I might be finally adjusted. I spent a couple days in Utah before coming up to Seattle where I will spend the rest of the summer. I took 5 separate flights in 1 week, so needless to say, I am a little sick of airplanes. But it made for an awesome adventure and experience. Now I am starting work this week, replacing some much needed funds that I depleted in Taiwan :) It has been a great summer so far and I am excited for a break from school. One that I haven't had in a long time. I will always remember the people I met and the experiences I had and this summer will be one that I will cherish the rest of my life!!

Sorry for such a long post....

Last Day

Today is my last day in Tainan...My home for the last 5 weeks. I cannot believe how quickly it went and how much fun we had. I have learned so much from the amazing people here. I could not have anticipated how warm and accepting and humble the people of Taiwan are. We had some really special experiences in the hospitals here and have made friendships that will never be forgotten. I have gotten to know the people in my group so well and we were always so adventurous it made for a thrilling time every day. I will miss traveling with this group and hopefully some future plans to get together really do come true. I have had an incredible time here in Taiwan and hope to never forget the experiences I have had that will make me a better person, a better nurse and a better friend. Thanks for the memories and the pictures (all 7000 of them...). Hope to make it back here someday!