The Home of Hockey

UNH vs Boston University
5:2

I went to my first D1 college hockey game last night and I am addicted! I love this sport and I am ready to go out and play myself, so I can release so stress. Not only did I get to watch the game, but I was living the high life in box seats! It was phenomenal! BU is ranked fist in hockey east and we killed 'em last night! It should be an excellent season and I will be attending as many games as possible!

Overwhelmed but Rejuvinated!

It is that time of the internship when everything feels that it is piling onto itself. I am currently working on a wide variety of projects and assignments. Right now, I just decided to take a break from writing my book critique on "The Gospel of Food: Everything You Think You Know About Food Is Wrong" by Barry Glassner. An enjoyable read for the food enthusiast.

The first week in November I spent time at the Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo in Boston. Every time I attend this conference, once in Chicago and now once in Boston, I feel empowered to go out into my career and make a difference. Most of the speakers are motivating and respark my desire to be in the field that I am in. The Six-Figure Private Practice session I attended was by far the most inspiring and enjoyable. There are so many needed within the field of nutrition and I am inspired to focus on a few particular needs and start my own business at some point in my life. What those particular needs will be I am not sure yet. Luckily, I have plenty of time to figure that out before opening my own practice.

Lastly, and most enjoyably, my mom, sister, and aunt came to visit me last weekend! We spent our time on a duck tour in Boston, up at York Beach, ME, and North Conway, NH. My family is terrific and they are the primary reason I will be returning to the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

HEAL

Today, I attended the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) conference in Concord, NH. To give you a better understanding of what this organization is trying to achieve I will provide the vision for you, "HEAL envisions a New Hampshire where all residents improve health and quality of life through healthy eating and active living." Various coalition members spoke about the ways in which NH can achieve this vision.
I became highly motivated at this conference to return back to my home state, Washington, so I can look at the ways WA is working to achieve a similar vision. The major piece that I took from this conference was that with a collaborative effort from all areas in the community this vision is attainable. Now, I am trying to envision my role in this movement and how I can bring the skills that I have learned in New England back to the Pacific Northwest.

Food Service Management Complete. . .Onward to Community Nutrition

Today, I completed my food service rotation at the University of New Hampshire Philbrook Dining Hall. I had a blast there, but now I am ready for a change. Next, I will be completing my community nutrition rotation at the UNH Cooperative Extension office in Boscawen. This is going to be an excellent opportunity to see if this is an organization that I would like to work for back in Washington. My time will also be spent working in the Portsmouth School District teaching elementary students about nutrition.

The New Hampshire air has become quite brisk and I can't help but think that winter is just around the corner. I don't know that I am prepared for the winter that is ahead of me. A few people saw snowflakes today, so I better get prepared quickly! Until it hits I am going to enjoy my fall activities!

Fabulous Fall Foliage

Spent last weekend in North Conway, NH. I now understand why "leaf peepers" are so prevalent in New England. The foliage is beautiful! Enjoy the photos I wish I had more time to spend hiking and playing outdoors but I suppose I need to focus on my internship. The reason I am over here.

Food Service Rotation is in Full Action!

I never thought that I would enjoy my food service rotation as much as I am! It has been fantastic working with excellent people and enjoying fabulous food. My rotation is at Philbrook Dining Hall at UNH and they really have their act together. They run a terrific operation and I have found that I really enjoy management. I always knew that I loved leadership and working with people and management is the perfect way for me to do both! Through my discovery of my interest in management I have started to reconsider what I want to go to grad school for. The internship has been a great way for me to see what other opportunities are out there.

3 States in 1 Day

I officially know what it is like to live on the east coast. Friday, I went to 3 states in one day! I started my day at home in NH then traveled to Biddeford, ME, where I am completing my Long Term Care rotation, and finally ended my day in Amesbury, MA.

The next morning one of my peer's along with her husband took me to Newburyport, MA. I was educated with an overwhelming amount of history facts. Luckily, the husband had spent majority of his life in this area so he was able to fill my mind with facts such as, Newburyport was the first "Tea Party" rebellion to oppose British Tea Tax.

Diabetes Camp

Monday I had a taste of what it is going to be like to be at diabetes camp. I can't wait! I will be spending a total of 7 days at camp working with kids with type 1 diabetes. What a fascinating disease! Each year, more than 15,000 children - 40 per day - are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the U.S. If you have never been introduced to the disease it is an autoimmune that attacks the cells that produce insulin from the pancreas. People are required to check their blood sugar(BS) regularly, by a finger stick, and give them self insulin every time they eat or if their BS is too high. I am looking forward to getting to know the campers and their battles with the illness.

Boston Experience

I went to the big city of Boston yesterday. An enjoyable experience but I was appalled at the cost to live in the city! Holy Cow! What is the point of working when every dime of it goes to paying the absurd amount of $1000 per month.

Despite the shock of how ridiculously expensive the city was I enjoyed it. I went with my host family Erik and Molly to meet there two kids Emily and Lance. The main reason we went down there was to celebrate Lance's Birthday. In the process I had the opportunity to be exposed to an unfamiliar city. We walked around Boston Commons and wandered around Newbury street.

This week is going to be a very busy but very exciting week for me! I finally don't have to spend 8 hours a day sitting in class! HooRay! Monday will be spent learning about my Long Term Care rotation, Tuesday I get to go to Diabetes Camp, Wednesday I am learning about counseling skills, Thursday the interns are preparing a local lunch, and Friday I head to Manchester to get finger prints taken for other rotations that lay ahead.

Until I write again chew on this:

"The first time in American history, our generation was at risk of having a shorter life-span than our parents. And it was because of what we ate. "

~Curt Ellis, King Corn

Blogging Inspiration

I have been inspired to begin blogging. First of all because some of my closest friends have been doing it for quite a while and it has been a wonderful way to stay updated with what they are doing in life. Secondly because I have begun moving forward in my career with dietetics and would love to share my thoughts and experiences with those who choose to follow the pathway of nutrition and wellness.

Dietetic Internship Week 2 complete! It has been an interesting transition to go from working at a hospital 40 hours a week to sitting in a classroom for 8 hours a day. I never thought of myself as one to have ADD but I find myself believing it more and more as my legs become restless during class and my mind begins to wander.

For those of you who are not up to date with where I am at in my goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD) I will fill you in.

• I completed my BS at Central Washington University in Food Science and Nutrition with a specialization in Dietetics.
• I spent from August of 2009 to June of 2010 working at St Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor, WA.
• Accepted in April to the University of New Hampshire to complete my Dietetic Internship

The final step I will need to complete in order to become a RD will be to take my RD exam after the DI completion.

I will continue to update with what is next during my internship. For now it is the weekend and time to head down to Boston for my cultural enrichment.