vacation, work, and visits

Keith has rightfully earned a 2 week vacation from school. Allow me to brag on my brilliant husband...it will only take a tiny moment of your time. He received his final grades and got six A's and one B+. I am SO proud!! It just reassures us that he's exactly where he needs to be. Go baby!


While he is enjoying his first vacation, I am back to work. Not as a teacher...but as a Medical Interpreter. I thought I'd go for a career change and choose something that would be a little easier to leave for 6 weeks while I'm home with our little boy. I inquired in early July at Yale New Haven Hospital and asked if I could shawdow their interpreters for a day to get a feel for the job. The first time I was dispatched out, we went to the ER. There I was, trying hard to listen and pay attention to the interpretation, when all of a sudden I started to sweat. My head began to swim, and darkness started closing in around my eyes. Next thing I know...I'm on the floor at the foot of the bed with the doctor, nurse, and interpreter leaning over me. Yep. I fainted. I'm still not sure why, but it was terribly embarrassing...especially because I was observing to see if it was a job I could handle. Needless to say, and despite the large bruise I had for a week on my hip, I decided to apply and was hired. Thankfully, they did not see the fainting spell as a sign of not being able to handle the job. I am proud to report that I went back to the ER today and there were no problems. I have seen so many amazing things...even a C-section...which I have decided I definitely do NOT want to have. I'm sure there will be more stories to come.
The old drawing is of the original building, built in 1833, housing only 13 beds. The facade still stands in a court yard today, but is now surrounded by a much larger hospital campus with over 1000 beds. I am trying very hard to learn my way around. For now, I am enjoying the new job, and really love the other Interpreters. Countries represented: Uruguay, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Texas. (well, it was a country once.) The hospital only houses Spanish Interpreters, so we are like a mini Mundo Hispano Congress. We have lots of laughs and converse all day in Spanish. I'm in heaven.

Speaking of conversing in Spanish...this past weekend, our friend Ana Bello came to visit. She lives in Sevilla and works at the school where Keith and I met. She has been a wonderful friend to us both. We had a great time shopping, sight-seeing, and eating! Gracias por tu visita Anita...y por la tortilla de patatas. Lo pasamos muy bien contigo y ahora nos toca visitarte a ti. Besos y abrazos!