Nearing the finish

            Enjoying my first evening off in…let’s just say quite awhile, I realized that this blog needs some updating. Two months is perhaps pushing it just a bit. Not surprising to any of you, I’m sure, my life as a dietetic intern has continued to be busy. But, the big news is, we graduate next Friday, meaning that we only have 6 more days of actual rotations! I’m excited, obviously, but also have been feeling a little down. No matter how many times it happens (which I have learned is, essentially, all the time), change is hard. And moving on to a more normalized adult life, while exciting in many aspects, means that I have to come to grips with the fact that I will soon and very soon be a licensed professional working independently.  I know that I am competent, generally confident, and able to perform my job. It’s just weird to know that I am so close to being at the finish line of five-and-counting years of difficult and ever-challenging work. Good thing I’m prolonging the whole full-time job aspect of this thing for another year. ;) Yay for grad school-which, sidenote, begins again for me in 1 ½ weeks!  

                In regards to an update on rotations, I’ve now completed community nutrition and, within the food service management realm, retail and patient services. Community nutrition was four weeks primarily of observation, which I didn’t mind due to the fact that we were exposed to so many different aspects of dietetics. We spent time in long-term care, working with the Blue Zones Project in Muscatine, IA, taught a health fair for 5-6^th graders, taught a nutrition lesson to 3-4^th graders, visited a school food service operation, Johnson County WIC, and other things that I’m unable to remember at this time. All in all, it was a good experience. We did have extra free time, which was nice, as it gave me an opportunity to finalize grad school details.

                Both retail and patient services were great as a way to gain more exposure to still other areas of dietetics. They also served as a good reminder of the importance of knowing your employees and being a manager whom they both trust and respect. While in retail, I spent time developing materials on composting awareness, as UIHC began a composting program about two months ago for food waste and other compostable materials (including our new  compostable to-go containers, cups, etc.) We also standardized a few new recipes for possible inclusion in the summer menus of the various cafeterias. Patient services consisted primarily of observation, but it was good to see the entire process of the patient menu (which is a la carte/room service style at UIHC), formula preparation and delivery, and sanitation, in addition to the actual managerial aspects of the various areas.

                One thing I’m realizing, in all of these experiences, is that I am still unsure of what I really want to do, which is frustrating to an individual who wants to serve in a way that fills the biggest need possible while using my talents. I enjoy each area of dietetics and honestly could see myself working as a clinical dietitian, a food service manager, a professor, or a community-based R.D. I am ever-reminded of my love for people, of all ages, ethnicities, shapes, sizes, and sorts. I know that I am passionate about investing in their lives and serving the needs of others. At the same time, I am very much academically minded, organized, and in many ways fit the mold of the stereotypical dietitian. Obviously, this makes deciding on a career path a little difficult. Also, there is often a nagging fear in the back of my mind that I’m not doing enough to serve others, or that I don’t know where I best fit. Try as I might to assure myself that I’m where I’m meant to be and that there are many avenues to achieve this end, I must admit that these thoughts still occur. But, I’ve decided to rest in the fact that God must have made me this way for a reason, that this reason will become evident at the right time (and not before), and, meanwhile, my job is to follow His lead.

                So, as I enter into the end of the last phase of my internship, I plan to enjoy these moments as much as possible, with as little worrying as possible. Currently, I am working on special projects with managerial staff. Along with two other interns, our present project is developing and revamping website content for various departmental webpages. All these things that you don’t realize have to actually be done by someone….until you’re the one doing them. J On the non-work side, I just got back from my first trip to the Iowa City Farmer’s Market, which was fun. Definitely will be going back again later in the growing season. Also, I’m doing a color run this weekend with a few other interns, for which I am super excited! Hopefully all that dye will come off before graduation…..

                I wish you all a great and lovely day, my friends! No matter if you’re feeling depressed, unsure, happy, sad, or otherwise, rejoice in the fact that we have a Father who loves us. A lot. And has a plan for us. And made us for the sole purpose of glorifying Him and enjoying Him forever. I don’t know about you, but being reminded of that fact always makes my current situation seem ever so much better.

Back to where it all began

You know those times in life when everything falls into place all at once and you’re left being decently confident of what you’re meant to do in life? Well, I’m pretty sure that has just happened to me in the past week. Now that I have you all curious, I’ll proceed to my story. J

For the past ~3 weeks, I have been in outpatient bariatrics and have absolutely loved it. I like inpatient, I really do, but my passion for preventative healthcare has been revived this fall. Even though OP Bari is comprised of a lot of rules and more “black and white” nutrition recommendations, I really enjoyed the experience. Being able to counsel and educate individuals who are pondering and/or in the midst of making lifestyle changes is encouraging and it was great to see how some patients’ lives are completely changed through weight loss. I am able to see much more clearly just how multi-faceted the “obesity epidemic” is in our society and how debilitating this disease can be to an individual’s health and well being. I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to work alongside my preceptor to help change lives. Side note: I was also able to observe surgery (a roux-en-y gastric bypass) during this rotation. Yes, I was in the OR. In scrubs. Awesome, I know.

So, aside from being able to be involved with patients on a less acute, more personal level, I have also been pondering my path for next year, as I know that June will be here before I know it. Recent classes, conversations, etc., have all confirmed to me that my skill set, personality, talents fit best in a community nutrition setting, which is ironically where this 5+ year journey began in the spring of my junior year of high school. I left the two-day Iowa Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics (IAND) conference today revived and excited for the future of my profession, particularly as our society as a whole combats health crises and complicated food systems. Programs promoting community gardening for kids and encouraging greater vegetable consumption are current areas being implemented and are areas in which I can see myself flourishing. Additionally, pursuing a master’s in public health (MPH) has also been in the back of my mind for some time, especially given that I am currently connected to the University of Iowa College of Public Health through my internship at UIHC. And, every day at work confirms that I love HyVee and want to stay there.  Oh, and, last but certainly not least, I am incredibly blessed to have found a church that is passionate about serving the local community, one through which I am able to be encouraged, find community, and also serve others. All these factors combine to make me desire very much to stay in Iowa City.

That being said, the past week has provided me with many networking opportunities, covering grad school options, possible TA/GA opportunities (which would mean my grad school would be paid for or substantially reduced in price. And, I would get to teach again!), career opportunities once I complete my internship, etc. Encouraging times, to be sure. God has truly answered my prayers for direction and I am excited for what the future holds.  I’m thankful for what God has placed in my path and for the peace I feel in making these decisions. Nothing is for certain, and I know that doors could be closed. However, at least I know where to direct my efforts. At least for now.

My production/catering rotation begins on Monday! I’m excited to be reunited with my former kitchen worker self.  I’ll be sure to provide an update… once I remember how to find my way down to the kitchen. J

Why I chose to enter the blogging world

       At the cost of what I expect to be much ridicule from my closest friends and also in the presence of a slight personal apprehension to this idea of broadcasting my life on the internet, I have decided to start (or rather, resume) my blog. When I began this blog three years ago, I was entering my sophomore year of college and believed a blog would be a great way to force myself to write about (and thus process) what I've been learning. Look at the history of this creation and you can see how far that went. I have no excuse, except that anatomy & physiology and organic chemistry ended up requiring pretty much all of my time. Now with my B.S. in hand, I decided to resume my blog, with the purpose changed slightly. Namely, this blog is going to serve as a place for me to share what I am learning, what life is like post-college, and anything else that strikes my fancy.  Please do not expect deep philosophical ponderings, although, who knows, they may happen. Instead, expect a dose of Martha-which those closest to me could describe to you as being unknown in variety, nerdy in content, and oftentimes humorous in delivery. Shout-out to my friend from college, Bekah, for inspiring me to resume my blog. Being a couple years my senior, her thoughts on her internship, first job as an R.D., etc., have always been encouraging and informative. So, I decided to do the same, in the hopes that someone would be encouraged by my thoughts.

      Currently, my life has involved work (dietetic internships are expensive, you know) and also getting ready for my internship. I am beyond blessed and also incredibly excited to be a part of the 2012/2013 dietetic internship class at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. God has led me every step of the way: I have a fellow 2012 ONU grad roommate (yay for Michelle!), we have signed the lease on a nice apartment close to the hospital, I am able to continue working for Hy-Vee while in Iowa City (seriously, this is one of my favorite places to work!), and, most importantly, I was able to receive a position as a dietetic intern. I know that God will teach me much throughout this next year and I am excited to share my journey with you.

      The countdown has begun! I move to Iowa City August 1st, with the internship beginning on August 6th. So close! Unlike undergrad, in which one still came home occasionally, it is striking me that I am leaving my small Illinois hometown for Iowa City. Not exactly Chicago or New York City, I know, but still. I am excited, and yet know that my life will change. And, while change is good, I know my life will be different in one month than what it has been in the past. Therefore, I've decided to savor each day and enjoy it, the good and the bad, because my time is limited. Come to think of it, isn't that what we are supposed to be doing anyway, everyday? Curious.

    Well, I'm sure you have all heard quite enough from me for one sitting. :) Check back for updates; I cannot promise they will be frequent, but this time I WILL continue blogging. Oh, and, if you want a good laugh, please read my very first post on zucchini. If you choose to do so, please remember that this was the 18 year old version of me talking. I like to think that I've matured a least a little bit since then. :)