My heart is heavy today. I found out this week that two different friends of mine are in abusive relationships. The one has been physically abused and is finally talking about it. I had no idea and when she told me her story I couldn't believe what she has had to go through all on her own until fairly recently.
The other friend made a decision to leave her partner and when she told him she was leaving he threatened her life and she had to seek out legal council to protect herself against him.
So last night I helped my first friend pack her house up so she can move out and hopefully sell her house. Then today after work I am going with my second friend, along with a police escort, to try and grab her personal belongings.
I am at a loss. I don't know what to tell these women. All I can do is offer what help I can and pray for them. My one friend I don't understand how bad things always seem to happen to her - it just makes no sense. Why do some people always get the crap kicked out of them?
What I can't stop thinking about this past week is how grateful I am for the men in my life. I don't know what I did to be so blessed but it is reassuring to know that good men do exist.

New Job

I recently decided to take a new job which of course meant I had to quit my current job that I love. It was not an easy decision for me. I was not looking for new employment but this new position came up and I felt an internal nudge and decided I should at least apply. I had actually forgotten about it and was a little relieved not to have to make a tough choice when almost 2 months later I got a call for an interview. I am no longer a part of the nurses' union so my seniority is non-existent so I knew the competition would be tough. But I interviewed and I knew they liked me, my experience was on my side and in the end I got it. It was hard telling my co-workers we really are like family in our small office. I am nervous to start a new path and not looking forward to feeling incompetent for a few months while I adjust. But I am also excited for the challenge and to grow and specialize in the area of mental health which has always been a passion of mine.
I have a client at my current work who has a crush on me and I have tried my best to be extra professional around him and tried often to mention "my boyfriend" in conversations. He heard I was leaving and decided to ask me out because he figured there would no longer be a conflict of interest. But he decided to ask me through my co-worker - what am I in junior high? Awkward. Why is it only the inappropriate men that I seem to attract? Maybe if I actually want to get a date I shouldn't hangout with so many homeless, drug-addicts. Not likely.

Like chocolate and peanut butter...the perfect combination.

Music and walking makes me happy. This morning I discovered a great combination of +1 temperatures, music turned up loud in my headphones and the Black Keys album "Rubber Factory". I have listened to this album before and enjoyed it but the experience has been totally different. I have had it playing in the background or will come across a song radomly but today was different. Today it was like a new discovery and my music loving heart was warm with affection for this perfect combination of factors.
A recent decision I have made means that I can no longer walk to work so I will miss these times but I will have to seek out new ways to find this bliss.