this past week.

Although we haven't received any threats or indications of mal-intent from people, I am convinced there is an arsonist following us.

Ashley came running in to the apartment Sunday night to tell me that the dumpster in front of our apartment building was engulfed in flames. We went outside to join some of our neighbors watching the firefighters extinguish the blaze.  

Tuesday, Ashley and I ventured into Sacramento to visit with two friends from Pittsburgh, Jared and Natalie.

They came to California for a quick visit to get their nursing license in the state, which will expedite their journey traveling.  So we joined them in the city for an evening of fun.

Oddly enough, our styles are quite unintentionally similar...

After driving them to the Board of Nursing in the afternoon, we rested in the hotel, then went bar hoping. Sacramento has some unique bars.. 

Pizza Rock

We took cabs to the various venues.  It's my favorite thing to sit in the front seat and talk to the cabby.  I like to find out where they are from, make small talk, and entertain the people in the back seat.  In one instance we were riding with a gentleman and I was trying to guess the country he was from.  At first I guessed he was from the Middle East. The next clue he gave me was that he did not speak Arabic. I guessed Israel.  His response was that while that is one of the two countries in the Middle East that doesn't speak Arabic, he would consider Israel his enemy.  I guessed Iran. At the same moment that he threw his arms in the air cheering because I was right, the taxi hydroplaned in a pond of water, and our friends in the back seat started screaming too. For a few brief moments there was a yellow Honda Element in downtown Sacramento, rapidly floating out of control, carrying 5 screaming adults. 

Luckily we made it safely to our next stop, Rio City Cafe, where we toasted to old jobs and new. There were few people in the bar that night, and they congratulated Jared and Natalie on their licensure in California with a raucous applause.  

We had heard tales all night of the infrequent spottings of a mermaid at The Dive Bar downtown, so we headed back in hopes that she would appear in the fish tank above the bar. 

The next morning we got breakfast at a cute diner then said our goodbyes.  The next time we see them we'll all be working in California :)

After fun with our friends, I switched to night shift mode and went in to work.  

creative motto, huh?

Remember how I said they encourage nap time during break?  One nurse went to the extent of making a bed for everyone. 

I still haven't decided whether or not this is a good idea for me.  I have the tendency to sleep through alarms.. And will it be one of those situations where the hour doesn't help, but makes you groggier? 

Let's see if I can make it through one shift without giving in to the adjustable thermostat in the staff room with this plastic pull out couch and the hospital's therapeutic music station lulling me to sleep..

I doubt it.

In closing, here are pictures of my travel kitty: