Mariners Fan Livin' in San Diego

Hello All,
I have been reading the blogs describing everyone's interesting lives and the other postings from Aunts and Uncles (and my MOM!) begging the grandchildren to write. I'm ashamed to say that, unlike my cousins, writing poetry and essays with huge words i don't understand has never been my fortay. However, I am going to attempt write a short, 600 or so word blog about what I have been up to these past few months....
I graduated on May 7th from the University of Portland School of Nursing. This may surprise many of you, only because a few weeks ago I was reminded by my cousin Brian, who seemed shocked that I have already graduated from college and am almost as grown up and successful as he is, that it is hard to believe I am not the [crybaby] 12 year old I once was. I AM mostly grown up, but in Brian's defense, I do wish sometimes that I was 12 - life seemed a little bit easier back then with much less responsibility. :) Anyway, after graduation, the Johnstons headed southeast to Hong Kong for a week. Very fun and very interesting. Unlike anything I have ever seen before. I am actually surprised that no one in my family posted a blog about our trip (Kevin should you maybe get on that??) After the asian adventures I returned to Portland for a few weeks and stayed with the Schultes (Chambers family) while saying my last good-byes to my housemates. I bought a coche, with the help of my dad obviously, and on June 10 I headed down to San Diego. I was greeted by Colleen who very graciously let me stay with her for the first two weeks of my relocation. I started work as a critical care nurse at UCSD Medical Center just a few weeks ago and am loving it. I am working on the IMU which is an abbreviation for intermediate care unit. We get the patients whose conditions are not critical enough to be in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit, for all those non medical professionals), so we have lots of patients who were in car wrecks; hit by cars and other heavy metal objects; the medically unstable, such as those with a serious exacerbation of their diabetes, pulmonary disease, and heart attacks. We are the only Trauma I center in the Region, so we get all the bloody, serious stuff. It's very very fun and VERY high stress. I feel like I can't think straight or see straight when I'm working because there is so much to manage with these critically ill people. I am hopeful that feeling with minimize with time, organization, and familiarity with the unit.
I just moved into my own place a few weeks ago and am enjoyin' days at the beach, paychecks bigger than I could have ever imagined, shopping, and bein' close to the Mexicanos. I have not yet been to TJ, but that will come soon enough....Anyone please want to join me??
Colleen and I are having fun spending time together and spending time with BJ Mac and his wife Kate. And just so you all know...............we LOVE having family visitors!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's about it from the bottom half of the west coast. Love reading the updates, safety checks, and random websites posted on this bloggy blog. Keep in touch fam! Love you all!
~Kitty Cat Caitlin
PS: Miguel says hi to all of you, and he says he absolutely LOVES the Roach-Johnston-Chambers-Thorny-Cedergreen Family! (haha, I added in the last part, in case you didn't know...I crack myself up sometimes!)