...Introducing...Marshall Chia Ho Hulme!

Marshall Chia Ho Hulme. Rachel, my little sister, is a brand new Mom! Marshall was a few days late, but then, he was in a huge hurry to get out. Rachel got in the truck at 7am to make the 35 min trek to town and Marshall made his appearance at 7:48am. Cutting it close, to say the least.

I can't wait to meet my new nephew. And share "war stories" with my sis.

Love you guys!

...which one is "Goofy"?

My Uncle Alex

The gentleman on the right, sitting there beside Aislinn? That is my Uncle Alex. Actually, he's my Great Uncle. He was my Grandmother's youngest brother. This is the last picture that we took together before he passed away recently. This picture was taken May 2011 on a surprise family trip down to California. We always made time to visit with Uncle Alex and Auntie Ceci. They were some of our favorite people. And the restaurant that we are sitting at? That's our most favorite Dim Sum restaurant in the world! Everytime we go through California, if at all possible, we meet up with Uncle Alex and Auntie Ceci at this restaurant and eat our butts off!

Uncle Alex passed away quite suddenly on October 3, 2011. He is sorely missed by our family. He was the sweetest and gentlest man I have ever met. He was a great piano teacher and both my girls wished that we lived close to him so he could have taught them how to play. Uncle Alex also loved to eat. He had a great appetite for Chinese food and because of that, we got to eat at some of the tastiest Chinese restaurants in and around San Francisco. This last time, at this very restaurant, Uncle Alex convinced Aislinn to eat Fish Eyeballs. EWWWWWWW!!!!

The last time we met, Uncle Alex treated us to a hearing of some of his favorite musicians on his top-of-the-line record player. It was a beautiful evening; sitting around, listening to great music with him.

I hope my Auntie Ceci is doing well. We've only talked once since his passing. She sounded so sad and lonely. I've phoned a few times, but once the phone was busy and the second, I simply left a message. I think we will make another trip down to California and visit Auntie Ceci soon.

We love you, Uncle Alex and we miss you terribly.

...oh oh...homesickness is setting in.

It has been almost a full week since I've left home. Today, Saturday, was the first day that I didn't have clinical, and the homesickness has set in.

Its going to be a long five months.

Penticton Regional Hospital

So...believe it or not...the powers that be have allowed me to irradiate living, breathing, human beings. I am currently on site at my first of three clinicals. I happen to be learning how to XRAY!!!! people at Penticton Regional Hospital. I am here for 5 months (against my wishes...I had hoped to stay closer to home).

My best friend from high school, Naryn, has graciously allowed me to live with her and her excellent family (Dave...the hubby, Taslyn...the super kid, and Stephen...the live-wire) in Summerland. I only hope we are still friends after these 5 months!!!

I have already completed two full days on the Radiography Department and despite what the other techs are saying....I have not broken any machines! I swear!!! Actually, the unspoken rule at the hospital is: its always the students' fault. They've even let me take some xrays on my own...well sort of...the techs were there to make sure I didn't screw anything up too horribly. So far...I don't think there have been any malpractice lawsuits threatened. So good start to the clinical.

With me in Penticton...that means that Frank is at home with the kids...again...for 5 months....while I get to play "new x-ray tech" here in Penticton. Can I just say that my husband is long-suffering, extremely understanding, completely supportive, and a great man for letting me do this again? I feel incredibly guilty about the entire thing. I hope I can make it up to him somehow.

I miss my kids too. We see each other and talk to each other via Skype each night. In fact, I think I have better conversations with Aislinn this way than face-to-face! But, it just isn't the same. I miss tucking them into bed each night. My only consolation is that my Clinical Instructor scheduled me for 4 day weekends almost every other weekend and it only takes me 4 hours to drive home. So, we all have something to look forward to.

I'll probably do some more blogging now that I have a little time. Stay in touch.

Love Tanya