I'm Going Home, to the Place Where I Belong

Yes, that's right, I'm coming home!

I think I've mentioned in the past how most things in my life relate to some song title or lyric. Well, this week I keep thinking of the song that used to be sung at the end of American Idol called "Home" by Chris Daughtry. If I could play just a clip for you, I would, but in the meantime if you google the lyrics, it's the chorus that really rings true for me!

Enough about that, I'm coming home! I've taken my next assignment back in the good old state of Minnesota, where I'll be heading to Mankato!

I'll be signing the contract tomorrow, to work 12-hour nights at Immanuel St. Joseph's in Mankato, on one of their adult med/surg floors. I'll be back in the Mayo system again (Franciscan Skemp in LaCrosse was as well) and am looking forward to the great Midwestern work-ethic I miss.

I was pretty sure I'd go back into pediatrics for this next assignment, but the draw to be home was stronger than anything else! Since I started as a traveling nurse, this is the first job I could even really apply for in Minnesota. All the other openings have been in specialty areas other than med/surg or pediatrics. I'm glad it's finally worked out!

The most important part of this next assignment for me was finding somewhere that would be okay with my plans to go to Africa, since those weren't going to change. Fortunately, that worked out well here! And, to extend the contract by a few weeks to account for Africa means that my contract will go from September 9th until January 3rd. I'll be home for Christmas!!!!

Mankato is only 65 miles from my parents, so I plan on spending lots (most!) of my free time back in the Cities again. One fun thing about Mankato is that's where Jill lives!

I pretty much hold the belief that you can have fun wherever you're at, as you know from all my fun sight-seeing trips. Well, during this assignment the pictures will change from sight-seeing to family/friend-seeing. A little different, but just as, or even more, fun!

We'll see what happens after the first of the year (will the warmth be calling my name again??) but I'm pretty excited to be back in Minnesota for a few months! I plan on lots of great time in the Cities, and am also REALLY looking forward to getting to Fergus. I can't believe how long it's been, and it'll always be home to me! I also would love to explore southern MN some, and won't be too far from friends in LaCrosse or Rochester! Hint, hint!!

I'll sure miss my time here in California, it's been just what I needed, but am so excited to see my favorite little nephew again I can hardly stand it. You'll get to see lots of great pictures in the coming months (and if you can't wait that long, check out the fun stuff on my mom's blog)!