A couple fridays ago I was itching to do something exploratory, so I went to visit Vermillionville, on the edge of Lafayette, near the airport. It is a little walking museum, including houses, schoolhouses, and Native American buildings along with the history of Lafayette as a city and the formation of the region. It even had people dressed to the times, which on that day no one could have paid me enough to wear clothing like that in the humidity. I think it may have been taking a toll on some of the "characters" as one man I talked to was very disjointed in his explanation of how Vermillionville turned into Lafayette and the many different levels of culture in this area.
I will try my best to explain.
In the beginning..... There were some Frenchies who settled in Nova Scotia, Canada and were friendly with France. This group of Frenchies called themselves Acadien, the origin of which I am unsure. Some where along the way, they were booted out of Canada by the British, probably for being to "French". Who knows. We all can agree that the two cultures have always knocked heads. I guess in their distaste of rejection they travelled as far South as possible, and ended up in Louisiana. I think it was still French territory, before the Louisiana Purchase occurred in 1803. "Acadien" turned into Acadiana, which is now the name of the area in Louisiana. I'm not quite sure how to describe it; they have parishes, which are comparable to counties EVERYWHERE ELSE in the country, and then the parishes make up areas, of which Acadiana is one.
Vermillionville was the name of the town originally, but was changed to Lafayette after the name of some General during some very old war (we're talking like 19th century old. Stay with me, I'm drinking and typing). General Lafayette. I'm certain it's related to something French.
Creoles and Cajuns are considered to be different. Originally, Cajuns were the French Catholics who migrated south from Canada and Creoles were those who were born in Louisiana, the natives to the area. As the years progressed and the intermingling occurred, they are pretty much interchangable to an outsider, but the locals still prefer to differentiate. The Creoles could be "Creole blanc", "Negre Creole" and all colors of the spectrum between (yes, they still do that down here), with a mix of Spanish, French, Carribean, Native American, and African. Now the area is considered to be "a cultural Gumbo".
This area of Acadiana is the only true "Cajun" area; the rest of the state, New Orleans included, is not truely "Cajun" although the rest of the world is under the impression anything in Louisiana is Cajun. Even the food is different outside of Acadiana; Gumbo is different depending on the region.
And according to my wordy friend, there is a difference between Cajun, Creole, and Zydeco music. This is all I can say about it, because I have no idea how they differ. That is a work in progress.
Either way, the women are beautiful, and about 90% of the people here are short. Men who are my height are considered "tall", and everyone is agast when I say that I am an average height in the Midwest. I am an 5' 9'' Amazon, and will still wear heels, dammit. Also, I've only met 2 other Hannahs here, and we are all so excited to meet because no one down here can spell our names (Hanah, Hanaha, Hana, Hanna. Not kidding, especially about the second one).
Local lingo:
Coon-ass: a local. I've never used it because I feel it's comparable to calling someone in the Midwest a "hick", and I only think the locals should call themselves that.
Come see: Come over here and look at this, or I want to talk to you
Hayacall: used when they don't know the name of something. Comparable to whatchamathingy, or dohickey.
Cooyon (kooo-yawn): and educated fool, or idiot.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Seeing Red.
The second day of Orientation, I stepped off the employee elevator, heading toward the computer lab. To accomplish this, one must enter the back of the hospital, find the employees elevator, step off the elevator on to the trauma floor (ER, radiology, Surgery, ICU all on one floor), wander the maze quickly enough to appear like you know where you're going (which I did), and exit to the front of the hospital (where the public was allowed to wait) out a certain door that would land you directly in front of the Trophy which is in fact a turn-key that takes you to the Dark lord! Just kidding, it opens directly to the computer lab.
I'm marching through the maze, congratulating myself for managing the obstacle that easily defeated me the day before. The door reveals itself right in front of me (shouldn't there have been another turn?), and I reach out to push the button that opens to just outside the computer lab, when a voice behind me says, "Can I help you?". I turn to answer, and see the thick red line on the floor. Hospital signage meaning DO NOT CROSS. On the other side are the operating rooms. Uhh, oops.
Red face.
I now sneak through those halls and look around the corners to make sure I don't run into those nurses again. Just kidding. but not really.
That same day we discussed Red Tape. Documentation. Also known as COVER YOUR ASS. My friends and I have discussed the amount of paper work that we have to complete in order to call ourselves Registered Nurses, however the amount of documentation that really takes place during the day is ridiculous. I wanted to be a nurse to provide care for people, not to wonder if I don't do a perfect triple backwards flip through this hoop, will we be reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid, or any other tight-assed insurance company? Sign here, and here, and here, and make sure you click here and here and here. Now clock out so you don't have overtime. Overtime is not authorized. Money, money, money. It's the ultimate motivator.
Maybe once I figure out the system, I will feel more comfortable. I just want to provide care to people.
I didn't mean to rant, it's just discouraging. That's all, folks. Sorry.
I'm marching through the maze, congratulating myself for managing the obstacle that easily defeated me the day before. The door reveals itself right in front of me (shouldn't there have been another turn?), and I reach out to push the button that opens to just outside the computer lab, when a voice behind me says, "Can I help you?". I turn to answer, and see the thick red line on the floor. Hospital signage meaning DO NOT CROSS. On the other side are the operating rooms. Uhh, oops.
Red face.
I now sneak through those halls and look around the corners to make sure I don't run into those nurses again. Just kidding. but not really.
That same day we discussed Red Tape. Documentation. Also known as COVER YOUR ASS. My friends and I have discussed the amount of paper work that we have to complete in order to call ourselves Registered Nurses, however the amount of documentation that really takes place during the day is ridiculous. I wanted to be a nurse to provide care for people, not to wonder if I don't do a perfect triple backwards flip through this hoop, will we be reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid, or any other tight-assed insurance company? Sign here, and here, and here, and make sure you click here and here and here. Now clock out so you don't have overtime. Overtime is not authorized. Money, money, money. It's the ultimate motivator.
Maybe once I figure out the system, I will feel more comfortable. I just want to provide care to people.
I didn't mean to rant, it's just discouraging. That's all, folks. Sorry.
Friday, July 29, 2011
The Crescent City. The Big Easy. NOLA.
New Orleans.
My first weekend in Louisiana was spent in the world-famous city.
A friend from Kansas was itching to get out for a bit, and I tagged along. It was a good introduction to the city. We spent most of the time wandering the streets and eating some fabulous food: beignets from the world-famous Cafe du Monde, frog legs, melt-in-your-mouth beef, rich creamy sauces covering shrimp and fish.... my mouth is watering remembering it all.
We made our way into the French Quarter, but only during the day. It was trash day, so it was all out on the sidewalks. Because NOLA is below sea level and is established where the Mississippi River opens to the Gulf, the humidity is sweltering; I'm pretty sure we showered 3 or 4 times a day (tangent). So, it reeked. Which prompted me to consider what it would have been like in the heat, without an organized trash service, wearing dresses and suits, riding in buggies and wagons down the narrow streets, as sickness ran rampent, a couple hundred years ago. It was a pretty cool feeling. And I was thankful for what I have.
I'm only 2.5 hours away, and I certainly plan on going back. There's so much to do! Shopping on Magazine Street, going to Bourbon Street (at.night.), visiting the Audubon Zoo and Insectarium, the Auqarium, visiting the WWII and Civil War Museums (I admit it, I hear they are pretty cool), creeping through the old cemetaries. Maybe if I'm crazy I will go to Mardi Gras. And if I keep up with the family, I'm sure there are Saints football festivities in the future.
I'm glad I went. I'm excited to go back.
My first weekend in Louisiana was spent in the world-famous city.
A friend from Kansas was itching to get out for a bit, and I tagged along. It was a good introduction to the city. We spent most of the time wandering the streets and eating some fabulous food: beignets from the world-famous Cafe du Monde, frog legs, melt-in-your-mouth beef, rich creamy sauces covering shrimp and fish.... my mouth is watering remembering it all.
We made our way into the French Quarter, but only during the day. It was trash day, so it was all out on the sidewalks. Because NOLA is below sea level and is established where the Mississippi River opens to the Gulf, the humidity is sweltering; I'm pretty sure we showered 3 or 4 times a day (tangent). So, it reeked. Which prompted me to consider what it would have been like in the heat, without an organized trash service, wearing dresses and suits, riding in buggies and wagons down the narrow streets, as sickness ran rampent, a couple hundred years ago. It was a pretty cool feeling. And I was thankful for what I have.
I'm only 2.5 hours away, and I certainly plan on going back. There's so much to do! Shopping on Magazine Street, going to Bourbon Street (at.night.), visiting the Audubon Zoo and Insectarium, the Auqarium, visiting the WWII and Civil War Museums (I admit it, I hear they are pretty cool), creeping through the old cemetaries. Maybe if I'm crazy I will go to Mardi Gras. And if I keep up with the family, I'm sure there are Saints football festivities in the future.
I'm glad I went. I'm excited to go back.
Ketch-Up. [for my sweet potato fries, and for you]
Sweet potatoes are on every menu down here. I love it. I will engorge myself on sweet potato fries until I can't stand them anymore. And then I will eat them mashed, steamed, and roasted with olive oil and rosemary.
I didn't like the idea of grits, I just didn't. And someone told me I should try before I judge. I eventually did, and admitted I was wrong. Learning experience.
I am going to catch-up on all that I have done before I began werkin' it this week. The 11-hour drive really wasn't bad, if I block out the part of the drive that occurred in Tex-ass. I took it as an opportunity to call people. And call them back to talk some more.
Louisiana is considered to be a different culture than the rest of the South, and along the same line, Lafayette is an enigma, wrapped in bacon (I say bacon because firstly, in my biased-opinion, I would say that there is only a very small percentage of the population that either doesn't enjoy bacon or is ignorant of it's deliciousness; a good comparison for Lafayette. Secondly, bacon makes everything better. Remember, my biased-opinion, formed without any real evidence.)
Lafayette is in the heart of the real Cajun country.
The people down here are soooo nice. Almost everyone looks you in the eye and asks "how you doin?". They move a little slower, and like to talk; most introductory conversations are, "Hi, how you doin? Who's your mama?" and then proceed to talk about family, jobs, vacation, family, friends.... It is about who you know down here. I'm pitifully referencing my cousin's family who live here, because I think people experience glitches as their brains try to process that I'm not originally from here.... I appreciate the slower pace and the interest in conversing most of the time, but sometimes my German/Swiss efficiency and coldness takes over. They're slowly winning me over. Dammit, they're nice.
They drink down here. While in Orientation this week, we had to do mock-documentation with the program they use at the hospital. While taking our patient's History, we assessed if he consumed alcohol, and the instructor said, "This is Southern Louisiana, everyone drinks down here."Once again, a general statment, and in my biased-opinion, I think is accurate. I don't think "binge-drinking" applies down here. Having 4 or 5 drinks at the end of the day is normal. There is no such thing as binge-drinking; it's just a good time. And they have drive-thru Daquiri places. You can have open containers in the car (consume wisely, unless you're the driver), and on the street. Awesome. They drink down here.
Some words and sayings that I have heard that I an associating with the culture:
Almost 4 weeks in the area, and I'm still using my GPS. Why? Because the French engineered the layout of Lafayette. After drinking too much vino. "Fuck ze greeeed systum, juhst zeeeg-zag a stuhreet ere, et ere. Eh, dun. Breeng ze vin." Also, the speed limit is a loose suggestion. Road rage. I'm learning patience. Everything is a learning experience. Dammit! They're nice here.
I think I'm going to like it here. I have plans. Including going to the swamp and riding on a fan-boat. And Mardi Gras. And the beach. And digging in the sand for crabs. Oh, and working. BUT I'm not staying. There's too much world out there.
I didn't like the idea of grits, I just didn't. And someone told me I should try before I judge. I eventually did, and admitted I was wrong. Learning experience.
I am going to catch-up on all that I have done before I began werkin' it this week. The 11-hour drive really wasn't bad, if I block out the part of the drive that occurred in Tex-ass. I took it as an opportunity to call people. And call them back to talk some more.
Louisiana is considered to be a different culture than the rest of the South, and along the same line, Lafayette is an enigma, wrapped in bacon (I say bacon because firstly, in my biased-opinion, I would say that there is only a very small percentage of the population that either doesn't enjoy bacon or is ignorant of it's deliciousness; a good comparison for Lafayette. Secondly, bacon makes everything better. Remember, my biased-opinion, formed without any real evidence.)
Lafayette is in the heart of the real Cajun country.
The people down here are soooo nice. Almost everyone looks you in the eye and asks "how you doin?". They move a little slower, and like to talk; most introductory conversations are, "Hi, how you doin? Who's your mama?" and then proceed to talk about family, jobs, vacation, family, friends.... It is about who you know down here. I'm pitifully referencing my cousin's family who live here, because I think people experience glitches as their brains try to process that I'm not originally from here.... I appreciate the slower pace and the interest in conversing most of the time, but sometimes my German/Swiss efficiency and coldness takes over. They're slowly winning me over. Dammit, they're nice.
They drink down here. While in Orientation this week, we had to do mock-documentation with the program they use at the hospital. While taking our patient's History, we assessed if he consumed alcohol, and the instructor said, "This is Southern Louisiana, everyone drinks down here."Once again, a general statment, and in my biased-opinion, I think is accurate. I don't think "binge-drinking" applies down here. Having 4 or 5 drinks at the end of the day is normal. There is no such thing as binge-drinking; it's just a good time. And they have drive-thru Daquiri places. You can have open containers in the car (consume wisely, unless you're the driver), and on the street. Awesome. They drink down here.
Some words and sayings that I have heard that I an associating with the culture:
- Kool-aid. Meaning business, or meaning someone is being influenced. Depends on the context. Example: "You all up in my Kool-aid." Or, "She's all up in my Kool-aid and she don't even know the flavor." OOORR "She's drinking that Kool-aid."
- Baby, Boo, Shaw. Terms of endearment. I can't help but giggle a little when someone calls me these. I love it.
- You "make" your age. I won't turn 24, I will make 24. Eww. 24. I still feel like I'm 17.
- Getting down. As in reference to going somewhere. "Are you getting down at the club?" Or "I'm getting down at the [insert place here]." Not the same meaning as in the Midwest.
Almost 4 weeks in the area, and I'm still using my GPS. Why? Because the French engineered the layout of Lafayette. After drinking too much vino. "Fuck ze greeeed systum, juhst zeeeg-zag a stuhreet ere, et ere. Eh, dun. Breeng ze vin." Also, the speed limit is a loose suggestion. Road rage. I'm learning patience. Everything is a learning experience. Dammit! They're nice here.
I think I'm going to like it here. I have plans. Including going to the swamp and riding on a fan-boat. And Mardi Gras. And the beach. And digging in the sand for crabs. Oh, and working. BUT I'm not staying. There's too much world out there.
Monday, July 25, 2011
A fresh, clean page
This is simply a test posting! I am getting my footing, in many facets of my life. I recently (if 3 weeks is considered recent) moved to Louisiana from Kansas; I am a transplanted Sunflower. I LOVE to travel and try new things, so I decided I would apply for nursing jobs in and out of my home state, and take whatever was offered. Louisiana offered. I jumped. Here I am.
I have a bit to catch up on, so time willing, more interesting posts to come. I've already been to New Orleans, made some early notes on the culture, and had my first day of Orientation at the new job. Can you feel the excitement?! : )
I have a bit to catch up on, so time willing, more interesting posts to come. I've already been to New Orleans, made some early notes on the culture, and had my first day of Orientation at the new job. Can you feel the excitement?! : )
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