Well...

Hm, guess it's been a few days since my  last entry. Had a bad day on Thursday and yesterday we attended the Michigan Dietetic Association Fall Conference in Mt. Pleasant. It was cool to be back in Mt. Pleasant, but I was bummed I couldn't visit anyone while I was there. The conference was all about how to market yourself as a dietitian and they also touched on everything that's going on in Lansing about a bill that helps RD's getting a license to practice (which I LOVE). This would mean that only a licensed RD would be able to give out nutrition information and advice.

The best part was after the conference when we stopped at the Uncle John's Cider Mill. We did wine tastings and enjoyed cider and donuts. A few girls in our internship group had never been to (or heard of) a cider mill, so we decided to take a quick tractor ride around the apple orchard and pumpkin patch. It was lots of fun and it was nice to hang out with everyone outside of the internship. These are the times I wish I lived in Ann Arbor...

279 days...

...

I can't even begin to explain how exhausted I am today. We really didn't do too much out of the norm. We had a speaker on how to give an effective evaluation, an introduction to PFANS (Patient Food and Nutrition Services) and the B2 kitchen, and a tour. But - there was a big storm last night that woke me up at about 3:30a and I couldn't seem to get back into a good sleep...and the fact that I'm not used to sitting so much. I'm ready to start rotations and finally be on my feet and moving around. Can't complain though...we did do some moving around...

Easily the best part of the day! After lunch, we went back to our rather cramped room and it was no longer just the presenter and six interns, but about 10-12 other supervisory/managers from the PFANS B2 kitchen! We all shared introductions (as usual) and then moved through a PowerPoint about what each supervisor/manager/director does and how they all come together. It was good to see where everything falls in place. Then, we got up and went downstairs and had a tour of the B2 kitchen. Still, nothing too crazy.

After our tour, our tour guide told us we had one more assignment until we could go. Nothing other than...A SCAVENGER HUNT! Now, sounds childish at first right? But totally awesome. We were split into two teams of three and we had a "coach" and a "cheer squad" composed of the managers and supervisors. We were then given an envelope and in relay fashion, interns were given one strip of paper that said a place we had to locate in the kitchen.

Time out. When I say kitchen, don't think of like a restaurant kitchen where it's not all that big. This kitchen is MASSIVE. And it's not only the kitchen, but locker rooms, loading docks, special elevators, millions of offices, galleys, etc. This place was floor plan size of an entire hospital but on the bottom floor. HUGE = understatement.

Time in. So after we were given our strip of paper, it had a location or thing in the kitchen that we had to go and find. When we found the right place, we found a small piece of paper that verified we found the right place. Then, as fast as we could (and we HAD to walk through the dish area), we made our way back to our central meeting place. Then, it was another team members turn. In total, there was 16 places/things we had to locate, so it took about 30 minutes to do the entire scavenger hunt.

WE WON! It was so much fun. Not only the game part but also having the kitchen staff and managers/supervisors help us. They were incredibly friendly and played along. Our prize was a little gifty bag with a lunchbox, water bottle, a small bottle of hand sanitizer, and a cooking thermometer. What may seem like a bag of random gifts is, in fact, a "foody's" lottery. 

In other words, I can't wait to start my food service/kitchen/production rotations next week. Only one day left of food service administrative classes, then a conference in Mt. Pleasant on Friday. Then, lots of homework and project work needs to get done this weekend. Then...rotations start!

Finally. Bedtime. 

282 days...

Almost to rotation time!

Today was another great day. Literally. Our classes today were based on customer service, planning budgets, marketing, disaster management, and creating in-service presentations. I realize some of this information seem dry and dull at first, but I assure you, it was awesome.

First, our schedule called for a four hour session with Aramark this morning. I wasn't sure what to expect and with a four hour session being so early, I knew I would be drowsy. But I was wrong! We walk in and there was Starbucks coffee waiting for us, along with a yogurt parfait "buffet" set up, along side with heart healthy muffins made with carrots and fruit purees. Needless to say I stayed wide awake through the first half of the day.

Then, lunch came. Again, provided by Aramark so I was assuming we were going to get basic sandwiches and box lunch materials...wrong again. Chicken fajitas! With all the fixings, including chips and salsa, and pound cake with fresh whipped cream and berries for dessert. Again, I stayed wide awake after that, even through the calculus and budget planning math problems. In the marketing presentation, we were split up into two different teams and we competed for a bid to become a new catering company. Our company was named "Crisp!" and based our concept around specialty organic/local/fresh salads with homemade signature dressings. Fun stuff!

The only downside today was the terrible commute home. We were on the other side of the medical campus that picks up people, so we didn't get to the bus stop until about 5:15pm, after the big rush. So, all the buses were busy and we stood there for a good 20 minutes, which is terrible compared to the normal 2-3 minutes we usually wait. After that, we were shuttled to the car, then the actual commute home. I got home much later than normal days, but the fun conversation at the bus stop made up for the time wait. And the fact that I got an up close and personal spot on the bus. I really do think that I was closer to the windshield than the bus-driver was. Completely illegal because I was far ahead of the yellow line, but I felt like I was "ON TOP OF THE WORLD!"...that was a Titanic movie reference, P.S.

Then, grocery shopping with Grandma. I'm pretty sure we shut down the entire deli section getting yummy turkey, ham, extra-sharp cheddar, pepper jack, and baby Swiss cheese. I'm officially in love with the Better Health store here in town; the fact that everything is organic and with all best attempts at products and produce being local. And my Bridge Card works there! We then came home and had delicious grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, fresh garden tomatoes, and vanilla yogurt with fresh pineapple. 

I forgot to mention we got our schedules for the first three weeks of our food service rotation. Oh yea, and did I mention I have seven projects due in three weeks!?

Food + Service = Food service

Currently in the food service classes that prep me for my food service rotations which begin next week! We had classes that covered NSF, remodeling of food service areas, HACCP review, recipe conversion, etc. It was definitely a good refresher course and I'm feeling more confident than ever to begin this rotation. Our preceptor went over some of the projects we will be doing in this rotation and it's making me very excited!

The project that was introduced today was that we get to create a recipe that will be on the new University Hospital Room Service menu! We will be paired up and our mission is to compete against each other to create the best entree salad recipe. The trick is, the recipe has to expand well to 400+ servings, pass a taste test, and a survey. So, not as easy as it sounds. But, it will be exciting nonetheless. 

Other than that, today was nothing to complain about. It's tough getting back to getting up at 5am when you get to sleep in on the weekend. This Friday we are going to the Michigan Dietetic Association fall conference. Guess where it is...Mount Pleasant! Just when I thought I couldn't go back soon...

Not only to make the day better, all of us interns are going to stop at the cider mill on our way back! Today we were talking about it and some of them have never heard of a cider mill, so I'm really excited for them to see how fun it is. Cider donuts, homemade cider, corn mazes, wine tastings, and tractor rides...HERE WE COME! 


284 days...

Round 3

First two weeks of administrative classes are OVER. Finally! Now onto round 3 with my foodservice classes, to help kick off my foodservice rotations that will begin next Monday. I can't really report much now, but I'm sure there will be much more to tell by tomorrow.

Went home again this weekend. It's so hard to leave once I get there. There's nothing better than spending time with family, relaxing, going to the cider mill, spending time with Jordan, watching the 'lil cousins little league baseball games, chasing Bella around the house, big brunches, and sleeping in.

As an alum of CMU and Phi Sigma Sigma, it was hard to look on Facebook and see all the pictures from recruitment week - and not being there. I think of everything that has happened since I graduated, that was the trigger that really makes me feel old. It seems like the new girls are amazing and I'm sure they will keep the ΔI legacy alive, I can't feel but left out as I can't meet them! As much time as it took up, I would give anything to go back and help out at recruitment, go to meeting, and sleep in my old room in the house. 

 

 
This will forever be my second home...♥

Eh...

Ehh...

Woke up to thunderstorms and because of the horrendous rain and driving on an unfamiliar, pitch black road at 6:30am, going 50mph, I almost had my first accident. Almost. In a valley between two steep hills, the water decided to all come together. And of course there's no street lamps so i didn't see the small pond that was forming. A literal wave of water over my car and a clutched fists on the steering wheel, straight-armed swerve took my breath away. Someone (or something?) was on my shoulder this morning.

One of those days. Super exhausted, so many projects piling up, and family matters. This whole thing is more than I expected and I we're still in the administrative week. Presentation tomorrow, but at least we get out early. Then, it's heading home.

288 days...

Hump day!!

Another long day of classes. Almost done with the last administrative week. Today we learned about The Joint Commission, our attitudes, diversity, Healthy Eating Tip of the Month, literature reviews, etc. LOTS of stuff. 

Turns out each month, an intern is in charge of the Healthy Eating Tip of the Month. It's not just a little tip that's thrown out in a department-wide email every month, but instead a hospital-wide initiative that includes displays, bulletin boards, handouts, and creating a website. Yea. No big deal! So, of course, whose name is first alphabetically in the intern list? MINE! That means that I get one month from today to create all of this. While other interns get 3, 4, heck! 8 months to finish theirs. Is this unfair? Mm...debatable. But - will I get it done early and not have to worry about it and have it come at more inconvenient times? Probably. I'm going to be the optimistic pessimist for today.

But I really can't complain. I'm here. I'm getting it done. I'm going to be an RD soon. And, today we got to put our sweet acting skills to use by role playing tough situations for communication. 

Today was loads better than yesterday. Yesterday we slowly trudged through the intensely slow afternoon of learning about how the hospital disposes of medical waste. Get this - U of M hospital has a state-of-the-art autoclave which is attached to a grinder. All medical waste (sharps, rubber gloves, etc.) goes down into the grinder and gets grinded until it's unrecognizable. Then, it goes up a conveyor until it's put into this MASSSSIVE autoclave that seals and heats everything inside with 280 degrees of steam. This kills all the germs on it so it would be safe to go to a landfill. Then, it goes down a chute into the everyday garbage. Cool, but completely unnecessary for us to know. Not to mention the guy had a super monotone voice and didn't move around the classroom at all. The tour of the autoclave area was neat, but...

a) smelled beyond disgusting, a possible mix of a sewage plant, wet dog, and rotting eggs

b) we had the tour directly before lunch

c) the guy overstayed his tour time by 10 minutes, cutting into recovery/lunch mode

So. Needless to say, good information, just didn't need to be 2 hours worth. 

But then today the entire hospital staff (including us!) was invited to an ice cream social outside in the courtyard where personally treated myself to some vanilla frozen yogurt with strawberries and Oreo crumbles. Yay hump day.

289 days...