Last Day of WEMT Training in Leavenworth, WA

A crazy month comes to an end...I hate it when good things go :(

But that's just the way it is, es la vida...

So the past month I have been training to me an EMT-B.  Basic Emergency Medical Technicians work in hospitals (ERs), the backs of ambulances, for fire departments, and in a number of other capacities.  The course I have taken is wilderness specific and also certifies me as an MPIC (Medical Person in Charge) aboard vessels (its a US Coast Guard certification that includes special protocols like inserting advanced airways and starting IV's of patients).

So...the past month I have learned a ton of new stuff.  How to safely extract people from vehicle accidents, put patients on backboards, operate a bunch of cool gadgets and equipment, and do patient assessments.  Since it is a WEMT course (W being wilderness) we have had a bunch of scenarios outside (and even more in).  The instructors choose patients, give them a condition to imitate signs and symtoms of, and dress them up with makeup (moulage).  It is real fun.

It's pretty crazy the amount of info I have had to wrap my head around in such a short period of time.  I came into the course extremely motivated and as the course concludes tomorrow I am confident my drive will not diminish.  I am super stoked to start working as a medic/EMT, hopefully outside, but wherever I can.

I have never been a super studious dude, but I came into this course to rock it.  I studied my ass off- harder than I EVER studied at UBC (think class 8a-5p studies 6p-12a with maybe three hours of down time in-between).  And I think I have (my final results will be officially up tomorrow but I passed all my tests and aced out my practicals). When I really want something I try my hardest.  And I haven't wanted anything this bad since I got into university.

To all my RMI peers and profs:  Thank you for what will surely be one of the more memorable months of my life.  The time we have spent together in class and out has only furthered my passion for people.  We are all from different places (physically, mentally, spiritually) and yet we have all operated pretty damn well together for the past month.  With very few exceptions we have gotten along without a hitch, despite our obvious differences and I feel comfortable saying nearly everyone has helped me in my learning process in one capacity or another.

To the military dudes:  keep on rocking for the free world.  Yall have mentored me through the trials and tribulations of being a young leader.  The discussions I have had with you and the observations I've made will stick with me forever.  A decision must be decisive just as a leader must lead.  Even more remarkable is the respect you've shown to all of us civvies who have no real-time experience.  It's been an honor to work with you and hope that we can stay in touch.  I take great comfort in knowing we're on the same team :))

To the homies sittin in the back of class with the long(er) hair:  It's been real.  It's been fun.  I expect to see many of you in the future.  You know where to find me on here.  And if I'm not here I'm probably in the woods somewhere or on top of a mountain.  If I'm not in my car, of course...You study buddies have put up with my bitching, awesome jokes (don't lie), hilarious puns (you love em), and generally presence.  That's more than I expected, hahaha!!  Thanks for the help learning all this stuff.  Lets hope it doesn't all fall outta my head!!

To everyone at Tierra:  you rock!!  The food has been AMAZING thanks to Marcy and Jen and the rooms have been comfortable.  The hot tub is hot and the fridges keep the beer cold; so no complaints there.  Thanks also to the instructors who have been super flexible in their teachings.  Thanks especially to Adam for coming climbing with us and being human.  Whether you know it or not, you have been a valued mentor.  I hope I am in the same headspace as you in the coming years.  I loved your lectures and your side commentary.  Keep up the witty jokes positivity :)  Dave, thanks for not bullshitting around.  I respect your style and hope that we might cross paths someday up in AK.  I hope I wasn't too much of a pain in the ass.  Loreen, you were awesome.  You provided all of us with some serious confidence boosters without being too easy.  Thanks also to Dan, Tyler, and Vikki.  Finally, Steve.  Your humour provided us with endless laughs and kept the stress down (despite the heave homework loads :)  I will forever use the Guthrie Poo Scale.  You answered all my questions without making me feel like and idiot (which I know must have been hard sometimes) and offered insight into practical applications of our newfound knowledge by way of your wonderful stories. Thanks for taking me seriously (or at least pretending to do so) and pushing me to be a good EMT.  Maybe I'll run into you someday in Peru.

My plans from here are as open as the ocean.  And I'm thinkin' about getting away again.  I'll be looking for work as a medic onboard some sort of vessel for the summer and hopefully will be able to do ski patrol somewhere in the PNW next ski season.  But you all know how it goes.  If I get the dream job theres no saying where I'll be in a few months time.  I gotta get some cheese, rock out a bit more with the Weird'eax, and then get back out on the road.  It's looking like a rare summer on the West coast for Sean.  

Jess and I lookin' hawt before the first night scenario.

I was a drunk pilot and she had a baby.

We both had severe head injuries, haha

I hit the gong every night before bed.

Why?

Because it feels good :))

Sean

ps-  ¡¡Volveré pronto amigos hispanohablantes!!  Te extraño muchissimo. Tengo que asistir unas clases de español para medicos entonces cuando voy otra vez a sur america puedo trabajar en capacidad de medico :) o algo...vamos a ver...¡¡siempre hacía el futuro!!

email me fools!!  

Oh Don't Blow Away

Wind from spring, from yesterday

holding back the rain

quenching summer thirst

I saw the apple blossoms blossoming

bursting sweet with summers scent

the unburned forests pray still taller

Butterflies and yellow birds

hold chipmunks of at bay for seeds

while chirping constantly

The clouds run up and down the valley

over hills and through thick woods

I catch a fresh breath daily

All I ask is what I learn

oh please don't blow away

I want to teach I want to know

when all this will burn

May the embers burn forever

this is what I wish.

So I'm still in Leavenworth, last week of my WIlderness EMT-B course.  It's been super fun.  Lots of new knowledge.  Lots of new friends.  I can't wait to apply what I've learned.  If you know anyone who needs an expedition medic or any sort of medical technician, tell them to email me.  I need a job, haha!  Heres the site for the course: http://www.remotemedical.com/Wilderness-EMT-WEMT

I highly recommend it for people interested in EMT-B training.  The instructors have been awesome, the group has been diverse, talented, respectful, and awesome.  Can't wait to start inserting airways in real patients. I had my second ER rotation this past weekend up in Skagit county and I had a blast.

Lots of people to help out in the world.

Now for some pictures.  Sorry for the randomness/untimely posting of pictures/lack of recent posts.  I have been doing nothing but studying the National Registry EMT-B Emergency medicine book.  It's huuuuuuugggggeeeee.  And I wanted to know my shit.  We'll see how the practicals and the National Registry test go.  More on that later.  Eye candy :)))

An old Jetta on a sunny Vancouver day

in front of a classic Vancouver concrete building

Lost Lake at Whistler, BC

Taka tears it up!!

Cambie house boys in order

The dirt path into Sunitch Canyon 

just north east of Leavenworth, WA

"Home" for the past month

A gang of us in Club BAMF (aka the Nut Hut)

Built mostly by Tim, an ex-Army Ranger who's got mad MacGyver skills.

He built this 5 person shelter in about 40 minutes with a little help from Diego, Danny, and I.

It's still out there in the woods.

Gonna miss all these fools from the course when we're done on Friday...

Onwards and upwards towards new things and more.

Sean

Haiku, History, and Happiness!!

Two days ago in history I read on a bars blackboard that:

On this day in history in 1803: "The Louisiana Purchase Was Purchased."

Tonight I write :)

I think I like you as your are

I can see the clouds in your eyes

and your hair is warm like sunshine.

Would you

could you

show me stars?

The nights a blanket over us

And I don't know you

but I trust

What's the worst thing that would happen right now.

A Haikuuuuu (youknowhowwedo!)

I look up:      THE SKY!!

                                                          I see the stars in your eyes...

   Would you show me Love?

This is me from Leavenworth, WA

(shout out to Darcy, if she's still reading this irregular blarg of nonsense)

Went rock climbing today.  First time not studying or being in class for the past week.

Wilderness EMT-B training.  Getting learned.

Final notes on the night...on life, as they happen to be...

One second you're on top of your it.

Next second you're in the it.

Someday you will fall into your own $#!T and you will know what I mean.

Just gotta get up on the good foot.

Sean

Model Moons and Brilliance

Tonight I wish I could wander the stars.  Or maybe just connect the ones I need.  I'd crawl south to other hemispheres on a thin white line I'd draw as I go.  I would visit you if I could see your eyes just for a blink.  Just open them.  Open them, but don't awake.

I wish that I might be able to see from such an advantageous vantage point.  I would throw meteors between enemies and stardust down to lovers.  I would watch them walk down sidewalks paved with past steps leading to their futures.  And I would descend on you like a shepard to a wounded lamb; with patience and with virtue.  Not to tend to you, but to care for you; out of love and never fear.

And you are a star, the model of grace and elegance.  And I am but a dreamer.  Your figure weaves throughout my mind in sideways eights and like a ghost it lingers late into the night and sometimes even later.  The moon may rise against our pale skin and we may pay it no attention.  The burn that comes with too much sun is harsh, back to the stars I climb.

The risisng sun blinds my eyes from seeing you in daytime.  The change in time or different tides may having me sinking quicker than the sun at dusk when I awake to find:  an image I've created out of too much time with my head in the clouds.

But today is a different day.  I'm getting higher.  And there are no clouds in my way where I am.  It has even stopped raining.

I want to kiss the mouth of the moon
and whisper softly:
I am so glad that you love me.

:)

Bout time to post some pictures...

Light is absolutely important.  Sometimes when it is dark the world is cold and uninviting.

When it is light outside, and we can see ourselves, we interact with one another.

And meet up at lit parks at night to play frisbee.

This is the view from Raven's crest atop Blueberry Hill.

The clouds are lovely and its sunny to the north in the valley.

Right now it is snowing at Whistler.

:)

These girls rock.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZcxAKMa44g

They danced with THE ROOTS!!

Front row, with the creepy fat dudes and the hot hot girls.

The Rings in Whistler Village

Some of my Norwegian friends.

Various important people.

A princess too.

We checked out the Athletes Village so Princess Martha Louise could inspire/stoke/encourage the Norge sledge-hockey team before their Bronze medal game versus Canada.

Me, Martin, Else (Norge Ambassador to Canada), Tom Johannson (Head of Norwegian Police),

and my "client" Tove Paule, President of the Norwegian Olympics/Paralympic Association.

Martha Louise loves trees :)

We went to the Capilano suspension bridge for an hour or so before the Bronze medal game.

She is the Princess of Norway and was very excited to be able to wander around Vancouver/Whistler with relative anonymity.  We made idle chit chat and joked around about things.

She is very kind, down to earth, and playful.

Working with her was a royal pleasure, bahahaha

This is the skip of the Norwegian Wheelchair Curling team, Princess Martha Louise, and my buddy Sundin (a fellow VanOC driver), posing for a photo for me :)

Madness after the Norwegians defeated the overrated Team Canada 2-1 in the final seconds of the third period.  The Princess went nuts along with Tove and these three women.  They hung out at Thunderbird Arena for a while then we headed back to the hotel.

I had a party to get to.

Stephan Harper just wanted to get the fuck outta there, hahaha!!

Ahhh, yes, the party.

This might have been one of the best parties I've ever been to in my life.

And it was at my house!!

Charles, Gaelen, and Will all celebrated their birthdays on Friday the 19th at the Taj Loveall at an Atlantis themed event.

Throughout the week I had let the Norwegians know they were invited but not expected to show.

So I was quite surprised to see eight of them,

including Princess Martha, show up in the middle of the madness.

I got them beer (not without spilling on the princess, actually...shyt) and let them do their thang.

Tove got pretty wild painting all the young men.

The picture is of the head of the Norwegian lottery shredding on guitar.

He played a nice little blues set in Chucks room before heading

out to the big stage to deliver some serious entertainment.

Songs in Norwegian, some ACDC, some of BC's finest, hahahaha!

All of this while donning a poncho to guard the axe from the Norwegian flag

Ali had so lovingly painted on hi chest.

We finished the beer.

I still haven't recovered from the shock of it all.

But this is why I came here.  This is why my Dad says that I'll "never leave Vancouver."

He might be right.

These mountains are mine.  I love them and they reciprocate.

This is what I want to take with me.

Everywhere I go.

Scene from the Sea to Sky

(with clouds on top)

Containers

What is in there? Where is it going? How much does it cost? Who takes it where? And when and why and how and and and and and contain yourself.

Whipple's O face

Compton's Response

"Butt Pie"

I saw this bus and thought:

If I could go to all points, which points would they be?

So I took a picture.

Then I wondered if there is an all points spaceship,

'cause that shit would be cool.

Nothing but peace love and unity,

Sean

ps- a birdy told me:

ahhhhhhhhh, it truly is that easy!!

Change in the Wind

The storm is beginning to brew.  Bold new clouds tower over mountains who wish them away some days. But not today.  Or yesterday.  When last night it snowed, the clouds dumped their shit on the flanks of my mountains, I awoke in the morning, elated and energized.  If not a bit surprised.  I tossed on two planks and rode it through til it was packed.  My jacket with powder, my face with a smile.

A new storm is beginning to brew.  One in my life that will come in due time and take a new set of coordinates that I will deem mine for the moment.  It will be southernly and warm in the air.  I will carry no doubts but not be arrogant about bodies or doubt or beliefs.  This is what I have, look at what we've been given.  So weave your own story, tie your own ribbon, make a beat you can dance to with rhythm so loose, you're the only one that can choose what you do.  So take a life, take a breath, make a move.

The storm is beginning to brew.  I feel the winds of something new.  The breeze that brings change in the weather forebodes another chapter of life that waits to be told, but hold on to your horses not yet.  The seasons have yet to forget, they are last, their last station but a place we have stood.  Believe in the future, it's coming either way.  We are not seasons we're people who change day to day.

Confidence isn't easy but necessary.

"Don't worry be happy."

Sean

ps- go to Sasquatch, all of you!!

Whoa I am a slacker

I am now living in Whistler.

I wake up when I do and eat some toast and yogurt and drink coffee.  Then I look out the window and decide how quickly I should get ready to go skiing.  Then I put my gear on and head up to the hill.

Then I ski all day.

Then I come home, watch a hockey game, drink some beer, and eat some more food before retiring (usually very early) to sleepy dreamland where I dream of snow and make it reality.

My life is amazing.  I am so fortunate.  Real life is gonna be a bitch.

I'll post some pho tots pronto.  And get back to writing.  But I don't want to rant about my sloth.  I just want to shred.

Sean