mi hermano...
numero dos...
Joe

Rudolph injured in sleigh crash...

This is what happened after Rudolph had too much eggnog and went joyriding in Santa's sleigh. The EMT assisting Rudolph with O2 is Nick...my sometimes partner/study pal...and the one who responded to the sleigh crash. Reports are that Rudolph is in good condition at Harbor General Hospital in Carson, where Rudolph was transported due to the significant MOI and traumatic injuries Rudolph sustained. Doctors state that Rudolph should be released in time to fill his spot on the Christmas Eve shift. (Note: this is not a HIPAA violation since Rudolph is a fictional character.)

Ponder anew...

So, after almost 2 years of thinking about it...I am finally going to do it...that is, go away for a semester abroad in Israel...otherwise known as IBEX. God has been extremely faithful in every aspect of planning for this from just being able to get on the list to providing the finances to make it possible. I was concerned about mainly one thing as I thought about this adventure: leaving my job. I love what I do, where I work, the people I work with. The Lord has also prospered my work and given me the opportunity to advance to FTO (Field Training Officer) and Crew Chief (an elaborate name for basically being the station mom, you know, make sure everyone does thier chores and makes sure there are adequate supplies available). Since this is the line of work I would like to pursue the most, it seemed a little odd to leave a job I love, and leadership positions for such a temporary adventure...but I knew it would be the best way to finish college...and the best stewardship of the opportunity...so I continued to pursue going and praying about how to best inform my employer. Last week all the details came into place so it came time to inform my company of the fact that I would be leaving for 3 months. I was prepared for the worst...having to resign my position altogether, being told to turn in my badge and uniform before leaving for overseas, and no way of knowing whether or not I would be able to return to the company in May. I was going to ask them for a Leave of Absence (or LOA), but didn't really expect to get one. Yesterday, I was approached by one of the management personell and asked why I didn't pursue the opportunity to advance to Associate Supervisor. I explained to him my plans to study abroad, and didn't want to put the company out by advancing...retreating so to speak. He said he understood and said they appreciated that. I asked him if he thought a leave of absence would be possible, to which he replied "absolutely". This was all well and good, but he is not the Human Resources Manager...so he does not have the final say as to whether or not I am granted a LOA...but it was a step in an encouraging direction. Today I went in to talk to my immediate supervisor: the Risk and Saftey Manager/Personnel Development Manager (Lucas) about some projects I was working on for him. He discussed with me an up and coming Sr. FTO position...and asked if I was interested in applying. I told him I was interested, but that I was planning on finishing up college by studying abroad, to which he responded with disappointment and understanding. I told him that I was planning on talking to the Human Resources guy (Mike) about getting a LOA. Lucas encouraged me to do that, then said, "here, I'll walk over there with you right now and we will talk to him." So, Lucas and I walked across the hall to Mike's office, where Lucas said..."Mike, we are going to give Liz a leave of absence." No asking, no explaining to do on my part...my supervisor just walked into Human Resources and informed them of what they were going to do! (This is a small company, we are all friends, so that is cool...i was just shocked and blessed by it!) So, now I have my LOA, I can leave the company for the semester and not have to resign (not so good for the resume if it can be avoided you know!)... I was so relieved and thankful to the Lord for His provision...somewhat bummed at the thought of having to step down out of my Crew Chief position, as I didn't imagine they would hold that spot open for 3 months just for me...but knew they would still have me work as an FTO, which is great...but the story doesn't end there...moments later I heard Mike telling Lucas that they would put a temporary Crew Chief in my station...in order to hold the position for me. I was so amazed...there was no way I would have ever asked them to do that, even though I thought it would be nice if they could...but here they go, arrainging it...ensuring that not only will I be able to return to the same company, but the same city, same station, same position! The icing on the cake came when Mike told me my health benefits would be immedietly reinstated upon my return...(no waiting another 3 months like when you are first hired.) I walked into those offices not knowing how I would come out...would they be upset? would I be permitted a leave of absence? and walked out of the station with everthing I walked in with...and more...an overwhelming thankfulness for the provision and graciousness of God...who not only provides me with salvation...a relationship with Him, but who provides me with everything I need...and sometimes what I desire...as I saw today. I still cannot believe how the Lord has worked in this whole entire situation...but seeing how He works all the details out does a number of things:
1. Builds my faith and trust in Him.
2. Reminds me of what I really deserve and how all this is above and beyond what I could ask or think.
3. Gives me a sense of rest, knowing that God is in control, and taking this opportunity is the best decision.
4. Grows a profound thankfulness in my heart for His goodness (that doesn't even seem to be the right word)

On my way home I listened to a hymn that seemed to verbalize what my heart was saying:

PRAISE TO THE LORD

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, Who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, Who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee;
Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.
What need or grief ever hath failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

Praise to the Lord, Who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, Who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, Who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night,
Saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

Thanksgiving in "the Hood"

So, I had the privilege of working this Thanksgiving...we were treated to a relatively quiet shift...two pies from the company and 3 from a co-worker, an invitation to lunch with the ER staff...and a "station cooked" Thanksgiving dinner. Now when I say "station cooked"...you have to understand our station is equipped with a sink, a cabinet and a couple of dishes to go in it, a toaster oven and a microwave. There is a gas stove in our station...but it isn't hooked up though...for some reason, management thinks we might be prone to burn down the station by forgetting and leaving it on to run a call. So, we were faced with the challenge of preparing Thanksgiving dinner...quickly...in the microwave. With the help of some of the crew...we pulled off a full traditional Thanksgiving dinner...including turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet corn, cranberry sauce, and rolls...in about 20 minutes flat. It was delicious...not to mention a ton of fun. I mean seriously...how many people get to make Thanksgiving in the microwave, with the stress of knowing at any moment you could be ripped away from your task to assist someone who sliced their finger in a valiant attempt to carve a bird? The crew enjoyed it and everyone had plenty to eat...albeit we had to shove most of it down our throats due to a sudden influx of 911 calls...mostly TCs (Traffic Collisions) between (unfortunately) drunk drivers and those who happened to be in their way. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, but some people spent the rest of their Thanksgiving in the cooler. Anyways, all that to say...even though I had to work, Thanksgiving was fun...and a great opportunity to realize how much I have to be thankful for.

Code Pink...

Heard while drilling one of my trainees at work about different codes:

Me: "Code Blue?"
Trainee: "Full Arrest"
Me: "Good...Code Red?"
Trainee: "Fire"
Me: "Right...Code Pink?"
Trainee: "...hmm, uh, people bringing flowers?"
Me: (laughs out loud) "no, infant abduction."

Fuschia

At the request of my dear friends Miroslav and Ivana in Croatia...here are some more pictures...hope you enjoy these too!! ~Liz

Fuschia fusion...

This photo is mirror images of the previous photo fused in the middle...kind of has a cool effect.

something old...

Refreshing

I am in a photography class right now...so naturally, by blog will probably turn into a photo blog. I hope you enjoy them. Please feel free to leave comments, I would love to get some feedback! ~Liz

Reversed Reflection

my cup runs over...

"...in Inglewood...not so much."

This incident occured on October 30, 2006 in the area I work. I wasn't working the night this happened, but when I came in the next morning it was on the news...

One man was killed and another wounded in a shooting in a supermarket parking lot Monday in Inglewood, authorities said. The shooting occurred at 5:20 p.m. in the parking lot of Ralphs market at La Brea and Centinela avenues, said Sgt. George Sanford of the Inglewood Police Department. 20-year-old Alexander Lewis Jr., died of multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso. The victim who survived was also shot multiple times in the upper torso and remains in critical condition...
Authorities believe the shooting may be gang-related. It is the 38th murder in Inglewood this year. Copyright © 2006, KTLA

The interesting thing is that this parking lot at this intersection is the one my crew spends the most time in when we are sent to "post". I have spent countless hours in the parking lot of that Ralph's, so it was a little odd to see that someone was killed there. As a matter of fact, later the next day while I was working we were sent to post there. Later that night we ran another GSW (gunshot wound) in Inglewood. When I called my sister later that night and told her about it she asked "was it in a bad part of town." I replyed..."oh, only about 6 streets up from our station." "Wow" she said. It wasn't as big a deal to me, especially after on July 4th of this year a man was shot and killed almost directly across the street from our station. No part of Inglewood is really safe. As a matter of fact, no where in the world is really safe. We face the consequences of the fall every minute of every day. Sure, some areas of the world seem to experience more consequences than others, but the only true safe place to be is right with God and ultimately in heaven. It's comforting to know that working down there...not that I am worried or anything. I feel very safe in Inglewood...mostly because I know I am safe in Christ...and that, my friends, is priceless. But were you to ask me if I think where I work is a "safe" place...I would have to reply..."In Inglewood?...not so much."

For more information on this story go to: http://ktla.trb.com/news/ktla-inglewood,0,5381633.story?coll=ktla-news-1

Station 15 Sentiment

I came into work and saw this posted over the sink. I think its funny. One guy even called me and asked me if I still worked there...I'm like..."uh, yeah, why?" He's like, "Cuz someone put up a sign saying to do our own dishes." Fun times. :)

My friend...

Here is someone I am very thankful for...this is my friend Jacky. We both attended the same church and we were both EMTs. Shortly after we met, Jacky got a job with a local ambulance company. A few months later, with the help and advice of my dear friend, I was hired by the same company. We worked at different stations on different shifts, but we were able to work 2 shifts together...that was fun! About 3 months later, I moved on to another ambulance company...and Jacky followed about a month later. We never got to work the same shift at this company, but we did run into each other one day while we were both on duty...(when this picture was taken.) Jacky and her husband moved to Alabama about a week after this photo. I miss her! Having a godly, Christian girlfriend in the same business was and still is a tremendous encouragement to me. Jacky understands me and my struggles at work like very few people do. I love calling her and telling her the crazy stories from work that week...she actually enjoys hearing them and doesn't get grossed out!!! Anyways, in the spirit of thankfulness...I am thankful for my friend Jacky!!

Thankful for...

Here are some simple things and favorite things that I am very thankful for...

- showers, especially hot ones
- opening a pack of gum....mmmm.
- iPods
- technical support
- a clean room
- freeways
- advil
- gatorade
- relief shifts that show up on time ready to work
- uniforms
- hand soap
- triage
- ice cream...especially mint chocolate chip
there are lots more...but thats a start

Summer's End

Well, the summer is over...well not seasonally, but for all practical purposes, the lazy days of summer are gone. School started this week for many students...including myself. I have the privilege of taking Anatomy and Physiology 2, Principles of Physical Conditioning, Health Science, and Photography. In Anatomy Lab we have already started into some "gross" anatomy...as we disected a cow eye on Wednesday. The aqueous humor squirted all over and it was rather gross...there are days when my job is less gross than anatomy lab! It will be a challenge to balance these new study responsibilities with work, but there is only one year left of school, and I know that all my strength comes from the Lord, Creator of Heaven and earth, but I am concerned that my own laziness and lack of discipline will get in the way! This should be a good semester to learn to use the little minutes wisely!
In other news: at work I have switched partners once again...I don't know for sure who the new one will be...but thanks Emilio for a great month or so! Have fun on 1502-A. Now I am the crew chief for our station, which basically means I keep the station stocked, resolve problems, ensure that the crews are happy, do what I can to make them more comfortable in the station...and make sure they get their chores done. So far, it seems more like a joke to everyone than anything, especially with my partner, he started calling me crew chief long before I was ever actually designated as one...mock respect...lol. This position will also prove to be challenging as I try to serve the crews, but also have to exert some authority to make sure stuff gets done...something I will definitely need tons of humility and wisdom from the Lord to do! Please pray for me!!!

Vehicle vs Hydrant

Photo courtesy and copyright of E. Gaona

My EMT partner Emilio and I ran this call this morning...The driver of a Ford 15 passenger van reportedly fell asleep at the wheel, ran off the road and struck a fire hydrant, knocking it off its base sending water about 30' into the air and flooding the street with about 5" of water in some places. Upon our arrival the driver denied any injuries and his van suffered only a flat tire. There were no passengers or other vehicles involved in the incident.

What is man?

Today I was able to spend some time with friends at Vasquez Rocks. As we climbed around on huge pieces of rock jutting out at odd angles from the ground, we considered the nature of how these rocks came to be the way they were as well as why the different crevices and holes that characterized the rocks came to be. As a Christian, I believe the flood is the most likely cause for the beautiful landscape. I was reminded of God's judgment on sin, but also His great mercy. This beautiful park was created in the process of the greatest disaster this world has scene, and as a result of God's judgment on sin. However, we were able to enjoy a day relaxing on the consequences of this great disaster and be reminded of the greatness and grace of our God.

Psalm 8 reminds us of this very thing...

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?...O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

Fire damages home in Inglewood

"1502 for County Fire, 173's on an explosion."

At approximately 1300 on Friday me and my partner were dispatched for a Los Angeles County Fire call in the Northern part of Inglewood. As we approached the scene from Pincay facing Crenshaw we could see smoke rising from about the right area for where we knew our call was located. As we pulled up on scene we could see flames coming from the roof of a single family dwelling. Thankfully, no one was occupying the house as it was in the process of being remodeled. Over 8 units responded to the scene including Engines 173, 14, 170, and 18, Squads 173, 171 and Battalion Chief 20. The fire was under control in about 15 minutes. No firefighters were injured in the process of extinguishing the flames or in the process of overhaul procedures. According to Firefighter Ryan Watson, the fire was started by a transfomer that blew causing some plastic to catch on fire that spread to the new wood that had recently been installed. The fire spread to the attic and roof causing a great deal of damage to the Inglewood home.

BREAKING NEWS: Light Plane Crashes in Canyon Country

"A private airplane registered to a Reseda man crashed shortly before noon Tuesday in the wash behind Don Cuco's restaurant in Canyon Country. Minor injuries were reported. Occupants included two people and a dog. See Wednesday's Signal for the full story and photographs..." -Signal Staff

I was driving down one of the major streets in Canyon Country and was approaching a red light when a small airplane swooped and wobbled low to the ground and disappeard behind some buildings. Based on the direction of the plane...I knew he was going to crash...but here I was...stuck at a red light!!! When the light turned green I proceeded to look towards the area the plane was last heading and could see dust rising from the wash to my right. I pulled into a small parking lot adjacent to the wash, pulled out my aid kit, jumped the fence and started walking towards the crash site. As I approached I could see a number of people already around the plane. It appeared that the plane made a crash landing in the wash, stopping only when it ran into a cement embankment lined with large rocks. I slid down the embankment and proceeded to make sure the occupants of the plane we uninjured. After ensuring everyone was ok (the only injury was a small abrasion on one occupants head) we stood around in the hot desert sun waiting for LASD and LACOFD to arrive. After giving a short report to the responding units, I headed back to my car, grabbed my camera and took these photos.



The pilot of the airplane reported that he started having engine trouble and had to crash land the plane in the wash. Thankfully the wash was wide and empty with no powerlines nearby. (However, there were powerlines along the street that the plane came very close to as it approached the wash for landing.) The pilot also stated that his brakes went out as he attempted to land.

(click on photo for a closer look)

Many bystanders congratulated the pilot on making such an awesome landing. Many of them had seen the entire scenario unfold and were astonished at the skill with which the pilot landed the aircraft in such adverse conditions. Thankfully there was also no fire involved in the crash. The other occupant of the aircraft and a dog were also involved in the crash, but there were no serious injuries to either.