Chapter 7: Blissful day

As we nestled in our individual apartment provided by our hospital's human resource team, Liz and I immediately begin to unpacked our things. As I was arranging my stuffs, I called my mom through zoom meeting to let them know that I have arrived safely and to show them my new abode for the next 6 months. I dialed my mom's number and turned on the video conferencing.

"Hi mom!, where's Althea and dad?", I asked as I am busy unpacking the rest of my stuffs. "Ben!!, come here and bring Althea. It's Jessica!", my mom shouted with excitement on her voice, as if singing out the top of her lungs. Dad is in a hurry. He's a little excited to see how things are going on as I landed in my little apartment.

"Hi dad, I'm here now in London!, and this will be my temporary home" I turn the camera to let them see the space I got.  "oh sweety,  it's amazing. That place is gorgeous", he said as he run his eyes on the four corners of my place. "momma!", my precious Althea greeted me with glee. She misses me and I missed her so bad that it breaks my heart. If my life with Nick was better, I would not leave my daughter behind to find good future away from her. It is hard to forget about the how's and why's. However, my father and mother always encouraged me to do better for the sake of my child. I don't want to let them down anymore. Not anymore.

We talked and chatted my parents until I finished decluttering my stuffs. I bid goodbye to my family to meet with Liz and start our day by meeting our Human Resource personnel. Liz knocked on the door and I leapt from my seat.

"Coming.. Wait a second". We both went to the HR office and meet various of important people in our hospital. Each one of them welcomed us with warm and glee on their faces. I couldn't be more happier seeing them be so much glad of our arrival. Liz and I are the only ones from Alberta, while other co nurses who joined with us came from different part of the world. 

It was a day full of orientation on what are our responsiblities would be. The director talked about the foundation of the establishment, our affiliates and so on as so forth. They have delegated us our different areas and Liz and I were assigned in the operating theatre. As my experience in the operating room is not that much, I have to undergo a various training program before I could finally scrub in alone. Exciting as it sounds as I didn't have enough cases to handle when I was still working in my home town. Liz on the other hand can immerse immediately in the OT as she has enough experience way back in Alberta. 

They handed us a couple of orientation sheet booklets, a vicinity map and a starter kit. It felt like we have the whole things right here to be able to adapt the ways of this new environment. Our accommodation is only within the hospital premises, like it is just few minutes away from the main lobby. It is amazing how it turned out. It is not that hard to adjust after all.

By the end of the day, we finished our hospital tour and all of us went back to each of our apartment. Liz and I were neighbors as well. It is a small space, like perhaps 300 square feet, but you got your own personal area. A bathroom, a little kitchen, tiny living room with your bed, a bedside table--- it is like living in a dorm privately. It is not that much, but it is enough. I am pleased to know that we could decorate this room according to our liking. I have several plans on how I could maximize my space. However, knowing that I would just be staying here for 6 months and have to move out in a different flat, I will not do any hard works on my interior. Just a touch of my creative side.

I heard a commotion outside the lobby and I peeped out to see what it was. It's Liz who ordered a bunch of food supplies for me and for her. I feel so relieved that she is with me and tahnkful that she is so thoughtful on the things that I need. "Hey Jess, this is our food supply for the month. As per the contract, they would only provide us with a month supply until we get our first salary", she explained. "This will be for you, and this will be mine" she handed me a full basket of groceries and toiletries. "Thank you Liz, this is more than enough". 

I kept all the groceries in my cupboard, each I arranged so nicely that I felt so satisfied after. Then I started cooking some pastas for dinner and invited Liz to come over to eat. She brought with her some red wine for a welcome celebration. "Welcome to a new US!", we cheered our glasswine and we talked almost about everything. We were both excited for tomorrow as it will mark as the first day for us in LUH. 

Liz went back to her apartment and she promised me to make us breakfast tomorrow before we'll go to the hospital. I, on the other hand, is preparing my stuffs for my training will also start the next day. I laid my uniform as I ironed it, then prepped some booklets and chat notes for it. "I am ready. This is all for you", I encouraged myself as I was looking at the screen of my phone where Althea, and my family is on. 

I went to bed and remembered everything. I was thinking of Nick and what is he going to do now. I know back in my mind that he is planning of something. But all this time, not having heard of anything from him is killing me. I know he is not that kind of person that easily gives up. I am just worried that if that time comes, I won't be ready. I sigh. All I can do for now is to prepare myself and to make a stronger version of me. 

I set my alarm and went to sleep.