Days Off and Grey’s Anatomy
This morning I was happy to languish a little and sip on my second cup of tea. It felt like a day off. There’s no swimming or aerobics class to dash off to. Of course every day is a day off now that I am retired from the rat race. Back in the days when I was still slinging bedpans, wiping butts and saving lives, our opening line to each other was: Are you on days off? Did you sleep? Our lives were as insular within hospital walls as those portrayed on Grey’s Anatomy.
When you are right in the middle of it, you don’t see what’s coming. You just live it. You think you will sort it all out – later. I knew enough though not to live it via the small screen, too, while I was still working. Once was enough. So now it is later. It’s a real pleasure to live it again through Netflix. I had forgotten the reason why I had only watched a few beginning episodes. I already had too much real life drama. No need for more. Time/days off was to get away from it all.
Now I see it. Now I see and understand how work had impacted on me. It’s taken 9 seasons of Greys Anatomy for me to see it. I am a slow learner. Hindsight is better than no clue. I can still learn from it. It’s still useful in my present time off. I can see how much alike and different Cristina Yang and I are. We are the yin and the yang. Maybe it’s because we are Asian sisters. We don’t like hugs and being mushy, I can identify with Meredith Grey, too, in that I’m a running commentary. Like Cristina and Meredith, I have my person. And that’s the best thing.
It’s nice to have days off even though I don’t punch a clock any more. It’s when I give myself permission to slack off a bit, sip my cuppa a little slower and just enjoy and not take myself so seriously.
P.s. We watch Grey’s most evenings with ice cream.
onethousandandtwo 
My favourite was Grey’s Anatomy for many years. Were you a nurse? I am not a nurse but have a busy work life and would like to be able to slow down a bit now I am in my late 50s. When you are in the middle of it all, yes you just live it and think you have time. I know I don’t have so much time and am seeking a way to reduce my hours, then I get to work and get in the zone and just continue. I think after this year and the lockdown I realise I cannot keep up the pace of my work life anymore and need a gentler pace.
Yes, I was a nurse, Jan for over 30 years. I did shift work all those years. I celebrated the millenium by going half time. Then something crazy happened and I ended back working full time. I’ve been retired now for 7 years. The first 3 was not fun with PTSD. It’s taken me awhile to get to a better place. I think I’m the kind that always has to work at it. It’s what make me tick. I’m happy to see you’ve writing again. I’ve been to visit.
Big love and respect for all those nurse years. Time for you now. I am glad to be back visiting and posting myself. Long may it continue.
After I landed in the hospital I’ve had a whole new respect for nurses. I had an admiration for each one who cared for me and wow, is it hard work! Now, I’ve heard watching Grey’s anatomy is pure enjoyment!
It is, Julie, now that I’m out of the hospital! 😀
I have been thinking of getting back to watching Grey’s too; stopped watching at one point .. And having your person is simply so wonderful…
Ice cream while watching anything is great for me!! And I love your commentary
Thank you. Having my person is the best thing.
Grey’s was too intense for me. After the first two seasons, I decided to stop watching. I’m more of a Law & Order kind of girl. My daughter has really taken to it though. It’s one of her favorites. Thank you for your hard work as a nurse all those years – your field doesn’t get enough credit!
Thank you, Eliza. I used to watch Law and Order, too. Then I stopped watching TV mostly except the news. I got Netflix for a month when the guy was away. Then I decided to keep it as a treat.
My original medical show was ER (showing my age!) but I do enjoy Grey’s Anatomy. I am a physician by training and a lot of what I saw on both shows feels familiar. Enjoy your days off!
Thank you. I remember ER vaguely . I think there was a Dr. Ross there, too. Will have to google it. 😀
I haven’t watched Grey’s Anatomy because I’m a bit squeamish when it comes to anything medical, but I have the utmost admiration of nurses. I have seen nurses on the floor of the ward late at night, and then back there the next morning to do it all again. Thank you for your service. Without nurses like you, we’d all be in real trouble. You deserve to kick back now and relax in retirement.
Thank you, Maureen.
I love my days off as well. But even though I was a Chef for over 45 years I still enjoy watching some of the chefs on TV and I still learn a trick or two now and then. Nice article
Thank you, William.