Sun Exposed

Life can’t always be sunshine, lollipops and rainbows. If it were, sunscreen would be sold out on the shelves, rapid tooth decay would be the norm and rainbows wouldn’t be appreciated each time they made an appearance…

It is common knowledge that sunscreen helps protect any shade of skin and should be applied to at least the face on a daily basis. (I state this as though I don’t often forget this step in my skin care routine). 

When I was younger, sunscreen was merely a thought. As I’ve gotten older, sunscreen has become a necessity. However, I almost swore off sunscreen after I had it in my eye while vacationing in Hawaii.

At first, I couldn’t put my finger on why my eye was burning and then I realized I had put my finger with a dollop of sunscreen in my eye. 

The aftermath included multiple days of burning, puffiness, tearing and my friend, Brooke physically holding me down to inject eye drops. 

My eyes are literally watering as I write this, so I apologize for any misspelled words.

Somedays I apply sunscreen to all parts of my body and somedays I apply sunscreen to none…

In Successfully Failed, I failed a quiz. Today, I failed the dress code. 

In January I had two recreation therapy students begin their 4 month internship with me. However, in early February the University declared a strike and therefore, the internship was put on hold.

After 6 weeks I wondered if they would ever return, but thankfully last week they made their debut for the second time. While scrambling to prepare for them, I once again found myself reminiscing about my time as an (exceptional) student. 

Back in the the Summer of ’69, oh! Actually a few years later… 2015, my internship was the most exciting milestone in my life.

However, my friends had other exciting milestones happening in their lives such as: getting married. So I spent majority of the weekends driving to my hometown for wedding prep, bachelorette parties, showers and hangovers.  

Even though I drove 10 hours almost every weekend, I always arrived Monday morning… caffeinated. 

One weekend I returned with a sunburn brighter than a lucky penny. It was clear I was not near where the rain goes and I did not feel fine. 

So I threw on (and by threw I mean very gently placed) a loose silk tank top, which felt as good as drinking a slurpee too fast. 

My brain must have also been exposed to the sunshine because never would I ever think of wearing just a tank top to work. The organization’s dress code clearly states shirts must have sleeves.

(It also used to state that the brand TOMS shoes were prohibited, which I never understood – Poor Tom). 

That morning we were in the charting room when one of the managers was lingering in the hall. My preceptor removed her cardigan and passed it to me saying, “maybe you should put this on.”

I folded like a lawn chair, which felt like when you’re actually folding a lawn chair and pinch your fingers.

I was never officially reprimanded but the embarrassment was enough.

Now, shirts with sleeves and sunscreen are here to stay.