Well, I would like to first apologize for my hiatus in the blog. Not a lot has happened in respect to our move to Seattle until this past weekend, however, we've had our fair share of changes in other matters. For instance, I've been working graveyard the last few weeks helping out one of our other techs who has been injured. That's been interesting regarding my schedule. And of course right when I was really starting to get used to it, I'm back on my day shifts... well at least for the next 3 weeks.
So, trip to Seattle was very productive. We got a lot accomplished. Signed a lease for an apartment, Drew was able to meet with his extern director and get a tour of the vascular lab at University of Washington Medical Center, and I toured Animal Medical Center of Seattle and had another interview at Animal Critical Care and Emergency Services, and we still had a little leisure time as well. All in all, I think Drew and I are very excited and ready to move.
Drew's dad John joined us on our little trip and we left K. Falls on Thursday afternoon. Due to Oregon weather (we had rain, snow, hail, and bouts of sun all in one day in Klamath) we headed over to Medford and dropped the pups off at work instead of going another route (faster and more direct then heading west then north) through Eugene. We spent Thursday night in Portland instead of making the full trip to Seattle. This way we were able to break up the trip a little. And, I was able to spend a little time with my sister and nephew. Just dinner but time well spent.
Friday morning we left Portland and took the 2 1/2 hour drive to Seattle. Our hotel was pretty much the ideal spot for our trip (within 5 miles of both the university and our apartment), only problem was the hotel was located an a fairly busy street and there was a lot of construction right in front of the hotel. We had most of our bigger things planned for Friday. We headed over to U Dub Med Center (one thing I hate about Seattle is that you have to pay to park everywhere) and got lost in the hospital. But we eventually found the lab in a new wing of the hospital. We spent about an hour there, Drew got a tour and I spent some time talking to his extern director Kari. One thing I really appreciate about this trip is that we made some really great connections.
Before going to our appointment to look at the apartment we went looking for food and wound up in the U District (U Dub is huge) where there are lots of little restaurants and shops located in and around the university. We didn't have much time to explore but eventually found a great little sub shop (we ended up eating there twice) and we'll probably end up going back to explore a little more once we move. As far as what Drew told me he's probably going to be spending a lot of time there trying out all the different restaurants.
So then at 5pm we met with Genevieve (the previous manager of the complex. She just moved and unfortunately won't be our manager. She was really nice and extremely helpful) and looked around the complex a little and saw the apartment. The complex is older but in a really great area. The Queen Anne district which many people think is the best neighborhood in the city. The previous tenant wasn't completely moved out yet and so it hadn't been cleaned but we could at least get a feel for the place. We are pretty much doubling our square footage which is so very nice. We have tons of closet space and a good sized bathroom. The kitchen is small but the best part is that on the west wall we have floor to ceiling windows that leads out to a balcony. And we get to do pretty much whatever we want with the place. I already have plans to paint and eventually replace the flooring in the bathroom and kitchen and maybe a few other things to make it more of our own. And there is a lille pet area for the dogs.
Saturday was our one day while we were there that we got to relax a little. I was able to go get a tour of Animal Medical Center of Seattle (the other hospital that my boss in Medford is a partner of) and meet a couple of the people that I'll be working with. Its a really nice facility but they operate very differently so there are a lot of new things that I'm going to have to get used to. Later in the afternoon while Drew and his dad stayed at the hotel, I was also able to meet with a very good family friend Kandi and her granddaughter Kendra who I haven't seen since she was a baby for some coffee and a walk around Green Lake. The weather was beautiful all weekend in Seattle but Saturday afternoon was gorgeous. I was able to see the area and all it has to offer for its citizens. It made me really excited to move there.
Sunday I had an interview at 10am with Animal Critical Care and Emergency Services before we were to head back. Well, I knew they had two locations, one in Seattle and the other in Renton, but didn't realize the interview was in Renton about 30 minutes south of Seattle. I swear I'm never going to read an important e-mail again after I work a graveyard shift with only a few hours of sleep. So after sitting at the Seattle location for almost a 1/2 hour, the receptionist called just to check for me and sure enough I was at the wrong location. Oh, and don't forget this was after I had already made my little spelling error in my resume. But, it all ended up great and I got the job! Most likely I'll be working one day a week once I get them my schedule at AMCS plus I'll have plenty of opportunity to get some relief work which is exactly what I wanted. So, we finally got on the road about 1pm but we still made really good time getting home.
Overall, we had a good time and it was a very successful trip. So, if all goes well we will be moving Memorial Day weekend. A couple of thank you's need to be made: First, to Drew's dad for coming with us and second, to everyone at SOVSC who helped out with the schedule so I could get the weekend off.
Until next time....
Monday, May 2, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Seattle Update
Good morning everyone. While I'm waiting for my coffee to brew I thought I would write a quick update on Drew and I and our move to Seattle.
Drew was finally able to get a hold of his extern director at Washington University this week and got some information from her. Drew will be starting on July 5th bright and early at 8am. The vascular lab is open 5 days a week from 7am-5pm (someone is usually there until 9pm) and even though we haven't had confirmation on what hours he will be working and what days (we are at this point assuming 5 days a week) I'm sure we'll know when we go for a visit in May. And even though we had heard that some students in the past and that are currently there are receiving a stipend, Drew unfortunately will not. Which is disappointing (we could have really used the money), but we're still keeping our fingers crossed that they'll be busy enough to hire him as a vascular assistant at some point (which is also known to happen but no guarantees).
So, we've decided that we'll be moving right around my birthday, probably the 20th or 21st of June. Happy Birthday to me, we're moving to Seattle! :o) We still haven't found a place to rent yet. Its a little early to know what is going to be available in June but we're hoping that enough of the students in the area will be moving away/going back home so that more places will be available. We've decided that we want to be in the north end of town near the university, probably in the north Seattle, Shoreline, Lynwood area. Luckily the university will provide Drew with a free bus pass so its more for my benefit to be close to work (my work update is in the next paragraph). I've discovered some apartment complexes that seem to always have apartments available so we're keeping those in mind though we'd rather be in a house. I've also found a lot of cute, reasonably priced houses too. I still can't quite get over my obsession of looking even though we still have about 3 1/2 months till the move.
And as for me, my last day at SOVSC will be June 13th. Even though I'm deeply saddened by this (I have made some wonderful friends and have learned tons!) I'm lucky enough to already have a job secured for me in Shoreline at one of my boss' hospitals, Animal Medical Center of Seattle. This is seriously such a relief for us and makes it so I don't have to job search (my least favorite thing to do). So again, and I don't think I will ever be able to say it enough, Thank You, Thank You, THANK YOU ADAM!!!!
Drew and I are still in shock at how well his extern has worked out for us so far. We are on the west coast, somewhat close to home with close friends near by, at Drew's number one pick, and I already have a job. The plan is to go visit Seattle within the first couple of weeks in May to have tours of the university and my new work establishment and to try and find a place so we won't be living out of the tacoma or a hotel right when we move. And thankfully its been raining a lot over the last week cause I'm going to need to get used to that.
And again, I have a feeling you're all going to get tired of me saying this, but thank you to everyone who has been keeping Drew and I in their thoughts and prayers. It means so much to both of us for all your support. We still have a long way to go and a lot to do before we get there so its very much appreciated to have that continued support.
We'll keep you updated as we get more information. I'm also going to try to start adding more pictures to the blog (I already added one of the dogs to my first blog for those of you who haven't seen them) and more on our daily lives as we prepare for the move. I know, interesting right? At the moment we're kind of in a lull with the extern since nothing too exciting is going to be happening until our visit in May. So I gotta write about something. :o)
Drew was finally able to get a hold of his extern director at Washington University this week and got some information from her. Drew will be starting on July 5th bright and early at 8am. The vascular lab is open 5 days a week from 7am-5pm (someone is usually there until 9pm) and even though we haven't had confirmation on what hours he will be working and what days (we are at this point assuming 5 days a week) I'm sure we'll know when we go for a visit in May. And even though we had heard that some students in the past and that are currently there are receiving a stipend, Drew unfortunately will not. Which is disappointing (we could have really used the money), but we're still keeping our fingers crossed that they'll be busy enough to hire him as a vascular assistant at some point (which is also known to happen but no guarantees).
So, we've decided that we'll be moving right around my birthday, probably the 20th or 21st of June. Happy Birthday to me, we're moving to Seattle! :o) We still haven't found a place to rent yet. Its a little early to know what is going to be available in June but we're hoping that enough of the students in the area will be moving away/going back home so that more places will be available. We've decided that we want to be in the north end of town near the university, probably in the north Seattle, Shoreline, Lynwood area. Luckily the university will provide Drew with a free bus pass so its more for my benefit to be close to work (my work update is in the next paragraph). I've discovered some apartment complexes that seem to always have apartments available so we're keeping those in mind though we'd rather be in a house. I've also found a lot of cute, reasonably priced houses too. I still can't quite get over my obsession of looking even though we still have about 3 1/2 months till the move.
And as for me, my last day at SOVSC will be June 13th. Even though I'm deeply saddened by this (I have made some wonderful friends and have learned tons!) I'm lucky enough to already have a job secured for me in Shoreline at one of my boss' hospitals, Animal Medical Center of Seattle. This is seriously such a relief for us and makes it so I don't have to job search (my least favorite thing to do). So again, and I don't think I will ever be able to say it enough, Thank You, Thank You, THANK YOU ADAM!!!!
Drew and I are still in shock at how well his extern has worked out for us so far. We are on the west coast, somewhat close to home with close friends near by, at Drew's number one pick, and I already have a job. The plan is to go visit Seattle within the first couple of weeks in May to have tours of the university and my new work establishment and to try and find a place so we won't be living out of the tacoma or a hotel right when we move. And thankfully its been raining a lot over the last week cause I'm going to need to get used to that.
And again, I have a feeling you're all going to get tired of me saying this, but thank you to everyone who has been keeping Drew and I in their thoughts and prayers. It means so much to both of us for all your support. We still have a long way to go and a lot to do before we get there so its very much appreciated to have that continued support.
We'll keep you updated as we get more information. I'm also going to try to start adding more pictures to the blog (I already added one of the dogs to my first blog for those of you who haven't seen them) and more on our daily lives as we prepare for the move. I know, interesting right? At the moment we're kind of in a lull with the extern since nothing too exciting is going to be happening until our visit in May. So I gotta write about something. :o)
Monday, February 28, 2011
We're Following the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City!
By now I'm sure that most of you know by our posts on Facebook, and phone calls and text messages, that Drew and I are moving to Seattle! What a crazy day this has been. We're both exhausted but extremely excited. You wouldn't think that something like this would be so stressful, but it was the most stressful day that Drew and I have encountered together but we survived and probably are a stronger couple because of it. So today's blog is a more detailed account of what actually happened in the few hours leading up to the draw, what was happening during and after we found out where we're headed.
I got off work at 9pm last night and headed home. I was very thankful that one, we were busy enough to help keep my mind off the draw but able to talk about my concerns in between (thank you to my wonderful co-workers and friends for helping me stay calm!) and two, that the roads were mostly clear so I could get home safely. I got home at about 10:45 and of course Drew and I were talking immediately about different scenarios and outcomes etc. etc. I know that I was stressed about it, but I can't even imagine what else was going on in Drew's head that he wasn't telling me. We both tried to do our best to keep each other calm but in a situation of literally not knowing where you're going to be living in about three and a half months is very nerve wracking and was causing a lot of anxiety in our house. The decision I had to make was if I was going to stay home or wait outside his classroom and couldn't decide where I was going to be less of a mess. But ultimately I made the decision to go and wait for him which was the best.
We finally got to bed around 12:30 and of course Drew was asleep within a few minutes but not me. After a few episodes of Grey's, I was finally able to get my mind focused enough on the show instead of what was going to happen in the morning and dozed off around 3am. It wasn't peaceful either. I woke up a few times between then and ore alarm going off at 6:45 and so did Drew. We got ready and were out the door by 7:30 and headed up to the school.
By the time we got there most of his other classmates were already there and a lot of the other spouses/fiances/boyfriends/girlfriends were there as well (along with other students from different programs to find out the outcome) so at least I wasn't going to be sitting outside the classroom alone. His teachers showed up shortly after and the students began filing in the classroom. With a quick good luck kiss I found myself sitting and waiting.
One of Drew's classmates ended up calling her husband waiting outside and he turned on his speaker phone so we could try and hear what was going on. Technically, this isn't allowed but it gave us a little comfort. The reception quality wasn't that great and it was hard to hear over everyone talking but it was something.
The first site that was drawn was Peoria, Illinois. At first it didn't look like anyone was going to put in for it but than Arnold decided that he would go ahead and just take it. Then the Bellevue site was drawn, Drew put his name in along with 6 other people and his classmate Ashley, who's husband's phone we were listening through, got it. Next was Washington University, which again Drew put in for along with 6 people (remember, that's almost half his class) and luckily his name was drawn. When I was listening, I swore that I heard Drew's name announced but no one else heard it and kept asking each other if they heard so I didn't want to jinx myself and say it was Drew just in case it wasn't. Next Florida and Cleveland were drawn and no one put in for them so they were placed aside as an open site so anyone at anytime during the rest of the draw could take those sites. And so on and so on... Baltimore, Davis, Vermont, Salt Lake, Boise.... all came and went and I still didn't have an answer as to where we were going.
Then the phone call was dropped and it was all over. Then they started filing out of the room. Drew was first out and came over and just handed me his card with all his site information on it. And it was confirmed of what I had been hoping for over 20 minutes (and the last few months)..... University of Washington! All of the stress and anxiety went away. But, with joy came disappointment. Two of Drew's classmates unfortunately are headed to Florida and Baltimore, neither of them being in their top 5, and are obviously upset. It was hard to contain my excitement and relief but I couldn't help it either. That could have easily been us.
The rest of the day was dedicated to a celebratory breakfast with his teachers and classmates and then our normal routine. Grocery shopping, laundry, and preparing for our snowboard trip tomorrow. Then a much needed nap and some quality time with the dogs. Even they are excited today. They don't know why, they just know that mom and dad are happy, so they are happy.
So, the next couple of months are going to be dedicated to getting to know the Seattle area from here, looking for places that we are going to want to live, and eventually going to visit sometime in April and june to look around and go visit the medical center that he will be working at (and maybe even touring a veterinary hospital that I can potentially have a job at!).
Again, Drew and I want to express how much we appreciate all of you keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. We feel very blessed and are extremely excited! We will keep all of you updated as our move progresses. Thank you!
I got off work at 9pm last night and headed home. I was very thankful that one, we were busy enough to help keep my mind off the draw but able to talk about my concerns in between (thank you to my wonderful co-workers and friends for helping me stay calm!) and two, that the roads were mostly clear so I could get home safely. I got home at about 10:45 and of course Drew and I were talking immediately about different scenarios and outcomes etc. etc. I know that I was stressed about it, but I can't even imagine what else was going on in Drew's head that he wasn't telling me. We both tried to do our best to keep each other calm but in a situation of literally not knowing where you're going to be living in about three and a half months is very nerve wracking and was causing a lot of anxiety in our house. The decision I had to make was if I was going to stay home or wait outside his classroom and couldn't decide where I was going to be less of a mess. But ultimately I made the decision to go and wait for him which was the best.
We finally got to bed around 12:30 and of course Drew was asleep within a few minutes but not me. After a few episodes of Grey's, I was finally able to get my mind focused enough on the show instead of what was going to happen in the morning and dozed off around 3am. It wasn't peaceful either. I woke up a few times between then and ore alarm going off at 6:45 and so did Drew. We got ready and were out the door by 7:30 and headed up to the school.
By the time we got there most of his other classmates were already there and a lot of the other spouses/fiances/boyfriends/girlfriends were there as well (along with other students from different programs to find out the outcome) so at least I wasn't going to be sitting outside the classroom alone. His teachers showed up shortly after and the students began filing in the classroom. With a quick good luck kiss I found myself sitting and waiting.
One of Drew's classmates ended up calling her husband waiting outside and he turned on his speaker phone so we could try and hear what was going on. Technically, this isn't allowed but it gave us a little comfort. The reception quality wasn't that great and it was hard to hear over everyone talking but it was something.
The first site that was drawn was Peoria, Illinois. At first it didn't look like anyone was going to put in for it but than Arnold decided that he would go ahead and just take it. Then the Bellevue site was drawn, Drew put his name in along with 6 other people and his classmate Ashley, who's husband's phone we were listening through, got it. Next was Washington University, which again Drew put in for along with 6 people (remember, that's almost half his class) and luckily his name was drawn. When I was listening, I swore that I heard Drew's name announced but no one else heard it and kept asking each other if they heard so I didn't want to jinx myself and say it was Drew just in case it wasn't. Next Florida and Cleveland were drawn and no one put in for them so they were placed aside as an open site so anyone at anytime during the rest of the draw could take those sites. And so on and so on... Baltimore, Davis, Vermont, Salt Lake, Boise.... all came and went and I still didn't have an answer as to where we were going.
Then the phone call was dropped and it was all over. Then they started filing out of the room. Drew was first out and came over and just handed me his card with all his site information on it. And it was confirmed of what I had been hoping for over 20 minutes (and the last few months)..... University of Washington! All of the stress and anxiety went away. But, with joy came disappointment. Two of Drew's classmates unfortunately are headed to Florida and Baltimore, neither of them being in their top 5, and are obviously upset. It was hard to contain my excitement and relief but I couldn't help it either. That could have easily been us.
The rest of the day was dedicated to a celebratory breakfast with his teachers and classmates and then our normal routine. Grocery shopping, laundry, and preparing for our snowboard trip tomorrow. Then a much needed nap and some quality time with the dogs. Even they are excited today. They don't know why, they just know that mom and dad are happy, so they are happy.
So, the next couple of months are going to be dedicated to getting to know the Seattle area from here, looking for places that we are going to want to live, and eventually going to visit sometime in April and june to look around and go visit the medical center that he will be working at (and maybe even touring a veterinary hospital that I can potentially have a job at!).
Again, Drew and I want to express how much we appreciate all of you keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. We feel very blessed and are extremely excited! We will keep all of you updated as our move progresses. Thank you!
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