Life Update

I haven't written anything for awhile again.. sorry about that.  I've been more focused on work recently and on my days off, I tend to just relax and catch up on TV.... pretty boring days off at this point but I'm so exhausted with my new schedule that I need those days to just sit. And do nothing.

My job is going well though.  I still get nervous going into work each day but it gets better with time.  One odd struggle I've had is that it's hard for me to find a balance between doing my own thing and not worrying about what the other vets there would do with my cases vs. asking the other vets opinions on everything.  Since I was on my own most of last year, I relied on my own knowledge and skills so now I need to readjust and learn how to "depend" on others again.  Because it is a corporate vet clinic, there are some standards that new hires usually follow but the lead vet has given me a lot of freedom with seeing appointments and doing surgery as of week 2.  She helps build my confidence level, especially regarding things I questioned last year and now learning that I was doing the right things on my own, even when I didn't know it.  Everyone is very supportive and gets along really well for the most part.  The other doctors are extremely approachable which I appreciate immensely.  The 12 hour shifts get to be very long especially when we don't always get a lunch break, but other than that, things are going well.  The environment helps me realize again that I DO want to be a vet.

Federal Way has proved to be a decent place to live for now.  It feels quite removed from Seattle and even Tacoma, which is just 15 minutes away.  Because Federal Way has everything we need for daily living, I feel a little isolated and definitely need to get out on my days off and go somewhere else -- just to remind myself that we do live near a big city.  I guess it is considered a suburb of Seattle but it feels so much more different than living in the suburbs of Phoenix or LA.  I find the worst part to be the neighbors.  I've now called the cops on two of my neighbors due to EXTREME noise in the middle of the night.  I couldn't do that with my loud neighbors in Park View because it was too easy for them to figure out that it was me... but here no one knows :-D

Nate and I went to the Museum of Glass today in Tacoma.  It was our first day off together since July 22!  It was a very fun day.  Here are some pictures!

New Job!!

Next Thursday (July 26th) I will be starting my new job at Banfield, The Pet Hospital in Federal Way, Washington.  Acquiring the job with Banfield was quite the process.  When Nate found out that he would be getting his residency, I started looking for Banfield jobs in the Seattle area.  I had worked for Banfield during the summers in vet school and loved my experiences.  I had hoped to work for Banfield after graduation but there is only one Banfield in Iowa.  Once we found out where we were moving too, my goal was to find a Banfield to work for.  Although a few jobs were open, it was too soon for me to apply back in March.  The jobs often needed someone to fill the position before I was able to.  I knew I wouldn't be able to start until July 1st or later.  Eventually the job opened up in Federal Way.  This was after I had interviewed with a different veterinary clinic in the area.  I thought it would be a good opportunity to have a comparison before deciding which job would be best for me.  I didn't want to rush into anything.  First I spoke with the corporate headquarters in Portland.  After that I spoke with a regional director from Washington State.  Then I had an onsite observation day at the local clinic.  After that, I was under a timeline from the other job offer to make a decision.  I approached Banfield and told them my situation with the other veterinary clinic.  That same day, Banfield offered me the position.  Two days later, Nate and I moved out of our hotel and into our current townhouse.  The paperwork with Banfield is a little bit of a longer process so that is why I haven't started working yet.  Honestly, it's been nice to have this time off to become adjusted to the area before working.  I will be working 4 days a week and the shifts will be 12 hours.  The days I work each week will rotate.  The clinic is open 8-8 M-Sa and 9-5 on Sunday.  It will be a very busy job but there are many benefits.  Banfields are small animal only clinics located within PetSmarts.  The location is great -- near many restaurants, the mall and Trader Joes!  The clinic I will be at has five doctors right now, which is wonderful.  The lead doctor loves to mentor so that will also be extremely helpful.  Although I am nervous to start, I am also excited.  Wish me luck!

One other quick story --
Yesterday, Addie decided to venture out on her own!  I had her out back, hooked up on her lead.  She wandered off to the side to lay in her nice moss area.  I got up to check on her a bit later and Addie was gone!  I panicked, ran outside and starting yelling her name.  Although I don't think she would "run" away, she does love dogs and kids and wouldn't hesitate to go find some fun.  A lady pulling out of her parking spot asked if I was looking for my dog and pointed out where she was.  She had found her way to the front of the townhouse unit and was very happy to see me.  I'm not sure how long she was untied but I'm glad I found her!

Another Day at the Beach

Last night I was looking back at my blog and noticed I hadn't written an update for almost a week!  I was going to write something last night and realized I didn't have anything cool to write about.  Have I really just been sitting on the couch for a week?!  What was I going to update people on?  The only story I had was how I almost lost it at the mall when the Mastercuts lady made us wait 2 hours for a haircut.  2 hours!?!?  No... no one really cares about stuff like that.

Or do they?!

Ok, so one quick story and then I'll show more pictures of Addie on the beach.  Everyone loves Addie on the beach.  :-)

Last weekend, Nate and I were taking a short study break (he's studying for his pharmacy board test) and decided to go to the mall to get his hair cut.  After that, we were going to stop by Trader Joe's (my fav), which was just across the street.  I was feeling sorry for myself because Nate and I hadn't been spending much time together due to his work and board test.  We went into Mastercuts, put Nate's name on the list and were told it would be about 30 minutes. We wandered around the mall for about 20 minutes and then returned to Mastercuts to wait out the last 10 minutes.  You never know, they could be ready early.

After 15 more minutes, we started to give each other puzzled looks.  If we were told 45 minutes, maybe we wouldn't have waited.  After 10 more minutes, Nate calmly asked the lady what the hold up was.  She started to make some excuse and then said "well, I didn't guarantee that it would only be an hour."  AN HOUR!?  You've got to be kidding me.  You told us a half hour.  <-- That's what I told her.  I turned to Nate and said it was up to him if he wanted to wait but I wasn't going to listen to any more excuses.  And I left.  He stayed, talked to the manager, got a free haircut but still had to wait another 45 minutes.  Unbelievable.  By the time this all was over, our study break was long gone and so was Trader Joe's.  I was so mad...

Onto the positive story!

I decided to take the dogs to another park today.  First we went to Brown Point Park in Federal Way.  There was a little beach and Addie was a little more brave and walked further into the water.  Lucy was still pretty scared but did get her ears wet (they are so long that they actually touch the water before her feet do).  I demonstrated to them how to walk into the water.  It didn't really help...

Then we went into downtown Tacoma and went to Wright Park.  No beach there but lots of places to walk.  They enjoyed that a lot too.  I showed them the ducks and they thought they were pretty cool.  The weather was perfect.  I've heard the word "hot" many times recently.  I continue to find that funny.  I was also asked by a lady today where I was from while she laughed at me... all I had said was, "it should be in an amazon box."  I didn't know I talked funny.

Don't forget to look at the cute pictures below!

A day at the beach

Today I woke up and the sun was shining!  It was a beautiful morning.  Although my day got an earlier start than I anticipated due to the maintenance guy showing up at the crack of dawn, I decided I would take advantage of the situation and take the dogs to the park.  After looking up what parks allow dogs, I realized I had quite a few to pick from.  I decided on Defiance Point Park because it had a section of the beach that dogs are allowed off-leash.

I got the dogs all ready, regular leashes, retractable leashes, poop bags. fiber one bar for me, hat, sunglasses, etc and headed to the car.  I walked out where my car was parked last night and it was gone.  It turns out the apartment complex decided to re-pave the blacktop where my car was parked.  Yesterday the apartment complex people put signs up in my normal parking area that said no parking 7/5 - 7/6.  So what did I do?  I moved my car to a different area.  Well, it turns out that the sign was misleading because the area that was actually being redone, was the area that my car was moved TO, not FROM.  So, naturally I kinda panic, just slightly.  I text Nate, which doesn't do much good because he's at work.  I decided to walk to the leasing office and find out where I can get my car back from.  On the way, I FIND MY CAR!!  Luckily the complex had it towed to a different location within the complex.  My key didn't want to start the vehicle right away and the e-brake was on... but other than that, things were fine.  Oh, and Nate did text me back and was very thankful that we didn't have to pay to get my car out of jail!

I headed back to the apartment, with my car, loaded up the dogs and headed off to Tacoma.  We made it to the park without too much traffic, which was nice.  One crazy lady tried to hit me, but other than that, it was fine.  For Dubuque people, the park was similar to Eagle Point, just a little bigger and more wooded.  We found our way to the beach section and walked around for awhile.  Addie even put two feet in the water!  I think she was trying to drink but wasn't enjoying the salt water taste.  Lucy was scared the whole time.  We eventually made our way to an off-leash dog park area where we walked some trails.  Addie loved it. She's such a good girl.  :-)  Pictures of our adventure below!

Now I'm back home with two sleepy dogs watching Secret Millionaire.

 

New Place!!

Nate and I finally moved into a place that we will live for the next year!  We decided to not go with the one month townhouse because I was offered a position at a veterinary clinic in Federal Way.  Until the position is officially secured, I'm not going to give out details regarding that.  Once the offer came through, I looked at our top three living choices based on the 18 we viewed three weeks ago.  One was a townhouse in an apartment complex with a lot of amenities, one was a duplex on a nice little street but with less amenities and one was a townhouse in a townhouse community with some amenities but not as much as the first.  We decided to go with the first option, even though it was the most expensive.  Last Thursday we moved our first load of items over but then stayed at the hotel that night because the hotel had a bed and the townhouse did not.  Friday morning, while Nate was at work, I moved all of the remaining items over, including our large TV and the dogs.  As soon as I let the dogs in, they ran around like crazy creatures!  They've settled in really well.  Lucy's favorite thing is the airbed that we bought to temporary use and then make the "guest bed."  Addie liked it a lot too so we bought her a twin sized air mattress to use.

I'll post some pictures below of the townhouse.  It is a loft style where the upper floor is just the master bedroom, bathroom and closet.  We love how open it is.  It has a skylight in the living room which provides a great amount of natural light.  It also has a fireplace.  The back area is semi-small and has a weird ledge that the dogs have to jump up to get to the moss yard, but we are finding a way to make it work.  Nate's going to build stairs so they don't have to jump the ledge.

Today I am continuing to get things situated!  See below for pictures!

Pu- Y'all - Up

We might be moving out of our long-term hotel!!  We found a townhouse that the owner will let us (and actually prefers) rent month to month.  It is a super good deal.  The owner is in a tight spot for paying rent.  It's actually his mom's place but she is having health issues and needed to be moved out.  The owner owns a home of his own and can't afford to pay rent on the townhouse.  It is currently for sale, which is why he wants to do month-to-month.  The townhouse is part of a gated community in Federal Way, WA and it seems like a safe community.  Very quiet.  Looks like Friday should be our move-in date.  That way we have a month to test out the area and find a new place to live long-term after I accept a job offer.  Overall our expenses will be less than if we stayed in our hotel for a month so that makes me happy.  Addie will be happy to have more than 300 square feet to walk around in.  The hotel room is barely enough space for her to walk in a circle and lay down.

Today we are hanging out at Starbucks with the dogs because the hotel room is supposed to be cleaned today.  One nice thing about having a laptop outside in the Seattle area is that there is never a sun glare on my screen -- because there is no sun.  Addie is enjoying the weather, so that's a plus.  I'm sitting outside in a long sleeve shirt, two hooded sweatshirts and a hat.   This is summer, right?  I heard August is warmer...  we'll see about that.  I also heard there is two weeks of nice weather a year.  HAHA, that better be a joke.  Addie is enjoying being the greeting committee to all those who enter in her view.  Lucy pretends like she's blind.  If someone walks too close, she looks the other way and pretends like no one is there.  She lives in constant fear of being given away to some random stranger, or at least that's how she acts.

Yesterday was my observation day at Banfield, The Pet Hospital.  The day went very well, in my opinion.  I'm hopeful that something will become of it.  The observation day is the last day in the interview process, I think.  I may have to talk to one more higher up person if they REALLY like me.  

Tomorrow is So You Think You Can Dance!  The highlight of my week.  I know... I'm so lame....

The Big Move

So.... once again, I haven't written anything for a very long time.  There was much more of a purpose to write things when I was in vet school and felt like I wasn't seeing family and friends as much as I was use to.  Then last year, my first year out of vet school, I was able to travel back home to Dubuque a lot.  After a few months of adjusting at work, I had found a new normal in Park View, Iowa.  I established a routine and made close friends through my job.  I became best friends with my lead technician due to spending a lot of time together at work.  Although things weren't always perfect because Nate was traveling a lot for his last year of pharmacy school, things were ok.  I was very busy due to wedding planning as well.  Once May hit though, things became very busy.

On May 9th, Nate's parents arrived from Washington State
On May 10th, Nate graduated from pharmacy school in Iowa City
On May 12th, my niece Stella turned 1 year old
On May 19th, Nate and I got married in Dubuque
On June 1st, I finished my last day of work at the DeWitt Veterinary Clinic
On June 2nd and 3rd, Nate and I drove to Tacoma, WA
On June 4th and 5th, Nate and I viewed 18 apartments/townhouses/duplexes
On June 5th, I interviewed at a veterinary clinic in southern Tacoma
On June 6th, Nate and I flew (1st class) to San Francisco
On June 7th, Nate and I drove to Napa Valley, California
On June 9th, Nate and I drove back to San Francisco and flew back to Cedar Rapids
June 11th - 15th were filled with packing and saying goodbyes
June 16th and 17th were spent in Dubuque with my family for Father's Day
On June 18th and 19th, Nate and I drove back to Washington State, stopping in Nate's hometown of Yakima for his birthday
June 21st was Nate's birthday
June 22nd Nate and I drove to Tacoma and that is where we are currently located.


So... it's been busy.  :-)


We are now settled in to a long-term stay hotel in Puyallup (Pu-y'all- up) with the dogs until I accept a job offer.  We are hoping to end up in Federal Way, WA but it all depends on where I accept a job.  I have one offer as of now (yeah!) but am waiting to see if anything comes up with Banfield, The Pet Hospital.  No details regarding the offer I was given yet.  


The long-term hotel we are staying in is our first adventure of what will probably be a long list of adventures for the year.  In general, it'll do, for now.  The best part is that we were able to set up our much larger, flat screen TV and moved the hotel's TV into the "closet" area.  The room is small but does have a little kitchen area.  The bed is like a rock and sounds like a giant fart when sat on.  Humorous, especially when Lucy jumps up and it sounds like a little Boo Bear (Lucy) fart.


I'm hoping to continue to write as things unfold here.  I don't want to lose contact with people just because we are further away this year.  If you want to email me, feel free!  It'll help me from being lonely!  (CanidaeVet@gmail.com)  I also willingly accept Skype and FaceTime dates.  


~M