Seattle we come... NY we go!

We landed in Seattle on Wednesday, Aug. 20th to a downpour of rain. We'd been told it had been nice in Seattle all week, but surprise, surprise... it was raining. We spent a few days in Seattle, bumming around with mom. Then ran up to Aunt Nancy's and then to the farm Saturday for a big picnic. Here are some photos. We headed back to Mom's in Seattle w/ Brother Jeremiah, Kerry and Val. Sunday we had our New Adventure Party in Everett. Though it was quite windy and began to rain toward the end of the party, the food was great and mostly everyone showed up! Click here for some of those photos. Monday we ran to Michael & Caro's house to have lunch with Caro. She made the best Chilaquiles I've EVER had. Then back out to the farm to hang with Marissa and Matt. Matt got a new toy for his new car and we had lunch with Marissa at the park. We drove all the way to Paradise and back around the backside of the mountain back into Seattle to have dinner with Michelle and headed to NY the next morning. It's definitely been a whirlwind.

We rented the house!

We rented the house to a nice couple named Jamie and Simon. Check out the staging we did in order to get it rented. 4 calls on it in the first 2 days! We must be good. Pam's dad thought we stole the photos from a magazine. Ha! http://olivegroupdesign.com/1953-house4rent/

Unaccompanied Baggage

Today our unaccompanied baggage is being picked up. Besides the clothes we take on the airplane with us, this is all we will have until our household goods arrive around October 22. Together, Jake and I get 700 pounds allowance to take whatever we want (up to the size of a 19" TV). We started on Monday making a pile of what we thought might be hard to live without for the next two months. Can you guess what Jake's big ticket item is? You're right, his computer. Mine is a few "real" dishes, silverware, soft towels, and a warm jacket-I figure I will be thoroughly frozen by October 22 . I have included a picture of everything we ended up with. Well the movers arrived and are packing. Jake walked in an the guy was wrapping each shoe in 3 pieces of newsprint. I guess if I get cold I can just wrap up in newsprint. I am hoping they get done soon because I am supposed to get my wisdom teeth out at 11am and then we leave for Rosarito, Mexico with our neighbors at 1pm. The next few hours should be fun!

The Process

From the moment we decided to go for the job at LRMC I knew it was going to be a process with policies and protocols to follow at each step. First committees had to meet to approve the position based on hospital census. Then, once I had an official offer I got to practice filling out forms with names like A5863, OF306,and da5019. I thought it was going to be dreadful but whoever knew putting information in little boxes could be so much fun. I would fill out a group of forms, send them in, get corrections, make the corrections, and finally re-submit the forms. Despite completing everything immediately upon receipt we had the 9-hour time difference against us. I would get home from work, fill out forms and send them off. Then, the next morning 0530 LA time (1430 Landstuhl time) I had a second to respond and ask questions if needed. So in essence, any communication would take 2 days to complete. Maybe I sound like I am complaining but I’m not. I would have used carrier pigeons if that is how the information needed to be conveyed. All the time just built my anticipation and helped us slowly adjust to the fact we will be living in a new country. By about the end of July every box had been filled in, every form was perfect. I got an email from Kathie, “it won’t be long now!” On August 1st - 2 days before my 28th birthday) the official PCS (permanent change of station) orders arrived. It was the best birthday present I could have got!