PDX

Well here I am.

Friday night Tim and I left Madison with 2 suitcases, 3 carry-ons, and 2 kitties. After a frustrating 45 minutes waiting for Frontier to figure out what the heck they do with pets traveling in cargo we were on our way through security with 2 hours until departure. After a few pints at the Dane we took off from MSN to arrive about 30 minutes early in Denver. "Perfect" we thought. "Just enough time to grab a bite to eat before our connecting flight." WRONG. Apparently there was some sort of weather in DEN (one flight attendant said "microbursts" but I have no clue what that means) so the airport had closed, TWICE. Inevitably our flight was delayed about 1.5 hours. So we got some chinese and a milkshake and went to chill outside our gate. Once onboard the Airbus there was a minor freakout when the airline neglected to give us the boarding slips for Oliver and Bucky. Luckily a flight attendant was kind enough to call down and double check for us. As we took off we found out that we would be receiving free tv for the flight which was nice. I simply slept. Touching down in Portland, we claimed our bags and our kitties (best moment of the day) and ventured to pick up our ridiculous Kia Rio... power nothing but Sirius equipped... I hated that car. We got ourselves to a 24 hour Walgreens to grab the essentials for the night and trekked over to the apartment. Once their we "settled in" as best we could: no blankets, freezing apt, no pillows, you get the picture. We slept on the floor in the living room with towels and clothes as our pillows and jackets as our blankets. I kinda wish I had taken a picture.

Saturday morning we waited around for the Comcast guy so I could have internet. Then it was off to Target for a $400 shopping spree including an air mattress, sheet, towels, shower curtain, toiletries, a microwave and cleaning supplies. Thankfully we got to have a little fun over the weekend - we met up with Josh and went to check out the North American Organic Brewfest which was pretty sweet. Lots of people, good food, good music, and even better beer. Afterwards it was back to the apt and Winco for some grocery shopping.

Sunday was a rough day. Tim left around 8:30 for his flight back to Madison and I spent most of the day trying not to cry/ watching episodes of Bones. I also made a run over to Petco to get some things for the kitties. They are the proud owners of new collars and ID tags - they look so handsome!

Not sure what the plans will be for the week. Hoping the movers bring our stuff soon, but who knows. Start work on Friday!

Let's Cross Over

I'm moving to Portland on Friday.

The moving van will be here tomorrow to load up my things. Then Wednesday evening I will head to Madison to take my NAPLEX on Thursday. Friday night, with 2 cats, 2 carry-ons, one checked bag and Tim in tow, I'll be headed to the airport and the great state of Oregon.

I can't believe this is actually happening. I started this blog when I went to Belize as a way to keep in touch with my friends and family. I think I'm about to revive it for exactly the same purpose.

When I started looking at residencies I looked into places on the west coast because I felt like I needed a new set of scenery. Then as deadlines approached I looked into some residencies in the Midwest because I started to get scared about moving. Deadlines came and went and I only applied to 2 places: Seattle and Portland. Lo and behold, Portland it ended up being. It's a little surreal to see the living room full of boxes, my dressers empty and my world all packed away. I'm moving to Portland on Friday. For a whole year.

I hope many of you will write to me and keep in touch via facebook, email, this blog, phone calls, etc. Additionally we've got a spare bedroom so just let me know when you'd like to come for a visit!

I'll miss Wisconsin and everyone in it (hyperbole). I know I'll be back someday, I just don't know when. For now, wish my luck! I'm off to the pacific northwest in 4 days!