Interstate Move #8

So, I'm moving back to NC... In January... In a few weeks...

My externship in the acute care department of Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem starts on January 11th. That's not all that far off...

I have planned absolutely nothing...fortunately, my Mom and Alan are gracious enough to let their 30 year old daughter move back home, so I don't have to find a place to live.

For those of you that I probably should have told by now, I do apologize...the issue was that for a while it was kind of a secret. I wasn't sure if it was going to happen at all and I didn't want to spread the word around, just to spread another word around about it not happening. By the time it became public knowledge, I'd forgotten who all I had told. And I've been kind of avoiding talking about it, because well, it's a bittersweet move.

I haven't hated Virginia. Not at all, but I haven't realllly loved it either. I am grateful for the move, I think it was a neat journey for Michael and I to have in the beginning of our life together...but to put it bluntly, I'm over it.

Reasons the move is sweet: NC is home, not to mention the greatest state in the country. The majority of my dear friends are there...and my dear friends are starting to have babies and I don't want to miss being there for that. My mom and Michael's mom are there...and whenever we decide to have babies, I don't want them to miss being there for that. The opportunity at Baptist is AMAZING. My supervisor already sounds fantastic. I'll be "working" 8-5 four days a week in the acute care center, evaluating and treating patients recovering from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, etc. Once a week, I'll be in the outpatient swallowing clinic and the NICU. I can't express how excited I am to spend some time in the NICU. This setting is high on my "settings where I really want to work" list. I plan to re-read my entire pediatric swallowing and feeding text over the break (I have Arvedson, if anyone has and wants to share their Wolf text, I'd be forever indebted!). Anywho, I'm looking forward to learning so much at Baptist.

Reasons the move is bitter: MICHAEL MIGHT NOT BE COMING WITH ME. this breaks my heart to even think about it, but that's life I suppose. He's been applying for jobs down there as well, but until something comes through, he'll be here in Midlo. See, this is why I've been avoiding talking about it. Now I'm crying. crap. oh well, it had to start sometime. Anyways, I've known a number of grad students who have spent more than a measly 3.5 months away from their husbands in the pursuit of a degree. I know we'll get through it. Most of the girls who have been in my position tell me I really won't notice (read back a bit, 8-5 5 days a week, did I mention the hour commute, online physics course and intensive COMPs studying?). We'll see. anywho.
Other reasons the move is bitter are obvious: missing family, and our new (and old) friends. I'll miss being around the other Holmes', the Hills, the Blochers, the Katai, and all my grad school girls (thank goodness for Carrie and Renee moving south too, I'm taking a little Longwood with me). I have a feeling I'm also going to miss the craft beer scene quite a bit. Cap Ale has almost become a second home...love those people (and their yummy drafts). It's also been nice visiting with my grandparents and some extended family on a regular basis.

Ok, now I'm just rambling. So there it is. I'll be back in Greensboro early January. As soon as COMPs (march 5th), the praxis (march 12th), and conferences (march 17th & april 9th) are over, I'll actually be able to enjoy it.