Times are a'changin'

Much has changed in my life over the past few weeks and even more changes are on their way in the coming weeks and months. First, I gave my loving husband and crazy dog a fond farewell 2 weeks ago when I left them to start my inpatient rotation. For a total of 8 weeks (now 6) I will be living on the hospital campus while I complete said rotation. A week after I left, I met back up with the pair in Hilton Head for a family member's wedding. A great time was had by all, especially us "long-distance" family who don't get to see everyone as regularly as we once did. And, as often happens, our time there together with friends and family was too short for our liking. Last Sunday I was awoken early by Corey to say goodbye as he was starting the long drive back to TX with the pup and a friend. You see, he started his new job one week ago back in TX. Every ounce of me wanted to jump in the car with him, but alas I had to catch my flight back to the mid-Atlantic region later that morning.

I headed back to work for a week, then made the drive back to the DC area for "graduation". Although I am not officially done until August, we are allowed to "walk" in the Spring graduation festivities. Saturday morning I picked up my mom and Corey's mom at the airport then after a quick lunch we headed to campus for the smaller graduation ceremony where I was hooded, walked across the stage, etc. That evening we had dinner with friends and their respective families which was quite fun. After a late night we rose far too early for Sunday's commencement. It was another chance to dress up in that awful synthetic fabric cap and gown and take pictures. Well, actually, it was more than that. After all, I do go to school in the nation's capitol. Not only was this ceremony held on the National Mall with the Capitol dome behind the stage and the Washington Monument at our backs, but Mrs. Michelle Obama was given an honorary doctorate and gave the commencement address. And man, she is a great speaker! Also, there was this man you may or may not have heard of by the name of Dave Bruebeck who was awarded an honorary doctorate as well. He gave a great short speech as well. It was a great time. The weekend concluded today with me taking both women back to the airport. I had such a wonderful time celebrating (albeit a little prematurely) with friends but most of all I had fun spending time with my mom as well as Corey's mom. I wish Corey could have been there as well, but things just didn't work out that way. Luckily he's coming to see me in 2 weeks then I'm going to TX and will see him 2 weeks after that! (By the way, this long distance thing is super tough!)


Now we have started trying to find an apartment in TX and I'm going to start working on my resume and submitting job applications. They are both daunting tasks, but they need to be done.