January 31, 2012

I started my assignment yesterday, all settled into the hotel and work is good.  I have seen a ton of little RV parks, some are just a gravel lot, and a few seem to have an amenity or two.  I plan to get out this weekend and scout what is out there and available.  There are several RV dealers here in the area that I want to check out this weekend.  It seems I am on call next weekend so that will keep me close to the hotel.  This area is so beautiful.  I plan to post pics this weekend. 

Oklahoma City Memorial Muesum

On Thursday we stopped in Oklahoma City and went through Toby Keith's I love This Bar & Grill, Michael had the fried bologna sandwich, a 1/2" thick piece of bologna, and I had the country fried steak that was like heaven, perfect crust and so tender the fork slid right through it like a knife through hot butter.  Then we went to the Oklahoma City Memorial Museum, I have to say that is one of the best memorial museums I have been to.  Although that was 16 + years ago, they engulf you in the experience and memories so that we never forget the people who lost their life, and those who sacrificed for the greater good of others.  The chairs on the lawn were a haunting reminder of the lives that were lost that day.  The shallow water feature with just a hint of the sound of water provided the perfect peaceful area to reflect on what you saw in the museum, by the time that we left the museum I was feeling overwhelmed, while I so not think there is anything wrong with a man crying, my eyes were burning, and I felt myself trembling.  If you are ever in the area, this is a definite must see.

In New Mexico

Well after a 24 hour drive I am in New Mexico, the country here is so beautiful. Farmington is much bigger than I realized, last night ventured out and found the 3 Rivers Brewery, great atmosphere and the food was amazing with reasonable prices. I believe I am going to like it here. Ran by several camping areas, and RV resorts I want to explore.

Preparing

Ok everything has been washed, packed, and tucked away, I am so ready to get rolling out of here already!

Getting Close

Yesterday was laundry, making my list and start checking things off.  I have my reservations made and leave on Wednesday evening on this new chapter.  One good thing, at least all of the laundry is now done, amazing how it stacks up when you wash just what you need and not everything in the hamper.

I finally have all contracts signed, payroll information sent, and the hundred release forms, lab results sent, I am officially ready to start my new position on January 30, now this week I just need when and where to report and I am ready!

I have been looking at the Leisure Time Unity 24MB as a viable option for my travel adventures, all of the necessary features, small enough to park in any campground, and it has a 5,000# towing capacity.  I need to do some further research on what exactly you could pull behind one of those, it would be ideal if something like a Ford Focus could be pulled with it, the Unity for somewhere to stay, and the Focus to drive back and forth to work.

Cancelled Again

Census continues to be down at the hospital, so I got cancelled today, only one more scheduled shift on Thursday.  Rolling out towards New Mexico next Wednesday evening, I hope to get from Birmingham to Little Rock, AK, then a long 14 hour driving day from Little Rock, AK to close to Albuquerque, NM to pick up the rental car for Michael on Friday before heading to Freemont.  My butt is already numb just thinking about that 14 hour drive! 

It is finally hitting me that I am going to miss everyone, but it is a journey I willingly take not just for the money, and working towards my dream of purchasing a RV, paying off student loans, and not living paycheck to paycheck.  Plus there is no where in Birmingham that I want to work.

Too early

I am winding down my job here, I work today, Tuesday & Thursday, I will not miss having to get up at 4:30 AM, I never did like to get up before 6 am.  I wonder how long it will take my body to get used to being on Pacific Time, I would think going backwards two hours in time would be ideal.

I get home last night to find fingerprint cards for a redo for my Oregon License application, add one more thing to the list a 1/2 mile long of things to get done before heading out for New Mexico.

Preparations for Assignment

I have accepted a travel assignment in New Mexico starting January 30 - March 31.  Now the fun parts begin, getting vaccinations, titers, physical, new prescriptions, oil change, and the million other things that need to be done.  Oh how much easier this would be with an RV.  I will be staying in an efficiency hotel which means I have to take dishes, cooking utensils only to have to drag them back at the end of the assignment.

It's a New Year, anything can happen

Well I successfully made it to 2012.  Let's see what is going on, I am currently submitted to a position outside of Portland, OR, Shiprock, NM for two different positions.  With the holidays the process of getting licensure has slowed down to a crawl, I hope now that the holidays are over they will get back to normal, I am anxiously awaiting the email that my temporary licenses in Nevada and Oregon have been issued.  I have emailed a friend who is a CPA to find out since the last time that I traveled what tax benefits or problems there will be converting to a travel life instead of a brick and mortar residence.

I am still in that hurry up and wait period, submitted and in limbo both for job positions, and waiting on licensure endorsement.  I truly believe that 2012 is going to be a great year for me personally, professionally, and financially.  I have trusted the good Lord for all of these years and he has never once let me down, and I believe that he is watching over and guiding my future.