Getting fit

So this week was long. This week was orientation for Richard and by extension, me. We started out with separate classes. One for med students and another for spouses of med students. It is basically a support group to help each other through the hardships of med school. It was really nice to meet new people and to talk to people who understood what we are going through. They mentioned about a million times that they weren't trying to scare us, but in my head I'm thinking, "you are not succeeding...". However, I happened to already know what I was getting myself into, so it didn't bother me....cause I already knew. ;)
Richard went to orientation all week and learned about what to expect in med school, suicide prevention (for real. not even joking), sexual harassment, and good study habits. He learned other stuff too, but mostly stuff I don't understand so if you want to know, ask him. ;) What was hilarious to me was they were put into groups for some of orientation and Rich was put into a group of six girls while being taught about sexual harassment. I couldn't stop laughing. I can't tell you why, but I found that hilarious. he he he..:)

Also this week we were able to start exercising now that we could get into the gym. It is awesome! It's not huge, but it has everything in there and it is fantastic! We've been able to go every morning, but unfortunately my hip started acting up. Soooo that made me angry cause I was really excited about getting back into shape, but my hip is making it so I can't. The worst part is that the women in the ward go walking/running nearly every morning and I go, but I can't do more than walk and even then, after a while it hurts. Awesome.

I was able to get a few job interviews in with the Greenbrier resort as well as a librarian assistant job at WVSOM. I did get the job as a concierge at the Greenbrier. (Basically an information desk/customer service) and I had an interview with the library. I will hear back about that tomorrow...hopefully. I'm hoping for the library job to be closer to Richard and home. The Greenbrier is about 30 min. away and the school is like 10 min. So I will keep in touch about that.

So we have officially started school and we are excited. Richard is excited to learn more and he has already found a study partner that is just as techy as he is and basically thinks and studies the same. Not to mention they have worked out together. This happened without planning. They literally went to the gym at 6:00am at the same time and didn't know the other was doing it. It may become a bromance......I'm slightly concerned....?

This last Sunday we were invited to give a talk (predictable) and were given a calling to be a teacher in the primary of the toughest kids in the group. (also predictable) So we're excited all the same cause we love our ward and that's cool. This Sunday we also had a Cafe Rio night with the med school students in the ward and their spouses. It was amazing even when we all found out that all the cilantro was taken off the shelves because of a bacteria that was found. It made for an interesting night, but it worked and it was fun!

Anyway, haven't had any of the feelings of terrible loneliness yet which everyone says happens so I feel like I'm on top of things here. :) Other than that, just kickin it and having fun! Catch you up later!:)

Ikea and other fun things

This week was awesome.We played basketball with the guys in our ward who are also students at WVSOM. Most of them are either third years or first years. Most second years tend to go home during their break which makes perfect sense. :) I was the only girl that played with all the guys and may have made a fool of myself, but it was fun and I got a pretty good workout out of it. Next time however, I will probably go to workout in the other room with some of the other wives. :)

We spent Sunday at church and then that night had dinner with one of the third years and his wife and the missionaries. It was really nice to get to know them a little better and their two big dogs, cat, and kitten. :) Dave (third year) quickly found out how fun Richard is and came together over their love of movies and medicine. He made it quite clear how upset he was that Richard did not come three years sooner! They made quick friends. The wife I found was a fan of Smallville. Those of you who know me, know that I am a fan of Smallville. I have found that is how I make most of my friends. They usually are Smallville fans. Strange, but incredibly true.

On Tuesday, most of you know, Rich and I took a trip to Washington, D.C., which is the closest temple to us. It was a four hour trip, but it was worth it.We listened to Harry Potter on the way their (which is my favorite. Rich was such a trooper.) We visited the temple which was beautiful and spiritual. Afterwards we made our way to Ikea. Now to confess, I have never actually been to Ikea before. I know very sad. I have only heard amazing things about this place and I tell you, it did not disappoint! I loved everything about it. Rich and I went crazy over this place and started planning out our future home. :) The reason we were there in the first place was because no where in Lewisburg did they sell a decent coffee table. We tried Walmart, Lowes, and Goodwill. Some of the places we thought we would find one. Yeah. No doing. So we went and it was amazing. I would live there if I could. We then made our way back home and got home around 11:00pm. Another time we will have to make another trip to see all the historical sights.

Another thing we did recently, was visit the resort we heard so much about, The Greenbrier. We went to check it out to see what all the fuss was about. Again, it did not disappoint. It was huge! and so beautiful. We went inside to look around. In the one wing we walked through, their were tons of little shops. It was like a mini mall inside. Toy shops, clothing stores, jewelry, sports wear, etc. We also saw the spa, pool, bowling alley, bookshop, etc. Everything was so elegantly decorated and clean. I later found out that it is a five star hotel (psht, no duh) and was given the five diamond award. (Well deserved.) This place also had a golf course, Christmas shop, hiking, horses, etc. It was incredible. I have applied for a couple of jobs there. I really hope I get it because not only would it be awesome to work there, but I am genuinely curious to see the rest of the hotel and be able to do so without looking like a creep and like I don't belong. :)

Well, that's all the excitement for now folks! See you next time! ;)

Ocean to Ocean

It has been a long haul! We have had a busy year and even more to come. Richard and I are going to try to keep everyone updated through our blogs. So here it is. It may not be terribly exciting, but I love it. ;)

This past year as most of you already know, I taught third grade and Richard worked at Premier Performance Products where he was the supervisor in the returns department. It was a hard, but rewarding year teaching and working. I definitely helped us prepare for the big move and to get things together. Richard found out around August or September last year that he was accepted into West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM). We took this as a chance to prepare. I got a year of teaching under my belt and we were able to look at apartments and scope out other things in the area to know about.

We finished work in June and took the opportunity to spend time with family and traveling a little bit. We first went on a family reunion with the Newman side up to ocean shores, WA. It was a blast! We did all sorts of activities like swimming, playing in the ocean, horseback riding, going for a walk in a beautiful forest, go-kart riding, fishing, and visiting little shops in the town. It was really nice to connect with the whole family together again for a few days.

After the end of the reunion, Rich and I decided that while we were in Washington, we should go and see Seattle. It was a city I had never been to before and it was a fun adventure for us. So we drove there and found a hotel to stay in and immediately hit the ferry across the way to Seattle. And coming in, it was a beautiful sight.

You could see the city as you came in and for the first time seeing it, it was enchanting. We got some lunch and looked around for a while before the Mariners game started. The only thing I have found so far that I did not particularly like about the city was that there were a lot of hills and stairs everywhere. And not short ones. No, no, they went on for hundreds of stairs and hills. ughahaha....

Everything else was wonderful. 

We went to a couple of museums too. One of the coolest ones we went to was the EMP museum. It had the actual costumes from the Star Wars movies. (and yes I am a total nerd for star wars)

The last thing we did was see the space needle. Which explains itself. 

After Seattle we went to Utah for my family reunion with the Crandell's. Also a blast! We did the Hogle Zoo and went on a bike ride to Utah lake. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was such a beautiful ride. There was also great food, a water fight, and of course, star wars movie. :)

Lastly, we made the drive to Ronceverte, West Virginia. It was roughly 30+ hours in two incredibly full cars and one frightened cat. It wasn't as bad as I expected. We were able to make it without a hitch. The cat was frightened and found a little cave to hide in the entire ride, but we made it. We quickly found just how humid it is here, but making it work. The first two days we put the house together, the next two days we bought all necessary items like food. :) Now we are making friends and just kicking it. We are excited to be here and are can't wait for the adventure to begin!

Thanks for reading and I promise they will not all be this long! Had a lot to cover! :)