Museum of Glass

Today we ventured out of Puyallup to Tacoma, which is about a 15 minute drive away. We went to the Museum of Glass (first check off the Washington Bucket List!). It was really cool, a little smaller than I expected, but neat none the less. The museum had one gallery with pieces from different glass artists. It was interesting because when I think about glass I think of Dale Chihuly who is originally from Tacoma. There are so many different styles other than his so that was cool to see. I will admit that Chihuly's is my favorite so far--I like the 'wavy quality' his pieces have. There was also a live glass blowing demonstration. I bet it's way harder than it looks. Eli and I are planning on taking a class while we're out here! There was a really cool bridge connecting the museum district. At the beginning there was a huge wall that was sectioned off and had Chihuly pieces in each section. Then in the middle of the bridge there were two large installations. Last, the ceiling at the end of the bridge had a collage of Chihuly pieces--very cool.

Then we tried to go to lunch. The review of this place was "It is in a super sketchy neighborhood, but if you can get past that the food is great." Awesome. So we tried to get there and could.not. find it! We scratched that idea and did a deli instead.  It was a dive too--in a gas station, but the sandwiches were very tasty. Worth it!

Sumner

Tuesday, Tuesday...So Eli was awesome this morning and got up and went for a run--he wanted a legit. workout so I didn't go with him--motivation for me to become a better runner. We drove to Sumner WA today, which is about 10 minutes east of Puyallup. First thing, when we pulled into the first intersection we get to, there was Mt. Rainer right in front of us!!!! I freaked out. Let me explain: While we were out this weekend exploring it was kind of cloudy so you saw some of the lower smaller mountains and I thought that was it. I was like--cool. Then this morning it was BAM mountain. Of course I was driving so I couldn't take a picture then we drove into town and you couldn't really see it, then on our way out it clouded over. Weird.

Ok, Sumner was super cute. We went to lunch at this little place called the Windmill Bistro. The word I would use to describe it was lovely. It was the kind of place that my sisters, mom, and grandma would go to to have a tea party (a real one and yes they do exist) Eli had a turkey club; I had clam chowder and half a salad. All were delish. Then we went antiquing :) I had a blast. Then it was back to Puyallup! Plan for tomorrow: glass museum in Tacoma. I.am.pumped. (pics: tree sculpture on the trail; our extended stay room)

Weekend Explorers

The first weekend here in Puyallup was cloudy--a little rainy, but we were able to do lots of exploring. Saturday we got up and walked through the little downtown. It's cute! There is a wine shop and a gourmet cheese shop (Trip Advisor #1 for Puyallup). I'm a member of Health Care Travel Book, which  is kind of like facebook for travelers and one person advised me to make a 'bucket list' of things to do while we're here--loved the idea.

Sunday we walked/jogged on Riverwalk Trail. It was nice, but I want mountains, trees, etc. There was a cool mural though at one of the stops. Then that night Eli and I watched the Oscars--the time change is so bizarre. It was over at like 9pm for us and it would have been midnight for my sister in Atlanta! Today we're doing laundry and it's reminding me of camp when all of the counselors would do laundry together :) It's great because there's a big thing of brochures on things to do here. Side note: My start date was pushed back a couple weeks so we've got time to do some of the things on our list. Lemons to lemonade my friends!

Washington Bucket List (for now):

Mt. Rainer

Glass Blowing Museum

Zoo/Aquarium

Pikes Place Market

SEE WHALES

First Night in Puyallup

We got here yesterday!! Honestly, yesterday was the worst day of driving--we hit rain the entire way. I know, weird that it's raining in Washington right?! I was proud of myself though--I drove through the Cascades and through Portland! Eli said I can now say I drove through the mountains. We got checked into our extended stay that we're going to be in for a week. My recruiter is trying to get us into our housing early, which would be just peachy. Although, this isn't bad. Very cramped, but I'm pretending like it's European.

Side note: Being that we have 1 saute pan and one pot (no oven) I'm using this as a one pot meal challenge. We will see if I'm successful

We drove to Target last night--basically from one end of town to the other and we went through the little downtown. It was really cute. The hospital is also right by the downtown so I'm pretty sure we'll be living close to the area. Saw a sign that the Farmers Market starts in April--that should be fun! The hospital looks nice. I'm like o.m.g. terrified to start working there! The goal for the day is to do our laundry, get our driving pictures in an album to share with everyone and do some exploring! Pics to come! Happy weekending!

Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and Oregon

Eli and I have been taking pictures of state signs as we make our way across to Washington and it's CRAZY to think we've driven through 4 states in the past two days! Last night we stayed in Salt Lake City--we went and saw Temple Square, which was really neat. It started snowing last night too, which was pretty. Not going to lie I got pretty homesick though. I remembered my time as a PD at Camp Foster and Eli asked me what I would tell a camper that was homesick (I've helped a kid or two with this issue). A good cry and a night of sleep seemed to do the trick.

Then we pushed off today and headed for Oregon! This was our long day (8ish hours). I drove through a chunk of Idaho and it was kind of funny because to the right of the car it looked like Nebraska and then you looked out the left and there were huge mountains! We've taken tons of pictures of the different scenery--the hills/mountains in Oregon look like they're covered with dark green velvet. I'm excited to get them into an album to share with everyone. Eli and I have done pretty good avoiding the snow--we did hit a little up in the mountains in Oregon.

Side note: I don't think I'm going to be able to eat Subway for a LONG time! We've had it for everyday we've been on the road...cheap, quick, fairly healthy.

(Pics: Church at Temple Square; scenery in Oregon; scenery in Utah)

Dear Old Nebraska

Hey Friends! We are kind of exhausted after the first leg of our drive out to Washington. So the drive out here was really nice--very flat and open. I believe I texted the word 'vaaasssst'. Towards the panhandle of the state we saw 20 tumbleweeds blow across the interstate--reminded me of an old western. It was kind of fun because as Eli and I passed towns I would think of my Chi Omega sisters that were from there (shout-out to T!)...I used to have this thing when I started college about fields. I.loved.them. I think it was how open they were--anywho delving into the subject of western Nebraska (I'd never been farther west than Lincoln) and farm equipment really broke the ice for me my freshman year :)


Arrived--Wyoming. Plan for tomorrow (weather pending): Cheyenne to Salt Lake City (yaaay mountains!!!!)

Getting Good

Got the car all loaded up! The first time we packed into the car it took like four hours. Albeit we were going up and down three flights of stairs. This time...2 hours. By the time we get done with our moving adventure we will have this down to an art! So, there's a really bad snow storm coming to the midwest--they're calling it the storm of the century for us. Eli and I are high tailing it out of Nebraska before it all happens...not going to lie I'm super nervous about driving in the mountains. One of my best friends lived in Denver for awhile and she drove like a rockstar in them--I might have to call her for a pep talk :) 

Moving Week Remix

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Shout-out to two of my rockstar co-workers who got engaged this weekend :) Eli and I are gearing up for the big move out to Washington this Tuesday! Hard to believe it's here. We have to do a lot of reorganization because I had to pack into my front seat when we moved out of the apartment...aka we need to downsize a little bit. We've been doing a TON of research on stuff to do out there and I.am.psyched. There's a glass blowing museum I'm really excited to see. 

However, in addition to all the fun we will be having out there I'm going to be doing nursing care in a hospital I've never been to, with people I don't know, with very little orientation. It's like first day of work/school jitters x 100. We're celebrating the move tonight with burgers//brats (standard in my family for 'last suppers') so I'm off to help get everything ready! Cheers to a busy/awesome week!!!

Week of the Wedding

So we switched gears this week...wedding planning! We have gotten so much done in the past few days and I feel like when we leave we'll have the big things planned! It's very exciting...kind of weird, but in an awesome way. Eli and I went and looked at wedding bands yesterday...he put his band on and I was like WOW...this guy is going to be my hubby. That's fantastic x a million.

3 weeks...off?

So, since I'm not starting until February 25th I figured I'd jump on the opportunity to get some wedding stuff done! At first, Eli was a little bummed we were going to have "down time"...that lasted like 5 minutes because then I got out my wedding binder/planner. I'm lucky I have a fiance that's willing to help me, it makes it a lot more enjoyable.

Did a bunch of paperwork today for my assignment. The hospital I'm going to likes to have all the paperwork done one week before your start date. It'll be really nice because I won't have to worry about any of that stuff now! It's all done! We're heading to Iowa tomorrow to drop off Eli's vehicle- then we'll be down to one car...yay sharing!

The Last 48

Ohmygosh! The past few days have been cr-a-zy! So backing up...Monday I had two phone calls from different hospitals, one in Washington and one in Colorado Springs! I was super excited. Mom said "It's like waiting for a baby to be born!" I was thinking, OK not quite, but yes super fun! I ended up picking--WASHINGTON!!!! I start of February 25th! Begin--last day of work.

It's very bittersweet leaving my job. I had lots of tears those last two days. I've made so many amazing friends through work and it makes me tearful just thinking about leaving them. My last day actually went really well. I did one last transfer and it was kind of funny because my patient (bless his heart) slept through the whole thing...like snored...I wish I could sleep like that! One of my co-workers even brought a giant cookie (Thanks Megan!) Tonight I'm having a little going away party, which I'm really looking forward to. A good friend of mine from work who helped put it together is up at Children's Hospital because her little one is sick. If you could keep her and her family in your prayers that'd be so appreciated. Eli and I are going to do some wedding things too during the next few weeks and then we're OFF! We're going to go to Wilton and drop off his car at his parents'. On the way, we might pop by the outlets and get some cute rain gear! Have a great weekend friends!!!