I write sitting on a mattress (a real one!), with a big smile on my heart and lots of fun stuff upon which to update.
I went home to Indy in late September to visit my family and friends. It was so good to see everyone; a whirlwind, ridiculous amount of visiting for the time I was there trip. I went back to Bend sad to say goodbye to everyone but happy to return to my new home. I also went home with a permanent position at the hospital in Bend.
Two weeks prior to leaving for home, I started thinking about what I wanted to do next. My seasonal job was ending, the winter was coming, and I started getting calls about jobs I might be able to legitimately take. The problem was that I could not imagine a place that would be better to live than where I am. I make great money, pay nothing in rent, work full time to overtime at a great job, and have great friends in Bend, Oregon. The culture here is totally up my alley: informal, fun, free. I identify with the people here (aside from the pot, ha!). All this notwithstanding, I live in the Northwest outdoor mecca. Bend is amazing. I did so much outside this summer and only scratched the surface of the really awesome places to go and things to do. Anyway, I had asked my supervisor about what my options were in regards to staying at my current job, and he said that I needed to apply for one of the two positions that had been created for myself and one of my friends. I applied and got the news that I got the permanent job the day before I left Indianapolis.
My roommate was happy to hear that I was staying around, so as of now I continue to have cheap rent and an awesome roomie.
Shortly after I returned from Naptown, one of my friends from Bend decided he'd finally go ahead and let me know that he'd be interested in being more than friends, so yes kiddos, now there's a guy involved, and he's absolutely incredible. If more men were like him there'd be a lot fewer bitchy women on this planet.
So winter: I swore I'd never do it again. However, I am now in a place where snowsports are common, and I have decided to embrace winter and the fun activities that come with it. My goal is to learn to snowboard (yippee!) this winter. The Man is a big fan of snowmobiling, so that activity is most likely going to work it's way into my life in the next few months. Also, I have three big trips planned (easy to do now that I am on-call and choose when I work): Vegas in four weeks, Indy in six, and Florida in nine weeks! I am so excited!!
I am so, so happy and satisfied with my life right now. There is no question in my mind that I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to be doing. For that I am so, so grateful.
