October 12th - November 1st, 2009
So this is how it went. It was coming down to my last week at MSKCC (that’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) and I still did not have my next assignment yet. I was not panicking too much (well maybe in my head but not out loud) because I have been here before and it always worked out. My file was out to 2 NYC hospitals so I figured something would come up. I spoke to the manager at one hospital and kind of interviewed but she had not looked at profiles yet so did not really know who I was. I called my recruiter to tell her that I had left a message for the manager at the other hospital and she told me that I had already been offered a job at that hospital…..without an interview. Well that sounded good but I really wanted to at least talk to the manager before I accepted that job so I gave her a few hours to call me back and then when we finally talked, I accepted the job. So that was Thursday…..and my last day at MSKCC was Friday. Nothing like leaving things to the last minute.
So now that I had a job I needed to do some quick re-packing. I had been preparing to head home and had put things in boxes that I could mail home. Now that I was returning to NYC I needed to put things in storage. Did I mention that my job did not start until November 9th but I had to move out of my current apartment by October 12th so was going to have a month to kill? You're right, I didn’t mention it. Anyway, I got my apartment packed, stuff put into storage, plane ticket booked and eventually I made it back to Kelowna (it is amazing how much more I get done when I have a deadline).
Not sure where this is but I feel like it is just as I was leaving NYC.
A shot of the mountains from the plane. A little bit more snow than my last flight.
So my plan upon return to Vernon (I know I said Kelowna earlier but that is just where the plane landed) was not that much except visiting people. I wanted to head to Calgary, I was thinking maybe a trip to Tisdale, maybe a trip to Seattle and maybe a trip to Vancouver. A couple of them happened anyways. I found out quickly after I returned that I was going to have to be back in NYC a week earlier than originally though due to the hospital’s pre-start screening requirements so that put a bit of a damper on a few plans but I did make it to a couple of those places.
Mount Rundle near Banff Alberta. I know I normally like to take pictures while I drive but don't worry.....I actually stopped before I took this picture.
My first stop was Calgary (after a few days in Vernon of course) and Le Chateau McMikey (that’s the home of my friends McKinnis and Mikey). I am not sure Mikey knew I was coming or how long I was staying but I assure you McKinnis and I had it all planned out. So I think I spent 4 days eating because that is the easiest way to meet up with people and visit and not everyone was available at the same time but I managed to fit a lot of people in. I also happened to hit up a movie with Mikey and a few of his friends while McKinnis was working. We saw Paranormal Activity. It was scaring but not keeping me awake at night scary. It was really good though and I did enjoy it….maybe not as much as walking back to the car with 4 guys who were completely freaked out though (seriously…they were worse than girls).From Calgary I made my way to the bustling metropolis of Tisdale Saskatchewan. I have to tell you, if you have never done the drive…. Don’t. It was seriously the most boring drive in the history of my life. At first I was like “this won’t be so bad” and then the road straightened out and flattened out and seemed to become longer. I did have to dodge some skunks and a couple porcupines and some seriously gigantor tumbleweeds but other than that…..NOTHING. On a positive note I did get great gas mileage. Thank goodness for cruise control.
Some of the nothingness I had the pleasure? of looking at as I traveled.
Yes I took a little drive by my old stomping grounds. Didn't have time to stop in to see anyone and other than the trees being a little bigger and a few new signs.....the town hasn't changed much....at least not from the highway.
Naturally.......
So in Tisdale there was hockey and baseball and Wii (you know that Nintendo game console….so fun) and more hockey and some great meals (I have told Steve and Heather that if they ever leave Tisdale I may have to move in with them). I checked out all the local tourist attractions and even spent a few hours hanging out with Steve at work (he showed me how to get the shot gun out of the car…you know, just in case. Although, I would have had no idea how to get the safety off if I actually had to use it). It was a lot of fun. Once again nice and relaxing. Good way to spend a few days.
Yes.......you are reading that sign correctly. For those of you not sure "rape" refers to rapeseed, also known as canola.
Minor hockey in Saskatchewan......standing room only in the penalty box.
Main street Tisdale. It was a busy Saturday.
This is the Brent Butt hole at the mini-golf course in Tisdale. In case you didn't know, Tisdale is the home town of Canadian Comedian Brent Butt.....Corner Gas.....so funny.
That's me with the Tisdale Bee (I know you can just barely make me out in this picture but I am there). Can't have all that honey without a bee.
In some places you head to the Club, or the Bar or even the Saloon but here in Tisdale people head to the Beverage Room.
Eventually I had to head home to Vernon. There was a little bit more snow on the roads than on the way out, but at least the second half of my drive was more exciting. I drove to Calgary the first night, had dinner with Auntie Gayle, Uncle Bill and Len, borrowed a bed for the night and then headed off to Vernon. The roads were actually really nice however they were not that nice the night before. I past several big rigs in the ditch but they all went in overnight.
A little bit more snow on my way back to BC. Snow always makes everything look so pretty.
Once I got back to Vernon, I started the process of packing and getting my new address and getting my mail forwarded and setting up my cable/phone/Internet hook-ups and well you get the idea. Of course I was looking forward to one of my favourite holidays......Halloween. I wanted to party in NYC for Halloween. Apparently it is just crazy here but I guess I have to wait for another year. But I did put all my effort into one of my favourite Halloween tasks....carving Jack-O-Lanterns.
The finished products. So happy with the results. This is what 5 hours of my day before Halloween looks like.
My pride and joy. It took a good 3 hours. I had to take a break to eat and relax the muscles in my shoulders and neck but so worth it.
Of course my trip home did have to come to an end and unfortunately it had to come to and end a week earlier than I was planning so instead of getting an extra week in Canada I had to head back to New York. I guess it will just give me an extra week to get settled into my new apartment and neighbourhood and all that kind of thing. I will probably do some shopping.
Watching the sun come up from the plane on the way to Seattle.
I am almost positive this is Mount Rainier in Washington State. Also taken from the plane. This was the best part of my trip. My flight from Seattle to NYC was delayed by a few hours and then when we actually made it to NYC air space we ended up circling the airport for about 45 minutes. Apparently the Vice President flew into Newark so all the security delayed planes into the place. We were also told there was just a lot of air traffic. Who knows......I got there eventually.
So I am back in New York, excited about being here for the holiday season. Of course I will miss being with the family but I guess I will just have to enjoy all the lights and sounds of the city this Holiday season.
Julie
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