Ch-ch-ch-changes....

So it appears that my life is truly changing for the better.

Texas:
Steve and I found a house in Texas that is really a perfect first home for us, the kitties and the bunnies :) It is a brand new home, newly built, and comes with stainless steel appliances! It is a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom house, 1638 square feet with a fenced in backyard, fireplace, and huge garage. We love it! I'll post pictures soon!
Also I have had two opportunities to spend time with everyone I will be working with at Texas A&M - both my bosses and my fellow residents, and everyone is absolutely wonderful. It is a very laid back and friendly group of people and the clinical pathologists genuinely care about their residents. I am really looking forward to the next 3 years and learning as much as I can. I have already started reading clinical pathology textbooks (there are about 12 or so that I have to read that are going to be on my board exams at the end) and I love what I am learning, I really enjoy it!
Other GREAT news is that Steve also has gotten a job in Texas! He will be working for a company called Reynolds and Reynolds and he will be doing graphic design for them :) He starts his job in the beginning of June, I start my residency July 1st. We are moving towards the end of May and are very fortunate to have my parents, Steve's Dad and my Uncle Tommy helping us with the move. We are so excited to start this new phase in our life! We will keep you all updated.....:)

Work:
My boss at the clinic has selflessly given me the opportunity to leave the clinic sooner than the end of April if I so choose, and I have decided to take her up on the offer. It is really kind of her and the other doctors to have allowed me this opportunity, and now my last day as a small animal practitioner will be Saturday April 12th (instead of the 26th). This has taken a HUGE load off of my shoulders because there is just SO much to do between now and when we move to Texas and in addition my head and heart just aren't in it anymore - I am grateful for everything I have learned in clinical practice and the friendships I have made (especially Sue, I love her dearly and she will be my friend always), but I am ready to move on with my career. Having the end in sight only 2 weeks from Saturday has really made me feel much relief and happiness.

Self:
I have made a couple of personal advancements recently as well. The most significant has been joining Weight Watchers - I just couldn't deal with being overweight anymore, not only for self confidence reasons but for health reasons, especially having diabetes and heart disease in my family. Today marks the 2 week mark and I have already lost 7 pounds and made significant lifestyle changes. I feel like I am in control of myself more than I ever have been and I feel better in general. This sort of leads to the second thing - I have started reading a book called Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins that my sister-in-law Andrea gave to me - it is a book that helps you to take control of your life - physically, emotionally, and financially. The last 2 years in Midland have been an emotional roller-coaster for me and there were so many times I felt so lost and out of control. I don't know how I would have gotten through it without the support from Steve, my family and friends. Although I have only started this book, I hope it gives me some good pointers about dealing with any future stresses that may come along.

Friends, etc:
I am really looking forward to having half of April and all of May and June off - not only to have the time to pack, move, and settle in a new place but also to have the flexibility to spend time with family and friends that I haven't had for a long time. I can't wait to be able to spend a ton of quality time with Steve when I'm finally not stressed out all of the time! Also I hope to spend as much time with Sue as I can before I move, I will miss her most of all when I leave. Also we are going out to visit Wes in Oregon for a week in May before we move and I can't wait!!! We are sooo excited to see him and have some fun in Portland where we have never been before! I'm also looking forward to spending some quality time with both mine and Steve's families.

Steve and I are testing for our Green Stripe in Taekwondo in a couple weeks! Next step is green belt which is half way to black belt! Yay!

So in a little over 2 weeks comes vacation, lots of good times with family and friends, a huge move to Texas, and I'm on my way to becoming a specialist! Thank you God :)