Getting Settled in

We have survived our first week in what I like to call the "AK". Things are going very well. Both Kelli and I started work this week. I had my first day in the ER today and things went great. The staff seems friendly and very open to new people. It will be good to be working in a place that has a little higher acuity of patient illness. Although it was great working in Kirkland, it didn't get those really sick patients. After being in Tallahassee, it was a great break, but I am ready to get back into taking care of that really sick patient. I know it sounds bad, but I am really hoping for a bear mauling or moose trampling before I leave. I don't wish anything like that on someone, but I figure that if it has to happen, than why can't I be there to help them. Kelli starts tonight. I don't know how she is liking it but I'm sure that she will do great. She seemed to be pretty nervous the last few nights, but she is great at what she does and I'm sure she will be more than qualified to work in this NICU, and she gets along with everyone so I can't imagine she will have any problems.

Anchorage as a whole is great. It is beyond cold here though. I thought that we would be dealing with temperatures in the mid to high 30's and maybe getting into the 20's in early December. Online it said that the average temp is 20 degrees in the winter. Now, I don't know where they are getting there facts from, but it hasn't been above 25 degrees since the day we got here. Yesterday morning Bradley peed on the steps leading to our house and when I went back out to clean it up(about 5 minutes later), it was already frozen. For the last few mornings it has been a balmy 7 degrees. It usually is about 20 degrees in the afternoon. We have been sitting outside with Brad while he gets his afternoon play time, but Kelli won't go out without her gloves, hat, and a hot drink in hand. I am a bit embarrassed to wear a winter coat and gloves around town, so I have been trying to hold out as long as possible before busting out the big guns. I know, most of you people back home are wondering just how cold it has to get before I will give up on looking "cool". I'm not sure what my breaking point will be, but someone at work told me it may get as cold as -30. and yes that is NEGATIVE THIRTY degrees. I can tell you, at that point, I will wear a throw rug if need be. I can tell you right now that we do not have enough clothes in our house to keep me warm in temperatures that cold.

At this point things are going better than expected. Both Kelli and I are learning to deal with the cold. Brad man doesn't even seem to notice. For now, we are really enjoying the change in scenery and are looking forward to all of the adventures our new setting will bring. Who knows, we may end up staying for a while to see the beautiful summers Alaska has to offer. For now, I am trying to take in all that the good ole AK has to offer.