Roadtrip so far

Hello everyone

So far so good. My dad and I are making good time. We are already on day 3 of the road trip and I can't tell if the time is flying by because I am looking forward to getting home or if it's the good company...either way I am excited that in a few short days I will be back home!

The trip started out by driving up to Portland OR. The day went fast but the sights were amazing I can only hope that I have engraved them to my memory. We drove along the Columbia river for a good chunk of the day. We passed mountains upon mountains.
Oregon
The Columbia River
Moon in Oregon

From Or we made are way to Butte Montana. It was a bit chilly when we woke up and there was frost on the car. I will try not to bring any of that back. The drive through Montana was again amazing. It is crazy to think that in the years since it was established that not much has changed it is wide and open. While in Montana we made a stop at Cabela's mainly for my dad. For those who don't know it is a outdoors mens dream store. Following a quick jaunt through the store we headed out to South Dakota. While driving we had to go on Rt 212 which takes you right through God's country if you break down your screwed. My dad and I have named this Mule Deer Pass as we saw a million deer and one that got a little close to my car.
Frost on my Car!
The Rockies
Dad in his Happy place
This is 212 where a mule deer almost ran into the passenger side door, Dad had a few choice words following that experience.

So now we are safe and sounf in Rapid City South Dakota. Lucky for me on the way to the hotel we saw another Cabela's (thats having a sale!) across from the hotel. So tomorrow we are going there and then to Mt. Rushmore! Stay tuned for more...

Miss you and see you soon!
Kasey

End of a Chapter

Well my journey here in California is coming to an end. Tomorrow is my last day of work and Saturday my dad and I start back East.

I can honestly say that this journey has been both amazing and eye opening all at the same time. When Jamie and I started out this way 14 weeks ago I had no idea what to expect. All I knew is that I had come to a point in my life where I decided that I needed to explore this opportunity and went for it. The drive out here with my cousin produced memories that I will cherish for ever. I thought Jamie and I were close after living together for two years but this drive and journey just solidified our relationship. Jamie I love so much!

It is believed that the grass is always greener on the other side. Lesson number one that I learned...that saying so not true. I won't lie I talked myself up about going and exploring and gave off the impression that I wouldn't be back for awhile...but much to my surprise I was wrong. While it was great to get out and some what silence that voice in the back of my head that was always wondering " Is Syracuse it? " I realized that I love Syracuse and Upstate NY.It is where I grew up and where my family is. I realized that I don't want to me a thing.

Lesson number two: there is another saying that says "do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life." My Aunt Annie had written that in a card she sent me in college and to this day I have tried to live by that statement. In being introduced back into the world of skilled nursing/nursing home settings with this assignment I concluded that it is not for me. I found my self loathing my job and forcing myself to get out of bed. This I considered work aka not fun! All I could think was that when I was working at Enable I never felt this way. So the lesson I learned is do what makes you happy...My family makes me happy, Enable makes me happy as an OT. And since I'm not getting any younger I am not going to put off tomorrow what I can make happen today. So Happiness here I come!!!!

So come Saturday my father and I will begin the journey back home. As I did before I will be posting as we go so stay tuned!

Love you/Miss you
Let the countdown begin!
Kasey

It's good to have goals...

So it has been a while since I have last updated everyone. Not too much has changed. Last Friday Mai and I went to Punchline which is a comedy club in Sacramento to see a female comedian who's name is Angela Johnson (but Angela is spelled way different) She was hysterical! Do go and look her up on Youtube and if she comes to your town go and see her you will not be disappointed.


Got a new idea for a tattoo to even myself out, I swear as I get older I get more and more OCD like tendencies, but either way it's going to be cool, when I was home mom said she wanted to get one to remember the end of teaching and the beginning of retirement and then of course Dad being the mature parental figure he is stomped his foot and said" If your mother is getting a tattoo I want you too!" So who knows maybe we will turn it into a family event why not.

Other then that I have been looking into apartments and just recently dabled with the thought of renting a house provided that my brother might be interested in it but that was just a thought. Making a plan for when I do go home so that I can be more savvy with saving money in the hopes that I can buy a house within the next few years. As things get closer I get more excited about coming back home.

I know a lot of people when I talk to them keep stating that the are sorry it was not what I hoped it would be but as I told my 1AOF Lisa it was what I needed it to be for me. No regrets.

I'm signing off for now, Miss you Love You all
Kasey

Can't touch this!

For Labor Day weekend I made the trek home. It was a wicked long trip home and a slightly uncomfortable one being stuck in the middle on the airplane. I was so excited to get home unfortunately the time change and lack of sleep caught up with me and I took a quit power nap.

After watching SU come so close to a victory and then losing me and Dad headed to the Fair. WHOO HOO! Dad and I did a once over of the Fair , indulged in some Gianelli and headed home. Sunday came to soon but today I had the whole day. And where did I go.....Back to the Fair :) Me moms and pops went to the Fair and stayed to watch MC Hammer. He may not wear the parachute pants anymore but he can still entertain!

Monday included a family dinner (which I didn't know how much I missed) and the long journey back to CA. Suprisingly I was not as tired as I thought.

My class started before I left and so far so good. I attempted to find the book I needed for this class but there were just too many boxes to look through. Ha!

With 8 weeks left to go I am getting very excited to return home, not so excited about finding a apartment again but hey if thats the worst of it I'll deal. I was so happy to run into Karen a PT from Enable at work, she was cutting in front of me and my Dad in line at the Fair. I apologize to everyone I didn't get to see but we will live it up when I get back.

Love you Miss you all!
Kasey

I'm on Fire

Alrighty 10 weeks left!

Not too much went on this week, The COTA is back so work was a little more tame. I finished my summer class that I was taking and enjoyed the two weeks off before starting the next class. It was completely needed as this last class was very demanding. Yesterday I booked a flight home for Labor Day weekend which I am stoked for because this means I will still be able to go to the State Fair!

I also came up with the next tattoo that I want thanks to the signs around town for the Tattoo expo that they were having in Sacramento. Something to symbolize this chapter and to provide a reminder for the things that come. I am waiting until I get home to get it because I have to convince Christine to go with me!

So its official I have two months left. The other day I pulled out the map to find a route home for me and Dad. I didn't want to go back the way that Jamie and I came as beautiful as it was there wasn't much to look at. Also because Dad had to take vacation time to come out and drive with me I wanted to make sure it was wort his while. So with the route that I picked we will drive by the redwood national forest and be able to see Mt. Rushmore. I am very excited about that.
This is a cool sunflower that I found in the grocery store. Hint this is part of the tattoo!

These pics I took when I walked outside to get my laundry. I hope it is not my beloved Target that is on fire!

Well hopefully I will run into some of you when I'm in town next weekend!
Love you Miss You!
Kasey

Week 2

So at the end of week 2 I came to a decision. It is a very big decision to make but it had been nagging at me. I have also wanted to try traveling therapy and I have been extremely thankful to have this opportunity but come to find out everything that I want in a job and a career is back in Syracuse.

This semester in classes we had to think about an area where we wanted to specialize in, at that point of time I did not want to feel boxed in, but after going through this experience thus far I know where I was to specialize in. I loved the mix of the population I worked with at Enable, the environment, the people everything that made me love my job! So I have decided that after this placement I will returning to Syracuse because everything I want and love is in there.

And just to emphasis how wonderful my former/soon to be again co-workers are. I mailed my friend Bud to ask for the bosses email or extension and with in 5 minutes he had called Joe the director spoke with him and emailed me back all the info saying to call Joe. I did and thankfully for me they hadn't hired anyone yet and Joe asked me "how soon can you come back" I love those people!

The rest of the weekend was spent with my friend from college Ang. She too is a traveling therapist who is living in Sacramento. This weekend she invited me down to go rafting/floating on the Great American River. (Pictures to follow as I couldn't bring the camera) It was so cool. It was Ang, me, her aunt and uncle , two cousins, and her aunts friend and daughter. We got this giant raft and four paddles and the essential super soaker!. So you just float on down the river and when you get close to other boats you have a water fight. It was so much fun!

Sunday was Napa valley day. We went to the wineries and ate some yummy food. Napa was very pretty enjoy the pictures.


Ang and Me
This was the name of the first winery we went to. What a cool name.

How cool is this tree!
Napa Grapes

You read right. It is a chocolate bar with bacon in it. It was actually really good.
My wine coaster slash flip flop!

I had a fan-tab-u-lous weekend and look forward to exploring on my own! Look forward to seeing you all in November!

Love Kasey

Week 1!

So week one is complete! Thankfully the work week did get better.

It is still such a huge change and for a while I think I forgot that it takes time. It continues to be a jumble of emotions but I am learning to be thankful as this experience is going to help me narrow down where I would like my career to go and where I would like to settle.

So as the week continued the company that I currently am working for in CA found out that they lost their main contract and had been bought by a new company. Now to give you a little break down there is only one physical therapist assistant that has been with this company for 3 to 4 years. He has seen the director of therapy change 4 times. The current director of therapy has only been there a year and a half. The other physical therapist assistant was hired less then a month ago and the occupational therapy assistant is a traveler. So after the Monday that I had I could only laugh.

With the potential of another company coming in and making changes there was the looming danger that my contract would be ended. Luckily the occupational therapist assistant that I work with has been doing this for 2 years and told me that they would have to give us a 30 day notice before they could end the contract. I got right on the phone with my recruiter who within 15 minutes got back to me letting me know that her people would check everything out and for me not to worry. In going through this first week with the ups and downs it has been reassuring that I picked the right company to complete this journey. My recruiter Debbie has been extremely helpful and reliable. Thank You!

This weekend I went exploring. My friend Ang from college currently lives in Sacramento and told me about the Galleria in Roseville. So I took a trip down there, got my hair done and treatment myself to some bear mineral make-up. Then I headed over to the movie therater and saw the movie Proposal which was hysterical. After a long day I came home and vegged out.


Random view of the "backyard"

This was the giant bug I found out on the patio, hopefully they stay out there.
Two new books I bought, Tori and Dean Home sweet Hollywood is a guilty pleasure of mine.



Sunday is a day of odds n ends and gearing up for week 2. I am finishing up the applications for the license for the next stop on the trip. Other then that things are progressing alone. I thank everyone for the wonderful cards as they help keep me going! Just knowing what a great set of people I have around me has definetly made this big change a little easier. Hoping the phone bill isn't too bad!
All the love

Love you and Miss you
Kasey

First and Seconday

I truly am thankful to all of you who sent me well wishes for my first day....as I needed it.
Me on the first day

Unfortunately my first day was not all I had hoped it would be. I had called the facility last Friday to see what time to arrive at first the Director told me anytime between 8 and 9 then he restated and said 8-8:30. He followed this up by saying that he may or may not be there when I arrive. So my initial reaction is "Oh goodie".

When I arrived on Monday at 8 it was as expected the Director was not there, but the Physical therapy assistant and the Certified Occupational therapy assistant were there. They were extremely helpful in getting me settled in. I found out that I am the only full time OT at this facility, they do have another OT that is part time between two facilities. When the director arrived an hour later he did not introduce himself to me, nor did he say hello. It was not until 3 hours later at 12 when I went over to him and introduced myself that he finally acknowledge me. Unfortunately this was not the only flub that the director and I had on Monday. I was scheduled to complete an evaluation which is not a big deal but no one had walked me through the paperwork. When I went over to ask the director about it I wasn't even able to get my questions out when he said quite flat and frankly " I know you have questions but after today your on your own" I was so angry I was about to break down but held it together long enough to respond to him" I will have questions as this is my first evaluation and no one has walked me through your paperwork" and then I walked away... Last but not least I was scheduled to leave at 4:30 and at 10 to I was still finishing my paperwork, He came over and instead of assisting me he says " You got a late start to that your not going to finish in time" he then proceeded to take the papers from me an fill in the areas verses sitting with me and making sure I was learning the paperwork.

Needless to say I went home and broke down a couple of times. But luckily I have such supportive friends and family and which has been so helpful these past few days. My mom sent me flowers for my first day which were beautiful and again almost made me cry in front of my new co-workers.


Debbie who is my recruiter at Cross Country the company that I am working for as also been a God send. After Monday I sent here an email to let her know what happen, not only did she call me the next day she also emailed . It is very refreshing to know that she is there if I need her.

The second day went much better as I had a game plan and knew what to expect. This rehab is like in the stone ages, very limited resources and the minutes we have to see people are crazy. Again it makes me so grateful for the companies that I have worked for I was truly bless to have the things that I did. This is going to be a very trying experience but one that will make me better for it.

That's it for now, I am still acclimating myself to Auburn and hopefully soon be out and about to wineries and what not. Again thank you all for your support and keep it coming!

Love You and Miss you Tons!
Kasey

Move In Day

So yesterday I moved into the apartment.

The time change has been brutal, just as we are getting use to one time zone we change to another so my body time clock is just bonkers! Plus it was a bummer when you drove through one because you got excited but then the reality that you just lost an hour of driving set in.

So I have been going to bed at my usual time which is around ten of course back east it's 1am. Then getting up at what my body thinks is 11 eastern time is actually 8 pacific...its a drag

But yesterday was a very emotional day, everything was setting in from being in my apartment to missing everyone back home. My furniture came around 1:30 and it was awesome, these two guys moved everything in and put everything away and set everything up. One of the first items the guys brought in was a mop, mop bucket, vacuum and broom... I asked them if the maid was out in the truck, I don't know if he thought I was serious cause it took him a minute before he started laughing.

The pictures are hysterical because I did none of it, this was all done by Men yes that's what I said a Man made my bed, set my table and polished my furniture!





After that I went to Target which in a weird way made me calmer. Just knowing that it is down the street puts me at ease. Then we (me, myself and I) headed the the grocery store which was also right around the corner from the apartment. I won't mention what I spent on the start up groceries but my cart looked ridiculous, to the point where they asked me if I wanted assistance to the car. HAHA.

Last night was a tough one as with out the distraction of the television and not wanting to do my homework the emotions of this whole event boiled over. I am only a week in to this and I all ready have a new found appreciation for my family and friends especially my former co-workers, they are just amazing people and I appreciate all the support and love that they continue to send my way as I need it. I have had multiple individuals who have told me how brave I am for doing something like this and truth of the matter is that I'm not that brave at all. But I just keep telling myself that everyone I love is only a phone call away and that someday I will be able to share this experience with my own children and give them the courage to go off and explore because well you have to do the things that scare you otherwise you will always wish you did.

Love you all, Miss you more
Kasey

RoadTrip 3, 4 and 5

I still can not believe that Jamie and I just drove cross country!

To go back a little day 3 found us in Cheyenne Wyoming. The drive there was a little scary as there is far and few places to stop and well there are more cows then people along the way. The scary part came when driving through this thunder storm, it was pitch black and the wind just came right across as there was nothing to stop it. Poor Jamie thought for sure that the trailer had lifted off the ground, I did not envy her at all during this storm. Needless to say we made it. The typical routine for us after driving 8 to 9 hours is to crash and then get dinner.By the grace of God there was an Outback right across from the Hotel. we walked over which was great cause I couldn't remember the last time I walked an great distance other then to the bathroom. We had a very yummy and fulling meal of real food.

Day 4 we actually headed to Lafayette Colorado. Our parents cousin Jude and her family live there. We stopped in had a bite to eat and the Jude sent us on our way with lunches! It was a little out of the way I won't lie but on our way back we got to travel on this "back road" of sorts and it was just beautiful. It is crazy to think how populated the east and west coasts our and that somehow the middle for the most part has remained unchanged.

Eventually we landed in Utah. I had totally forgotten that the winter Olympics were held there until we drove under an underpass that had carvings into the walls of the winter events. Again the drive to Utah was very open we did get to drive through this really cool tunnel it was crazy. Utah was also bittersweet as this would be the last time me and Jamie were roomies. It might have been why I was a little cranky that or the three days of driving with time zone changes in each one?!

We made our way to dinner and then hit the hay. I had manage to hold it emotionally together the whole trip and then it came time to say goodbye to my roomie and well it was tough. Poor Jamie had to park the Uhal in this back ally. An wouldn't you know the next morning there was a truck to her side and a truck behind her. I was parked in the parking garage right above her. I did my best to help her get out but it wasn't working. Then I saw another truck coming down the ally and I thought "O crap". The young guy got out and went over to assist Jamie and within like five minutes he had her turned around and on her way. Before leaving I got a call from Jamie telling me that the guy who helped her name tag read Jesus Christ. Im not joking.

I continued my way to CA. I wish I had taken more pictures aas this drive was just amazing. I still can't believe the views that I have seen during this trip they really do just put you into aww. I did manage to be in two places at once while I drove over the state line for Utah and Nevada preety cool. I made it to my hotel, ate and watched So you think you can dance! The time changes are brutal but slowly but surely I will get use to them. Right now I am sitting in my apartment waiting for the furniture to be deleivered.



We stopped at Fort Cody which was free and on the Way to Penny's diner


The emotions are all starting to hit, it will proably be a tough weekend but then I start work and will have something to distract me. I miss everyone soo much.

Love Kasey

Roadtrip part 1 and 2

So Tuesday we decided to have a family dinner at Caraba's. We had a delicious dinner and at the end my mom and dad gave me a key chain that the made that says " Follow your star...but remember to phone home"
Friday my mom invited everyone over for yummy food to say goodbye to Jamie and I. It was so nice that everyone came as it meant a lot to me and Jamie to see everyone before we left. We got a chance to relax a little bit before heading to bed and starting our adventure. Saturday morning came way to fast. We had breakfast and then said our goodbyes and hit the road. Travel was a little slow at first secondary to all the construction. Jamie and I have walkie talkies so that we can communicate and not break any laws. A little less the halfway into the trip we began to pick up someone frequency. Turns out they were the Traveling Bass Fisherman. Once we told them we were on I90 they broke communication.

So the first day we made it through PA, Ohio and finished in Indiana. Jamie and I have dubbed the air names of Captain Crunch (me) and Captain Ahab (Jamie). The GPS went on the fritz a bit secondary to the "roundabouts" in the road. We didn't get in until late and ate dinner late which may have not been a great idea as I had some crazy dreams. We were excited for the free breakfast in the morning but apparently everyone else in the hotel was to and it was a bust.

The second day was another long one, about 9 1/2 hours. It took us through Illinois, Iowa and finished in Nebraska. The ride was beautiful. There was corn out the wazoo! In Iowa they had wind turbines that were every where. They are huge and looked totally cool. We ran into more construction and the speed limits were up and down from 55 to 75. Jamie and I got separated during one point during construction and I was afraid she was not going to catch back up. She kicked it in to 3 rpms and caught up. Here are some picks enjoy!

Don't mind the bugs
The wind turbines in Iowa ..so cool

Apparently it has 800 truck parking spots
A little far away but Welcome to Iowa
It's the Mississippi River, and No I did not take this while driving pah!
Welcome to Illinois
The sun is in our eyes!
In front of our hotel in Indiana, Jamie said Hello to a small child and scared him.

Love you and Miss you all bunches!
Kasey

Almost time

Since finishing work on 7/9 things have been on a roll. We had planned to have dinner with my Uncle Pat and Aunt Katie on Friday as they were leaving for vacation and would not be back until the day that jamie and I planned to leave. I had also made plans to meet up with Marissa following the dinner. Well I got kind of worried because dinner got started late and I called to see if we could reschedule. When Marissa called back I couldn't answer as we were eating but a few minutes late she called again. It was during this time that she informed me that she needed to come get me because they were actually throwing me a surpise happy hour. Marissa felt bad for having to tell me but luckily in the end it turned out to be a suprise for her too.
My Aunt Cherly came up last weekend as it was the 70's birthday party. We had 4 individuals in the family turning 70 so we had a birthday party slash family reunion with the family that lives in Colorado. That all took place on Sunday luckily the weather was in our favor.

Monday got off to a slow start but that was the day that me and Menyia were going to have our one last day as I was not going to be able to take her and her brother to the state Fair as I have in the past. We met Jamie and her co-workers at Zebb's for lunch then Stopped at Kmart to pick up a few provisions as we decided to go to the Drive In movie theater in Minetto. In between that time we went to go play some putt putt golf at Big Don's. Kris decided to come with us to the drive in which I was excited about as we haven't had much time to hang out.

The rest of the week consisted of me running around doing errands to finish up the paperwork and what not for the new job. Got the trip tik and hotel reservations from AAA, all fun stuff lke that. I spoke with the housing department at hopefully I will have an address soon.

Friday I went up to the lake where Lisa has her cottage and just veg'd the whole weekend despite the head cold that I had. I had made sure to stop and get items to make smore's and Lisa did the same so we had plenty of supplies. Kris came up on Saturday night and brought us up sme Red Cat and we just hung out around the fire and talked. I was so glad that Kris came up and hung out, It will be those kinds of things that I will miss the most, but Im glad we had that time before I went.

Im sure that this upcoming week is going to go by sooooo fast. I am going to try and savor every moment of it. I am filling out an License application for Washington and have asked for one for Oregon and Idaho. This is probable going to be the craziest thing I have ever done and I am scared, believe me but at the same time I am just sooo excited.

Love
Kasey

Vacation

Hello

So these last two weeks have been really big and busy ones. I moved the last of our stuff out of the apartment on the 20th of June and moved back to my parents house for the time being. Jamie left to go on vacation and then I joined her shortly after.

I took vacation to Myrtle beach which was needed before the rest of my adventures ensued. I arrived on Friday afternoon and got many stares as with my black hair and pale complexion I stood out. Jamie insisted that people were staring because they had never seen a real albino before..haha, I demanded right then that we go to the beach! Not really all I wanted after Jamie picked me up was the yummy deliciousness known as a chicken bowl with white sauce! So we stopped at MOH and I devoured my chicken bowl. We stopped by Aunt Cheryl's work and then headed to Happy hour at Uncle John's store.

Saturday Jamie had a friend coming down , Shannon who was her little sister in Kappa Delta. We headed to the beach were by the grace of God and the help of 35 SPF I did not fry! We then got to be treated to dinner at the hotel where Jamie was hoping to have her wedding. The food was delicious, it was at an Omaha Steak House, I had the fillet with Oscar which is basically a topping of crab meat, asparagus stacks and Bearnaise sauce. It was SO good!

Jamie did get a lot of wedding planning done while she was down there which was fun to be a part of to see the big picture coming together, I was getting so excited I didn't really want to wait for the wedding! During the week Melissa and two of her friends came, Katie and Alana. We all got to go hang out at the beach where again I was careful not to burn. We went and ate at Mellow Mushroom which is a sandwich and pizza shop, if there is one near you go the food was super good!
Jamie and me at the wedding where I was totally hit on by a wedding crasher!
The delicious Chicken bowl and my overwhelming excitement made me knock my fork out of
the bowl and spill a cup of white sauce!
My South Carolina Parents
Melissa and my new friends!
Jamie and I in front of the home made beer board at Liberty!

I did finish my first summer session to which I was really nervous as we had to write an article with the potential to have it published. I was so nervous as most of the other individuals in my class have been out of school much longer then I have and have had the chance to develop programs where I have not. So coming up with an idea that I felt passionate about was a little difficult, I was able to come up with one that focused on my decision to return to school and how it has already changed the way I practice. The professor encouraged me to have it published and also asked if I would speak to the PR person at the school to use some of my statements!

The week flew by to fast and before I knew it it was time to head back for my last day of work :(
Today my co-workers threw me a fabulous luncheon with lots of yummy foods and Christine made me one of her famous cakes! I did get a little misty eyed when telling everyone how grateful I was to know them and how much they helped reaffirm my desire to be an OT. So with two days left to go I will have to say goodbye to my work family and a short two weeks later say goodbye to my family. It really hasn't hit me yet but I'm sure as pull out of the driveway it will, I guess right now I'm going more off of the excitement of all the possibilities out there!

Love Kasey