Past, Present and Future

What can I say, I enjoy challenges and I enjoy proving to myself that I can make it just about anywhere. Because of this somewhat odd desire I constantly place myself in situations outside of my comfort zone and have found myself moving from location to another throughout the years. I suppose a part of this has been in search of who I am and who I want to be but that may make you overestimate my desire for purpose in life. Frankly, I want to see the world one city, state, and country at a time and the only way to do that is to relocate as often as possible and with as little loan money as necessary (or maybe not?). As of today February 10th, 2010 my journey has included:

My Past:

Oxford, Ohio- about 45 minutes outside of Cinci lies a tiny somewhat creepy town that somehow despite it's Legends of Sleepy Hollow ambiance holds a small gem of a college. With its red brick mansion houses and classrooms it truly is a beautiful school perhaps made more beautiful by its unlikely location. I spent 4 years playing Division 1 field hockey and although frustrating at times it's hard to complain about a sport that paid for your college degree. Although sad to see Miami go 4 years was about 6 months too long and it was time to move on to bigger and better things.

After college I spend a few weeks traveling throughout Europe. Countries I visited include Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland, Switzerland, and Italy. I could spend pages describing my adventures but I'll settle for the highlights and a few pictures.

Lisbon, Portugal and close by Sintra:

Although considered one of the poorer countries in Europe Portugal was one of my favorites. Perhaps it was that it was my first encounter with Europe or possibly the .75 Euro Carafe of wine during our first meal but either way it was hard to escape the charm of Lisbon. Our hostel set the bar high for the remainder of the trip and sadly I don't think any hostel quite met the standards of ours in Lisbon. Some of the highlights include the hostel pub crawl that ended around 4am with Jamie and I pretending to be camels. Don't ask. The multiple castles. The food, and of course, the wine.

Sintra: A small town located a short train ride from Lisbon was definitely in the top 5 of my Europe trip. The castle reminded me of "It's a small world" at Disneyland without the creepy music and dancing dolls and the views from the castle were unbelievable not to mention the surrounding garden areas.

Pub Crawl: Lisbon, Portugal

Italy: as far as countries are concerned Italy takes the cake. So many wonderful cities and each with a completely different ambiance. Our itinerary included Rome, Florence, Pisa, and Cinque Terre.




Our next stop along the way was Barcelona, Spain- Our hostel was supposedly one of the craziest and it definitely lived up to it with it's pool tables and extremely large cups of beer. One of my most memorable moments of Barcelona was Gaudi's "La Segrada Familia". It reminded me of a huge sand drip castle (you know the ones you used to make at the beach as a kid or if you're like me you haven't quite grown out of the habit). I'm sure Gaudi would be thrilled to know that I compare sand drip castles to his work of art!

Denver, Colorado- after a year in San Diego finishing pre-reqs for grad school I drove into a city that despite being named the mile high city has a similar feel to the mid-west (go figure!). Fortunately in less than a 45 minute drive give or take 2-3 hours with snow you can find yourself in some of the most beautiful mountains I have ever seen with amazing mountain towns that are no-where to be found in my beloved Southern California (Breckenridge, Boulder, and Evergreen to name a few favorites.) The city itself was not to my personal preference but no one can argue with the hiking and float trips of the Rocky mountains.

Luckily for me my grad school has offered me many opportunities throughout my 3 years to explore other cities and states in the U.S.

3. Raton, New Mexico- my second clinical rotation was located in Raton, New Mexico, a town named after none other than RATS. Apparently Raton was a more appropriate name than "Willow Springs" where the town was actually founded. Despite it's odd quirks and population of less than 8000 Raton can actually grow on a person. It's located at about 7000ft above sea level just across the Colorado-New Mexico border. It was here I participated in my first cattle branding experience, ate my first elk burger, and tried Oryx. It was also here I encountered my most varied clinical experience including Outpatient Ortho, acute care, SNF, and home health. The staff at Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy are some of the friendliest I've encountered and I must thank Ted, Eric, and Stormie for an amazing 2 months in the most rural town I have ever encountered. It was also here I made one of my best friends (Ryan Carson) and for that I wouldn't change a thing!

Other towns explored while in New Mexico: Santa Fe, Taos, and all of those along the Enchanted Circle. (Look it up!)

4. Seattle, Washington- my third clinical was located in Seattle, Washington. I moved into a tiny studio apartment in the heart of Belltown and when I say tiny I mean TINY. I could see every aspect of my apartment from my bed. Unfortunately I could also hear every aspect of my apartment complex from my bed- made for an interesting 3 months of sleep. The Pacific Northwest seemed to have it all with its expanses of water, the mountains, and its beauty but who knew that living in a city could be so EXPENSIVE! The restaurants are endless and delicious and the drinks are mouth watering especially the sidecar (Patrick's special at the Black Bottle). In Seattle I worked at Harborview Medical Center with the CORP rehab team specializing in TBI, SCI, and stroke. I once again met a great medical team who made me laugh every moment. Although the city of Seattle was as life filled as they come I was glad to leave after my 3 months. I've heard summers in Seattle are to die for so at some point I'll have to come back even if just for a visit. Highlights of Seattle: Jamie's practical move into my apartment, Halloween- the Lobster (not to be confused with mobster or monster) and Twister, Pikes place, the ferry, 6th street mall, Ballard, Redhook Brewery, and living a block from my mom's brother who until those 3 months I had known very little of.

My Present:

After exploring a few locations I never thought I would live I have now made my way back to the state I love the most. I am currently working in Capitola and living in Santa Cruz. I have a 2 month stay little of which I actually plan on being in Santa Cruz.

So far my weekend trips have included Napa, San Luis Obispo, and Napa.

My Future:

I have 4 weeks left here in Santa Cruz in which I plan on spending the remainder of my weekends in Los Angeles for Koke's 25th Great Gatsby party, San Diego, and San Francisco.

After that I leave for Ethiopia for a month where I will be spending two weeks in Addis Ababa working at a clinical site and 2 weeks at Project Mercy in Yeteban. I can't wait for my adventure!

Once I return I will be graduating from Physical Therapy school in May and then "unwrapping" my graduation gift to myself which includes a month in Spain and Germany and a month in South Africa for the World Cup. Just as Hinder says "THE BEST IS YET TO COME" :)