Sunday, January 22, 2012

Ups and Downs

2012 has shown itself to really been a roller coaster thus far. It ranges from excitement that is impossible to contain, to let downs that feel like I am moving backwards more than forwards. I like to end on happy notes, so we will start with the let down...

I didn't pass the NAVLE. That was possibly the worst email I have ever gotten. It was like I have worked so hard for so long just to have it all come crashing down at the very end. Not only did I go to college for 8 years, sacrificing all of my free time and energy to the future, I also studied for this test more than most people I know that passed. 3 months for at least an hour a night, practice question after practice question, notes, handouts, reviews... all for nothing. All to just turn around and have to do it over again in April. I ruined my future job, our future house plans, wasted another thousand dollars on retaking the test... everything! I needed a 65% to pass... I made a 63%. And the worst part was that the breakdown of each species on the test showed that I did about the same for all the species. It wasn't like I did terrible on cows and just need to study cows more... I need to take the whole test differently. I have never been a strong standardized test taker and generally don't do well with multiple choice tests anyway. So for me, this test is not about what I know, it is about how well can I take the test. How well can I figure out what the person writing the question was trying to ask me. Basically, for the next 3 months, I am starting over.

It has been very upsetting to think about that for the next 3 months I will be studying each evening (again) while all of my friends get free time with no stress. But trying to stay positive, I will have all of this information fresh in my mind when I start my new job (hopefully after I pass the April test!). I really appreciate the support of all my friends and family that have been standing by me giving me encouragement through this very upsetting and stressful time.

(on to positives) Speaking of job... I called my future boss, Dr. Craig Yeomans, to tell him that I had failed. I told him that I understood if he wanted to try and find someone else sooner, or if he did not want me to work there anymore since I failed that I completely understood. I would not find out about the results of the April test until the end of May and that even then there was a chance that I wouldn't pass again.

His response: I don't care, I want you to work here. So we wait another month, big deal. Sometimes you have to take a step back to go forward.

HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!?! That response really solidified that I was making the right decision to work there. He made the official announcement this week to the rest of the staff that I would be working there most likely starting the end of May pending the April test results. I feel very honored... and lucky.

Another BIG deal... Matt and I are going to try and make an offer on a house that we looked at the other weekend!! It is in a BEAUTIFUL neighborhood in Grayson, Wheatfield Reserve, which offers swim and tennis, and sidewalks throughout the neighborhood. The house is in a cul-de-sac and is just PERFECT for what we want. The address is: 15 Little Barley Lane, Grayson GA 30017. You should check out the pictures online here (doesnt do it justice) and let me know what you think!! KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED that everything works out and we get our dream home!!!

Thats all for now... Until next time!!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

The Search Begins!

First, I would like to wish a very Happy New Year to my friends and family! I know hat 2012 has a lot of exciting changes in store, and I am looking forward to sharing all of them with you!!

Christmas was as wonderful as I could have hoped for. Everyone was together and the love at every event was tangible.

I have (almost) officially accepted the job at Brookwood Animal Hospital. I have verbally committed, and I will sign the contract mid-January. We have discussed the contract and pay etc. etc. The official contract just needs to be written up, and then we have the signing day! It sorta feels like I am in the process of beginning a pro-sport... Matt thinks I should get a signing bonus ;) I am excited because I will only be working 3.5 days/week! It will be SUCH a change from what I have been doing for the past year (working 24/7), it probably wont feel like I am working at all. The hours are stable, and it will give me time to begin working on other parts of my life (house, family, and actually getting to spend time with my husband).

SPEAKING OF HOUSE... Matt and I have begun the intense process of house-hunting. He was not as enthusiastic as I was about it (as goes most things), but he is coming around. We sat down and wrote out a "house must haves" list that was basically this:
- Under 300K (thats what we were approved for) in Grayson, GA
- 4-5BR/3+BA
- Open floor plan
- Big kitchen (lots of counter tops and cabinet space, large pantry)
- Formal dining room that can hold a table for 12
- LARGE master bathroom with tub and extra large shower
- Swim/tennis community preferably with sidewalks through the neighborhood
- (Matt's request) Driveway good for basketball... always thinking of the future, he has decided our children will be professional basketball players :)
- (my and Levi's request) Large backyard that is either fenced in, or easily fence-able to be done RIGHT when we move in
We have just been looking online, but when I find one that meets most of our criteria I will show him, and he will start deciding where he would put the furniture that we have. It is getting pretty exciting! Ideally, I would love to be able to move in around April to whatever we can find since my last two rotations are not in Athens, and my last one is in Grayson, there is no reason to stay living in Athens. The problem is that a lot of banks will not give you a loan on a house until you have worked at your job for at least a month... that means we wouldn't be able to move in until July. That is a lot of driving, and as you all know my Jeep is NOT the most fuel efficient car. So we are going to try and see if there are any smaller banks that will accept a contract to work, or if Matt can get approved for the houses we want on his salary alone. Grown-up stuff is complicated... but exciting! I can't wait to start looking at houses in person!!

Pending my NAVLE results (TBA end of Jan, beginning of Feb... unless I failed), graduation is May 5 at 10:30AM (118 days away, but who is counting??). I. CANT. WAIT. Everything that I have worked for since I was 6 years old will finally be a reality. A life-long goal achieved. 4 years of torture finally ending. I might ACTUALLY cry (which is saying something considering I didn't even cry at my wedding).

Until next time!