Can you be allergic to a state?

I will have to argue yes. I have decided I am 100% allergic to the state of Texas. Since I arrived here, from the iceberg, I have been coughing, sneezing, wheezing, itching, sleeping, etc, etc,etc. So, after endless attempts with antihistamines, Dr NotDreamy puts me on prednisone. Now my face is broken out worse than some oily teenager named Chad. UUUGGGGHHHHH!!!!!! I am thinking of leaving early for Oregon, for these reasons alone! And in an attempt to clear up face before I start work. I don't want to go my first day with 10 layers of makeup on. Maybe if I get a great new haircut, no one will notice. Hum....any ideas???? Anyone.....Anyone?????

Still, no offers for anyone to drive cross country, with me? What gives?

A Weekend of Winetasting

This weekend I am off to visit Rej in smalltown Texas. We always have a great time, and this weekend is sure to be as well. Friday we are off to a wine tasting at one of the local vineyards. With her hubby serving as designated driver and her and I having similar tastes in grapes, we are getting warmed up for my move to wine country. On Saturday there is a local street fair with lots of cute stands set up by the local shops. And I am betting on Mr. Rej firing up the grill and making me my favorite mixed veggies! This is the stuff I miss the most when I am far away. Great conversation, political debates, shopping, and trying to balance enough antihistamines to keep myself from wheezing (from their cats) but not too much that I fall asleep on couch and start snoring!

I better get my "Vote Hillary" shirt washed and ironed!

What's In A Name

As some of you may have noticed, I have changed my name. No, not my real name, but my blogger name. Why you ask? Well, I titled my page "Where is she now" because many people have told me when my name comes up in a conversation that is the initial question asked. Therefore, it seemed fitting to 'name' myself 'Today....Alaska'. Now that I have moved on from Alaska, it no longer seemed fitting. So, while hanging with the madre, nursing her to health, and lacking much mental stimulation.....I figured I better come up with a better name.

Now, let me tell you about Rej. My BFF! Oh, yeah! I'm grown and using that term. But, she's worth it! We met the first week I moved to Texas. A few weeks before I started my senior year of high school. My parents had just moved back from Germany and had dragged me from Iowa, where I had spent just my junior year and had finally started to feel at home. And then....off again, to a big city, no friends, younger brothers and a new school! (I know, it's okay, grab a tissue) So there I was feeling sorry for myself and my dad says "Hey, let's go to the grocery store". After protesting a bit, I gave in and went. When we were checking out, the cashier struck up a conversation. Dad mentioned we had just moved there and with her fabulous smile Rej says "Here's my number, call me and I'll show you around sometime." We quickly became great friends. We have laughed together so much over the years. Through relationships, triumphs, pitfalls......all of it. She's the one, that no matter what I am going through, she will tell me "You are okay now, and you are going to be okay." Somehow, when she says it, it makes sense. But to the point.....her real name isn't Rej. She was given that name as an abbreviated version of "Republican J-----." Hey, don't fault her! After many great political debates she has named me "Lib". hehehehe!!! Fitting, huh? So, in the interest of keeping balance in blogland, wearing my "Vote Hillary" t-shirt.... I am now Lib.

I am still waiting for volunteers for the cross-country drive!!!! I'm stopping by to visit Wanderinggirl, it's sure to be fun!

EXTRA!!! EXTRA!!!! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!

It's looking like I am off to McMinnville, Oregon! They came through with a stellar offer. I called yesterday to check on an ad for a cute duplex for rent and the lady renting it works at the hospital, so we talked for awhile and she was super helpful with info about the neighborhood and the town. And then I found out that one of my co-workers from Fairbanks is from McMinnville. She has lots of family there and offered them as contacts, they are going to go check out the duplex for me and have offered to help with anything I need. I love it when things work out like this! I am so excited! When I started traveling my goal was to see the country and find somewhere that felt like I could settle down and plant some roots. I immediately fell in love with Oregon! It's such beautiful country, the people are wonderful and the weather is just my style. Not too hot, not too cold! A bit more rain than some would prefer, but no snow, no -46 degrees, no 110 degress with 120% humidity, what more could a girl ask for? The town offers best of both worlds being a small college town with easy access to the big city (Portland is just 45 minutes away) and just a half hour to the beach! So plan on all summer long, when asked what I did on the weekend, my answer will repeatedly be: Me and dog at the beach with a book!!!!!!

Any volunteers for a cross country drive?

Decisions, decisions

While I sit waiting for the hospital in Bend, OR to call to set up trip for interview, a different recruiter calls me to set up phone interview for another hospital in McMinnville, Oregon, a vineyard town, very cute (google it). It's a 80 bed hospital 45 minutes south of Portland and 45 minutes from the COAST!!!!! Now you know I love the coast. Of course, I knock the bossman's socks off with my experience and charming personality! (Oh yeah!) He makes me an offer on the spot. Sooooo.......what's up with Bend, dragging feet to call and get me out there? Is it a sign that this other one is the one to take? Oh my, oh my, oh my. Give me feedback. Am taking votes!