permanent

I decided yesterday to fill out an application for here at Norton Sound. My life flashed before my eyes the other day when I realized if I didn't stay here I would have to move back to Memphis and be absolutely miserable.

I haven't received an offer letter yet for hire, but it's pretty much a done deal. They have to do a background check on me, which I know will come out fine since I am an upstanding pillar of any community I so choose to join...

So, after 2 and a half years of travelling I have finally made the decision to lay down a few roots here in Nome for a few years.

I am very happy with the choice that I have made. I will be getting paid a great wage, I will get a relocation fund, a sign on bonus, and the difference in what I get paid now versus when I return as a permanent will cover what I would pay in rent every month. It all works out quite well.

Tomorrow while I am off work (finally! It has been a long hellacious week) I am going to take care of some business around town in preparation. I will go to the post office and get a PO Box, since there are no mail boxes in Nome. I will have to open a bank account at Wells Fargo, and I will have to start shopping around for apartments to rent and things I will need for here.

I will need a TV to start. I will die without one :) And most p[laces up here are furnished with furniture, etc...but I have issues with sleeping on a used mattress so I think I will splurge on a really fancy air mattress.

I am swimming with all the things I need to do! Any suggestions from anyone for a permanent move from the Lower 48 to the great big state of Alaska where shipping costs are through the roof? I am already aware of parcel posting for which I will be doing, just need more suggestions...

I'm excited!

future?

Well, I have reported before that there aren't any travel jobs down south in the lower 48, nor are there any good jobs for permanent nursing either due to the economy.

I talked to my nurse manager at the hospital on Friday, to request a possible long extension. It seems promising, and I will be getting an answer by the end of the week. SOOOOOOOOO, every one pray for me!

I am only 18 days away from the arrival of my sister for a whole week here in Nome for the Iditarod! I am super happy and excited! I think my friends aren't annoyed anymore that I am counting down, and excited to meet her.

We may even be judges for the Wet Buns Contest :)

the odds

The odds are not in my favor as far as staying in the travelling game. There appears to be not be any jobs for travelling in the Lower 48.

I am now starting to wonder what my options are. I was hoping to go to Maryland as soon as this assignment was over, but I am now starting to think maybe I should stay in AK for a while until the travel market picks up again.

The only issue at hand now is the fact that there are more nurses coming in, so my chances at getting a slot to stay here in Nome are not the greatest. I am hoping that because I am an LPN and cheaper, and the fact that my boss here loves me and knows I am a valuable asset...The hitch is, I can't pitch my case until my boss gets back on Tuesday.

The waiting is killing me. I am petrified that I may not be able to either stay, or have a job to go to when this assignment is over.

Hopefully I will have something to post by Tuesday that is happy....

peace of mind

Ever since I had my emotional epiphany yesterday, I have felt alot better about the next 3 weeks to come.

My dad has already purchased plane tickets to coma out here and drive back to St. Louis. I project I would be back there by 4th of July and spending it in STL where we know how to celebrate our great nation's birthday.
I am already planning a fun-filled day downtown at the Arch for Fair St. Louis. Anyone want to join?

Anyhow, I am ready to start getting my belongings together so I can pack up my car and head east, going home. I am going to try to get a job waiting tables so I don't have to stress to much about nursing. I have been needing a break and I think it's due time for one, and well deserved.

What sucks is I only have one day off this week, and I have to get my car to the shop because it's been acting up over the last few weeks and my AC is all jacked. If I am going to drive to the Grand Canyon and through the southwestern desert, I'll be damned if I don't have an AC that works.

SO, in other words, I am hella tired, and I have little to no time to get things taken care of without exhausting myself. Oh well. I will be on vacation soooooooon!

I am pretty peeved lately since I spent $750 at the dentist for a filling and a crown. Now, a week later, the crowned tooth is sensitive, and almost popped off this morning while I was flossing. Yay, just what I really wanted, another flipping trip to the dentist!

Anyhow, this is going to be even more long winded if I keep going at this rate, so I will save you all some agony and stop typing now.

Cheers.