California and Commitment

Last week I ventured out to California to spend time vacationing with my old travel buddy, Brittany, her husband Matt, and her brother Brandon.  Despite the ice storm in Pittsburgh, my flight made it out safely. Delta had me take three planes to get to Oakland, CA, with layovers in Minneapolis and Salt Lake City.

salt lake city airport

We spent a day in Napa Valley, tasting amazing wines and enjoying the beautiful countryside.

Then we packed up the car, Brittany's cat, and headed over to Tahoe for a few days of skiing.

We had a great place near Heavenly, complete with wood stove, and hot tub. We were joined by a couple who Brittany works with at the hospital in Santa Rosa. 

We had a great time, skiing in the sunshine, and taking in the view from the mountain.

California on the left, Sierra Nevadas in the middle, Nevada on the right

After shredding it for two days, we journeyed westward, all the way to the Pacific Ocean for great clam chowder and a beautiful sunset. 

And so the sun set on our day.  Back in Santa Rosa we went to a reflexology joint - not my favorite.  The guy doing my massage literally had all of his weight on my eye brows, jammed his fingers in my ears, and nearly got an involuntary kick to the face.. I'm far too ticklish for the leg portion of the therapy.

Our final day in Northern California was spent with a brief look at San Francisco.  With the local team at the Superbowl that day, we didn't do much beyond walk around, Brittany and I got our nails done, and we watched the game at a local bar. We ended the night with desert at Ghiradelli.

And so, Monday arrived.  After getting to the airport, we learned that the flight from Oakland to Los Angeles was delayed. Both Brandon and I were on that plane, and then would part ways - me to Minneapolis then Pittsburgh, him to Atlanta.  A mere two hour delay would not disrupt Brandon's plans, but you know my luck to be such that my entire day and night was disrupted.  It was made clear that I would not make it home that night. The earliest Delta could get me back was the following morning.   Not a huge problem, except that the job I previously mentioned had scheduled a panel interview with me Tuesday afternoon. Suggestions were made that I take a shuttle to the San Francisco airport and wait 12 hours for a red eye across the country.  Another option was to fly to LA and wait 9 hours to take a total of 4 planes back to Pittsburgh.

"interrupted travel for Wallwork/Megan"

Perhaps the hysterics would have started, if not for Brittany's brother Brandon there to help.  As I stood gaping and helpless, he figured out a way to get me to Atlanta, where he lives.  He gave me a quick tour of the city, a safe place to stay the night, and drove me to the airport in the early morning so I could get to Pittsburgh in time..

In time for an interview with UPMC Passavant hospital.  I had informed them that I was arriving but a few hours off of the plane, and so they forgave my informal attire.  The panel interview which had previously terrified me, was anything but scary.  It would seem they were eager to hire me, and so I accepted a permanent position.

Ah and this is where commitment takes it's place.  We travelers have fickle hearts, desirous of adventure and change. While it is sometimes exhausting and lonely, it is also what drives us and makes us thrive.  Am I really ready to stop? Do I want to?  Oh how I have battled these thoughts for the past few days. At times I feel like the plan is for me to walk through a door, but in protest I prop my arms and legs against the frame, determined not to enter,  fighting for my own way instead.

March 11 is my planned start date. Orientations, physicals, paperwork, all of this is familiar.  But this time there will be no end, at least not yet..  No "what's next?" or "where to now?" I'm both terribly excited and saddened by this change.

The good things about taking this assignment -- proximity to family, being a part of a community, re-joining staff and a steady team of healthcare workers, and exploring Western PA with new eyes.

March 11 is about 30 days away.  Tomorrow I leave for Vail for 8 days.  You better believe I'm going to jam some more adventures in the next month.

All before this little pig returns to the Steel City..