It's been over a month since our last blog. Cannot believe how quickly the time has gone! It may seem like we are ALWAYS having a good time but we have been working quite a bit and we are on complete opposite schedules. Travel nursing has definitely had its challenges and we have overcome the most brutal part (the first month) and feel more confident today than we did when we first started.
Here are some pictures to catch you up on what we have been doing on our days off.
We spent Thanksgiving with a family we mentioned in one of our earlier posts. This is the day after Thanksgiving. Nat made a legit, traditional, American dinner. Sweet potato casserole, corn casserole, turkey, stuffing, rolls and 2 tbs of mashed potatoes (literally), homemade apple pie and cranberry sauce. Everything was delicious!! She is constantly nagging me to make up for this meal. (She just said, "I think you still need to make up for it. Like make more butter chicken.")
We had a day off together and decided to go to the city (SF) and visit Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. We walked around and saw the sea lions. They were very loud and smelly. Some looked dead (don't worry they weren't, they were just sleeping on top of each other.)
Fisherman's wharf was packed with street vendors selling delicious smelling seafood. We took a taxi back to Union Square and walked around.
Christmas tree in Union Square
Nat and her obsession with Disney. (There was a huge Disney store in Union Square, any child's dream).
Our 'lil Christmas tree and our first stockings (presh!) over the fireplace.
Friends of our family that I was able to meet up with. Shivangi ben was so hospitable and welcoming. I loved spending time with her two outgoing sons and (hard working) husband. She made me homemade chai! Such a sweet family. They even got me a birthday cake and sang to me the last time I visited with Nat.
Birthday surprise from Natalie after getting off from work! Such a great roomie.
Another birthday surprise! Bought me breakfast from Starbucks. I have never had this much coffee since living with Nat. (I told her not to expect the same from me. Ha!)
This was on 17 mile drive. Such a beautiful scenery. The west coast is more rugged with more of a scenic landscape than the east coast. LOVED this day.
The Pacific Ocean! Our first time walking on the beach of the PO.
No idea what I am trying to do with my arms.
Met this really hot guy.
Watched the sunset on the beach in Carmel, CA.
Went for a visit to my cousin's, Pranoti ben, and her husband's, Raju bhai, home. They were so gracious to let us crash over at their home. Loved spending time with them, sitting by their gas lit fireplace catching up. Am so glad we had the opportunity to see them. She told me she would hook me up with some Indian groceries, told her to not go all out and the above picture tells you she did the complete opposite! Love her giving heart. Told her I would beat her if she ever did this again!
Christmas dinner. Made homemade butter chicken (per Nat's request since I owe her from Thanksgiving) and chickpea curry, naan (courtesy of Trader Joe's) and basmati rice. Kept a simpler dinner. It was pretty good ;)
This past week we went to Sonoma, CA. We went to a winery called Gundlach Bundschu (pronounced "Gun-lock Bun-shoe). Everything was dry (including the wine hehehehehe) but I can only imagine how lush green it is during the spring and summer. We decided to take a last minute wine cave tour and was given a tour by one of the owners. I didn't realize wine making was so scientific. Annnnd during tours every time you stop you are offered a sip(s) of wine they make. We stopped 6-7 times!
This was at the end of the tour. We hung around and sat outside to take in the beautiful views.
We finished up early and decided to stop by IKEA in Berkeley. It. Was. Huge.
This assignment is coming to a close very soon (Feb 1). In the beginning I thought it would take a really long time (a few assignments) to adjust to this whole travel nursing thing but I think we are getting the hang of it (for now...). Thank you so much for all of your prayers, thoughts, text messages and support through this transition!
I leave you with this.
