Waiting....

So, Eric and I just came back from the Bay Area in California, where we were looking for places to live when we move there. We left Saturday after my best friend's marriage ceremony (Christie, it was beautiful, and congrats! I'm so happy for you!!!). We went the southern route, as the Sierra Nevadas were getting a load of snow. We got to Bakersfield, CA the first night, drove on to Pleasanton the next day and went to church. The Pleasanton 4th ward was very warm and inviting, but didn't have very many hospitals close by and was about a 45-min drive from Eric's work. So we checked into a hotel in Union City, and spent the evening in San Francisco. I don't have any pictures because it was raining the entire time we were there, which is par for the course in San Fran I guess! But I had some clam chowder in a sour dough bread bowl (I know, it was Sunday! We are such sinners!) and LOVED it! I think I'll be going there once a month (it took forever to get there and there is a $5 toll over the Bay Bridge!). The next morning (Monday), we were up early and headed to Fremont. We stopped by (rather, drove by) Eric's work, and started out search there. Turns out, its in an older part of town, probably the new hot place in about the 1970's. We looked and looked and looked, and didn't really feel comfortable in all the places we saw. We wanted 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, washer/dryer in unit, and pet allowed, because I really want a big dog to keep me safe while I run in California. Only two places (of the 10-15 we saw) had W/D in unit, and only one place allowed for a dog, and they weren't in the same place. So, when I got frustrated, we thought maybe we should head to Pleasanton to look for places to rent there. On our way out be found the place we will live. Completely gated community, dogs allowed on the bottom floor, W/D in unit, indoor/outdoor pool, workout room, close to the Police Station, near the California School for the Deaf (beautiful campus by the way), within walking distance to BART (the railway commuter system in the Bay Area, and close to a large park with a lake and path that is three miles around the lake. Perfect, I know. The facility itself if bright, airy, clean, and well-kept. Here is a link to look at pitures:

http://www.nastevens.com/presidio.html

Here is the kicker though, rent will be about $1845/month, which means-I will be working at least part time, which is good. I guess one of Cali's largest unions is the nurses union, and they get paid pretty decently I hear. I'm not one for approving of unions, but if I have to join, I might as well enjoy the benefits, right? There is a really well-renowned hospital in town that I will probably look at working for. I get Chemo certified this weekend, and I'm also ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) certified, and both of these together will make me really marketable I'm hoping.

So, here's explaining the waiting. Eric has the job, is at the top of the list to start, but we have to wait for the federal budget to approve the start of more air traffic controllers. Ugh.