It begins

It has been busier than I expected the past two weeks:
- I successfully defended my thesis and backed up my projects
- I finished the changes/ submitted the final copy to the grad school, along with gathering all the appropriate signatures
- We visited with many friends and family
- We packed everything just hours before the movers arrived
- Baby girl caught her first stomach bug
- Both doggies got updated in preparation for the drive
- We cleaned our apartment top to bottom and finalized almost all our bills/ paperwork here (I forgot to call the gas and electric companies)

Now we have the car packed and find ourselves traveling East (for one last visit to some family) before heading out West tomorrow. Regardless, we have, after a series of small setbacks, wished a very sad farewell to State College.

State College is full of so many wonderful memories and friends that I haven't let myself think about leaving yet because I know I will be overwhelmed with emotion. We met and married there. It was our first home together and the place where Claire was born. We adopted two dogs there, and defended two dissertations there. We biked to campus and hiked in the mountains. With good friends we learned to snowboard and enjoyed hot wings on the grass.

The people we met here have been the most valuable part of my time in State College. Truly I have made lifetime friends. These people have made my life so much richer and happier than I could ever express to them. If you are reading this and wonder if I'm referring to you, yes, I am. Thank you.

Now, before I start crying and make Scott wonder what I'm writing here, I'll just say that I hope you'll enjoy the next several blogs, which I will devote to our cross-country adventure!

Just hoping I didn't forget to pack anything...




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Dino-tastic!

This is amazing!!!

2680 versus 3552

Perhaps it is a little insane, but we are planning to drive across the country with two dogs and a baby in approximately three weeks. We've allowed ourselves a good amount of time, but I'm torn. One part of me thinks it will be so much fun to see the country and stop everywhere, and the other part is worried about changing diapers, a crying baby, antsy dogs, and finding hotels. For now, however, I'm trying to balance my realism and optimism. 

If necessary, we can make it in a strait shot:

Alternatively, we can take a lot of detours to see family, and the country:

The first trip is 2680 miles, while the second is 3552 miles (not counting any pit stops or detours we may take. I guess we'll have to wait and see what the baby and dogs allow us to get through.