Tobacco road...year one

So, it has been just about one year since we set off for North Carolina. There have been some changes, but also some things haven't changed much since our arrival. I guess one of the biggest changes is that we're planning on being here for, well, as long as we want to now. The purpose of coming to North Carolina was for a fellowship with the VA Hospital here in Durham. The Fellowship was supposed to be a one year extra training opportunity followed by an actually jump in the pool of being responsible adults. Well, around March, something unexpected happened. Aubrey was preparing to fly to Utah for a wedding and one of the staff members at one of the clinics that I worked at decided to move out of state. Aubrey and I talked about it and I let my supervisor know of my interest in the position. Two day's prior to Aubrey flying out, I was told that there might be an interview upcoming, we were guardedly excited. The day Aubrey flew to Utah, I was offered an interview. The following day, I had my interview and that same day, I was offered the position. We took it! I then flew out to meet Aubrey the following day, completing this whirlwind with a super-fast trip to Utah for the wedding.
Accepting this job has been bittersweet. Starting with the sweet part, I love my job. It is totally the job that I aspired to have in maybe 5-7 years. I work with an unbelievable group of people who really care about the work that they're doing. I feel very challenged and fulfilled with the work that I am doing and really enjoy working with the folks I'm privileged to work for. Now, the bitter part...we miss the West, and family...and the opportunity to see more than 45 feet in front of us (the trees are thick). That being said, things seem to be moving in a positive direction. Aubrey is ever more busy with her growing studio, her church callings, and making sure our ward's missionaries survive their time here. We have found more and more that we love about living here and it's feeling more and more like home. So, how about a top ten (in no particular order, by the way) things we've done/seen/learned about/enjoyed here in the NC since our arrival...

10. Basketball, basketball, basketball! It's been fun living in North Carolina because there is so much good basketball being played/tradition. So far we've been able to sneak onto Duke's basketball floor. We also went to an NCAA tournament game for my birthday (sports highlight of my life!)

9. The trees/forests/woods: It's been fun to be in a place where a lot of effort goes into keeping trees from growing where they're not wanted as opposed to Utah/Colorado where great efforts are taken to get tree's to grow!

8. Proximity: This one is kind of cheating, but we were able to go to Washington D.C. with my parents late last year. It's amazing to me that we live within driving distance of D.C.!

7.  Barbeque...which we have been informed is the term only appropriate when doing pulled pork. Hamburgers/hotdogs/bratwurst are made during cookouts...who knew? Anyway, it's been delicious, as advertized!

6. Sunsets: So one of the benefits of having a lot of clouds is that there are some great sunsets!

5. The beach: We haven't been very often, but they are amazing!

4. Saxapahaw: So, there is this really cool outdoor music concert series out in the middle of NC. There are performances every Saturday throughout the summer. Not really a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

3. My job...sorry no picture, but it's great!
2. Fishing! Notice I didn't say catching, but there's some beautiful lakes nearby and I enjoy time at the lake.

1. So, I've also really enjoyed being in an area that's just very alive! Beautiful flowers (like our parking lot smells perfumed during the spring/early summer), plus a lot of critters! I've always loved animals and nature, so it's fun to live in just a very vibrantly alive area.