Dr. Kildare

Happy Memorial Day weekend! We went apartment hunting in Brooklyn on Saturday and think we may have found the one. We’re waiting for our application to be processed. It’s a 1.5 bedroom (the ".5" bedroom is just the size of a queen sized bed), 1 bath that has a lot of great light, nice dog-loving owners in the building, and it's in a convenient, safe location. Move mode, commence!

Yesterday we tackled one of our biggest pre-move projects - cleaning out our main closet. It’s the place in our apartment where things we never use but can’t get rid of end up. We consolidated Christmas decorations (we haven’t decorated in two years), games (that we never play), paint (that Home Depot advised us to buy way too much of), and other junk that Goodwill shoppers could happily use. Both Jen and I have the day off so we made a list of productive things to do— like going to Goodwill and taking things that we can’t throw away to the UPS Store to be mailed to my parents, without permission— but forgot that nothing would be open today. I’m sure Mom and Dad won’t mind getting a few holiday items delivered to their doorstep, mid-year, when their garage is already packed tighter than the Clampett’s car on Beverly Hillbillies. No big.

My new job is going well. I’m learning a lot, mostly about insurance and paperwork, the least fun part of what I do. My patients, as challenging, pessimistic, and stubborn as they can be, keep me laughing and entertained all day. I was told recently that I looked like Dr. Kildare from the 60’s TV show. I was like, “who’s that?!” thinking that it sounded like a Kevorkian-type murderer. A nurse looked at me and said, “I have no idea.” Ha. I Googled it at home later and found out. The haircut, the lab coat… maybe a little. I’m also asked about my nationality pretty often. Polish? Swedish? German-Nazi? I guess my Aryan kind is pretty rare here in NYC. I also had a patient ask, “Hey, are those all your teeth on the top there in the front?” “Uh, yep, they sure are.” Hers are not, FYI.

Last week went by really quickly and I got my first paycheck, which are good things. Thankfully, not as much tax was taken out of my paycheck as I predicted. And, thanks to Memorial Day, this coming week will be a short one… I’m already thinking like a 9-to-5er.

Home Hunters

The weather this weekend was pretty dreary so we spent much of our time indoors sorting through apartments listings on craigslist, and websites like it. For the apartments we really liked, and that had a move in date of July 1^st, we requested more information, pictures, or tried to set up an appointment to view them during evenings this week or the weekend. Tonight we met a broker who showed us a no-fee apartment in Park Slope, Brooklyn (the fee is paid for by the owner/landlord). You may have heard of Park Slope. It’s well known as one of the most beautiful and overall quintessential Brooklyn ‘hoods... and the rents represent that.

The one bedroom we viewed was currently occupied, a common situation in NYC considering apartments in good areas are never vacant for long, if ever. It can be a little awkward to walk around judging everything right in front of the current tenant, but is good because you can see how livable the apartment is, already full of furniture (and junk).  We had to be quiet while we were in there because the tenant’s newborn baby was sleeping. Although it was very cool, the real deal-breaker in this place was the tiny, metal, spiral staircase that lead to the bedroom and bathroom upstairs. Not only did both Jen and I almost bust our asses trying to going up and down, but there’s no way Pup would even attempt it. We asked the new Mom if she minded the stairs and she replied, “Ya, I tripped on the last step and almost fell on my face while I was pregnant.” Great.

It was a great place overall, in a nice area, and we met a nice broker in the process (a rare find), but it was not the one for us. So onward we go with the search for our next temporary home...        

Full Time, Week One

Jen and I spent Wednesday through Sunday of last week in Florida to celebrate her thirtieth birthday. It was really nice to see our families and spend so much time on the beach. I have a false sense of being tan right now because I was just so pale before. As you've heard me say, we had a really cold, long winter so our vacation felt like the final goodbye (or giving the middle finger) to the passing season. And like we brought some warm FL air back to NYC because it's finally warming up here too.  

I'm sure you're wondering how my first week at my first full time career job is going, so let me tell you. I like it. I have six patients, a few of which I see twice a day. Only one is regularly "non-compliant" which is not bad from what I'm told. Despite her threats that she'll scream if I make her walk any further (after effortlessly walking about ten feet), I remind her that until she proves that she can manage the distance and stairs required to get in and out of her house she cannot go home. I actually met some a her family this week and after asking their advice on getting her motivated, they laughed and said good luck, she's stubborn and lazy. So she's going to be a real treat to work with... The other therapists are always willing to lend a hand, answer questions I may have, and give me advice on difficult patients. Where I am feels like a good place for a new physical therapist to start. The coverage that I did at other clinics in the last few weeks showed me just how unorganized and overwhelming rehab departments can be and I'm happy where I ended up. 

What has not been fun is the commute at over an hour long each way. A book, or the Italian language CDs that my Italian brother-in-law made for me will help the time go bye, but don't do much to relieve the numb rear end I get from sitting on plastic seats for almost three hours a day. I'm also used to time off when I want it. How things changed when I became a career man... gone are the days when I quit two weeks before Christmas and take all the time off I need. Although it will be nice to be paid while on vacation for once, I have no seniority and will likely have to use my time off when no one else is... getting the day after Thanksgiving is not looking too promising but I'm going to try so I can see my country kin-folk. I hope it works out.

Model Employee

It feels like weeks since I've blogged, I guess because I've been so busy working, going through the new hire process at Lutheran, and getting ready for our trip to Florida. Jen is turning 30 tomorrow by the way (the main reason for our vacation). Happy Birthday!

Last time I wrote about work I had just finished one coverage job and been scheduled for another. Well at the request of the director, I also ended up working an extra day at my second coverage location, a huge rehab center in Brooklyn, last week. It was a bit overwhelming considering the amount of patients being treated and the fact that I was just thrown into the chaos without much orientation. I swear I spent half my time just trying to find patients (there in OT, there with their doctor, there at temple, there on another floor, there on this floor but the opposite wing... you get the point). The worst part about coverage, though, is that you're always the new guy. I had to tell myself that I could only do my best with the resources that were provided and that in a few days it would all be over. It really wasn't that bad, I just like to know I'm doing a good job. If nothing else the experiences made me appreciate and look forward to my upcoming full time position.

Well, it's getting late and we have an 8AM flight to FL to get up early for. For time and fun's sake I thought I would let some pictures I took in the last few days do the rest of the talking. Enjoy!

I took this picture while walking to the train from the hospital. Notice how short the front door is and that the balcony has no railing. After having a good laugh and taking pics I realized a man who I assume was the tenant was standing outside watching me... oops.

While getting my haircut in Chinatown last week there was a fashion photo shoot going on right outside. Very entertaining. 

You can't tell from this pic, but the images they got from the shoot were really good. Their setup looked so simple in person but with their camera and lighting techniques the images they were reviewing here looked ready for print.

And finally, here's Pup waiting patiently on the steps of the Federal Reserve Bank for Jen to get off work. Little does she know she's about to get handed over to our friends that are watching her while we're in Florida. We miss you Pup. Have fun in Jersey and we'll see you soon.