Happy Friday

I said we went to Dodger's stadium so here are some pictures. It's not a very pretty park so this is all i'll show you. This pic is from the upper deck...well that's where our seats were. There weren't that many people at the game so we sat in the lower deck in the shade.

I wore my Buckeye's hat for all to see and usc (uncapitalized) fans avoided me like the plague in fear of their predicted beating come September.

Today I wrapped up my second week of Anatomy. I just got my grades...lab test-98%, lecture 90%. I was surprised I got a 98%. I don't normally pull out 98's. That being said, I know I can do it. I work my butt off every night and if it produces these results, i'll keep doing it. Katie and I are getting along great. We bicker less and spend more time laughing with each other. (that's probably cause she only sees me 3 days a week) I haven't had to worry about anything but school. She packs my lunch and makes dinner every night. My laundry is always done and put away before I even know it's dirty and she covers all the financial aid and student paperwork stuff. I hate that stuff! She is still applying to places for employment. Your prayers for that would be appreciated. We want her to do something she enjoys but we need her to have a job soon. We have a meeting with the director of the Drayson Center (University fitness center) on Tuesday for a potential personal training job for Katie. I say, "we" cause he wants me to be there for some reason. We'll keep you updated.

I might write again this weekend. We'll take pictures and get them to you guys. Thanks for looking and keeping up with us. I had no idea how many people looked at this thing.

Scott

Adventures and Challenges

This is Scott. You're only going to hear from me once a week. If there are more postings then they will most likely be from Katie. I just finished the most intense week of my whole life. I was in class from 8am-5pm Monday through thursday and friday I had two exams from 8am-Noon. At 5 I went home grabbed a 45min dinner and headed back to the lab or library until 1030-11pm. Luckily my grades reflected my study habits as I took home A's on both exams. This will set the tone for the rest of the summer quarter(seven weeks) and hopefully my time here. I now know that I can succeed at this level. The sacrifices are many and the most important one, Katie time, is handling things very well. She is totally supportive of me and my 50+ hour work weeks. I'll come home for a quick dinner and it will be ready for me when I get there.(Im sure this will change when she gets a job.) I feel absolutely no pressure from her. Luckily the weekends are mostly free.
A fellow classmate and his girlfriend, Katie and I went to Dodgers stadium yesterday and watched the Cleveland Indians play. Great game. C.C. Sabathia pitched for Cleveland and hit a homerun.(When a pitcher hits a homerun you've experienced something most people don't.) The tribe won 7-2 in 11 innings. It was good to see the park and get a win for the good guys.
We are starting to establish ourselves in the neighborhood. There are three mexican boys in the area that ride there scooters and bikes around the streets. They look about 10 years old. I was sweeping the driveway yesterday and they came up to me and asked me if we were moving in and my name. Do you remember the Taco Bell Dog? That's the accent. It's great. They've now claimed our driveway as it has great "jumps" at the end. We look out the kitchen window and there goes a chunky boy zipping by on a scooter from the garage to the end. Maybe they can teach me spanish.
It is hot here everyday. We went from winter in Spokane to Summer in Loma Linda. Friday was the hottest day I'd ever experienced...and it's only June. I saw 108F. Ever year I've been alive people, including me complain about the winters, down here they complain about the summers. It will be nice when it's a high of 70 on New Year's day and we're camping somewhere.
I think that's it. We are enjoying ourselves and the challenges that we face. It's fun to reach new levels, get through them and tackle greater ones. Thanks for everyones support. We are grateful for you. I've met people this week in my program that don't have what we have, no family or friends, just drive for success. We'll have to change that.

Our two week adventure

May 31 we start our "adventure" driving from Spokane to Idaho Falls, ID on I-15, then another stop at St. George, UT, and finally ariving in Loma Linda on the 2nd of June sometime in the afternoon.

All of our belongings, believe it or not, fit into this tiny u-haul (from Akron, OH--Scott's hometown) along with 6 bikes in the back of the truck.


Being on the road can make you feel a little crazy after awhile... (this is Jay, Katie's dad)

Our house at 11192 Rosarita Dr. Loma Linda, CA 92354 ... not ready yet for us to move into at this point... we unloaded all of our belongings into the garage until the painting, cleaning, and refinishing the hardwood floors are completed. The neighborhood is very safe and our neighbors are friendly--at the least the wives we've met that stay home with the kiddos while the husbands are in school. That seems to be the trend here.

Panera Bread--where we've enjoyed breakfast and internet since we've been in Loma Linda.

Anxiously waiting to see if we have seats on the flight to Mexico...after enjoying a relaxing day in Newport beach the day before...

We obviously made it... this is the balcony in front of our room at Sotavento Beach Resort (which was actually more like a hotel than a resort)

A day in the sweltering heat and humidity called for refreshment...and tacos!

Katie bartering for fresh fruit at the market and finally figuring out the peso.

We were in Zihuatanejo during their down season, little did we realize. This is the season that the locals come and enjoy the beach... lots of Mexican families with cute Mexican kids. We're still saying "hola!" and "gracias!" out of habit.

We are back in Loma Linda, sitting at Panera Bread, waiting till this afternoon when we get to transfer all of our belongings from the garage to the newly remodeled house (finally!). Scott begins his program on Monday the 16th, and Katie will continue her job search then as well.

The Beauty of getting an "F"

So I did the math today and I need a 46% on my final exam to pass the class. Funny huh. This whole process of getting into physical therapy school can really get to you. First, you get into school and then you think of every possible thing that could keep it from happening. Did they get my health requirements? Did I get all the paperwork in? The biggest one... I have to take my final exam 2 1/2 weeks early, can I fail and still make it? The answer is, "yes!" I won't, but it's nice to know that I have that freedom to let my grade slip that far and still make it. And I know I shouldn't worry about that stuff so please don't email me letting me know I shouldn't worry about it, I know that. I'm just being honest. Don't tell me you don't struggle with it either.
Anyway, lots to do. Almost done on the packing and cleaning will happen when it does. If it wasn't for being forced to commute by bike and foot everywhere I would be incredibly out of shape. I haven't lifted more than a school book in the last few months. I stood in front of the mirror today and jumped up and down and could see fat bouncing up and down. That's ok, it will keep me warm down in California.
If tears fall they will be this week. Lot's of people I care about I won't be able to see for awhile. No goodbyes, just see you later's.

Memorial Day "getaway"

My lovely date to my sisters wedding. (i'll post those pictures soon) I get impatient with her for the length of time she needs to get ready but she always wins the battle cause she looks so good when she's done... not that she doesn't all the time. Anyway...

A grapevine in the back yard one morning at Mom and Dan's.
This picture means a lot to me. I made this wind chime for my mom when I was in pioneer club as a kid at my church. She kept it up all these years (it shows). I can't look at an American flag without thinking of my brother David who is honoring his country in the center of the conflict in the middle east. I chose not to focus on the flag because our service men often do a great deal for us but we will never know how or often take it for granite. This picture represents one sons love, another ones bravery and a mother dedicated to both of them.

This is the patio. Mom and Dan spend a great deal of time here.
A bird bath in the backyard to accommodate the many different birds that have migrated to this particular yard for the warmer months.
A candle, hanging from a tree, gives added light at night when the bonfires take place...which happens a lot here.

Today is Tuesday and on Thursday we leave for Ohio. My sister Ashley is getting married on Saturday. I will get to see most of my family and Katie will have the opportunity to interact with them, something she hasn't had much time to do because of the distance. It is crazy to think that when we get back from Ohio we will only have four full days left in Spokane. Most of the stuff is packed and those last four days will be crazy. I have my 3rd exam this thursday morning and my final next friday.(Im taking my final 2 weeks early.) This all being said God is good and his provision for us is always consistent and timely. We are less than two weeks away from moving and we yet to have a place to live. I don't worry though. No sense in worrying when God is in control of your life. I enjoy seeing important things like jobs and living situations play out. I always get to look back and say, "see, He took care of it." If I do worry about anything its my own work ethic. Ex.. did I study enough? Am I working hard enough? Am I doing my part? Those types of things. I guess I'd rather be like that than never questioning anything.
Anyway, it is starting to rain now. The sky is cloudy and the temp is low 60's. The trees and grass are a rich green that takes me back to home in Ohio. We don't have days like this very often in Spokane. It's cold but its a break from the upper 80's we've been having. So it is comfortable. The picture taken is off my back porch. It is enjoyable right now but come 1:30 I will have to ride my bike to work and that will suck. I'll want the 80's back then.

Pickleball championships

Me celebrating a victory over my opponent.
Jeremy returning a lethal serve from his brother Jason.
Me taking it easy on Jason who was afraid of the plastic ball.
My 4 inch verticle

Jason, making an attempt at a stellar shot by Jeremy.