More of Arctic Blast 2008

We have been snowed in for 3 days now, and I've been going to clinic off and on because it has been snowing all week. This phenomenon has not happen in Portland since 1968! I think we have to shovel snow tomorrow and venture out to the grocery store because I'm running out of food, particularly fresh veggies and milk. On Saturday and Sunday, Quoc attempted to drive out with chains on my car but got stuck right outside our driveway. So we haven't made a repeat attempt, perhaps out of fear of being stuck, and/or fear of being cold or just plain laziness. The city of Portland nearly shut down because they don't have enough snow plow to keep up. They're busy with the freeways and our side streets don't get serviced- understandable though, because this doesn't happen very often. Plus, we're appreciative of the extra time spent together. We've been cleaning a bit, doing much needed laundry, and playing lots of video games (just got Rock Band and Sing Star). And I even squeezed in some exercise today :-)
Quoc and I are planning to fly to visit both sides of the family on Saturday. I hope we can get out of the city. Flights have been canceled left and right. It's supposed to get better by the weekend, so we're praying... In the beginning, it was really fun to play in the snow, but now, I think I'm ready for it to warm up now :) Here are some shots that we took around our house and neighborhood.

Small tree in front of the house iced over
Looking down our street
Grasses

I like macros :)
Our backyard. Our bench is on the left- disappeared under the snow!

Artic Blast and New Job!

Merry Christmas! (I made the above wreath- didn't know I was crafty!)

Portland is the middle of snow storms. Once a year, this happens and it's sort of fun. I imagine being a kid here and getting to stay home from school and go outside to sled and have snow fights. What fun! I have to make it over the I-5 bridge to get to Vancouver for work. When snow freezes to ice, it can be treacherous. But as a resident, you have to try, because someone has to see those patients in the hospital! If you can't make it, they'll try to get the firemen to come get you, or you have to lose one of your vacation days. Either way, it's not as fun as the kid missing school to go sledding. But we're gonna try if we're stuck at home (I'm hoping to be stuck at home tomorrow- got my hot chocolate ready) to have fun :) Here are some fun pictures of the storm's first hit. Tomorrow will the be second, and according to the weatherman- Sunday is the third, when I'm supposed to be in the hospital for an overnight OB call. Yikes!

Our garden shoes :)
My poor watering can- looks sad and neglected, doesn't it?
We still have some roses, amazing!

In other (and awesome) news, I signed my first real job contract today! Yay!!! It's official. I, along with 3 of my "classmates" are going to be working for the same system (SWHS). It's a brand new clinic out of a primary care underserved area north of Vancouver, WA. The deal sounds really good, and after much negotiating and reviewing the contract, etc, we signed today! It's a huge sigh of relief for me to know early on where I'll be working. Plus, seems like the light of the end of the tunnel is finally here. High school, college, medical school, wedding, moving to Portland, new house, residency... seems like I haven't stopped. And now, I'm almost... "arrived". We haven't figured out what to do with the sign on bonus yet; it's going in the bank right now, but we're going to Europe before I start. I'm really excited and extremely thankful for my God who provides and is faithful in all things. Below are some pictures of the signing- I had to bring the camera to document!

Everyone signing: John, Anita, Diana and me
Dr. Alden Roberts, VP of the hospital, my new soon-to-be boss, signing his part. It's official!
Contract and sign on bonus :)
VPs and directors and us. We look (and feel) important!
Us with our current boss, residency medical director, Dr. David Ruiz.
I'm the only one in scrubs because I had procedures clinic today, otherwise, I would have tried to look a bit more dressy and professional- for the pictures :)

We did lots over Thanksgiving break- our friends Jason, Tom and Katie came to visit from San Diego, but I didn't take any pictures. And they haven't sent me any, so um.. next time.