and so it begins

After a nice 12 hour drive from MN to MI, my dad and I made it to Davisburg, MI where I will be living for the next 11 weeks. My Aunt Deb, Uncle Rob, Robbie, Kim and Katie, were gracious enough to let me join their family for my first rotation at Detroit Receiving Hospital. We got in on Saturday at about 7pm, had dinner and hung out. It's been a while since I have seen my family so I had to catch up on a couple years! I can't believe how old and tall all three of my cousins are. I also got to meet Robbie's girlfriend, Kayla.

I will also be living with two dogs... Molly and Sadie. They will help me miss Dexter (Kyle's dog) a little less.

Molly is on the left. She is a cuddle bug and is also very needy (both qualities of Dex). And Sadie is on the right. She gives me the "big dog" feel that Dexter does and is also very curious and friendly!

Davisburg is a small town of about 7,000. It's about 40 miles away from Detroit and kind of reminds my dad and I of Mahtomedi area where my friend Elena lives. The houses have a little bit of land attached to them too so there is a lot of room for activities!!

Katie kindly gave up her room in order for me to have my own room during my stay. Her and Kim get to have a slumber party every night until I leave! I already told them I will occasionally be joining the party :)

My commute is shown on this map. It will take about an hour (with traffic) to get to 'work' each morning. Although its a long car ride I think I will enjoy it. I'm hoping  I will find it relaxing and will give me a chance to mentally prepare for each day as well as unwind after each day.

My dad, aunt and uncle drove down there today to get a feel for the campus and explore the hospital a little bit so I know where I am going tomorrow. The drive was really easy, especially since on the highways here the speed limit is 70mph so you can drive like 80mph the whole way!

On our visit to the hospital, we found out the PT department is under construction.... hmmmm. So I have to call my supervisor tomorrow morning before I start to figure out where I am actually supposed to go. I am really glad we went there today so that I didn't have to freak out tomorrow! :)

I am really excited and a little bit nervous to start tomorrow. My classmate Anna and I talked a bit today about what we should be studying and attempted to project what our first days will look like! She is working in an outpatient sports orthopedic clinic in Rockford, IL. My experience will be a little different as I will be in a hospital setting working with inpatients. I will be working in the Neurotrauma ICU and also in the Geriatric wing. I am assuming I will be working with some very involved cases, especially since the hospital is a level 1 trauma center!!!

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow! I hope I can remember some things I learned these past two years!