Dyker Heights Bound!

Today I found out I'll be spending a majority of time in Dyker Heights (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyker_Heights,_Brooklyn), in the south part of Brooklyn! Turns out, Brooklyn is a big place :) as I realized I had been looking at places predominantly in the northern part of the borough, which looks days away from the southern portion on google maps. I've never seen the ocean and now I get to be just blocks away every day! Another fabulous part of Dyker Heights? The predominantly Italian American neighborhood means carbs for blocks! :) A part of me feels like I will not get the full NYC experience because I'll be there during the winter months, but as luck would have it, Dyker Heights is at its best during that time: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/realestate/13livi.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 and http://gonyc.about.com/od/christmassights/ig/Dyker-Heights-Christmas-Lights/ I might have to forego my original thoughts/hopes of living in Brooklyn Heights (a greener part of the city) because of the nearly 1 hour commute to the school I will be at. Park Slope looks pretty cool at first glance, and it's only about half an hour away, which in comparison to my 12 minute bike ride to work now, is much more my style. (i.e. I have no patience for commuting.) I am EXTREMELY excited to learn more about the school I will be at. It is a self-proclaimed "small" K-5 school with an emphasis on the arts. The foundations and values of the school really align with my personal beliefs about education. I think it will be a good fit!

Countdown

This may be one of the saddest countdowns. Obviously, NYC and Walker are full of anticipation and excitement. But I am not looking forward to leaving my job two months tomorrow. Today I said good-bye to one of the patients I have been working with the longest. She won't be back until the spring, months after my time at the GCC is up. She is the first patient that I had to say good-bye to. I have tried to avoid these types of interactions for a long time now, but now patients on the three-month plan will be coming back in January, and this will be the last time I see them and their families and friends and caretakers. Strange. It makes you realize that your job is so much more than a paycheck. Dona's philosophy is best: We are truly privileged to be a part of our patients' lives. I am not sure how I have been so blessed to have such a great job and be with such wonderful and inspiring co-workers day in and day out at such a young age. It makes be a little nervous that I won't find that again! (How often do you get 20+ women working together in once place and come out with a positive situation on hand?!) Some people never find this situation, and it nearly came out of the blue for me. Sure, it hasn't always been how it is now. At the beginning, three years ago, it was indeed crazy and it still can be, but I have learned so much. I don't know how I will soak in all that I want to in the next 60 days!