Update from Stockton

So I haven't blogged lately because A) I've been busy B) I've been on vacation and C) Not much to tell.  We, I figured since I had some extra time this Sunday, I figured now's a good a time as any!

Tomorrow marks a month that I have been in Stockton.  Work is going well, every day is the same yet different at the same time.  I am learning something new everyday and it's quite exciting.  I'm still trying to get a hold of America's Tire company to try and get them to reimburse me for the damage to my car.  I just don;t think it's a coincidence that this happened to my car 4 months after they worked on it.  I have been told that it you have your lug nuts over torqued that it can cause a shearing force on your lug nuts and bolts.  So just keep in prayer that something will happen with this situation.  It's quite frustrating!  Here are some picture of  my new apartment.

Bedroom

Dresser

Cute little bathroom

I was blessed with a flat screen TV!

Comfy couch

Dinning room table

Love this kitchen!

I am quite blessed with an awesome job that provides me with all this!  I was just thinking about where I was this time last year...It's amazing where God will take you if you just let Him!

So I worked 2 weeks in my new contract and then took a week off for vacation.  I rented a car and drove down to Southern California.  It was busy and relaxing at the same time.  I went everywhere!! But it went all too quickly!!  I wish I would have taken more pictures.  My sister laughed at me when she saw it; breakfast, lunch and dinner x 5!  But it was fun.

My schedule was quite full!!

On Sunday, Mother's Day, I had the privilege of being with my Grandma!  I love her so much!!

 I loved seeing all my friends and family.  I forgot how much I missed them until I saw them them all again, but I know that I am where God wants me right now and that's what's important.  I think one of the best parts, there were many, but one of the best parts was seeing my nieces, Isabel, Julia and Olivia, and MY FAVORITE nephew Ryan!

Julia

Julia is a ham!

Isabel is getting so beautiful

Olivia

Love that Ryan face!!

Thursday I got to have lunch with one of THE most amazing woman that I only knew from the phone until then!  We had such a great visit and I'm looking firward to the next visit!

I must say though, the highlight of my trip was driving down to Irvine to see all the wonderful people that work for StaffRehab!  I have never met any of them personally.  I got this job trough emails and phone calls.  Crazy, huh?  I love this amazing company that hired me.  I'm still trying to figure out why!!  So, if any of you fellow PTA's would like to travel, give me a call.  It's grand adventure!

On Friday, not only did I get to visit StaffRehab, but  I got to have lunch with Jasmine.  I hadn't seen her for at least a year!

Driving back was THE WORST!!  The I% is a long strip of NOTHING!!  What a boring drive!  Thank you Renae for talking with me on that long drive back.  I left at 9 am on Saturday, because I wanted to visit a friend of mine in Corona.  But that's ok.  We can always write.  I ended up leaving Corona about 11:30 and got into Stockton about 5:30.  It was a LOOOONNNGGG drive!!

I finally found a church down here!  YAY!!  It's a small body that meets in the gym of a Christian school. This morning one of the ladies asked me to attend a home bible study on Tuesday.  I'm looking forward to it.  I will keep you all updated on how things are going.  Well, that's all for now!!

Unpacked but not settled just yet

So...

To continue with my story...

Monday I got a call from Firestone .  He told me that I was quite lucky that I didn't get into an accident and that I someone looking out for me.  I told him he had NO IDEA!!!  He tells me what's wrong and all together it's going to cost $679 to get all the parts and fix it by.  OUCH!!  But I had no choice, so I told him to go ahead and fix it.  I was expecting them to have it for a couple more days, but Tuesday morning I got a call from them and they told me that it was all ready.  That day I got off early at work because two of my patients refused treatment.  What are you gunna do?  I can't force them!!  So It was 3:30 and  had to 1. Go look at this furnish studio apartment. 2. Go return my  rental car. 3.  Go pay for my car. 4. Go pick up my car. and 5 go look at another apartment in case the studio didn't work out, but I had to see her by 4:30.  So I decide to go look at the furnished studio first because it was closest. I walk in the apartment, which BTW was a renovated motel, and the smell of cat pee wafted through the air.  I had my answer right there, but thought I would take a look at it anyway.  The "studio" had one room, a kitchen and a closet.  The bed itself took up 95% of the room.  Yes, it was furnished, but there was hardly enough room to turn around.  Where would I put all of MY stuff?  So I said no to that place. I decided that I didn't quite care for it and couldn't see myself living there for three months so I called the other apartment complex and was able to go see the unit. By the grace of God, I was able to get in contact with this other lead that we had found and got a chance to look at a this two bedroom apartment in central Stockton.  I know I don't need two bedrooms since it's just me, but that's all that there was.  I walked in and it was perfect.  Tiny, but I don't need much.  Then I went to go and pay for my car.  All together, it actually ended up being $654.  A little cheaper, so I was happy.  After that I drove back the opposite direction to drop my rental off.  I was kinda happy because I didn't have to pay for the whole week, but sad at the same time because it was nice driving a big truck.  They gave me a ride back to Firestone too pick up my car and I went back to the hotel.  I had to stay there another couple of nights.  Oh well!

By Thursday, I got a call that I got the apartment and that I could move in on Friday.  I was so relieved.  The only problem at this point was that they were having trouble finding someone to deliver furniture to the apartment.  So I was asked on Friday to get a hold of them to see if they could squeeze me in on Friday.  My landlord said that she cold let them in if they came before 4:30.   But they could not.  I didn't mind because  I knew that it was very short notice.  I would just camp out on the floor for a night because they said they would be able to deliver it all on Saturday.   It was so nice to come HOME!!!  Even though it was an "empty" home.  So, all was set, I checked out of the hotel and I picked up the keys Friday morning.  I was finally going to have my own place again.  Living in a hotel can be taxing after awhile, but I guess it beats sleeping in my car!

I survived my 1st week here at Manteca Care and Rehab!  Everyone is nice and treats me well.  For the most part, all of the patients are good.  This has been the longest week or me.  I had to stay in a hotel for six days while my company (love them!!) was searching frantically to find me a place.  My apartment is on the second floor, So I get home and have to unpack my car.  I think I climbed up and down those stairs 40-50 times!!  Probably not, but it felt like that.  On one of my last trips I smashed my little finger in the door!

So after unpacking my car, I make a little "bed" out of all my blankets on the the floor.    Not the most comfortable, but it would do for the night.  It was just nice being in my own place.

So, this morning, I wake up and I'm quite stiff!!  Everywhere!  I don't know if it's because I'm getting old or because I climbed up and down the stirs so many times.  I'd rather think of the latter!  It was sure nice to make my French Press coffee again!  I missed you Starbucks!! 

I get a call while I am out grocery shopping and it's the furniture rental place.  They won't be able to deliver the furniture till Monday while I'm at work!!!  AHH!!  Well, I guess I should be thankful that I have a roof over my head!

That's all for now!

This was the verse I woke up to today:

Psalm 103:11-12

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."