Living together is everything it's cracked up to be! We love it and love each other more and more everyday!! We spend the majority of our time working, preparing/studying for work or school. Honestly, I still don't think we get enough time together. We do make sure to spend time together every single day. Even though we know we have our whole lives together, we take advantage of every minute we get to spend together!!
This winter has been really cold and really snowy!! Being new to a city in the winter makes it a little harder to get out and see everything it has to offer but we have been exploring! Here are some things we have been doing, exploring, and learning:
Food/Wine: We eat as many meals together as possible and we hardly watch any TV (just Grey's & House)We do our grocery shopping at Kroeger, which we love, and sometimes go to Dorothy Lane Market. We are really learning to how to cook. I think we've only had 2 mishaps. 1- I burned our dinner once and it was terrible. 2-Wellllll let's just say we don't know all the rules about meat and safe food handling, and we had to throw out a beautiful "looking" dinner. We drink wine a couple nights a week, and starting to learn what we like. I know if I'm going to drink white, I like it best before red. I love Moscato. Sam loves red wines. We both love red blends- usually a merlot, zin, and cab blend. We have really been watching our eating and spending habits. Also we joined a gym, LA Fitness, and so far it has been okay. (Minus the 2 weeks we didn't go bc we were sick and busy).
Restaurants: We usually eat at home but we have date night usually once or twice a week! We have tried a couple pizza places, such as: Marion's Piazza, the Flying Pizza, and Cadillac Jack's. We have been to 2 places for sushi -Osaka (not great sushi, but will try hibachi) and Sima (good sushi, casual). And I went to Sake with my friend Leah and loved their sushi. For Valentine's Day we went to Sima for dinner and the Melting Pot for dessert and wine (yummm). We have also been to PF Chang's, Don Pablo's, Bravo's, Milano's, and the Cheesecake Factory. I love trying new places and figuring out which ones you like the best!
Nightlife: We have gone out a few times. Once just the two of us, we went to the Greene and had a few drinks at Bar Louie. The second time we went out was when Andrea and Emily came in town. Sam made some amazing margaritas at home and then we went to the Greene to Bar Louie and Adobe Gilas (packed, dance/live band). Another night Sam and I met up with Leah and Jerry at the Wine Loft and then went to Bar Louie. Leah and I met in orientation at MVH. That makes them our first and only friends in Dayton so far! Sam and I have also gone to Harrigan's in Kettering and the Fox and Hound by our apartment.
Work: I am still in orientation and will probably be out at the beginning of April. I am working days with my preceptor Julie. She is awesome and I have learned so much! I am finally comfortable with Epic and am learning a lot of new equipment and interventions. I have been studying at home too to learn more about advanced hemodynamics, Swan-Ganz, and Licoxx. I've only had a couple bad days and it's just me trying to get used to working for a bigger hospital. I am a very caring person and I have to work with some people who may not be as caring. I am definitely seeing more critical patients, and more drama. Everyday I feel better about my skills and abilities. I know I am also stressing out over which directions I would like to go as an advanced practicing nurse. Sam works M-F and is definitely putting in a lot of hours. He goes out everyday to different hospitals and surgical centers, talks with surgeons and OR directors, promotes his products, and makes sure they have the supplies they need. He is working as an associate under a sales rep, and I know he is really enjoying working for his company. Right now Sam is training in Michigan for a week.
We have only had 2 weekends here to ourselves!! Andrea and Emily visited us in January and Sam's family visited us in February. We went to Indy in January for Andrea's birthday and I worked 2 of the other weekends. Sam's parents, Anna & Pat, and Joe & Sammy came to visit two weekends ago and we went to the Cincinnati Outlets, had dinner at Abuelo's, played games at the apartment, and had a huge sleepover!! It was a great weekend. I love Sam's family, they're so easy to be around and always tons of fun!! Here are some pics from the last 2 months!!
Welcome Home!!
Kaitlyn in the box!!
She was hiding, still freaking out over the 4 hour car ride!
Sam reading the 27 page manual to put this desk together!!
check out our stockings!!
Pics of the apartment, all moved in!
still working on the desk!!
our bathroom
our shared clsoet
our dining room table Ash & Billy bought us Purdue & OSU mugs :)
Sam playing with his saws and drills haha
the first time my car experienced snow!
Sam cleaning my car off :)
I am a Registered Nurse in the State of Ohio!!!!!!!!!
My 1st day at Miami Valley in the surgical ICU!!
Sam's work attire: in and out of surgery
My besties came to visit!! We had lasagna and Sam's margaritas!!
We went to Bar Louie and Adobe Gilas at the Greene
In Indy for Andrea's birthday celebration!
At Bartini's
Sam terrorizing the birthday girl!!
We love shopping, especially for kitchen essentials!!
Sam is an amazing cook/griller!!
and he loves to eat!!
mmmm Sam's breakfast loaf!!
looking at puppies online, being sad
crazy Sam
creeping on Kaitlyn loving on Kaitlyn
Going out!
Out at the Greene- Wine Loft & Bar Louie
Leah & Jerry
Valentine's Day
We went to Sima for dinner and the Melting Pot for dessert and wine
My Valentine's Day Flowers!!
For Valentine's Day we bought each other wine glasses,
a decanter, strawberries, wine, and a pic frame
Pat & Anna,M & Lauri, Joe & Sammy, and Sam and Andi
Our BIG sleepover!!
Joe needed a haircut!
It's definitely been a cold and stressful winter but being here with Sam makes it warm and happy!! The past 2 months have been amazing, but I am so ready for spring!! I can't wait to get out and explore more of our new home!! It will be here before we know it. Sam's in Michigan for training until next wednesday so I am going home this weekend. And we will probably visit my family again the following weekend. We have a vacation planned at the end of this month!!!!!! Florida with Sam's parents and Anna! I can't wait!!
-Andi
