Hey Everyone!
I have officially been in New Hampshire for three weeks now! The time is absolutely flying, and I find myself having to double-check my calendar. I hate to say it, but I have fallen in love with it out here. Manchester is a little rough around the edges in places, but it is smack dab in the middle of so many things. An hour to the South is Boston, an hour East and you're floating in the Atlantic, and major cities such as NYC and D.C. are all within a days drive. Everyone out here feels terrible for you all back home because of the heat wave......Did I mention it's only been in the upper 80's to low 90's with very minimal humidity!? Everything is green here, much like in Iowa, but it's mostly trees. I had to drive East to Portsmouth, NH, on Friday and it was easily one of the prettiest drives I have ever been on. All of the houses near the coast are "box-like," are typically two stories, and have A LOT of windows. I've never been one for fancy architecture, and the simplicity appeals to me (not that Iowa is the most extravagant place on Earth).
Before you get your undies all up in a bunch, let me say that I do miss Iowa, very much so in fact. Right now is one of my favorite times in Iowa, driving down the country highways, surrounded by the sea of green. I would love to sit down to a family dinner full of all the proper summer foods.....watermelon, sweet corn, Iowa chops, potato salad, and a fresh apple pie topped with homemade ice cream......YUM! (when you live in a hotel and eat primarily salad and cold-meat sandwiches you begin to dream of a home-cooked meal. ) Oh, I also miss the people. Don't get me wrong, there are a large number of very nice people out here, but it's not like the Midwest. In the Midwest, a nod of the head, a tip of the hat, or a friendly hello are pretty typical pleasantries that most people share. That is not the case on the East coast. I try to keep my overly friendly personality buried a little deeper than surface level out here so that not everyone will think I am crazy......but I'm pretty sure most of them still do.
I finished up my training duties at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester this week, and it was definitely a bittersweet moment for me. Initially, when I came out here I was only going to be here for two weeks. However, that quickly became three, and is now going to turn into something along the lines of five. Needless to say I was a little overwhelmed with the amount of time that I would be away from my friends and family. However, this experience has been one of the biggest blessings for me. The people at CMC welcomed me in, and treated me like family. I absolutely loved the environment. At Covenant Hospital, the hospital that I scribed at in college, I had become very close to several of the nurses and providers. This was something that had made my job so enjoyable, and all of the new hospitals I had been at were lacking that family feel. So when I began to get to know people here I began to feel at home. After three weeks I felt like I had been working there for months. One of the housekeepers even made me a batch of chocolate chip cookies on my last night.....they were absolutely delicious. Unfortunately after several offers to stay, I had to part ways with everyone at CMC. I can honestly say I will never forget everyone at that hospital.
Tomorrow morning I will be headed to Portsmouth, NH. It is about thirty minutes to the East, and is literally right on the coast (hence the name of the town). It is going to be a great time! The town is considered one of the best walking towns in America, and the downtown is primarily cobblestone. Every weekend is jam packed with all kinds of things to do. I am most excited to take Route 1 along the coast into Maine. The nursing staff at CMC told me it is a breathtaking drive, and that there are a lot of things to see. Also, they frequently have fireworks at Hampton Beach (just South of Portsmouth) where they shoot fireworks out over the ocean. It's gonna be awesome :)
As always, there are a few things I have noticed during my travels out here.
1. Everyone loves Tom Brady. Personally, I hope the dude breaks every bone in a career ending injury. However, everyone in New England thinks the dude walks on water. Oh, and the ladies love him.....surprise surprise.
2. Ginger Ale is a huge hit out here. The only time I had ever drank Ginger Ale in the Midwest, was in punch. They even sell it is vending machines out here.
3. If you stall at an intersection for even a second.....be ready to get honked at. (No more spacing off for me)
4. Snapple is also a huge hit. I remember seeing commercials for Snapple, and thinking how they could afford nationally televised commercials. Now I know.
5. Nobody has heard of a Dumbledork.....told you I coined the phrase (Sarah, Tim, Seth, Leah E)
6. The seafood is WAY better than it is in Iowa....call me Sherlock Holmes ;)
Well everyone I hope you all are doing well. I miss you all more than you know, and would love to catch up with you. If you are every looking for something to do, shoot me a call! I can't guarantee that I won't be working, but I will get back to you as soon as I can! I should be home in a few weeks, and look forward to seeing you all.
Preston Sereg
