interview extravaganza: week 1

So 8 days, 1150 miles, 6 beds, 5 cities, and 3 interviews later, I'm halfway through my big interview stretch. Have to say, I've having a BLAST. I'm staying in NICE hotels for free, eating at fancy restaurants (again, for free), and road tripping and traveling all around the east coast. I think the money I've spent on gas has probably been made up for by the amount of free food I have received. And it's been awesome. Not for the waistline though, after thanksgiving might have to start being better. Don't even really mind the interviewing. Peds people are pretty nice across the board, so mostly everything is laid back and friendly.

Things I've did last week

-Visited the beach!

-Went hiking in the mountains outside of Greenville. 4.4 miles, I felt pretty awesome. And it was beautiful!

-Went to Athens for the Auburn game (Not the most enjoyable game ever, but fun regardless).

-Drove hours upon hours... Probably close t0 20 hours so far? But that includes my detours (getting lost) and driving around for an extended amount of time in Charleston looking for a parking place (must be trained on how to parallel park and also to navigate busy downtown areas). I have never driven more than from Auburn and back to Mobile by myself but I've actually enjoyed road tripping it. Very surprised. I've got a sweet karaoke mix going of songs I could only belt out if I'm by myself, listening to Bossypants by Tina Fey on audio- Hilarious!, made some phone calls to friends and family, and then the getting lost keeps you entertained too. Also, the trees lining the interstate are absolutely gorgeous. Every different shade of yellow, orange, and red you can imagine.

-Visited with several people that graduated from USA, people have been very hospitable to let me come and stay a night or two!

-So far I've interviewed in Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville SC. Tomorrow is Augusta, GA and Charlotte and Wake forest are also this week.

I'm also realizing things I'm gonna miss. Family of course, and I've made some of my best friends these past 3.5 years, I can only hope we all end up at the same place (obviously not gonna happen, maybe the same area of the country?). And what a gift to be surrounded by Auburn people everywhere in Mobile. While I was in Greenville I got hopeful every time I saw orange, but of course it was always Clemson. I appreciate the football enthusiasm regardless though. But wherever I go, maybe I will be able to find an Auburn crew.

DID YOU KNOW...

In augusta, people in tiny houses can rent it out for a week to people coming in for the masters for 3 grand?!? And If you have a super fancy house you can get 40 grand?? For one week!! Noted.