Our 3rd Week

It felt like our 3rd week went by quickly. I would say at this point we have really settled into a weekday routine with work. We both are starting to get a better feel for our coworkers and becoming more familiar driving around in Eugene. Over the weekend, we experienced our first major rainy day. It was actually very nice sleeping in with pleasant rainy noise in the background. One cool thing we did during the week was attend the annual mushroom festival at Mount Pisgah in Eugene. We didn't know much about mushrooms going in, but we still enjoyed ourselves at the festival. There were lots of mushroom enthusiasts, food, and live music that entertained us. We also got to socialize with others with my coworker and her friends after work on Friday at Hops Valley. Have I mentioned Eugene has a lot of fantastic breweries and eateries? Anyway, we still miss family back in Missouri terribly, but the readjusting is getting a little easier day by day. 

Selfie at the Mushroom Festival

Walking on the trails at Mount Pisgah

Randomness

Mushroom enthusiasts

Mushroom display

Our 2nd Week

Our second week was less exciting than our first week as we focused much of our time on our jobs and continuing to develop a daily routine. Work continues to go well for us as we continue to train and learn more about our co-workers. One cool thing we got to do included going to a movie with one of my colleagues and their fiancé. Did you know in Eugene you can purchase beer at the movie theaters? That is pretty cool in my opinion. Anyway, other fun activities we did during our second week included hiking at Spencer's Butte and going thrift store shopping in Eugene. All in all, it was a chill week and allowed us to recharge our batteries a little bit. We hope to continue to learn more at our new jobs and make friends. Cheers!

At the top of Spencer's Butte, literally just about a five minute drive from our house. 

Hiking trail at Spencer's Butte

Beautiful Samantha

Oregon sunset

There are lots of cool thrift stores in Eugene. 

Samantha hanging on for dear life on this steep trail. 

As I parked in front of a client's house, a flock of wild turkey came right in front of my car. 

Hiking goodness

Zamora vs. the Halloween cat

A bad hair day in Springfield, MO. A good hair day in Eugene, OR. 

Yep, that is Zamora on the neighbor's roof. She has definitely made her presence known in this neighborhood. 

The First Week

The first week went by fast. Our jobs kept us very busy. I spent much of the week shadowing other therapists and learning the ins-and-outs of Willamette Family. Samantha spent the week training and learning all about the organic industry. Even though much of the week was focused on working, we managed to find some time for fun. We spent a night out at a pizza restaurant meeting up with a group of strangers we connected with through meetup.com. It was nice meeting other new people to the Eugene area. We also spent yesterday enjoying Eugene's Saturday Market and later visiting Beaverton, OR where I met one of my favorite authors, Brandon Sanderson. It was really cool listening to him talk and having him sign a couple books. Anyway, we hope to continue developing a routine this upcoming week and becoming more comfortable with our new living situation. I won't lie, it hasn't been easy. It has been challenging and difficult to be far away from everything we know, but we also know at the same time that we have a unique opportunity to experience new and wonderful things in this exciting area.

Brandon Sanderson taking time to sign a couple books. 

All these people came to listen to Brandon Sanderson. 

It is fall in Eugene. So pretty. 

This is actually a picture from about a month ago. It is a picture someone posted on Facebook of Samantha and her coworkers spending the day performing a scavenger hunt in Eugene. 

Breakfast from Off the Waffle, one of my favorite restaurants in Eugene. 

Hanging out at an equestrian farm geared towards group therapy. 

It was pretty cool of Willamette Family to send me to this equestrian farm. 

Spending time at Eugene's Saturday Market. 

Days 2-4 of the trip (We made it!)

After leaving Denver last Thursday morning, we finally arrived in Eugene on Friday evening. The trip from Denver was uneventful, but we saw some pretty sights though. We drove through Wyoming and Utah and eventually ended up staying in a motel in Mountain Home, ID. On Friday, we left the motel for our last day on the road. After a total of 32 hours on the road, we finally made it to Eugene! I wish there was more to share up to this point, but much of our time in Eugene so far has been spent unpacking boxes and rearranging our new home. In all honesty, it has been exhausting work. However, the house is coming together slowly but surely. We hope to share pictures once we are done. Samantha started her first day of work today and felt very welcomed by her coworkers. I begin tomorrow and will finally begin my journey as a mental health therapist. We are both very tired but we are very excited to acclimate ourselves to this wonderful community. We hope to continue sharing our experiences and look forward to beginning our new lives here. 

Saying goodbye to Samantha's cousin in Denver. 

"I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles"

Arriving in Oregon. 

Justin after finally unloading the truck. 

Recycling bin for glass, trash bin, yard debris bin, and another recycling bin

Taking a break 

Some great Eugene food at Laughing Planet Cafe.

We spend 32 hours together in this truck. 

So much to unpack and rearrange. Fortunately, Kermit is here to help us.