Halfway Through

As of this weekend, my clinical is halfway through, and I'm sad and excited.  Excited because Laura is coming to visit this weekend and then only 2 more weeks till we are no longer separated long-term, and sad as my clinical will soon be over. So far, things continue to go very well.  I am training A LOT and am being pushed outside of my comfort zone daily, both in my clinical and knowledge skills related to physical therapy as well as in my physical fitness and skills as a runner and triathlete.  I can confidently say I am more in tune with my form, my movement and my intentions with training now more than ever...which is a good thing.

When not in the clinic I've been trying to stay ahead of the sleep game (increased training zaps my energy) and the reading game. Chris (my clinical instructor) has kept me very busy reading books, articles, publications, and the like, allowing me and helping me to build a robust library from which to draw on once I am in the clinic.  Ultimately though, "people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care," a lesson I am ahead of the game on coming from the Midwest. 

A little over a week ago I received a package with sour-patch kids (a favorite candy) and a few other items.  However, what particularly stood out was the envelope - see below. Did I mention that Laura is coming to NYC this weekend?  Yeah, I'm excited!  (For those who have lived in NYC or have visited, please feel free to let us know what we need to see and/or experience while she is here.  I have limited my exploring to my neighborhood or Brooklyn in order to experience the city together)

As another week starts I look forward to continued new experiences and challenges.  As well, no matter how long I am in the city I cannot seem to get used to the styles and varieties of people - to say New York/Manhattan/Brooklyn is a melting pot is an understatement.  And even though all the variety leaves me a little awestruck, I find I still prefer the smaller town environment found in the Midwest.  Until next time...

Week 12: Experiencing the "Nutty"

It is amazing how quickly you start to learn the streets and general layout of an area/city when you are daily running and biking through the streets, dodging taxis, switching subway trains, and walking most everywhere.  This is not to say that I have Manhattan or Brooklyn even close to figured out; however, I am having to rely on my GPS and iPhone far less.  As well, the city, though still incredibly overwhelming and daunting at times, is enjoyable when you can see past the fog of confusion which initially surrounded me.

Beyond merely getting from A to B there is a lot of other aspects to the city, mainly that you see/hear/experience every type of style, design, language, personality, opinion, etc.  Eclectic melting pot is putting it mildly.  As I stated before, coming from the midwest puts a totally different spin on this experience, and one that I can say I'm proud of...my nickname with some of the people I have met is simply "Nebraska" due to my red "N" hat.  I don't mind it... :)

The clinic continues to be a highlight of my time here.  Chris Johnson is my clinical instructor and challenges me daily with a barrage of questions and reading assignments, for which I am quite thankful.  Over the years he has trained with some of the leaders in orthopedic and sports medicine, and when I approached him over a year ago to see if he would work with me he graciously said yes, allowing me to experience and grow through a rigorous affiliation.  In addition, he is an amateur elite triathlete and coach, working with and training some of New York's top triathletes (and yes, I'm getting my butt kicked by him).

As mentioned above, besides learning in the clinic, I'm working out with Chris on a daily basis.  Highlights of the week include multiple two-a-day workouts of biking/running/swimming and an initiation ride across the GW (George Washington) bridge to NJ, through a part of Ironman New York's course and out to Nyack, NY (total mileage that day ~75 miles = 4+ hrs. in the saddle) before heading home. I am learning Chris walks, runs or rides as much as he can, allowing him to maintain a high level of fitness without having to devote extra time out of his day to training.  As well, aside from the clinic and training Chris has been showing me a few different views of New York and Brooklyn.  The pictures below are from the top of the Brooklyner, the tallest point in Brooklyn, looking northwest towards Manhattan.

Stay tuned for more updates, as well as for several posts I've been working on, both personally and with Chris, for his website.  As well, spring has arrived in NYC, with blossoms budding and allergies afflicting...wishing you a happy beginning to your spring adventures!

Welcome to New York

Day two is in the books. My head is still spinning as I try to make my way through New York (Manhattan and Brooklyn) whether in the subway or through some of the streets. Though I have managed to figure out my route to the clinic and "home" again any deviation creates confusion, followed by a quick reference to the map on my iPhone...and what a blessing that has been. In addition, my experience in the clinic has been good, allowing me several "firsts," from a 5.5 mile run from downtown Manhattan to Brooklyn with a pack on my back (harder than it sounds) to my first swim session with an ITCA (international triathlon coaching assoc) certified coach.

I have learned several things about New York, whether right or wrong: 1) there is always noise, 2) there is every type of fashion (good and bad) imaginable, 3) it's expensive, from the food to groceries to transportation, 4) New Yorkers are nicer than their common stereotype (though this could change with time). Keep in mind these perceptions are skewed from a Midwesterner's perspective. And though New York is fairly amazing I am still a smaller town boy at heart. Check back to see if my perspective changes during the 5 more weeks I'm here. ;)

View of the financial district of Manhattan with the Brooklyn bridge to the right

Over the next few weeks I welcome any advice/suggestions/comments about things to do, see, explore, experience, etc in the greater New York metro. As always, I'll continue to keep you updated, as well as I can, on my adventures and thoughts. I ask that you continue to keep Laura and me in your thoughts and prayers as we continue to experience, learn and grow over the next few weeks.

Week 11: A Long-Time-Coming Update

Remember how we promised to update you all on a fairly regular/weekly basis? Yup, we kind of have been slacking…BUT for good reason.  Life has gotten a little hectic as of late, similar to many of yours, as Laura and I have begun the employment search, traveled to Alabama for a cousin’s wedding, and traveled 2200+ miles back to Nebraska, through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado, with a job interview along the way, in order to allow me to fly to NYC to being a 6 week rotation in Manhattan.  A little hectic…

The employment search is going well, and we are both VERY thankful I will have employment in a profession which is both challenging and rewarding.  Not long ago, a US News poll listed “physical therapy” in their top 10 jobs for 2012.  After long hours studying, several years of financial commitment, multiple rotations and travel, etc the light is growing brighter; and Laura and I are both looking forward to future possibilities and beginning a new adventure (though our current one is far from over…)

Two weeks ago we traveled to Alabama, amidst some of the worst severe weather the south has ever seen in March, to attend Laura’s cousin’s wedding in Montgomery.  Though it was a rather short trip, mainly consisting of travel, it was great to see family – all but one of Laura’s cousins were there from the Burandt family, and we were fortunate enough to share a flight and extra travel time with Laura’s brothers and sister-in-law. (pictures are below from the weekend – the hot babe in pink is Laura)

We left Lynden on Thursday of last week following a whirlwind of packing and finishing in the clinic.  We were able to spend a bit of time with Scott and Katie (Scott works at Lynden, and he and his wife were incredibly gracious to us while we were there) and Don and Val (Don was an interim pastor at the church we attended in Bellingham, and Laura had the opportunity to spend some extra time with Val) the week prior to leaving, reminding us of many of the good friends we met and got to know while in Lynden.  It was rather difficult to leave the mountains, the clinic and the Korthuis family (our temporary “home” for the last 10 weeks).  Specifically, the Korthuis family was incredibly gracious to both Laura and me during our stay in Lynden, not only opening their home but also their family and their lives to us, making our transition to Lynden a little smoother and more enjoyable.  We both have reflected on our time at Creighton, and the many wonderful people who have helped out with housing and accommodations while on my rotations, and we are looking forward to “paying it forward” in the future, returning the outpouring of kindness others have shown to us both.  We caught a few pictures of Lynden, Mt. Baker the Korthuis’ prior to our departure (see below).

 Our traveling continues today as we return to Nebraska from Colorado – we checked out the weather online and realized we’ve been getting the raw end of weather the last few weeks in Washington as Omaha has been experiencing above normal temps…today it will be in the mid-70’s.  We will not be in NE long as I will be flying to New York, and Laura will continue on to Michigan to spend the next several weeks with her family.  I know we have updated some of you on our plans for these next few weeks, but I wanted to give you a quick and concise version of New York, housing, clinical description, etc.

As many of you know, Laura and I reached out to our friends and family after housing in NYC became increasingly difficult.  It paid off – many of you forwarded e-mails, responded on Facebook, contacted friends and family all in order to help us out.  We cannot thank you enough!!!  In the end, without an official tally, I estimate I contacted between 50-60 people before finally settling with a sublet in Brooklyn, 4 stops away on the F-train, from my clinical site.  The area I’ll be living in is safe, somewhat quiet, affordable, and not too far from where my CI lives.  The last bit is important regarding my rotation – I’ll explain.  To this point all of my rotations have been preparing me to be an “entry level” clinician upon graduation.  I have worked in pediatrics, in-patient rehab, acute care, rural settings, and out-patient orthopedics.  All, whether negative or positive, have aided in my learning.  However, now I get to focus on an area where I have been interested for many years; a specialized practice setting within physical therapy.  For the next six weeks I will be working with Chris Johnson PT in Manhattan – Chris is an accomplished PT who specializes in orthopedic impairments and working with and providing training consultation for amateur and elite endurance athletes, specifically runners and triathletes.  If you have spent any length of time with me you know my passion and interest in these areas.  To say I’m excited is a bit of an understatement.

Similar to Lynden, I’ll be working to keep updates coming on a regular basis…the format will change a bit as Laura will be in Michigan and I in NYC with my primary emphasis being coaching/learning and training (Chris is currently training for Ironman New York, and I am going to train with him for the next six weeks).  Hopefully, the change in subject matter will still keep your interest piqued. 

As always, we thank our family and friends for their support during our weeks of “homelessness and travel,” and we look forward to sharing our adventures with you!