Drive, Drive, Drive

I have returned from my travels, and to my surprise have found that it is now spring in Iowa. When I left, it was 10 degrees and cloudy. This morning, it was 55 and sunny. Go figure. So I guess I should tell you about my interviews. All right. If you insist!

Chicago was a blur. My GPS and I disagreed on several occasions as to which exit I should take and which direction I should go. Disagreeing with your GPS in downtown Chicago is not something I would recommend you do. I finally managed to find Adler and parked in a hotel ramp next door. My interview was brief and scattered. I don't know if it was a result of my frustrating drive, but I did not want to be in that office building. Plus...who wants to go to school in an office building? It was definitely not for me.

After the interview, my situation changed for the better. I went to a sandwich shop a few blocks away called Pastorale. It. Was. Delicious. I had this amazing turkey sandwich with mango chutney, field greens, spicy mustard and frommager cheese. (I think I spelled that right...) That sandwich was by far the best part of my day in Chicago. Hands down.

My flight left around 6:30 from Midway and I got to spend some quality time with my pysch book in the waiting area and on the plane. My friends Ben and Kelly had graciously agreed to let me stay with them in Seattle and Kelly was kind enough to come to the airport to get me. Ben is actually in Ecuador right now, so I didn't get to see him. (Shucks) I did however get to use his Jeep to get myself around town. The GPS and I got along well in Seattle, which I took as a good omen. I also learned of this wonder called Costco...yet another reason to move away from Iowa City.

My meeting with Antioch was also brief, but so much more rewarding. I met with two fabulous ladies who gave me a lot of info about the program and asked insightful and stimulation questions. I got a short tour of the studio and offices and was back on the road. I left Antioch feeling good. I feel that interview went well.

My drive to Oregon was neither brief nor very rewarding. The countryside was quite beautiful. What struck me most about the Pacific Northwest was the smell. I could smell the trees and vegetation and damp earth. It was not an unpleasant smell. Just one I'm not quite used to. Anyways, Marylhurst was tucked back in a wooded area off the highway. I could tell just from driving through Lake Oswego that it was kind of a ritzier area. I met with two more ladies who were very nice. I did feel a bit as though I was in a counseling session...as the patient. At the end of the interview I was asked to draw my experience of the interview that day...By that point I was running mostly on fumes and honestly couldn't even tell you what I drew!

After the hour and twenty minutes of interviewing in Oregon, I turned back onto I-5 and drove the 3 and a half hours back to Seattle. Needless to say I was rather tired when I got back. Yesterday morning, Kelly and I went and saw some of the sights of Seattle. She took me down to the Locks and we watched a tugboat slowly enter the lock. It was taking a long time and was somewhat boring, so we left. Kelly then drove me around Ballard, a neat area of Seattle where I might think about living if I end up at Antioch. (no decisions or promises made yet!) We drove by the Puget Sound and Lake Washington. We went and walked around a beach. It was a little breezy and chilly, but not raining. I like Seattle weather.

After the sights, Kelly dropped me off at the airport and I flew back in to Chicago. After my four hour flight, I got in my car and drove back to Iowa City.

So, to sum up--drive, drive, drive...interview...yummy sandwich, drive, fly, fly, fly...sleep...drive, interview, drive, drive, drive, interview, drive, drive, drive...sleep...drive, see sights, fly, fly, fly...gas break!...drive, drive, drive...home.

Peace and Love