The Bobcat Experience

This past saturday was a relaxing day consisting of watching movies and being bums on the couch. I know you are probably thinking how does a relaxing day and a bobcat experience all fit together. Well during the day, Tanya glanced into the backyard and saw a large cat and asked out loud "is that a baby bobcat?" And my response was "I have no idea, but that is a large cat, a lot bigger than a typical house cat." With this said, I started googling the distinguishing characteristics of a bobcat.

                                                  This is the "bobcat"

After a quick google session we called some of our local friends to send the picture to them for their opinion. Most people believed this was a bobcat and we decided to call Animal Control to help us catch the "bobcat" and release it in the wild outside of town. Some time later there was knock on the door and Animal Control arrived with a large cage and bait. We stepped outside to show them where we saw the "bobcat" and two of the "bobcats" went running by. We stated, "there is two of them now." And if I could have taken a picture of the Animal Control mans face, it would have been priceless when he states, "Oh no mam, that is a large ferrel cat." And we replied, "a what? What is a ferrel cat?" Basically, its a wild cat. Animal control still placed a small trap to catch the cats and take them to the wild. At the end I asked the Animal Control man what were the characteristics of a bobcat. And his reply was, "short stubby tails, lion like mane around the neck and spots on the fur not stripes." So watch out any bobcats who come into the backyard, I know what you look like now!!

So with all this said, our speculation of a bobcat was just a simple city girl hoping to catch a bobcat in the backyard.

The Job Process

From the time I got my Nursing license in California, my paperwork was sent electronically to begin the switch to a Texas license knowing I had a job waiting for me. Less than two weeks my temporary license was issued and I contacted my recruiter from the hospital and was informed to come in that following monday. Last monday, October 17, I went in to meet with my recruiter, showed him my temporary license and the paperwork started.

For those who know my past work experience I have always worked for family members and dear friends never really having to go through a recruitment process, tons of paperwork and all the fun stuff that goes with truly growing up. A great way to start the adventure of truly learning to be on your own, fulfilling a dream and living the adventure.

At the end of the day, I was officially employed at ETMC! After leaving the HR department that afternoon I was informed that if my background check goes through by the end of the week I could be starting my training the following monday. As you all know my timing is not always the timing God has for me. That following friday I got a call from my HR lady stating a few areas in my background had not gone through and therefor have to wait until the next training schedule before starting, which is November 7th. Originally, I was a little bummed but who could be bummed when technically I have a job I am just waiting to start. In reality is two extra weeks to make sure I am all ready to begin my dream, working as a nurse. So until I officially start I am just working on crafting projects, enjoying the rest and building of new friendships.

Rush Hour in a Small City

It's been well over a week that I have been in Texas and everyday is a new adventure. This past friday I experienced my first friday night traffic and let me tell you its nothing like California. Let me just set the premises here, the main freeway or highway in Tyler is 30 minutes outside of the city. Tyler is designed around what is called the "Loop 323" which maximum speed is 60. The Loop reminds me of our Imperial Highway.

This past friday I was out on my way to a place called Hobby Lobby, which is Michael's Art and Crafts on steroids, around 5:30 in the evening. I did not realize how many people actually lived in the city prior to this outing. But the Loop was packed with cars, reminding me of the 91 freeway, and seeing the city at its max.

A crazy fun fact about Tyler is that there are no signs or penalties for blocking intersections and it does not stop these country folks. I was in a left hand turn lane when the light turned and everyone in front of me blocked the intersection. After the traffic moved I saw a police car proceed through the intersection not stopping any of the blockers. If that happened in California, either a camera above the light would take a picture of your license plate or a police officer would write you a ticket. Well not in the country.

The rush hour was nothing like the OC, rather it was like Imperial Highway traffic. It took an additional ten minutes to get through the congestion but glancing at the street it looked worse.

Most people think the country of Texas is all trucks, well this is true however in Tyler a handful of lifted economic cars.

Check this out! This is a mild case, another car I saw was a lot higher. Talk about a little man syndrome! Well thats it. Just a little update on the life of a Texan.

The Move to Texas

This past week has been a whirlwind. The conformation of my license threw the packing and moving process into full motion. Two days later, my truck was packed to the hilt with the essentials like clothing, cookbooks, cake decorating and scrapbooking supplies.

The truck was topped with clothes because there was no more room for boxes, so we just stuffed clothes in any wholes within the bed of the truck. After the truck was packed mom and I headed for bed to wake and hit the road early.

At 0530 mom and I pulled out of her driveway to start the journey and to beat the traffic. We took a different route, we decided to take the 15 south towards San Diego to catch the 52 east to the 8 east which dumped us onto the 10 east. I started the drive and drove for three hours to then stop for a quick stretch and bathroom break. Mom took over for the next two hours while I took a nap. I was ready for another bathroom break and took over so mom could nap. By 1430 we crossed the New Mexico border.

A few hours later we crossed into Texas and made our way closer to El Paso. El Paso borders Mexico and it was evident when we came into the city of El Paso because the hillside south of the freeway looked just like TJ. Mom and I didn't stop when traveling through and I am glad we were informed by others not to. I was driving and continued to drive until we got into Van Horn where we decided to call it a night because we had been traveling for fourteen hours. A long day of driving created two extremely tired women who lacked the energy to even stop for dinner and ended up eating apples and cheetos. Lets just say it wasn't the healthiest dinner we have ever had, but we needed something.

The next day mom and I woke up before the sun, repacked the car, grabbed the complementary breakfast, topped off the tank and headed for Tyler. Mom started off driving and we switched every two hours. The countryside of Texas was beautiful. We went through the City of Big Springs, which was the town that my Papa and Aunta Betty lived in when they were little when they were making the move from Oklahoma. Let me tell you it's a small town now, I can only imagine what it was like then.

By 1730 we drove into the driveway and I honked the whole time. Watch out Tyler, Ashley is here!! I was beyond excited to be here and even more excited that the drive was over. We drove 1522 miles in two days. Myah (the ten year old daughter of my friends I am living with) made me a Welcome Home sign with balloons. The unpacking of the truck started between the seven of us: Mom, me, Tanya, Bryan, Caleb, Myah and Dave my new pastor. The truck was unloaded in no time and I was constantly reminded of how many boxes I have of scrapbooking essentials. A girl needs her doodle time!

After the completion of unloading the truck, mom and I began to sort and organize my new room. But not for too long because we were starving and needed some true Texas BBQ, so we hit up the Bodacious BBQ to have some wonderful briscet and tea. We returned back to the Runyan's home aka my new home with full stomachs and pretty much completely unpacked, organized and made a list of what we needed at the infamous Walmart.

On saturday morning Mom and I slept in and just relaxed before we hit the Antique Market in downtown Tyler. We found a bathroom organizer and a wire rack with baskets to be used as my "dresser." The rest of the weekend, mom and I just chilled, went to church and watched football. A great mother, daughter bonding. Monday morning came and we were back in the car for Dallas to drop mom off at the airport. Dallas is a little less then two hours from Tyler and is the closest city to us that has In-N-Out, so we grabbed a burger and took mom to the airport. Dropping my mother off at the airport was not has hard as I thought it was going to be, and the only reason why because we have such a wonderful relationship and nothing is really going to change except that I have to get on a plane to come home. But she is wonderful because she knows this is what I want and supports me in everything I do. Thanks Mom for being so wonderful and taking a little road trip with me as I start this new adventure in my life.