8/7/11

I woke up today with the intention of going back to the church that I had gone to the previous week, but as I was driving there I saw a sign in the ground that said "The Journey, Service at 10:30" so I switched my route and decided to try somewhere new. The church was held in a local community college, and was less than a mile from where I saw the sign. They had lots of snacks and donuts at the entrance and in the worship area there were round tables, and also chairs facing forward. Some people sat at the tables instead of the chairs and I read in the "about us" that some people make art during the service (it was all over the room). One man was knitting. It was kinda weird. We watched a scene from Talladega Nights at the beginning of the service. The series was on the Lord's Prayer and we were just starting, talking about calling God "Father." It was interesting...I may or may not go back.

After church, the Whiteside's met me at my hotel to get a room key from me, because they are hoping to find someone to watch Mr. Richard's father for a night or so, so they can get some good sleep and time away. I hope they find the time. Also they were so kind to bring me a bag so I could pack my clothes for the trip to Mississippi!

I got to the airport, returned my rental car, and headed into the airport. I flew Southwest, and since I didn't have priority boarding I ended up in the very last row of the plane, but at least I got an aisle seat :) From Denver we flew into Chicago, IL where it was raining and storming! Almost everyone got off the plane so I was able to easily locate the other two trainees from Denver. We all got in a section close to the front together and I got to know them a little better.

Steve Ashley was a polysomnographic technologist for many years in a sleep lab owned by, Rick Flores, the CEO and founder of our company (PhysIOM). Steve has a newborn son who was just born 5 weeks ago, and wanted a job with more regular hours and that he could support his family better with. Max Marino did his degree in Biomedical Engineering and just finished his Master's at Colorado State University, he is 23 like me.

From Chicago, the plane headed down to New Orleans, Louisiana, the city that our instructor, Scott Davis (PhD in Neurophysiology) is from. Unfortunately after Hurricane Katrina he and his family (4 children, but all young) moved to Ocean Springs, Mississippi (right off the beach).

We arrived in New Orleans a little before 9 and met the other trainee from Atlanta, Georgia. Rebecca has a degree in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech, and graduated with her bachelor's last May and is also 23 :)

We drove into the city of New Orleans with our Enterprise Kia SUV to get dinner. Below is a picture of Harrah's Casino. Across the street we went to Gordon Biersch. I got a salmon caesar salad that was delicious.

Left: Max, Middle: Steve, Right: Rebecca
It took over 1.5 hours to get to the hotel because for some reason there was a huge backup on the highway (weird...on a Sunday night at like 10:30 at night). We finally made it to the hotel in Biloxi, Mississippi: Hampton Inn, 13921 Big Ridge Rd., Biloxi, MS 39532.

I got a room all to myself with two beds! :)