Jennifer Miles, Traveling Gypsy OT

 (A.K.A. The thing I have learned)

So much has happened since my last post. I have since gradiated, moved to the U.P. of Michigan (Hancock, MI to be exact), met lots of wonderful people, moved back home for a few weeks during transition from Full time position as an OT there to Full Time OT traveler. Yep, been a crazy year. But it gets better.

I started my travel OT career in Ottumwa, IA, which I must say has been a pleasant surprise. For some reason I had in my head it was flat and boring. Nothing is farther from the truth (although there are times I wish it was boring). There are meadows, hills, trees, rivers, and what Ottumwa is actually known for... bridges. Yes, some of you may be gasping, thinking I am wrong and it is home of Radar O'Reilly. But actually I have not seen anything related to him while here.

Well to start, the first thing I learned (beside the Radar thing) was not to depend on people reviews for places to stay. They lie. (Gasp!) No really, not everything you read on the internet is true! The place I was supposed to stay out here turned out to be a dump! I drove 10hrs and ended up first thing running to Walmart for mattress protector and my own sheets (for a mattress I think was once white, but was now a sick shade of gray) and cleaning supplies. This was for a "furnished hotel room." After 2 hrs cleaning the bathroom I still felt cleaner before taking the shower. At 2 A.M. that morning I was supposed to start my first day at work I woke up feeling like something was crawling on me. Not sure if it was something or just nerves. But when I got to my facility there was a stunned "You're staying where!?!?!" Which actually helped because they found me a temporary place for the next 10 days.

That was move #1. This place was at the facility where I was surrounded by friendly staff (who I will miss), a clean room, and within walking distance to work. Awesome! But all good things come to an end.

Move #2 was 45 min away in neighboring Fairfield I found using Air BnB. Again, a very nice clean place! Entire kitchen to myself, free wifi, washer dryer, out in the country more so very private. Even go to see deer out my side window. Would have loved to spend my whole time there, but because I had not booked early (due to thinking the first place was okay) she was booked after 4wks.


So that led to move #3 to a private room in Fairfield. This was not a bad location, but I found that after rooming with Lindy in the U.P. no one else is quite as easy to get used to. That and this ended up being the hottest week all summer (over 100 degrees with heat index) with my in a second floor/attic room with an air conditioner of sorts that kept it 91 degrees at best. Finally got that figured out after a few days and a new window air conditioner was installed. It was so good I over slept one morning and was late to work. Augh!

This place was only available for 9 days so what happens next in our story? Yep, Move #4. This time to an overpriced hotel in Ottumwa because it was either that or sleeping in the front seat of my Ford Escape. During this time I am trying to figure out my next place because everything is booked (or WAY too expensive) when my co-worker offered me her place while she is on vacation for a few days in exchange for dog sitting. This is coming up soon and will make it Move #5 (in 2 months).

This same co-worker was able to get a hold of a friend to rent her unfurnished house to me for the WHOLE month of August which would finish out my time here in Ottumwa. Just when things are smoothing out.. change. My contract was cut short, and I was in search of a new location.

Now I am from Michigan, have family and friends in Michigan. So when offered positions near Michigan (New York and even Iowa) which place did I choose? Yep, California. No, it isn't because I don't like my family (at least not entirely. LOL, just kidding). Nope, this just felt like the one I should be going to next.

So after just about everything that could go wrong has with this assignment, I am praying this one is a breeze. It will definitely be an adventure!