Remote to say the least...

Moving to Alaska has felt so surreal over the past few days.  The thought of starting this amazing adventure is so exciting and scary at the same time.  I am moving 4,200 miles from Texas to Anchorage, Alaska by myself to start over for the 2nd time in my life.  

The excitement and fear comes in waves.  Fear of being so far from everyone I love.  Hoping this is the best decision for me.  I can’t just hop in my car and drive home.  Flights to Alaska are usually overnight, long, and have at least one layover.  They are definitely not cheap.  Saying goodbye to friends makes this move even harder.  I am so grateful for Facetime that allows me to see my friends and family. It always makes being far away from home easier.

Yet, everyone is so excited to hear about my adventures in Alaska or ready visit.  People say how brave I am to move that far away.  Their encouragement reminds me why I decided to move.  I needed something different.  I’ll never regret this move to Alaska.  I can look back on my life and say I tried something new.  I am the kind of person who needs an adventure……even if it means moving Alaska.

International in the US

I was so naïve about how easy it would be to move to Alaska.  My move was included in my contract and all of my stuff was in a 10 x 10 storage unit.  I assumed I would just ship my stuff and it would be there in 2 weeks.  I was so wrong!  

Texas to Alaska is considered to be an international move which means my stuff is loaded into a special container that is driven to Washington and then shipped to Alaska.  Moving quotes were based on weight.   Trying to get a hold of these companies and scheduling “in home” estimates was a nightmare. Some of the companies required a physical inspection of my storage unit which really meant they physically looked at it and then just put my dimensions into a formula to come up with a weight and price.  The weight and price estimates where so far apart.  Some guessed 2,000 lbs and others up to 4,000 lbs.  It was a little concerning since I was being charged per 100 lbs.  

In addition to the wild guesses of price and weight, no one could guarantee a delivery date.  The companies gave me a 3 to 5 week window for delivery.  How can it take 5 weeks for delivery?  I could drive there in 8 or 9 days.  The price to ship my stuff was also unbelievable high.  If this was not a paid move, I would be arriving in Alaska with only a suitcase.  

With all my frustrations, I ended up going with U Pack.  They were they only moving company who did not based it on weight and could guarantee it in 11 to 13 business days for a fair price.

There were a lot of other scheduling stressors with this move. My move date is actually over multiple days since I don’t know when my stuff will actually arrive.  I had to schedule utilities, deliveries and pickups around an estimated move date while I wait around in Alaska for my all of my stuff hoping I get my bed soon so I don’t have to stay hotel for too long.    

Road Trip!

Right now, I’m on a 12 day roadtrip from Texas through New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and the Yukon to Alaska.  I’m driving with my parents and their dog exploring the west Coast.  I had never seen any of the western United States so this was an amazing opportunity to experience a piece of my country.  Actually, my first time to the west coast was my interview in Alaska.   

The trip will roughly be about 5,000 miles since I’m taking time to see America.   I have seen such amazing places in nature over the past few days such as the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, the Redwoods and the Pacific Coast. Numerous cities such as Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Seattle.  Canada turned out to be one of the most beautiful places with friendly people and the cleanest bathrooms of my entire life!  

I can’t think of a better way to start a move than see what lies between where I am from and my new home.  

Paperwork!

After accepting the job, I had to apply for my Alaska PA License. I had just received my Texas PA license a few days before I accepted the job.  As a new grad who was so stressed out trying to get my license for the first time, I ended up having to do it all over again in Alaska.  

The application was a 23 page printed packet with all the forms I needed.  Alaska required a few different things than Texas.  They required a notarized certified true copies of my diploma and certification.  My application and collaborative plan also had to be notarized.  Once I had mailed out all the appropriate forms, I overnighted my application from Beaumont, TX to Juneau, AK.  In reality, it was $56 and 2 days “overnight” to Juneau.  It turns out there is no such thing as overnight to Juneau from the lower 48.

I’ve learned quite a few facts about Alaska since I’ve started this process.  Juneau is the capital of Alaska, however there are no roads which you can drive to it.  You can only reach the capital by boat or plane.  In the Fedex world, it is possible to overnight to Anchorage 4200 miles away but it somehow takes a whole extra day to make it to the capital which is only a few hundred miles from Anchorage.  

It took me 3 weeks to get my temp license, a few days more to straighten out my collaborative plan and about 2 weeks for my DEA. My office manager was amazing helping me with paperwork.  Waiting those 3 weeks seemed to take forever since I couldn’t actually plan any of my move until I received my license.  Then, the rush to move began!

Moving time!

I am moving to ALASKA!  I accepted a position as a Neurosurgery Physician Assistant and can’t wait to start!

This move was a shock to most my friends and family since I am the last person you would guess to move to Alaska.  I am from Southeast Texas about 30 minutes from the Gulf Coast and 40 minutes from Louisiana.  I actually enjoy hot humid nights and running around in my bathing suit on a beach, river, lake…..and even the bayou.  I’ve never really owned winter clothes or been around much snow.   

So you’re probably thinking how did I end up in Alaska of all places.  

I graduated from PA school in May.  I was trying to figure out where I should start my new career.  I am 29 years old, single and can go anywhere I please.   Naturally, I thought someplace near a beach or the water so I could buy a boat.  I received a random email from a recruiter with a picture of gorgeous mountains, a fantastic job opportunity, and no location.   When I actually found out the location, it couldn’t have been farther from my original plan….. Alaska!  I had been wanting more outdoor activities and opportunities for new experiences.  Alaska actually ended up being a place where I could have everything I’ve been looking for, minus a boat and bathing suit.  

The first time I went to Alaska was for my job interview.  I ended up falling in love with this amazing state and the people.   The actual move turned out to be way more complicated then I originally thought.  My adventure of moving to Alaska began!