Back to work

I started a new job a couple weeks ago. It has been a lot of fun so far, and I'm really enjoying working on my own as a paramedic. I also have a great schedule, even if I did spend all of Valentine's Day at work. Two twenty-four hour shifts a week is demanding, but having five days off is a definite upshot! Ellen and I are both pleased with the way things have turned out.

Looking at the bigger picture, taking my first solo call as a medic two weeks ago was the culmination of something that began all the way back in August of 2009. What a great testament to God's faithfulness that He saw Ellen and me through the entire paramedic school and National Registry certification process, strengthening and enriching our relationship in the process. (No "paramedic school divorce" for us ... just the opposite, in fact!)

Speaking of Ellen, she and I finally brought our car hunt to a close. We purchased a 2004 Pontiac Vibe last weekend, which was extremely exciting for both of us (and especially for Ellen, since she gets to drive it every day!). But as soon as I (resume and) finish learning how to drive stick, I will enthusiastically take a turn in the driver's seat. It's a very nice car!

Dartmouth's 100th Anniversary Winter Carnival was Valentine's Day weekend; Ellen and I got to spend a fair amount of time enjoying the festivities. The snow sculpture was more respectable than in recent years (which isn't saying much), but considering the amount of snow that fell this winter, the sculpture was a bit lackluster. There was enough snow to support a sculpture twice as big. Presumably the limiting factor is manpower, which is unfortunate. Have Dartmouth students forgotten that a Winter Carnival snow sculpture once held the world record for tallest free-standing snow sculpture? Whither that gung-ho spirit?

Dartmouth undergrads do get credit for showing up in force to the men's ice hockey game against Princeton (which Dartmouth won 4-1). And they get credit for launching an impressive barrage of tennis balls at the Princeton goalie following Dartmouth's first goal, as is the custom. Sadly, things took a turn for the disappointing as the crowd continued to pelt the goalie with tennis balls following each of Dartmouth's subsequent goals, which is not only a delay-of-game penalty but is also altogether not in keeping with the tradition.

In other news, the U.S. Amateur Team East, the largest team chess tournament in the country, concluded yesterday. "West Orange Krush," headlined by International Masters Mikhail Zlotnikov and Irina Krush, took top honors. I have never played in this event, and I had hoped to change that this year, but in the end the timing just wasn't right. Maybe next year!