Don't get me wrong. I much prefer trying to figure out which school to go to instead of what do we do now that we didn't get accepted. But I am not very good at making decisions so this was a bit rough on me. Both schools have great programs and great things about them but in the end we decided that the school for us is...
Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. It's a small town of about 21,000 people and its focal point is the college itself. The optometry program was established in 1945 so they really know what they are doing. They have clinics in Forest Grove as well as Portland, which is about 45 minutes away. They also have a hospital, which is great for me, and if I can't get a job there Portland isn't that far. 
Special bonus: Optometrists can do a one year residency program to specialize if they want. Pacific offers a program in Langley, British Columbia. Wish me luck trying to convince Karl to let us live in Canada for a year.
The weather usually doesn't get above 85 or below 30. There are lots of cloudy days and rain but that just makes everything green and beautiful. We will be right next the Tillamook State Forest so that means we should have lots of opportunities to hike and test out our new tent.
This is a picture of University Falls in the forest. You can help me find it if you come and visit.
Forest Grove is also about an hour from the beach. It should be a gorgeous drive too since you have to go through the forest to get there.
Karl starts school in the fall of 2011 and I will be joining him in January 2012 after I finish my nursing degree at Utah Valley University. Those four months won't be fun but it will be easier to see him in Oregon than if he was in Tennessee. Count your many blessings right?
So all in all we are really excited and can't wait to start this new chapter of our lives.
