Since my last post was around 2 years ago, there is quite a bit to catch you up on. When I last posted, Kristen and I had just bought a house in Middletown, Ohio. I was completing my second year at Wright State and Kristen was about to go to Lyric Opera of Chicago for her first summer internship.
Since then, Kristen and I have gotten married, moved into the house, adopted the cutest puppy Oscar, Kristen completed her masters in Arts Administration and started a job at Tony award winning Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and I have come to the final two quarters of my degree. With four years of doctoral classwork behind me, I now have a one-year residency to complete before officially becoming Dr. Kevin Hurley. So while 2 years have passed, I am still ALMOST Dr. Kevin.
What has inspired me to begin this blog again is the fact that Kristen and I are about to begin a new phase of our lives. Once I have completed class and begin my residency, we will both officially be done with the "educational" phase of our lives (at least for now). And the most exciting news is where my residency will be. I found out yesterday that I have been placed at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. This was my first choice and Kristen and I are thrilled. What does this mean exactly? By accepting the internship at Wright Patt I will be committed to 4 years in the Air Force, the first being at Dayton and years 2-4 at another site somewhere in the country.
What are the benefits of this placement? 1. We get to stay in our house in Middletown. I am in the middle of finishing the basement (first mentioned on this blog on March 31, 2006). My dad and Uncle Steve have been assisting me with putting in a theatre room and bathroom. Also, by staying in Middletown, Kristen can keep the job she has, which she is very excited about. 2. The Air Force takes care of their own. Health care, salary and other benefits are exceptional...much better then if I had taken another internship somewhere else. I am excited that I will be able to work in one place 40-50 hours a week instead of the craziness I've done during school (which included class, 2 days of practicum and 20-24 hours of work at my job). Having a full-time salary with benefits that cover me and Kristen will be a wonderful security we have not yet experienced during our married lives. 3. I felt that joining the Air Force would give me the opportunity to live out some of my political beliefs. I wanted to find my own way to support the country I am so proud to be a part of, and this seemed like a wonderful way to do it.
That is all for now. Below I have posted a "highlight reel" of pictures from our lives together thus far. I will try to fill in some more of the blanks throughout the next few postings. And I promise, I will not wait 2 years to write again. Goodbye for now.
Kristen and me on our wedding day. It stopped raining long enough for us to take some photos in front of the church. Everything went really well, no major catastrophes, and it was extremely meaningful to share the day with our closest friends and family. Truly a day we will never forget.
One of the many beautiful views from our honeymoon in Tortolla. Thanks to Dick Skelton for the wonderful boat we were able to stay on.
On our trip to Colorado in 2007. We were able to stay with Brad, Shelley, Logan and Justin and had SO much fun. (have you noticed that we typically only go on vacation to places we can stay for free? interesting trend.)
More pics in the next post. stay tuned....
On our trip to Colorado in 2007. We were able to stay with Brad, Shelley, Logan and Justin and had SO much fun. (have you noticed that we typically only go on vacation to places we can stay for free? interesting trend.)