Welcome back to Brett and Chelsey's blog !
I have taken it upon myself to interview this cute couple, and we'll start with my lovely sister (Chelsey Kahanowitch, CK). I learned a lot, and I'm sure you will too. Have a seat on the porch, sip some sweet tea and enjoy a stroll through Harrogate, Tennessee : North of Knoxville on the Kentucky border. (Lindsey Petrignani, LP)
1) Did you ever dream you would be living in the state of Tennessee (expound)? -LP
I honestly never thought I would leave California for any reason other than if I had joined the military. California has always been my safe place, my comfort zone. I never really saw myself living outside of the Conejo Valley (if I am being completely honest here). However, when the prospect of moving came up I was excited and scared. I knew it was what God wanted for me but I had NO IDEA how much He would bless me when I was obedient. However, Tennessee is AWESOME and if our families weren't in California and I didn't love the beach so much, well, nope, still wouldn't live here...but it's still a great place to live. Now pardon me as I got put on more anti-itch cream for my mosquito bites and turn up the air conditioning due to the 90 degree 85% humidity outside :) -CK
2) What is a highlight about living in Tennessee? -LP
The people...hands down. We have an AMAZING church family out here. There are many people who genuinely love Jesus and want to encourage and uplift people as their passion. Southern hospitality mixed with the love of Jesus is a pretty cool thing. Also, Brett made two great friends, Ben Adelburg and Justin Haywood. These two guys are a constant part of our every day lives and I don't know that Brett would have stuck around to coach and go to school if God hadn't brought these 2 gems into our lives. By the way ladies...they are both tall, handsome, baseball players and single. -CK
3) When you miss the California sunshine, what do you do to cope? -LP
Haha...oh wow, this is a good one. My coping will range from looking at Facebook photos of my times at the beach to calling Kari Lyman and having her blow some sunshine my way. I also run every day outside and although the humidity can be suffocating, I am at least outside moving and getting some vitamin D. Recently, I watched youtube videos of that crazy swell that came through and demolished Southern California. -CK
4) What are you currently studying / specific courses / rotations / coaching? -LP
Currently I am rotating with an ophthalmologist in Middlesboro, KY. It fulfills my surgery rotation requirement and I have learned so much about looking into the eyes in order to assess the level of a patient's diabetes or hypertension. The eyes can be a great hint as to what is to come in an otherwise healthy looking patient. I have also been able to watch many cataract surgeries, eyelid surgeries and removal of masses on our surgery days. Before this rotation I was with a Family Medicine doctor and I loved that. It was great to interact with patients and build a relationship with them. -CK
5) What is something you like to do together when you're not doing those things? -LP
Brett and I are on an adult softball team together. It's pretty fun. He's amazing and I try really hard :). We also go to movies (for 4 dollars) and every weekend Brett grills and we have people over for Sunday football. Our favorite times are hanging out on the couch after our long days and watching the Big Bang Theory. -CK
6) Southern hospitality and warmth. Is it true? If yes, give a personal example. -LP
Absolutely. People here will smile and wave at you when they drive by. Do they know you...nope but they are going to say hi anyways. As for a personal example, lets go back to last winter. A bitter, nasty, snowy, cold winter. At our old house there was a steep little hill that we had to drive up to get out onto the main road. Well, I tried to take Brett's truck up that little hill and successfully got it stuck sideways on the side of the road. And there it sat. We tried to move it a few times but only moved it closer to crashing into the neighbors fence. Then, one night, one of our neighbors knocked on the door and asked to help get the truck out. Granted, the truck wasn't even stuck on his property...he has just seen us trying to get the truck out. So, he had called the neighbor where the truck was stuck, got the gate opened and helped us get the truck out. It was such a blessing. -CK
7) What month would you tell people to visit Tennessee? Why? -LP
I would tell them to come in the fall (October-November) or in mid spring. This helps you possible avoid the humid and hot summers and the bitter cold rainy/snowy winter. The colors of the leaves in the fall are to beautiful so I would recommend the fall! Aaaaaand it's football season!!! -CK
8) Do you miss living in the mobile home? Why / why not? -LP
There are things about the trailer I miss. I miss the land we lived on. I miss having Matt, Aja, Max and Lucy across the street and I miss the master bedroom (it had a walk-in closet and a huge bathroom with double sinks)
HOWEVER...
I DO NOT miss all of the bugs getting inside through the poorly aligned and insulated doors and windows. I do not miss freezing my California backside off in the winter. I do not miss the whole place shaking when the washer was on it's spin cycle. I do not miss every thing rolling to the back of the trailer due to it slowly sliding down the hill and I do not miss our slippery, gravel driveway. -CK
9) What's your main mode of transportation? -LP
I drive everywhere. My little Toyota Matrix has been wonderful. So far I am not driving too far but starting in January I will be commuting an hour to Harlan, KY so the low gas mileage will be awesome. -CK
10) Describe your experience in Tennessee in 3 words or less. -LP
Green, Seasons, Friends -CK
I hope you enjoyed getting to know my sister better =). She's the best ! Love you li'l sissy pants ! I've asked these same questions to Brett, so stay tuned for his responses.
Love Big Sissy Pants, Linz
So I took a day trip with my friend Debbie to the Smokey Mountains. The colors are so beautiful this time of year. 
