by Page E. Bishop
Published: July 2006

Quick – think of the last time you moved. Was it stressful? Exciting? Or was it a mix of both? Moving into a new home can be a tumultuous event. Stress levels rise and tempers flare, but in the end, we sit back and enjoy our new surroundings.

Last month, as I was busy putting together our June issue, my significant other and I moved from our crowded two-story condominium to a more generous-sized dwelling. For a young couple just starting out, buying a home in Williamsburg is no easy process. We did get the opportunity, however, to see a wide spectrum of properties, ranging from dream homes to ones we could realistically afford.

On each home tour, we weighed the options. Was the house in a safe and friendly neighborhood? Was there adequate storage? Would we settle for less-than-perfect if it meant we could be closer to friends and family? How much time could we dedicate to a “fixer-upper?”

We considered issues that might come up years from now. Was the area developing at a fast or slow rate? Would the neighborhood grow, or perhaps change? Were there any landscaping restrictions, and, if so, what were they? And, most importantly, we asked ourselves, “If we have children, will the house be large enough for a family?”

After months of house hunting, we finally found “the one.” It was ideal for us now and beyond. All of the qualities we’d hoped for were under one roof, and within our budget. We bought. We packed. We moved.

But as soon as we started unpacking, troubles arose. Our refrigerator, on back order, didn’t arrive for several days. The first time we used our microwave, it set a bag of instant popcorn ablaze. A mix-up between our garage door opener and our neighbor’s went unsolved for some time, leaving us wondering, “Who pressed the button?” Then our dog attempted to “dig” his way out of the unfamiliar place, destroying our brand-new carpet. But it was the cold showers – due to nearly two weeks without hot water – that really hit home. Convinced that we’d bought a “lemon,” I was ready to throw in the cold, wet, proverbial towel.

After a month of mishaps, life is finally getting back to normal. Our appliances work flawlessly, hot water flows in abundance, and our garage door is under our control. Despite the inconveniences, we tried to keep in perspective the many great qualities that made the house seem so perfect in the beginning.

In the spirit of moving, this month’s feature article, “High-tech, High-touch: Inside Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center,” highlights perhaps the largest-scale move ever attempted within our medical community. On July 1, local hospital officials gained access to the 340,000-square-foot SWRMC, leaving them six weeks to prepare the building for incoming patients. In a mission to move an estimated 80 patients to the new facility, the Sentara team will work around the clock to provide a quick and safe transition. How will they do it? What architectural wonders await as the Aug. 17 opening date nears? Turn to page 18 to find out more about this exciting transition.

Because our theme this month is “moving,” this issue is packed full of fitness-related articles that will get your body moving and your heart pumping. On page 21, yoga expert Jennifer Daly teaches you how to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis through a gentle yoga practice. Dance your way into fitness on page 10 with competitive ballroom dancer Bridgit Kin-Charlton. Finally, fitness columnist Gayle Jackson shows you how to calculate your target heat rate in, “Are You in the Zone?” (page 32).

For those of you new to the Williamsburg area, turn to page 15 for tips on how to “hire” the right physician for the job. Be sure to refer to our Health Directory anytime you’re searching for a local healthcare service or provider.

Now that the stress of moving to a new house has subsided, I’m looking forward to yet another transition: This month, WHJ will move to our spacious New Town office located directly above Quizno’s in the Bank of America building! Just look for the Williamsburg Health Journal sign.

Please send your questions and comments to page@williamsburghealth.com

Sincerely,


Page E. Bishop, Editor