A day in the life...

So now that clinicals are in full swing I thought I might give you a little idea of what my life is like...(on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday)

5am-Get up
5:30-Leave for work, the drive to the hospital is one of my favorite things about my day.  At this time of day it's a short drive with very little traffic, and it's dark (for now anyway, we'll see in a few weeks with the time change).  When it's dark in DC all the monuments are lit up, and it's really beautiful.  I drive along the GW parkway and see the Washington Monument, the Jefferson,the Lincoln and the Capitol all lit up every morning.  It's a glorious reminder of where we live, I love it!
5:50- I arrive at the hospital, get all settled in, and check my assignment.
6:00- I am in an OR setting up for the first case of the day.
6:30- I pre-op my first patient of the day.  Have you ever had surgery?  You know all those people who come in and ask you the same questions and do the same thing over and over, while you are waiting to go back?  Well, I'm one of them!
7:30-First Case....Followed by other cases...with lunch and a couple of breaks in between.
3:45-I leave the hospital to come home in DC's fantastic traffic.  This is the part I hate.  Unlike other cities (Dallas at least), the traffic pattern in DC is different every day!  You never know what to expect so the drive home ranges from 30 minutes to an hour... This makes me a little crazy, why is there not traffic in the same place everyday?  Transient city...

Me in my hat and scrubs after the weeks work!

Then I usually get home between 4:30 and 5:00, in time to workout (a little P90X action), cook dinner, clean up, and prepare care plans for the next day.  So that's pretty much what my life will be like for the next two months...then the hours get much longer!  So I'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts!

First Week of Clinical

Wednesday September 8th was an important day in my life this year for a reason other than the fact that it is my husband's birthday.  It was also the day I had my first official day of clinical.

So at the end of the week I would like to recap how I've felt... I LOVE it!!!

It has been a tough week having to get used to getting up again at 5am everyday, and used to being up and on my feet all the time again (instead of sitting on the couch studying), and of course being the new kid who knows nothing.  However, at the same time knowing so little is exhilarating, because you learn so much so fast.  It's also nice, because there are 8 Georgetown students at Washington Hospital Center with me, so there's always a friendly face, and it kindof takes me back to my NIP days.  So I just want everyone to know that this was a great decision and I am super happy to be starting this phase of my training. 

From here on out I have 15months of clinical left, before I graduate.  My only fear is that I only get two weeks of vacation TOTAL in that time period.  I get one week between December and May and one more between June and November.  Then I am planning a trip to Brazil, Argentina, and Chile to celebrate!  (but that's still a long way off...but a lot closer than it was a year ago!)

The BEST present you can give a compulsive competitor!

Wednesday was Richard's 29th birthday! Which of course he is not thrilled about, and neither am I seeing as I am going to get to spend the next year hearing about how he is "almost 30"! But we have had quite the week of celebration none the less.

Wednesday also happens to be our kickball night, so after my first day of clinical I helped Rich make dinner, made some homemade birthday hats and we headed down to the mall for the game. It turns out the Wednesday after Labor day isn't a big kickball day and we only had sevegn players show up. Which means we had to play three players short... So after much debate we decided to play short handed, meaning we started with a score of negative 3 and every time we got through our batting order we had to automatically take three outs. So needless to say we did not anticipate a victory, but our team played a glorious game with a 15-8 win.  So my husband was gifted with glory for his birthday!

We continued the celebration into the weekend with a romantic dinner for two and our favorite french place (best mussels EVER), and then the birthday party on Saturday.

I love this pic, despite my BIG head :)

I planned a party and the Biergarten Haus on H st. and we had a great turnout with 12, including Sara and Tom (no small feat, thanks guys), Karen (Richard's friend from middle school), all of my besties from school, and Katie and Kurtis.  This is a pretty authentic German Biergarten, complete with live polka band, German food, and our favorite German beer on tap (Franziskaner).  We really had a fantastic time, although our other German travelling buddies were definately missed, and of course all our friends from home who we usually celebrate with.  But I just wanted to thank you all for coming and celebrating with us!!!

What I missed most...

August has been my research month at school, which means I have not had any organized classes I've simply been finishing my thesis research.  Needless to say, it did not consume all of my time by any means, so I've had time to resume some of my favorite hobbies and of course do some fun stuff with my husband and friends.

Hobby 1...Reading:
1-4: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn.
These were actually better the second time around, New Moon wasn't near as depressing.
5: Mansfield Park
It's no Emma or Pride and Prejudice, but still very good, it made me want to do a Jane Austen book club.
6: The Gatecrasher
By Madeliene Wickham who used to be Sophie Kinsella, not her best work, but a quick read none the less.
7. Snow Flower and The Secret Fan
This book was absolutely amazing, and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a good read.  Definately the WINNER!!!

Hobby 2...Cooking

For the last month I've made all kinds of new and delicious treats, the highlights being homemade Focaccia and a Boston Cream Pie!!!

Focaccia Take 1

Boston Cream

Focaccia Take 2

Hobby 3...Having FUN!!! 

Dinner's, Happy Hour's, the Zoo, Family, Inception, Brunch at the Kennedy Center, ect.

What I didn't miss, but had to do anyway...

• Laundry
• Errands
• Dentist
• Dr's Appointments
• Class president duties

Either way August was a GREAT month, I'm going to miss it, tomorrow is my first day back to school!

What's SUP?

Last week Nicole and I went to Chesapeake Beach, MD to go Stand Up Paddleboarding.  What is it you ask?  It is exactly what it sounds like it is standing up on a board with a paddle to move yourself along.  We did this in the Chesapeake Bay.  You do not actually get into the water (which is good since there is a massive jelly fish invasion), you step directly from the dock onto the board and paddle.  It is a very fun adventure if you have considered it, or ever get the opportunity I highly recommend it!  Here are a few pictures to enhance your understanding.

I started on my knees, to make sure I wasn't going to take a dive with the jellies...

You can also sit when you get tired or don't feel stable enough to stand.

Standing in the Bay!

Ok, any questions?

The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends!

On August 5th I came home to Texas after 8 long months away!  I love DC but nothing is like Texas.  It's home and it's definately where my heart is!  I was home for ten fantastic days and Richard was home for nine, but we had a fantastic time.  We were successful in seeing the majority of our friends and family, and of course the reason we were home was Tara's wedding! 

I arrived in Texas in time for breakfast on Thursday, and immediately headed to Whitney for a little R&R on the lake with my parents.  It was 103 degrees at 9am, what a welcome!  The lake was a nice refresher in that heat.  Then on Friday, Christopher and C came down and spent the day, I love my family!

Friday night I headed to New Braunfels for the bachelorette party.  It was so much fun!  We floated the river on Saturday and then went out to dinner in Gruene at the Gristmill (which has tasty pina colada's and margaritas).  In the meanwhile Richard arrived and got to spend some time with his mom, Oscar, Nancy, Chad, and Kathy.

Sunday, we headed home from the river and I headed to Eustace to spend the day with my big fabulous family, in one of my favorite places.  The highlight of my day (besides my family of course) was the delicious plate of fried squash (from the garden) Aunt Elsie made me!  When I was about 5 years old I was spending the week at Aunt Elsie's and she made fried squash and I told here "That is disgusting, I'm not eating that!"  And Aunt Elsie said, "You are going to try one, and if you don't like it you don't have to eat anymore."  So I ate my one, then I ate the whole plate, and ever since it's been one of my all time favorite foods.  So I am very thankful for the treat!  Also, I got to meet Amanda, a new member of the Groom family, and I would like to wish her and Justin lots of blessings in the upcoming months.

Monday we went to Jacksonville and spent the day with Aunt Suzanne and Nana, basking in the sun room and watching the birds.  It was another beautiful day, but we had to leave early to meet Maria for dinner at Pappacito's, YUM!

The rest of the week we spent with my parents during the day and our friends at night.  We love you all, and are so glad we got to see you and spend time with you!  And a special congratulations to BRK!

Friday, mom and I did some retail therapy and then I headed out to Montague for Tara's rehersal dinner.  After the rehearsal dinner we headed out to Bowie to get some sleep before the big day. 

Saturday, we got up early to start primping.  Pedi's, hair, bridal luncheon, limo, makeup, and then we were ready for the BIG event.  Tara was beautiful, the wedding was amazing, and I had a fabulous time!  My only sadness... It was my last night in Texas! 

Parkland's Finest!

Sunday, one last meal in Texas, we had breakfast with my parents before heading to the airport to come home.  It was an AMAZING trip, we love our family and friends!  And we miss you all!