Two Weeks

It's that time again!
No, not the Christmas season. Well, it is for most people, but I can't fully enjoy that just yet.
It's time to start preparing for finals.
For the next two weeks, I will be chugging Diet Dr. Pepper and desperately trying to get through the piles of information as fast as possible while retaining as much as possible. It's a stressful game.

Yes, that's a four-hour block for the Pathology final, and it will probably take me the whole time. Medical school: it makes the MCAT seem easy.

Our finals schedule actually turned out quite nicely. When I begin to become overwhelmed thinking about the cumulative Pathology final, I take a moment to remind myself, "at least I'm not a first year..."
Sorry, first years.
Two weeks is the amount of time that separates me from Holiday Ball, Christmas shopping, the lights at Rhema and hot cocoa, and seeing my family. Two weeks and counting.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is a day of thanks, and I have much to be grateful for.
I am so thankful for amazing parents that drove up to Tulsa just to bring us Thanksgiving leftovers last year because we couldn't take the time off from studying to be with our family.
I'm also thankful that this year, our exams fell so that we were able to travel to Tahlequah to celebrate for several days with these incredible people.

My Grandpa, who was Grand Marshal of the Veteran's Day Parade this year!

Mom and Dad, who still hold hands after 31 years

Macee and Vlado, a friend in her Masters program at OSU who wasn't able to make it home for Thanksgiving

 Thankful for delicious food and an afternoon of visiting and football...

The new recipe mom tried this year: Pecan Cobbler. It was a hit, especially with my husband!

Dad is the official turkey carver. Tom was delicious.

A stuffed Aaron lounging on the couch

Watching Texas vs. A & M

Thankful for a sister who's also a best friend and who never grows too old for Mario Kart and coloring books

Macee after having every bone in her body popped by Aaron and soft tissue done by yours truly

Now for a good night's sleep before our 5:30 departure tomorrow morning for Black Friday shopping! It's become a tradition for my mom, sister and me. We have as much fun starting the holiday season and chatting as we do hunting deals.
Hope you and yours had a blessed Thanksgiving, and that you remember the original purpose: thanks to God for all of his blessings!

Fayetteville Getaway

Aaron and I try to go on weekend getaways as often as funds and time allow. When he saw a Groupon for the Pratt Place Inn and Barn in Fayetteville a few months ago, we snatched it up right away.
I've always wanted to stay at this historic bed and breakfast located on Sassafrass Hill right off the edge of campus.

The entrance to Pratt Place. Aren't those doors gorgeous?

The whole house was meticulously restored several years ago and is decorated with stunning antique furniture and rugs.

 The Dogwood Suite - We could see campus from the window!

 There was a room that definitely had a masculine theme downstairs, to which Aaron was drawn. He decided he needs a couple of leather chairs with lion armrests and feet in the future.

One of the common rooms downstairs

I love historic homes, but a modern bathroom is a must!

 Aaron and I took the most relaxing bath, complete with bath salts. After wrapping ourselves up in the soft fluffy robes, I could barely keep my eyes open; I was so relaxed!

Friday evening, we ate at one of our favorite Italian places in town, the Pesto Cafe. It's a little hole in the wall tucked into an old motel, but it's packed every night. Those are usually some of the best places in our experience!
After dinner, we headed to Common Grounds for dessert and coffee. I got a slice of Ten Pounds of Chocolate cake - divine! Amateurs need not attempt consumption.
Back at the Inn, we shared the chocolates that had been placed on our pillows and spent awhile daydreaming about living in a house like the Inn, with a huge wraparound porch, hardwood floors, and a million dollar view of the university. I haven't been so relaxed in months!
Breakfast was delivered to our room at our requested time on Saturday morning. The scones were still warm and absolutely delicious! I also enjoyed eating the fruit with the tiny fancy fork. We felt so refined.

Delicious and beautiful breakfast

Game Day cookies - Woo Pig Sooie!

We stopped by Rick's Bakery, a Fayetteville tradition, to get Aaron a snack after shopping Saturday morning. He's picky about his doughnuts, and not many people make them the way Rick's does. Not many people make anything the way Rick's does. If you're ever in town, it's a must! I recommend the petit fours, and my mother is addicted to the cup-o-cakes.

Yummy doughnut

After Rick's, we stopped by the bookstore we worked at in college. I picked up another Arkansas sweatshirt and we got to say hi to Sara, one of our favorites at the store. We have a lot of great memories there.
To round out the trip, we ate a late lunch at Grub's and caught the Arkansas game on the huge screen they have. Most women probably would not have been happy to spend 5 hours watching football in a sports bar on a romantic getaway with their husband, especially when the game was being recorded at home, but Aaron's lucky he married a huge Razorback fan. I reminded him of that several times. ;)

 

We didn't talk about medical school the entire trip. Rather, we reminisced about college, dating, and our first year of marriage in Northwest Arkansas. And we dreamed about returning after residency to make new memories. It only took five years for Fayetteville to become "home," and although we love Tulsa, we're homesick. Someday, we'll finally be home again permanently. 

Oh, Christmas Tree

Like most people, I feel as if I blink and the holidays have come and gone. Between finals and traveling to visit relatives, Aaron and I aren't home much to enjoy Christmas decor before it's time to take it down.
This year, I started earlier than ever before so as to extend the holiday season as much as possible.
The tree is my favorite Christmas decoration, and was thus my first project.
After two trips to Hobby Lobby yesterday and a ribbon bow tutorial on the internet, my creation is now complete.

Ta-Da!

The first year we were married, we started out with mostly old ornaments my mom was kind enough to donate - thank goodness we have the same taste! Every year we purchase about a dozen new ornaments to make the tree our own. The gold ribbon was another new addition this year. Soon it will be all "ours." 

I put on one of my favorite Christmas albums, Mariah's "Merry Christmas," and belted out some carols (and of course, "All I Want for Christmas is You") while I decked the halls. 

It is now officially the holiday season in my mind, and I can't wait for the many traditions it brings. Next on my holiday to-do list: a wreath. I'm feeling that holiday spirit!

Delivering "Babies"

Friday afternoon was our last Rural Health elective class of the semester.
The topic? Babies!

Dr. Johnson and a first year resident taught us the proper delivery technique and steps to take in several emergency situations. I feel as if I have a head start to my OB/GYN rotation next year, and it makes me so excited to experience my first delivery!
The one thing I'm not excited about catching? The placenta. 

 Aaron was a natural. However, he will not be catching our babies, and not just because it's not professionally accepted. I want him to be by my face, safely protected from seeing anything that may prevent him from looking at me the same way ever again.

 Perfect form

The other station had a "baby", whose vital signs could be manipulated, hooked up to a monitor. It was our job to prevent respiratory distress and oxygen deprivation through breathers and intubation. It was a stressful situation, even knowing it was simulated. I don't think I'm cut out for Pediatrics.
Aaron and I are happy we took the course, as it covered topics we don't normally get in our curriculum and offered amazing hands-on experiences. Less than a year and the simulations will become reality!

Phlebotomy

Today was yet another exciting Clinical Skills lab. On the schedule: phlebotomy!
While older doctors typically don't draw blood on a routine basis, we as students and future residents need to acquire the skill.
I have been dreading this day for several weeks now because of the fact that I have horribly small (some would say non-existent) veins, and I knew that I would be walking out of the room with black and blue arms. Fortunately, I didn't have to be "stuck" today! It was confirmed that my veins were not ideal for practice. Therefore, Matt Wood was a patient twice. Once for his partner, and once on behalf of me for Aaron. Now that's a friend.

 

Aaron and I were both successful on our second tries. The first time I went where the phlebotomy student instructed me, and the second time I used the tiny scar Aaron has from previous needles as guidance. Score!

The above picture is Dr. Eddy, the head Clinical Skills instructor, bravely volunteering for a demonstration. He's not a fan of needles and was not looking forward to what was ahead. 

Jon was determined to do it right! Bonita managed a smile even after finding out she was Jon's fourth patient model.
It may not have been pretty, and we may not have mastered it, but at least now we shouldn't look incompetent. I'm hoping my skills improve with time.
On another note, we had a great club meeting Tuesday with Dr. Lamberson, another Clinical Skills instructor, as our guest speaker. Yes, the one who saved my ring finger.

He gave us some excellent advice on financial management after graduation, with some pretty memorable personal stories to boot.
The guy has dabbled in the oil business (successfully), invested in a Ponzi scheme, and in essence run his own "bank" with property investments.
These are the people to whom I love to listen. Those I respect, and those who are willing to let me learn from their own mistakes and successes.
Never lend money to family, never take out more than a 3 year car loan and don't do a 30-year home mortgage, and hire a financial adviser who doesn't make money every time he makes a trade.
That's advice Aaron and I plan to heed. It's not just about making money, but what you do with it!

It's the Small Things

In a weird way, I enjoy the Sunday before a big exam. Yes, anxiety begins to creep in as time runs out, and there's a good possibility that I won't be enjoying a good 7 hours of sleep before my alarm beeps, but there's a trend that I can't deny.
They are by far my most profitable days of the semester.
I attribute it to supernatural focus...and fear that I will not be able to look over that last table or lecture one last time if I waste a single minute in the day.
Yesterday, I:
1. Re-read each of the four chapters covered in this Pathology unit, studied the figures, and re-worked the problems associated with all of them

The "board bible"

2. Washed and folded 4 loads of laundry. No, they didn't get put away, but I'm still celebrating the accomplishment.
3. Cleaned my bathroom. I love starting the week off with a sparkling sink and toilet and spot-free mirror. The same cannot be said for my husband, who generally only cleans his bathroom if we are expecting company. Thank goodness we're having friends over for a game night this Friday.

I love these wipes for tidying up between weekly cleanings. I use them in practically every room of the house!

4. Washed my hair...and shaved. For some of you, this might not be considered a small victory. For a medical student with a major impending exam the next day, any steps taken beyond soap and body wash are to be applauded.
In my book, this Sunday was a huge success.
While today won't be nearly as profitable as we just finished a two-hour mental marathon, yesterday's accomplishments should get me through the next exam on Wednesday. 

Breakdowns and Brownies

This past Thursday afternoon our class was scheduled to begin the first of several labs involving injections and IVs. I was looking forward to practicing stabbing Aaron with a needle intramuscularly (just kidding), but we ended up not making it due to problems with not just one of our cars, but both.

So thankful for friends who go out of their way to give us a jump!

The repairs on my Jeep ended up costing $500 and were just the latest in a string of problems my Jeep has had the past few years. We've already spent about $2000 on repairs this semester alone on the Tahoe and Jeep combined, and Aaron and I are to the point of exasperation.
We've been lucky that our cars have seemed to alternate working and shutting down (until this past week), but we realized one reliable car is a necessity for our upcoming rotations.
Therefore, after seeking advice from my parents, we made a big decision: We're getting a new car! Not until July/August, when rotations begin, but it's on the horizon.

Aaron initially wanted a Challenger (and so did I), but the features we'd want with it are out of our price range. I've promised him that it's in the cards for residency.
I think we're going to end up settling on the Hyundai Sonata. The warranty is second-to-none and the bang for your buck is one of the best in its category in the industry. Reliability and affordability: check!

Despite the car stress, it's been a good week. I tried out several new recipes, both of which were huge successes.

I found a Butterfinger Blondies recipe on Pinterest (surprise!) and whipped them up minus the icing last Sunday evening. Aaron loved them, and he's not big on sweets. I think the icing might have put them over the top...which means my mom would've loved that version. ;) Thank goodness I can always unload my baked goodies at the school so I don't have to try to resist them for a week!
I also tried a Hot Bean Dip today that was delicious and perfect for game days.
On tonight's menu? Steak, courtesy of Reasor's big meat sale, corn, and baked potatoes. Yum!
Our pathology exam is on Monday and we've been alternating watching stretches of football games with study sessions. It's going to be a long night!

Rants and Raves

Our second round of major exams squeezed into a short period of time is quickly approaching. We have a Pharmacology exam Friday, Pathology on Monday, Clinical Problem Solving written on Wednesday, and CPS oral on Thursday.
For some reason, I have the hardest time getting motivated to study for Pharmacology. It's largely memorization, which frankly takes time and energy I'd rather spend elsewhere.
A classmate shared this video on Facebook, and I watched it during a study break this evening...and proceeded to cry in my carrel. It's very inspiring, and reminds me that I've been blessed with so many abilities, like those required to become a physician. I have NO excuse for not exercising them to my greatest capacity. And tonight, that means studying Pharmacology, even if I don't feel like it. I'm thankful that I've been given the opportunity.

This video exacerbated the feelings I expressed to Aaron towards the upcoming series, "My House Your Money" on HGTV.
While making dinner this evening, we had the television set to the channel and a commercial aired for the new show.
This is the descriptor from HGTV: My House, Your Money reveals what really goes on behind closed doors as prospective homebuyers turn to their extended family members for financial help in order to land their dream home. Cameras catch all the drama and high-stakes pressure of the classic generational tug of war as families fight for their property pick and struggle to come to a compromise. What could possibly go wrong when the grown-up kids want a beautiful home to live in and the parents want a safe place to invest their money?
The premise? Drama ensues as the "picky" or "selfish" (as portrayed) parent/s offer their opinions or cause "problems" in their children's quest to purchase the home of their dreams.
I probably have a different reaction than most viewers. I empathize with the parents. If you are an adult, you should be able to support yourself. That ability is what college or a technical school provides. Or McDonalds - in these times we can't be picky, and I was taught that ALL work is honorable. You may not be able to have a smartphone, or live in a nice area, or dine out frequently, or purchase nice clothes/electronics, but you should be able to survive.
If your parents are financially blessed and willing to help you out, congratulations. However, I'd say "their money" gives them the license to say their two cents and spend it how they wish - even if it's not your first choice.
Here's the link to the sneak peek if you're interested: http://www.hgtv.com/video/my-house-your-money-video/index.html
I hope for a day when children no longer have an entitlement attitude...