D.C. Round Two

Aaron and I are trying to take advantage of our current proximity to some of our nation's most historic cities, so naturally Washington D.C. was a must on a free weekend. We had visited the capital two years ago for D.O. Day on the Hill, so for our second time around we hit different spots.

Highest on our list of must-sees was the National Archives, which houses one of the 4 original copies of the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. Understandably, no photos are allowed to preserve the integrity of the documents. The fact that the seal remains intact on the Magna Carta astonished me, and original documents such as a draft of the Bill of Rights with notes made by a founding father in the margins made the museum well worthy of our time.

We took a stroll around the White House and its gardens. To tour inside, you must schedule well in advance through your local government, so that was obviously not an option on this spur-of-the-moment trip.
While we had visited several of the most famous and notable Smithsonian institutions on our previous visit, we hadn't stopped by The National Museum of The American Indian. The quality of the artifacts was amazing, as was the authenticity of the exhibits. We walked from tribe to tribe, viewing the basic tenants of their religion, family structure, and unique cultural past-times often narrated by tribe members. My favorite component, however, was the exhibit of South American gold, silver, and other precious metals. The ancient craftsmanship was magnificent.

And of course, we planned our dining destinations with equal care. We brunched at Paul Le Maison, where Aaron fell in love with this blueberry tart and I experienced my very first macaron. I chose pistachio, as evidenced by the vibrant green hue. I now understand the obsession with this Parisian delicacy. I am hooked!

The one dining spot we did duplicate was Hank's Oyster Bar in Dupont Circle. You can't be this close to the coast and not indulge in fresh and freshly prepared seafood. We sampled raw oysters from Virginia, shared popcorn shrimp and squid, and finished with grilled sea scallops and a lobster roll. How I wish this quality were available in our region!

We bid adieu to the city after enjoying lunch at Oyamel, an authentic Mexican restaurant recommended to us by both Fodor's and a waitress at Founding Farmers. They did not disappoint. We ordered the guacamole, which is presented on a platter containing all of its individual ingredients (including whole avocados) that are then mixed table-side. De-lish. I could sustain myself on chips and dip alone. Sadly, this is now a special treat for my new lifestyle.

Aaron knew it was authentic when he ordered a Coke and was surprised with a glass bottle from Mexico. Cane sugar - you can taste the difference.
Thanks for visually and gastronomically delighting us, D.C.! We shall return!

Aaron on Audition Rotations

The season of audition rotations began for us this September. For me, my first audition is in Philly. Micah and I got lucky enough to coordinate our rotations in an orderly manner working from Philadelphia, to Dayton, to Detroit, and we scheduled our COMLEX-PE (in Conshohocken, PA) for right before my first audition. Thus, we were able to drive here rather than fly and have access to our car.

We’ve gotten to check out a lot of the city and some of the surrounding areas as well. While we were here, we took a trip to Washington, DC, and went to the Museum of the American Indian (very good museum), the National Archives (to see the Constitution and Declaration of Independence), and other things we missed during our last trip. We’ve also seen the Liberty Bell, shopped in Rittenhouse Square and the King of Prussia Mall (2^nd biggest Mall in America; my nightmare), eaten cheesesteaks at Geno’s and Pat’s, and tried various fares at the Reading Terminal Market.

I am three weeks into the month long rotation, and things are going very well. The only real negative about this place is getting from point A to point B in traffic. We found housing in Lindenwold, NJ (across the Delaware River from Philly), right next to where Micah was scheduled to rotate at UMDNJ and also really close to a train into the City Center of Philly. We thought this would be a good logistic place, but it turns out that navigation around here is a nightmare compared to the South. Everywhere here is a continuous suburb for miles and miles and traffic is horrendous. For my first day of my rotation, it took me an hour and a half to drive to where I needed to be. Basically I have to budget that much time to get anywhere whether I am driving or taking public transportation. I have found that typically getting into Philly is easier by driving, and leaving is easier with public transportation; and since I can’t do both, there is at least one frustrating trip per day.

Other than traffic, things are great. In this ENT program, the residents are extremely busy, which I think is a good thing. I think this gives you a better training. As a student, we are asked to go to five different hospitals in the area, and the residents cover two or three more. It seems like it was just during my third week that I started feeling comfortable at some of these hospitals; learning the routine and locations in the hospitals, getting to know the residents, attendings, and staff at each place, and learning what was expected for me to do or not to do at each place. It is strange to me the variable response I’ve gotten from scrub techs and circulating nurses in doing just what was expected of me in Oklahoma: helping set up the room, going to get the patient, helping break down the room, and taking the patient to the PACU. Some of these staff members are blown away that I would even ask to help, while others don’t want any help (presumably because they don’t yet trust me to do things properly). I’ve gotten to see several different surgeries I hadn’t seen before, and every day is exciting. I’ve gotten to see several mastoidectomies and ossicular chain reconstructions, a CO2 laser excision of a vocal fold, and several tracheotomies. I really could see myself being a part of this program, and gaining a great education. I was told that next week I would be able to do a tonsillectomy on my own (with supervision of course), which is pretty exciting. I’ve finished taking out a few tonsils in the past, but I haven’t yet had the opportunity to dissect down to the capsule and find the proper surgical plane yet. It has been a fun experience so far here in Philly. I look forward to seeing more of the country in our upcoming rotations over the next two months. 

Leaving My Oxen...In Modern Terms

Audition rotation season is upon us, as is the upcoming interview and match process. It's daunting to consider the probabilities of both Aaron and I matching into our chosen prospective fields at the programs in which we're most interested. The outlook appears even more bleak as we continue to be informed of additional closings of programs in the highly competitive field of Otolaryngology, which Aaron is pursuing.
Luckily, as children of God, Aaron and I don't have to rely on statistical norms.
God has strongly impressed upon my heart, and my mother's, recently, that we need to begin diligently seeking Him in prayer for His perfect will to come to fruition in this situation. I composed a list of specific prayer requests, which I will share at a later date, and have been humbled by our prayer team's eager response to join us in this journey.
After sleeplessly tossing and turning last night, I opened the YouVersion Bible app on my phone and began a new devotional focused on faith through Elisha's story. I knew God was speaking directly to me as I read the first passage and its interpretation.
"So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. And he (Elisha) left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow thee."
It's not until you truly ponder this exchange that you begin to realize what a ridiculous leap of faith Elisha displayed. I can't imagine sitting with a patient, being interrupted by a crazy invitation to just drop everything in my life and follow God on an unknown and unfamiliar journey...and immediately leaving my entire life behind at that moment's notice. I'm sure the patient would not be too thrilled. And, if I were Elisha, I would have been asking for Elijah's credentials.
Ladies, I highly doubt we could leave our families, let alone our purses, at the drop of a hat and blindly trust God's request to uproot our lives. But Elisha's heart is exactly the heart I am praying for God to mold mine to be over the next few months. And his childlike, unquestioning faith in God's plan for our lives.
Am I truly, honestly praying for God's perfect will, or am I (not so) secretly praying for my vision of what that is? Will I joyously celebrate, immediately, upon learning of our future, or will I be upset that it is not as I imagined?
God has so much preparation to do in my heart over the next several months. For this I will pray, that I will follow Him blindly, eagerly, into what He has laid before me.
What is He trying to prepare your heart for, and will you follow him with reckless abandon as Elisha did?

Pat's versus Geno's - The Great Philly Cheesesteak Debate

Asking locals to name their favorite source for authentic Philly cheesesteaks will likely incur a heated debate. While Aaron and I have heard several proclamations of "the real" best local haunt, we thought it best to start with the two warring classics: Pat's and Geno's. Located catercorner to each other, the two decades old establishments stand in a perpetual face-off.

We began our taste test at the decidedly more flashy Geno's and managed to catch the line when it was fairly short. I had read that it was expected that customers order quickly. If you have dined with my husband and I, or accompanied us through a drive-through, you know this is no small task. The man likes to know all of his options, and to weigh them equally before choosing his fate.
I prepped him in advance so that we would be ready when called upon. "Beef, without (refers to onions - blech!), add provolone." I'm pretty sure we could have passed for locals. Or not.
The addition of hot whole peppers is a must.

The remaining contender comfortably wears its age as a badge of its status within the community. The line here was much longer. Due to an entire wedding party squatting on most of the picnic tables (seriously, wedding gown, tuxes and all), I left Aaron in line to snatch a free one.

Geno's cheesesteak with mushrooms, fries, and a Coke

The verdict? Pat's has the better bread, and Aaron also preferred it's strips of meat compared to Geno's chopped version. I have to agree, though I only sampled a few bites from each to spare my recently-removed-gallbladder-intestines from an evening of pain.
I may be biased due to the vats of canned Cheese Whiz I saw through the sliding glass windows at Pat's, which I found extremely unappetizing. And the scavenger pigeons I was forced to protect our food from with frequent scowls and "shoos."
Good eating, Philadelphia. May we have many more meals like this - minus the pigeons.

Philadelphia - NCC and Reading Terminal Market

After a 7-month hiatus for multiple purposes, including the lack of time to devote to chronicling our journey, it's time to return to blogging as we begin our audition rotations. This month, we're in Philadelphia, and Aaron and I are attempting to take advantage of our free time to explore the city.
Despite having to take it easy while I'm building back my endurance after surgery, we've managed to hit many of the quintessential "tourist" spots the past few days.

Aaron is a history buff, so the National Constitution Center was the perfect way to spend a recent afternoon. The permanent exhibit is designed in a chronological order with many interactive elements and relics (ha!) from each period. One of the highlights of the visit was viewing a circa-1800s reprint of the constitution, which has to be "rested" periodically due to its fragility.

Another highlight of the week was the Reading Terminal Market. Since opening in 1893, it's served as home to some of the most famous and unique food vendors in the region. The vast market is packed with locals and tourists alike - I was very impressed with my husband's calm as we wove through the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd.

The visit was of our first of several planned, as it's impossible to sample every drool-inducing sight and smell in one sitting. We chose our lunch destination wisely - Dinic's Roast Pork and Beef. The sandwich we split was absolutely delicious, and worth every minute spent in the line wrapped around the corner waiting to order and snag a scarce spot at the counter. 

We went with the classic roast pork sandwich, and added provolone and banana peppers. 

It earned Aaron's grin of approval!

 We've already mapped out our next excursion, which will include the notorious Bassett's ice cream booth and a deli that caught Aaron's eye (and nose). But alas, we were just too full to indulge.

Hear Me Roar

An innate sense of peace has begun to overwhelm my spirit since making my decision concerning a specialty path. Though my internal struggle has subsided, I've been taking a lot of heat from outside sources - predominantly men.
I am not what you would consider a feminist. However, several comments of late have made me want to pull out the old soap box and defend my gender.
The first was made by my father-in-law, who upon hearing that Aaron's residency is 5 years in duration compared to 4 years in mine, said, "So Micah's taking the easy way out. I guess it doesn't take much to catch a baby."
I'm still not sure how I managed to hold my tongue after that comment, but I consider it to be a moment of great personal growth.
I've also received several tidbits of advice from male colleagues, such as, "I would just quit and stay home," in reference to the fact that my husband will also be a physician and will realistically be making more money than me.
A. I've dreamed of becoming a doctor since I was a small child. I'm certainly not going to give up on my dream because my husband's salary would allow me the luxury of not having to work.
B. I realize my chosen specialty has an extremely demanding lifestyle, and that balancing work and family life will be a struggle. This does not mean it is impossible, nor does it mean I should choose another specialty over my passion because it's 9-5.
C. I entered into medical school with the realistic expectation of working my butt off after graduation and beyond. I have the utmost respect for stay-at-home moms; however, that's not the purpose for which I was created. It irks me that there sometimes lies the premature judgement that all female physicians will stop practicing medicine once they give birth.
In summation: I work hard. I will continue to work hard. My work matters. It matters just as much as my husband's. I am not required to stay at home after I have children. I am not a bad mother because I choose not to do so. I have found my purpose and will enjoy the fulfillment it will bring. I would be doing myself an injustice by choosing anything less, or anything different. 

Removing the Rose-Colored Lenses

Relationships evolve over time. Whether for better or worse, the progression is natural. When it comes to family, the evolution often mirrors our age and maturity.
Parents and grandparents are often the apple of every child's eye. They possess superhero-esque qualities and are viewed as infallible. Incapable of mistakes and perfect in character, if you will.
As teenagers, a transition to being "misunderstood" by these same authority figures takes place. We are unaware of how desperately we need their guidance and perceive their altruistic motives as selfish and spiteful.
Upon entering adulthood, one gains the ability to see family members untainted by prejudice and presumption - as people rather than personas. A double-edged sword, this new-found truth can either be one of life's greatest rewards or largest disappointments.
Aaron and I have had several conversations regarding recent revelations about those whom we love. The facade of perfection shattered by gross flaws in character. Old wounds allowed to dictate the response to an event. The refusal to forgive. The inability to see a situation through the other's eyes. Defiance and apathy masked by excuses.
Yet there are those whom we now admire all the more. Those that reveal their internal struggles but strive to conquer them. Who remain the same behind closed doors as in public. We are thankful for these role models and aspire to imitate their path as we begin to plan for our future family.
We want our children to recognize not only our imperfections, but our constant quest to have pure hearts, minds, and actions.

Lately

With the passing of the holidays and Aaron's birthday (month), the husband and I are beginning to settle into our average day-to-day routine, minus a few exceptions.

1. We scheduled our first audition rotations today! For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the term, audition rotations are essentially periods of 2-4 weeks spent working with the residency programs to which you're interested in applying. You get to know them, and vise verse.
It's a daunting task, attempting to coordinate rotations in 2 specialties at 6 different sites in 4 different states in a period of 4 months with your husband. I begin to hyperventilate if I let my mind dwell on the process too long.
Nevertheless, God is already moving mountains in 2013!

2. Speaking of mountains, I successfully moved past a significant barrier in my path to becoming a physician: deciding upon my specialty. It's a wonder it wasn't blatantly obvious from the beginning, but I'll reveal my choice in another post.

3. My car now makes horrible noises when I start it, when I'm accelerating, when it's idling...basically all the time. I'm afraid it's dying. We may not be able to make it to residency without purchasing a new car after all. This both excites me (new car!) and depresses me (more loans!).

Family Celebration: the Birthday Month

Birthdays are big in my family. Now that Aaron has officially been adopted into the Nolan clan, he has inherited the rights to the "birthday month."

I'm not sure when or how it happened, but my sister somehow managed to turn her birthday into a birthday week and finally a birthday month. We now all take full advantage of "our" month, including my husband.

My parents and sister came into town Friday evening to celebrate my sweet husband as a family. Macee drew the creation above, which had a very detailed and accurate "Operation" theme. Too cute and creative - she makes the best handmade cards!

We caught a matinee of Jack Reacher (sideline: the series might be next on my reading list) and then headed to a Brazilian steakhouse for dinner.

Aaron and dad were in heaven - they stuffed themselves with endless steak, shrimp, pork, sausage, and lamb. Aaron was glad he had "prepped" adequately for the meal: a large breakfast to stretch out his stomach for the day, then a light lunch so as not to spoil his appetite. Those were pretty much his exact words as he outlined his strategy on our way to pick up lunch.

After dinner we headed back to the house for cake and presents. Chocolate cake, cream cheese icing, and gift cards to Game Stop made the birthday boy one happy camper.

I love how much my family loves my husband. It makes me love them all the more.

Birthday Boy

The beginning of a new year is always followed closely by Aaron's birthday. 

We started 2013 off with a bang, literally, as we spent the evening in with my sister and watched the fireworks display from across the river. The finale was splendid. I wish we could mark every special occasion with them. 

We slept in after our late night and chose this cinnamon roll casserole for our first meal of the year, along with some over-easy eggs to cut the sugar high. :)

Aaron had his pick of grilled steak, asparagus, and a baked sweet potato for his birthday dinner Friday night. I whipped up homemade apple crisp to serve with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Deee-lish. 

We haven't seen his parents since last Christmas, and were finally able to get the family together in Fayetteville for a reunion of sorts. 

We met our niece Adlynn, and spent a good majority of the weekend holding this adorable butterball. I have to say, Aaron is a natural. As my mom said, someday he will be holding ours! Someday...

Aaron's mother ordered a cupcake cake from our favorite, Rick's Bakery, to celebrate the December/January sibling birthdays. 

Happy birthday Aaron, Amber, Celeste, and Rachel!

Holiday Happenings

It's been a wonderfully relaxing and memorable couple of weeks. Aaron and I were fortunate enough to be given 5 days off for Christmas, as well as a half day on New Year's Eve and today off. 

We spent the entire vacation with family, celebrating Christmas 3 different times with my mom's family, my dad's family, and our little family unit alone. 

I could write several blog posts about this year's festivities, but I'd rather spend that time with my husband this week. After all, he is the birthday boy this Friday. 

We girls continued the holiday tradition of making Christmas sugar cookies. It's a long process, and the recipe makes dozens of cookies, which is why it's a once-a-year occasion.

We bought mustard and ketchup squeeze bottles from WalMart for decorating this year. It was so much easier than messing with pastry bags! 

As always, the best part was tasting those that didn't make it from the cookie sheet to the rack in one piece. 

2012 marked the birth of a new generation in the Nolan family. We enjoyed loving on these three new precious babies. The next few years will be so much fun as they grow!

Macee received a very special gift this year from our grandmother: a hand-stitched wedding ring quilt. It takes her approximately one year to make one, and Macee's is the fourth she's completed. I received mine at my bridal shower four years ago. Inscribed on the back is my grandmother's name, the recipient, and the date it was given. A labor of love, and a priceless family heirloom. 

On Christmas Eve we gathered around the fireplace and opened our presents from "Santa" - new pj's! I'm in love with leopard this year; can you tell?

Christmas morning starts with a cup of cocoa in our special Christmas mugs and a reading of the Christmas story from either Matthew or Luke. Mom tried white chocolate cocoa from Paula Deen this year - delish!

There is nothing like waking up to this sight on Christmas morning. My mom outdoes herself with the tree.

After the stocking stuffers were revealed, we dug into the mound of presents each of us spent hours carefully wrapping with embellishments. Yes, this includes my husband, who loves me so much that he spent 2 hours adorning my presents with ribbons and bows.

For the very first time, we were able to spend all of Christmas Day together as a family. We started a new tradition of Christmas brunch, for which Macee and I decorated the dining nook table. Mom put homemade hot cocoa mixes for Macee and I and a chai tea mix for Aaron in decorated jars - too cute (and yummy)!

Macee and Aaron spent the entire day tinkering with their new toys - Aaron with his Ipad mini and WiiU, and Macee with a build-it-yourself robotic dinosaur. If you know my sister well, you can only imagine the joy this present brought her.

We capped off the day with a juicy turkey that had been in the smoker for a whopping 10 hours (ridiculously good), followed by cheesecake and red velvet cake. 

We were so very blessed with precious memories this year. It was a Merry Christmas, indeed.