My darling SIL shared a story recently about a conversation she had when she was single. She had gone out for a walk with her dear elderly grandmother and mentioned how she was feeling a bit sorry for herself because all her friends were getting married and moving away. Her grandma's commiserating reply was "All my friends are dying". That kind of put things in perspective in a jiffy.
That's kind of how this past week has felt for me. First beautiful little Grace lived her perfect 15 minute life before passing along, and now Becci.
Becci is a remarkable person. She worked tirelessly to keep everything running in her world. She and her husband have 7 children, spanning over 20 years. Three in their 20's, a teen, and 3,5, & 9 year old boys. I used to teach her daughters at church. Her oldest daughter decided to go on a mission a year and a half ago, and returned last Wednesday after completing her service in Romania. She was a remarkable, faithful missionary, and I'm so proud of the amazing woman she has blossomed into since we met. She has always been a strong, resilient girl.
But a joyous reunion with her family on Wednesday was quickly followed by tragedy on Thursday, when her beloved mother Becci, suffered a massive brain aneurysm. She collapsed in her newly-returned daughter's arms, and died.
I can only guess how this family will get along without Becci. When I think of the little boys growing up without a mommy my heart just breaks for them. When I imagine how hard this must be for all of them, I just wish there was something I could do. I have always admired Becci in countless ways. She was a good example to me, and I could relate to her in a number of ways. Hers was not a life of ease. She worked harder than most people I've met. To help the family make ends meet, she had an early morning paper route that she'd drag herself out of the house in the pre-dawn dark and cold to deliver...even in the freezing Vermont winters. She worked at a restaurant to further supplement their family's income. Her husband manages a different restaurant, and puts in long hours.
Becci was the kind of woman who was so down to earth and generous, that even though they didn't have a lot, they always had enough to share with others. She noticed needs and offered help without waiting to be asked. When her best friend's daughter died last fall in a sledding accident here in Utah, she flew out for the funeral. I'm grateful I had the chance to eat lunch with her and spend that time, even though it was another tragedy that brought us together.
Becci is the kind of mother any kid would be lucky to have...ardently loving and encouraging her children to keep trying to do their best no matter what. I am grateful for Becci, and for the many others who have blessed my life by the way they have lived theirs. I know we tend to suddenly appreciate what we have only after it's taken from us, but I hope we can all pause a moment and remember all those who have touched us. To allow a sense of gratitude to permeate our hearts. To give thanks. To say I love you.
To Becci, and to all those who've added beauty to my world, thank you! And I love you. Till we meet again...
Monday, July 28, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Time for being Held
My friend's baby was born prematurely on Saturday. I was in La Jolla (north of San Diego) at a Ralph's grocery store using their free Wi-Fi cafe to check email while when I got the news yesterday. She was 15 ounces, which is exactly the size of the Naked Juice Mighty Mango drink I was holding in my hand as I read the news. So small! I don't think I've ever seen a photo of a premie before. She was so beautiful.
She lived just 15 minutes...long enough for them to hold her and sing to her while she was alive. It makes me ache inside and my throat has that kind of lump that's hard to swallow with when I think about how her sweet parents are feeling right now. But they are remarkable people with amazing fortitude and perspective. I'm learning things I never knew just by watching them from the sidelines.
In moments like this we say many things to obtain or offer comfort, but one thing I know is that this precious baby, and all the sweet children whose lives have been too short...well, they live. And they are happy. And it's those of us left behind who have the weighty task of living well. I love the song Held by Natalie Grant, and in times like this it always comes to mind. ♥
She lived just 15 minutes...long enough for them to hold her and sing to her while she was alive. It makes me ache inside and my throat has that kind of lump that's hard to swallow with when I think about how her sweet parents are feeling right now. But they are remarkable people with amazing fortitude and perspective. I'm learning things I never knew just by watching them from the sidelines.
In moments like this we say many things to obtain or offer comfort, but one thing I know is that this precious baby, and all the sweet children whose lives have been too short...well, they live. And they are happy. And it's those of us left behind who have the weighty task of living well. I love the song Held by Natalie Grant, and in times like this it always comes to mind. ♥
Sunday, July 20, 2008
California Dreamin'...again
I grew up in coastal southern California, and lived in the same house as far back as I can remember. Well, except for when I lived in the garage, that is.
After we kids were all raised, my parents sold that house and moved to Texas. Even though I never moved as a child, I never felt like any certain place was "home". Till now. I love the area we live in now. Not necessarily this house, though it's a perfectly fine home for our needs at this time, but I love the people, the mountains and streams, the proximity to things I need (airports etc), and can finally imagine staying in one place indefinitely. It's a good feeling, though I suspect it has a little bit more to do with finally being happy and at peace on the inside than the actual dwelling, but still, location does matter.
Growing up I guess I had my hands full just coping with my daily existence, because I never really stopped to look around and notice the area I lived in. I didn't have any special sense of appreciation for the beauty that surrounded me in California. Never noticed the vast variety of vegetation, or the unique architecture of the buildings. I didn't appreciate the mildness of the climate, nor did I appreciate the topography...the mountains, oceans, valleys, hills, rivers in such close proximity. I think I focused mostly on the discrepancy between those who have and those who don't. There's a lot of that everywhere, but it's especially apparent in some areas.
I wasn't well traveled back then, so I suppose lack of point of reference for comparison can be partly blamed. That and the understandably myopic perspective of childhood. But thanks to my employment, we've been able to visit fairly often through the past few years, and every time I go, I'm kind of in awe that I lived there for so long without really seeing it. California is lovin' beautiful!
We just spent the past week there. A friend offered to let the kids and I use his RV for the week to go beach camping. It sounded like a great adventure, so we set out to do it. Alas, because the campgrounds are all chock-full-o-people who did something called planning in advance, there were no more reservations to be had. Undaunted, we decided to use the RV anyway, sans hookups. It was akin to a great fort for Bunch & Gator. They loved just being in it.
My kids have a fairy godmother in their lives, and we parked the RV in her gated parking lot. Alicia is one of my oldest, truest friends, and she has adopted my kids as a kind of surrogate niece and nephew I think. She spoils them shamelessly. It's like they have a Sugar Auntie or something. She has nearly single-handedly filled their childhoods with magic and awe. They adore her...and with good reason. You won't encounter many people in this world as great-hearted as Alicia.
This trip included eating at Mc Donalds ("they have breakfast at Mc Donalds?" was the astounding insight of Wednesday morning. Ages 8 and 11, and they still had no idea! Score one for me!) A trip to the tide pools at Corona Del Mar...which I love. A night at the movies with Auntie to see Wall-E, compliments of Alicia. A day at Disneyland and California Adventure on the 53rd birthday of Disneyland...again with their fairy god mother. A wedding reception for the son of some dear friends...I used to babysit him! The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach with The Auntie Who Knows It Like The Back Of Her Hand. A ride on the Aquabus through the harbor and past the Queen Mary. A ride on a city bus (more novel to my punks that a jet plane. I know. They're warped.) The mandatory visit to The Golden Spoon...my favorite yogurt shop. An old-time candy shoppe where we watched the original, far superior Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory while enjoying some treats. And missing our flight home.
Yes. Missing our flight. For our last night we decided to sleep in the RV at the airport, since that's where the owner parks it, and since our flight was so early. There are a number of things that happened which resulted in us missing the flight...by mere moments. They shut the aircraft door just as we got to the departure gate. If any one of the various time sinks hadn't happened, then we'd have made it. So there's no one thing to blame, but it was a good lesson for the three of us and hopefully we've learned it. Since all the flights for the next 3 days were sold out, we decided to do the only thing that would get us home, and that was rent a one-way car and drive to San Diego, where we'd be able to fly out and get home only 12 hours later than originally planned.
So we did. Thank you airport for free Wi-Fi. Thank you Expedia.com for the reasonable instant-online rental rate ($42.00 one way plus tax and gas). Thank you California for having a lovely coastline to drive down. Thanks Newport Beach and La Jolla for having beautiful temples we could stop and and see for the first time, since our luggage with all our church clothes actually made the flight that we missed, and neither kid wanted to attend in their play clothes. Thanks to all the people who helped us on our way. We had a great trip and it was wonderful to see our friends and Auntie.
Beach day fun
Riding the Aqua bus through the harbor...another 1st
The Queen Mary was at one time the largest ship in the world.
Auntie's favorite tank at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
Leafy Sea Dragon
Gator & Bunch with their fairy god mother and Momma Blue
This is the entrance to California Adventure.
I can't believe I got this shot with no one else in it!
It was unbelievably crowded that day!
A visit to the La Jolla LDS Temple. So beautiful!
After we kids were all raised, my parents sold that house and moved to Texas. Even though I never moved as a child, I never felt like any certain place was "home". Till now. I love the area we live in now. Not necessarily this house, though it's a perfectly fine home for our needs at this time, but I love the people, the mountains and streams, the proximity to things I need (airports etc), and can finally imagine staying in one place indefinitely. It's a good feeling, though I suspect it has a little bit more to do with finally being happy and at peace on the inside than the actual dwelling, but still, location does matter.
Growing up I guess I had my hands full just coping with my daily existence, because I never really stopped to look around and notice the area I lived in. I didn't have any special sense of appreciation for the beauty that surrounded me in California. Never noticed the vast variety of vegetation, or the unique architecture of the buildings. I didn't appreciate the mildness of the climate, nor did I appreciate the topography...the mountains, oceans, valleys, hills, rivers in such close proximity. I think I focused mostly on the discrepancy between those who have and those who don't. There's a lot of that everywhere, but it's especially apparent in some areas.
I wasn't well traveled back then, so I suppose lack of point of reference for comparison can be partly blamed. That and the understandably myopic perspective of childhood. But thanks to my employment, we've been able to visit fairly often through the past few years, and every time I go, I'm kind of in awe that I lived there for so long without really seeing it. California is lovin' beautiful!
We just spent the past week there. A friend offered to let the kids and I use his RV for the week to go beach camping. It sounded like a great adventure, so we set out to do it. Alas, because the campgrounds are all chock-full-o-people who did something called planning in advance, there were no more reservations to be had. Undaunted, we decided to use the RV anyway, sans hookups. It was akin to a great fort for Bunch & Gator. They loved just being in it.
My kids have a fairy godmother in their lives, and we parked the RV in her gated parking lot. Alicia is one of my oldest, truest friends, and she has adopted my kids as a kind of surrogate niece and nephew I think. She spoils them shamelessly. It's like they have a Sugar Auntie or something. She has nearly single-handedly filled their childhoods with magic and awe. They adore her...and with good reason. You won't encounter many people in this world as great-hearted as Alicia.
This trip included eating at Mc Donalds ("they have breakfast at Mc Donalds?" was the astounding insight of Wednesday morning. Ages 8 and 11, and they still had no idea! Score one for me!) A trip to the tide pools at Corona Del Mar...which I love. A night at the movies with Auntie to see Wall-E, compliments of Alicia. A day at Disneyland and California Adventure on the 53rd birthday of Disneyland...again with their fairy god mother. A wedding reception for the son of some dear friends...I used to babysit him! The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach with The Auntie Who Knows It Like The Back Of Her Hand. A ride on the Aquabus through the harbor and past the Queen Mary. A ride on a city bus (more novel to my punks that a jet plane. I know. They're warped.) The mandatory visit to The Golden Spoon...my favorite yogurt shop. An old-time candy shoppe where we watched the original, far superior Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory while enjoying some treats. And missing our flight home.
Yes. Missing our flight. For our last night we decided to sleep in the RV at the airport, since that's where the owner parks it, and since our flight was so early. There are a number of things that happened which resulted in us missing the flight...by mere moments. They shut the aircraft door just as we got to the departure gate. If any one of the various time sinks hadn't happened, then we'd have made it. So there's no one thing to blame, but it was a good lesson for the three of us and hopefully we've learned it. Since all the flights for the next 3 days were sold out, we decided to do the only thing that would get us home, and that was rent a one-way car and drive to San Diego, where we'd be able to fly out and get home only 12 hours later than originally planned.
So we did. Thank you airport for free Wi-Fi. Thank you Expedia.com for the reasonable instant-online rental rate ($42.00 one way plus tax and gas). Thank you California for having a lovely coastline to drive down. Thanks Newport Beach and La Jolla for having beautiful temples we could stop and and see for the first time, since our luggage with all our church clothes actually made the flight that we missed, and neither kid wanted to attend in their play clothes. Thanks to all the people who helped us on our way. We had a great trip and it was wonderful to see our friends and Auntie.
Tide pools at Little Corona
Beach day fun
Riding the Aqua bus through the harbor...another 1st
The Queen Mary was at one time the largest ship in the world.
Auntie's favorite tank at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
Leafy Sea Dragon
Gator & Bunch with their fairy god mother and Momma Blue
This is the entrance to California Adventure.I can't believe I got this shot with no one else in it!
It was unbelievably crowded that day!
A visit to the La Jolla LDS Temple. So beautiful!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Change of Plans
I’m 39. When I met Doc we were both wet-behind-the-ears 18 year old freshmen in college. That was 21 years ago, and I fell hard for him. He was a pre-med, and expected to be an ophthalmologist. But he had an instructor in one of his courses, who was not an MD himself, whose sole purpose seemed to be to steer his students out of medicine as a career. This guy managed to undermine Doc's decision about becoming a doctor. Which is ridiculous. So he got his B.S. and then a Ph.D. and taught medicine instead. Which just means we’ve been through a LOT of schooling together.
After teaching for a scant six years, and always having that wistful look in his eyes as his students moved on through their medical school training, I told him he should follow his dream. It only took a little reassuring to convince him. I could tell he really wanted to.
So 21 years ago, I didn’t expect to be living the student life again, but here we are. Doc started his 3rd year of med school last week, which is when they start doing rounds in the hospital (read gone all the time). Unlike most students, we have two middle-age kids in tow. It’s a vastly different life than I thought I’d be living at this age, but it’s a good one. And I’m excellent at frugal living, so better me than your Paris Hilton high-maintenance type. They’d wither away. But I can take it.
20 years ago I thought I’d have at least 4 or 5 kids by now, and have always wished for more.
But I didn’t dream that I’d be a super-senior part-time flight attendant who only has to work 3-4 days a month. And I didn’t dream that I’d get to have traveled to all the places I have. And I didn’t imagine that I’d be as happy on the inside as I’d always tried to look on the outside. I didn’t imagine the wondrous friends who would become part of my life. I didn’t know what interests and abilities I’d discover in myself.
I don't think anyone's life turns out how they planned. But I believe that things can turn out better than expected. In my case it’s been devilishly hard at times, but I’ve hung in there and am reaping the sweet joys of enduring difficult times. There’s something about challenges in life that, if we allow them to, seem to be an essential part of the refining and polishing process. Enduring is good for the soul.
How has your life differed from your expectations and dreams of the past, and what are your hopes for the next ten years?
♥
This post was inspired by this one.
After teaching for a scant six years, and always having that wistful look in his eyes as his students moved on through their medical school training, I told him he should follow his dream. It only took a little reassuring to convince him. I could tell he really wanted to.
So 21 years ago, I didn’t expect to be living the student life again, but here we are. Doc started his 3rd year of med school last week, which is when they start doing rounds in the hospital (read gone all the time). Unlike most students, we have two middle-age kids in tow. It’s a vastly different life than I thought I’d be living at this age, but it’s a good one. And I’m excellent at frugal living, so better me than your Paris Hilton high-maintenance type. They’d wither away. But I can take it.
20 years ago I thought I’d have at least 4 or 5 kids by now, and have always wished for more.
But I didn’t dream that I’d be a super-senior part-time flight attendant who only has to work 3-4 days a month. And I didn’t dream that I’d get to have traveled to all the places I have. And I didn’t imagine that I’d be as happy on the inside as I’d always tried to look on the outside. I didn’t imagine the wondrous friends who would become part of my life. I didn’t know what interests and abilities I’d discover in myself.
I don't think anyone's life turns out how they planned. But I believe that things can turn out better than expected. In my case it’s been devilishly hard at times, but I’ve hung in there and am reaping the sweet joys of enduring difficult times. There’s something about challenges in life that, if we allow them to, seem to be an essential part of the refining and polishing process. Enduring is good for the soul.
How has your life differed from your expectations and dreams of the past, and what are your hopes for the next ten years?
♥
This post was inspired by this one.
My Aura...
I don't know how accurate these kinds of things are, but one thing is definitely true...I am Blue!
Your Aura is Blue |
 Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life. You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships. The purpose of your life: showing love to other people Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dali Lama, Oprah Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor |
What Color Is Your Aura?
(Ha! Like "Psychic" is a career! Where's the "Nursing", "School teacher", "Hospice Care" that I usually get for these types of things?)
Tricked out RV
I've been flying absolutely crazy hours the past four days. It was all red-eye flying...where I'd leave Washington DC at 4pm, fly to the west coast and then straight back to DC again. We arrived at 6am, headed to the hotel and sleep for a few hours before starting the process all over again. So it was all I could do to check my email through my bleary eyes before my head hit the pillow.
But I'm home now, happy to see Doc and hear his stories from his first week doing rotations in the hospital. He started out with a bang in GYN, standing in during hysterectomies and other procedures. Last night he was on call in the OB dept., and had 2 C-sections and 3 regular births. I love hearing about his adventures and the people he's meeting.
I'm also happy to be back with Bunch & Gator, who were with their cousins while I was gone. I'm very grateful for my S&B-in-law who are so gracious about keeping them for us sometimes. I know they're pretty easy punks to have around, but it's still a tremendous service that I don't take for granted. And this time was especially hard, because they had 11 kids under their roof at one point (watching other cousins too). ELEVEN! And then the flu hit fast and furious, taking out my SIL and 6 of the kids. I can only imagine, and am still hoping my punks are spared...so far so good.
So what the heck is Tricked out RV?
Well I have a pilot friend who lives in Montana, but he has a cool camper-van-RV dealio that he keeps in California . Now I've been inside an RV before, but never actually driven around in one. Growing up I remember thinking that it would be the ultimate fort...and harbored secret fantasies that my parents would buy one and put it in our back yard so that I could live in there instead of in the garage with all the bugs.
That never happened, but my friend generously offered his RV to me to take the kids for a week of beach camping in CA. He gave me a thorough tutorial in how to operate everything, handed me the key, and now we're good to go. It's got a shower, toilet, fridge, stove, sink, TV/VCR, and all the regular comforts of home, just waiting for us to enjoy them. There's a campground at the State Beach which has RV Camping. The online reservation site is all booked up, but I'm hoping they have a few slots available for 1st come-1st served walkup. There is some mention of that. If so, then we are going to have us a fun little RV beach campout. If not, we'll have ourselves a fun little RV campout. Somewhere. And we have a lot of other exciting things in store for us too, which I'm not going to write about since The Bunchkin reads my blog and it's fun to surprise my kids with happy adventures. We're super excited.
So we're off again in a couple days. It is only right, as my sisters are currently in Italy and Tahiti. I know we were just in Puerto Rico 2 weeks ago. But Italy and Tahiti?!! Freak. Plus Doc could use the peace and quiet when he's home trying to catch some zzzz's.
I don't know if I'll have internet access, but will document our adventures as soon as I can. Meanwhile, what are you up to??? Anything on the docket, or are you living each day spontaneously? I'd love to hear your plans. And any RVing advice you may have. Toodles!
♥
But I'm home now, happy to see Doc and hear his stories from his first week doing rotations in the hospital. He started out with a bang in GYN, standing in during hysterectomies and other procedures. Last night he was on call in the OB dept., and had 2 C-sections and 3 regular births. I love hearing about his adventures and the people he's meeting.
I'm also happy to be back with Bunch & Gator, who were with their cousins while I was gone. I'm very grateful for my S&B-in-law who are so gracious about keeping them for us sometimes. I know they're pretty easy punks to have around, but it's still a tremendous service that I don't take for granted. And this time was especially hard, because they had 11 kids under their roof at one point (watching other cousins too). ELEVEN! And then the flu hit fast and furious, taking out my SIL and 6 of the kids. I can only imagine, and am still hoping my punks are spared...so far so good.
So what the heck is Tricked out RV?
Well I have a pilot friend who lives in Montana, but he has a cool camper-van-RV dealio that he keeps in California . Now I've been inside an RV before, but never actually driven around in one. Growing up I remember thinking that it would be the ultimate fort...and harbored secret fantasies that my parents would buy one and put it in our back yard so that I could live in there instead of in the garage with all the bugs.
That never happened, but my friend generously offered his RV to me to take the kids for a week of beach camping in CA. He gave me a thorough tutorial in how to operate everything, handed me the key, and now we're good to go. It's got a shower, toilet, fridge, stove, sink, TV/VCR, and all the regular comforts of home, just waiting for us to enjoy them. There's a campground at the State Beach which has RV Camping. The online reservation site is all booked up, but I'm hoping they have a few slots available for 1st come-1st served walkup. There is some mention of that. If so, then we are going to have us a fun little RV beach campout. If not, we'll have ourselves a fun little RV campout. Somewhere. And we have a lot of other exciting things in store for us too, which I'm not going to write about since The Bunchkin reads my blog and it's fun to surprise my kids with happy adventures. We're super excited.
So we're off again in a couple days. It is only right, as my sisters are currently in Italy and Tahiti. I know we were just in Puerto Rico 2 weeks ago. But Italy and Tahiti?!! Freak. Plus Doc could use the peace and quiet when he's home trying to catch some zzzz's.
I don't know if I'll have internet access, but will document our adventures as soon as I can. Meanwhile, what are you up to??? Anything on the docket, or are you living each day spontaneously? I'd love to hear your plans. And any RVing advice you may have. Toodles!
♥
Monday, July 7, 2008
Half Done...
Just thought I'd let ya'll know that I'm 1/2 done with my Couch to 5K training program, and YAY ME! I haven't missed a single workout! Anyone who knows me knows how huge this is for me. I've been a computer potato for so long...
And happy day, the scale has started to slide in the other direction...which I'm thrilled about because let's just say it wasn't headed north due to increased muscle mass. More like increased pie consumption. But that's another matter which you can ask me about later.
The best news is that I've been able to just get out there, do my running assignment for the day, and finish without knee pain! You can't buy that kind of gratitude man. Pain is miserable. I really feel for all the lovely people who live with pain every day, and cherish the fact that right now I'm pain-free.
The trick this week is going to be getting my run in between flights. I am pulling all-nighters every night starting Wednesday...with just 9 hours on the ground to get to the hotel, day-sleep, and get back on the van to the airport again. I'll barely have enough time to catch 8 winks to renew me for another night of red-eye turns, but I'm determined not to miss any of my runs. So I'll be chugging along the streets of DC at dawn this Friday morning. Honk if you see me! ♥
And happy day, the scale has started to slide in the other direction...which I'm thrilled about because let's just say it wasn't headed north due to increased muscle mass. More like increased pie consumption. But that's another matter which you can ask me about later.
The best news is that I've been able to just get out there, do my running assignment for the day, and finish without knee pain! You can't buy that kind of gratitude man. Pain is miserable. I really feel for all the lovely people who live with pain every day, and cherish the fact that right now I'm pain-free.
The trick this week is going to be getting my run in between flights. I am pulling all-nighters every night starting Wednesday...with just 9 hours on the ground to get to the hotel, day-sleep, and get back on the van to the airport again. I'll barely have enough time to catch 8 winks to renew me for another night of red-eye turns, but I'm determined not to miss any of my runs. So I'll be chugging along the streets of DC at dawn this Friday morning. Honk if you see me! ♥
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Tomorrow
Tomorrow begins the third year of medical school for Doc.
Since I knew nothing about how this whole process worked before I had a spouse going through it, probably some of you are in the dark too. So in a nutshell, the first two years of med school consist of your traditional classroom instruction and exams. More or less like the experience most people have in college, only instead of your instructors turning a garden hose of information on you, in medical school it's more like a fire hose is unleashed, and it's aimed straight at your head, and you're expected to swallow every last drop of information and regurgitate it on the exams that come at you fast and furious.
Doc handled that part no sweat. He's a born student, that one. (Okay, he'd refute my "no sweat" claim. But I'm just keeping it all relative...because compared to say, ME, he handled it no sweat. I mean, hardly even a drop of perspiration. But he's too modest to say so himself.)
The third year is when the students start their hospital clerkships, more commonly known as rotations, in different areas of medicine. Each student spends six weeks on each rotation, eventually gaining exposure to the various facets of medicine. Obviously, since they can't have a hundred eager beaver medical students following the surgery team around all at once, the student's schedules are divided up so only a few are on each rotation at a time. Most of Doc's study buddies ("The Girls") are starting Internal Medicine in the morning, which is intense in it's own way. But not Doc. Oh no, not Doc.
GYN. As in OB/GYN. As in Pap Smears and Pelvic Exams. That's what he's starting with tomorrow morning. (I feel sorry for females suddenly!) Three exciting weeks of GYN followed by three weeks of OB, in two different hospitals. Yep...he's starting out with a bang (or poke, as the case may be). Way to dive in and immerse yourself in patient care Doc! It's like the polar bear swim they had every winter up in Vermont...not for the faint of heart.
At our quarterly crepe party last night with his study buddies, The Girls and other students there were all atwitter about tomorrow.
The best analogy they could offer that would be in my limited realm of experience is how it felt before the first day of high school. You're kind of excited, but also keenly aware that you're going to be the little fish in the big pond, and the upper classmates are going to be drilling you on things and trying to make you look stupid. But at least they won't be rated by their upper classmates on a -10 to +10 scale (written on paper plates and held up for all to see) based entirely on their appearance as they walk into the facility. (As a freshman, I was a -8, which was just a foreshadow of the experiences to come. Ahh, good times!)
Tomorrow he's got an easy 8:00 a.m. start, because they have a little orientation to get things rolling. But that'll be the end of his "lazy mornings" because it's a pretty intense rotation. Following OB/GYN, he moves on to Surgery (which is a pretty rigorous clerkship too). So we won't be seeing much of Doc for the rest of the summer, which is why I'm so grateful to have the memories of our time together last week in Puerto Rico. Oh, I still have to put up a slideshow of that trip on here. Thanks for the reminder. I'll get that up tomorrow.
I'm grateful for all those who will be pitching in and helping me out with Bunch & Gator care. I fly later this week, and am blessed that their aunt and uncle are willing to just take them home for some rollicking good cousin times. Once school starts for the kids next month, I'll have to find a local solution for managing child care while Doc's gone and I'm flying. But things always work out in life, and I'm confident that a way for us to do what we need to will present itself.
Here's to all the patients everywhere who are about to be seen by doctors and their green med students in the coming days! Thanks for your patience as they learn how to work with patients! ♥
Since I knew nothing about how this whole process worked before I had a spouse going through it, probably some of you are in the dark too. So in a nutshell, the first two years of med school consist of your traditional classroom instruction and exams. More or less like the experience most people have in college, only instead of your instructors turning a garden hose of information on you, in medical school it's more like a fire hose is unleashed, and it's aimed straight at your head, and you're expected to swallow every last drop of information and regurgitate it on the exams that come at you fast and furious.
Doc handled that part no sweat. He's a born student, that one. (Okay, he'd refute my "no sweat" claim. But I'm just keeping it all relative...because compared to say, ME, he handled it no sweat. I mean, hardly even a drop of perspiration. But he's too modest to say so himself.)
The third year is when the students start their hospital clerkships, more commonly known as rotations, in different areas of medicine. Each student spends six weeks on each rotation, eventually gaining exposure to the various facets of medicine. Obviously, since they can't have a hundred eager beaver medical students following the surgery team around all at once, the student's schedules are divided up so only a few are on each rotation at a time. Most of Doc's study buddies ("The Girls") are starting Internal Medicine in the morning, which is intense in it's own way. But not Doc. Oh no, not Doc.
GYN. As in OB/GYN. As in Pap Smears and Pelvic Exams. That's what he's starting with tomorrow morning. (I feel sorry for females suddenly!) Three exciting weeks of GYN followed by three weeks of OB, in two different hospitals. Yep...he's starting out with a bang (or poke, as the case may be). Way to dive in and immerse yourself in patient care Doc! It's like the polar bear swim they had every winter up in Vermont...not for the faint of heart.
At our quarterly crepe party last night with his study buddies, The Girls and other students there were all atwitter about tomorrow.
The best analogy they could offer that would be in my limited realm of experience is how it felt before the first day of high school. You're kind of excited, but also keenly aware that you're going to be the little fish in the big pond, and the upper classmates are going to be drilling you on things and trying to make you look stupid. But at least they won't be rated by their upper classmates on a -10 to +10 scale (written on paper plates and held up for all to see) based entirely on their appearance as they walk into the facility. (As a freshman, I was a -8, which was just a foreshadow of the experiences to come. Ahh, good times!)Tomorrow he's got an easy 8:00 a.m. start, because they have a little orientation to get things rolling. But that'll be the end of his "lazy mornings" because it's a pretty intense rotation. Following OB/GYN, he moves on to Surgery (which is a pretty rigorous clerkship too). So we won't be seeing much of Doc for the rest of the summer, which is why I'm so grateful to have the memories of our time together last week in Puerto Rico. Oh, I still have to put up a slideshow of that trip on here. Thanks for the reminder. I'll get that up tomorrow.
I'm grateful for all those who will be pitching in and helping me out with Bunch & Gator care. I fly later this week, and am blessed that their aunt and uncle are willing to just take them home for some rollicking good cousin times. Once school starts for the kids next month, I'll have to find a local solution for managing child care while Doc's gone and I'm flying. But things always work out in life, and I'm confident that a way for us to do what we need to will present itself.
Here's to all the patients everywhere who are about to be seen by doctors and their green med students in the coming days! Thanks for your patience as they learn how to work with patients! ♥
Four Books
This past week I read four different books which, in keeping with my new resolve to document, I will note here. My rating system will be a 1-5 ♥ scale...with 5 being the highest recommendation. If I ever give something more than 5♥, that means it utterly rocked my world. Don't hold your breath!
Saturday by Ian McEwan. ♥♥♥
This story got off to a slow start for me. I brought it on our trip to read, and I swear I read the first page about 8 times before I finally managed to focus in and get my head in the story...which I finally did. The whole book transpires in one day, so there is a ton of introspection and internal dialogue. It's not a fast read. I gave it 3 hearts because I enjoy medical stories, but if you don't, your mileage may vary.
Loved Like That by Julie Wright ♥♥♥♥♥
I was running on very little sleep from our travels home, but decided to just read the first few pages of this book by my friend Julie Wright before I went to bed. At 5:30 a.m. I turned the last page and finished the thing. I paid for it all the next day, but I guess I'm a sap for stories like this one. Thanks Julie! I'll never recoup that night of lost sleep, but I enjoyed your story greatly. I should note that it's LDS Fic. But if you're the intended audience, then you'll definitely enjoy Loved Like That.
To Catch a Falling Star by Julie Wright ♥♥♥♥♥
So you'd think I'd have learned my lesson. But Noooo! I woke up after my all-nighter and dove right into this next Julie Wright book and perpetuated the sleep deprivation. Again, she's a delightful story teller. Maybe I'm biased, because I happen to like the author so much and she's a friend of mine. But I think any LDS'r would enjoy this one without reservation.
Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock ♥♥♥♥
This book just reached in, grabbed my heart, squeezed hard and twisted it right around. It was a tough subject matter for me to read about. You can read the bit on Amazon if you'd like the summary. Only four hearts because the subject matter isn't for everyone. But it really worked itself under my skin.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Sole's Favorite Things Package!
Remember last month when I wrote about a Favorite Things Swap? I had a few concerns...based on all the chain letters and things like that which I've done in my youth. But, I decided to go for it...live on the wild side of life for once. I sent my information in to Kelly, who was organizing the whole thing.
Kelly paired me up with a darling young mom named Sole ("Soul-eee") who has a new blog. I read Sole's blog and then sent her a little package of some of my favorite things. I hope that she likes them!
Just now her package arrived. So fun! Want to see???
That tissue looks familiar! What's under it?
How cute is this?
Thank you so much Sole! It's perfect!!!
And thanks Kelly! This was fun! ♥
Kelly paired me up with a darling young mom named Sole ("Soul-eee") who has a new blog. I read Sole's blog and then sent her a little package of some of my favorite things. I hope that she likes them!
Just now her package arrived. So fun! Want to see???
Here's the box. Let's open it up!
That tissue looks familiar! What's under it?
How cute is this?
- A great Meals in Minutes cookbook (which Bunch immediately declared perfect for starting to cook with...thanks Sole!)
- Yummy Cherry Oat Crunch pie topping...which means I'll just HAVE to make PIE, which is one of my most very favorite things in the WORLD, as my thighs will unfortunately attest
- Cute Cherry note cards which I love because you just can't have too many of those
- And a perfectly adorable white with red -trim bowl. I love it! Love it all!
Thank you so much Sole! It's perfect!!!And thanks Kelly! This was fun! ♥
Trivia about our founding fathers
The Declaration of Independence essentially said that the American Colonies wanted their freedom from England. Fifty-six of our Founding Fathers knowingly laid their lives, liberty and honor on the line when they signed that Declaration. It took eight years of war to win our Independence. In that war, nine of the signers were killed in action, five died as prisoners of war, 12 had homes burned, several lost sons, one man's wife died in prison and 16 went broke. We are all beneficiaries of their sacrifice, and I feel so grateful for all who paved the way for us to live with the freedoms we enjoy today.
♥
Friday, July 4, 2008
Fourth of July Parade
Two years ago yesterday, we pulled into our driveway for the first time. Three terrific guys, Scott, Miles & McKay appeared and helped us unload our belongings from the moving truck, and when we were finished, they told us about the parade that would take place the next morning to celebrate the 4th of July.
It's the best neighborhood parade! A completely small town deal...kids on bicycles, homemade floats etc. Anyone is free to march in it, you just have to show up. So lots of families have an annual tradition of dressing up and starting their July 4th celebration by participating in this parade. The kids love it because the people in the parade throw loads of sweets out to the crowds. My own two punks reminded me of pigeons...darting out and about snatching up any candy that was within their reach. "Our pumpkins are empty!" they said, to justify themselves (they keep any treats they get during the year in their Halloween pumpkins). I tried to make sure they shared with those less-aggressive kids around them.
Patriotism always chokes me up, and today was no exception. I love this country, the principles it was established upon, the people who labored so hard to get it started, those who have fought to preserve it, and the good people still fighting to hold it together. There is no shortage of people who would destroy our constitution given the chance, and I'm so grateful for all who defend it. I know it was inspired.
I snapped a few pictures to capture the feel of this great annual neighborhood event.
Bunch & Gator waiting for the start.
Our local motorcop brigade clears the route for the start of the parade.
Bunch, Blue & Gator
Unicycle boys...impressive!
Go BYU & UofU!
My friends Michelle & Betsy with some of their kids
Colonial musicians.
Vote! Because we can.
Gator liked this Peter Pan & Cap'n Hook Float.
The bubbles were a nice effect on this cute float.
The Hinckley float...an annual tradition. He and his family lived here.
Be Grateful
Be Smart
Be Clean
Be True
Be Humble
Be Prayerful
Have a wonderful Fourth of July celebration today! God Bless our America! ♥
It's the best neighborhood parade! A completely small town deal...kids on bicycles, homemade floats etc. Anyone is free to march in it, you just have to show up. So lots of families have an annual tradition of dressing up and starting their July 4th celebration by participating in this parade. The kids love it because the people in the parade throw loads of sweets out to the crowds. My own two punks reminded me of pigeons...darting out and about snatching up any candy that was within their reach. "Our pumpkins are empty!" they said, to justify themselves (they keep any treats they get during the year in their Halloween pumpkins). I tried to make sure they shared with those less-aggressive kids around them.
Patriotism always chokes me up, and today was no exception. I love this country, the principles it was established upon, the people who labored so hard to get it started, those who have fought to preserve it, and the good people still fighting to hold it together. There is no shortage of people who would destroy our constitution given the chance, and I'm so grateful for all who defend it. I know it was inspired.
I snapped a few pictures to capture the feel of this great annual neighborhood event.
Bunch & Gator waiting for the start.
Our local motorcop brigade clears the route for the start of the parade.
Bunch, Blue & Gator
Unicycle boys...impressive!
Go BYU & UofU!
My friends Michelle & Betsy with some of their kids
Colonial musicians.
Vote! Because we can.
Gator liked this Peter Pan & Cap'n Hook Float.
The bubbles were a nice effect on this cute float.
The Hinckley float...an annual tradition. He and his family lived here.
Be GratefulBe Smart
Be Clean
Be True
Be Humble
Be Prayerful
Have a wonderful Fourth of July celebration today! God Bless our America! ♥
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Here's To...
- All those who've fought throughout history for freedom, liberty and human rights.
- Those who struggle with mental health problems that they just can't help.
- The people who live in run down, impoverished areas throughout the earth...even though they're no less important than those who don't.
- Kids who aren't in safe situations.
- People who are hungry.
- Anyone who ever had a positive change of heart.
- The homeless, the downtrodden, the anguished of soul.
- Those who have ever struggled with their weight.
- Everyone who ever set a good example.
- People who have low self-esteem because they can't see who they really are.
- Parents who teach their children correct principles and values.
- The artists who add beauty to the world through their creative endeavors.
- People who share freely.
- Gardeners everywhere...I love beautiful gardens.
- The writers who inspire, entertain and teach with their works.
- People who sacrifice time, means and resources to serve others.
- People who've managed to make peace with their enemies and those who've been a challenge to them.
- Great fathers.
- The unemployed who are trying to find work.
- Visionaries and innovators.
- Every random act of kindness ever done.
- The woman in an abusive situation who doesn't know how to get out of it.
- Students all over the world at any age who are striving to learn and grow.
- Great bloggers...you're changing lives.
- Farmers and ranchers who do hard, physical labor every day to supply the world with food.
- Knowledgeable doctors who care.
- People who are humble.
- Mothers.
- Great musicians...your music fills my soul.
- Children who remind me of what really matters in life.
- People who are there for others in times of need.
- Good people everywhere who make life better, one moment at a time. Here's to all of you. May peace be yours ♥
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