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Thursday, January 10, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Today's Randomness
The night before T-day, I didn't sleep very well. Strangely enough, I wasn't tossing & turning worrying about the exam, but kept waking up because I was having strange dreams. One of the dreams was very disturbing. I dreamt that a friend of mine (who is not a real person in real life), died. Not only was I very sad, but everyone around me was also because we were all friends with her. What was really strange was that this woman was a big, jolly Hawaiian woman. It was soooo odd. Last night when I was out dining with Hubby, I told him about this dream & he immediately started to interpret it. He thinks that this BIG lady was PA school and the death represents that part of my life ending. Her jolliness, the association with my love of Hawaii, & my friends also being sad represented all the good times I had during PA school that will be missed. I think hubby was probably right in his interpretation. Perhaps was dead on! HA! Ok, sorry for the pun. I was so amazed at how immediate his reaction was to the story of my dream. He truly amazes me sometimes.
PA school was such a HUGE part of my life. It completely consumed me over these past almost 3 years. From applying, to waiting to hear if I got in, to the RIGOROUS time spent in school. It was my life & now that the PANCE is over with, it is completely over. I don't have to study at such intensity any more. Yes, I will be reading to keep up with what's going on in the medical world, and I am required to do what is known as CMEs (continued medical education credits). But the major intensity of study is over, or atleast until I have to take the recertification exam again in 6 years. Hopefully, I will keep in touch with the friends I made, but I won't be seeing them nearly as often. We lived and breathed PA school together. So, there is some sadness in this part of my life being over....
But a new chapter begins very soon as I embark on my new career and I can't wait to share it with you.
*************
Another next major step in my and hubby's life is to sell our townhome and move into a bigger home that will be closer to H-town. We are currently living in a cute little 1600 sq ft townhome that we purchased right before I started PA school. This is our first home and previous to this, we did the apartment thing for several (for hubby it was MANY) years. We decided that we wanted to buy this townhome so that I would be closer to campus and so we didn't have to throw our money away anymore by renting. We knew this would be temporary, but it has been fun. It has also been relatively easy to care for which has been a God send since we have both been so busy. We have been accruing equity, we have had more space, a little yard, a 2 car garage, and all within a safe neighborhood. We are not staying here long term because we want a bigger, single family home & we want to live closer to H-town. Hubby sacrificed a lot to move to this almost BFE town. His commute is AWFUL. He averages almost 3 hours total commute time a day. AWFUL. The driving experience did improve when he purchased the convertible MINI Cooper S, but still. THREE HOURS a day is bad. And now that I, too, will be working in H-town "inside the loop", as we say around here. We will be improving our quality of life by moving closer.
We aren't exactly sure when we will place our home on the market, but it will probably be after I have started working and have taken care of some debt & saved some money. The dilemma now is where to move? We have talked and talked and researched and researched and will continue to do so. We have considered moving "inside the loop", just outside "the loop", or moving to a beautiful suburb that is closer (and more upscale) than the one we are in now. We saw some beautiful homes over the weekend, which I posted about & linked to a few days ago. They have communities in the Heights and other areas inside the loop & also have a community in Spring Branch on a little lake. They were soooo pretty, but NO LAND and then there is the decrease in safety by living in or near the city. Our commutes would be so short, we could have an urban lifestyle and be closer to more shopping, restaurants, the arts, museums, sports, city parks, etc. BUT if we move to the suburbs, we would have more land, safety to walk/run in the neighborhood alone, room for Hubby's "Italian sports car," it would be less expensive, a local pool (and potential to have our own), local workout facilities, town centers, etc. There are plus and minuses to both. We really like Southern Trails and Sienna Plantation and still really like this house.
So, as you see we have a lot to think about and consider before we take the next big leap in home ownership. Either way, we can't wait! We want the next home to be our long term, if not forever, home. A place where all of our family and friends feel welcomed and see it as home away from home. A place where we can have big family get-togethers, dinner parties, or just a comfortable night at home alone. We want it to be Home-Sweet-Home.
PA school was such a HUGE part of my life. It completely consumed me over these past almost 3 years. From applying, to waiting to hear if I got in, to the RIGOROUS time spent in school. It was my life & now that the PANCE is over with, it is completely over. I don't have to study at such intensity any more. Yes, I will be reading to keep up with what's going on in the medical world, and I am required to do what is known as CMEs (continued medical education credits). But the major intensity of study is over, or atleast until I have to take the recertification exam again in 6 years. Hopefully, I will keep in touch with the friends I made, but I won't be seeing them nearly as often. We lived and breathed PA school together. So, there is some sadness in this part of my life being over....
But a new chapter begins very soon as I embark on my new career and I can't wait to share it with you.
*************
Another next major step in my and hubby's life is to sell our townhome and move into a bigger home that will be closer to H-town. We are currently living in a cute little 1600 sq ft townhome that we purchased right before I started PA school. This is our first home and previous to this, we did the apartment thing for several (for hubby it was MANY) years. We decided that we wanted to buy this townhome so that I would be closer to campus and so we didn't have to throw our money away anymore by renting. We knew this would be temporary, but it has been fun. It has also been relatively easy to care for which has been a God send since we have both been so busy. We have been accruing equity, we have had more space, a little yard, a 2 car garage, and all within a safe neighborhood. We are not staying here long term because we want a bigger, single family home & we want to live closer to H-town. Hubby sacrificed a lot to move to this almost BFE town. His commute is AWFUL. He averages almost 3 hours total commute time a day. AWFUL. The driving experience did improve when he purchased the convertible MINI Cooper S, but still. THREE HOURS a day is bad. And now that I, too, will be working in H-town "inside the loop", as we say around here. We will be improving our quality of life by moving closer.
We aren't exactly sure when we will place our home on the market, but it will probably be after I have started working and have taken care of some debt & saved some money. The dilemma now is where to move? We have talked and talked and researched and researched and will continue to do so. We have considered moving "inside the loop", just outside "the loop", or moving to a beautiful suburb that is closer (and more upscale) than the one we are in now. We saw some beautiful homes over the weekend, which I posted about & linked to a few days ago. They have communities in the Heights and other areas inside the loop & also have a community in Spring Branch on a little lake. They were soooo pretty, but NO LAND and then there is the decrease in safety by living in or near the city. Our commutes would be so short, we could have an urban lifestyle and be closer to more shopping, restaurants, the arts, museums, sports, city parks, etc. BUT if we move to the suburbs, we would have more land, safety to walk/run in the neighborhood alone, room for Hubby's "Italian sports car," it would be less expensive, a local pool (and potential to have our own), local workout facilities, town centers, etc. There are plus and minuses to both. We really like Southern Trails and Sienna Plantation and still really like this house.
So, as you see we have a lot to think about and consider before we take the next big leap in home ownership. Either way, we can't wait! We want the next home to be our long term, if not forever, home. A place where all of our family and friends feel welcomed and see it as home away from home. A place where we can have big family get-togethers, dinner parties, or just a comfortable night at home alone. We want it to be Home-Sweet-Home.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
It's over & WWC
It feels so good to have it over with. Now my brain is mush. Let's hope I passed so I don't have to wait 90 days to retake it. ;) ug. Then I won't have to take it for another 6 years. (PAs have to take the recertification exam EVERY 6 years!)
Funny how most of the PA chicas wore black to the graduation banquet.
Black cap & gowns, of course, at graduation.
PAs make strange faces sometimes....all the studying makes us crazy!
I look a little strange with this contraption on my face....
The words for next week are:
Soft and Square
If you haven't joined the fun, go here for details.
I HATE BLOGGER SPACING ISSUES!
Ok. Brain. complete. mush. must. go slee....zzzzzzzzzz
I'll find out my score in 1-3 weeks. Keep the prayers goin!
Thanks to everyone for all of your support, thoughts, & prayers!!!! It has been much appreciated! Special thanks to ETK & TT for their lovely posts!!! You are the best! Love you!
OK onto this weeks WWC (see, I am a loyal blogger!!!):
The Weekly Words' Challenge is brought to us by the ever so beloved Tink over at Pickled Beef.
This weeks' words are BLACK and STRANGE.
Funny how most of the PA chicas wore black to the graduation banquet.
Black cap & gowns, of course, at graduation.
PAs make strange faces sometimes....all the studying makes us crazy!
I look a little strange with this contraption on my face....
The words for next week are:
Soft and Square
If you haven't joined the fun, go here for details.
I HATE BLOGGER SPACING ISSUES!
Ok. Brain. complete. mush. must. go slee....zzzzzzzzzz
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Thanks!
Thanks for the good lucks, etc.
I've been studying and studying and studying, although hubby & I sneaked in some restaurant eatin' & house research this weekend. Maybe I shouldn't have, but whatevs! I can't study 24-7 for months on end. We've essentially been "studying for boards" since our clinical rotations ended in June. SHEESH! (Remind me, I need to write my alma mater a letter about that silliness...it has been MONTHS since I have examined a patient...not good....but I digress....)
Anywho, more on the home search later. I must get back to reviewing heart murmurs!!!
Tuesday = 360 questions -> six 60 minute blocks = 6 testing hours, & 45 minutes total for break to use how we want after a block is finished. I can't wait to get it over!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've been studying and studying and studying, although hubby & I sneaked in some restaurant eatin' & house research this weekend. Maybe I shouldn't have, but whatevs! I can't study 24-7 for months on end. We've essentially been "studying for boards" since our clinical rotations ended in June. SHEESH! (Remind me, I need to write my alma mater a letter about that silliness...it has been MONTHS since I have examined a patient...not good....but I digress....)
Anywho, more on the home search later. I must get back to reviewing heart murmurs!!!
Tuesday = 360 questions -> six 60 minute blocks = 6 testing hours, & 45 minutes total for break to use how we want after a block is finished. I can't wait to get it over!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Going cross-eyed...
....from all the reading & studying!
Just 4 more days..... UG! I am finishing up Pulmonology today. Then the next 2 days are going to be a re-review of Cardiology (a HUGE part of the exam). On Monday, I'll probably do more practice questions, some last minute cram review, & then take the night off to relax and rest my mind before the SIX HOUR EXAM on Tuesday!!!!
On another note, I just signed up on Google Reader yesterday & subscribed to most of the blogs I read. Now I don't have to look like a stalker when I check your blogs all the time to see if you posted anything yet. :) It tells me when you've posted something new. Very cool!
Just 4 more days..... UG! I am finishing up Pulmonology today. Then the next 2 days are going to be a re-review of Cardiology (a HUGE part of the exam). On Monday, I'll probably do more practice questions, some last minute cram review, & then take the night off to relax and rest my mind before the SIX HOUR EXAM on Tuesday!!!!
On another note, I just signed up on Google Reader yesterday & subscribed to most of the blogs I read. Now I don't have to look like a stalker when I check your blogs all the time to see if you posted anything yet. :) It tells me when you've posted something new. Very cool!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
WWC
Weekly Words' Challenge brought to us by the ever so beloved Tink over at Pickled Beef.
This weeks' words are BROWN and PATTERN.
The words for next week are:
Strange and Black
If you haven't joined the fun, go here for details.
Next Tuesday is T-DAY (my board exam), so I'll be LATE on my WWC....
This weeks' words are BROWN and PATTERN.
The words for next week are:
Strange and Black
If you haven't joined the fun, go here for details.
Next Tuesday is T-DAY (my board exam), so I'll be LATE on my WWC....
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!!!
Well, even though we were not able to make it to any par-tays, Hubby & I had a nice evening. We discovered a new favorite restaurant & had an amazing dinner! We have passed by this little Italian restaurant many times, but never tried it until last night. From the outside it just looks like a hole-in-the-wall, but as many hole-in-the-walls are, it was excellent! Not fancy-schmancy by any means, but the food was outstanding! We started with the insalada caprese, hot rolls, salads & the house cab. Hubby had the penne con pesto with chicken dish and I had the eggplant parmigiana. We finished it off with Lavazza cappucino & shared a Chocolate Mousse that had rich chocolate cake layered with whiten & dark chocolate mousse, topped with chocolate ganache. I haven't been to Italy (yet...that'll be the 2009 trip...), but I have had REAL NEW YORK ITALIAN food & this was right up there with it. DEE-LISH! The sauce was homemade & awesome, the "mozzarel" was fresh & moist, the breaded eggplant was amazing, the cappucino was the best I've had in a long time, & the homemade mousse pie was to-die-for. Well done, Angello! Well done. We'll be back fo' sho'! (Hopefully soon....we need to try the pies (pizza) next! Bene!
Then we came home, watched some Family Guy & Futurama in our utter dorkiness & I think I crashed by 10:30 or 11. Staying up until midnight wasn't going to happen after that meal! zzzz!
I had planned on watching the Rose Bowl parade this morning while studying, but alas, the stoopid cable was out. Apparently for 12 hours!!! Apparently someone at Comcast had a bit too much of the bubbly & made a royal screw up??? BUT, that gave us the opportunity to watch our Secret of NIMH DVD (thanks, ETK!). We hadn't watched that movie in YEARS! Both of us love that movie/story. (Ironic, since we both previously worked in research labs...) We LOVE Jonathan!! SPARKLEYS!!! He is too funny! Gotta love Dom Deluise. ;)
Then....back to studying....which is what I did ALL day yesterday and most of today (and will continue tonight....ho hum.) and on & on until TUESDAY - T DAY!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, I hope you all have a great 2008! From what I have heard/read, sounds like several peeps have had a difficult year. I hope 2008 will be better for you all.
As for me, it is going to be yet another year of change. I will be starting my new career within a month or two, and will be facing a HUGE learning curve. But I love challenges & I welcome them. I am excited about it.
I am not one for resolutions, but I do have a list of wants for the year:
1. I want to pass the PANCE.
2. I want to enjoy my new career/job as a surgical PA-C.
3. I want to spend more time with family & friends.
4. I want to make more friends & hopefully find some more COUPLE friends that Hubby & I can hang out with.
5. I hope we can sell our townhome & be in a bigger, nicer, single family home by next year.
6. I want to get into better shape/health & lose weight & to be a runner again!
7. I want to gain my sense of style back & acquire more sophisticated clothes...and maybe pamper myself more than I have in the past 2.5 years.
8. I hope to do some more traveling. 2007 was a fairly busy travel year: San Francisco/Napa with BFF, Pensacola with ETK & Baby, Whitewater rafting/camping in Tennessee with ETK & Baby, Ohio for a funeral :(, & the graduation trip to Maui. We probably won't have a MAJOR trip this year (again, Italy is the goal for 2009), but we have some plans....Oregon in May, maybe a hiking/camping trip to the Grand Canyon, Utah, & maybe a night in Las Vegas???, perhaps another camping or B&B trip to Fredericksburg, TX...we'll see...
9. And finally, to have more fun!!! :o)
Happy New Year! Cheers!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
I'm Looking California, but Feeling Minnesota
More randomness.......
1. I got a lot of good studying done today. YAY! I finished GI & I am such a dork b/c I love GI!!! I guess that's a good thing b/c I am going to be a GI surgical oncology PA (liver, specifically). ;)
2. I absolutely LOVE the new wine glasses that my sis got me. It is so nice to be drinking wine out of proper and nicer wine glasses. It's been one of those things I have been wanting, but just never got around to buying. LOVE THEM! They are classically beautiful, perfectly weighted, & they actually let the wine BREATH. Someday I truly want to be a wine snob. I do. Seriously. I knew I should have taken that wine class when I was at Cornell. shucks! Oh, but the bad thing about these properly sized red wine glasses....I sometimes pour too much. Hubby calls it an "Alli glass." I'm not a wino. I swears!
3. With the new Jukes, we are enjoying some good tunes. Thanks to ETK & Hubby, I am currently (and quite behind) REALLY loving the Garden State Soundtrack. Now I just need to buy the movie & some of the bands that are on the soundtrack. I heart Frou Frou!!
4. Speaking of music.... The title of this blog, for those of you that don't know or remember, is a line from an old Soundgarden song. I loved Soundgarden (still do)!!! Doesn't Chris Cornell have an amazing voice? I don't know what exactly the song means, but I think that is how I feel sometimes...
5. I'm bummed.... I was invited to 2 New Years parties this year, and I won't be going to either one. AND both are friends I haven't seen in forever. I need to be a party pooper this year so I can stay focused. 9 more days.....then freedom..... Then I can be social again. ;)
6. I like numbering things.
1. I got a lot of good studying done today. YAY! I finished GI & I am such a dork b/c I love GI!!! I guess that's a good thing b/c I am going to be a GI surgical oncology PA (liver, specifically). ;)
2. I absolutely LOVE the new wine glasses that my sis got me. It is so nice to be drinking wine out of proper and nicer wine glasses. It's been one of those things I have been wanting, but just never got around to buying. LOVE THEM! They are classically beautiful, perfectly weighted, & they actually let the wine BREATH. Someday I truly want to be a wine snob. I do. Seriously. I knew I should have taken that wine class when I was at Cornell. shucks! Oh, but the bad thing about these properly sized red wine glasses....I sometimes pour too much. Hubby calls it an "Alli glass." I'm not a wino. I swears!
3. With the new Jukes, we are enjoying some good tunes. Thanks to ETK & Hubby, I am currently (and quite behind) REALLY loving the Garden State Soundtrack. Now I just need to buy the movie & some of the bands that are on the soundtrack. I heart Frou Frou!!
4. Speaking of music.... The title of this blog, for those of you that don't know or remember, is a line from an old Soundgarden song. I loved Soundgarden (still do)!!! Doesn't Chris Cornell have an amazing voice? I don't know what exactly the song means, but I think that is how I feel sometimes...
5. I'm bummed.... I was invited to 2 New Years parties this year, and I won't be going to either one. AND both are friends I haven't seen in forever. I need to be a party pooper this year so I can stay focused. 9 more days.....then freedom..... Then I can be social again. ;)
6. I like numbering things.
Brown Eyed Girl Christmas 2007
Photos from my family & Hubby's Texas family Christmas. Unfortunately, dumb me forgot to charge my battery & didn't bring the back up at my 'rents' house...so less pix. Anywho, enjoy!
Hope you all have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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