What's in My Bag?

My fabulous friend Jamie revealed to us what was in her bag, and she tagged me, so here I am, sharing my bag with the world...

And this is my sad, little (actually not so little) bag. She's old and cheap and she's kind of "fug", but she serves her purpose:


Of course, I have to carry my books, highlighters, thumb drive, and pens everywhere I go:


And I never go anywhere these days without coffee, water, Odwalla bars, and my stethoscope:


And finally, my wallet, planner, cell phone, head phones, sunglasses, and lip glosses:

So, I hope y'all enjoyed taking a peek in my bag. What's in your bag?

I am especially interested to see:
1. Courtney
2. Springer
3. Rachel Buckley
4. Jessica Prier
5. Amy Grace

Daily Affirmations

This little girl is adorable. I wish I could start my day like this everyday!

Happy

I am happy to announce that I did well on my boards. I really did it, and I still can't believe it. Considering the panic that followed the 3 weeks after that beast of a test - I am relieved to say that I succeeded and reached my goal.

On a different note...
For the last 3 weeks I have been working with a practicing family physician, and it has been an emotional and amazing experience. Seeing patients on a day-to-day basis helps me realize why I am working so hard - to help people feel better.
I am surprised by how rewarding it is to celebrate with a diabetic who has worked hard to maintain low blood sugars and see the effect that it is having on her life. I am so excited when an obese young adult takes the first step and asks about diet and exercise programs. I am relieved when a man's Hepatitis test is negative, and eager to discover what is causing his symptoms.
I have discovered that medical school really is so much more than books and board exams - and this makes me happy.

Peace,
AW

We're back...

...and feeling very relaxed!
Our trip to Costa Rica was much needed, and I feel great! Honestly, I haven't felt this rested in 2 years...I can't imagine why.
It was so wonderful to enjoy a new country with my wonderful hubby. We both shared 2 first experiences - zip lining and scuba diving.
We have many, many pictures, so I will share a few:

[enjoying a yummy dinner]


[the view from the pool]


[fresh pineapple on the beach]


[canopy tours in the rain-forest]


[Liberia, Costa Rica]


[45 feet under water - notice how I'm holding my regulator like a paci]


[and my brave hubby takes his regulator out and smiles for the camera]

Overall, it was a great vacation, and I feel ready for the next year!

Peace,
AW

Again?!?!

Two blog posts in one day? What?!?!

I just have to share my excitement about the new installment of Sex and the City - Aidan's back!!! I always wanted Carrie to end up with Aidan. :)

Watch the trailer on E!online.

Peace, AW

10 Things...

...I'm totally loving right now:
10. John Mayer - we went to his concert a few weeks ago (has it really been almost a month?), and he is amazing live. Yes, he may not have the best reputation with women, but who doesn't love a bad boy?
9. This weather - after a freezing cold winter in a house built in the 1920s, my bones have been ready for this heat.
8. My house - I adore. I cannot get enough of it. I love every inch of it. It just feels so homey, and so us!
7. Yard work - I dream about my yard, literally. I love making the front of the house look pretty. And thank the good Lord I have amazing parents-in-law that make it happen for me! (I'm spoiled)
6. Parenthood. On NBC. Watch it. It will make you cry out of sympathy and laughter all in the same hour. If you would like to see the last five episodes, you can watch them here. You won't regret it, I promise.
5. Highlighters - now this is not a new thing for me, but spending all day every day studying would be entirely too boring if I couldn't color code everything on the page.
4. Cooking Light: The Essential Dinner Tonight Cookbook. The best recipes - so yummy, healthy, and easy for the hubby to shop/cook! Find it here.
3. LOST. I am so glad it's almost over, but it is getting really good! So relieved to finally get some answers.
2. I'm done with Step I Boards and M2 year in ONE WEEK! I'm hoping all this studying pays off, and I totally rock Boards! *Wish me luck* Oh, yeah, and did I mention it's 98 degrees in Costa Rica right now? Books (for pleasure), beaches, and banana daiquiris - here we come!
1. My hubby - he has so much patience, and I don't know any other man who could deal with his wife being gone ~7 days a week, 13 hours a day. He does the cleaning, laundry, shopping, cooking, and painting (yes, he surprised me with a painted bedroom one day). I am really, really blessed!

Love you all, and will tell you about our trip when we return!
See you on the flip side!
Peace, AW

Hi!

Well, hello there! Yes, it's been a while. Glad to see me? I hope so.

The last couple of months have been busy, busy!

We moved into a house. It's the cutest little craftsman bungalow with creaky wood floors and big thick door frames. I adore it.

Patrick got a job! (Yay - and thanks to those of you who prayed to the big man for us!) He's working in Cardiovascular Intensive Care - Step Down. He works 3 days a week, and gets the rest of the week off. And yes, this is considered full time. Can you believe that?

Most importantly - I have 3 weeks left of 2nd year!! I take my last assessment next Friday, and a comprehensive exam the final week, and I am finished! This is the month I have waited for since I first decided to go to medical school - finishing my career in a classroom.

At the end of April (following my national boards exam), I begin my second half of medical school - clinical rotations. Goodbye library, hello hospitals! Now don't be fooled, I will be more exhausted than I am now. More nights, more weekends, more hours - but I will have actual human contact.

Oh, and did I mention that the hubs and I are taking a "second honeymoon" to Costa Rica in a couple of months? : )

Now, if I can just get through this last stretch! Wish me luck!

xoxo