Happy Hump Day!

I love/hate that saying- hump day, you? My Wednesday started off with bumper to bumper traffic in the pouring rain on my way to work, but was made better with a Dunkin' Donuts Vanilla Latte and some Munchkin's. Sometimes you just need a doughnut, ya know?

To rebound from yesterday's downer post I will give you a picture of the cutie pie, MJ.

I mean, look at that face.

I still can't believe we have a dog, but I'm glad that we do. She is just a bundle of love. 

Other highlights today included me successfully recognizing osteoarthritis in a patient and recommending a proper course of treatment when prompted by the doctor I'm working with, as well as a case of avascular necrosis. I was pretty proud of myself since I've only been exposed to orthopedics for 2 weeks. The doctor I am working with is so helpful in describing his diagnostic techniques and is eager to help me really learn and understand the ins and outs of what he does. It reinforces my desire to become a doctor, no matter how stressful and trying the process is at times. 

Also, the Revenge season finale is on tonight so I am pretty pumped. All is well in the world. 

A little bit of honesty

Lately I've been feeling kind of low, lacking that joie de vivre, so to say. Nothing in my life is particularly bad per se, but I can't seem to shake that feeling of lethargy during the day and lack of enthusiasm for practically everything. Some may say it's just a funk or a phase, but what concerns me is that it's been for a prolonged period now and I am noticing signs - signs that I had back in 2007 when I hit a really rough period in life. I was medicated then for depression and a few other issues, and stayed on my medication for about 2 years, finally weaning off it after I felt that I was getting better. Today I made an appointment with my old psychiatrist to sort out what's going on and see if she has any informative medical insight.

I know mental health is a hot button issue for a lot of people. Many don't believe in therapy or psychiatric help, or simply think it is for seriously "crazy" people. But let me tell you honestly, both therapy and medication helped me tremendously when I needed it desperately. I tend to be the type of person who holds a lot of things inside, and tries to deal with any negativity or anger in an internalized way. Going to therapy helped me learn how to open up about my problems and concerns and work through a lot of things that I had been holding on to for a long time. My family has had a long history of mental health issues, and therefore I have a genetic predisposition to certain conditions and I've seen and felt the mental and physical toll that such issues can take on an individual. That being said, I find it to be SO important to keep my mental health in check just as I would my physical health. Yes, it sucks feeling this way, but there are so many resources I have to help treat and prevent any more serious issues from arising. I don't think I should be embarrassed to admit there is something going on, and seek some kind of remedy, be it medication or otherwise. 

Hopefully this feeling will subside, and I remind myself every day that I have so many things in my life to be thankful for and so many blessings to count. As much as I would like my life to be sunshine and roses all the time, it simply isn't and no one's can be. I just need to take it one day at a time and know that this too shall pass. 

Lazy Days

It has been raining for four straight days, and I think it is the universe's way of telling me that I am totally justified in lying around in sweatpants and catching up on my blogs and books. It's supposed to clear up today and I hope to take a nice walk around Hammock Park with the pup and Rob. Last night we braved the ominous rain clouds and headed out for buckets of Corona at a little waterfront eatery. Every time we go to this place it reinforces my need for a boat. Okay, maybe I don't need one, but I really want one. Without a boat I can only experience 54% of Florida lifestyle, the other 46% must be experienced on the sea. Alas...

And puppy finally has a name! Her name is MJ, the initials stand for a variety of things because she's cool like that. She is adjusting well to her new pampered lifestyle.

This week has been kind of a bust for me in terms of productivity, but I did start working with an orthopedic surgeon, and MAN is it busy. He is really helpful and informative and I think the time I spend with him will help me learn a great deal. He's already given me an assignment to study rotator cuffs and the dermatomal distribution of the lower back - joy! Now you know how I'll be spending my weekend, hope you all have an exciting one as well! 

Weekend Updates

Hola amigos! I'm back from a quick weekend trip to Los Angeles where I saw my sister graduate from her Masters program at USC. She's a smart one, and pretty beautiful as well if I do say so myself.

 (with her professor)

She was also blessed to get a job at a great PR firm in Santa Monica that she starts this week - I'm a proud sis. 

While there I spent some qt (quality time) with my mom and sister playing euchre, shopping, and of course....eating. We all consider ourselves avid food enthusiasts and took advantage of some of the amazing restaurants that Los Angeles has to offer. I probably gained 10 lbs this weekend, but I don't even mind since I got to taste some life changing ravioli at Osteria Mozza, for real. I forgot to take pictures at most dinners because I was too busy inhaling the food, but here are some snaps from the weekend. 

Blueberry Mimosas at breakfast

Giant pancakes at the Griddle Cafe 

Fruit tarts at the Grove Farmer's Market

Some other highlights of the trip included a night at the Laugh Factory, a comedy club in downtown LA which made me laugh so hard I was close to tears, Euchre games by the pool, and an Arnold Schwarzenegger/ Maria Schriver sighting at the graduation.  I'm happy to be back, but I so needed that family time. 

And some other exciting news....we got a puppy today! She is a rescue Manchester Terrier/Dachshund mix! We are still working on a name, any suggestions?

I've got the blues.

Does anyone else get that weird empty feeling upon coming home after a vacation? I am suffering that now. Perhaps it's because I am in a strange transition period where I have to figure out what to do for the next year and it hit me today that I need to get on it...or the fact that my MCAT scores come out this evening and I really have no idea what to expect, or possibly because I spent a wonderful weekend relaxing with friends and it seems so cruel that it's already over. Either way, I'm feeling the blues a little bit.

On a brighter note, our cruise was amazing. I had so much fun with my friend Emily and her boyfriend Adam and of course my love, Rob. We all tried to sneak alcohol on to the ship (I'd done this successfully on a previous cruise) to cut back on the alcohol bill,  however my bag was the only one that came back unscathed. The others had their goods confiscated - and let me tell you, we weren't the only ones. People got creative! One man had his liquor in IV bags, and another couple upon hearing ours got confiscated said they put theirs in old Listerine bottles and used food coloring to make it green. Pretty Impressive. 
Besides that minor setback, our trip went off without a hitch and we spent my birthday on Norwegian's private island in Great Stirrup Cay, sipping on beers in the water and taking our fair share of tequila shots, and then explored Atlantis in the bahamas on Sunday.

Unfortunately, like the dummy I tend to be, I forgot my nice camera and so I had to rely on the pictures that Emily took to document the trip. Here are a few of the highlights:

Great Stirrup Cay - on the ferry back to the ship. 

On the deck before dinner

the other lovely couple

breaking the cardinal rule of kissing pictures- no puckering! 

A bit of poetry!

I've done it! I finished my post bacc. program tonight woot woot! For those of you who are unaware of what a post-bacc. is (as I was before I became one) it just means that I enrolled in a program to take all of the undergraduate science courses I need to apply to medical school since I was a non-science major in undergrad - film and theatre to be exact. I know, a big leap. I actually feel more relieved/happy today than I did when I graduated college. Now comes the daunting task of actually applying to med schools... I don't want to talk about it.

Anyway, as I finish this chapter of my life I find that a poem I wrote in eighth grade still applies. Prepare to be dazzled by this poetic wonder:

School sucks ass, I'd rather be harassed.
The book work is hard,
And all they feed us is lard,
And I'll be lucky if I ever pass.
That is why school sucks ass.

I know- genius. This is just a sampling of the works collected into my book titled "Poems of Profanity". When I say book I mean standard composition notebook a la Harriet the Spy. Perhaps I will share more one day, but the others are actually kind of crude. Why was I writing poems of profanity at 13, you ask? Teen angst I guess? I think I still deal with adult angst is that real?

I actually love school, learning at least, or else I wouldn't be pursuing 8 more years of it, but organic chemistry will bring out the worst in you, what can I say. Indeed, I did pass though, and I get no pomp or circumstance to celebrate. I will just leave you with a picture of my actual graduation 2 years ago and pretend that it was today. :)

Oh yeaaa

The finace, then boyfriend.

Forgive the picture quality and squinting. South Florida sun will do that to you. 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Cinco de Mayo, obviously. Also, coincidentally, my birthday! Feliz cumpleanos to moi! I like to mix it up with the languages - it keeps me cultured. I don't actually think that my birthdate was a coincidence though since I happen to love all things Mexican. Particularly margaritas, tacos, and guacamole in no particular order, but with margaritas definitely topping the list.

This year, as I mentioned, I will be cruising the USA which will make all other birthdays exponentially inferior. Truth be told, my birthday snuck up on me this year. I have been too busy thinking about finals and applications and MCATs and all the other shitty things that go along with that. However, today it has finally sunk in that my day of deliverance is upon me and I am pretty excited. The best part about it is that everyone else on the cruise will be celebrating right along with me - cinco de drinko, y'all!

In anticipation of the superior holiday, and my blessed day of birth, I will leave you with a recipe for a delicious spin on the margarita, the BEER margarita! What could be better. This is the recipe from pinterest that I pictured in a previous post.

Ingredients:

• (1) 12 ounce can frozen limeade concentrate

• 12 ounces cherry flavored soda

• (1) 12 ounce bottle of your favorite beer (I used Corona Light)

• 12 ounces of your favorite tequila

• Kosher salt, for rimming glass

• Lime for garnish

• Cherries for garnish

• Instructions:

Rub lime wedge around rim of each glass; dip in kosher salt.

In a large pitcher, mix all ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon to combine.

Serve over ice (if desired) & garnish with a lime wedge & cherry.

Yes, please. 

Just a thought.

When I was applying to colleges what seems like many, many years ago I couldn't get out of Ohio fast enough. I wanted to see the world, broaden my horizons. Now, after spending so much time in a city that I have a love/hate relationship with, and getting engaged it's made me really miss the people in my life that love me for being me - namely my family. Let me say that I love my fiance, we are best friends and I am perfectly happy spending my days with him, but I miss being able to see my mom, drive a hot minute to see my sister, or hang out with family on any given night.

Rob has so many wonderful friends that he grew up with that are all still so close, and thankfully through the 4+ years we've been together they have afforded me the same friendship they've always given him. This is a picture from our engagement party in Massachusetts with most of the aforementioned friends in tow along with his side of the family that I love just as much as my own. I miss this.

Hopefully someday I can have all the people that I love close by - that would be nice. (Preferably everyone will move south so I don't have to deal with the cold... brrr!)