Halloween!

It’s November! Which means it’s the holiday season! Which means I can finally listen to Christmas music without feeling guilty! (I may have cheated and listened to a song or two, two weeks ago.) Some people say you can’t start listening to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving, but my rule is after Halloween.  My reasoning for this? The day after Thanksgiving is when I put up my Christmas tree which means I’ve already started thinking about gifts and decorations so therefore, I of course must already be listening to Christmas music to be in the spirit of the holiday! 

So yes, as I write this post I am listening (and singing) to Taylor Swift, Mariah Carey and *NSYNC Christmas with my Winter Forest candle from Gap that smells like a Christmas tree, right beside me. It’s a perfect morning to the start of a wonderful season! Did I mention my birthday is only six days before Christmas which makes it all the more wonderful!?!

Before I get too ahead of myself and spoil all of my future posts of the next two months, I must share our experience yesterday. 

The hubs and I could not agree on a Halloween costume.  We usually do a couples costume but this year we procrastinated too long and could not come to an agreement so we went as two completely different people.  He was Napoleon Dynamite and I was Hello Kitty. 

As we were searching the costume store at the 11^th hour, the hubs found the Napoleon Dynamite wig/glasses and would not put it down! I tried to tell to him Napoleon Dynamite was so eight years ago but we was not having it.  He would be Napoleon Dynamite if it was the last thing he did!! And let me tell you, he was the best Napoleon Dynamite I have ever seen! I’m pretty sure he was better than Jon Heder in the actual movie.  If he acted how he did last night and tried out for the part, no one would even know the name Jon Heder!

The whole night he was in character.  Every opportunity he got to relate a situation to his character, he did.  Example 1: We went to a party at our friend’s house.  He had a bike resting in the living room so of course the hubs jumped on it and asked if it had been taken off of any sweet jumps lately.  Example 2: Another one of our friends came dressed up as Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation. She was passing out “Vote Knope” pins in which the hubs threw to the ground and said, “Vote for Pedro!”  Example 3: When someone asked the hubs what he was eating he told them it was Tina’s dinner.  Example 4: Before we left for the party he learned the dance Napoleon did at the talen show and would randomly bust it out in the middle of the party.  And the list goes on and on.

So maybe just this once, the hubs was right about his costume.  He rocked Napoleon Dynamite and it was fun to see a little blast from the past! 

Happy Holidays!

Oh Tennessee....

Before you stare at the picture you should know that this picture is real. I didn't find it on the internet. I took it myself when I was parked at a red light.  No filter. No photoshop. 100% authentic. Good ol' Tennessee...

Keeping it classy Tennessee!

Writer's Block

As of late, I started freelance writing for a local magazine.  I was so excited to have an opportunity to put my passion, creativity and degree to good use.  Little did I know that it would impair my ideas for my blog. I've spent so much time researching, interviewing and writing that I haven't thought had time to think of this little blog.

Initially, I thought I would be writing for an uplifting feature type paper but instead they sent me over to write for their business journal.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity though.  I have been able to explore a topic that is completely outside of my comfort zone and general knowledge. (I didn't have to take any business classes to get my English degree.)

So tonight, after I have transcribed all of my interviews and researched my heart out, and before I actually start to write my article, I'm dedicating a little time to this blog--a little time to clear my brain before I have to go into serious mode! Let's hope writer's block doesn't kick and I can write the best article this business journal has seen!

The Cave

Disclaimer: I know it’s been a while since I last wrote but in my defense, I started this post on Post-It notes days ago but didn’t get around to uploading it.

Quote of the day, “If you need me I’ll be in my cave.”

Yes, the doc is at it again preparing for another big test he is taking on Friday.  Let me describe his “cave” to you.  It is the only area in the whole apartment that I let him use his decorative abilities. 

(Side note- I did this in Hawaii with our bathroom because he insisted he could decorate.  We ended up with surf posters plastered across the walls.  I’ve learned by lesson.)

Back to the cave…His cave consists of the left half our second bedroom.  I emphasize the left side because it is much different from the right side, MY half. 

My half is where I am sitting now to write my blog.  My half is where I sew, create, blog/facebook stalk, plan my lessons for church, read magazines, often paint my nails, watch Netflix, write letters and relax. 

His half is where he pulls his hair out studying, stresses, learns, memorizes, watches the Hawaiian sunset each night on the surf cams on Surfline, dreams of Hawaii, dreams of surfing, watches surf movies, studies, stresses, learns, memorizes.  Did I mention pull his hair out?

Yes our halves have very different vibes.  My half is neatly organized with cute pink, blue and yellow bins and boxes.  It has a pink trashcan and clippings from magazines with all my new favorite recipes, crafts, quotes or ideas. 

His half has a great big Hawaiian flag on the wall. (The flag is bigger than his desk.) Beneath the flag he has chosen to decorate with surfing and climbing pictures (no surprise) and purposefully leaves his surfboards and snowboards out just to tease him.  Oh and did I mention the mountain bike that is propped against the window and keeps creeping over to my half?

Yes if you looked at my half, closed your eyes, and then looked at his half, you wouldn’t even know it was the same room. 

Despite our differences in decorating and choice of activity, I enjoy being able to be in the same room with him while he studies.  Even if we aren’t necessarily talking, it’s just nice to be with him.  

Reality Check

Lately the hubs and I have been very nostalgic.   A few nights ago I found myself staring at the ceiling trying to fall asleep.  When I couldn’t sleep I picked up my computer, opened iPhoto and went through every album I had from my years in Hawaii.  The next morning I told the hubs what I had done and he said he had been doing the same only a few days earlier.

I’m not sure if it is because many of our friends are still in Hawaii and with school starting back, there is a constant flow of scenic/magnificent/beautiful/enticing photos on Facebook that make me happy/sad/envious/nostalgic all at the same time. Maybe it’s because we have been away so long that we can clearly see the difference and recognize what we are missing.  And maybe it’s because it’s the place where we met, fell in love, spent the first year of our life together and shared the best of memories.  Either way it’s been hitting us lately, and hitting us hard.

You know the saying, “You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.” Well this wasn’t the case for us.  We knew how blessed we were to be able to live in such a beautiful place with such a special atmosphere. We recognized the uniqueness of the situation and tried to live it up while we could.  Yes, there were some things we took for granted but for the most part we were just grateful. 

And now thousands of miles away from our beautiful island, I find myself having a harder time accepting my fate.  Some days I’d do anything just to walk across hot sand or feel the salt water dry on my skin after a dip in the ocean. 

This week in People President and Michelle Obama were interviewed about their thoughts of the election. I really liked what Michelle Obama said to one of the personal questions:

            Q: Are [the girls] personally invested in staying put for four more years?

A: “The thing I try to tell my girls…is that whatever happens, we’ll be okay. That is one thing this move showed us, that home is where we are…The truth is that if we’re together, we’re going to be fine.”

So I’m trying to adopt Michelle’s saying.  While my preferred scene of choice my be the ocean, I know I wouldn’t want to be there without my husband and right now my husband is in a small town in east Tennessee. So here I am and here I will be for another three years.  There are many wonderful things about where we live. It’s time to take off the blinders and enjoy the journey in store. As long as we are together, I know I’ll be okay.

 

Meet Gnoland

Meet Gnoland.  He’s our gnome.  We don’t know where he came from or how he ended up on our front door a few days ago but somehow he did.

 It was the most curious thing. I came home from the grocery store with both arms full of bags. I didn’t notice Gnoland at first until I looked down for my keys in my purse. There Gnoland was, sitting quietly and centered in front of our door. I was really confused. I looked around wondering if someone was playing a joke on me but no one was there.  Just me and Gnoland. 

I wasn’t sure what to do with him so I moved him over so he was directly centered in between our door and our neighbor’s door. The next day I asked the neighb if she knew anything about the gnome.  Our stories matched up. She had no idea either! She said she saw him patiently sitting in front of door the same day I found him.  So what were we to do with this little gnome?

The neighbs and I decided we’d share him. Gnoland sits in between both of our doors and guards our stoop.  Who knows, maybe he’ll walk off to be with someone else but for now we are happy to have him.

Welcome to the family Gnoland.  Hope you enjoy our stoop!

The Car Next to Me

Happy Labor day, a day late!! But I have an excuse, we were busy being “laborless” for three days at my in-law’s house, which is something that doesn’t happen much for the doc.

We spent the weekend wakeboarding and waterskiing with the family. It was so nice to see him relaxed and in his element.  He works so hard and it felt just like old times (aka before September 2011 when medical school started).

The doc’s family lives about two hours away so we had a while to talk and think. On the way home, as I was enjoying the green Tennessee hills, I saw a man probably mid fifties, picking his nose while driving.  Oh and not just picking, I mean digging for gold! It was so disgusting! I don’t understand what it is about the being enclosed in a car that makes people think they are invisible.  You know Mr., the windows are clear.

It’s like when you were little and playing hide-and-seek. If you hid under the table and the tablecloth covered your head, you thought you couldn’t be seen. WRONG! 

To all those nose-picking drivers, don’t pick and drive…or at least get tinted windows!!

The Muse

While second year has required even more hours than last year, I am grateful to not be the doc’s muse, at least temporarily. Last year during Practical Exam, I was constantly having my ears, eyes and nose probed, having to stick out my tongue out until my mouth was dry and experience reflex movement in my knee more than wanted.

Don’t get me wrong, I love helping out when I can but there is only so much a girl can take! (Although I do miss Anatomy when he had to learn the muscles in the back because I had an excuse whenever I wanted a massage!)

So here’s to his current classes, Pathology, Microbiology and Nueroanatomy, for giving me a break and letting him focus on the diagrams in the books.

Now if only could he could take Anatomy year round…

Christmas in August

A few weeks ago one of my favorite yoga instructors shared this quote during class, “What you spend your time doing is what you are committed to.” While this seems like a blatantly obvious observation, it really got me thinking.

The hubs works so hard in school and spends so much time and energy studying, there is no arguing that he is committed to medicine. At the same time, I’m grateful for days like today that remind me that he is still just as committed to me. 

Last year he bought me an orchid, my favorite flower, but over the summer it died. I was sad but got over it and forgot about it.  Yesterday was a crazy day and I really only saw the doc for about two hours after I got home from work. I fell asleep early (while reading Emily Giffin’s new novel because she’s one of my favorite) and woke up to a lovely surprise: my favorite Kashi cereal, fat-free milk (we were out and he only drinks 2% and knows how much I hate it) and a beautiful new orchid placed in our kitchen window. I honestly had butterflies in my stomach and the feeling you get on Christmas morning.

Despite his crazy schedule I’m so grateful he takes the time to show me he cares. So a little shout out to the doc, thanks for the love! 

Sent Home from Med School

Remember those days in elementary school where they safety pinned notes home with you if you didn’t comply with the dress code or standards? Like the time I thought it was crazy hair day and had my mom put my hair in a hundred little pony tails all over my head, just to find out the occasion was actually the following Friday.  Really, was the note necessary? I guess by med school they forgo the note and send you home!

Well, after the doc left for class this morning, I wasn’t expecting to see him until lunchtime so I decide to sleep a little longer and enjoy my morning. Only 45 minutes later, I’m busted! He comes home and runs into the room to change. He grabs his white coat, which probably should have been ironed, and asks me which of three ties match the best with his pants and shirt.

So why isn't the dress pants and button up shirt he is already wearing enough for today?

I can’t help but ask him with a smirk on my face, “Did they send you home from med school?” His hasty, defensive yet jovial reply informs me that he CHOSE to come home and change because they are seeing actual patients today. 

Ok, so I’ll let him get away with it this time. But only because it makes my day every time I see him leave the house in his professional dress, mount his 1994 bright red Honda moped and ride off to school with his tie blowing behind him in the wind. 

And so it begins...

It’s test day again. I wake up anxious, nervous, ready for it to be taken and for it to be over. It’s 7:30 a.m. on a Monday morning. I get dressed and ready for my morning routine, which starts with a trip to the gym to take my mind off of things. As I watch the time go by on the elliptical, I can’t help but think to myself, “How much time is left?” The time creeps by ever so slowly as I feel the pressure looming over my head. Finally two hours later I get the text, “It’s done. I feel like the test went well.”

Nope, it’s not me taking the test.  But sometimes it feels like it should be. Welcome to my blog, The True, Honest and Personal Confessions of a Med School Wife.

After reading Imogen Edwards-Jones novel, Fashion Babylon, which reveals the truth of what really goes on behind the scenes in the world of high fashion, I started thinking about my own life. I have a first-hand view, (without actually having to take the tests) at what it takes to become a doctor and a doctor’s wife.   

When I tell people my husband is in medical school to become a doctor, they always tell me how I’m going to be rich one day. While being financial set might be in the cards for me because of my husband, let me tell you, when he finally gets those paychecks, (I’m talking at least seven years from now) he will have worked and earned every bit of it down to the last penny. And while the end result will be worth it, as for now are still at the beginning of our journey. 

So here’s my story. My point of view. How I see it. This is my canvas to vent, divulge, express and share my life and my story. Who knows, maybe I’ll be like Edwards-Jones and write a book one day too.