ADVENTURES WITHIN THE ADVENTURE

First, my little sister started kindergarten on Thursday! I can't believe how quickly she is growing up!

So that was the main thing...this next one is just a funny, "typical Lauren" happening. So I finally had some time to myself on Friday, so I decided to go for a run. I haven't run in a solid 6 weeks...there's always been something stopping me. Whether it's personal stress, my 52-hour "shifts," the stupid heat, the move, or whatever else...always something. So I set out on my run and decide to go 2 miles; it's a good enough distance but still about half of what I was used to running-it's a good start. First of all, WHOA, I got seriously out of shape in those 6 weeks. That was brutal. Second, I acquired a friend in the form of a chihuahua. I carried him around for a while and asked anyone and everyone if it was their dog or if they would please take him...there was a busy street nearby and I didn't want him to get hurt. Third, I had a few run-ins with a certain goose by the pond. The first time, he jumped out and tried to ambush me. I did what any normal person would do, and I pointed my finger at him and told him no. Which obviously worked. I guess I don't speak goose after all. So he starts lowering his head and spreading out his wings and trying to bite me, so I stick my foot out so at least he gets my shoe instead of my leg...while still pointing at him and yelling no. Again, this is working terribly well. Dang, where did I put that chihuahua? So I try to just go around him and continue my run, when the little devil starts chasing me and honking at me. Now, you all know I wouldn't purposely hurt any animal for no reason, but this was do or die, so I gave him a little flick in the chest with my foot. He made a really weird noise/honk and ran away. I got to the end of the trail and turned around to head home...the danged goose is back! He tries to ambush me again! I took a different approach this time and yelled mean insults at him...he yelled/honked back, but he didn't chase me. So note to self-if a goose attacks you, call him names and say mean things to him and he will stop. No need to tell him "no" or to try to defend yourself...and that's how you speak goose :). So my 2 mile run which should have taken about 20 minutes turned into a 45 minute run/try to find a dog a home/defend myself against the evil goose adventure. Maybe I'll stay in tomorrow...

ROTATION 2

I just completed my second rotation! So excited! This one took me a little longer to get into a groove because I had a different preceptor every week and I lost a lot of sleep covering the ER at night while still doing clinic during the day. But in the end, I definitely enjoyed myself and I learned so much. My preceptors were absolutely fantastic! I rocked my presentation at UTMB yesterday and was quite pleased with my improvements during this rotation, so I took today off to treat myself. I slept in, had breakfast at ChickFilA, then hit up the Galleria for some retail therapy. Success! Now for a nap before dinner with the hubby. I'll get to enjoy my weekend break and rest up for my next rotation which starts on Monday. The new class starts orientation on Monday...it's hard to believe that was really a whole year ago for me! I'm not sure if it feels like I've been here for years because I've worked so hard and gotten so much accomplished, or if it feels like it was just yesterday that I turned in my notice to UT Southwestern and we packed up for the move. Wow, what a whirlwind. Sometimes, when you get such an awesome opportunity, you just have to go for it! #SoBlessed.

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE

Every now and again, I do manage to get out and have a little fun...I know, believe it or not! Here are some pics from an adventure Ryan and I took one Saturday to a vineyard. We helped harvest grapes, browsed the shops, did some wine tasting, and even got to watch how they process the grapes. Pretty cool!

ROUND 2

All right, here goes round 2 in Primary Care. This time, I'm kinda out in the boonies. And by kinda, I mean definitely. Population here is about 2200, and they don't have a single traffic light. I'm in clinic Monday thru Friday, plus I've been covering the ER some nights. My first weekend at this site, I worked Friday 5 PM til Sunday 8 AM in the ER...which is 39 hours straight. I thought that was a bit much, until I got to Wednesday of the next week and worked Wednesday 8 AM til Friday noon...which is 52 hours straight between the ER and clinic. Granted, I get to take a nap here or there while in the ER because it's not usually constantly busy, but yall know how much I love my 3-hour naps and my 9 hours of sleep every night! I'm having withdrawals! My first night in the ER started with a bang, too. I guess it's go big or go home! Everyone here has been super nice, and although it's primary care again, I'm seeing a whole different side of practice. I think especially one preceptor has really helped boost my confidence, too. It's been a learning experience just like my first primary care rotation, but it's been completely different.

THE BEST ROOMIES EVER!

I came home one day to be reminded how wonderful Heather and Ryan are. Ryan got me beautiful flowers and a really sweet card; Heather got me more pretty flowers (she put the bouquet together herself), a giant cupcake, and a beer! They know how tired I've been lately and how much stress I've been under, so this was their way of trying to cheer me up a little and making sure I knew that they support me through all of this. How sweet! Also, my parents sent me Mrs Fields cookies and a bear dressed up in surgery gear! Too cute! Yall are all so sweet, and I'm blessed to have such a strong support in my family and friends.

HOME SWEET HOME

So maybe from my last post, you were wondering why my weekend wasn't very restful? I mean, I was plenty tired! It's because that Thursday, we got the keys to our new house. That meant that all week, we had been working on getting electricity, gas, tv, internet, water, etc. all turned on, working with the realtor, and getting our condition forms all completed. So we did all that along with the usual schedule of my clinic, studying, and working on my paper and Ryan's work schedule. We offered to help Heather get moved in since it would only be her and her mom, so we spent most of Saturday doing that. Then at about 2 AM on Sunday morning while eating a healthy pizza breakfast, we came to the conclusion that Sunday would be a good day for us to move into the house, too. Heather had a truck and we all had each other's help...so why not? :/ So we went home, got a few hours of sleep, went to church, then attempted to pack up our apartment. We packed stuff in suitcases, plastic bins, and left-over boxes from Heather. Probably the most interesting packing job I've ever done-and yes, it beat out the time I packed our kitchen after consuming a bottle of wine. LOOONNNNNGGGG day, but we did it! We got most everything into the house, and Jason and Ryan finished up on Monday. We have all been so busy, that we didn't get the gas turned on for a week (which meant cold showers and no stove or oven) and didn't get the cable on for about 2 weeks. We also just figured out how to make the alarm system stop beeping at us all the time and how to program the garage doors so we can actually put cars in the garage. We still have the apartment, so we've been periodically running over and cleaning it out so hopefully we can get our deposits back. I guess life's just not fun without a little chaos...because apparently PA school just isn't enough! But the house is working out really well, and I'm glad we decided to do this.

ROTATION 1

The most important thing is that I SURVIVED! I'm still working on how to explain just how emotionally exhausting it was. I got to see quite a few patients with a pretty good variety. I even got to assist in a few procedures and work on my suture technique. I worked with one doctor and 2 PA's who were recent grads. The doctor was nice and always teaching me something; the PA's really understood where I was coming from, so they were always helpful. Between the 3 of them, there was always a patient to see, which was great. All in all, I really enjoyed this rotation and think it was the perfect first rotation for me. I even got my paper turned in on time, even though I started it (and got 4 pages into it...) on the wrong topic! A not-very-restful 3 day weekend, then it's off to my next site!

THE END?

Most certainly not-we are just in the thick of it! Ok, so you probably think that I've about fallen off the face of the earth. And I did. But I'm back now and GEEZ, I have some serious catching up to do! Stay tuned!