WHAT NOW?

Ok, I know I still have these 2 classes to finish and boards to take, but I'm already starting to think about what to do after the dust settles and I land a job. I've been working day in and day out for the past 2 years, if it all suddenly stops after boards/before work...I'll go nutty! Here's what has made the short list: cooking, running, and horses.
I have been compiling a cook book as I try new recipes. If you have awesome recipes and are willing to share, please send them my way! Yall know I'm domestically challenged, so I'm doing my best here. On that note, none of the recipes are terribly difficult, so it's been totally practical. It's been kinda fun...some days, it's also been really bad some days! lol If it picks up steam, I'll try to get them posted...hey, new blog idea!
And running. You know I love to run and always have. I'm thinking about stepping it up a notch and to start competing. Starting small with 5K and 10K races, maybe one or two a month, maybe each one to raise awareness for a different organization (i.e. American Cancer Society, Diabetes Foundation, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, etc.). I'm not sure I care to be a marathoner or do triathlons, but we'll see.
Horses...what?! Yes. I took lessons and had horses when I was little. My sister and I used to ride. I've always wanted to get back into it, and Layla has been a huge help. I'm considering getting into the equestrian world and trying out this jumping or cross country business. But first, we need a house with room to keep the horses, and I need a job so I can pay for the horses! Ryan has also expressed interest in riding, but I don't think he cares to compete. He would want to do trail riding-type stuff and camping. But he did mention doing some volunteer mounted patrol work, and that seems interesting!
So that's that...any other ideas?

(PSEUDO)GRADUATION!

Well believe it or not, graduation day is actually here! Interviews were back in February 2010, and it has been a whirl wind since. I'm so glad I was led to this school and to this program; and I'm glad I/we had the faith to go for it! It wasn't easy uprooting (again), leaving a job I loved, asking Ryan to move, etc...not to mention the extreme workload and chaotic rotations. But looking back, I wouldn't have it any other way :) I cannot thank you enough to everyone that supported us along the way...your support means the world to us!

Now, you may ask why the title has the word "pseudo" in it. With good reason. Pseudo technically means false, and that is about accurate for our graduation. Yes, we invited friends and family, donned the cap and gown, etc and walked across the stage, but we haven't actually finished classes. We have 2 classes through October (a board review type class, and a class to wrap up Master's projects), then our official diplomas will be awarded in December. Odd, yes. I'm fully aware. And I should probably leave it at that before we get going on another soap box moment.

And on that note...PICTURES!!!

Me with chairman Dr Rahr. I love this photo because it reminds me that I've come full circle...he interviewed me back in 2010. Thanks for taking a chance on me!

 The gang (minus Melanie): Rachel, Heather, Me, Lindsay, and Bailey

 The Baileys Clan!

 The Hubs <3

 The Miller Clan!

 We tracked down Melanie!

 Me with Lindsay at dinner

 Look, I'm graduating with my Master's degree!

 This is as rowdy as we get...balloons.

 Hey, aren't we official!?

 Mel!

 This is what happens when they give us hoods (i.e...capes!)

 And yet another way to accessorize...

 Me with Julie, our class President (And she's from Wisco!) She has done a fabulous job.

 The Other Miller! Me and Ansley...we make Miller look GOOD! lol

 We found Melanie, but lost Heather... It's like herding cats around here...

VEGAS BABY!

In celebration of graduation, we snuck off to Vegas for a few days! Oh yeah, Ryan had a PGA conference there, too. I know what you're thinking, but we were well behaved! Yes, we had fun, but not "too much." And the best part, Tim and Layla joined us! We helped Layla celebrate her 34th birthday.
Monday: We traveled, warmed up the slot machines, then had drinks at Senor Frogs while we watched the Treasure Island show. Our bartender was awesome and we got to know the manager, too.
Tuesday: shopping up and down the strip all day, exploring the different hotels, some sparse slot-playing (but Ryan did find a niche with a certain Ghostbuster's slot machine...), then drinks at Margaritaville to celebrate Layla's birthday!!
Wednesday: Lunch with Emeril Lagasse, dinner with Gordon Ramsay. Vegas is delicious! There was also a trip to the shops at Caesar's :) Riddle for you, when does it rain in the desert? Answer: when Ryan and Lauren go to the desert. They got 1-2 inches, and you'd have thought it was a hurricane. There was awful flooding everywhere! It was a mess to say the least. And it definitely killed our day at the pool, but oh well. That evening, we saw a Cirque du Soleil show...our first. It was amazing! So cool! Definitely worth the price. We actually got first row tickets...it was just awesome. Ryan even got drug into the show!
Thursday: I found the roulette table. I did not want to leave the roulette table-the roulette table liked me too! But it was time to come home...back to reality and the fuzzy circus :)
It was a blast, but it was good to come home! Thanks, Tim and Layla for joining us!

Here we are, getting ready to head out! I hadn't thought about it, but I realize now that I was wearing beer tshirt! At least it was about appropriate.

 Dinner at Gordon Ramsay's...it was delicious! Very good, but not sure I'd go back. It's just one of those "say I did it" things for me, I guess. The service was absolutely impeccable!

 Layla and I getting a little handsy with Tim's chair. Waiting on him to realize what was going on...

 Ryan got to meet Hank Haney at his PGA convention! Probably his highlight of the trip.

 Layla's birthday balloon hat from the stilt-walking guys at Margaritaville...you have to admit, that's awesome!