Watch out, Chicago...

I will be boarding a plane bound for Chicago in just a few hours and couldn't be more excited!  Brian and I are meeting in the Windy City to spend President's Day weekend with my sister and her husband, who recently returned to Chicago after spending a few years in Denver and Dallas.  Even in the dead of winter, I love that crazy town.  Our plans for the weekend include:

The 2012 Chicago Auto Show
Dinner at Katie and Lee's favorite Chicago pizza joint, Pequods
And a wee bit o' Shopping

Ah, I love a good weekend away, especially when it's shared with my favorite people.  Happy President's Day weekend, everyone!

Miss me?

Oops!  Sorry I've been M.I.A. At least I have a good excuse for my absence: I recently returned from a medical mission trip in the Dominican Republic where I spent a week healing the sick.  In other words, I've been Single White Female-ing Jesus.  Go me!

 My, what a ridiculously large uterus you have!

If you want to see pics and videos of my awesome time in the D.R., visit my anesthesia school blog by clicking here.

Oh Colorado... How do I love thee?

This makes me want to pack up my belongings, jump in the car, and head due west until I run smack into a ski resort.  (I'm looking at you, Telluride.)

Telluride

I think I've made my feelings for Colorado - and specifically Telluride - pretty clear.  I fell in love with the resort on a ski/road trip that I took with Brain and our two friends a few Christmases ago.  My very good friend Dave is also obsessed with the little ski town and we often daydream about one day moving our respective families there to live, work, and (most importantly) play.  Dave, this short film, shot in Telluride, is for you!

[scattered flurries] from felt soul media on Vimeo.

If you're having trouble watching the video via the embedded player above (like I currently am), click on the "scattered flurries" link just below the player and it will direct you to an active page.

[Via Dooce]

I'm Leaving On a Jet Plane...

... to meet Brain in Texas!  We've decided to hold our wedding festivities in the fantastic city of Austin and our plan is to - fingers crossed - have a venue secured by the time we board our flights home.  Speaking of return flights, I haven't even seen Brain yet and I'm already dreading the flight home to North Carolina.  Sigh... I sure do love that boy.

P.S. I love this site.  Leah writes thank you notes to everyday objects, emotions, or activities.  Reading it is like a little reminder that we have a lot to be thankful for - even the things that are quintessentially "bad" have a lot of good in them.  Here are two of my favorites!

[Post it note from thxthxthx]

Seattle in Pictures

As promised: a photo diary of sorts pertaining to our trip to Seattle for the AANA Annual Meeting.  I completely fell in love with the city while there and after viewing the following, I think you'll understand why.

Mount Rainier by air

Prepping for my campaign speech before the Student Session

Saturday night happy hour

Student Focus Session Reception

My classmates and I had the opportunity to meet and

talk with Jim Walker, 2009-2010 AANA President

Student Research Exhibit

College Bowl

Pike Place Market

Student Luncheon

Meeting with Chris Leger, 2009-2010 Student Representative,

following the announcement of the election results

Hiking the Base of Mount Rainier

Before

Our original view from the top

 View from the top after turning back to re-hike

the last half mile once the fog finally lifted

 

 

After

The Banquet Dinner at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting

 A handful of the class of 2011 with Richard and Sandra Ouellette

Dave and his former Senior Buddy, Heather

Class photo

Who knows?  But I love it.

Whale Watching and a Visit to the San Juan Islands

Pod of Orcas

An Orca Whale breaching, i.e. shaking what his mamma gave him.

 Friday Harbor

Shopping with Adam, who was on the

lookout for a shirt that "hugs his curves."

Returning to Seattle

... in other words/pictures, we had such a fun trip!  I'm already looking forward to next year's Annual Meeting.  Get ready for chaos, Boston!

Back to the Grind

I just returned from a fabulous and fun-filled week long vacation in which I jetted off to Hermosa Beach, California to visit one of my best friends, followed by a trip to Dallas to hang out with my sister and her hubster.  Photos are below.  But first, a little music to set the mood:

While in California, I rode my bike on the Strand (the boardwalk), layed on the beach, went to a Bar Method fitness class, waddled around for the next 24 hours as a result of said Bar Method class, ate great food, and enjoyed a fun night at a local comedy club.  Not too shabby for 4 days of leisure!

My ride.

Next stop: Dallas, Texas.  I had the chance to meet all of my sister's coworkers and, later, played on their baseball team, the Bernstein Brewsers.  We narrowly lost the game, but had a great time... and I had three base hits!  Go me!  I also had lunch with my boyfriends parents, who live in the Dallas area.  Oh, and did I mention that my sister and I also had a spa day?  Tough life, I tell ya.

Play ball!

Katie's bruise, acquired while playing catcher.  It looks a lot worse

in the photo than it did in person if that tells you anything.

Team pic!

But that's not all!  I found out on Tuesday that my boyfriend would be arriving home a few months early from his deployment to Iraq.  He was home by Saturday (!!) so I made a quick stop in Tennessee that afternoon before flying home to North Carolina on Sunday.  Not a bad way to end an already spectacular week, if I do say so myself!

Overall, my trip was great.  It was both fun and relaxing and, while I had a great time, I'm excited to be home and ready to become a SENIOR.  (Just under) one year down, (just over) one to go


* Yes, I posted this exact content, word-for-word, on my anesthesia school blog.  (Because I can, that's why!)