Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Doctor

     May 29th, 2014.  The day I have inadvertently been waiting for since before I can even remember.  It still feels surreal.  I have worked SO hard to get where I am now.  I have sacrificed so much: mentally, emotionally, personally.  I had to introduce myself as Dr. D for the first time the other day, and it felt so wrong.  As long as I've been waiting for this moment, and it can't possibly be here yet, right?!  
     Graduation week was a blur.  Got to spend a lot of time with family and friends, which was lovely.  Said goodbye to a lot of amazing friends that I've made over the past four years, which was bittersweet.    

My mentor and IDOL!

Yes, they played a Beyonce video at my graduation (I was here). It was fantastic.

Gyno Girl friends 

B and I

Saturday, June 14, 2014

So long, Volvo

     In preparation for our move across the country, a few weeks ago I sold my Volvo.  It would have cost more to ship it than the car was even worth, and I'm honestly not sure if it would have survived the trip if I drove it.  So we just drove B's car across the country, and for now I'm carless.  Luckily, it's easy enough to get around Philly without a car.  When I started orientation a few days ago (yes, there are many posts I am behind on) I wasn't sure whether I'd prefer to walk, bike, subway, bus or drive to work.  Driving is pretty much out because I don't have a car yet, and it's $200/month to park.  Subway is sorta out since it doesn't operate early enough for me some days.  Biking is doable, but somewhat dangerous on the city streets.  Walking is a great option, but takes 40 min each way and I get all sweaty.  Soooo... I tried taking the bus, and I think I found a winner!  Not only does it pretty much go straight from my house to the hospital, it takes half the time of walking. 


     Also, B got a tattoo to commemorate achieving our milestone in our journey in medicine.  I think it's pretty cool.  



I think he enjoyed it a little too much

My friend A came with us and got one too!



Thursday, May 15, 2014

Sh*t Just Got Real, Y'all

     Now that I've had some time to let all of the crazy events in my life these days simmer a bit, I'm starting to feel more relaxed about some things, and more stressed by others.  I'm feeling more relaxed about buying a house and moving across the country now that everything is all lined up and ready to go.  I'm feeling completely relaxed about finishing medical school and graduating.  I've been getting my research project all set up to run in my absence, and have recruited another medical student to help.  My bridesmaid duties are officially over now that their wedding is finished.  Side note - it was the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen...  I even finished the yearbooks up a few weeks ago, and they are supposed to be delivered to me today (can't wait to see how they turned out!).


     But now that those stressors are dying out, it's time for me to start dealing with the next wave of madness.  I'm beginning to feel scared about starting intern year.  I even had a nightmare about it last night.  I dreamed that I forgot where and when I was supposed to show up the first day, and that I was running 30 min late, had no idea where I was going, and it was terrible.  I guess it's pretty natural to be having anxiety about starting a new job and new challenges.

     Also, while I am absolutely thrilled about being engaged, and very excited to get married to B, the realities of the situation have set in.  How the hell do people logistically get married during residency?!  Having time off at the same time as one another is one hurdle, and having more than one week off at a time is another hurdle, which means that we'll have to wait until at least our PGY2 year.  The other hurdle is, how the hell are we supposed to save up for something so expensive on a resident salary?!  My parents have graciously offered some money for the wedding, and while we are ecstatic about that, we are realistically going to need to save a substantial amount of money on top of that.  The other huge challenge is who the going to plan this wedding.  I mean, I love planning this stuff, but I'm going to have minuscule time off during intern year.  Not to mention, how am I supposed to plan a wedding on the West Coast when I'm living on the East Coast? AAGGGGHH *$%#@$!!!

     Anyone have any tips for planning for and saving for a wedding during residency?

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Home Sweet Home


     A few weekends ago, B* and I made a quick trip to Philadelphia to go house hunting.  Thanks to B's hard work and preparation before the trip, when we got there everything was all lined up and ready to go.  Our real estate agent showed us 12 houses in one day, with plans to see more if necessary.  Luckily, we found one on the first day we really liked.  We made an offer, and are currently under contract.  Everything has been going smoothly so far: the inspection, the appraisal, etc.  So if all goes according to plan, we officially close and get our keys on June 6th! Holy crap, we're gonna be home owners!

     I can't believe I'm gonna co-own a home so early in my life.  I would have never thought it'd be possible, but the amount we're gonna pay in mortgage is actually less than what we would be paying in rent.  Granted, we're not living in Center City, where all the action is.  However, we're still living in a super cute up-and-coming neighborhood that is still plenty close to everything.

Finished basement - aka my new lady cave




    I'm so happy with the house we got.  It's a recently renovated 3 bed/1.5 bath, with a good sized patio and a finished basement.  I can't WAIT to decorate.  Also, I somehow convinced B to let me have the entire basement as my office/craft room/lady cave... HAHAHA!!! (insert evil laugh here)

                              
                                      Master bedroom

Upstairs bathroom

Upstairs bathroom

Gorgeous kitchen

Gorgeous kitchen

Living room
Patio (small, but good sized for Philly)



     Since when did I become a grown-ass adult?!


* Now that BF and I are engaged, I'm going to just refer to him as "B"

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

The Vacation of a Lifetime

     Just one week after Match Day, I finished medical school! Holy crap, it still hasn't hit me that I'm done.  And after moving all of our worldly possessions into storage and my parents house in the course of one weekend, we immediately took off halfway around the world.  We went to the north island of New Zealand and to the kingdom of Tonga, and both were AMAZING.  Luckily, I have a lot of family in New Zealand, so BF and I just went from city to city visiting everyone and exploring.  Oh yeah, and something pretty big happened....    Here are some pictures capturing the adventures:


Family in Auckland

My Grandma when she was young eating a chicken wing. I see where I get it...


Hahei, NZ

Hahei, NZ

Hahei, NZ

Hahei, NZ

Cathedral Cove, NZ

Cathedral Cove, NZ

Cathedral Cove, NZ

Cathedral Cove, NZ

Cathedral Cove, NZ




Purangi Winery

Purangi Winery



Hot Water Beach, NZ

Hot Water Beach, NZ

Hot Water Beach, NZ

Hot Water Beach, NZ

Hot Water Beach, NZ

Hot Water Beach, NZ

Hot Water Beach, NZ

Hot Water Beach, NZ



Hahei Beach, NZ

Hahei Beach, NZ

Hahei Beach, NZ

Hahei Beach, NZ

Hahei Beach, NZ

Hahei Beach, NZ

Hahei Beach, NZ

Crescent moon - I can't help myself!

Hahei Beach, NZ


Family in Gisborne, NZ

Family in Gisborne, NZ


Awesome winery that does everything based on the lunar calendar

Our cute little hut in Tonga

View when you walked out of our hut

Ha'atafu Beach, Tonga



HE PROPOSED! WE'RE ENGAGED!!!!!!!!! :D

Ha'atafu Beach, Tonga


Pangaimotu, Tonga

Pangaimotu, Tonga

Pangaimotu, Tonga

Pangaimotu, Tonga

Silly dog on the beach


Pangaimotu, Tonga


Auckland, NZ

Auckland, NZ


Auckland, NZ

Mario and Princess Peach

Auckland, NZ

Auckland, NZ

Waiheke Island, NZ



Waiheke Island, NZ

Waiheke Island, NZ

Waiheke Island, NZ


Waiheke Island, NZ

I'm a natural! Must run in my blood - my grandma was into archery!



   So in case you didn't catch it in the photos above... BF PROPOSED!!!!! We're engaged, y'all!!!! I am beyond excited, and sooo happy!  I mean, I knew it would happen eventually, but I thought it wouldn't be until intern year or so.  We're engaged!!! EEEEEeeeee!!!!!! :D