Snapshots of Recent Happenin's

These past 2 months have been quite busy. So I thought I would summarize my recent "exciting" times at home with a few pictures. Being away makes me appreciate where I am from that much more. I am getting comfortable back at home in my usual routine... uh oh.

Flowers from Dan for the first day of my clinical. So sweet.

Pipes after we ran and played on the beach one evening.

Same evening on the beach 

Last Saturday afternoon where I spent several hours reading HP in the peacefulness
 of the beach (and got really burned on the back of my legs!! ahh!)

Sunset going over the bridge after driving home from work. SC really is prettier.

So there you have it. I really don't do a whole lot at home besides spending time with the fam and working 9-6 at the clinic. Nothing crazy exciting. But I am really learning alot at my clinic, and it is very rewarding to actually start evaluating and treating patients... I still have so much to learn!

The New Pad

As promised here are pics of my new place!! Love it. Love it. Love it. Such a great decision. And tonight I finally finished putting everything where it belongs. No more boxes! I really haven't had much time since starting ortho a couple weeks ago. Ahhh. But I'm off to DC tomorrow for our national PT conference, and I get to see Lauren and a few other Clemson people as well! So excited!

P.S. Come visit me!!

Moving on up

Not to be too much of a nerd, but as I am starting to prepare for ortho that's going to start next week I find myself really enjoying reading the assignments. Thank goodness! Finally we're getting to the exciting stuff. I've been dreading the start of it because everyone has always been like, "ohhh just wait til you get to ortho," or "oh man this is nothing compared to ortho." You get the point... But essentially as long as I keep it all in perspective of why I actually need to learn this stuff I should be ok. I finally had the guts to sit down and look up all the readings and assignments this afternoon. Not too terrible...yet.

Well enough about school, don't want to bore people. I also started packing up my apartment today! Craziness. Stuff everywhere. Ugh. I hate moving. But the end result is going to be worth it. Hopefully the other girl is all moved out this weekend so I can assess the situation Monday and move it all on Tuesday before class starts Wednesday! As I sit on the couch right now staring at the massive pile of stuff I am reminded of what a certain friend used to say about the inside of my purse, because it definitely looks like Vera Bradley threw up in my dining room! Some things will never change ha!

34 DAYS til Greenville wedding weekend with my long lost BFF's!

OMG Prom.

Last night we had our UDPT Prom. So once again I got to go to prom, but this time there were no high schoolers anywhere to be found nor were there any silly corsages... but we did have an open bar! Definitely didn't have one of those at the last prom I was at. Christina and I went in the afternoon to MAC to get our make-up done. We had them do our eyes and fake eyelashes! I always love having an excuse to get all dressed up and wear heels. Although I was taller than some of my guy friends... they weren't too thrilled about that ha.

We had our pre-prom party at one of the 2nd year's apartments where we shared all kinds of yummy appetizers and drinks. My friends and I made some sangria. Delish! Afterwards, we met up at the parking lot to meet the bus that we were taking over to the country club. And as we waited for the bus we took lots of "prom pics!" Fun stuff I know. The rest of the evening was spent dancing and enjoying the company of friends/classmates. Such a wonderful evening! 

Laughter is Good for the Soul

Last night my friend Christina had a bunch of us over to her house for a potluck style gathering. There was lots of delicious food and fun times hanging out with everyone. And let me tell you I don't think I have laughed as hard as I did last night in quite some time. I made it all the way to the stage of my laughing where I don't make any noise anymore/hyperventilating with tears streaming down my face (characteristic of a typical day during high school... my silent tearful laugh was famous back then). I'm glad to know that I have friends who share my same humor. I'd say my guy friends are pretty fantastic. Just another instance where I am reassured that I am in exactly the right place.

Also, I had my meeting about planning out my last three clinical affiliations. And it looks like next summer I will be at the hospital in Anderson, SC (I know I know...) for my acute affil for 6 weeks. But my professor couldn't speak more highly of it. She kept saying that she loves the staff and it's one of her favorite sites. She has been wanting someone to go to it for a few years now. I then told her I was having trouble deciding between sports or pediatrics for my last elective affil...And she replied with, "Well have I got the perfect solution for you!" Music to my ears. Instead of picking one of the basic rehab sites for my 3rd affil, I could do a 16 week combo affil for my 3rd and 4th. It would be at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (way legit!!) where I would do 8 weeks of inpatient pediatric rehab and then 8 weeks of outpatient pediatrics at their sports performance clinic. I don't think it could get more perfect than that. And I'll be able to stay in the same place all fall. Needless to say that was a great day!

Is This Real Life?

Dear Drama,

Please get the eff out of my life. I don't have time for you... not now and not ever.

Most sincerely,
Kristin

P.S. Just give me my peace of mind back.

Spring Life

I don't know why I'm always surprised when God pulls everything together in my life. I should know by now that he always comes through for me, even if it is in his own timing. Maybe the timing is what surprises me. But it is nice to feel at peace, and hopefully things continue this way.

Also, don't you just love how after coming back from spring break they love to barrage you with assignments. I have 4 group projects... fan-freakin-tastic. It's definitely going to keep me busy for the rest of the semester.

I'm excited for tomorrow because I'm having dinner with my cousin Claire! She moved to Baltimore from NYC last year, and we are just now finding time in our busy schedules to see each other. I'm glad that we live so close now! Yay for family! I also may get to see my rooms Alex this coming weekend (and maybe even Lauren again). So many people in one week, this is wonderful. I love the people in my life.

Cooper... Morris (aka Boris)... Lemiex

I am currently pretending to be a SeattleU student as I am spending the morning in their library (Lemiex) while Kelly works. This has been a fantastic trip so far, getting to spend lots of time with Kelly and seeing her in her new element. I've gotten to meet all her friends and go to the places that she frequents. And yes it has rained alot... they weren't lying about that part. But it's not like I was expecting it to be warm and sunny or anything.

I get to see my Seattleite soon!

Getting through all this studying for midterms is just a little bit easier because of Lupe's new album! Love love. Only 9 more days til Seattle and spring break YAY! (hurry up puh-lease)

Also I have found painting my nails to be quite therapeutic. It is such a good study break. I highly recommend it.

Lauren

This weekend was wonderful as I was graced with the presence of my roommate Lauren. It felt just like the good 'ol days of undergrad. She got here on Friday night and we stayed up late just talking and catching up on life. Then Saturday we went to lunch at Homegrown... mmmm. After walking around Main St. for a bit we headed back to my apartment to watch a lifetime movie. Perfection. We also decided that we should bake a cake in honor of our other roommate Alex's birthday on Sunday. So we went to the store and picked up a red velvet cake mix and some cream cheese icing. It was delicious!

After baking the cake we quickly assembled a classic 108G pizza of pepperonis and green pepper and some BLL (Bud Light Lime) on the side. Can't get any better than that! We then got ready to go out on Main for the night with a bunch of my PT friends. Some of us met at my place beforehand and later on we headed over to Main St. where Lauren got a real taste of the Delaware nightlife. And man did it live up to every expectation I had given her. Sooo many slores running around in scandalous outfits, lots of Jerseyness, and great times dancing. Overall a fun and fantastic weekend with one of my favs! It makes me miss all of them even more.

One Day

In a conversation yesterday with a dear friend we were talking about how things in our life seem out of reach and the phrase "one day we'll get there" or "one day we'll know_______" kept popping up. But for now we're stuck not knowing, and that's just the way it has to be. We're always waiting on the next thing to happen in our lives or the next turn of events. It probably feels like this since we're still in school; life isn't very settled yet. We keep living in these short bursts, until we are uprooted again and on to something new. So yes one day we'll get there....

Which made me think today of how more recently I'm trying to truly enjoy the people, places, and experiences that surround me at the moment. I'm working on not letting worrying about things I have no control over or shouldn't be thinking about yet get in the way of living my life right now. It's just not worth it. (I mean I don't want wrinkles or grey hair anytime soon...)

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes.... Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25,34


There is no point. He's got it all under control. Got to keep everything in perspective.

And completely off topic... But in case you haven't seen this yet I thought I'd share it. It makes me smile everytime. It is just sooooo cute and I can't stop watching it!

Can I go back to 2008?

What I would give right now to be back in the year of 2008. Everything was so peachy and perfect in my life back then. No worries. Great friends. Fun times. Adventures abroad. 2 weeks of camp. All seemed right in the world. I wish I could make lemonade with all these lemons I've got right now...

(Also just realized how many fruit references were made in such a short paragraph. I'm weird I know.)

NOLA

Mmm Jambalaya, Beignets, and Gumbo... the food in New Orleans was fantastic! Almost every dinner I had involved something cajun. We even had fried alligator one night. Delish! It was a great trip overall. I learned lots at the conference. I ended up going to most of the sports lectures, which were so interesting. Can't wait til I actually get to start treating patients... this summer ah! I also got to experience Bourbon Street. Pure craziness to say the least. 

French Quarter - St. Louis Cathedral

And then I was able to spend lots of time with my friends and classmates. Bottom line: we got to see everyone's true personality. That's what traveling with 12 other people will do. But luckily I came away as being known as a laid back, easy going, drama free girl who is a very efficient packer and can be ready in 30 minutes or less in the morning... Not bad I would say. I have made my dad proud. That's what growing up with all brothers will do for you. And for that I am very grateful. 

Me and the Dans!

Love Regina

It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder
'Til it was a battle cry

I'll come back
When you call me
No need to say goodbye

Just because every thing's changing
Doesn't mean it's never been this way before
All you can do is try to know
Who your friends are as you head off to the war

Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say goodbye

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say goodbye

Now, we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
'Til they're before your eyes

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say goodbye

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say goodbye

I Just Want My Own Dang Kitchen

Ever since moving to Delaware I have found myself becoming progressively more OCD about the kitchen. It never really bothered me much in Clemson, maybe it has something to do with the people I live with? Yes I think so. But still I just find myself becoming more and more irritated by the little things, and having my stuff not being taken care of like it should doesn't help. For example I am down to 2 short glasses and 4 tall glasses when I started out with 6 of each... How does this even happen I don't know... Frustrating? Yes.

I was walking through Anthropologie last week (since we have one in Newark), and I just couldn't help but "ooo" and "ahh" over all the kitchen stuff. I simply can't wait til I get to buy real kitchen stuff that matches, and decorate exactly the way I want it without having to worry about some rando roommate using it too. I probably sound bitchy, but if you came here you would understand.

Here's some of the things that caught my eye:

Reorganizing & Prioritizing

Life has dealt me situations which have lead me to reconsider and evaluate things in my life. I feel it is a good point to "reorganize" so to speak and really get a handle on what is bringing me positiveness and what is not. It's not quite spring yet, but it doesn't matter I'm starting the "spring cleaning" of my life in January. Taking some time off from certain things will give me time to appreciate and value what I do have in my life. I feel like I've been too close to my breaking point for too long. Life just kept on piling things up, but now it's time to divide and conquer. And I am hoping that this will all work out in the end, resolve things, and keep my life on a positive track. I will leave you with one of the things I did... I am in the process of purging my facebook of people I never talk to/don't really know anymore. It is liberating. I've always wanted to do it. I highly recommend it.

John 16:33 - I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.


Psalm 55:22 - Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.

Snow. Snow. Snow.

I don't think that there is anything much more peaceful then sitting at my desk this evening and watching the snow fall outside my window. I literally just want to sit here all night and watch it. If I were to have a favorite type of weather, right now I'd say it would definitely be snow. And listening to some Sufjan at the same time makes it even better. Now that I live north of the Mason-Dixon Line I don't get silly snow days anymore like Clemson would give us. They are prepared up here. Salt trucks, snow plows, and the like all getting the roads ready before the storms so we can all go about our lives the next day. So a couple inches won't keep me out of school anymore. Oh well. Maybe I'll hope for a blizzard now! But we're only getting about 4 more inches tonight... so I'm pretty sure I'll be going to class tomorrow.

Snow. Snow. Snow.