Well December Flew By

Technically it's already the 29th of December, and so many things have happened in the past 4 weeks that I can barely believe it was all real.

As December began the stresses of all my finals and practicals set in. I mapped out a calendar to finish out all my studying and make sure I could balance it all and not forget about anything. But on the evening of December 4th that all came to a halt as I was told that my cousin Alli (with CF) was dying. Around 2pm the next day she passed away at just 20 years old. It came so suddenly I couldn't believe it was real. I have never had anyone I was close to or family pass away. The only way I can describe it is surreal. So this was a new experience for me and to top it off right at the start of finals. My study schedule was tossed out the window (or literally into the trash can in my room) and I had lost my motivation/focus. But thanks to those of you who came over and kept me company, listened to me on the phone, and were there for me I kept on going to finish out the semester strong. I took a brief 4 day jaunt to STL for Alli's services with the family then came back to Delaware to take all my finals so I could go home for winter break. Those were probably the toughest, most stressful 10 days of my life. But luckily I ended up with all A's and B's despite it all, (even in the dreaded Biomechanics that I was almost certain I had a C in).

Allison Claire Densford ♥ 7/9/1990 - 12/5/2010

I got on a plane on the 16th to fly home to SC for 2 weeks for winter break. A much needed break. Upon arriving in SC I headed straight to good ol' ILC for our annual PEP Christmas dance that Adam and Donald have taken over organizing for me. So fun. Those people bring such joy to my heart. Makes me miss being able to go to Handycamp during the summers since I'm now stuck in PT school full time. After that life slowed down a little bit... I've spent so much time with Piper. We do everything together. My mom thinks Piper is going to have a really hard time when I have to go back to Delaware on Thursday. My Opa came up here for a few days for Christmas, which is always so nice to spend time with him. And other than that I've just been spending time with my family, watching movies, shopping, and cooking. It was even warm enough one day (70 degrees!) to go to the beach, so we took Piper to run and play.

Piper during her Christmas photo shoot

 And now I head back to the snow-ridden north for 6 1/2 months straight of classes... well except for a spring break. Hope I'm ready. But I can't wait for our 108G reunion in Middletown on Thursday! And then New Year's Eve with my Delaware girls!

And the Countdown to Christmas Begins!

27 days and counting... who's excited?! Definitely me. I love absolutely everything about this season. Being able to listen to Christmas music just somehow puts me in a better mood as well as watching Elf countless times over. Already watched it twice since Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving Cookies

Here is a recipe I tried today. Soooo easy and delish. Got it from my biomechanics teacher's wife. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

1 box spice cake mix

1 can of pumpkin

chocolate chips








Yes thats it. And all you do is mix them all together and then spread them out in flat rounds on cookie sheets. (they're like funfetti cookies so you have to flatten them out in the shape of a cookie because they don't change sizes when you bake them) Then bake for 10-12 minutes at 350°.

Omg Pho

A couple weekends ago I got to visit Lauren in DC. So wonderful. We got to enjoy some good roommate bonding time. Have I said enough that I miss living with those three?! Ha. I got to try some Pho for the first time. It was yummy. And as Lauren described it... the "Asian chicken noodle soup." Such a comfort food. And while we are still talking about Asian food, Kelly I want you to know that I had to use chopsticks when my friends and I went out for sushi. You would have been so proud, I didn't really struggle that much! Ok so back to the DC weekend, we also went to eat at Chipotle (apparently Lauren eats there very often haha), she had already had it for lunch that day but was fine to go again with me for dinner! What a good friend. All in all it was a fabulous weekend. I'm glad she is so close. I'm going to have to take advantage of that more often.

This past weekend was PT Thanksgiving dinner. It was fun. Everyone brought something, so obviously I baked a pie. Typical Beste style. I made my Aunt Nancy's Apple Raspberry pie since we usually have that at home on Thanksgiving. It couldn't have turned out more perfect. It came out of the oven golden brown right as I needed to leave. Everyone was raving about it and surprised that I had made my own crust. Really people?! Is the art of baking a real pie becoming lost?! Let's hope not. But I will carry on the tradition. No worries. Makes me wonder if I should just open up my own pie bakery and stop with all this studying nonsense.... ha if only.

Next, is Russell Thanksgiving in Middletown. Can't wait! Yay family. Makes me feel better about not going home to be with my fellow Beste's. But I guess that happens when you grow up and plane tickets and traveling are just so darn expensive that you have to prioritize your holidays! Now I just have to make it 3 1/2 more weeks and then I will be finished with this semester!! And I will be able to spend some time at home with Pipes and the fam. I'm looking forward to doing absolutely nothing during those weeks. My brain needs a break. But can't think about that yet. I have to finish it first!

Fall is Finally Here

As pointed out by certain people it has been a terribly long time since my last entry. Sincerest apologies. I'm going to blame PT school on this one. Although it's a lame excuse cause I've had free time these past few weeks.

The fall season has arrived thank goodness. But it has brought with it some unexpectedness which goes to show that you truly can never know what is in store for you. Despite that I do enjoy taking the extra time though to notice the normalcy of the leaves changing, the crisp coolness of the wind as I walk to class, and of course the Uggs and peacoats being brought out of the back of the closet ha! (and yes I'm one of those now). To my defense though, I have poor circulation/cold hypersensitivity issues which has been reconfirmed since being in PT school, so these items are necessary to wear up here.

Most of our class at our Halloween Party in McKinly

The month of October flew by, apparently considering my lack of posts. Lots of schoolwork in the beginning, but ending with Halloween. Crazy times. 3 different costumes... ridiculous I know. And then this past weekend was Homecoming. No where near being as awesome as Clemson. It made me miss it so much. UD students understand the tailgating but that's about it. I don't think I'll ever go back to a UD football game. So extremely lame. But some noteworthy news out of the month of October... I was given my first choice for my first clinical affiliation next summer, which means I will be going back to HHI for 6 weeks in the 2nd half of July and August for my ortho affil. I'm definitely excited about that, but trying not to think about how scary/difficult it's going to be treating real patients for the first time in a busy outpatient clinic ah!

Me and the Dans at Homecoming

The month of November has plenty of exciting things in store for me I believe. This weekend I am going to visit Lauren in D.C. I can't wait to see that rooms of mine. It will be fantastic. I miss you three so much. Then the next weekend we have PT Thanksgiving dinner with all the first years and second years together... guess I'll be baking a pie!! And the day after we have our UDPT Fall Bar Crawl.... oh yes haha. Good times. And the next week... Thanksgiving in Middletown with the Russells!! Can November get any better than this?! I think not.