The Beginning of the End...

We had a lot going on through July and August, and although it was pretty stressful, I had been waiting for it for 3 years. It was all ending. The life I had come to know with all its awful goodness was coming to a close, and I just had to try and enjoy/remember as much as I could. The night before I left, Alan and I went to play putt putt, so I could kick his butt butt...  and we had such a good time.  We tied.

                                       

                         

I drove straight through from Charlotte to Chicago on the third Saturday of the month. I packed up my car, grabbed my cap and gown, grad dress, and tunes, and said goodbye to our home (details later).  13.5 hours later I hugged my awesome friend Camille and took up residency on her couch while preparing for the week ahead. We had 5 days of straight lectures covering every topic in medicine that we had ever learned, even through lunch hours. There was no time to really chat with classmates because we were all so fervently jotting down notes, or staring into the faces of the lecturers, hoping that perhaps the information spewing from their mouths might take up residency in some unknown deep vacant space in our brains, and we might be able to call upon that information in our hour of need. (Boards) We would go back to Cam's and try our hardest to study anything at all, but mostly we just crashed and prayed her adorable baby would let us all sleep through the night!

That week went by rather quickly, and on Thursday we were told there was to be a special luncheon in our honor on Friday. The dress code was 'Business Formal...' and you better believe I did not have a dress! So, shopping we went! I found a great dress (I think), and scored some Italian shoes from Camille, and we were set to go. Friday we had a 3.5 hr ENT lecture--holy smokes. Then our Final Lecture from the faculty. There was an awesome video of our class put together to remind us that we actually did more than just study throughout the last 2 and 1/2 years, although we had forgotten most of it. It was great to remember all the neat experiences we were able to share during our time together as a class. Then, as of that day, August 24, 2012-- we were PA's. We completed our schooling and had a week off before the graduation ceremony, but we were done. It was a pretty incredible feeling to know that when I walked out of that lecture hall, I would never again sit in those chairs. I walked out of that hall a Colleague, and no longer a student. Of course, there is just one measley little test I need to take before I can get the 'C' behind the PA. bahaha...I've never wanted a C so bad in my life! :)
The luncheon was a simple, intimate ceremony that allowed us to honor certain students and faculty, as well as be all together one last time. It was held at the Westin Hotel, and I'm so glad we had this afternoon because there were many dear friendships I made and didn't get pictures with at graduation.The faculty surprised us with long white coats that had our names embroidered on them, and gave us champaigne to toast with. Overall it was a really special day and I've got a flood of pictures to prove it.

 I love this girl. Lauren. We are gonna rock Boards on the same day. 

 Lynae... Seriously could not have asked for greater friends. She is amazing

 Our Advisor, James Gunn, and all his baby birds...

 Camille and I are convinced we were brought together because we're soulmates. I Love this girl. Could not have done it without her!

 Ahh. The original Anatomy team. Day 1 of school we started together, and now we end it together. I love all three of these people. Brad's such a stud, and those girls are the kind of friends you hope and pray for -- Straight up Awesome.

 A. Smith, Our original program director...

 Dr S. Noronha, our ending Program Director. Both great women!

 You could not find a more wonderful physician if you tried. Dr Richardson is an incredible example  of service and compassion. Though we will not miss his Cardiology lectures or Fluids and 'Lytes... 

 Erin and Kristyn changed my life. They introduced me to The Big Bang Theory... Need I say more?!

 K. Roman, Such an awesome woman! "Oh the Places You'll Go."- Dr Seuss

And so it was. Next up, Graduation...

July...

July went by pretty fast. So did August, apparently. However, I am going to get you caught up. Don't you worry! Alan's birthday was a pretty busy day this year, and with everything going on, we had a small celebration that night and decided to head to Charleston for the real party that weekend. We had a blast with our friends/family. (Framily?) We headed to the beach, and stayed there for a good while. The ocean swept all of our sunglasses right off our faces, and so we bid farewell to our sweet shades. Chris was not pleased with such a rushed funeral:) Becca actually swiped mine right out of the grasp of the ocean wave before it took yet another loyal life. I owe her bigtime! We went to dinner at a fabulous seafood restaurant on the water that evening. (I had too many hushpuppies)  Oh, and Alan fell in love with a new treat... Taro frozen yogurt. It's pretty divine. Try it.We chatted and played until we were ready to drop, but we were ok because we had done some super powerful yoga in the morning with our personal yoga instructor, Becca. It was such a fun weekend and it is already looking to be an awesome year for my beloved Aging spouse. Happy Birthday Goose!

*Alan got 'Man Cups' for his birthday present this year. He LOVES them. They are steel measuring cups that go all the way up to a 2 cup-cup. Pretty sweet.

Stuff's a Happenin...

Life is about to get real crazy real fast. And I am sooo excited! I will spend more time on everything that has happened in the past couple months shortly, but let me just say today, that life is Great. I MADE IT! I made it to North Carolina, I made it through my last 8 week rotation in Derm, and I MADE IT THROUGH PA SCHOOL. Mom, Dad, and Alan are going to be at my graduation, and I am taking off this weekend to go back to Chicago for one last week of Board Prep before the big walk. I still can't believe it.... I mean, a little over 2 years ago I couldn't even imagine what this would be like. I wasn't even sure I would live this long... and it's here.  I wanted to show you a little bit of NC before I leave here though, so you know I am so happy with where we are in life. We have been so blessed in every way. Whenever I am having rough days(which happen a lot as Boards get closer and I get more anxious)-I remember how we got to where we are currently, and then I just know that things will be ok.  So, here are just a few pics of  8 weeks ago. When life got exciting.

Road trip to NC! I left after my last exam/class around 4pm. I was so excited to see Alan again and it was really hard not to speed! Look how green it gets.

Aah..Charlotte. Uptown Charlotte is one of the nicest cities I have ever been to. It is beautiful, clean, and everyone smiles when ya walk by. You actually really can hear birds in the city!

 We took a trip the very next day after I arrived in Charlotte. We went down to Charleston to visit our favorite peeps! We went to the beach, ate delicious food, Chris studied anatomy (Sucka!:) and just enjoyed each other's company. 

 The next weekend, Chris and Becca drove up to see us and we caught an awesome performance of Beauty and the Beast. We scored student price tickets and got to sit in Orchestra seats. It was such a great night. 

We love you two! We always have such a blast, and are so excited to get to live so close! We had such big plans for the summer and I will post more pics later of our adventures. 

Birthday Surprises

Wow. This was quite the birthday year. I'll try to keep it brief, but there was a lot goin on, so I make no promises.

Arielle took me out the night before my birthday and we had a bite to eat...

Or maybe a lot of bites to eat:)  We went to a movie and watched What to Expect When You're Expecting. I loved it. Arielle, you and your gift cards are just too good to me:) 

On my birthday, the weather was just too tempting to pass up. I took the day off from work at the psych hospital (fun fun:/), went for a 10 mile run, and spent the rest of the day by the pool. It was pretty great just studying, chatting with some girlfriends from school, and eating Doritos... Naturally.

I won't lie, I was wondering all day if Alan was even going to send a card for my birthday, and when I got home and found nothing, I was a little disappointed. Still, he had been talking about my birthday for a few weeks and I didn't really think he forgot. I showered, got ready for dinner with friends, and waited. For some reason, we weren't going to dinner right away; it was getting late and Amy told me they had changed our reservation. The doorbell rang and no one got up to get it. So I went. I stared down at my mom...pretty shocked. Alan flew my mom up for the week, and I just kept saying "I'm so confused. What are you doing here?"  Then I cried a little. I'm kind of a baby. I spent the weekend hanging out with my mom  and even got a free dessert at Chama Gaucha for my birthday. Flan! Bleh.... But still-it was really nice. Thanks Diestlers for being such great friends and helping to make this such a great day!

 Luis came up with the boys for the weekend and it was so nice to celebrate my birthday with so much family and fun. We had a blast with the boys, and they really seemed to love seeing their grandma again. I know we always love seeing them! We sure missed their momma, though. Check out Jacob eating fries from his toes:) Weirdo! haha. We were up with these guys till 1 in the morning. In true Weger fashion, of course.  

Mom and I couldn't resist buying matching adorable outfits for those two. Aren't they cute?! 

 AAAARGH!

 A whole family of ducks! It was fun to feed them our leftover Popeyes biscuits...

 Love that smile. 

Can't you tell how they just adore her? 

 I taught him "Deuces" -- he's such a gangsta!

All in all, I could not ask for a more dear husband who tries so hard to make me happy, even when he's far away. I also am so grateful for friends who made my birthday special, and even made me my favorite birthday cake! What would I do without you all?! So--Happy 27th to me... It's looking to be a good year.