If you can't laugh at yourself... who can you laugh at?

Sometimes, the day just does not go as planned.
Last week, I decided that I was going to bike to school -- its not too far to school, it was looking to be a nice day, and I had plenty of time before my morning class. And biking to school seems like a great way to get exercise & be green to the environment. So, I get on our bike only to realize that the tires were low. "No problem", I thought, "there is a gas station a few blocks away where I can fill the tires.". I arrive at the gas station and get the front tire filled no problem, but the back tire... well, when I was filling it and squeezed it to see if it was getting full... it popped. It did not just quietly pop, nope... it POPPED and TWANGED and the metal around the rim of tire came undone (see bottom picture), loud enough that the gas station attendant inside had to come out and check out what was going on. And my ear closest to the bike rang for a short time.
Seeing as I was only a short ways away from home (like 1/2-3/4 mile) and felt too silly to ask if I could leave the now useless bike there to pick-up with our truck in a few minutes... I decided to walk the bike home, only to realize that the explosion of the back tire caused the front tire frame to heat up in one spot and stick, so the wheel no longer rolled... this meant that I ended up carrying the bike home -- still with my backpack and helmet. I must have looked like a sight to those passing me on their way to work, I can only imagine thinking myself, "Doesn't she know she's supposed to ride and not carry that bike?".

My attempt at biking to school failed, but I did manage to get some exercise in that morning (and I did make it to my morning class on time...)! And the loss of the bike... it was no great loss; it was due to be replaced anyway because it had other problems.

I think I must have spring fever. You know that antsy feeling that seems to come when the seasons change and nicer weather appears? It seems to have come a bit late this year, perhaps owing to how busy I was with schoolwork last semester... I stopped noting the passing of days (only time until the next test). But, I do have it now. So, I am trying to find little activities to fill my time. Like going for more walks (Hondo likes that one), or cleaning up the apartment (its much cleaner than it has been at any other time than when we moved in), or re-arranging and thinning things... I guess my cupboards like that one.

In other news or what-have-you...
I have now completed 2 semesters and 1 week of a third semester of medical school. About a year ago, I had received my acceptance and was nervous/anxious/excited to start... worried that my seven year break in formal education would be too long. I will say this, returning to school was an adjustment in and of itself... but I think the life experience between my years of schooling has enriched my education. There have been many things I have learned in med school which I have been able to relate to things that I had seen/learned/experienced between undergrad and starting med school. It really has been fun to go back to school and learn, I am grateful to have had the experience and looking forward to starting next school year.

Between Spring semester and my current semester, I had a week break which I used to go to Minnesota. It was so fun to go home and spend time with family there. I was kept quite busy each day, and it was fun to see everyone there! While I was there I went to a cousin's wedding, services in the cities, out for appetizers; to Menahga to visit my Grandma (and thank you to the aunts, uncles, and cousins who also came and visited with my mom, dad, and me!); and was able to spend time at each of my sister's and sister-in-law's homes, as well as at my mom & dad's. It was nice to be able to go for a week and spend a little time at each place! Thank you very much to all! :) I will have to post pictures once I load them on my computer.