30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 24

And while Pete & I did go visiting last night to Grandma & Grandpa K's, and also saw Pete's parents + younger sibs, and Mindy & Aaron + kids... I forgot to grab a picture while we were there. It was a fun night -- but today's back to the studying hard. I took a bit too much time off from studying this domain, and am playing catch-up this weekend in hopes of doing well on Monday's 3 hour exam! (We have 1 exam each 3-4 week class!)

So, today's photo challenge: A smile. Pretty sure this counts ~ this is my happy dog on our walk this evening. And yes... our grass is this green (you can also see that it's been misting today -- the grass is pretty wet)! His happiest 2 minutes each day are between the end of the walk and mealtime.

On another note: I really am liking this springtime weather!

30 Day Photo Challlenge: Day 23

As last night was rainy, I did not get a picture of the sunset... and since tonight does not look promising, I figured I would take a trip through the picture archives...

Sunset over Lake Michigan - D family camping. Probably my best picture of the sun slipping slowly beneath the horizon. No matter where you are... sunset is a beautiful event, and I don't think I have seen 2 that look identical yet! :)

Sunset over canals in Venice, Italy. This was probably one of the most picturesque places I have ever been. The buildings are old -- much older than buildings in the US, and the multitude of bridges and crazy sidewalks keeps navigating around the place interesting. Motorized travel around Venice is by boat and you get to feed the birds! Fun place to visit!

Sunset over Beijing, China. We were in Beijing about 2 weeks before the 2008 Summer Olympics. The weather there was warm and muggy (so the sunset is not so brilliant). Really neat to watch the Bird's Nest (pictured above), and other places in the city ready themselves for the games and foreign tourists. I would go back to China in a heartbeat to visit -- great food, nice people, and we were able to find enough people who spoke English making travel about the country relatively easy.

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 22

My view this morning -- sun coming up over the trees. It's going to be another beautiful summer-like day; I plan on being outside and enjoying it!

30 Day Photo Challege: Days 19-21

Today we were able to take the plane out and just around the area... certainly looks like summer!
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In addition to Pete getting a plane Monday, I had to have a breast biopsy. Today's a great day -- not only is the weather good, but I found out the results & I do not have cancer. All the same, it was scary to be told that I needed a biopsy and it was not the least painful thing I have ever done.

 

Following my biopsy, I came home and napped here on the couch (Day 19: where I slept) -- following strict instructions to not clean, vacuum, lift anything, or move too much.

These are the books that I am reading (Day 20). Unfortunately, school leaves little time for much recreational reading during the semester. As for "recreational reading", I did get through the Breast Health pamphlet as well as the pathology report (top document) -- not so exciting reads, but important all the same.

And... today's pretty pattern: the top of the tea box we got from China (contains a wonderful loose leaf fruit tea and unfurling flower jasmine tea). I like this pattern, and today especially -- with all the sunshine, the box seems to glow. One thing that I found interesting when traveling over there, packaging matters almost as much as the product itself. We have a beautiful wood box (in storage) that contains the glass figurine of the Great Wall of China, and a nice patterned box containing my tea set.

Interrupting the regularly scheduling program... Pete got his plane

Pete got his plane today! Kind of exciting news for the two of us! It is housed at the airport (in a hanger). I imagine that we will be spending some time here -- enjoying the outdoors, watching planes take off, and also taking off ourselves to explore the skies!

This makes many places all that much closer -- and with seats that are nice and cushy, and an interior wide enough for both of us to have elbow room... I really am looking forward to flying with him!

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 18

My bags are boring (at least to me); the contents were previously photographed in the Day 7-11 challenge.

My bookbag contents vary daily (and often hourly) -- but contain a mixture of laptop, current coarsepack(s), Robbins (the 9 lb book of pathology, per bathroom scale, that feels like 25 lb), First Aid (the book used to study for boards), Pathoma (a pathology review book), and some special text for whatever unit we are studying (currently -- Lilly cardiology). It also contains a wallet, keys, cell phone, Excedrin and Ibuprofen, highlighters, pens, and a calculator.

My clinical skills bag contains my clinical skills equipment: stethascope, flashlight, reflex hammer, tuning fork, opthalmoscope/otoscope (thing used to look in the eyes, and the thing used to look in the ears), otoscope tips (those black things that are put on the otoscope before looking in ears), my blood pressure cuffs, a watch, a pen, and an assortment of papers. On days that I have clinical skills -- it will also contain my white coat, and perhaps a change of clothes.

I don't carry a purse as that's just one more thing to think about -- and place to forget the wallet, keys, cell phone etc. To non-school places (like the grocery store, church), I hand carry my wallet, keys and cell phone; or stuff these items into whatever pocket I can find.

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 17

Today's challenge was to take a photo of a shelf. Outside of bookshelves and flat surfaces doubling as shelves containing many books, the only shelf in my house contains tea -- a storage shelf above the sink in the kitchen.   We have so many books -- filling 4 bookshelves and a few large storage containers in the basement.

In lieu of posting these photos, I re-interpreted the challenge as "collections".  I do have a collection of foreign currency (kept behind some books on a shelf). We like to travel, and everywhere we go we add our loose change to this collection. So far it contains coins from: the US, Jamaica, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, China, Japan, and various European currencies: Euros, Francs (Switzerland), and Pence (UK).

Flat surface filled with books

Foreign coin collection - cheap souvenirs

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 16

Yesterday, I had the need to feel human -- and have a normal challenge not medically related. So, I made a turkey that Pete had got from work a while back. First time making turkey ever, and it turned out delicious!

On the menu:

• Roast turkey with vegetables (I used more vegetables than called for -- enough to stuff the turkey + juice from a whole lemon; fresh herbs, and mixed parsley and celery when I stuffed the neck region)
• Roasted asparagus (easy -- toss asparagus with olive oil and a bit of salt, put in 350-400 degree oven for ~10 min, turn cook another 10 min)
• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• Cranberry sauce
• Cesar salad
• Croissants
• Strawberry Angel Food Cake.

It tasted good to have a real home cooked meal -- certainly better than my usual dinner of cold cereal! :) While we now have a LOT of leftovers and will be eating good for a while -- making this reminded me of the many reasons why I have not made a big meal in the apartment yet!

Eta: We do not have a table in our apartment. These pics were taken on my desk. Our apartment does not have enough room for 2 desks and a table , so we just have 2 desks!

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 15

My shoes. Comfortable. Well worn. Water proof -- never had wet socks in them despite frequent walking through snow and the occasional puddle. Insulated and warm. I only wish they were a bit less slippery on ice, and perhaps a bit dressier. I wear these about every day in the cooler months. Since it is getting warmer now... its almost time to put them away and take out the more breathable tennis shoes.

Although I require my shoes to first and foremost must be comfortable, and I would not mind walking miles in my dress shoes... its hard to beat the worn-in feel of a still supportive pair of tennis. I am going to miss wearing these daily next year.

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Cute pie made by my sister-in-law Michelle! Perfect for pie day (and very tasty too)!

Last night we went and celebrated Pi day with my in-laws, Ed & Michelle and the boys, and the K and L grandparents. Such a fun, quirky holiday to celebrate that lets the inner-nerd of the guys shine. Lots of pie, fun conversation, and even got a sauna in out of the deal. The above pie was made by my sister-in-law, Michelle (photo taken by her as well) ~ so very perfect for pi(e) day! :)

30 Day Photo Challenge: Homework

Taken from Yvonne's blog -- the organizer of this challenge! Come join the fun -- take pics of the above each day and post on your blog!
The other blogger's participating in this challenge are:

Anne
Barb
Carol
Cindy
Clare
Heidi
Heidi Sue
Jan
Julie
Kaitlin
Katie
MindiJo
Sharyn
Susan

Happy Pi day!

Today is Pi day - 3.14! Celebrate by having a piece of pie with your favorite nerd! :)

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 14

Not sure what the weather is like where you are, but here... today is warm for March (60s, sunny) and beautiful. That being said, its still March and unfortunately flowers are not yet blooming. In lieu of snapping pictures in the floral department or purchasing flowers to get a current photo. I thought I would share some old pictures of flowers that make me smile. 

This picture was taken at my wedding -- oh, so many years ago. I still like the bouquets and colors. The flowers that were used in my wedding came directly off the shelf at Costco, as the flowers we ordered came in very pale, and I did not like the color. So, I was glad we had black dresses and could easily choose something else.

This pic was taken at the Como Zoo. I wish I lived closer -- they have this beautiful indoor flower garden that is nice to visit. This pic is of tulips -- my favorite flower.

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 13

While I realize that this was taken last summer, I thought there is no better picture that I've taken... from a distance. And until we get a plane (hopefully soon), I probably won't get another one of these cool shots! :) This is what trees look like from ~5000 feet. Broccoli!

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 12

Today's challenge was a close-up. As I stated yesterday, I am fascinated by the human eye. Outside of the many unique colors, use in expressing emotion - conveying amusement, elation, sadness and anger; and usefulness in experience the many visual wonders of our world -- did you know that your eye contains a treasure trove of information about you?

The part of the eye seen by everyone each day can become a repository for substances -- for example, people with high cholesterol can get a white line around the colored part of the eye called arcus lipoides, or sometimes people that have high copper levels in their blood will have a copper ring around this colored part called a Kaiser-Fleischer ring.

Additionally, if someone looks at the back of the eye (part not seen by the casual observer)-- sometimes changes related to higher pressure in the brain/skull can be seen, or changes in the blood vessels related to diabetes, high blood pressure, infections attacking the heart, and other conditions can be seen; often at the same time as changes to similarly sized blood vessels elsewhere in the body (ex. kidney).

Isn't the eye just fascinating?

30 Day Photo Challenge: Days 7-11

As I was out of town last week, I am playing a bit of "catch-up" with the 30 day photo challenge. After today's post, I should be right back on track! :) 

Day 7: Something new: picked up this cute ceramic travel coffee mug while I was in Minnesota. It was a birthday gift for me (birthday is not for a few weeks, but I will not see my family between now and then). I have been getting a lot of use out of it, and it will be wonderful for bringing coffee with me to school in the morning. Up until now, I have been trying to fit coffee mugs in the cup holders... and usually end up spilling some coffee as the mugs do not fit. 

Day 8: Technology. Anyone who knows my husband, knows that he likes is electronics and computers... so I figured I needed to add a picture of that. However, currently I am trying to master the decidedly more low technology items of a stethascope, blood pressure cuff, flashlight, and opthalmoscope (thing used to look at the back of the eyes). 

                              

Day 9: Faceless self-portrait. This one was hard to pull off. This is me studying -- my shadow can be seen in my computer and fingers on the keyboard. I just wear my wedding band. I stopped wearing the engagement ring when I took anatomy and probably won't wear it again as its nice not  to worry about the raised diamond scratching anyone.

Day 10: Something I made. I made the RESPECT picture as a project for a med school class -- I actually really like it, and have kept it... The R is from "Romans" in the Bible, the E is my stethascope overlying a novel, the S is my watch, P is from a glass figurine we got at the Great Wall of China, E is my books/coursepacks, C is a leaf pile, and T was made out of medications (Advil, Tylenol, etc.).

However, photography has not ever really been what I have done as a hobby-- I used to paint. I like the mixing of colors, and slowly creating of a representation of something seen in my mind. While I can't find some of the other things I have painted, this tree has been on our walls for a while. It was never finished... but I like the twisted trunk and color variation in the leaves.

Day 11 -- Today: Something fun. I have a book of things that I paint, pictures I have taken, random memorabilia, my list of 50 things to do before I die, and quotes. This book to me is fun to look through and add stuff to when I have the random scrap or quote I would like to save.

• It has my collection of tree pictures -- I like the green of the leaves, twisted bark, and permanence of old trees. 
• It holds a collection of eye cut outs -- I think eyes are quite beautiful, expressive, and fascinating. Eyes have this wonderful variation of color and no two are exactly alike -- how wonderful is that! 
• It contains the random things I have won at fairs -- horoscopes, etc. These to me are just for fun.
• And it has lots of doodles, random pics, etc. 

30 Day Photo Challenge: Days 2-6, and a few extras from my trip to visit family

Day 2: What I wore to ride/drive ~700 miles to visit my family -- my jacket, a plaid shirt, sparkly T-shirt and jeans. Last minute trips are the best! :) Taken in a gas station bathroom en route.

Last Friday morning 2 minutes before class, I got a phone call asking if I wanted to go home for a few days over break. We had talked about maybe going -- but, for various reasons... heading into the end of the week, it did not look like the trip was going to happen. I, of course, said "Yes!" as I had spring break and was wanting to spend some time with my family. After class, packed up my bags -- taking clothes out of the washer and off the chair-where-things-are-held-prior-to-folding, said good-bye to Pete over lunch, and headed home. 12 hours later -- I said "hello" to my mom and dad, excited to be able to enjoy a week with them and other family.

Day 3: Clouds -- couldn't decide which I liked better... this?

Or this? You can see the moon through the trees. Both were taken while going on a walk around the block.

Day 4: Favorite color -- I love all colors -- they make me happy. Red, Green, yellow, blues, anything... without them the world would be very bland. I also love this saying. I saw this while I was down there and had to take a picture of it! :) I can think of many things I could look back on and wish I had done differently, be it starting school earlier or having a random fun job out West somewhere (never happened) when I was younger ~ but that would have taken some of the journey out of life.

Day 5: Someone I love. This pic was taken after a "lice scare" at my mom and dads (and actually was taken Saturday -- but thought it most appropriate for this day's pic).

Funny story: Saturday, after having a really nice lunch at a Japanese hibachi steakhouse. My dear sister, Jenna, saw white dots in another sister's hair. This girl is absolutely paranoid of getting lice, and checks her daughter's hair a few times a day. So, white dots = lice.

After saying that "(the littlest sister) has lice", she asked another one of my sisters (a nurse) to double-check. By this time, we were all scratching our heads -- suddenly finding them very itchy. So, she saw the white dots and was convinced -- the littlest sister had lice (by the way, my sister who is a nurse has never seen a case of lice). We swung through the pharmacy on the way home to pick up lice combs, shampoo, etc. and all started to get in the rhythm of scouring the house, bagging up brushes/hair stuff, etc. And treating hair with Permethrin cream rinse, and spraying fabric stuffs that can't be washed with Permethrin spray. (We treated the sister with "lice" and my hair. The Permethrin cream rinse kills eggs, bugs, etc. for 14 days and I was not going to be in down for > 14 days... so to me, treating my hair seemed like a good idea.)

My mom starts combing out the sister's hair where the "lice" was discovered. And... found that she has a bad case of dandruff. They were not able to find any eggs stuck to hair shafts, live bugs, or anything else suggestive of lice in her hair. Just lots of flaky dry scalp pieces. Everyone's hair got checked for lice, and though we found a few more cases of dandruff... we never found any lice.

We ran out that evening and bought dandruff shampoo, and lots of lice-repellent shampoos and sprays... not wanting a repeat of that scare! :)

Day 6: Childhood memory. Growing up here was magical. Setting sun through my parents window.

Petting sharks and sting-rays at the zoo. Jenna, Jaedon, Nolan.

 Thursday, my mom, grandma, Jenna, Jaedon and Nolan went to the zoo. So fun!

Komodo Dragon

Jaedon playing with the penguins -- this little guy would follow her hand up, down, and side to side when she ran in front of the glass. So cute! :)

Nolan -- king of the hill. He did not want to leave this rock ~5 feet higher than the ground. He liked looking at the penguins, and watching people walk by beneath him.

And, how can I not add this little smiling chica -- my sister Kristen's daughter. She loves dogs, and kept looking for my parent's dog, Tucker. She has 2 dogs of her own at home -- Kimber and Moose. She knows the dog's names and "puppy, puppy". Certainly takes after her mom -- loves animals!

Heading home -- part of me will always be in this city. Lots of fun memories here! :)

We came home yesterday. Getting back about 11:30 PM. 10.5 hours -- very good time with two 17 month olds! :) They were really good in the car, and enjoyed getting treats, water and playing with toys.

Outside of going to the Japanese steakhouse for hibachi and subsequent lice scare, and making it to the Minnesota zoo... we went boutiquing one day, shopping another day, hit up Applebee's for half-priced appetizers, and had many lovely meals together.  I met my sister-in-law for coffee at a cute local coffee shop, and made it to Kristen and Jenna's houses -- to have some really fabulous sourkraut pizza and watch the bachelor-tells-all Monday night as a group. I went to a wedding shower and was able to catch up with a few people. I was thankful to be able to spend so much time at home -- getting to know some of my younger siblings and neices and nephews; and talking with mom, dad, Grandma D., siblings, and others. I did get in some studying... but like the above quote, could regret that it was not enough nor near as much studying as I would have gotten if I had stayed home or look at it as perfect because it got me to where I am today.