Reflections

Having had a week to let it sink in, I must say that I'm still a little shocked that Medical School is over. For me, the first 2 years drug on just a little, but the past 2 years have flown by. Wiggy and I got married two weeks before Medical School began. I must say that contrary to expectations, this experience has had no negative effects on our marriage. Quite the opposite in fact.

Medical school taught us patience, time management, and to appreciate the time that we have together. It taught us to dream big, to expect the unexpected, it taught us faith, to listen to our hearts rather than others opinions, it taught us to be unconventional, that difficult weeks or months come to an end, that we could be quite happy living on one income, that together we can accomplish anything. It taught us to appreciate eachother's strengths, how to best talk through things, it taught us patience, and to wait for answers. It provided us with wonderful steadfast friends that I am happy to say will be sticking around the Dash with us for a few more years.

These are not the things that I expected to learn from Medical School. Quite frankly I was a bit terrified of Medical School. As an only child I am quite independent, but I was quite weary that I would be living life as a single person with a studying body in the room upstairs. Of course those days and weeks happened, and I felt a twinge of self-pity now and then, but overall we have grown so much as a couple during these four years that I wonder where we may be without them.

Here we are at another crossroad... in a few short weeks Wiggy will be an Intern beginning his first month on an OB rotation. I have joked with him that his legacy of his first month will live on in the stories that the Mothers of the babies he delivers will tell them years from now... the stories about the young Dr. who seemed to have no idea what he was doing when he delivered them.... all jokes aside, I know my husband will be a wonderful Doctor. It is now time for me to go back to school so we can move closer to our dream of owning our own practice... we're not exactly sure what it will look like yet or exactly what type of medicine we'll practice... but in the meantime I better get started learning how insurance/staffing/liability/EMR etc. etc. etc. works.

Are we ready for the new stresses? Of course I wonder just as I did 4 years ago. But I've learned from those four years that we'll learn so much more and rather than only looking forward to the future, we will savor the next 3 years and soak them up. I will try to be better at remembering "Life is what happens while you're making other plans".

Dr. Wiggy's Graduation

Last weekend we reached a major milestone in the life-long process of evolving as a physician. We were so fortunate to share the weekend with both of our families. Wiggy's parents came all the way from Nebraska and my parents and Grandparents from Maryland for a long weekend of celebration. The festivities began on Friday when we all attended an Award's Ceremony for the graduates. Wiggy was quite surprised to be the recipient of the award for interest and aptitude in Oncology. His dear friend Dr. McQuellon played a major role in his receiving it and for that we are grateful! Friday night we hosted a cookout for our families and a few friends. However, our cookout resulted in a torrential downpour and became a cook-in with the chicken prepared in the oven instead of on the grill! A good time was had by all though and it was a great start to the weekend.

Saturday festivities included a trip to Pilot Mountain and the faculty reception at Forsyth Country Club following dinner with our families. Sunday morning we attended our church with our families and were able to watch our dear friend, Ross, be commissioned into
Christian Service as he begins his mission in the Navajo. Sunday evening was the big event... The Hooding Ceremony where the graduates officially became Doctors! This was held in Wait Chapel which of course is nostalgic for all of us Wake grads anyway. I made it through Wiggy's name being called and all without any overrun emotions. However, when they introduced the entire class and we all stood up I lost it.... totally unexpected moment as always, but it was quite an emotional couple of minutes for me! That evening we celebrated with a tasty dinner and great conversation at Ombu!

Monday morning was the "real" graduation. The speaker was Joe Biden so we were encouraged to arrive early for the "airport" like security. I kept looking for this as a lady quickly glanced at my purse as we shuffled onto the quad. It was FREEZING that morning and the ground was quite soggy from the night before, not the best of conditions for graduation, but we made it through. I must say the VPs speech was inspiring.. and we'll leave it at that. The final leg of the morning was a quick jaunt over to the Fine Arts Center where the MDs received their official diplomas. This process was nice and quick as just about everyone had reached their fill of "ceremonies" over the weekend. We finished up with a celebratory lunch with other new MD's at Forsyth Country Club before wishing our families goodbye.

I must mention Wiggy's special graduation gift from his Mom that he will cherish forever. She gave him her Mother's bible that was given to her when she was 7. Not only that, but she made a beautiful velvet bag for him to keep it in and found a beautiful marble box to keep that in. I know this is very special to him and he will cherish it always.

Congratulations Dr. Wiggy! We did it... let the journey continue!

Stone Mountain

This past Sunday Wiggy and I embarked on a new hiking route at Stone Mountain. We've been talking about going forever and finally had a beautiful AND free afternoon to go for it. The drive ended up being less than an hour and was absolutely beautiful and green. We went on the 5 mile hike that started by the water then allowed us a gorgeous view of the huge Molten Rock Mountain before taking us by the waterfall. We then hiked a couple of miles straight up-hill/steps before the breathtaking view and breeze at the top. It was well worth the tired legs! We hung out on the top for a while before heading down the mountain. We always let Jasper off his leash on the descent because he hops like a mountain goat which is adorable, but very hard to keep up! Afterward we went to a nearby country store for icecream and listened to bluegrass on the front porch while in rocking chairs. What a perfect Sunday!

Flying High

Last weekend I completed my first half marathon since the start and now maintenence of chronic plantar fasciitis. I hate it, I mean really hate it. More than likely my foot will never feel 100% normal again unless I completely stayed off my feet for months and I hope to goodness that never becomes necessary!

Labor Day weekend of 2008 was my last race prior to this one and it was absolutely horrible. Wiggy and I were ready to go at the start aiming high for record times and the weather and the stress that we put on ourselves just killed us. I mean the muggiest grossest weather I've ever run in... we were slow and it was painful.... mentally, physically and especially on my foot. After that I sought treatment first through a podiatrist that just gave me cortisone shots, a night brace that doesn't work for people with high arches like myself, and really hard orthotics. The shots felt good for a few weeks then the pain came back much worse than before. I did some research and then went to my friend Keoni at the Naturopathic clinic in town for some acupuncture and cool laser therapy. After 6 weeks of no running, lots of stretching on a stair climber (allow foot to hang off back, works wonders) and the dreaded elliptical with the therapy I started feeling quite a bit better.

Through the winter months I was very cautious running just a few miles 3 x per week and one long run on the weekends. Starting in February I picked it up a bit running faster with an incline on the treadmill and 12 mile runs on Sunday (no time just running). I think this easy training paid off!

I arrived in High Point on Saturday morning to cloudy skies and said a quick prayer for no rain and no pain then was off. We'd gotten up around 5 which is normal for me. There was also very little hype around this race and I didn't really think about it as much more than a chance to get back into it. I was feeling great and realized at mile 7 that I'd been running 7 minute miles the entire way as I stayed right behind a guy that was running the full marathon barefoot, that's right barefoot. He even got a shout out in the paper the next day!

We split off from the full marathoners around mile 8 or so for 2 miles straight up hill. I had no one really running around me except one guy who kept walking then would run and pass me just to walk again... irritating. I still felt really strong and kept looking for my wonderful hubby and baby boy (Jasper) who were following me around the course. Finally at mile 12 I kicked it up a bit and finally passed the 10-year-old-looking boy that was just ahead of me the entire race. I finished with a PR of 1:34. 42! Good enough for 8th overall (an olympic gold medalist 52 year old FEMALE won), 4th female and won my age group. I must say I blew myself away. I am one of those people that does not impress herself easily, but I must say I was quite proud that morning!

Now I'm just trying to figure out what I did right! Is it time for the full thing? I think it might be but 26 miles is so freaking daunting! Anyway, I'm back... plantar fasciitis is under control and I'm very happy right where I am!

Thanks to Meghan for the margaritas and burgers to celebrate at her new house that evening... hit the spot!

The Most Beautiful Time of the Year

All of the rain of March and early April really created quite a splendor in North Carolina! This spring we have enjoyed some of the most beautiful floral foliage that I've ever seen. Our yard finally looks lush- not like a new lawn. Our landscaping has filled in and our flowers are just gorgeous. From the azaleas to the dogwoods to our clymadis and all of the Wisteria, it's just breathtaking. Attached are a couple of pics of our treasures that Wiggy snapped last weekend.

Meme, Grand and Smarty Pants

Last weekend Wiggy and I had the lovely opportunity to host my grandparents for the weekend. For Christmas we invited them to come down and stay with us for a weekend and a trip to explore Old Salem. It just so happened that the weekend we picked out fell the same weekend that my brilliant husband was to be inducted into AOA, the medical honors society.

They arrived last Friday afternoon wary from the long drive but very excited to attend the event with us. We got gussied up and headed over to Forsyth Country club for drinks and mingling before an excellent dinner of steak and salmon. Dr. Ober, the leader of AOA at WFU said some kind words about the students and then a very young Dr. that heads up Mission operations in Rawanda and Darfur gave them some words of wisdom for moving forward at this point in their careers. He was very self-depracating and honest and very entertaining. That evening we crashed after watching Seven Pounds.

Saturday we had our traditional Whole Foods lunch and then headed to Old Salem. The weather was gorgeous and perfect for our tour. The trees and plants were all blooming beautifully and it was nice to have my grandparents knowledge and green thumbs readily available to tell us what everything was. After an afternoon of touring we went home for a quick nap before heading to a tasty patio dinner at the Zeveley House downtown. It was an absolutely perfect evening under the southern sky. I think Summer may finally be on the way now... it's about time but I suppose the Good Lord wants us to appreciate it that much more!

Sunday morning I went for a strong long run in preparation for my race next weekend. I checked out the times from last year and I have the potential to place if I run well. It's been a while so we shall see!

We are again experience beautiful weather and it's supposed to be in the 80s this weekend. Perfect for our yard sale at the House of Service, a patio dinner with the Better Halves (medical school wives) as well as finally planting my brand new vegetable garden that my dear husband built for me. Ahhh.... heat, sun, sweat.... my faves!

Southern Charm

Last weekend Wiggy and I took a wonderful trip to Charleston, SC with 2 of our great "med-school-couple-friends" Matt&Meghan and Zac&Jamie. We headed out on Friday morning riding with M&M and arrived to a sunny and warm Charleston at lunchtime just in time to eat some lunch at The Mustard Seed Cafe.... a mix of organic and southern and quite tasty. Afterward we checked into our hotel and proceeded to take a long walk around beautiful historic Charleston. We browsed through shops on King Street and enjoyed the wooden swings at the Waterfront park soaking in the beautiful sites and the sun. Meghan has a great camera and well practiced clicking skills that allowed her to capture some great images throughout the weekend. We also ran into several of our classmates from Wake Forest both walking about and in our hotel, very small world here in the South!

That evening we headed to Vickery's for a tasty patio dinner and drinks before bar hopping to Mad River and Wet Willy's where we heard a great band that mixed 80's along with lots of alternative 90's music from high school and threw in some classics. We stayed up way past our bedtimes and finally crashed.

Saturday we slept in and awoke to another gorgeous day! I went on a short run around the Citadel and the Northern part of Charleston before we again put on our walking shoes for more adventues down King Street and through the Hay Market (where I found goodies for gifts!!), tasted lots of candy and of course ended up watching some of the Master's at a local brewery. Wiggy and I walked along "Rainbow Row" and the Battery before shuttling back for a nap.

Our cabbie friend, JD picked us up in his van (we made friends with him early on Friday thanks to Matt) and dropped us off at the Library, a lovely roof-top bar that I talked about constantly in our planning efforts for the trip. We had some tasty drinks and enjoyed the fabulous view along with our 3rd spontaneous reunion with Wiggy's very good friend Ben (his roomate from the soccer academy he attended in Florida for his Sr. year of high school and college summers) and his older brother. After catching up we headed over to Hank's (or Frank's as I called it all weekend) for some seafood. I must admit that this old girl is not accustomed to consecutive late nights and I believe we were all starting to drag at that point. We attempted a rally and went to a dance club called Trio, but as we were some of the first to arrive the downtime did us in even though another great band played for a while.

Sunday was the drive back to Winston-Salem and then weekend catch up. I think we all enjoyed a change of scenery and the beautiful weather along with the great company. To think that these boys will graduate in a month still blows me away. The best part... no one is going very far. Wiggy's daily trek to Greensboro along with Zac will be the farthest anyone is going. I just hope that residency schedules allow for more great trips in the future! Ahhh Charleston...Pictures to come :)