A Little Lately For Ya

It's kind of been the same ol same ol around here.  The end of semester is always full of craziness and this semester is providing us with a good dose of the crazies.

Tuck was here last weekend.  I have been battling this insane sinus infection so we kept it low key on Friday night.  Been on two different antibiotics and it seems like this one has been kicking it.  I told them Augmentin was the way to go...I guess I should have gotten my M.D., because it has done the trick.  Anyway, we went to this great Mexican place that night...margaritas con fruta fresca...can't beat it.  (I'm sure I just butchered the Spanish language there, that's about all 2 years will get ya...should read: margaritas with fresh fruit...for inquiring minds).

Saturday we did some Christmas shopping.  He is such a joy to shop with.  That night we went to our first hockey game with some of our favorite people!

 We won

 Bernice, Nicarelli (Springfield's #1 DJ!), my demonic roomie...you know the rest

Bernice and her $7 bucket of popcorn

After the game we hit up a bar around the corner.  Just a chill night but one full of endless entertainment.  Below, you will see bartender Shannon.  The bartender, Tapout fighter, registered preacher, and soon to be notary.  He also has a cat that is half bobcat, that he leashes at night on their walks through the neighborhood.  He was full of stories...many of which died that night and would never be repeated outside of that bar.

 That green drink is known at the "Bleeping" Awesome.  And it was.  Shannon created it.  It was potent.

Pictures speak 1,000 words.  I'm going to go ahead and assume he's not Southern Baptist.

This week has been full of getting work done.  I'm finally in the zone, which is a good thing.  I've also enjoyed rolling people around in this torture chamber this week:

You might have seen a similar contraption at space camp, but rest assured I won't be willing jumping up in this thing.  For those interested, it's an Epley chair.  I won't bore you with what it does. But basically, if you have vertigo it can diagnose which canal (superior, posterior, or horizontal) it is in and then treat/ reposition the "crystals" that are in your inner ear that help you balance.  Amazingly, it works and it's pretty awesome seeing people's reactions afterwards.  I also found out last week that most of my summer will be spent in Memphis for my LAST summer practicum rotation.  A really great opportunity and one I am very excited about.

Friday I spent a girl's night with Berns.  We went to see the Christmas tree lighting downtown.  It was so neat.  They had different choirs performing, hot chocolate, fireworks, and a few circus acts!  I have a neat little city for sure.  After the lighting we were frozen, so we came back and made pieroges and salad.  Pieroges are AMAZING.  Something I'd never had or even heard of before I met Berns.  Basically they are a cross between a ravioli and a potsticker.  They are filled with potato and cheese...you kind of pan fry them with bell pepper and onion...they are to die for!

 We believe.  Finally a picture with the rally squirrel.

We were celebrating about three blocks from the actual tree because all the Occupy Wall Street protesters had taken over that part of the park.  Tents really were every where. 

Tuesday I'll be headed home for the holiday.  It couldn't have come at a better time.  I'm ready to see my family and get a good visit in with my Mimi.  I'm meeting someone else's grandmother next week.  Can you guess whose?

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.  There's so much to be thankful for.

JTK

Prepare yourself.  He doesn't know I'm doing this.  He'll love it though.  My sister will be mortified.  Some friends will be too.  Honestly, 365 days ago I would have never dreamed I would be writing something like this.

Back then, I was probably jamming some Mary J. Blige or Beyonce.  Anything that screamed I'm single, I love it.  I'm fierce, I don't need you.  Woman power, I tell you.

In January, I met him.  I had the hardest time letting him in.  He honestly thought I hated him because I would never initiate a conversation.  But living six hours away from each other, I just knew it wouldn't work.  And let's be real.  I am, after all, a SOUTHERN girl...I don't call you, you call me.

And one night, out of the blue, he did.  He called.  I looked at his name flashing on my phone.  I, of course, stalled.  Almost to the point where he was about to be sent to my voicemail...because, let's face it, I was super busy.  Hearing his voice made me giddy.  After we talked it was the classic scene you see in a movie...where the girl falls back on her bed kicking and giggling uncontrollably...with a smile that could not be removed from my face.

His calls became more frequent...like every few days, every other night, until we gradually moved into every night. He started saying things like:

"It's only highway"
"I am pursuing you"
"I knew when I met you, there was something different about you"

Who pursues, anyhow? He had me swooning.  Knew all the right things to say.  But I still wasn't sold.  I very hesitantly asked him to an engagement party in February.  As the date approached, I was like, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?  You are about to take this man to meet the large majority of your friends in one night.  This will be the second time you've ever seen him.  You've talked a hand-full of times on the phone.  He'll hate you in real life.

But he didn't.  He fit like a glove.  He mingled with all the right people, and was beside me when he needed to be and wandered when he didn't.  I was proud to have him there with me.  We held hands that night...which is something I never do...walking across the Square.  It felt as normal as brushing your teeth every morning...plus this extra jolt of oh-my-gosh-I'm-holding-this-guy's-hand.

The next day we had to say goodbye.  I was surprised that I actually felt a pang of sadness come over me.  Would I actually miss him?

That afternoon, on the way back to the Big City, my flight was booked to see him on Spring Break.

We didn't see each other for a month after that.  In that month, we celebrated Valentine's Day, his birthday, and my birthday.  I struggled with this inner turmoil of: do I get him a gift, do I not get him a gift, what does this gift say, should I mail it, should I wait...I mean it went on and on...and I called everyone under the sun...and he knew...before he even opened the package...that it was golf-balls.

It was hard being away from each other that long.  Not nearly as hard as it is now to not see each other every weekend :).  But in that month, we talked and we talked A LOT. All the getting to know you kind of stuff...seems like every topic was covered. The week after Valentine's Day I told my mom I loved him.

And the night I showed up at his house for Spring Break (after his sister and brother-in-law picked me up at the airport, after I had dinner with them AND DIDN'T KNOW THEM, after I met his parents without him there to introduce me...after all of that)...I was finally able to say that to his face.

I never imagined on January 8th I'd walk into a bar, see a man in a sports coat (that's seriously why I was attracted to him), make a connection, and never look back.  But it happened.  In this (nearly) one year I went from being the girl who almost didn't let the right guy in to the girl who really needed him.  I can't imagine him not in my life.  My secret keeper, anti-anxiety, peace maker, comedian, and best friend.

 (Clearly we have our chosen sides)

Can't wait to see where this adventure takes us.  Many more nightly phone calls.  Many more trips up and down the highway.  Many more laughs and cries.  Many more years.

I'm glad it's you, JTK.

#OnGradSchool

After this week, I certainly needed some good news.  I got it last night.

Two weeks ago we took two of our midterms.  One of them was horrifying.  We had been prepared by higher classes that THIS would be the test that would give you fits...the one WE would be talking about for years to come.  This professor is world renowned.  Has exceedingly high expectations but is an excellent teacher.  I studied like none other for this test.  I was EXHAUSTED.  I had clinic that day so there was no time for me to review before walking into this bad boy.

I was so worked up.  My chest was red...as it often gets when I'm embarrassed or really upset.  I walked in saying "One test does not define you as an individual or a professional....One test does not define you as an individual or a professional"....over and over and over.  I was able to laugh about it before (well really still now) that if was was on academic probation (B- and below for a class) this semester I would be ok with it.  I really would be ok with it.

So I took the test.  53 short essay type questions.  All building on one another.  All descriptions of "how to" do X, Y, or Z.  Some were to explain random articles, random images from random articles, etc.  We found out research is super important for this professor on exam.s  This should come as no surprise since we are at a school for research...AND since this professor was sited as "the researcher" for most of the topics we covered. :)

So we had class last night.  We were told we would get the tests back in the last 15 minutes of class.  I just waited for class to be over.  I was like...throw it at me...one more thing to be upset about this week.  I was fully prepared to see two numbers together in combination that I'd never seen before.

Class ended.  The professor went to hand back the test and said: In all my years of teaching, this is the second class I've ever said this to...you all deserve to be here.

My heart soared.  That was enough for me.  That validation.  One of my worst qualities is that I let things get to me...I doubt myself...I doubt my abilities.  I often fly under the radar...which is the perfect place for me.  I hate it when people are out there and loud and WRONG. I'd rather be out of the spotlight and then shine when it counts.

He handed the papers back.  I got mine second.  I turned and looked and EVERYONE had their eyes on me.  Waiting for my reaction.  I kept the paper face down.  Flipped through the pages and saw A LOT of red marks...but mostly "Ok", "Excellent", "Pretty much right", my personal favorite "Close".  Ok girl, you have to look.  So I did.  And saw two numbers that I've seen together before.  Two numbers that didn't scare me.  Two numbers that I'm very proud of. I was blown away.

Going back to a previous statement: One test does not define you as an individual or a professional.  I said this is preparation for the worst.  That I would do less than I expected of myself.  It was the reverse in this instance.  I did better than I expected.  Yet, one test does not define me. I did well.  We all have good days and bad days.  But I can assure you, I'd rather be an excellent professional than an excellent test taker any day.   

This was just a small victory.  Small but well deserved.

And that's just a little #ongradschool.

I'm still here

I think this has been my longest hiatus.  I've been busy to say the least.  After my last post, I had a weekend with some special guests, celebrated Oktoberfest, and spent the next two weeks studying for/taking midterms.  I'm sick.  And tired.  Literally.

I have some posts in the works from the last month, but I'll kick off with this past weekend.  Thursday night kicked off the weekend for me.  I had just taken an exam that morning and had a presentation that afternoon. I was dragging but decided to go watch game 6 with some friends.  We ate and then I left early because we were down and kept making mistakes.  Not to mention I was exhausted.  I got in the bed, turned the game on, and called Tuck.  While we were talking...the Cards started their come-back.  I ended up watching the whole game (all 11 innings).  It was incredible.

Tuck came into town on Friday.  Could there have been a better day to come?  Absolutely not.  Friday night was the night of game 7.  We went to the bar with friends to watch that night.  Again, it was an awesome game.  We were covered in beer by the time we finally left.  We danced with strangers to "Celebrate" and my rendition of "Sweet Caroline".  I couldn't have picked a more perfect time to be in this city.

 Seconds before we won

Celebrating afterwards

Saturday was the big Halloween celebration in our neighborhood.  We got up early on Saturday to find a costume.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute.  It ended up working out...and since we waited until the last minute...everything was discounted.  Plus, right?  If you know me, you know this "last minute thing" super stressed me out...as always, it worked out.  We spent the afternoon watching football, cleaning up, and making some special cocktails.  We had the best time that night.  Tuck got to meet people that are very special to me...especially this semester.

 Moses and his red C.  Let it be known- I sewed that C on.

 Parting the Red C

Tuck decided to stay Sunday.  We originally planned on going to the Saints-Rams game, but decided to go to the Cards parade instead.  We got something really terribly greasy for lunch to help with our recovery day.  We kind of napped and showered until parade time.  We left an hour before for the metro.  It was crazy.  Every train was packed.  People were riding west to turn around and jump back on to ride east to the stadium.  We watched 5 trains go by with maybe 2 or so people getting on.  We were about to do the whole west-east thing, but we finally got on.  I thought for sure we would be pick-pocketed on the train...we were jam-packed.  The parade was so fun.  Tony LaRussa started the parade in a carriage that was pulled by the Clydesdale's, then all the players came by in trucks with their families in them. It was really neat to see.  I've never seen a city rally behind a team like this before.

 Coming up from the Metro platform to the street.  Just a few peeps.

 World Champs 2011

 Tony

 David Freese

Got pictures of Berkman, Lynn, Molina, and Pujols...I'm being lazy with this whole posting thing.  That night we ate dinner with friends...family style and came back and watched a movie together.

Monday morning (yesterday/ Halloween), I woke up and was so excited that Tuck was still here.  Sad that he was going to leave soon.  I got ready really fast so we could at least visit before I had clinic.  We decided he would follow me to work so he could bypass some of the major traffic.  We made the split to go to our separate cars.  I was sad and was thinking about how weird it was to not be talking to him on the phone...since that's what we do every morning.  As I stepped off the stairs leading to my car, I noticed that it looked like glass was all over the ground.  I got up on the car and saw my driver side window had been busted out.  My heart started racing.  I looked inside.  Glass was all over the floorboard and in the driver's seat.  My console and glove-box were wide open and CD's and insurance stuff spread all over my car.  I was sick.  I immediately called Tuck and told him what happened.  Called my supervisor and said that I probably wouldn't make it in.  Met up with Tuck and told the doorman what happened and that I needed the number for the police.  Called the police and since nothing but my IPod cord had been stolen...they probably wouldn't send anyone out...thanks for reporting.  My doorman had the good sense to look at other cars and sure enough...they had gotten 8 other cars in the garage.  Video showed they (five guys) were here from 3:03- 3:15 AM.  No doorman on duty...which really gets me fired up.  They stole over $3,000 from one vehicle...ripped out DVD players from the headrests....brand new van.  Spent the whole morning dealing with the insurance, getting the car cleaned up, and driving it to the dealership to get fixed.  

It was a miracle that Tuck was here.  I would have lost it if he hadn't.  He refused to let me drive the car since we couldn't get all the glass out, and pieces would be flying out of the door since everything in the door shattered as well.  He got me lunch.  Gave me a hug.  And was just there.  It was just what I needed.  I've said it could have been worse.  It could have.  I'm still mad.  I'm mad that I wasted an entire day getting everything done and sent to the appropriate places because some idiots needed a "rush".  I'm mad that someone was up in my car and touched all my stuff.  I'm curious if it was worth it to do THAT MUCH damage to take an IPod cord that had exposed wires and was unraveling.  I'm nervous to walk out to my car now.  I wonder if criminals can feel remorse for committing felonies.  I hope the person who should have been here watching the cameras that night feels guilty (harsh but true, my blog not yours).  I'm glad I found it at 7:36AM instead of later in the day. I laugh having to drive a rental crossover...that looks like a submarine.  I'm sick for the other people that are having to deal with this mess too.  

Overall, it was a great weekend.  Unforgettable for many reasons.  I'm so thankful Tuck was here.  It was definitely part of a plan that is much bigger than me.  Probably to show me that I can't do everything by myself.  That I need him.  It showed me patience- I had everything figured out before 10- but had to WAIT for the claims person to call me back...it's not all up to me.

Now? I'm going to nurse my sinus infection.  Perfect timing, huh?  I was probably due one...it's been a while.

Don't worry, I'm still here!