Ready, Set, GO!

This story starts on Saturday, October 23, 2010. Sean (the dedicated and super smart husband of this story) spent the day in Philadelphia seeing 12 mock patients for the practical portion of his Step 2 boards. As soon as it was over he flew into Columbus arriving at 7:30 pm. The 36 hours that followed were like a whirlwind of bliss.

I (meaning Makenna, the very excited wife) picked Sean up from up from the airport, we grabbed something to eat and went home to re-pack Sean for another (and last) month way. We went to bed way too late and got up at 6 the next morning to drop my car off at the airport parking before heading out of town to Rochester Minnesota (at the end of this 36 hours I fly back to Ohio).

We would have a beautiful twelve-hour drive ahead (just the two of us: excited wife and super smart husband). In Indianapolis we drove through a farming area that was filled with hundreds and hundreds of windmills. I know what a windmill looks like but unless you’re expecting it, I’m not really sure you can be prepared for so many gigantic windmills.

Driving though Chicago was great. The city is huge- tall, magnificent buildings with TONS of people. Traffic was crazy slow for a Sunday afternoon but it gave us ample time to admire our surroundings.

Then in Wisconsin we saw plateaus covered in the colors of autumn. Huge mounds of earth extending upward seemingly out of nowhere. They spotted the countryside as we continued on our trip. It was spectacular.

Once we got into Minnesota it was dark and we hit a rainstorm, it was a little scary but Sean (Husband that is not only smart but brave as well) is a master driver and got us through like a pro. We were driving on a skinny, construction-laden road that paralleled the Mississippi river. Looking beyond the nerves of the situation it was really quite peaceful.

Now, the arrival to Rochester, Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic. It is so impressive! The entire street is dedicated to Mayo. They have a huge 20-story hospital. The Ronald McDonald house is next to that. The Mayo clinic is down the street a bit and several other building dedicated to healing and employees. It was quite a site to see.

The end of our blissful 36 hours is coming to an end.

We checked into Sean’s extended stay hotel and went to bed. At 5:15 am (way too early) the alarm went off and it was time to go again.

It was time for me to fly back to Ohio and for Sean to start his first day as visiting medical student at the Mayo clinic. At this point I must add that my smart, brave husband is also extremely handsome. Mayo has a dress standard- All doctors, residents and students must wear and suit and tie. My medical student looks fantastic in a suit and tie!

Rochester’s airport is the smallest I have ever seen. When Sean pulled into the short time parking and it was as if we were pulling up the grocery store. The parking was right in front of the airport. There were only 3 kiosks to check in and one woman working the desk. Delta only has 6 gates at this airport and all 6-security workers were there just for me.

The flight was smooth. I’m back in Columbus. 8 weeks down. 4 to GO! 

xoxo

Days Gone By

Summer is gone.


School has started back up. The leaves are changing, beautiful sunsets are witnessed, ghosts are in the attic, fall soccer is at large, autumn wardrobes are creeping out of the closet and great decorations can be found all over.

Last week I went to Utah to welcome in the fall season. It was magnificent but before I venture further on that journey I have some good news. For those who have been worried about the home aloneness status that accompanies me lately your fretting days are over! At the end of September- in honor of the looming holiday I had a ghost move into the attic of my apartment.

I was getting ready for the day and noticed that the piece of ceiling that covers the attic appeared to have been lifted up, twisted and set back down. (Side note- the entrance to the attic had formerly been sealed). The thoughts of what or who could be up there filled my mind. I finished my preparations for the day quickly and got out of the apartment. The conversations that followed my discovery with Jim the Maintenance Man and the apartment manager increased my fears and a sense of panic began to swell. They had no record of anyone going into the spare bedroom which meant that who ever had been in contact with my attic was not an employee of Golf Point Apartments.

The brave front I had put on was melting away and as I got to work things were looking even more glum. Ideas were swirling around in my head and I had a decent size break down. Kim, my great boss, drove me all the way back home so I could meet with Jim. He was going to take a look in the attic. Ensuring me that there were neither ghosts nor homeless men taking refuge in my attic.

After Jim’s inspection was over and he confirmed his earlier promise he let me climb up and do my own investigation. I felt confident that he was right and the entrance was promptly sealed back up.

Jim explained that when we get strong winds they create a suction effect as they pass through the eves. Coincidently we had had two separate tornado warnings earlier that week—hence the strong winds. Resulting in the attic door being sucked up, and set back down shifted. Or if you like my version better, I now have a new ghostly friend that I affectionately named Harold to keep me company.

What an event! In my panic of the morning I forgot to take pictures so, for this occasion you will have to use your imagination.

Luckily a trip to Utah was already in the works. 10 days filled with my fantastic hubby, family, mountains, soccer games (wet and dry) for Emma and Madison, family pictures, and driving the wrangler had my spirits rejuvenated in no time.

My days were filled lunch dates with Mom and Dad (one of my favorite activates), Conference at the Conference Center with Sean’s family, Causey with my grandparents and shopping with Hill. There is nothing like going home.

In lieu of recent events- Sean is now finishing up the last week of his Utah Rotation. He has an interview with them this week. (Keep your fingers crossed for us!) On October 25 he starts at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. While he is there he has an interview with them as well. The crazy interview season that is upon us. We are very excited. Good things are happening!

xoxo

Texas through quotes

*Piper Perado “In Texas it’s always hot, dry and sunny, not a cloud in the sky"

I found this to be true as I spent last weekend in San Antonio, Texas visiting my dedicated husband. He is there doing an audition rotation at the University of Texas.

*Kinky Friedman “I just want Texas to be number one in something other than executions, toll roads and property taxes.” 

Well Friedman, I can safely tell you that Sean is loving Texas, its Physical Medicine and Rehab program, and the people he is working with. It is climbing up the ranks in residencies that he would like to be apart of.

*Col. William Barrett Travis "What are you fighting for?"

Jim Bowie " More like the old life, I guess...like it used to be. Like it is in America where the people own the government. You see, Santa Anna, he thinks he owns the people. Now I don't like being owned. I'm kind of particular about the kind of thing."  

The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory 1987

While I was in Texas with Sean we had the opportunity to visit The Alamo. 

This is a prayer room inside the Alamo. I kind of got this picture on accident because you are not supposed to take pictures inside. I didn't know. 

My illegal picture taking career didn't last long though. The image of the short plump man waddling over to me as fast as he could is seared into my mind and the fear of that scene being repeated out weighed my desire to take any more pictures that were not allowed. 

(This one was legal)

It was nice to visit this historical site. The Daughters of the Republic Texas have done an amazing job restoring this area to help others learn what had to take place for Texas to gain their independence. 

After the Alamo we went along the RiverWalk.

They have shops and restaurants, live music and an amphitheater, a river taxi and all things lovely along the river. It's below the street so it is away from the daily hustle and bustle. It was such a calm peaceful place.

While in Texas I got to meet and spend some time with Sean's cousin and his family. Logan, Lindsey, Gabriel, Benjamin and Jameson Skidmore. 

*Robin Wright Penn "Most of my memories of Texas are of mosquitoes, watermelons, crickets and my brothers teasing me" 

While I have no brothers, I did get a taste of little boys while I was in Texas. 

These two threw me a "Rockstar Birthday Party" 

Best rockstar birthday party I've ever been to! 

They were a delight and it's nice to know that if we do go to Texas for residency they will be close by.

*Rafer Johnson "I don't care if I never see Texas again."

I feel bad for Rafer.

I thought Texas was great place and I was sad to leave it.

xoxo

Picnic in the car

A Wendy’s Harvest Salad. 

A Smoothie King smoothie (the closest thing we could find to Jamba out here). 



And sitting in the car at dusk in the Clover- Groff Nature Area while listening to the music from our wedding made up a wonderful car picnic for us before Sean left for Texas.

We made a wish on the first star of the night (which Sean said really was Jupiter) and enjoyed the crickets singing the sun to sleep.

(That little tiny white spot right by the tree line is the wishing star planet)

A simple, perfect night.

xoxo

Satisfaction

You know that feeling:

That feeling you feel after you have been searching for something for quite a while but can’t find it because the picture in your head is not matching what is available in the stores.  You know it. Dismay. Disappointment infringing on your shopping trip.

You know that other feeling:

The feeling after you are in the store (Meijer in my case) and you are walking along in search of a specific shopping list item (butane for me). And all of the sudden, with out warning and with out meaning for it to happen that picture in your head materializes onto the self! JOY. Jubilation. Satisfaction in your shopping trip.

Since May I have had a picture of a great wood bowl in my head. One that would match the salad tossers Sean brought home from South Africa for me. Despite several attempts I have been unable to find the perfect bowl. While at Meijer however, with out warning- it jumped out at me.  I am now the joyful owner of the perfect wood bowl.

Satisfaction!

xoxo

Finding Strength

I’m sitting here all alone save the cat who finds it amusing to continuously bite me. I’m reading an awfully sad book right now about a man who’s wife has passed away, his house and cars are repossessed and his business partner walks away with the business and all the clients. He is left with nothing. In his despair he decides to walk from Seattle, Washington to Key West, Florida. Under normal circumstances this book would make me cry until I had to put away due to temporary blindness from my tears. Strangely however, it brings me comfort. Comfort in knowing that my loneliness is not permanent due to death.  

Sean is in San Antonio, Texas doing an audition rotation for 4 weeks. Following that 8 more weeks in two more states. I am so proud of him.  I have a lot to learn from him. When I came to Columbus I had my best friend by my side. Today Sean entered into a brand new world.  Surrounded by the unfamiliar. A new hospital, new people and new challenges- alone. 

He is getting some hands on experience in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehab and it’s different aspects to ensure that is where he would like to see his medical practice take him. 

Tonight I am grateful to for a such strong, caring man to call mine. I am happy for this opportunity and anxious to see what doors it will open as residency draws nearer.  

Good luck my love. 

xoxo

Say Hello to our Little Friend

This is Darby.

She is going to be my buddy while Sean is away.

We are bonding nicely.

She likes the same books I do.

She appreciates a good moisturizer.

She's already putting my clothes to good use.

She gets along with Sean.

And she even likes to jump to me (or at me) from the counter.

She likes to bite. And bite and bite and bite. 

She's snuggly first thing in the morning and that is my favorite.

She likes feathers and eating the pedals off of my fresh cut flowers.

She loves to get in the shower after it's just been turned off and lick up the excess water.

She is good at standing on the dishwasher door while I load to ensure I'm doing it correctly.

She is our Cat. 

Darby.

xoxo