Here comes Santa Claus...

And November is officially over. Less than one month until the most wonderful time of the year is upon us. However, during these next 26 days, a lot of things will happen. For example, let's take tomorrow night for example. Tomorrow is one of the most important Saturdays in college football. Of course, whatever happens tomorrow will determine bowl bound teams and a possible trip to New Orleans. Have I mentioned that I love Saturdays in the fall?

Until then, yours truly has work and shopping to do and a plane that is waiting to take me home for the Christmas holidays. I really miss these guys:



There is just something special about the month of December. Only about three weeks until Christmas, a trip to Bama, and the beginning of Bowl Season.

Here's to you...

And Let's Go Mountaineers.

life is good

do what you love
love what you do



I actually took the time to read this saying on the back of a "Life is Good" coffee mug and it made perfect sense. Looks like I have a new mantra.

turkey day

My first holiday away from home, but I definitely got to spend it with my new family at the hospital. My co-workers have become my family and there is nothing that makes me happier.

To Give Thanks. Well, now, that is a loaded phrase, now isn't it? Today, while we were all sitting around stuffing our faces with turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce, I'm hoping that we were thankful for something other than the turkey that sacrificed it's life for our gluttony.

Ah, the Turkey. It somehow brings us all together on one simple day of the year when we all break bread with one another. To be honest, it's such a funny looking animal. Don't get me wrong, I'm not making fun of one of God's creatures, but it is not an animal I would describe as aesthetically pleasing. But, yet, we gather around a table on every third Thursday in November with the turkey as the centerpiece, or main attraction of the day. Weird? I think so.

Am I making any sense? Probably not. I'm not quite sure where some of these thoughts come from; I guess they just make their way from the crypts of my brain to the forefront of my frontal lobe and through my fingers onto this screen.

I hope you 2007 Thanksgiving was full of smiles and laughter and the turkey was well appreciated. Good day mate.

Pre After-Thanksgiving

I was driving around Houston today at 10 AM and it took me thirty minutes to drive 0.5 miles on the road in front of the mall. Seriously people. I understand shopping and spending money is important, but at 10 AM on the day BEFORE thanksgiving?

As of two years ago, I officially boycotted going to the mall the day after Thanksgiving, now it looks like I will have to boycott going to the mall the entire week preceding Thanksgiving. Since moving to Houston, I was quickly introduced to The Galleria, which completely dwarfs "The Galleria" in Birmingham. Thankfully, I will be working Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving so I will completely avoid the madness on the roads; however, I'm sure I will see a few patients who were either hurt on their way to the malls or hurt during a fight over a present. Hmmmm, I can't wait for some of these stories...

On another note, I absolutely adore my family and my incredibly perfect husband-to-be. I'm not quite sure how sane (or insane) I would be without my family or my fiance in my life. So, to them, I am thankful beyond words.

I hope each and every one of you have a fantastic Thanksgiving and be careful in the malls. I don't want to see any of you in the trauma room this weekend...and that's an order.

The Calm Before the Storm

Ah, the week before the Iron Bowl.

Marriages are broken over this game. Year-long resentments are born at this game. Tears are shed by grown men and women before, during, and after this game. Babies and children alike choose a side the day they are removed from the womb. Legends are made during this game. Coaches are specifically hired for this game. And seasons are made with this game

Ah, the Iron Bowl. Every individual born in Alabama understands the magnitude of this game. Analysts and anchors attempt to compare Michigan/Ohio State, Florida/Florida State, Texas/Oklahoma to the Alabama/Auburn slate and they continue to fail miserably. If you ever attend an Iron Bowl they you would agree with no question.

As for my beloved Crimson Tide, well, we absolutely suck. It's quite embarassing. And, no, it has nothing to do with our coach. It has to do with our previous coaches and the complete lack of talent on the field and on the bench. However, come Saturday, I am praying that the adrenaline pumping through those players veins will last 4 quarters and entice John Parker Wilson to remove his head from his ass.

To be honest, I just want this season to be over. I truly believe Nick Saban has done the best he could with the players he was handed. And he did a tremendous job. In the most talented and competitive conference in the nation, superior coaching and players executing the system will win you games. Well, unfortunately, Alabama has achieved the superior coaching goal, but fell short of the proper players.

With all that said, Saturday night is a crucial night for all Alabama and Auburn fans. And God help those individuals watching the game with me because it could get very ugly very quickly.

Roll Tide.

Parents weekend

So, this past weekend, the parental units visited from my home state of Alabama. From the moment they stepped off the plane, we never stopped having fun. Of course, the minute my mom placed both of her feet in my apartment, all she wanted to do was help me clean and finish setting up the place since most of my frames and diplomas were on the ground.

The weekend was phenomenal. It is always a treat to spend time with the ones that you love and love you back. Needless to say, they both had a great time in this gigantic state we like to call Texas. After showing them around the medical center and Rice University, we visited some family we have living in Houston and then we got to cooking.

If you need food, just visit my freezer. I think I'm stocked through the New Year. My mom used her magic hands to make all of my favorite dishes, casseroles, etc. because she is always worried I never have enough food. Well, maybe now she will be able to sleep well at night knowing that I have a mini mart in my freezer.

Well, it is now Wednesday morning and I am back into my routine of studying all day for this pretty big test I have called Boards. If you haven't already noticed, I'm pretty sick of studying for this test that has been hanging over my head ever since graduation. But, after a great relaxing weekend, I feel somewhat rejuvenated.

Looking past all the studying, there is this rather large football game next Saturday. For those of you who are unaware of this rather large football game, I feel sorry for you. I really do. You have absolutely no idea how unfulfilled your life is without this game on your radar.

Until next Saturday, I will be chanting to the God above and The Bear to somehow convince JP Wilson to remove his head from his own ass and play a little better than a Pee Wee football quarterback. We shall see.....

Otherwise, have a fantastic Hump Day. Peace out.

Mush

Do you ever feel like that? Like mush?

I swear my brain feels like that every time i come home from work; my brain is fried. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the fact that I work my brain to continue to work and learn, but I certainly have no energy left once I come home to study for boards. There are certain days when it gets so frustrating.

I have this huge test hanging over my head and all I really want to do is just take it, pass it, and move on with my life. There are moments when I start to question the importance or purpose of a board examination because all it really does to a person is place the body under an unnecessary amount of stress for an undisclosed amount of time.

But, this is the path I chose. And this is the life I chose for myself and it comes with the territory. I definitely get that. I guess I just like to complain about it because it gives me a sense of control of the situation.

For the past two months, I've been studying for this one test that I was prepped for the minute I started at Vanderbilt. I'm sure just about every profession has some sort of examination/initiation process to grant you full access into your profession....well, this just happens to be mine.

I guess I better stop complaining and actually do some studying. But, this was a nice study break. Now, back to pheochromocytoma and plasma free metanephrines.

Wow, it's November

So, I have definitely slacked in my blog. And, I have to tell you, I have missed it. While I was gone, I've been working and studying for boards. Ah, boards. Upon graduating from Vanderbilt, my original impression was eradication of all studying. Unfortunately, I was wrong yet again. I've been searching every file in my brain that I haven't opened since my first three months at Vanderbilt.

On the up side, I did get to visit Nashville during my hiatus. Have I mentioned that I love that place? I got to revisit with familiar faces and personalities and the smile couldn't have been wiped off my face.

Currently, I'm sitting here on a gorgeous Saturday morning in Houston with a cup of coffee and all of my study material lying around me and College Gameday blaring from my badass new flat screen television. Also, have I mentioned that I love Saturday's in the fall??? Exhibit A: My wedding will occur no where near the beginning of the 2008 College Football Season. Yes, this was intentional and yes, me and the Fiance are from the South. And, if you are lucky enough to get invited ( :) ), then you will be thankful for the fact that the greatest throwdown in history will occur on a gorgeous July evening in Sweet Home Alabama.

As for the wedding planning, it is going quite well I must say. My beautiful parents are visiting the great state of Texas this weekend and I do believe that there will be a little shopping involved for something white. Once I boards are over and the holidays have come and gone, the New Year holds a lot of planning, fun, and parties for me to attend to.

I feel as if I have somewhat caught you up on my life and I will be more diligent on my blog because I missed it. I hope all of you are well and don't forget to Smile :)

Until next time....