Andrea Hickman: November 2006

Fall 2006 (from Des Moines to Omaha to Boise and back)

Hello to everyone! It has been a long time since I've updated my blog. I'm back home for the holidays and have internet access again, so it's time to publish.

After my month in Omaha, where I will probably be doing my family practice residency next year at the Univeristy of Nebraska Medical Center in conjunction with Offutt AFB, I drove to Boise, Idaho; a long and monotonous drive across such states as Nebraska and Wyoming. During my stay in Boise I lived with my amazing Great Aunt Marian, and got to know all about her and that side of the family. I spent a lot of time with The McMartin's, her daughter Cathy's family, who welcomed me warmly into their home. There were many hours of eating, watching football, bowling, laughing, and even an afternoon of raking leaves. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family.

I also made two trips to Los Angeles in Nov. The first to drive up to Palo Alto to watch the USC vs. Stanford game, and the second for Mike and Katy's birthday party Rockin' Taco Cantina (I'm still waiting for the pictures). I was lucky enough to catch a second USC game where they beat Oregon at The Colliseum. It was so unbelievably wonderful to see familiar friendly faces again after being on the road for so long. Thank you Katy, Mike and Aaron! (and Hawkeye and Mr. Pepper)

Back in I-O-W-A for the holidays! We managed a feast for 19 yesterday, and got up today for a 2 hour hunt in Southern Iowa. I know I will be hurting tomorrow, but it was great to be with my old friend General again.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays to everyone! I hope you and all of your loved ones are well.

The beautiful views from the top of Bogus Basin outside of Boise. The switch-backs were killer (especially with a hangover), but it was worth it.

Our make-shift path down the moutain and across. There was no trail, there were on bushes with brambles and thorns and pine needles and dirt. I bruised my bottom. but it was fun :)

Charlie, aka The Bee, and Superman all dressed up for Halloween (I think I quit before age 15, but they must do things different in Idaho), and the pumpkins we carved for the occasion

After working all week and 6 hours in the car to Palo Alto, not to mention the stress of forgetting the football tickets, Katy and I still clean up pretty good

Tailgating before the USC vs. Standford game in Palo Alto. It was the perfect kind of day for a football game. Unfortunately, Stanford did not bring the fans to their beautiful new stadium. But the Trojan fans enjoyed it!