HELLO EVERYONE!!

It's been a long time since I've updated my blog, so there is a lot to tell. I guess I'll start from my last post way back at the end of January. I spent all of February doing my 4 week surgery rotation, and as much as I thought I would hate it, I absolutely loved it!!! I never in a million years thought that I would enjoy being in the OR all day, but it was so much fun. All of the people that I worked with were wonderful, and I really enjoyed doing the procedures and helping the surgeons. I can't even believe that I would consider doing surgery, but that is exactly what I am doing. I am going to do another surgery rotation at Scott AFB in Illinois this summer before I make any final decisions, but I guess one never can tell where life is taking them.

March has been pretty awful. I spent 2 weeks doing an anesthesia rotation, and I hated it. Probably b/c not one physician took any interest in my education, and I showed up every morning without any idea what I would be doing that day. I was very fortunate that I made friends with a resident named Huy who was doing an anesthesia rotation. He helped me learn how to put IVs in and let me take call with him, and also made me feel better about leaving early every day. I am now doing radiology, which is almost as bad. It is so boring!! And I have to stay later than on anesthesia, but at least I am with a doctor who talks to me.

Now on to my social life. I've been pretty busy every weekend. In Feb. I went to NYC one weekend and to Panama City the next. I also went to the Poconos, but unfortunately I kept forgetting my camera! Then my wonderful friends Kelly and Jennifer flew all the way to Philadelphia to spend time with me. It was so much fun to see them and show them my town. Aside from a hung-over Sat. morning for Kel, we had a wonderful time, and even made it up to NYC on Sunday so we could check out Times Square, Central Park, Ground Zero, and even pop-by NYU to see our old friend Nicole for a moment. I hope they had as much fun as I did. Then, more guests, when my parents FINALLY came out to visit me. I thought maybe they didn't like me anymore :( But they do :) We did the full history tour, with stops at Independence Hall, The Liberty Bell, The Consitution Center, and Christ's Church. It was so good to see them and have them see what I have been up to.

This past weekend was St. Patty's Day, so I played hookie on Friday and headed down to the city with Sarah and Emily at about noon. We ended up at McGillian's Ale House, one of the oldest pubs in the country, at about 1pm and staked our claim on a table. We had so much fun drinking green beer, taking silly pictures, making up games, and harassing the people sitting next to us! One of my best St. Patty's Day ever. Why does my favorite holiday happen only once a year?

In the time I have remaining out here, I'm hoping to cram as much fun stuff in as I can. I am going to NYC next weekend to hang out with Nicole and see some of the things I've missed. I think that my cousin Cody is coming in a few weeks, and I'd like to go back to Atlantic City soon. I still need to see the Philadelphia Art Museum, and have at least one more Philly cheesesteak before I head back.

I hope everyone is doing well wherever you are. I will see many of you in a month at Cindy's wedding in Indianapolis, and even more of you when I head back to Iowa in 5 weeks!!! My time in Philadelphia has gone by so quickly, and has been such a wonderful experience, I am really sad to go. Oh well, more adventures ahead.