The Cappellos

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES...

2009-08-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

So, some updates...

Boards. Our boards for PA school are called PANCE...that stands for Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam. It consists of 360 questions on signs, symptoms, lab findings and diagnostics, treatment, and medications for a wide range of diseases from the varying systems in the body. It's pretty intense. Then your score is calculated out of 820. Well, I took the PANCE last Thursday (8/13/09) and finally found out the results yesterday morning. I PASSED! I scored 690 out of 820, which is the 93rd percentile (which means, I scored better than 93% of the students who sit for boards). So I did good. Chris says he never had any doubts, but I always had an eensy weensy bit of doubt in the back of my mind that I kept suppressing until I knew for sure. After all, he didn't take them. He doesn't know what they are like. :) It seemed like you either knew the answer or you didn't, which can end up being scary, depending on how many you don't know. And there's 9 different versions of the test (or something like that) and you never know how each question plays into your total score. Anyhow, I guess I don't have to worry any more. I passed, and that means I'm good for 5-6 years, until I have to take the PANRE, which is the re-certifying exam. At least the PANRE in only 300 questions. :) So now, I am officially and completely done with PA school, I have a Master's degree, and not only am I a PA, I'm a certified PA, which is even better. I'm still in shock.

Moving. Chris and I have been packing little by little for the past week, getting ready to move to Colorado. Our house is a mess! It's full of boxes everywhere you turn...we can barely get through the hallway or the kitchen. My parents come out tomorrow to help us finish packing and tying up all the loose ends...and to see the beach one last time for a while. And then the movers come Thursday morning to pack all of our stuff into a semi (yes, we have that much stuff...you're surprised?...you and me both.) Then we leave Thursday afternoon, as soon as the movers leave, and we'll drive 6 hours of our 16-hour drive. We plan to stop in Vegas for dinner, and then go to St. George, Utah where we'll stay the night. Then Friday we'll do the rest of the drive and hopefully be to Colorado at a decent time. We're excited to be back, but will be more excited when we get jobs and a house. We'll miss Irvine and the beach and most of California, but we'll be better off in Colorado. We're looking forward to exploring the state and doing all the things we never did when we we're growing up. It should be fun!

Jobs. Still no luck for Chris or I when it comes to the job hunt, but we're looking everyday. We probably picked the worst time to move, as far as jobs and the economy go, but we couldn't wait any longer. Chris has wanted to move back since the day I started PA school...so I guess you could say we've put it off long enough! I'm hoping to find a job working in family practice or urgent care, but we'll see. I may have to take what I can get, at least for now. We can only live off savings for so long, and this move home is costing a lot! Chris is still looking in medical device companies, but may have to expand his search to other types of mechanical engineering. We'll see.

Dogs. Chris and I are getting very close to getting our own pup. I've wanted my very own dog for so long...for as long as I can remember. Chris promised me (more like I made him promise me) that I could have a dog for my graduation present. We're planning on getting a Great Dane or two and have been in contact with several breeders for the last year. Anyhow, it looks like our number might just be up...there's a breeder in Arizona that has a litter due in two weeks and the puppies would be ready to take home in October (we're hoping to have a house by then). She's not sure how many puppies there will be in the litter...the momma got an x-ray today to get a better idea and then we'll know where we stand on the list. I'm crossing my fingers. I have been waiting for this day for so long.
Spare time. So now that Chris and I are unemployed, and I am done with boards and studying, Chris and I have had a little spare time. We've been frequenting the beach and the pool more, and we went to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach and also to Sea World. We had a great time! We've also been catching up with friends here before we take off for good. We've been working out every day, which is nice, and going to bed late, sleeping in late, etc., etc. I've also been reading now that I can read what I want. I just finished the book I bought Monday and plan to go get another one soon. It's been nice. I guess we're just enjoying the time off while we can...God knows it won't be like that for long, and it will be long before it's like that again (quite possibly until retirement). We have been trying to get back to Colorado since April, and it seems nothing is going our way. So we decide to go out of a limb and just go. I know God has a plan for us out there, and we're hoping that soon He'll make it be know!

For now, that's all the change that's going on in our lives. It's a lot all at once, but we're ready and excited. We'll keep everyone updated as we settle into Colorful Colorado. :)

DONE!

2009-08-14T09:39:00.001-07:00

Finally, after two long and very demanding years, my PA school adventure is over with! I literally can't believe it because there were many, many times these past two years that I thought I would never see today! I took my boards yesterday morning...I think they went pretty well. And now, I am completely and officially done with it all. Just awaiting the test scores now! Will keep you all posted...

I'M A PA!

2009-07-31T16:03:00.000-07:00

It is official...I am done with PA school, I now have a Master's degree, and I'm a PA. I couldn't be more excited! Time to celebrate!

We're Moving!

2009-07-19T10:21:00.001-07:00

I finally don't have to keep it a secret any longer! Chris and I will shortly become Coloradoans once again. That's right...we're moving to CO. We plan on packing up everything the end of August and will drive out before the month is through. Can't wait!

IN 36 DAYS...

2009-07-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

I'LL OFFICIALLY BE A PA!

I can't believe it.

I'm starting to get a little nervous about being out on my own...but I'm super excited at the same time. The "academic" part of grad school is officially over...I had my final exam, final practical, and master's presentation a few weeks ago and passed all those with flying colors. I found out I got the highest score on the written final in the history of the program. Crazy! But I haven't studied since the exam 3 weeks ago so I gotta get back on track. But I'm hoping my score is a sign that I'll do well on the boards. Now I'm doing my LAST rotation back at the urgent care I started my first rotation at. I liked it there and decided to go back - they really let you be on your own and make decisions about the patients' care and I thought this autonomy would be a good thing right before I finish and go out on my own. I'm officially finished with this rotation on July 31st. Then I have 13 days to study for my boards, which I scheduled for August 13. Just gotta pass the exam and then it's official. Yesterday I sent in my application for my license, which was very exciting. Now just gotta find a job! Wish me luck...I could really use everyone's prayers. I'm stressing!

Only 2 more months left!

2009-05-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

Just a few weeks ago, I graduated from PA school. A little bittersweet since I still have two months of rotations left. But on the flip side, I ONLY HAVE TWO MONTHS LEFT!

I'm so excited, so burnt out, so ready to be on my own. I'm not looking forward to more studying for boards, nor am I looking forward to finding a job. I can't even fathom how fast this adventure in my life has gone by. I remember thinking the first week of school that the end would never come. But now there's a light at the end of the tunnel and I can finally see it. It's faint, but it's growing exponentially, and soon I'll come face to face with it. What a fantastic day that will be.

The pics are from my graduation...my mom, dad, and brother were able to fly out and stay for a few days, and Chris got time off from work to be there in support. There's also a pic with me and my two best study buddies, Jessica and Katherine. It was a great day, even though we're not technically done. It means we're getting closer though, and I'm excited about that!

NEW PICS OF JILLIAN...

2009-04-04T06:51:00.000-07:00

One month old...

HERE SHE IS...

2009-02-24T08:05:00.000-08:00

JILLIAN CLAIRE CAPPELLO
BORN FEBRUARY 18TH, 2009 AROUND 10:30 PM
4 LBS OR SO

BABY NEWS...

2009-02-18T16:09:00.000-08:00

Well, it looks like today is Mandy and Tony's (my brother- and sister-in-law) lucky day! We got a call at 5:30 this morning from Tony saying that Mandy's water broke and they were on their way to the hospital. She then got induced at noon today. It's a little early...the baby wasn't due for another 5 weeks. So I've decided that this babe MUST be a boy...another impatient February-born Cappello boy. :) All the Cappello son's are February babies. So if it turns out to be a girl, I'll be shocked. We're all so very happy for them and bummed that we cannot be there with the rest of the family to watch and wait and meet the little one. We can't wait to find out the sex and the name they chose...I'll keep you posted!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

2009-02-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

Today I decided that my husband gives the best gifts AND has the best taste in jewelry. We decided that we wouldn't get each other a gift this Valentine's Day and that, instead, we would go out to a nice dinner. But Chris of course went ahead and got me a gift anyway. I should have known. I guess in the future I can't trust him when he says things like that. Chris got me an emerald cut aquamarine ring that perfectly matches a pair of emerald cut aquamarine earrings he had gotten me for my rotations (we can't wear dangling earrings on rotations...only studs). It's gorgeous! Just the other day when I was wearing the earrings, this girl at work commented on how pretty they were and when I told her Chris had picked them out, she was surprised. She said he had good taste in jewelry and I agreed. And today proves it. I wish guys were easier to shop for and liked things like flowers and chocolates and jewelry and spa days. It would make Valentine's Day (and gift giving in general) so much easier! Tonight, we're still getting dinner. We're trying out this new place in Santa Ana. Should be interesting...Hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day!

BABIES AND HEARTS...

2009-02-01T09:23:00.000-08:00

So I just finished my pediatrics rotation, consisting of lots and lots of sick babies and toddlers. It was an interesting experience. You really learn how to get good at examining them. Especially the ones we call "little fighters". It's amazing how strong some of these kids are! Overall it was a pretty good experience. I liked working with the little ones, but I don't know that I could do that forever. I think it would make me not want to come home to my own kids. It's very tiring. What I took away from it was what it's gonna be like to have my own...how much they cry and throw temper tantrums, and how they can be so stubborn! It made me realize that I'm not quite ready for my own yet, though. I still need some time. And it made me think of my friends who have children. I can empathize with them in a way now. Nowadays it seems like everyone I know is having children. My sister-in-law Mandy is pregnant and due at the end of March; my great friend Anne is pregnant with her second girl and she's due early April; our good friends Matt and Carrie just had their second child, a boy, Peter, a little over a week ago; and then there's some others that I'm not really close with who are also expecting - a girl from school, a couple we used to go to youth group with, another girl from youth group, etc. It's crazy how many people are pregnant right now. It must be in the water. I better be careful... :)
Anyhow, now I'm off to a rotation in Cardiology. I am especially excited for this one. I love the heart and I've always been fascinated by how powerful an organ it is. I'm also gonna get to see some procedures too, such as angioplasties and bypasses. I'm very excited. I start tomorrow! Below are some pictures of a real human heart, for those that haven't seen one. It's so amazing...to think such a small thing keeps you alive everyday. Wow.

MY APOLOGIES

2008-12-14T20:24:00.000-08:00

So it's been a while since I've blogged and I apologize to anyone who checks our blog frequently to see what's new. I know I get bummed when my friends haven't posted in a while. :) Anyhow, rotations have been very busy and this month I had to read over 170 pages in two weeks. Needless to say, school has taken priority, but I am hoping to post some Thanksgiving pictures of me and Chris' first turkey as well as some pictures from one of my best friends' recent wedding. Hope everyone is well...check back after the holidays for some new posts.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY...

2008-10-30T23:26:00.001-07:00

...our Jeep was dying a slow death so we decided to put it to rest. It's a few weeks old now; I finally got a chance to post pics. We love it!

SMOKING IS BAD FOR YOU!

2008-10-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

Now this blog IS ABSOLUTELY NOT intended to piss anyone off or offend anyone, especially dear family members who do, unfortunately, smoke. For those who do smoke, it's just intended to simulate my hands reaching out of your computer, grabbing you, and shaking you, saying "Why the heck are you doing this to yourself and why haven't you quit yet?" And for those who don't smoke, it'll jog your memory as to the reason why you quit, or better yet, never picked up the filthy habit.

Now that we're all squared away...

At this very moment I am sitting at starbucks studying for my pulmonology exam tomorrow and reading about lung cancer. And just a moment ago, while studying, I decided to google some images of radiographs of lunch cancer. And then I saw some smoker's lungs. And then I thought about all the patients that I've seen in just a 3 week period in my surgery rotation that had lung cancer - patients we've operated on and patients in which it was too late to operate. And so I decided that I wanted to post pictures of cancer to encourage smoking cessation in anyone who reads this blog. Cigarettes are the reason for both my grandmother's and grandfather's death (both at age 68), and most likely the cause of death of my father's father (whom I never met as a result) at such a very young age (40). It's such a terrible thing to witness - your grandparents passing from something so ridiculous - and the fact that's it's a choice makes me even more furious. So for all of you who smoke, let this be your reason for quitting - because you don't want your lungs or chest xray to look like this, and because you don't want to put others through the misery of your untimely, early death. OKAY? Just stop it already and think about others you are affecting. It's mind over matter people, and there are plenty of tools available to help you along the way. Your family and your lungs will thank you for it.

And now for the slide show...

Now, if you haven't already quit smoking in the time it took you to read this and look at the pictures, START NOW. And finally, to those who so effort-fully quit smoking already, I PRAISE YOU! MAY GOD GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH TO CONTINUE TO BE SMOKE-FREE.

PICTURES FROM NEW YORK...

2008-10-14T16:52:00.000-07:00

...as promised (finally) :)

Upper Manhattan
Lower Manhattan
Mom and Uncle Billy and Aunt Maryanne
Me and my bro
The Empire State Building
Where the WTC towers used to be

All of us (Chris wasn't there yet)
All of us with grams
Grams was intrigued by my bro's hat
Pictures of old photos of my dad's parents on their wedding night

Ellis Island - Old Train Station

Ellis Island

Statue of Liberty

Ellis Island again
Time Square
Empire State Building
View from ESB

Museum

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Rockefeller Center
St. P's again

Crazy Mime
Central Park
Columbus Circle

Central Park again

Me and Mom
Me, Bro, Chris
Bro and dad

The Fam Everyone
More Family
Peace
Saying goodbye to Billy and Maryanne

24!

2008-10-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

So Saturday was my birthday - I turned 24. I'm still so young, I know. Maybe next year at 25 I will start feeling older. And lately all the docs I have been working with on rotations have been asking me how old I am. And I say, "I'm young" because I don't want to tell them. I know they'll be surprised at how young I am if I do tell them so I try to avoid such conversations. But for some reason they pry a little more by saying, "How young?" and then I have to answer. I feel bad telling them because I thing deep down they are a little disturbed by the fact that I am only 24 and am an almost-PA. And I was actually still 23 when they asked me! Crazy.

Anyhow, back to Saturday. So as Chris can vouch for, I always look forward to my birthday. I start counting down several months in advance and the week of, Chris just gets irritated by the count down. But my birthday is practically (or maybe just is) my favorite day of the year so you can see why I count down to it. But this time the count down was not as drastic as normal since I have been busy with school and rotations. I couldn't believe it was actually here on Saturday. So, Chris and I slept in as much as we could and then he gave me my card and gift - he got me a fancy jewelry box because I had been saying that I wanted one to hold all of my jewelry. I love it! Then we went for a run to the local Starbucks. Chris hates going to Starbucks just to sit there and drink the coffee and not surprisingly I love to do just that. So since it was my birthday, he went with me and allowed us to just sit and relax and drink coffee and eat breakfast. It was a good start. Then we walked home, took a nap, finished the movie I fell asleep to the night before, then went shopping. Then we went to Sprinkles to get cupcakes, and then we went to a very nice steakhouse called Flemmings in Newport. It was a great dinner - we kind of splurged a bit, but it was worth it. And we have left-overs. We both got the bone-in filet with scallops and we ordered calamari and shrimp to start. Then they gave me chocolate-covered strawberries on the house. Who gives out chocolate-covered strawberries for birthdays? Usually it's a free drink or dessert, so the strawberries were a nice touch. Then we started another movie at home and went to bed early. It was a great day.

Then yesterday, my friends from school Katherine and Jessica decided they wanted to throw a little birthday celebration as well. So they surprised me and the three of us along with Chris, Jake (Jessica's husband), and Alvin (Katherine's boyfriend), went to Big Belly Deli in Newport (a very well known place) and then rented kayaks and kayaked around Balboa Island. Then we stopped off at the Gelato place and then got pizza back at our place. It was another great day.

It seems that my birthday always ends up being a several-day celebration - Chris would even venture to say a week-long celebration. And indeed this year we celebrated it for two days. It was awesome. I had a great time just hanging out with Chris on Saturday and yesterday we had a ton of fun kayaking with our friends. Now I have 363 days until my next birthday, in which Jessica happily pointed out that I will be a PA-C and not a PA-S (C means "certified" and S means "student" and right now I am a PA-S) - this means I'll be a PA! Done with school, done with boards, and working hopefully. I already can't wait. I may have to start the countdown even earlier this time. :)

HIATUS

2008-09-23T08:05:00.000-07:00

So I know I haven’t posted in, oh, a month or so. And I am sorry about that. I meant to put up NY pictures (I still will at some point) and then rotations started and now my time is limited once again. This last month has been interesting. I started my Urgent Care rotation and have been working in Newport Beach all month. It's been a good first experience seeing and treating patients. The clinic I am working at basically made me get my feet wet right away. I saw my own patients the first day and have been doing so since. It was scary at first and I would avoid the more challenging cases. But now I just go right into the room without even looking at the chart first to see what the complaint is. I'm not really nervous anymore and so I am able to just go in and see what's wrong and think my way through the history and exam. It's been fun and a little crazy at the same time. Urgent Care gets busy in SoCal! Here's some of the things I have seen so far this rotation - some lacerations, a few abscesses, a case of pelvic inflammatory disease, kidney stones, scabies, corneal abrasions, broken ankles and wrists, pneumonia, STDs, shingles, oral herpes, lots of upper respiratory infections, diabetic neuropathy...the list goes on. Most of the cases we get are WC cases, so it's a lot of paperwork. But it's been a good learning experience. Only 4 shifts left and then I am off to General Surgery. I am excited for surgery - it's what I am most interested in and what I think I want to specialize in so I am anxious to see how it all goes. Besides rotations, we still have school 2 days a month, tests, practicals, and write-ups each month, and my master's project is due in 3 weeks! I haven't started it yet - but it'll get done eventually. I get through it all somehow...

So a little on NY... Chris and I met my parents in NJ where my dad has family. After cancelled flights and tons of delays getting there, we all finally made it. Talk about a travel fiasco though...but I'll forego the complaining this time. NJ was a ton of fun. We spent our time with my dad's aunt and uncle and grandmother (the one that's 102 years old.) Then we went up to NY two days and saw the big attractions - the Empire State Building, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Central Park, Time Square, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, etc. The weather was great and surprisingly it wasn’t very humid. We had fun in the city - lots of walking. Then the last day we were there, we went to upstate NY (just down the street from the Clinton residence) to a family birthday party. It was at a gigantic and gorgeous house. I mean seriously - the house was ridiculous. The family was very nice though and we had a great time. All in all, it was nice to visit family, meet new family, and get away. I have always wanted to go to NY. Next time we go, we're gonna go to Brooklyn and Staten Island. We didn’t have time to go there this trip. We mostly just saw Manhattan and Queens and Jersey. I can't wait to go back. Pictures to come soon...

In other news, Chris and I spent last weekend in CO. Chris' brother Tony just finished his Master's and so we had a celebratory bbq at Chris' parents house. But we also got to celebrate Mandy (Tony's wife)...she's expecting! Of course Chris and I were the last to know being that we are far away and all and that telephones and computers and email and all other forms of communication have been lost. :) Chris was a little bummed about that. But he said as long as they name the baby Chris he will forgive them. We won’t know the sex for a while - she's only 3 months along. But I think it's gonna be a girl for some reason. So this babe will be the first grandchild of Chris' family - and everyone is super excited. I'm happy for them, and glad it's not me. I'm definitely not ready for that yet. I’m getting there, but not there yet.

Well, that pretty much sums up the last month…lots of work (12 hour shifts) and numerous failed attempts to study. Hopefully I can put up NY pics soon...

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

2008-08-19T20:42:00.000-07:00

Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today...well, tomorrow actually. But I couldn't help say that as I sit here in bed, all packed up, and waiting to wind down, just to rise early tomorrow morning to head to the airport for NY. I can't wait! I've slept like crap the last few nights probably because of my anxiousness. I am excited to see the city, see new family, and spend time with my parents, Chris, and my brother. After all, besides Chris, I don't see any of them very often! It should be a great time. I plan on posting pictures and details when we get back. For now, wish us all safe flying! P.S. I used to have a shirt with the logo above on it...perhaps now I can wear one and really mean it. :)

ANNIVERSARIES...

2008-08-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

Thirty years ago today my parents were married - August 12, 1978 - and today they are celebrating! Not only are they still married, they still love each other! :) I am so happy for them and I hope to follow in their footsteps in my marriage to Chris. So congratulations to my mom and dad, Lisa and Phil, and here's wishes for many more years to come!

On another anniversary note, today is also the 2nd anniversary of Dan and Brandi, Chris' little sister and her husband. So congratulations to them as well! Two years down and more to come!

THE GETTY

2008-08-11T08:53:00.000-07:00

Saturday Chris and I went to the Ghetty Museum in LA with our good friends Casie and Josh (they live in San Diego). It's a FREE museum (I didn't think anything was free anymore) and it is gorgeous! We had a great time. We didn't make it through all of the exhibits, sadly. And unfortunately we missed my favorites - impressionism - but I guess that means we'll just have to go back. The whole place was beautiful and very family oriented which was nice to see. They were just starting a concert for the kids when we left. A FREE concert. The museum is situated in the LA hills and so we had to be shuttled up to it. The shuttle was once again FREE. They mostly had italian and french art from around the 1500s and then they also had an exhibit of ornate antique furniture and tapestries. The special feature was the Bernini exhibit (sorry, no pictures were allowed). He was such an amazing sculptor and this was my favorite exhibit at the museum. Lastly, we went to the flower gardens, which were beautiful and full of color. Below are pictures from the day and a few of Bernini's work I found on the internet. I can't wait to go back and see the impressionism.

This was the entrance...

More of the entrance
The courtyards - there were tons of fountains and table to sit and relax

Josh and Casie

Casie and I

A view of the gardens and LA - you can see the ocean in the background if you look closely

Chris and I with the gardens behind us

The Gardens

And lots of flowers...

A pomegranate tree - I wish I had my very own

Peeking through the trees at the azalea maze

More flowers...

All of us

A stream through the gardens
So pretty

Here's some of the old furniture...

And some of my favorites pieces of art

Here's some of Bernini's work...

Self-portrait when he was younger (27 I think)

One of my all-time favorite sculptures - on display in Rome

My two favorites that were at the exhibit...

One of Chris' favorites

IT'S FINALLY SINKING IN...

2008-08-07T17:24:00.000-07:00

Today I went back to WesternU to see the incoming first year students and to sit on a panel and answer their questions about the program. It was interesting! My class is quite a young class and apparently the staff got fed up with the lack of maturity of some, so they decided that this year they would take older students. The average age of the new incoming class is 30 (our was 26 or something). And let me tell you, they look like they are going to be a much better class! I think they were looking at me and thinking, "What the he** does this 20 something think she knows?" I think I am gonna get that a lot starting next month. I tell Chris that I may have to resort to the old librarian look with the bun and glasses and conservative clothing. Otherwise my patients are gonna see me and ask where their provider is. And when I say I am going to be taking care of them today, they're gonna say, "Like he** you are." I can see it playing out in my head now.

Anyhow, it was crazy to sit there when it feels like just yesterday I was there with my hand up asking questions of the then second years. I really can't believe how fast the time has gone. It took me going back to school and seeing the new first years to finally feel finished. I actually feel like a second year now.

Those poor first years - they looked so scared. I can remember what it felt like sitting there realizing that you don't know what you got yourself into and that your freedom is gone. Your life does a 180 and leaves you thinking, what the heck just happened? But I just tried to be supportive of them and let them know they'll make it - that before they know it, they'll be sitting up there just like me in front of the next class saying the same.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER...

2008-08-04T10:41:00.000-07:00

It's funny how I made this blog in October but have done absolutely nothing with it until now. I am blaming it on grad school. Physician Assistant school is more busy than one might think. And just when you think it can't get busier, it always does. My original plan was to use this blog to update people since my schedule is often opposite that of others. But I never got around to it.

Well, today is my first official day off from school and I decided I would start the first posting.

Friday was our last day of school. We had five finals in five days - which, though it sounds bad, is actually not as many as we usually have. Our final on friday was OB/GYN and was the last official final of my first year of PA school. So technically I am now a "2nd year". That's what we call them at our school. A friend of mine in a PA program in AZ says that I would be called a "Tweener" at his school - no longer in the first year but also not graduated. Either way, it means I don't have to sit in class all day anymore. I don't have to take numerous exams a week. I don't have homework. I have the whole month of August off, thankfully. There is much needed R&R in store for this month. Chris and I, along with my family, will be going to NJ and the end of the month to visit family - namely my soon-to-be 102-year-old great-grandmother (really she's my step-great-grandmother). I have never met her. Apparently she still does very well for herself. I am excited to meet new family. While in NJ, we're planning a trip to NY. The only plan we have is to see Central Park. But I'm sure we'll have the day filled before we know it. I am excited to visit the Big Apple. After NJ/NY, I start my rotations. The 2nd year of PA school consists of 11 one-month rotations in different areas of medicine. My first rotation is in Urgent Care. A little scary to start off there, but it'll force me to dive in and learn. My schedule so far is as follows:

September - Urgent Care
October - General Surgery
November - Internal Medicine/Geriatrics/Long Term Care
December - Orthopedic Surgery
January - Pediatrics
February - Cardiology
March - Emergency Medicine
April - Family Practice
May - OB/GYN

June and July are our last two months of rotations. So far they are unscheduled. One of them will have to be Urgent Care/Family Practice/Emergency Med. For the other one, I'm planning to schedule Neurology or Cardiothoracic Surgery. For now, I am going to enjoy my much needed break and get some things done that have been put on the back burner.

Here's a pic of my great-grandmother on her 100th birthday

Here's a pic of the Statue of Liberty that my dad took the last time they were there (I didn't get to go) - I hope to get to see this...

Here's a few highlights from my first year of school...

Splinting and Casting Workshop with Katherine

Another Splinting and Casting pic

Me and fellow classmates Katherine, and Jessica at our "Wine and Game Night" with our boys

Fundraising for our class

Suturing Workshop

Here's a pic of our whole class - I'm in the third row, second from the left.