Graduation Party!

Right after my graduation last week, my parents held a small graduation party for me with family and close friends. It was so much fun...and I was glad to have Jeri, Scott, Cindy, Randy, Marie, Denny, Brandon, Mom, Dad, Kasey, Sam, Taylor, Grandma, and Jon there to celebrate with me!!!

How do you like my new, bright and shining diploma? This is going to go SO GREAT in our new office in Columbus! Thanks Mom and Dad!!!

When Randy showed up, it made Brandon's day...they are both big Cub fans! Brandon had to go upstairs and change his shirt!

We had an awesome spread of food. Cheeseburgers, hash brown casserole, chips and dips, fruit, and veggies. Everything was SO GOOD!

The cookie cake was a hit....not too much was left over! BUMMER!

And the surprise for the day was this bouquet which showed up right before the party started. It was from Brandon's parents, grandparents, and brother/sister-in-law. THANK YOU! It was so nice and thoughtful...and they are still in bloom on our kitchen table!

Thanks everyone who came to the party. It was nice to celebrate with you guys!!! Thanks for supporting me all the way through medical school!

Trust Me...Now I'm ACTUALLY A DOCTOR!!!

Well, I've done it! I have just graduated from medical school and am now, officially, a doctor!!! Holy cow! How scary....yet, how sweet!

As you can see, the title of my blog has now changed to "Life in an Emergency Room" as I am no longer a medical student. Don't let this fool you....it's still me and the blog will continue! Maybe not quite as frequently in the future....but I will definitely keep this up! Thank you to all my faithful readers for encouraging me, supporting me, and having confidence in me!

Graduation weekend was SO MUCH FUN! Our school did a great job of welcoming friends and family - and made the weekend one I will NEVER forget! I hope you all like pictures...because you're about to see all the fun events that went on...

Here I am out in front of my school. Each year, they put up a HUGE congratulations sign for the graduates. It never had much meaning to me until now. I felt butterflies in my tummy every time I saw it.... (**Note the awesome placement of my hands which make it look like I'm holding the sign....that took some extreme photography skills by Brandon!)

On Thursday night, we had a "Class of 2009 night at the ballpark" and watched the Iowa Cubs get smoked by the other team. I don't remember watching any of the game, but had a GREAT time catching up with classmates that I hadn't seen for 2 years while out on rotations. Thanks to my sister, Taylor, for enjoying the game with Brandon and I!

This was the idiot mascot pizza thing that decided the best place for him to stand for about 20 minutes of the game was right in front of us. This picture doesn't really do justice to where he was really standing....I swear, I couldn't see anything from the 1st base line to the pitcher for a whole 2 innings! Get out of the way!!!

On Friday at lunchtime, my school hosted a big graduation picnic. It was so good and so much fun! Thanks to Brandon, Sam, and all my family for celebrating with me!!!

When we got home from the picnic, I had a surprise hand-painted sign (from my mom) posted on the garage door! It is still weird to see "Dr." in front of my name....but, DANG, it looks good! =) Notice Brandon....who is showing what my school loans are going to do to our pockets!

On Friday night, Brandon and I attended the Graduation Banquet which was held at the Embassy Suites downtown. It was a very fancy and nice dinner...and since we were so dressed up, we couldn't help but take a "high school prom" picture.

My Grandaddy came to town for the weekend...and he happens to be the minister for our wedding in 2 weeks!!!

Here I am with one of my very best friends, Julie. She and I grew up together and ended up going to the same medical school! She will be starting her residency in Pediatrics while I am going to pursue Emergency Medicine. She's going to make such a great physician and I am so proud of her!

Graduation was this morning at a complex downtown. They did such a nice job decorating...and the arena was HUGE. I couldn't believe that many people would be attending the ceremony...but it was PACKED! This is a great view of the stage courtesy of my photographer and fiance, Brandon!

When my class came walking down the aisle, we were preceded by our college flag. I am SO PROUD to be a member of the Class of 2009 College of Osteopathic Medicine!

And here I am....walking down the aisle to get my diploma!!!

The ceremony was really great. The commencement speaker did an EXCELLENT job. The name thing took quite a while....but when I walked across the stage and got hooded.....man, what a feeling!!!

Here I am, afterwards, with my fiance Brandon. He is SO SUPPORTIVE of me and the career I have chosen to embark upon. I am SO GRATEFUL to have met him and I can't wait for our wedding in 2 weeks! Thanks, B.....you've been there for me this whole weekend....and I can't thank you enough!

Thank you also to my Grandaddy for being here this weekend. You are the BEST GRANDFATHER a girl could ask for...and so much more!

To my Grandma, THANK YOU for being here today! It really meant a lot to me!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to my Uncle Jon for being here today. Graduations can be a really boring experience...and you drove all the way up to be here for me!!! Thank you SO MUCH!

And finally, to my family.....

You guys are the best. I couldn't ask for any better parents or sisters. You guys have supported me all the way through and encouraged me to be the best doctor I could be. I really appreciate everything you do for me...and I love you guys so much! I will REALLY MISS YOU GUYS when we head off to residency.

Overall, the weekend was SO MUCH FUN.

I'M A DOCTOR!!! I'M A DOCTOR!!! HOLY COW....I'M A DOCTOR!!!

PS....Don't go to the hospital in July....that's when the interns start! =)

Congratulations are in order!!!

It's nice to have a blog.....
I'm able to use it as a platform to congratulate people!

Special CONGRATULATIONS to the Graceland University Men's Tennis Team who is competing in the NAIA Team Nationals in Mobile, Alabama this week. They easily won their opening match and will be competing again tomorrow in the 2nd round. I'm very proud of the coach (AKA My Grandaddy) as well as the #2 and #6 players (My Cousins)!!!

Special CONGRATULATIONS to my cousin Brett, the #2 tennis player, who was honored last night with 2 very prestigious awards at the NAIA Nationals - "Regional Senior of the Year" and "Champion of Character". None of us were surprised that he ended with these special awards!!!

Special CONGRATULATIONS to the Graceland University Women's Tennis Team who was honored last night at the NAIA Nationals with the award of "Team National Champions of Character." Their help with the Rally Against Cancer, Race for the Cure, and Bras for the Cause pushed them ahead of the competition to win this special award. My sister happens to play doubles for the team...=) Way to go!!! What an honor!!!

Special CONGRATULATIONS to the Graceland University SIFE Team for their showing at the National competition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. GU easily won their first round, but ended up in a tough 2nd round bracket. While they didn't make it out of this bracket, they have still done a wonderful job this year. They are definitely "Changing the World." My sister also happens to be a member of this team...=)

I am very proud of all of you!!!

2 1/2 Weeks!

I can't believe that 4 years of medical school is done.

It has actually been done since April 17 when I finished rotations...and today is May 6...but who's counting?

It hit me today when I received a letter in the mail that was addressed to "Dr. _____, D.O." instead of "______, MSIV" (which stands for "medical student, 4th year.) Some people have started to jokingly call me "Dr. ____". I laugh and tell them that I will always be the same person and it is unnecessary to call me "Doctor". Inside, I'm beaming. I love the sound of "Doctor". (Sorry...probably tooting my own horn...but this has always been an honest blog.)

I don't like the sound of "Doctor" because of the uppity-ness of it. I don't like "Doctor" because it means I am better. I'm no better than anyone. I don't even like "Doctor" because it sounds prestigious.

Darn it, I just know how dang hard I have worked to become a doctor! To me, "Doctor" sounds like an accomplishment; a goal that was set and met. In fact, it has been the hardest thing I have ever worked for and achieved. (Kickboxing my way back into shape is a close 2nd...but I haven't achieved my goal yet!)

Graduation is May 23. I will be so excited to see my classmates and celebrate such a wonderful time. When I'm standing on stage, finally being hooded, I'm sure a tear will drop from my eye.

Playing for Change

Four years ago while walking down the street in Santa Monica, CA the voice of Roger Ridley singing “Stand By me” was heard from a block away. His voice, soul and passion set us on a course around the world to add other musicians to his performance. This song transformed Playing For Change from a small group of individuals to a global movement for peace and understanding. This track features over 35 musicians collaborating from all over the world. They may have never met in person, but in this case, the music does the talking.

Please check out: Playing for Change

Congratulations!

Congrats to my sister, Kasey, who was voted Captain of her Moot Court team at law school!

Way to go!!!