Finding Myself

The past year has been the hardest of my life, but I wouldn't change a thing. That last part isn't something I thought I would say looking back at my first night living by myself in St. Pete. I was so depressed and scared and felt so alone then. I realized thought that I was so amazingly blessed to have my wonderful husband, my sisters and brother, my parents, my inlaws, my best friends Kate, JD, & Trey and the entire Kinard klan, my aunts and uncles and so many other friends and colleagues all behind me on my new adventure that I had to experience. I was also blessed to be part of the Barry University class of 2009, a group of people that I never thought would turn into life long friends, all there cheering me on and supporting me thru it all.

In the middle of it all I found myself. I found a strength I never new I had. I found the wife I wanted to be in me, the friend in me, the sister in me, the daughter in me, I found it all. I realized who I am and where I wanted my life to go for the first time in my life. I feel so amazingly blessed to have gone thru such a life changing process. I want to be a better person, find the good in everyone, and to help others less fortunate.

I would ask for one favor to all reading this. This Thanksgiving remember to go around the table and tell everyone what you are thankful for.

White Coat Ceremony

Sorry it took me so long to get my white coat pictures out but here they are. What an amazing night, it took all I could to not completely ball my eyes out going across that stage. My thoughts drifted back to when I was a little kid and wanted to grow up to be a doctor to help sick kids. I couldn't believe I had made it to this point in my life. I had survived the hardest year of my life and was receiving the amazing gift to go out into the world to help others. It was an emotional night for me to say the least, just writing this makes me emotional.

Puppy naps

It is no secret I love my sleep, but Justin does too although he never admits it. I finally have proof that he does take naps.

Of course it isn't a nap unless you have pups to snuggle with.

The Dog Park

So for the past few months we have been taking the pups to the dog park in Gainesville to get them socialized to other dogs. They are doing so well, they play so nice with the other dogs and LOVE to swim in the ponds. Although they like to swim they don't really know how, they kind of try and swim on top of the water or leap thru it instead of swimming thru the water, oh well they'll get it eventually. Last weekend we took the dogs to the San Felasco State Preserve on Millhopper Road for a 6mile hike, they loved it. They are getting better at listening when there are distractions around but they are having trouble not jumping on other hikers. They think everyone is there to play with them, were working on it. I think we are going to put the dog park on a once a month thing, especially since it is getting so cold I don't think they will want to swim much longer. Here are some pics from the dog park a few weeks ago.

Gator game - South Carolina

Here are some pics from this past weekends game.

Rotation #3 - Family Practice

For my 3rd rotation which just started this week I am back home and at my old stomping grounds. I am with my old boss who is such a great teacher. I have already learned so much and done a lot this week. Stay tuned for cool stuff I see.

Rotation #2 - Surgery

My 2nd rotation in surgery was pretty cool. I got to see lots of cool surgeries. My main goal was not to pass out during that rotation, and I succeeded. I do know now that surgery is not for me, it is all so technical and not much patient interaction. It just felt like there are patients I can fix the problem and then never see them again, its just weird. But I had a great preceptor who taught me lots of cool stuff. Here is a picture of his office staff and the other student from our class I was with.

Rotation #1 - Pediatrics

Rotation 1 was a blast, my favorite field kids!! I had a great preceptor who taught me soooo many things. She invited me back to do my elective there so that's probably where I'll go. I know our school says to keep our eyes open to different fields of medicine and not to decide what field to go into but kids is really where my heart has always been. Every day was just a blast, I tried to turn my exam with them into play time. The days were long but fun. I saw so many neet things like Erythema Multiforme, Molluscum Contagiosum, and the usual ear infections and physicals. My next Rotation in surgery, although I think I will find it interesting standing up for long periods of time does not agree with me. I tend to pass out.

Hi

Hi