Welcome to My New Blog!

So I anonymously follow a lot of blogs, and always kind of wanted to start my own, but never got around to it. Now I know that the middle of December isn't logically the best time to start (shouldn't I wait until January 1??) but its a cold cloudy day here in southern Missouri and there's nothing else to do so I figure I might as well. To update you on where I am in my life now, I'll give you a quick summary of my 2011!

I am STILL in school, however the end is now in sight! I finished up my second year, summer, and began my third year in 2011. I am looking forward to moving on and actually having a paycheck, but I have really grown attached to my friends, and I am truly going to miss these girls next year!

The summer was spend largely at the lake, if at all possible to get there. Seeing as I don't currently own my own boat, I had to be somewhat of a mooch and try to make friends with boats. Luckily around this part of the state thats not too hard to do. Through some of the crazy drama that ensued this summer, we managed to make some great friendships that lasted past boating season and now we all sit around wishing we were still at the lake.

A momentous event happened this last May. The first of my absolute best friends in the world said the big "I Do" I remember when she first met this guy and we all said it was just a phase and it wasn't going to last..well we were wrong and on an unusually cold spring afternoon, we watched Elizabeth walk down the aisle and gain not just a husband but the two cutest, rambunctious stepsons. It was bittersweet to know that those silly college girls are growing up, but nice to know that we are capable of being wifey material. Next June the next of these best friends is celebrating with a big, rowdy Catholic wedding, and I cannot wait to see Michelle and Nick say those 2 magical words.

July brought a big stamp on my to-do list. I finally got to leave the country, by way of boat. The Bass family loaded up and set sail to paradise on the Carnival Elation. It was a fantastic week in every way, except that we almost didn't make our debarkation time and got left in Alabama. Luckily we wheeled in and "Home Aloned" it through the terminal and checkin and walked in with even a few minutes to spare. Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Cozumel, Mexico were some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen and we got to do all kinds of awesome stuff.

 August brought these really awesome things called comps. Or comprehensive exams in EVERY grad class we've had so far. 13 classes worth of tests in 1 1/2 days. It was the worst week of all of our lives getting through studying and taking those tests, but we did it. We all survived. I was one of the lucky ones that passed all of them on the first try, which is good, because I don't think I would have had it in me to taken any again! The fall was spent applying for externship/residencies for next year, and I was thrilled to be offered one in Phoenix, Az at the Carl T. Hayden Veterans Hospital. I am SO excited to move to Arizona and be a "big girl"

I guess I should also mention this one guy I met this year named Aaron. I met him at the lovely Springfield establishment of Trolleys back in the spring. Nothing really happened, until June when he kept pestering me to hang out again. I finally gave him a chance, and low and behold, he turned out to be a pretty good catch. I got him hooked on cardinals baseball, and we've had lots of fun adventures together already. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us, and I sincerely hope he finds a job in Phoenix and we can be together for dessert adventures! oh and I got a cardinals tattoo on October 28, which just happens to be the day they won the world series!

and it late September, this little guy wandered into our life, and while neither of us had any intention of adopting a dog, we couldn't stand to give him away to anyone else. so Whistles became our puppy. He's sweet as pie and always makes up for his misbehavings by being adorable! (and Trexie is still around too!)

Alright, well this seems kind of long, but its really a pretty short version of my year. I am truly a blessed and thankful girl for all the wonderful things in my life. I'm gonna try hard to be a good blogger and I hope you want to read about my life!