Georgetown v. Tennessee Basketball Game

I got food poisoning on Thursday night (BLECH!), so I was out of commission all day on Friday.  It actually ended up working out ok because Derek and I bought tickets to see Georgetown play Tennessee in a basketball game at Verizon Center on Friday night.  True, I planned on studying all Friday morning instead of lying around sick, but I'm just glad I was still able to use the tickets!

 Here's some snapshots of our evening!

They also gave out "Flair Hair" which was really fun to rock!

Tracy, Jeff, Brian, and Derek

Stephen and Charla!

Student Section!

 Ahhh I've missed that orangey-yellow color!

 The whole group of us!

Jeff, Tracy, Brian, Stephen, Charla, Cat, Derek, and me!  Excuse the scary red eyes!

Rock that Flair Hair, Jeff!

 Afterward, the group of us took the most circuitous route ever to get to a frozen yogurt place about a block away from where we started.  We did get to walk through this adorable place:

 Overall, a fantastic night!

--Catherine

SURPRISE!

We're ba-aaack!   Finals are crazy right now, as per usual with exams and finals, but let's be honest people... THIS IS MY LAST FALL SEMESTER OF LAW SCHOOL!

The day before Thanksgiving, Georgetown hosted a Thanksgiving for students in town over the holiday.  We met up with some friends to take advantage of the free catered food and the fun atmosphere!

Jeff and Derek and I were on the same wavelength about taking home some of these cute  gourds!  I'm not sure Jeff's wife, Cat, was as happy about Jeff taking over her purse to carry out the gourds!

Birthday Wrap-Up Slash Sandy Survival

My birthday was surprisingly awesome considering the horrible weather.  I was quarantined with Derek, and let's face it, there's no one else with whom I'd rather be quarantined!

On the 28th, we got takeout from a Chinese place near us that serves the most amazing food.  Their hot and sour tofu soup makes me shed tears from delicious-ness.

So much time on my hands... I even straightened my hair!  And tried a middle part.  Becca did not give me the nod of approval on the middle part.

Midnight on October 29th!

 Starbucks free drink? Sure, I'll brave winds going faster than DC traffic ever moves!

So much success I took a picture in the starbucks to memorialize it!

 These next five pictures are Derek being awesome and cooking me dinner:

And I never told you what I got for my birthday... a HUGE AWESOME Christmas Tree!!!  I've been talking about getting a full-size tree since we moved out of our studio apartment, but I couldn't find something that I was willing to spend the money on.  While I was at GW for the moot court competition, Derek was driving through Virginia to find me the perfect Christmas tree.  This thing is 7.5 feet tall and is nearly 5 feet wide!!!!  I love it :)  He's a good gift-giver, if you ever get the chance to receive gifts from him!

As far as Sandy goes, we escaped without any damage.  The windows rattled and shook, the lights flickered a couple of times, but no trees came into our living room or on our car, and the electricity stayed on the whole time!  Thanks to everyone who asked about us!
--Catherine

Things Medical Students Say

Sometimes the medical student who lives in my apartment comes out with the most outrageous statements.  Sometimes he realizes how silly they sound after he says them... and other times he does not!  Here's an example of such a statement:

--Catie

Birthday BBQ

Once in awhile, there's a glorious thing in the lives of those who are affected by medical school.  Medical students often call it 'switch weekend.'  I call it ECSTASY.  Switch weekend is the couple of days between two rotations.  During this illustrious time, there are no assignments or requirements.  Family and friends rejoice!

Yesterday, we went to a BBQ for our friend Krystoff's birthday.  We had a blast staying up late (which basically means any time after 10 PM) and sharing stories about school and work!

How cute is this cake that Kim made??

--Catie

Our Topsy Turvy Weekend is Over...

Our topsy turvy weekend is over, and it's back to the grind for the week.  Actually, this is a big week for a couple of reasons.

First, Blake and I will be living in the same apartment but will not see each other from today until Thursday evening.  Blake starts labor & delivery night float this week--he starts working at 7 PM and works until 9 AM the next day.  I work Monday through Wednesday from 9 AM to 5 PM, and the way the times work out--adding in time to commute--we will just miss each other each way!  Thursday night cannot come soon enough for me (or for Blake!).  Friday is Blake's shelf exam, and that will conclude his first rotation of his third year of medical school!

I sniped this picture of Blake outside of our apartment talking on the phone!  #stalkerwife

Second, I start school this week!  I work on Monday and Tuesday, but Tuesday evening starts my orientation events with first-year law students!  I have an all day meeting on Wednesday to go over information for teaching this year, and then Thursday and Friday kicks off my first meetings with students!  Next week I start my regular classes, and I'm already feeling pretty nervous.  You'd think after starting school in the fall for 19 years straight, I'd get over the pre-school jitters, but alas, they continue.

And woah y'all.  This is my last first-day-of-school ever!  That deserves a gratuitous kissy picture of myself, I do believe.

Topsy Turvey

I've been looking forward to this weekend for awhile!  Blake has off on Saturday and Sunday until 7 PM, which is always exciting.  Blake is now 5/6 of the way done with his OB/GYN rotation at a hospital out in Virginia, which means only one week left on the rotation from hell.  This week is especially hard, however, since he'll be doing night float working from 7:00 PM until 9:00 AM the next morning and on Friday he takes the OB shelf exam, which is a standardized test.  This week is going to be very weird as far as sleeping schedule and study-cramming for his shelf exam.

I was looking forward to this weekend though because on Friday, we had to jump start Blake staying up at night and sleeping all day!  Normally before you start a new job, you want to make sure you're going to bed nice and early and waking up nice and early.  Yesterday, we got to push ourselves to stay up as late as possible and sleep in as much as possible!  And we'll do the same thing tonight!!

My inner 10-year-old is really excited about staying up late :)

Last night, Blake managed to make it to 10:30 PM before his eyes couldn't stay open any longer.  He did sleep an impressive amount this morning though.  Whereas I went to bed at 12:30 AM and woke up at 9:15 AM, Blake went to sleep at 10:30 PM and slept until 11:30 AM!!!

He's off to the library to study for most of the day, but I wanted to share a little of our day!
--Catie

Can't Stop Won't Stop Celebrating Step 1's Completion!

I know I have been blogging a lot about the USMLE Step 1 Exam that Blake took at the end of June.  Step 1 is crucial when applying to residencies in fourth year.  Recently, Blake received his score, and we are thrilled with the results!  Blake worked really hard, and he EARNED that score!

We decided to celebrate the next free weekend by heading out to some outlet malls and enjoying some rest and relaxation.

AND CHEESE STICKS.  We mustn't forget that glorious fried cheese.

 We woke up to homemade whole wheat pancakes that I adapted from a blog I read (check out the recipe here).  It was a dreary day in the District, so we decided to go out to the outlet malls in Virginia.

 After walking around and looking through various stores, we went to a Chile's for dinner.

And this is where the fried cheese comes in ;)

 On Sunday, Blake and I got a surprise in the mail!  Blake's parents got him a nice gift certificate to Cheesecake Factory to celebrate his stellar Step 1 score!  We thoroughly enjoyed our nice dinner and dessert!

Blake got a Key Lime Cheesecake slice, and I got a Khalua Coffee Cheesecake slice.  Everything was so delicious, and there was so much food that we had plenty for later too!

Thanks so much for the gift card, Steve and Dorothy!

--Catie  

A Snapshot of Blake in the Evenings

Blake finished up an OB/Gyn outpatient clinic rotation, and he is now doing an OB/Gyn surgery rotation.  The hours are long, and Blake spends all day standing, so he is even more exhausted than usual by the end of the day.  

I think the below pictures perfectly exemplify what happens when he comes home.

First, I thought he looked super cute in scrubs, so I pulled out my phone to grab a picture.  Blake had two things on his mind though: (1) washing his face and (2) getting out of the scrubs, so between all the running around, these were the only pictures I got!

An empty room where Blake had stood just two seconds before.

This one almost counts. He's at least in the frame!

When Blake was more comfortable, we sat down to watch an episode of TV.  Blake whipped open a suture kit and practiced making knots throughout the whole thing.

I'm so proud of this guy.  He works so hard :)
--Catie

In Absentia: Bringing Forth Life

Blake is currently (if you're reading today) two weeks into his first medical school rotation.  He's been on Obstetrics/Gynecology, and it's been quite the adventure!  Blake's rotation is just outside of DC in Virginia, and he has to round on patients just before 5 in the morning!  Needless to say, there have been some early mornings in our household!!

Old picture, but this is what Blake looks like every morning at 4 AM heading for the hospital!

I think it was a tough transition at first--getting up early, learning the hospital system, adjusting to a different life--but he is doing well now!  I think that may, in part, be due to the fact that he delivered a baby last week! About the experience, Blake says the following: 

"I was extremely touched by the experience. Although I was very nervous and worried that I would do the 'wrong' thing, delivering a baby was truly amazing.  I was able to be a part of a defining moment in a couple's life. While waiting for the placenta to deliver, I saw the father hold his child for the first time. I must admit, it was an emotional time for us all. Seeing his face light up with pure joy struck a chord in my heart. My eyes began to tear up and run down my face. It was an experience I will never forget. OB/GYN has been very tough so far. The hours are brutal and it is often very stressful, but it is these experiences that truly make practicing medicine meaningful. I am fortunate enough and trusted enough to be a part of people's lives--- often in the most private of circumstances. It is truly an amazing experience. As the next few months unfold, I have a lot of hard work ahead of me. I must work many long hours and often deal with a lot of unnecessary hierarchical b.s., but I am truly fortunate to be learning medicine here. I hope that I am able to keep a healthy perspective and remember such touching and defining moments as when I delivered my first baby."

Don't expect to be seeing too much of Blake around here during this rotation, since his hours are so long and his free time is limited.  I will try to keep everyone apprised of his situation as best I can!  One thing he didn't mention, but I found to be quite hilarious, is how the doctors often simply refer to him as 'medical student.'  As in "Medical Student... suction!" or "Medical Student... cut lower!"  or "No, Medical Student, cut higher!"  

Check back for more fun "medical student" updates!

--Catie (and some Blake)

A Funny Coincidence

Remember one of the "Things Medical Students Say" posts Catie made back when she and I were studying for spring finals?  You can read it by clicking here.  She posted this picture back in April:

Well, guess what parasite made a guest appearance on Step 1??  THAT RANDOM PARASITE!

The question on the test involved a military man returning from overseas duty with a nasty lesion on his arm. With that background information, they presented a picture of the lesion yada yada.  Boom!! Try harder USMLE!
--Blake

Early Fun Weekend Has Arrived!!

Blake's Step 1 exam that I swore I wouldn't blog about anymore took place on Wednesday.  On Thursday, I had several projects to finish up at work.  At close of business, I got home and met Blake for one of our first few evenings with NO obligations.

During the day, Blake went to the fourth installment of his medical education research certificate program through the Association of American Medical Colleges.  Last summer, he worked on a research project with several of his professors.  Thursday, he and a few other students participated in a half day program with lectures from physicians who research medical education.  Blake said it was very interesting, and he talked my ear off when we were both at home Thursday evening.

Around 7, Blake told me that for some reason he had been craving a blooming onion from Outback Steakhouse.  So weird, since the closest Outback to us is in Hyattsville, Maryland!  When we looked up directions, he realized that the program he had attended was right next to an Outback.  He must have subconsciously seen the Outback and started craving a blooming onion!

We did the only logical thing at that point and drove to Hyattsville!


Craving satisfied!






After a nice dinner, we drove around DC and checked out the monuments at night.  I would highly suggest doing that if you're visiting DC anytime soon! And if it's your first time, get out and walk through the National Mall to get even closer to the monuments.  There are usually a lot less people around at night.  Blake and I chose to stay in the car, but we enjoyed the sights!

--Catie