My New Art

All you fancy "artists" might not consider art purchased from overstock.com "real." Well, I'm no art critic. In fact, I buy pieces because I like the shapes or colors. I never took art history in college, and I don't even really know my periods that well! Don't tell my mom and dad that since they spent a lot of time taking me all over Europe trying to "educate" me.

Anyway. Here's my last purchase for our bedroom. I will say this... Abstract pieces can be lame. I mean, what dentist/doctor's office doesn't have an abstract piece? I've even fooled myself into thinking I could make my own abstract piece--it's just a bunch of shapes, right? Well, then I remembered that I had to take the "remedial" star drawing course in kindegarten. I still can't draw a very good star! But, that's beside the point. I think this piece is perfect for me and Jonathan! So please don't stop being my friend because I didn't purchase it while drinking wine and eating cheese. I'm pretty sure I did indeed have on a black turleneck when I bought it--gasp online. That has to count for something right?

Plunder this Loot, Matey

Yes, I do know National Pirate Day has come and gone. And, yes, I still contend that it is stupid there was a National Pirate Day. And even more so that I knew about it... Alas, there actually is a point to my language, argh! When my sister graduated from high school my godparents gifted her with an actual treasure chest full of coins! A real treasure chest! Full of real money! And full of those delightful golden coin chocolate candies! Needless to say, since this was many years ago, that gift made an impression on me. I have a great sister--who after plundering all the coins/cash--let me play with that treasure chest. So I can't claim outright jealously of the gift, and after all, it was her big day. But, of all the graduation gifts she received that was BY FAR the best. I will never reject cash in an envelope, but come on, this money was in a treasure chest! But this is digressing...

My godparents have never failed to shower me with gifts either--undeserved as they are. I have beautiful jewelry, countless cookbooks, free meals, just to name a few. But, today goes down in history as matching the treasure chest! Look at that BOOTY! The Alabama cap alone was too expensive! I know because Jonathan thinks Alabama caps are a necessary wardrobe piece, and we've spent quite a bit declaring our loyalty to the Crimson Tide by way of caps. And, he doesn't even have this one! There's candy in there! There's an Alabama scarf or blanket? An outfit for Max! And that's not even opening the box! It's a big box and upon one visual assessment I see TONS of treasures! Today my sister's treasure chest moment was matched--the coins went all the way to the bottom, people! I can't wait to rip it open and see what delightful objects wait inside! I'm waiting for JDP, though, as I am absolutely positive I couldn't put it back together in its original glory. I mean, come on, it even has crimson and white tissue paper! ROLL TIDE!!!!!

This gift came at the perfect moment! Here I am in Springfield, Illinois without an Alabama fan in sight--but GOOD LORD we saw an Auburn fan and I almost threw up! Well, my day is brighter! Back to practicing for the RPR!

Lonliness Approaches

Or should I say encroaches? Jonathan has finally begun the "dreaded" surgery rotation--you know, the one where medical students essentially disappear for a month to immerse themselves in the surgical arts. The long hours... The early mornings... The late nights... And the hopeful cups of coffee in between... When the weekend finally makes its long anticipated appearance, lo and behold, he's going to New Orleans. So it's going to be a solid 2-3 weeks before we get a night off to remember how much we enjoy our television. We've had longer separations, and we can look forward to longer separations still--think out rotations next year. Sigh... I am trying to channel my energies into my upcoming RPR. Solitude is, after all, a great motivator.

On a high note, I made a roast last night so I don't have to cook tonight--leftovers are too good to me!

I took a picture because I felt like such a "house-mama." I mean, I made a roast. Just when JDP thought I was regressing from every possible route of domesticity, BAM! I challenge grandmas across the world to a roast-a-thon!

Partial Victory

I took the Written Knowledge portion of the RPR on Thursday. I don't know my numerical score, but according to the preliminary score report I PASSED! I'm super happy about it, but I still have the skills portion on November 7th. Hence the partial victory...
JDP and I celebrated by eating at Bella Milanos and watching Where the Wild Things Are. (Thanks mom and dad for footing the bill!) We also tried to watch the 1991 version of Night of the Living Dead, but I fell asleep after about 30 minutes of zombie fun. That's about all for the Parkers. On Halloween JDP heads to New Orleans to present his research for Hollister. Erick Schuermann will be accompanying him. I will be Halloween-ing alone as my RPR is the next weekend, and I will getting ready for that.

Sometimes you just have to laugh...

... at the mistakes that seemed like a good idea in the dressing room. Case in point:

What the frak was I thinking? Seriously. These are bad! And, everything in Old Navy is perpetually on sale--but not these beauties. I paid like $25 for these, which granted is relatively cheap, but it's the principle of essentially throwing $25 away. I'm NEVER going to wear them. Ever. No return in the horizon either as I'm impulsive and ripped the tags off immediately. Now I'm just mad about it because they are so awful. Like robbed an unfashionable grandma's garden shed awful... Not cute! Jonathan, who is now rotating in psychiatry, has informed me of his speculations that I have "generalized anxiety." Maybe that's why I can't stop thinking about these shoes. Turquoise... Well, I might have to start taking medication for "restless leg syndrome" or some other weird ailment, but I have now said my peace about these shoes. Gross. There, that was it--really.

And, while we're on the topic of wasted money... I practically bought the entire Chanel makeup line a few weeks ago. I can get on board with most of their products!! Especially the moisturizers which have fancier names than I care to remember--in my neck of the woods we just call it cream, alright. Anyway. The foundation--which they so pompously call "Fond de Teint Modeleur Unifant"--NOT WORTH IT. Now, you probably shouldn't take any makeup advice from me, but I know this much to be true. The foundation is no better than any other brand. Just sayin'

Finally!

It's official. My new writer has shipped and I can use this beauty to make sweet transripts all day. Too bad they won't be "official transcipts" by an "officer of the court" until I get through that minor little detail of passing my certification. But, Big Deal, right?!

I'm less than excited to take my RPR (national certification) in October and November only to take another CSR (state certification) in December. But, as Moliere once said, "The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it." And, it has truly been an obstacle to overcome. I can say that now that I have an end in sight. At least, we can only hope that November is the end! I have diligently worked at this art, and I TRULY hope that it can finally manifest as a career--and so does my bank account. But, at the end of the day, and perhaps at the end of my 6 more weeks of preparation, if I happen to find myself among the ranks of countless other reporters who didn't pass the first time, I'll be devastated, but I'll take it again. Now that I have this fancy machine I don't think there's any turning back! Oh well, at least I'll look pretty cool on test day with my Diamante--and that does mean "diamonds" for those keeping score!

Meet me in St. Louis

From Huntsville, Alabama to Springfield, Illinois, then over the Mississippi to St. Louis, Missouri... My days have been spent traveling, and I'm happy to report that the in-laws are going to be the ones on the road next. That's right, friends we are importing the fam to the Midwest for some good ole' fashioned ALABAMA football this weekend. But, that's going to be a different post--one with me in my new vintage Alabama t-shirt with a look of glory on my face.

Anyway. So, JDP and I made our way over to St. Louis to meet up with our good friends, the Schuermanns. Erick was there for the month doing anesthesia, and it just so happens that we're only a little over an hour away. Needless to say, REUNION! And, where better than The Melting Pot--or as Erick's dad so affectionately termed it, "The Magic Pit." Truly, there was some magic going on, but it wasn't my stress over the fear of undercooking the meat. No, the magic was the lobster. The Scoggins (other med school comrades) were also in St. Louis. I know, right, Missouri is the center of the universe and all people have ties to Kirksville. It was a lot of fun!

That's the steam from fondue. Looks weird, huh?