May 31, 2012

Memorial Day wrap-up

This memorial day we took a little trip to Chaddsford Winery with some friends, and it was fabulous!  Those who know me, know that I can't really stomach wine.  However, everyone wanted to do the wine tasting, so I caved.  It actually helped me realize I can't stand red wine (I think it tastes like cheese, and smells like it!).  It also proved to me that I do like some wines.  More specifically, if it has a ton of sugar in it, I'll drink it.  My favorites were the sangria slushies because it was a crazy hot day, and they were like a little slice of cold, sugar heaven for me.  There was barbeque food and a cute little band there as well.  Really great place too.  The actual wine was made in a super old country barn.  The area around the winery and the drive there reminded me of Wisconsin.  Including the little antique mall next door!

We also found time to play some board games that we got as wedding gifts.  It was all fun until Lily jumped on the board and ruined it. Guess that's what we get for trying to play on the floor!

Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day, and remembered why we get one!

-xoxo

May 25, 2012

Travels

Summer is finally here, well not really, but at least it feels like it. High 80's and full humidity make for some very stuffy days.  I've been running like mad around here lately.  Trying to keep to running at least five miles per day. So far, so good.  When I was back home, I got a ton of running in. I love being able to walk out my door and go on for miles. It's a comforting feeling. Running in the warm air, and my body warming from the inside out is just a great feeling.  Now, when the temps hit 90...that's a different story.  I actually have a couple stories about running in terrifying heat.  One that comes to mind is when it was 90 degrees out, and 100% humidity, and I was hoping to run ten miles, give or take depending on how I felt.  I was convinced I was going to pass out, but I kept talking to myself, literally speaking to myself, saying "You aren't going to die if you keep running, if you stop, you will die."  Guess my mind games worked, because I ran the entire ten!

I've started back up at school again for the summer.  That week-long break sure rejuvenated me....yeah...right. I remember when I had the entire summer off....oh boy do I miss that! The one good thing about this summer, is that I have a pool!  It opens Monday, and you bet your bottom I'll be there!  I've always been a little fish during the summer, so I can't wait to spend the entire summer running, swimming, and studying....wait that last one doesn't fit.  I'm looking forward to running an insane number of miles with my swimming suit underneath my shorts and t-shirt, and crashing into the pool when I get home. Cannot wait.

I've recently read Born To Run by Christopher McDougall, and boy if that doesn't motivate someone to run, nothing will! I also started eating chia seeds, the supposed miracle supplement/food to ultra-marathon runners, and now me! Mike and I first got them at night, and eating them was a mistake!  I was up until 2am. They are a super food that packs a serious energy punch.  Great for running, and great for tired students that don't want to see 3-year-old patients at 8am, i.e. Me. Here's my chia seed recipe that I've been using to consume them.

Rach's Chia Fresca

1-1.5 cups of lime juice (I use "Simply Lime")
1 cup of water (to dilute the juice a tad)
1 tablespoon of chia seeds

Just let the seeds soak in the water juice, and stir every five minutes for about 15 minutes.  Then you can let the juice sit in the fridge for up to a couple days.  The chia seeds get a gel exterior so drinking them is super easy, and the texture is fun.  If anyone ever drank Orbitz, it's kind of like that. Worth trying, plus they have a super amount of antioxidants and omega-3's in them. Side note: Consult your physician if you are taking blood pressure meds before trying them.

And before I bid you all adieu, here's my weekly wrap up of what I've been doing besides running, relaxing, and getting back into the swing of school.  *Warning: tons of photos ahead!*


R-L, top-bottom:
Obligatory cat picture
My Broad Street Run 10 miler medal, nicest one yet!
The most colorful set of packed luggage I've ever had, spring is here!
Beaut-i-ful clouds on the flight home
Family farm love
Pearl Ice Cream, best vanilla bean ever
Granddad's Bluff tourist shot
Beautiful valley, i.e. My home.


R-L, top-bottom:
Good ole Wisconsin cheese curds
Goose Island at dusk
Chia Fresca
My favorite running road
Grandma's teacup
Sunset in Wisconsin





























-I hope you all get to travel a lot this summer, even if it means running the furthest you've ever run in a place you've rarely been to!  That's still traveling to me!  
-xoxo

May 5, 2012

Spring sprint

It's been a long spring, but it's been flying by.  Ever since I returned to the east coast, I've been studying non-stop, seeing patients non-stop, and trying to find a little time to myself.  I have a break in six days, and I cannot wait.  It has been far too long since I've had to think about nothing.

This finals sesh is by far the absolute worst I've ever experienced in my 20 years of school.  2.5 weeks of h-e-double-hockey-sticks.  In that amount of time I'll have taken seven finals.  That on top of seeing patients.  Just thinking about it is making my palms sweat, but thankfully I'm almost done.  I told one of my friends the other day that my brain was full.  It's a shame really.  I feel like every exam I walk into my brain unloads, and then I go home to fill it up with more knowledge that I unload the next day.  All semester I've felt like I really understood the material for exams.  Obviously new stuff has been taught for finals, but that is added onto the cumulative stuff we've learned already.  I can barely remember the new material because we have so much to study in such a short amount of time.  I can't wait until I never have to study again.  This semester has made me realize that I really don't want to be a forever student.

I have been able to find some free time throughout the mess of school, surprisingly.  Here's what I've been doing when I'm not cramming my face in highlighters, powerpoints, and notes.
{R-L, up-down}
Went to Washington D.C. Saw the Whitehouse.
WWII Memorial
Cherry blossoms!
Jefferson Memorial
Capitol
Baked lemon zest cookies, recipe on the blog.
It's been beautiful here lately.
Obligatory picture of Lily.
My plants are growing! I might actually have a green thumb!
Study mess.

 Obligatory picture of Tipsy.
Campus is gorgeous these days.
I finally got my 26.2 sticker.  Three years later.
Baked some more. Banana Nutella muffins, recipe on the blog.
Broad Street Run. Running that tomorrow! Nation's largest 10 miler.

I'll see you all on the flip side (of finals)!
xoxo