Let's Catch up!

The year has been going by so quickly.  I posted for the new year and I blinked and Lent just ended!  Rotations have been pretty busy for me, crazy hours, lots of patients including delivering about 20 babies, lots of learning, meeting new people, and PLENTY of SNOW (It's the last weekend in April and we got 2-3" of snow yesterday, ughhhhhhhh)!!!  I've gotten to spend a few days with my love and reconnected with my bestie on a City Break!  I don't feel like I got to post about one of those since I lived over in London and weekends included quick trips to fun destinations with Cam & Mike...I miss you guys!

My New Years resolutions have mostly crashed and burned. I haven't felt motivated to put any more restrictions and structure on my life than what's already absolutely necessary every day with Residency.  They're not resolutions per se, but I am actually working thru a few more of of the items on my list of goals that I want to accomplish this year.  

Oh! Since I passed my last and FINAL STEP exam, I was able to apply for full medical licensure...I'm officially a fully Licensed Doctor here in Wisconsin! woot, woot!  Pretty unbelievable right?? I know, my mind is pretty blown as well--in a good way.  

I'm sure no one wants to read a bunch of my random thoughts, so I'll give you guys an update you with pics instead...  

We've had ENOUGH SNOW and COLD to last a lifetime this past winter, record setting temps and wind chills. 

Spent time with these cuties at a Marquette Women's Basketball Game!

Back in my Happy Place with my guy for a few days!  The views, sand, and sunshine NEVER GET OLD!

Our favorite beach has been restored after Hurricane Irma :)

City Break with my Bestie in Memphis...

The famous Peabody Hotel Ducks: 

Delicious build your own cupcakes from "Cupcake Cutie". If you're ever in Memphis go try them...Pick your cupcake, your icing, and any toppings you want.  
Left: Red Velvet w/Cream Cheese icing.  
Right: Vanilla cupcake w/Vanilla Buttercream & fruity pebbles topping 

Touring the City on foot: Civil Rights Trail, National Civil Rights Museum which has been built around the Lorraine Hotel where Dr. King was assassinated back on April 4, 1968 (Rom 306); Beale Street,  an obligatory picture with the Elvis Statue, a trip across the longest pedestrian foot bring from Tennessee to Arkansas and sampling some of the local eats.  

I wasn't that excited about the BBQ but Gus's fried chicken was sooooo good! 

Big River Crossing: Pedestrian foot bridge that connects Memphis, TN and West Memphis, AR.

MemPops after the almost 2 mile trek across the foot bridge and back.  Strawberry Lemonade-->YUM!!!

The most unexpected thing I ever expected to see and really enjoy.  The Bass Pro Shop!  This place has a swamp, aquariums, (real!) alligators, tons of varieties of fish, waterfalls, 100ft cypress tress (INDOORS!), the worlds tallest free standing elevator, a bowling alley, lodge, and the best panoramic views of Memphis and Arkansas you've ever experienced.  Definitely worth a trip, you will not be disappointed.  

 Views from the observation deck 33 stories up.

Looking ahead to what's next with anticipation and expectation...

Whatever it is, I'm ready!
Until next time...

Welcome to 2019!

Happy New Year!

The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on how things have gone over the past year. Has the prior year been good? Not so good? What were the highs and the lows? Hopefully the scales are tipped more towards all the positive things. 

Life happens. We suffer losses, disappointments and missed opportunities. But luckily we are all here another day, another YEAR—to give it another shot! To take another chance! So, let’s put forth our best efforts to work on being the best version of ourselves in 2019!. 

I can’t lie—overall 2018 was a great year in my book!  There were many highs and few lows.  From a professional point of view, I was able to successfully complete my Intern Year (First year as a new Physician), get off to a decent start learning to be a Senior Resident, and build relationships with some awesome folks.  Personally, I made a huge commitment to my better half, the one who accepts for who I am...flaws and all.  I don’t know how I got so lucky to end up with this amazing guy!!!!  My family and friends are healthy and doing big things. I’m so blessed to have such a good group to go to for advice, love, and to have a good time.  They make me strive to be a better person  

I’m settling a bit more in Milwaukee, meeting some new people, learning about some new places and trying some new activities. I’ve also been able to re-establish a connection with my Sorority and I hope to continue that into this coming year.  

Dare I say it, but I may have even started getting used to the weather! It hasn’t been anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. Or maybe its so terrible that once you move past the disrespectful cold, biting winds, & frequent flurries your terrible memories are erased like Men In Black and you can’t possibly recall how bad it can get lol. Nah....all jokes aside, it hasn’t been that bad.  If I had to make the same choice knowing what I know, I would still choose to be here. 

With all that being said: It’s time to set some goals for the New Year! I’ve been thinking about my goals and I really want them to be meaningful and achievable even if I have to work hard to accomplish them. I haven’t formerly set yearly goals since starting Medical School—where the goal was just to successfully finish! This is the start of a new chapter and I’m ready to bring back a part of me that has been put on a shelf due to something bigger going on. 

Do you all set annual goals?  How do you decide what to focus on? Is it based on different categories/areas of life?  How do you hold yourself accountable?  Do you set goals with your partner, family and/or friends? Feel free to let me know in the comments section. 

I’ve done vision boards in the past and also just written down my goals and carried them in my wallet all year; periodically taking them out for review and to check my progress.  I’m really excited about what 2019 will bring and the contributions I hope to make.  I’m hoping to look back on this and see how well I did at the end of the year in reaching the goals I set. 

Welcome to 2019....let’s make this one of our best yet!

Until Next time...