Thanks to a fair amount of snow in a relatively short time...I have the day off from school, again.
Tuesday numerous schools in the STL area closed because of the weather that was supposed to come that day (ice/snow mix threats). I was scheduled to go to an elementary school that day for a vision screening, but since the elementary school was cancelled, I got the day off! My actual University was open on Tuesday so some of my classmates had to go in for clinic. The University ended up closing at 3pm-they always do that, wait until everyone is there and then cancel. Tuesday evening the snow really picked up. South STL got more than we did up north, but we still probably got around 5 inches-that's a total guess I haven't been outside. Due to how quickly it came down on Tuesday night (and southern parts also had ice with the snow), MODOT was expecting very poor travel conditions this morning. I think nearly every school in the city was shut down today, last night on the news they had over 600 school closings to report for the viewing area. UMSL, however, refuses to make their decision until 6am the morning of so I woke up, checked my email on my blackberry at 6:10am and saw that school was cancelled. (One more awesome thing about my blackberry, I can see if school or class is cancelled without even getting out of bed!)
It actually is quite sunny right now and it feels kind of silly to be home, but just because its sunny doesn't mean all the roads are travel-worthy. I am glad they called off school because I didn't want to face the hectic drive this morning with all of the horrible STL drivers. I wish I had some snow gear to go out and play....and someone to play with. Brian had to go to work, I think his building would have to collapse for him to miss work-what a good boy.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Making Progress On A New Us....
Update on our new healthy living....
It has been 3 weeks now that we have been trying to be more healthy and thus far I am really proud of us both-not to say we don't stray now and again. We each have been working out pretty routinely and been eating very healthy. I buy 1 pound containers of Spinach leaves so we eat a lot of salads-either as a side or just as a meal. I have been trying to keep fruits and veggies on hand too. I have discovered a love for green beans-fresh or frozen-they make a great snack. Last night we had baked sweet potatoes with a sprinkle of brown sugar; they are seriously like a meal and dessert all in one-I highly recommend it! According to some nutrition websites they are one of the best veggies to be eating!
My daily calorie intake is much improved as well. I am trying to be more aware of what I am putting in my body, both in regard to calories and nutritional value. I don't even know how many calories I would eat in a day, I wasn't really keeping track, but I would guess I have cut it by 500 or so on average. Just being aware can make a big difference, and hopefully I'll see it in my waistline too!
The first couple weeks I had cut down my pop consumption and increased the amount of water I was drinking, but that didn't last too long. Pop is one thing I just can't quit. I truly just crave the flavor, but I only drink diet so I guess that is a plus. Around Christmas every year my pop intake is the highest because I have just finished a week of finals-in which I live on pop while I study-and then I usually don't do any better over the holidays. The good news is I am not drinking that much anymore. I also used to take a diet Sunkist with me to school in the morning; now I try to have a bottle of water w/ Crystal Light on-the-go instead, and then just see if I can go the rest of the day without the pop.
I think both of us are already feeling a lot better. I know that I just feel better about myself for the healthy decisions I am making. Physically I know I am more toned which also is encouraging. We each have seen improvements in our exercise endurance too.
It has been 3 weeks now that we have been trying to be more healthy and thus far I am really proud of us both-not to say we don't stray now and again. We each have been working out pretty routinely and been eating very healthy. I buy 1 pound containers of Spinach leaves so we eat a lot of salads-either as a side or just as a meal. I have been trying to keep fruits and veggies on hand too. I have discovered a love for green beans-fresh or frozen-they make a great snack. Last night we had baked sweet potatoes with a sprinkle of brown sugar; they are seriously like a meal and dessert all in one-I highly recommend it! According to some nutrition websites they are one of the best veggies to be eating!
My daily calorie intake is much improved as well. I am trying to be more aware of what I am putting in my body, both in regard to calories and nutritional value. I don't even know how many calories I would eat in a day, I wasn't really keeping track, but I would guess I have cut it by 500 or so on average. Just being aware can make a big difference, and hopefully I'll see it in my waistline too!
The first couple weeks I had cut down my pop consumption and increased the amount of water I was drinking, but that didn't last too long. Pop is one thing I just can't quit. I truly just crave the flavor, but I only drink diet so I guess that is a plus. Around Christmas every year my pop intake is the highest because I have just finished a week of finals-in which I live on pop while I study-and then I usually don't do any better over the holidays. The good news is I am not drinking that much anymore. I also used to take a diet Sunkist with me to school in the morning; now I try to have a bottle of water w/ Crystal Light on-the-go instead, and then just see if I can go the rest of the day without the pop.
I think both of us are already feeling a lot better. I know that I just feel better about myself for the healthy decisions I am making. Physically I know I am more toned which also is encouraging. We each have seen improvements in our exercise endurance too.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Big Day....
I'm already married, not having a baby-let me repeat: NOT having a baby, not even close to graduating so then what could I possibly be talking about????.......THE OSCARS!! (of course)
Both Kung Fu Panda & Wall-E are up for Animated Feature Film and I liked both of them a lot. Wall-E is also nominated for Original Screenplay! Kung Fu Panda was very entertaining probably a little more exciting for kiddos. Wall-E has a great story and I would probably have to give it my vote in the Animated category; however, I don't think it can pull off the upset for screenplay (let's face it, an animated movie in the screenplay category was a win in and of itself).
I am really glad The Dark Knight was recognized in as many categories as it was. I am having a hard time thinking of any other comic book movie that I liked, but this one is completely different than the rest. I also am pulling for Heath Ledger in the Supporting Actor category even though I am going to cry my eyes out (again) if he wins. (Did you see the Globes-so sad!) We are each big fans of his work, and he should have won for Brokeback Mountain!! (Philip Seymour Hoffman was pretty good as Capote though.)
I have not seen any of the performances in the Lead Actress race, but I all ready know who I do not want to win-Angelina. (I don't know about you, but she just rubs me the wrong way and I am sick of hearing about the two of them all the time. Not looking at him, just hearing about them-let's get that straight. Brad's pretty damned hot!) I like both Anne Hathaway quite a bit, but Kate Winslet is one of my very favorite actresses.
Exactly one month from today it will be Oscar Sunday!! YIPPEE! The nominations were just announced, here are a few of my early opinions (because you know you are dying to here what they are):
Of those nominated in all categories, I have seen: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight, In Bruges, Kung Fu Panda, Slumdog Millionaire & Wall-E (Oh and about 10 minutes of Wanted and it was so bad we turned it off-its up in the sound categories). So not nearly as many as I want to see, but a decent start.
Slumdog Millionaire & Benjamin Button are both VERY good and I almost have a hard time picking one for Best Picture, but I think if I had to, I would pick Slumdog Millionaire. (Remember
my Thanksgiving post when I told you how good it was, I wasn't lying.)
my Thanksgiving post when I told you how good it was, I wasn't lying.)There are still some movie I would REALLY like to see before the big day: Milk, Doubt, The Reader, and The Wrestler. If you have seen any of these, I would love to hear your opinions about it! I will be lucky if I make it to any one of the four so I'm looking for advice about which one it should be. (I'm really leaning towards Milk and The Wrestler.) We would also like to see Revolutionary Road at some point, but don't want to pay $20 to see something so depressing.
Both Kung Fu Panda & Wall-E are up for Animated Feature Film and I liked both of them a lot. Wall-E is also nominated for Original Screenplay! Kung Fu Panda was very entertaining probably a little more exciting for kiddos. Wall-E has a great story and I would probably have to give it my vote in the Animated category; however, I don't think it can pull off the upset for screenplay (let's face it, an animated movie in the screenplay category was a win in and of itself).
I am really glad The Dark Knight was recognized in as many categories as it was. I am having a hard time thinking of any other comic book movie that I liked, but this one is completely different than the rest. I also am pulling for Heath Ledger in the Supporting Actor category even though I am going to cry my eyes out (again) if he wins. (Did you see the Globes-so sad!) We are each big fans of his work, and he should have won for Brokeback Mountain!! (Philip Seymour Hoffman was pretty good as Capote though.)
I have not seen any of the performances in the Lead Actress race, but I all ready know who I do not want to win-Angelina. (I don't know about you, but she just rubs me the wrong way and I am sick of hearing about the two of them all the time. Not looking at him, just hearing about them-let's get that straight. Brad's pretty damned hot!) I like both Anne Hathaway quite a bit, but Kate Winslet is one of my very favorite actresses.
Best Actor: I have only seen Brad in Benjamin Button and he was great, but I think both Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke are tough competition from everything I have heard. Thus, it is too early for me too call.
Shocker: I was surprised that Gran Torino was snubbed. Also, Kate Winslet was nominated in Best Actress category for her role in The Reader which is the performance she won the Globe for Supporting Actress, and her Globe win for Lead Actress in Revolutionary Road wasn't even nominated....confusing! (I read all of that somewhere-I am not THAT Oscar crazy....crazy enough to read about it, not to figure it out on my own.)
So you have 31 days in counting to do some homework! Or you can send me to the movies and I'll tell you all about it :) Enjoy.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
4th Year Externship Rotations
In May I will officially be a fourth year optometry student which means that I will begin one entire year of externships - not to overlook my very important National Boards in March. Each of the 17 Colleges of Optometry have different externship requirements, none of which have a longer externship program than we do. We are very lucky to get so much clinical experience and we are told that UMSL graduates get a lot of complaints about their clinical skills. They always saw we have six 8-week rotations, which isn't entirely true-the two summer rotations are shorter, only 7 weeks long I believe.
A little background about our externship process....We are allowed to pick all six. The school has a list of over 300 different places to choose from that have had UMSL externs previously, or you can work to set one up on your own. In reality we only have freedom on 4 of the 6 because we are required to complete two rotations in St. Louis that are school affiliated. Also the rotations have to meet certain specialty requirements to ensure that we all get a variety of exposure. We are required to complete a binocular vision/pediatrics and contact lens rotation, both of which are satisfied by completing a rotation at the school, an ocular disease rotation, a multidisciplinary site (like a VA or hospital) and an elective. They do have some rotations in fun places like Hawaii and Australia, but you have to pay for your travel to get there. I chose to put mine in KC so I could start networking (plus there was a lot of competition for HI).
From what I have heard, at all the locations I have chosen I will be seeing my own patients as if I'm the doctor., but there will be a supervising doctor present for questions as well. There are some rotations where you do not get to see your own patients, but rather observe someone else-I tried to avoid those.
Here is my schedule
1. May 18 – June 27th
Advanced Eyecare (2 locations):
6708 Raytown Road
Raytown, MO 64133
&
1116 SW 40 Highway
Blue Springs, MO 64015
Drs. Rich Wilson, Lawrence Reed, Dana Krause, and Joshua Graf
Private group practice with two locations.
http://www.advanced-eyecare.net/home.htm
2. June 29th – August 15th
Eye Associates (4 locations):
Of Overland Park (69 Hwy & 119th)
10120 West 119th StreetOverland Park, KS 66213
Of Leawood (151st & Nall)
15069 Nall Ave Leawood, KS 66211
Of Olathe (135th & Blackbob)
15249 West 135th StreetOlathe, KS 66062
Of Shawnee (E of 435 @ Shawnee Mission Prkwy)
15951 West 65th StreetShawnee, KS 66217
Private Group Practice; don’t know if I will be a multiple locations or just OP office)
Drs. Vincent Pennipede, Mark Siefkes*, John Davis, Nicci Noyce*, Christina Bartimus, Jayme Fose, Andrea Beedles (*UMSL Grads)
http://www.eyeassociatesop.com/index.cfm
3. & 4. Aug 17th – Dec 18th
Kansas City VA Medical Center
4801 Linwood Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64128
This location is actually a 16-week rotation. It is supposed to be the best rotation available at UMSL. In addition to the 3 UMSL externs, the KCVA also has a residency program through UMSL for 3 recent graduates.
Dr. Tim Harkins (whom I have heard from a number of current 4th years and recent graduates is what makes this rotation so good!)
http://www.kansascity.va.gov/
5. Jan 5th – Feb 27th 2010
UMSL variety site rotation
UMSL College of Optometry has 3 off campus clinics and also provides services at a number of community health centers, nursing homes and other community facilities. This rotation consists of a different location everyday and often times splitting the day between places. Additionally, the college has a converted RV that has two full exam lanes. They take this RV on-site to places such as schools to provide eye exams for kids who have failed their screenings or to other community events. (This week I went on this RV for the first time. We went to a school in south St. Louis and saw about 11 kids in a day’s time; some of which did need glasses, others did not.)
6. March 1 – May 8th 2010
UMSL Clinic
Binocular Vision/Pediatrics & Contact Lens rotation at the clinic on campus
In addition to the above rotations, I have some other places to go as well and will be missing some days at my scheduled rotations. June 22-24th I will be in Washington D.C. for the Congressional Advocacy Conference. If I am able to get the extra days off, I will stay for Optometry’s Meeting is the 25th-28th. I am on an AOA sponsored student committee for the Congressional Conference for which I get a travel grant to attend both of these meetings in D.C.!
From Sept 21- Oct 3 I will be traveling to Nicaragua for a Gift of Sight trip. Gift of Sight is a program sponsored by Luxottica (a company that makes the lenses for glasses) that sends students, employees and volunteers to locations that are in need to provide vision care. http://www.onesight.org/ At this time I don’t know much more about the trip.
Lastly (at this time anyway), the entire 4th year class has to travel back to St. Louis on October 12-16th for a week long practice management course at the school. At the end of the week is when we have our Eyeball, our formal dinner/dance to honor the 4th years….and I’ll be one of those being honored this time‼ PARTY‼ (It will also be nice to be in my home with Brian for a week since I will have been in KC since May!)
So there you have it a rather lengthy look at my last year of school.
A little background about our externship process....We are allowed to pick all six. The school has a list of over 300 different places to choose from that have had UMSL externs previously, or you can work to set one up on your own. In reality we only have freedom on 4 of the 6 because we are required to complete two rotations in St. Louis that are school affiliated. Also the rotations have to meet certain specialty requirements to ensure that we all get a variety of exposure. We are required to complete a binocular vision/pediatrics and contact lens rotation, both of which are satisfied by completing a rotation at the school, an ocular disease rotation, a multidisciplinary site (like a VA or hospital) and an elective. They do have some rotations in fun places like Hawaii and Australia, but you have to pay for your travel to get there. I chose to put mine in KC so I could start networking (plus there was a lot of competition for HI).
From what I have heard, at all the locations I have chosen I will be seeing my own patients as if I'm the doctor., but there will be a supervising doctor present for questions as well. There are some rotations where you do not get to see your own patients, but rather observe someone else-I tried to avoid those.
Here is my schedule
1. May 18 – June 27th
Advanced Eyecare (2 locations):
6708 Raytown Road
Raytown, MO 64133
&
1116 SW 40 Highway
Blue Springs, MO 64015
Drs. Rich Wilson, Lawrence Reed, Dana Krause, and Joshua Graf
Private group practice with two locations.
http://www.advanced-eyecare.net/home.htm
2. June 29th – August 15th
Eye Associates (4 locations):
Of Overland Park (69 Hwy & 119th)
10120 West 119th StreetOverland Park, KS 66213
Of Leawood (151st & Nall)
15069 Nall Ave Leawood, KS 66211
Of Olathe (135th & Blackbob)
15249 West 135th StreetOlathe, KS 66062
Of Shawnee (E of 435 @ Shawnee Mission Prkwy)
15951 West 65th StreetShawnee, KS 66217
Private Group Practice; don’t know if I will be a multiple locations or just OP office)
Drs. Vincent Pennipede, Mark Siefkes*, John Davis, Nicci Noyce*, Christina Bartimus, Jayme Fose, Andrea Beedles (*UMSL Grads)
http://www.eyeassociatesop.com/index.cfm
3. & 4. Aug 17th – Dec 18th
Kansas City VA Medical Center
4801 Linwood Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64128
This location is actually a 16-week rotation. It is supposed to be the best rotation available at UMSL. In addition to the 3 UMSL externs, the KCVA also has a residency program through UMSL for 3 recent graduates.
Dr. Tim Harkins (whom I have heard from a number of current 4th years and recent graduates is what makes this rotation so good!)
http://www.kansascity.va.gov/
5. Jan 5th – Feb 27th 2010
UMSL variety site rotation
UMSL College of Optometry has 3 off campus clinics and also provides services at a number of community health centers, nursing homes and other community facilities. This rotation consists of a different location everyday and often times splitting the day between places. Additionally, the college has a converted RV that has two full exam lanes. They take this RV on-site to places such as schools to provide eye exams for kids who have failed their screenings or to other community events. (This week I went on this RV for the first time. We went to a school in south St. Louis and saw about 11 kids in a day’s time; some of which did need glasses, others did not.)
6. March 1 – May 8th 2010
UMSL Clinic
Binocular Vision/Pediatrics & Contact Lens rotation at the clinic on campus
In addition to the above rotations, I have some other places to go as well and will be missing some days at my scheduled rotations. June 22-24th I will be in Washington D.C. for the Congressional Advocacy Conference. If I am able to get the extra days off, I will stay for Optometry’s Meeting is the 25th-28th. I am on an AOA sponsored student committee for the Congressional Conference for which I get a travel grant to attend both of these meetings in D.C.!
From Sept 21- Oct 3 I will be traveling to Nicaragua for a Gift of Sight trip. Gift of Sight is a program sponsored by Luxottica (a company that makes the lenses for glasses) that sends students, employees and volunteers to locations that are in need to provide vision care. http://www.onesight.org/ At this time I don’t know much more about the trip.
Lastly (at this time anyway), the entire 4th year class has to travel back to St. Louis on October 12-16th for a week long practice management course at the school. At the end of the week is when we have our Eyeball, our formal dinner/dance to honor the 4th years….and I’ll be one of those being honored this time‼ PARTY‼ (It will also be nice to be in my home with Brian for a week since I will have been in KC since May!)
So there you have it a rather lengthy look at my last year of school.
Friday, January 9, 2009
A New Elliptical for the New Year
For Christmas, Brian and I decided to ask for one big present....an elliptical (Schwinn 460 to be exact). We decided as busy as we both are with school, that we would benefit from having some exercise equipment in the house instead of having a gym membership that doesn't get used. So it is our intent to actually use this thing and not just use it as a clothesline-as the bench press sometimes is.
My first workout
Brian giving it a test run
This is what it looked like when we got it out of the box
It actually wasn't too bad to put together, 1.5 hours later it was ready to go!
My first workout
Brian giving it a test runFor the New Year we would like to start being more healthy. We are going to try and get regular exercises, be more aware of what types of foods we are eating and become more conscious about getting the necessary nutrition from our food. Overall, I don't believe we eat that poorly as compared to the general public. However we definitely do not eat a balanced diet and that needs to change! We have been doing pretty well the last week, but the real challenge is to stick with it once school resumes and life gets a little more hectic.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Christmas Photo Album (Highlights)
This year we had 6 separate family Christmas celebrations to attend in just 4 days. It kept us busy during our time back in Kansas, but we can't complain about having so many family members around to spend time with. Our only complaint is when we get home and try to put on our pre-holiday clothing that is just a bit more snug than it was before. Next year I'm asking Santa for self-control!!
Brian had about a weeks worth of vacation time he had saved for Christmas so we were able to be back in Kansas from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day. We got to spend time with each of our parents, both our niece and nephew, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparent and even friends! Usually we have great intentions of seeing all of these people, but often can't fit it all in during our short trips back; however, this time we managed to do it all and see everyone!
I am sad Christmas is over, but we have a lot to look forward to in the New Year. And of course tons of pictures to look back on. Here are a few of the highlights....(only of my side, we have mandatory picture time at our functions)
Brian had about a weeks worth of vacation time he had saved for Christmas so we were able to be back in Kansas from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day. We got to spend time with each of our parents, both our niece and nephew, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparent and even friends! Usually we have great intentions of seeing all of these people, but often can't fit it all in during our short trips back; however, this time we managed to do it all and see everyone!
I am sad Christmas is over, but we have a lot to look forward to in the New Year. And of course tons of pictures to look back on. Here are a few of the highlights....(only of my side, we have mandatory picture time at our functions)
Aubrey on Christmas Eve in her festive PJs
Mom & Dad (Dad is actually smiling)
Mom, Grandpa, Grandma and Aunt Katy(they "accidentally" were color coordinated)
The Whole Clan
Brian & Aub on Christmas Eve
Dad playing w/ Aubrey on Christmas
We requested a day to spend with Aubrey so she stayed home with our fine babysitting services instead of going to daycare. It was a long day, but fun!
Playing Guitar
Little Pink Riding Hood?
Practicing their cheerleading stunts
Me & Aub 
Stylin' (w/ pretzel in mouth)Monday, December 22, 2008
Family Visit
Last weekend my Mom, Dad and sister Makenzie all came down to visit Brian & I and to see our house all decorated for Christmas. They arrived Friday night and left Sunday; it was a short trip, but we had fun. Unfortunately Hayden and Aubrey couldn't make the trip, but it turned out not to be such a bad thing because Aubrey got the flu over the weekend-poor little thing-at least she got over it before Christmas.
On Saturday we went to Anheuser-Busch for the tour. After the tour (and some beer sampling) we went to a sports bar to eat lunch and watch the end of the KU game. Against Dad's will, we then went to the mall so Mom could shop for some shoes for Aubrey. After a short and crowded stint at the mall it was back home to watch movies and eat cookies for dinner. Somehow we only ate about half the meals we should have-we had snacked on Christmas sweets so much that we weren't hungry for meals like we should have been.
I really appreciate them making the drive to come see us! Brian and I thoroughly enjoyed just hanging out with the family.
Family Fun
Bitter Beer Face!
Dad tried some of Brian's beer and this is what happened to him.
On Saturday we went to Anheuser-Busch for the tour. After the tour (and some beer sampling) we went to a sports bar to eat lunch and watch the end of the KU game. Against Dad's will, we then went to the mall so Mom could shop for some shoes for Aubrey. After a short and crowded stint at the mall it was back home to watch movies and eat cookies for dinner. Somehow we only ate about half the meals we should have-we had snacked on Christmas sweets so much that we weren't hungry for meals like we should have been.
I really appreciate them making the drive to come see us! Brian and I thoroughly enjoyed just hanging out with the family.
Mom & I with Scott the Clydesdale
Family FunBitter Beer Face!Dad tried some of Brian's beer and this is what happened to him.
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