Christmas & Philadelphia Road Trip

The fiancé is currently taking his step 2 while I sit in The University of Pennsylvania/Drexel chestnut street Starbucks writing this. It was difficult to leave the family at 4 in the afternoon on Christmas to come with him to new completely honest. This year at Christmas is was very obvious that traditions are beginning to change as my siblings and I get older. Of course I wanted one last Christmas at home-home in my own bed and own room. Sort of bitter sweet really. I was woke by my middle youngest brother at 8am. "It's Christmas Jess!? Get Up!" I gave him a "ugh" and rolled over for another 30 minutes until he came in again and threw my cat at me. Nice. He had driven from his now rented house about 15 minutes away for the ritual of Christmas morning gifts. My family consisting my dad, mom, said brother (Age 23) and other brother (age 20) opened our gifts. Mom likes to buy her Christmas gifts in China Town in New York City with her girlfriend on her annual "get away from the husbands" trip. I've told her time and time again that the prices on North Face hoodies, Tiffany's jewelry, designer sunglasses and bags are so good because they are not real. It has no effect. "But this one really is though" she says with a ruffled confused look on her face. I just have to shake my head and laugh. Whatever you say mom... After opening gifts at home-home we traveled to my dads moms house for breakfast and gifts. Grandma Joan is I believe 84 now and can't really get around too much. Ben, my youngest brother opened up a container of Hershey's kisses, I got a bookmark, and the best of all, Zachary got a first aid kit. I feel really bad for laughing but I chalk it up to memories being made. Haha. I can just hear us 10 years from now... Remember the time that grandma J got us band-aids for Christmas then won at Chinese checkers!? She also demanded that my cat make the trip. The next stop was Charlie's Grandma's house for more food. My grandma Bonnie's house was next. Grandma Bonnie is a fantastic seamstress and always hand sews gorgeous intricate keepsake stockings for all of us. I opened mine to find she had given me her mothers handkerchief with beautiful embroidery and the letter "E" for my soon to be maiden name to use as something old for my wedding day. Charlie and I headed over to his dads house for our final stop. His mom hit the "I want grand babies" hint HARD when she gave me red lingerie. All eyes were on my red face. Haha. Oh boy. Charlie and I left on that note toward Philadelphia. We stayed in the Sherridan hotel. OH MY GOSH the pillows!!! Haha It's the little things. I have a lot of time to think today about how life if changing before my eyes. Deep. My brother is about to get engaged (I can feel it) to a great gal. I'm moving away likely come June. Grandma Joan is getting older. I had so many stops this Christmas, now reflecting on the day is when I'm truly enjoying how crazy and beautiful the changes are. I better enjoy it while I can because I don't think we will ever have any Christmas quite the same. I smile. 

Residency Interview Line Up

It’s been quite a long time since my last post. I was really freaking out for a bit about “THE MATCH”.  It was better to avoid thinking about it. Sitting at my computer for hour wasting time on Zillow.com looking at possible housing options depending on location we *might* move was starting to consume my school work time. Wedding planning has taken over my worries. My check list is getting shorter and shorter. My dress came in, save the dates are about to go out, and bridesmaids dresses are ordered.  All is right in the world. Except for my Christmas tree that only survived 48 hours before I came home from school with it on the floor. The cat popped her head up from the braches playing with the ribbons pouncing up and down excitedly as I opened the apartment door. Nice. Déjà vu. This already played itself out last year. … I have yet to fix the decorations. Instead it’s propped up against the wall. I’m using the excuse that it now looks “artistic”. Lol

I am very happy to report that the fiancé has a total of 19 interview for orthopedic residency programs!

His resume is prettttttty solid. Step 1 score of 258, Alpha Omega Alpha, 1 publication, worked on 4 projects, and a step 2 score of something really good also… can’t remember now.

In order of orthopedic residency interview date:

1)      Western Michigan University Medical Center in Kalamazoo, MI

2)      Wayne State University’s Oakwood Heritage Hospital in Detroit, MI

3)      Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI

4)      Akron General Hospital in Akron, OH

5)      SUMA Hospital in Akron, OH

6)      University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, NY

7)      Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY

8)      Upstate New York Hospital in Syracuse, NY

9)      Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburg, PA

10)   Thomas Jefferson Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA

a.       US World New Report Ranked

                                                               i.      7^th out of all orthopedic hospitals in the US

11)   Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis, IN

a.       US World New Report Ranked

                                                               i.      38^th out of all orthopedic hospitals in the US

12)   Mount Carmel Hospital in Columbus, OH

13)   Albert Einstein University Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA

14)   Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond, VA

a.       US World New Report Ranked

                                                               i.      39^th out of all orthopedic hospitals in the US

15)   Toledo Medical Center in Toledo, OH

16)   The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, OH

17)   University of Pennsylvania’s Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, PA

a.       US World New Report Ranked

                                                               i.      34^th out of all orthopedic  hospitals in the US

18)   University of Birmingham Medical Center in Birmingham, AL

19)   Marshal University Medical Center in Charleston, WV

 

Rank lists are due sometimes in February. This is getting more and more exciting! I'm drinking more and more Yogi Stress Tea! :) haha But in all seriousness ,  have prepared myself that we might be moving away from Columbus. Anger was a real emotion felt for about a month before acceptance set in. The fiancé has very supportive about me not wanting to leave my job. It’s so nice just to hear him say that he understands what I am giving up potentially.

Happy Holidays!

Orthopedic Residency Applications Sent

The time is here. Residency applications are sent and now we wait yet again. His step one score is very very good and  resume overall is pretty solid.  He keeps questioning how many programs he should apply to in the MD world. Ideally we would like to stay in the Midwest New England, or southern part of United States. Right now I believe the total is up to 70 applications sent out. I'm Pretty sure that it's overkill and at this point we're  wasting money; however, it eases his mind which makes me in turn feel better about life. 

People at work are starting to ask me in the lunch room what my plan is. My answer is a wide-eyed shoulder shrug. I'm preparing myself for the chat with the principal at school. Of course he knows my fiancé's in med school (he's met him before) But even so, the building is so amazing to work at that I'd rather not tell him I'm leaving. Blah... 

As far as wedding plans go, my wedding dress came in! We reserved the church for the shower and also the wedding. And get this?! ... I liked a post from the exact place I got the bridesmaid dresses & my wedding dress, and it ended up that I actually won a rehearsal dress for free. It's an Alfred Sung dress in any color and any style I want! Who knew these things actually happen?!  

Yes, it's for Real and not a scam. Oooo also engagement pictures have been scheduled for October 20. So excited for the pictures and I'm hoping that its still "fall-ish looking" with leaves on the trees by then.  We are thinking that the pictures are going to be taken at my parents pond/farm. Pumped to get That taking care of. 

I'm not sure I've blogged about this yet but I'm also cross country coach for my school. It's eating up a lot of my time between planning a wedding, grading, planning lessons, and life in general. Even still I'm pleasantly surprised I do enjoy it so much. It Allows extra time to chat with the kids and get To know them on a different level. I keep my classroom pretty fast-paced with little downtime so it's hard to do that in the classroom. 

Attitude: 4th Year of Long Distance

 mixed with ...

 

It's like the next phase will never start.

 

 

 Where did happy/ optimistic me go? Below is my attitude the last few weeks.

Update: Residency Interview Suit Purchase

The Fiance lived with me while his was doing his 2 away audition rotations. Just last week he left to go back to school and study for step 2. I can't believe how fast the summer went. I hope this entire year goes as fast! When we are having our hard-of-hearing 75-year-old chats, I am confident we will look back on 2013-2014 as one of the most chaotic times of our lives.


September- The $2000 step 2 exam... ugh...
October- Residency Applications
November- Residency Applications
December- Residency Interviews
January- Residency Interviews
February-wait wait wait
March- Match Day (finding out where he will spend the next 5 years training)
April-Wedding shower- finding a new place to live potentially finding a new job for me
May- Medical School Graduation/ Bachelorette Party / Bachelor Party/ finding a new place to live- potentially finding a new job for me
June- WEDDING- Moving to ? - possible honeymoon if $ is there/ finding a new place to live -potentially finding a new job for me
July- Residency starts- potentially finding a new job for me

Bahh...It makes my head spin. Living alone is getting lonely which intern makes me slightly bitter. ...Sad truth. sigh.

 It's time to start thinking of suits for residency interviews. Since these interviews dictate the next 5 years of my life and his, I had NO problem dipping into the wedding savings to pay for his residency interview suits.

The Fiance has a very athletic build: 48 shoulders and 38 waist. I normally have no complaints about his build but, it's definitely problematic for buying "off the rack".

We ended up going for 2 suits: charcoal grey and black. The pictures below are from Brooks Brothers. He ordered a charcoal grey suit to be tailored. (The one he tried on was navy.) Before alterations and after the Labor Day sales/ old gift card the cost dropped from $648 to $425. The second suit we purchased was a black herringbone athletic cut from Macy's  starting at $648 to $239 to $177, again, before alterations. We definitely saved some money. 2 suits for about 600! Tailoring is estimated to be about $100-$150. Parents are helping with that. I really think a $1000 untailored suit looks terrible compared to a $200 tailored suit.

 I've surveyed several wives who have gone through the interview process. They all have their own opinions of color choice but, the main theme that emerges is undoubtedly confidence. As long as the hopeful resident isn't "flashy" and holds himself well in the suit, the color choice of black, dark grey, or navy really doesn't matter. From what I have been told, charcoal grey is popular choice and that depending on the interview location, black would be appropriate, hence our purchases. We wouldn't have to buy new shoes and could interchange shirts and ties.

Macy's Suit Link
Brooks Brothers Make-Your-Own-Suit Link

Ahhh. C'est la vie

Is it obvious his arms are longer than his legs?!  ;)

Very happy with Brooks Brothers customer service

He was feeling very awkward here as an associates, tailor, and I were all discussing him.

Happy Happy Happy News!

Wonderful news!!! Fiance's graduation from medical school has been moved to may 31st!!! No more worrying about logistics! We can actually have a rehearsal dinner now! Thanks to someone out there who made that executive decision. 

Breathing easy now...oh happy day!

I'm thinking the rehearsal dinner will probably be the same place as the reception since they give a discount. 

Less than a year to go!

My wedding dress should come in the last week in August or first week in September. My veil still needs purchased. Shoes are iffy. I dearly want the ultimate "way-out-of-budget" couture but am waiting to see how the fiancée residency application process plays out. I was eyeing nude open toe pumps.

Best news of all: fiancé started his first orthopedic away rotation and is living with me for 8 weeks! It was weird seeing him so much at first (keep in mind he works 80+ hours\week). I hadn't seen him for a solid 6 weeks prior. I'm cooking and doing laundry aka playing house. Never did I think I would take the role so seriously or think that type of gal to be me. I actually find I like doing it now with him there... I must be ill. 

He is raving about the place he is currently rotating with. I'm talking "Jess, I can't get my hopes up but I love it there. I'm over analyzing everything. Everyone seems to like me. One of the residents even said today that (exact words) when your here as a resident dr.___ will likely be here for ___ more years..." We are both trying to keep a realistic head about it. I know most people don't match at their #1. But seriously, if I can keep my job and he is able to moonlight, wow... Just wow. 

He also started to bring up kids a few days ago!! If we place at the hospital he is currently, I could have my car and student loans paid off in 3 year (because I could stay at my job) then stay at home with kids while he moonlights during pyg3. Kids in 2 years likely. Daydreaming is fun. 

Vacation at Hilton Head

Best news everrr:

Graduation has been moved ahead a week allowing us to have a rehearsal dinner!!!! Yay

In current news:

Im posting from Ocean front rental home on Hilton head island in South Carolina. I'm typing on my phone please tolerate my grammatical errors. Fiancé moves into my apartment today but I'm hanging out with family. A gal has to keep living. He was supposed to come but got wind he was accepted for a VERY important audition rotation at mount Carmel west for orthopedics. The following month he will be at the Ohio state university for orthopedics too. I feel like we will have enough together time. I put notes around my apartment where he should unpack his things. Haha I thought it to be a cute gesture. I even bought him a clothes rack and bulgar wheat (he eats really weird stuff). Enjoy my view! Yes that is a picture of a butt washer in the bathroom lol deciding if I should explore it further ...

HELP! Bridesmaid Gifts????

I want to be generous to the 5 gals in my wedding party. I was hoping to get them the typical wedding jewelry and something useful. 

Would you rather have:

Gift choice A:

$30 each $30 each $35 each... or cheaper if my grandma makes them
 

OR

Gift Choice B:

from tiffany co.  $150 each

 $35... or cheaper if my grandma makes them

Feel free to through out other suggestions!

Help! ...Rehearsal Logistics

Dilemma...

How long is the typical medical school graduation ceremony? We did research when planning the date of our wedding. The college normally holds graduation in May. We picked June 7th. Next year it's June 6th. Lovely. We thought about moving the date a week later (June 14th 2014) but that's also his mom's bday. Ortho residency would have orientation up to 2 weeks before July 1st leaving us no time for a honeymoon. As we proceed with the June 7th date right after graduation, I'm wondering if the 4 hour drive to graduation, sitting through it, driving back then going to our rehearsal dinner would even work for me and his parents or if we should go with a wedding day rehearsal brunch? My grandma really wants me to do a dinner. His mom who is paying for it wants a brunch. ... What would you guys do ? All my bridesmaids (5), my parents, and even maid of honor's parents have (without me asking or hinting) volunteered to help set it up if we chose a dinner... ugh decisions... HELP! lol

Options 1: Rehearsal and dinner Thursday (but not all the bridal party could make it)
                 Graduation and traveling on Friday
                 Wedding and reception Saturday

Option 2: Graduation, traveling, a very late rehearsal and dinner Friday (everyone could make it but super tired)
                Wedding and reception Saturday


Option 3: Graduation and travel Friday
                Rehearsal the morning of the wedding, brunch, wedding, and reception Saturday
                (Only problem here is being rushed on the wedding day and seeing each other before the wedding)

               

Please comment with thoughts.

Good news though! The actual bridesmaid dress swatch came in! Thank you to my lovely bridesmaid Amber for modeling! The dress is Jenny Yoo Fiona style in Turkish Blue. I tried so hard to get a picture of how it look in person. I swear it photographs so much darker and muted. The in person color is slightly darker version of robins egg blue. When I show people they think it's teal.

Grace, Gratitude, Regret, Forgiveness, Wisdom

I feel sorrow and regret for my written words earlier this year.

I posted sometime (maybe in Feb) that Dr. Fiance has asked for my input on his applications for away rotations. I had told him not to apply to a certain location since he has family there with severe drug problems. I felt that doing his real residency there would lead to complications with family showing up soliciting money and or exposing our future children to another world. He pretty much blew me off and said it was a good program. That was the end of it; thus, I vented online. 

Dr. Fiance's cousin died of an overdoes of heroin this past week. The funeral was yesterday. At age 26 he  left behind a wife and 2 children, 9 and 2. 

I cried a good part of today. I had only met him twice although I've been with Dr.F for almost a decade. I watched his wife cry in the front of the church as the little ones walked about the isle. It hit me that Dr. F's cousin was our age. We could very well have children that age if we made different choices or if outcomes had been different. It only takes 1 choice to change life on a different path. Dr. F's cousin was (to my knowledge) tested in school and was deemed "gifted and talented", just like Dr. F. Again just like my fiance, he had several opportunities to do good. Unfortunately, unlike my fiance, his cousin made the wrong choices.

 In physics you learn that electricity always takes the path of least resistance. Is it possible doing wrong is the path of least resistance for some? I cant help but wonder, why do we make the choices we do? These decisions happen in an instant. Spontaneous. Random. Are people prompted and pre-ordained to their destinies; and if so, for what reason?

In truth, they were raised differently. His cousin bounced from his real mom's house to his aunt's in Colorado. His biological mother suffered from drug addiction as well, leading him to move in with the other Aunt in Colorado. Not much has changed. She, the biological mom, was helped out of her home a few days before the funeral on account of too many Ativan. Google it says it's a very strong anti anxiety medicine that will cause "high" like symptoms if used without concern for the recommended dosage. Why do some people choose to expose children and adolescents to these activities? Constant exposure to adults making poor choices numbs the negative consequences to create the decision to use drugs easy. Why resist the temptation if you know and have seem the outcome. As a middle school teacher in a low income district  I am angered by this daily. In the same breath, I am grateful my job is to help curve the decisions before they are too late.  Morality is stowed by 7th grade. Family is the main hinge of morality. The pastor was careful to tip toe around these issues as she, the real mother, sat separate from her other children sobbing. 

In the greeting processional after the service, Dr. F's mother hugged me with concern, sadness, and appreciation and said, "Listen to the words in the last hymn: Count your blessings. Take care of my baby." Tears filled my eyes as I simultaneously felt the 2 year old brush around my legs. 

It is still echoing and might forever continue.

You have made more an impact than you know.

Bridesmaids Dresses.... Check!

I was so pleased this weekend when my 5 awesome bridesmaids walked into the dress store and 40 minutes later walked out agreeing on a style and dress color! My grandma has a major issue with strapless dresses. I also knew I wanted something short for them to wear again and dance in. I let the girls know guidelines and said "GO". I am very happy they all agreed on a dress that looks great on all of them!

This color (turkish blue) in a dupioni silk fabric (obviously not this dress):

 

But this dress pattern:

Bridesmaids will be wearing the same or very similar open toe nude pumps.

I am still in love with these flowers: 

This is the overall look I am leaning towards: 

Venue:

Groomsmen will be in black. 

Getting excited! 435 more days to go! haha

What colors should the mom and mom in law wear? My dress is ivory lace with a champagne underlay. The sash that comes with it is beige. I can switch that out though if needed. This a picture of something similar... but not the actual style I bought. 

My make up since I have the same eye color and hair color :)

Married to Medicine Thoughts and Tweets

I pretty excited that Kari Wells from Married to Medicine tweeted a link to this blog!! (Who knows if this is even her texting or some PR rep.?)

This Married to Medicine show has me interested. Is it realistic? Likely not. I feel like the doctors come from money already. Bah! … Or it might be the little part of me that says “you will be paying off school loans forever and will never get to that level in society.” I mean- who am I to comment!? Not having cable to save for my upcoming wedding (mind you I’m a teacher) has led to reading up online about the show. Thank goodness for the free episode on itunes! From what I gather many people in the medical community have some pretty serious reactions to the show. At any rate, I found it addicting. I will likely be buying the entire season 1 for $15 on itunes. It’s cheaper than getting cable to watch. ;) Day dreaming about luxury houses, purses, shoes, and clothes has become a problem for me. Honestly, what would you expect from an engaged gal in a long distance relationship to a hopeful ortho MS3? I’ve taken up Birkam Yoga to balance my thoughts! Haha. 

In regards to the lifestyle, the clip where Kari worked so hard to have a nice night with her ortho hubby only to have him leave on call was refreshingly realistic. “The chocolates will be gone”. Something I would say. I’m definitely excited to see more episodes. Keep the drama coming!

I said YES to the dress!

Guess who bought a wedding dress today!???? THIS GIRL! :) 

So excited!!

The Jim Hjelm trunk show was this weekend at a dress store in downtown Columbus, Ohio. 

 (Le Jeune Mariee Dress Store Website)

(Jim Hjelm Designer Website )

By purchasing the dress from the designer during the show you got 10% off the dress and a $200 accessory credit. My bridesmaids also get 10% through the same store. 

So happy with the purchase!!! I would love to post pictures but the fiance does check this blog.

Another Reality Check Starter Home

LOOK WHAT I FOUND!
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5468-Rothermund-Dr-Canal-Winchester-OH-43110/80912245_zpid/

For Sale: $122,900

Zestimate^®: $151,032

Est. Mortgage: 

$517/mo 

See current rates on Zillow

• Bedrooms:4 beds
• Bathrooms:3 baths
• Single Family:2,760 sq ft
• Lot:6,490 sq ft
• Year Built:2006
• Last Sold:Mar 2007 for $166,500
• Heating Type:Forced air

 

I think this is still above your price range though. If a miracle happened and we put 10,000 down, our monthly mortgage would still be $777. Yuck. I was hoping for around 650.

Exactly 30 minutes from both our work... potentially.

My Life as a Disney Story

Disclaimer: I had to really reach for 10 reasons. lol

Clip #1: 

The Fiance seems to have a thing for staring at me as I sleep. (That sounds odd to type... likely because it is.)

Example 1: He asked me to marry his on one knee beside the bed as I woke up. 

Example 2: He likes to wake me up now by kissing me (see picture above.) This is true especially if he has to work on the weekend but I make the 3 hr drive anyway.

Although really creepy, I actually love it. Sleeping Beauty is one of my favorite Disney movies.
(If Disney does it, it must be "OK" **sarcasm**)

When my mom asked how he proposed, I told her the only thing I would have done different is wear my makeup to bed that night. Mom told me that it's good that accepts me completely and it's great I don't need to be anyone else around him. (valid point)

Clip #2

My college roommate will testify this is me cooking.... 

Clip #3

He asked me out 3 times in High School before I said yes. He actually go my phone number from my best friend who had a crush on him at the time. This did not go over well.

Clip #4: 

I like shiny stuff.

Clip #5: 

I like to pretend like everything is going to be ok and nothing is wrong.

Clip #6: 

The house I grew up in has a wood burner as a heater. My dad would chop wood from our forest for the winter.

Clip #7:

Long distance relationships.

Clip #8: 

My parents have a farm with a pond.

Clip #9: 

He likes to grab for my hand. It's uncomfortable so I normally just interlock my index finger around his since his hands are so big.

And finally Clip #10: 

To be honest though (not sleeping beauty), the almost Dr. Fiance looks a lot like Gaston.

(^ wedding photo booth)