6 days in New York

Day One:

We arrived early Friday morning at Newark airport. We had to take a train/subway to get to Michael's apartment. That was an adventure. Lets just say we got stuck in the turnstile a few times and then went the wrong way on the subway, haha. We finally got to his apartment with all our luggage in one piece. After that it was a day of exploring and LOTS of coffee since we left Dallas at 6:00 a.m.

The Empire State Building

We were able to get some great pictures of all of New York from here. Now it was freezing most of the time we were in New York BUT this was a particularly COLD spot to be. The wind was blowing so hard. Regardless we got some great pictures. After the Empire State Building we went to the New York Public library. It was absolutely gorgeous. We had no intention of going there and just stumbled upon it. The architecture was absolutely amazing and it was all marble. The night was spent drinking wine and getting warm!

Day Two:

We went to Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty. Lady Liberty is not that pretty up close :-)

Russell & I with the Statue of Liberty

Russell and I on Ellis Island with New York in the background

My Grandfather came through Ellis Island. I found his name on the wall!

Russell and I went to dinner on Saturday night but the camera wasn't charged so we don't have any pictures. We found this great little Italian restaurant, Pasta Prego Grill, and little coffee shop/bar. It was so adorable with a little fire place. We ended up staying out until 3 a.m. just us two chatting!

Day 3:

We went and ate lunch at ESPN zone. It was the only place Russell "had to go." Reluctantly (just kidding) I went and we had lunch. Queso = Nachos in the North, ha! We then met up with Michael to take a walk through Central Park and visit the John Lennon Memorial. It was like something out of a movie! Everything was covered in snow and it was so beautiful. We spent a good hour or so in the park just walking around. This was one of the "warmer" days while we were there. Here are some of the pictures through central park:

Russell, Michael, and I in Central Park

John Lennon Memorial in Strawberry Fields

That night Russell and I went to the Lion King. My parent's gave us tickets for Russell's graduation gift. It was such a great show. I had seen it in Austin before but seeing it on broadway was awesome. I actually ended up getting sick about midway through the first half of the show. That was a nightmare. We were dead center in the mezzanine which meant I got to make 30 people extremely happy by walking in front of them and tripping on their things to get to the bathroom. I think they should feel lucky I didn't erp on them! I got to feeling better after getting water. Believe me, I have NO idea what that was about but just glad I didn't get some stomach virus.

Day 4:

This was one of our busiest days! We went to the MOMA (Museum of Modern Art). We got to see tons of Picasso, Andy Warhol and Van Gogh paintings. There were a ton of really amazing pieces and a ton of not so awesome pieces. If I could paint it/make it then I don't think it should be hanging in a prestigious art museum! After the MOMA we went and took a tour of NBC studios. We were able to see the SNL studio (which probably be the closet we get to seeing a show) and Brian William's studio. After that we went on an impromptu adventure to try and get tickets to Avenue Q. We ventured to the TKTS booth where the was NO line. Crazy I know! It was snowing SO hard that day which was an adventure in itself. By this point and time we were thinking snow wasn't as "cool" anymore. It was in our eyes and covering our jackets eventually soaking them. However, we managed to get 3 tickets to Avenue Q for a great price!

Waiting at TKT for Avenue Q tickets in the snow!

After Avenue Q

Avenue Q was so so so SO funny. It was nothing like what we were expecting and a very nice surprise. I know it is coming to Austin so for all of you there GET TICKETS! After the show, the three of us went to dinner at Serendipity. That was my "had to go" spot. We had dinner and then for dessert, frrrozen hot chocolate (mine had peanut butter). I got to sit in the spot that Marilyn Monroe used to sit. Russell thought it was photo worthy so mid-dinner he took a picture!

Me at Serendipity sitting where Marilyn Monroe sat!

Day 5: INAUGURATION!!!!!

We woke up and went to Time Square where the three of us watched Obama become the 44th president. There were hundreds of people watching the big screens. It was such a great place to be! Lots of cheering! Here is some pictures from that morning:

Obama-man on Columbia Campus

The rest of the day was spent at the Met. That was probably the most overwhelming museum I have ever seen. There were so many exhibits and it was easy to get lost in it. We ended up feeling so exhausted from the week and didn't stay too long .We did get to see a few more of Van Gogh and Andy Warhol paintings and also some Renoir. That evening we figured out that it was "New York Restaurant Week." Basically all these great restaurant's had a fixed price 3 course dinner for only $35. The place we choose to go was Ono. It was SO delicious and worth every penny. It was great last dinner in New York.

Day 6:

I went shopping at H&M. Sadly, it is the only shopping I did the entire time. Not that I have money to be shopping! Then packed our bags and left!

It was such a great trip. We were so grateful for Michael and his roommate letting us invade their apartment for the week.

Vacation and Spring Update

Since it has been forever since I last blogged I'll try and do a brief update.....

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!!

December

I finished last semester at the beginning of January! It has been a whirlwind ever since. Russell graduated on December 20th and began his job search. Unfortunately the economy is not friendly to new graduates but he is working hard to make as many contacts as possible. I helped him move from Waco to Houston then spent Christmas in Austin with my family.

Betsy finally came home for her vacation from France/Hong Kong. I got to spend a good amount of time catching up with her (it totally wasn't enough time either)! Regardless it was so nice and comforting to see all the Austin crew!

The day after Christmas I went to Houston for a Texans game and spent some time with Russell's family. The Texans game was such a great time and we ended up with really great seats. Since the roof is still damaged from hurricane Ike it stays open all the time. Of course it was raining and freezing that day! Russell then made the trip to Austin where we rang in the new year.

My sister, Mom, and I decorating a tree on 360

New Years Eve

I spent this night with the best people in the world! I couldn't have asked for a better night. It seems like forever since I had a night like this spent with friends. We all congregated at my best friend Chris's new downtown condo. We had a beautiful view of the Austin fireworks, danced, and toasted to the new year. I was so lucky to have a bunch of the Baylor crew join us as well. All in all it was such a wonderful night spent with my closest friends and family!

Betsy, Christopher, and I on New Years

Baylor Crew on New Years

(Russell, Me, Courtney, Josh, Thomas)

January- Cruise

My family took our annual cruise our of Miami this year. Our ports were San Juan, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. It was definitely the most "interesting" cruise we have ever been on. Dinner was always an adventure. You never knew what you were going to actually get and heaven forbid you want some soup from room service! The ports were beautiful. We were in San Juan at night and since my family didn't want to go on a swamp adventure we ate at a delicious Italian food restaurant. I know, italian in San Juan. . .but it was recommended for good reason!

My sister and I just spent a day on the beach in St. Thomas snorkeling. I got to see a SHARK! It was tiny and non-threatening. I'm pretty sure you could raise one in an aquarium but still it was pretty awesome. In St. Maarten we spent another day at the beach. It rained every twenty minutes but we all got some good sun. The next few days of the cruise were spent on the ship. My poor sister got so sick. I felt terrible for her and of course what worse place to be than stuck on a ship. I know she was glad to get home. It was great to spend so much time with my family, regardless of the "interesting" happenings of the boat.

My sister and I watching the National Championship game on the ship.

Did I mention I hate OU!

New Semester
I have officially started my internship at Parkland Hospital. I was assigned to the trauma rounds. This means I have patients that have brain injuries normally resulting from some kind of fall, car wreck, etc. Right now I'm just shadowing my supervisor. I have done a little work with patients. It has been really great so far. I can't say I'm not totally overwhelmed by the amount of information I've been taking in. It is going to be such a great learning experience and I know I will be challenged. I'm there five days a week from 8-12 and then have class in the afternoon. Classes have started pretty slowly. We had Monday off and my first round of exams is not for a few more weeks. Oh yea and everyone think good thoughts because I'm going to need a strong stomach during this semester!

I'll post another blog about New York once Russell gets some pictures up! It was definitely a great trip and the inauguration in Time Square was unforgettable!!

Holiday time!

First off, I couldn't be more excited that Obama was elected president. I don't think I will ever forget where I was when it happened. More than anything I'm proud of our generation for getting out there and voting. What a turn out!

In other news... I have begun the countdown for the semester: 6 days of practicum, 17 days of class, 1 research paper, 3 projects and THEN a break!

In the meantime I have been traveling a lot. Rachel's (Russell's sister) birthday was a few weeks ago. She got a kitten which she named Toonces! We joke that we will be the crazy cat ladies some day. Baylor homecoming was two weekends ago. It was great. I go to Waco fairly often to visit Russell and friends still in school but this was a bit different. Meagan and Kelly flew in from Denver on Thursday night, Jessie drove up from Houston, and tons of other people made the trip back. Needless to say there were lots of dinner/lunch outings. Russell, Josh, and Pat hosted their last halloween party. It was fun to see everyone and celebrate together like old times. Russell and I were Jack in the Box and Wendy. Here are a few pictures:

Biggio meets his first cat friend, Toonces!

The pumpkin that took us 2 hours and wine!

Meagan, Kelly, and I visiting floats!! Congrats ZTA/ATO

Meagan, Russell and I at Bonfire

Meagan, Jessie and I

Banana (Luis), Jack in the Box (Russell), and Wendy (me)

Last weekend Russell and I took a trip to Austin for the Baylor vs. UT game. All in all it was a very lazy weekend. Lots of time spent with family. I got a tour of my sister's new condo which is amazing!

Next semester's schedule looks great. I'm doing assessment (testing) of all ages Wednesday and Thursday mornings and Our Children's House Wednesday afternoons. It will be all pediatrics in the Spring. I'm anxious to see how it goes since most of you know I'm set on working with adults. I need more experience though! I'm taking a variety of classes. The crazy thing is this will be my last semester of a heavy class load. This summer I'll take one or two classes and in the Fall, my internship, I'll have one or two classes as well. WOW things are flying by, December 2009 will be here before I know it! Until December I probably won't post again seeing as I should be using my free time to write my paper and do projects but I'll need distractions. Hope everyone is doing well!

Debates, Road Trips, State Fair and Football

I feel like those 3 things have been what the past few weeks have been.  Most of you that know me well know that I have a strong passion about this election. I won't go into much detail but goodness something has got to change.  I've been adamant about reading the news, watching the debates, etc. I actually feel like I'm voting for someone instead of against someone (Bush)!  So I hope all of you go out and vote! I know in Texas it can seem pointless (for either party) but how could you complain about either candidate if you didn't do your part? Anyways...VOTE! 

In school news, I'm meeting with my advisor tomorrow to create my Spring schedule. I can't believe it is that time again. I'm hoping to get some experience with children in a medical setting. I'll know more later. I'm still loving my practicum and classes are going well. 

Fun news,  I went to the UT v. Arkansas game...despite rude UT faculty/professors (yes, I was also rooting for UT)....the game was fun to watch! We are in the "go horns go" section, as my sister explains, for all you longhorn fans. I also spent the past weekend in Waco for the Baylor v. Oklahoma game. Considering OU was ranked #1 in the nation, Baylor stood little to no chance. However, being a Baylor fan I attend the games for the possible upset. Most of us never lose hope for that one upset of the season!  There was no upset...only a pretty nasty score. Better luck this week! 

Dallas has the Texas State Fair going on!! A ton of the Austin/Waco crew will be heading up to Dallas to enjoy the UT v. OU game. We are planning to tailgate at the fair! I don't know if I'm more excited about being in this atmosphere for the UT game or eating all the artery clogging food. I'll let you know how fried s'mores, jelly beans, and banana splits taste. Yes, those fried foods are all sold at the fair. Only in Texas, sick.  

I'm looking forward to Baylor homecoming, float, and Meagan and Kelly coming back to Texas in 23 days!  

Update!

An update on the past month!

I started in the rehab hospital almost 3 weeks ago and I'm really loving it. I have one individual inpatient client and then 3 of us lead an outpatient group.  I have really enjoyed both settings. All of our patients that we see have had a traumatic brain injury or stroke. It is a very interesting population. Up until yesterday I had no really great stories to share besides that I love it....then there was what I will refer to as "the incident." I get a weak stomach from my mom. My sister isn't too far behind me. Being in this field a weak stomach is not always a good thing (aka snot, throw up, bodily fluid, etc). Well my biggest fear has been that a client will throw up on me or near me! It happened.....

My client threw up, not on me, but in a trash can. Let it be noted that NO i did not urp immediately upon the sound... I was rather composed, stayed with her until the worst was over, got the nurse THEN preceded to feel very light headed. Needless to say it will probably be worse than what I saw yesterday but I guess I have stronger stomach than I thought. 

  

Other news:

--My sister, Christopher, and Russell came to Dallas last weekend. It was such a great time. Basically we laid around, ate a ton of food, shopped, and went out! I realize more than ever that the company kept is what makes where you are living bearable. Maybe I don't hate Dallas that much.... it may just be the fact that my close family and friends are MILES away! Thank goodness my cousin Aaron has moved here!!  Here is a pictures from NOBU, it was amazing. 

After dinner we were escorted in a private car to O-Bar where the rest of the night was spent dancing and drinking.  It was quiet the VIP weekend. 

--My roommates and I are attempting to join a kickball league here in Dallas. I'll keep you updated on that. Everyone knows I love me some kickball!!!   

Oh and a little SIC'EM BEARS!!! They have been so fun to watch this season. Something must be lucky about the number 10!

Vacation and Starting School

It is officially my second semester of graduate school. After a wonderful 3 week vacation I'm back in Dallas ready for another exciting semester. 

A little about my last few weeks: I first went to Austin where I was able to spend some time with the fam. It is never long enough!! I then flew to Houston for Russell's 23rd birthday where I found us a beach house in Galveston to spend 2 nights. All of his friends came up Friday night to help him celebrate. The most exciting addition was his cousin Drew who arrived back from Iraq that day for a two week leave.  I know it was really great for Russell to get to spend some time with him and I was excited to finally meet him! 

      At the airport with Drew!

After the beach house we spent some time in Houston with his family then made our way to Waco to move him back into his house! During the time in Waco we drove to Belton to celebrate his brother's engagement. After a few days in Waco it was up to Dallas. The 3 days we were here we did defensive driving (6 hours of staring at a computer), watched an excessive amount of heroes, painted my room, hung up pictures, and my favorite thing we went to the zoo (we did a lot of zoo/aquarium visits over our trip). 

                      

     Petting the Shark        Russell petting the stingray

              

        Gorilla at the Dallas Zoo!         

After Dallas, I went back to Houston where my family picked me up for a RELAXING week in Galveston! Most of the time it was raining but I can't complain. There was much time spent on the porch enjoying the ocean and full moon. Some good quality conversation and wine with my mom and sister made Friday night so much fun. My sister cooked some great meals. I even spotted a shark (maybe a dolphin) but for a good story I say a shark. 

                        

         The Full Moon!!

School started and not much to report. The only thing that is mildly concerning was our orientation today with the hospital. They are required to inform us of all infectious diseases we may be exposed to by our clients. I'm sure I'll be fine!!! 

The most exciting thing about being back besides school is that my cousin Aaron has moved up to Dallas!! I'm excited to spend some time with him exploring the city!! 

Congrats Meagan Ray on your new job!! Even though it moved you back to Colorado, Texas will forgive you!!  

Traveling around Texas

So, I probably won't post on here for awhile since I will be traveling all over the next couple of weeks.

Last week, the AC officially was fixed and they took money off our rent for all the trouble. Thank goodness that issue was solved after a month and a half! Very efficient.

This past weekend I went to Rachel's wedding! Meagan, Jessie James and Russell all came and spent the weekend in Dallas which was amazing. It was so great to catch up with Meagan and Jessie. I'm sure Russell was really annoyed by all the girl talk about weddings but he survived.

This Thursday I'll be flying to Houston. Russell and I will be spending three weeks in Houston, Waco, Dallas, and Galveston. Yes..lots of driving. Luckly we will be doing it in one car together. I'm excited to spend some more time with him and we will both get to enjoy a summer vacation for 3 weeks! If you are near any of those cities call us. We will be trying to visit everyone and spend time with people while we are there if possible.

I'll be returning to Dallas on August 20th and starting classes on August 21st! Just got some more news about my practicum for the Fall and it sounds like it is going to be an amazing opportunity. I can't say I'm not intimated by it though. I've never worked with adults so this will be quite an adventure!