If you are looking for something to do tomorrow (Sat, May 30th), stop by Walmart from 11am to 4pm and get some free ice cream! Unfortunately, this offer only applies to participating Walmart stores, but the good news is that a few local stores in our area are participating. Follow the link to see what stores are handing out the cone action:
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/food-center-ice-cream.aspx?povid=cat976759-env189909-module233429-lLink4
Also, if you heart orange julius drinks, then this coupon is just for you! On June 20th, the chain is revealing their new light orange julius drink, and the coupon at the link below is good for a free 20 oz light julius drink on that day.
http://www.orangejulius.com/sec_freeSmoothie.html
All freebies and coupons are courtesy of www.dealnews.com. I love this site!
One final thing -- I love Bath and Body Works sales, and they are currently having their semi-annual sale where Wallflowers are on sale for $5. Not sure how long this lasts, but I just thought I'd share this with anyone who might be interested. Their anti-bacterial hand soaps are on sale for 2/$5 but I've bought them on sale for 5/$10 before so I am holding out for that one. I like to stock up!
Friday, May 29, 2009
AN ATYPICAL BIRTHDAY CARD
I found this card in the bookstore at my school last year when I was perusing through the card section for a birthday card for a friend. It is so weird and tacky (and funny because of that) that I couldn't resist getting it for her for her birthday.
I could just imagine the look on her face when she took the card out of the envelope and saw the front and thought, "What the heck?". Little did she know what was waiting for her on the inside.
I am delighted to say that I received this exact card this year for my birthday, and it was a very pleasant and funny surprise because I had forgotten about it.
I think we have found a new tradition.
I could just imagine the look on her face when she took the card out of the envelope and saw the front and thought, "What the heck?". Little did she know what was waiting for her on the inside.
I am delighted to say that I received this exact card this year for my birthday, and it was a very pleasant and funny surprise because I had forgotten about it.
I think we have found a new tradition.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
A BORING REFLECTION
In one week from today, I will be taking the first of a three series licensing exam for medical school. Now, while I would love to complain to everyone about how much this studying thing stinks (and this word is quite a bloody understatement), I do realize that it is truly an honor to be studying for this examination. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would ever attend medical school. I was really disinterested in math and science growing up. Math was especially difficult because I always wanted to know the ‘whys’ behind everything, which became quite an obstacle to my understanding of the material for a very long time. I realized way too late that part of math is rote memorization without questioning the ‘whys’, followed by the acquiring of problem-solving skills thereafter. If you don’t get the first part down, the latter will surely suffer.
Reading back over this, I realize that it is incredibly boring. However, if I erase it now I will have to start all over again, and who knows where my stream of conscious will take me then? Nonetheless, what I am trying to say is this: I am truly fortunate to be where I am today despite the fact that my office chair has developed “butt memory” from how often I sit in it.
Life is good!
Reading back over this, I realize that it is incredibly boring. However, if I erase it now I will have to start all over again, and who knows where my stream of conscious will take me then? Nonetheless, what I am trying to say is this: I am truly fortunate to be where I am today despite the fact that my office chair has developed “butt memory” from how often I sit in it.
Life is good!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
THE BIG TWO-FIVE
This post is not going to be long, and I will likely not post again until after June 4th. However, I had to share with everyone what Jerm got me for my birthday.
Earlier in the week, Jerm told me that he needed to borrow my car for a work function that he had to attend this past Friday. Now, I have to admit that there were a few things that didn't add up in his request, and with it being close to my birthday and all, I couldn't help but be suspicious. So I thought that he was going to clean out my car, which was a much needed and very practical gift. I LOVE practical gifts in a 'would be super excited if you gave me 10 bottles of the shampoo I use for Christmas' kind of way, and cleaning out my car was going to be perfect because I didn't really want to do it myself anyway.
Friday rolls around, and I hit a wall and decide that I need a break. So what do I do? I decide that I am going to come home and spend a few hours helping Jeremy stain our fence. Studying for boards is that sucky, people.
So I drive home and what is sitting in my driveway? My car with tinted windows! TINTED WINDOWS.Freaking. Awesome.
I get out of the Xterra, hug Jeremy and squeal.
And then I open my car door, and what do I see?
A new radio with iPod hook-up. FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!!
I squeal some more.
And to top things off, the man cleaned out my car (or at least as much dog hair as he could). Absolutely glorious!
Sometimes the not-so practical gifts are a little bit more exciting.
I sure would still squeal over 10 bottles of shampoo, though.
Earlier in the week, Jerm told me that he needed to borrow my car for a work function that he had to attend this past Friday. Now, I have to admit that there were a few things that didn't add up in his request, and with it being close to my birthday and all, I couldn't help but be suspicious. So I thought that he was going to clean out my car, which was a much needed and very practical gift. I LOVE practical gifts in a 'would be super excited if you gave me 10 bottles of the shampoo I use for Christmas' kind of way, and cleaning out my car was going to be perfect because I didn't really want to do it myself anyway.
Friday rolls around, and I hit a wall and decide that I need a break. So what do I do? I decide that I am going to come home and spend a few hours helping Jeremy stain our fence. Studying for boards is that sucky, people.
So I drive home and what is sitting in my driveway? My car with tinted windows! TINTED WINDOWS.Freaking. Awesome.
I get out of the Xterra, hug Jeremy and squeal.
And then I open my car door, and what do I see?
A new radio with iPod hook-up. FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!!
I squeal some more.
And to top things off, the man cleaned out my car (or at least as much dog hair as he could). Absolutely glorious!
Sometimes the not-so practical gifts are a little bit more exciting.
I sure would still squeal over 10 bottles of shampoo, though.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
CASE OF THE WEDNESDAYS
Fourteen days left until I take the exam that will determine if I get to move on to clinical rotations. How do I feel? Slightly anxious but mostly ready to get it over with. I am starting to see the effects of all of this studying as my eyes morph into an older version of themselves. Good thing that it’s nothing that a little sleep won’t remedy….for the most part.
Jerm and I attended a meeting on Monday to join a running group to train for some upcoming running events throughout the year. I ran with them last year and trained for the Route 66 half-marathon. I think that I have decided that I am going to try to tackle the Route 66 marathon this upcoming November. However, I am still contemplating whether I want to run a half again before attempting a full marathon. I was pretty much a weekend runner in that last month leading up to the half-marathon due to a heavy test schedule (excuses, excuses!), and this is confirmed by the time it took me to finish.
Jerm is still in pre-contemplation mode as he decides if he even wants to train for any type of run, but he will be running with me at least one day a week. We are trying to find ways to spend more time together and have agreed to spend one day out of the week doing something that the other person wants to do. I have agreed to attend one of his basketball games in exchange for him running with me one day. I don’t understand the concept of “traveling” in basketball so it is best that I don’t play, but I sure can’t wait to use the fog horn I bought for the occasion. This will be a good way to incorporate two things that we would like to increase in our lives: spending more time together and finding ways to exercise more.
I’ve got to start studying for the day but wanted to say hello. HELLO!
Jerm and I attended a meeting on Monday to join a running group to train for some upcoming running events throughout the year. I ran with them last year and trained for the Route 66 half-marathon. I think that I have decided that I am going to try to tackle the Route 66 marathon this upcoming November. However, I am still contemplating whether I want to run a half again before attempting a full marathon. I was pretty much a weekend runner in that last month leading up to the half-marathon due to a heavy test schedule (excuses, excuses!), and this is confirmed by the time it took me to finish.
Jerm is still in pre-contemplation mode as he decides if he even wants to train for any type of run, but he will be running with me at least one day a week. We are trying to find ways to spend more time together and have agreed to spend one day out of the week doing something that the other person wants to do. I have agreed to attend one of his basketball games in exchange for him running with me one day. I don’t understand the concept of “traveling” in basketball so it is best that I don’t play, but I sure can’t wait to use the fog horn I bought for the occasion. This will be a good way to incorporate two things that we would like to increase in our lives: spending more time together and finding ways to exercise more.
I’ve got to start studying for the day but wanted to say hello. HELLO!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
WEEKEND UPDATE
The most memorable and favorite part of this past weekend was spent with family. Saturday was graduation day for two cousins, and I had the joy of enduring nine speeches about moving on from high school and succeeding in life and so on. Nonetheless, it was nice to take a break and see my family.
Today Jerm and I had the opportunity to also spend some quality time with his family while we went to visit his grandfather’s grave. This family is very much my own, and it was great to see family members on his side that we don't usually get to see on a regular basis.
Since I don’t have much time to write tonight (and this time is dwindling as the days get closer to boards), I have compiled some observations/experiences of the last few days:
1. Both graduation and the memorial trip had one thing in common other than getting to see family: I saw two – TWO!—people with mullets. It is one thing to mock the hairstyle as a social faux paus. It is another to actually see people sporting this killer hairstyle.
And by the way, I actually know someone who thinks that they invented the mullet.
2. Some of my family members are convinced I have trained my dogs to be vegetarians since Lucy would not eat a piece of hamburger meat that someone tried to feed her. This amuses me.
3. I have now officially met the fastest driving man over 80 years of age in Oklahoma. I highly suspect it might have something to do with the OHP sticker on the back of the ol’ Lincoln.
4. I am convinced that the hair style for women in the 65+ age group is coined the “Golden Girl”.
You know what I am talking about.
Goodnight!
Today Jerm and I had the opportunity to also spend some quality time with his family while we went to visit his grandfather’s grave. This family is very much my own, and it was great to see family members on his side that we don't usually get to see on a regular basis.
Since I don’t have much time to write tonight (and this time is dwindling as the days get closer to boards), I have compiled some observations/experiences of the last few days:
1. Both graduation and the memorial trip had one thing in common other than getting to see family: I saw two – TWO!—people with mullets. It is one thing to mock the hairstyle as a social faux paus. It is another to actually see people sporting this killer hairstyle.
And by the way, I actually know someone who thinks that they invented the mullet.
2. Some of my family members are convinced I have trained my dogs to be vegetarians since Lucy would not eat a piece of hamburger meat that someone tried to feed her. This amuses me.
3. I have now officially met the fastest driving man over 80 years of age in Oklahoma. I highly suspect it might have something to do with the OHP sticker on the back of the ol’ Lincoln.
4. I am convinced that the hair style for women in the 65+ age group is coined the “Golden Girl”.
You know what I am talking about.
Goodnight!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
25 Things About Me
Since my current daily routine is not very interesting, I am recycling something I posted on a different online social network a few months ago.
25 Things About Me:
1. I really enjoy bathroom humor.
2. Speaking of the bathroom: When I was younger, I once tested out the efficiency of the GI tract by taking a penny and a bead with me into the bathroom. I hastily swallowed these objects, one by one, and planted myself on the toilet, waiting for them to come out. For the record, the GI tract is not as efficient as a child assumes.
3. I am a housewife at heart. I love to cook/bake, relish in the productivity of cleaning, and enjoy decorating and being crafty.
4. If you saw my house, though, you would think I am the anti-housewife. I need a house biotch.
5. I tend to say curse words a little more than is suggested in the ‘Classy Lady’s Handbook for Life’. #1 also doesn’t help me out, either.
6. I’ve had my nose pierced in undergrad. However, I was twisting the nose ring and it fell out; I couldn’t get it back in and took it as fate.
7. I am a closet fan of those trashy celebrity gossip websites.
8. I am a vegetarian simply because it is what is right for me.
9. I once played trumpet, and I was never really any good at it.
10. I grew up wanting to be an elementary teacher. And then I thought I wanted to become fluent in multiple languages and travel and so I decided to enter college as an International Business major. And then in my first week of college, I switched to Music Education. And then after my first semester, I switched to English and thought I would teach again. But then I realized I didn’t want to teach and so I majored in Microbiology. And then I thought I wanted to become a physician, very strongly considered the Peace Corps, and now look where I am. Sometimes I still think I would enjoy being a Science teacher.
11. Leaving my two dogs behind was a strong consideration in deciding not to join the Peace Corps. Seriously.
12. Every now and then that girl who wanted to travel and speak multiple languages flares up.
13. I am a simpleton and not afraid to admit it.
14. Sometimes my common sense goes on vacation. When I got a PikePass for the very first time and drove to Stillwater, I missed the exit because a sign read, “Exact change only”, and I had no change.
15. Jeremy’s nose started bleeding the very first ever time we kissed, and I was grossed out…but played it cool.
16. I really enjoy to eat. Though I am a vegetarian, I am not always a healthy one. (See caramel apple pic below. At least it has apples in it!!!)
17. Jeremy and I bought Christmas lights last year when they went on sale after the holiday. We are going to put them up this year, and I can't wait!
18. I love to be treated to massages, manicures, pedicures, etc. but am too practical to pay for these things on a frequent basis. Practicality is also another reason I will never be a “fashionista”; I have a threshold for how much I will spend on articles of clothing and shoes. Oh -- I will NEVER own a Coach purse...I will always be a kool-aid girl even if I have a champagne budget!
19. I enjoy Story People books by Brian Andreas.
20. I love the smell of pine-sol and gasoline. But not together, for the record...
21. My car’s name is Beaulah.
22. I am not very good at keeping in touch with friends, and it is never intentional.
23. I ran a half-marathon this past November and am making it a goal to run in the Route 66 marathon next November. Want to do it with me?
24. I LOVE Mexican food. This is an understatement. Seafood, not so much.
25. I don’t care what anyone says about the breed; my Jack Russell , Lucy, is the cutest, most lovable, cuddle-bunny of a lap dog.
25 Things About Me:
1. I really enjoy bathroom humor.
2. Speaking of the bathroom: When I was younger, I once tested out the efficiency of the GI tract by taking a penny and a bead with me into the bathroom. I hastily swallowed these objects, one by one, and planted myself on the toilet, waiting for them to come out. For the record, the GI tract is not as efficient as a child assumes.
3. I am a housewife at heart. I love to cook/bake, relish in the productivity of cleaning, and enjoy decorating and being crafty.
4. If you saw my house, though, you would think I am the anti-housewife. I need a house biotch.
5. I tend to say curse words a little more than is suggested in the ‘Classy Lady’s Handbook for Life’. #1 also doesn’t help me out, either.
6. I’ve had my nose pierced in undergrad. However, I was twisting the nose ring and it fell out; I couldn’t get it back in and took it as fate.
7. I am a closet fan of those trashy celebrity gossip websites.
8. I am a vegetarian simply because it is what is right for me.
9. I once played trumpet, and I was never really any good at it.
10. I grew up wanting to be an elementary teacher. And then I thought I wanted to become fluent in multiple languages and travel and so I decided to enter college as an International Business major. And then in my first week of college, I switched to Music Education. And then after my first semester, I switched to English and thought I would teach again. But then I realized I didn’t want to teach and so I majored in Microbiology. And then I thought I wanted to become a physician, very strongly considered the Peace Corps, and now look where I am. Sometimes I still think I would enjoy being a Science teacher.
11. Leaving my two dogs behind was a strong consideration in deciding not to join the Peace Corps. Seriously.
12. Every now and then that girl who wanted to travel and speak multiple languages flares up.
13. I am a simpleton and not afraid to admit it.
14. Sometimes my common sense goes on vacation. When I got a PikePass for the very first time and drove to Stillwater, I missed the exit because a sign read, “Exact change only”, and I had no change.
15. Jeremy’s nose started bleeding the very first ever time we kissed, and I was grossed out…but played it cool.
16. I really enjoy to eat. Though I am a vegetarian, I am not always a healthy one. (See caramel apple pic below. At least it has apples in it!!!)
17. Jeremy and I bought Christmas lights last year when they went on sale after the holiday. We are going to put them up this year, and I can't wait!
18. I love to be treated to massages, manicures, pedicures, etc. but am too practical to pay for these things on a frequent basis. Practicality is also another reason I will never be a “fashionista”; I have a threshold for how much I will spend on articles of clothing and shoes. Oh -- I will NEVER own a Coach purse...I will always be a kool-aid girl even if I have a champagne budget!
19. I enjoy Story People books by Brian Andreas.
20. I love the smell of pine-sol and gasoline. But not together, for the record...
21. My car’s name is Beaulah.
22. I am not very good at keeping in touch with friends, and it is never intentional.
23. I ran a half-marathon this past November and am making it a goal to run in the Route 66 marathon next November. Want to do it with me?
24. I LOVE Mexican food. This is an understatement. Seafood, not so much.
25. I don’t care what anyone says about the breed; my Jack Russell , Lucy, is the cutest, most lovable, cuddle-bunny of a lap dog.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
HERPES GIRL
Anyone who has been cursed with the abominable virus that causes “fever blisters” knows that, in addition to starting out as an extremely painful blister and transforming into a crusty, unattractive, and lingering lesion that screams to the world, “I have Herpes!”, these things tend to pop up at the most inconvenient times.
Like the first week of medical school orientation when you have to complete a CPR class and share a communal dummy, for example.
In that case, you get to perform CPR with a saran wrap-like barrier over your mouth the whole time.
Might as well wear t-shirt that says this:
With a fanny pack.
Like the first week of medical school orientation when you have to complete a CPR class and share a communal dummy, for example.
In that case, you get to perform CPR with a saran wrap-like barrier over your mouth the whole time.
Might as well wear t-shirt that says this:
With a fanny pack.
Monday, May 11, 2009
ALL IN A DAY'S DAY
Today, Crystalle:
a. Woke up at 4:30-ish
b. Studied
c. Ate cheeseburger casserole
d. Ate decadent caramel apples drizzled with a bit of Ghirardelli milk chocolate
e. Studied some more
Jerm flew to Houston this morning for work-related training, so I did what any loving, caring, doting, wonderful, awesome, fantabulous, and spectacular wife would do and drove him to the airport at 4:30 ante meridiem. My only words during our trip there: “I would tell you how much I am going to miss you but I am too tired to talk right now.”
And I do miss him, even though his being gone is allowing me boat-loads of study time.
Kristen came over pretty early and most of the rest of the day was spent studying, but we did manage to make a very tasty and improvised dinner based on my goals to use ingredients that I have here at the house. I have a very bad habit of planning meals around preference instead of what is stocked in the pantry and so I am trying to use more of the food I have before going grocery shopping again.
This is what we came up with:
CHEESEBURGER CASSEROLE:
Approx ½ to ¾ lb of ground beef or ground beef substitute, such as Morning Star : )
½ of a medium sized onion, finely chopped
1/4 to 2/3 c. of chopped pickles
~ 3 tbs of mustard
~1 tbs of mayo
Cavender’s salt-free Greek seasoning, to taste
Seasoned salt, to taste
~ ½ c. shredded cheddar (Or any kind you have on hand)
Tater tots
Brown and drain beef. Throw in onions until cooked through. Add pickles, mustard, mayo, Greek seasoning, seasoned salt and stir. Pour into a casserole dish and top with tater tots and cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.
Now, I am not claiming that this is an original idea, but improvised meals usually turn out to be my favorites and this was no exception. It was mighty tasty and took very little prep time. I am going to have to add it to my recipe stash, filed under ‘Quick and easy and kid friendly'.
We also had caramel apples fitting the description above.
Oh wait, you want to see them?
Okay, here you go:
Apples, caramel, chocolate, and walnuts. Yum-in-my-tum!
It sure makes studying a little bit more bearable.
a. Woke up at 4:30-ish
b. Studied
c. Ate cheeseburger casserole
d. Ate decadent caramel apples drizzled with a bit of Ghirardelli milk chocolate
e. Studied some more
Jerm flew to Houston this morning for work-related training, so I did what any loving, caring, doting, wonderful, awesome, fantabulous, and spectacular wife would do and drove him to the airport at 4:30 ante meridiem. My only words during our trip there: “I would tell you how much I am going to miss you but I am too tired to talk right now.”
And I do miss him, even though his being gone is allowing me boat-loads of study time.
Kristen came over pretty early and most of the rest of the day was spent studying, but we did manage to make a very tasty and improvised dinner based on my goals to use ingredients that I have here at the house. I have a very bad habit of planning meals around preference instead of what is stocked in the pantry and so I am trying to use more of the food I have before going grocery shopping again.
This is what we came up with:
CHEESEBURGER CASSEROLE:
Approx ½ to ¾ lb of ground beef or ground beef substitute, such as Morning Star : )
½ of a medium sized onion, finely chopped
1/4 to 2/3 c. of chopped pickles
~ 3 tbs of mustard
~1 tbs of mayo
Cavender’s salt-free Greek seasoning, to taste
Seasoned salt, to taste
~ ½ c. shredded cheddar (Or any kind you have on hand)
Tater tots
Brown and drain beef. Throw in onions until cooked through. Add pickles, mustard, mayo, Greek seasoning, seasoned salt and stir. Pour into a casserole dish and top with tater tots and cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.
Now, I am not claiming that this is an original idea, but improvised meals usually turn out to be my favorites and this was no exception. It was mighty tasty and took very little prep time. I am going to have to add it to my recipe stash, filed under ‘Quick and easy and kid friendly'.
We also had caramel apples fitting the description above.
Oh wait, you want to see them?
Okay, here you go:
Apples, caramel, chocolate, and walnuts. Yum-in-my-tum!
It sure makes studying a little bit more bearable.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
WORD TO MY MOTHER
This is one of the most generous, genuine, and hard working women I have ever known. She has shown me nothing but unconditional love and has instilled in me an unrelenting sense of integrity and a work ethic that has carried me to where I am today.
She does not, however, still have that hair style. Thank goodness.
I love you, Mom! Happy Mother’s Day!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
HELLO, BLOG WORLD!
For the past two years, my day-to-day life has been dictated solely by a test schedule. However, this ended as of 1:47 p.m. this past Wednesday.
I did not quit med school to frolic off to culinary school as my imagination sometimes guides me. I did, however, finish the LAST FINAL EXAMINATIONS THAT I WILL EVER HAVE TO TAKE IN MY LIFE!!! This is just absolutely ‘sit around in elastic waist-band pants for a few days eating Haagen Dazs and watching the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice’ glorious!
Except I won’t really be doing that, either.
Instead, I have jumped straight into the world of studying for Step 1 boards, which is a critical milestone for any about-to-be third year medical student who wishes to move on to clinical rotations. Day one was yesterday, which started at about 9 a.m. and ended at 7 p.m. It was a day full of fluctuating perseverance and self-pity, with a little glimpse of life after June 4th reminding me that these next twenty-five days aren’t going to last forever.
So what’s planned after June 4th? Just a few painting projects, mixed in with a little bit of detail house cleaning, followed by a vacation with Jerm. I start rotations in July and am looking at possibly going to Durant, Oklahoma for a whole month. I will visit local sites for the next three months after that until another month-long stint in Enid, Oklahoma in November. I am excited because I cannot wait to get my hands on this clinical medicine stuff I have spent the last few years cramming and forgetting. I am not-so-excited because this means I will have to be away from my beloved husband and doggies.
Until then, I guess I will just study.
And blog.
But study more.
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