Leah's shower!

Leah's bridal shower was about 2 weeks ago up in Lorain, Ohio. It was a wonderful shower! Amy and I sat with Leah's grandmother, along with some other relatives. They certainly made us feel somewhat like family ;) Everyone was really nice, just like Leah and Dave! Since they are from the same town, both the Maziarz and the Malanowski families were there. (Around 80 people were there!)

It is so wonderful to see people so excited for the wedding!! What a wonderful feeling to know two people are going to be so happy together! --Leah and Dave, you two are certainly meant to be together! I can't wait for your wedding... ONE MONTH FROM TOMORROW!!!--

Now, below is a picture from Leah's shower. I saw my nose and thought to myself-- holy crap! How is my nose THAT big?? But then I looked, and Leah's nose looks somewhat big(although still not that big) in this picture too! And I know is not actually the case when I look at her in person, so I felt better.

Also, these pictures made me decide that I definitely need a haircut! --Below is me and my bridesmaids!

Finally, the happy couple!!

Enjoying the Summer

I cannot believe it's already July 12!! Where has this summer gone? We have now completed 10/39 weeks of time in clinical rotation (well I suppose I have only spent 8 weeks in the clinic because of the shingles, but still!). WOW. I have learned so much. I love it all so much. And I am so incredibly proud of all I have accomplished so far.

Last weekend was very fun. Dave and I drove up to his parents house in Geneva, and we enjoyed the Reeder-Lenart annual 4th of July party. It was fun, and there was a TON of food. Mmmm... Then Sunday we drove to Lorain for Leah's bridal shower. That was my first time up in Lorain, and I enjoyed the shower. It was nice to get to see the girls!

Also, for Father's Day weekend, my parents made a special trip up to Geneva and we went wine tasting at a local vineyard, and then went to the vineyard accross the street from Dave's neighborhood and split a bottle of wine. My parents had a wonderful time getting to see that area, and I bet they wouldn't mind going back up there again. I was so happy to get to spend time with my parents. I had not seen my dad since New Years when I went to the bridal show with my mom, my sister Kate, Christy, and my friend Amy. We had a great time chatting, and as always playing cards! My parents also brought a new game, which I REALLY enjoyed... but can't remember the name of. I must say, I really hope there are job openings in Columbus... or somewhere near Ohio later this year. Because I just enjoy spending time with the family too much.

Last off-topic story (yes, these are all very random!): I spent a good portion of the day yesterday with the Laurens. We did some shopping (where I actually found a 'little black dress' that fit me perfectly --and note, I have never owned one). And then we noticed that most of Kate's stuff was moved out. Since it was 8:30pm and cooler outside, we decided to move most of her stuff last night. We switched our boxsprings and mattresses; moved the metal on her headboard down the bedposts so her pillows wouldn't fall off; took the piece of carpet out of her room here and then out of her room at her old place; brought her carpet here and put it in her room; moved Kate's rocking chair downstairs (Sarah helped with that one); moved all of her drawers, and some other storage containers etc. here. Then this morning we got the rest of her dresser (without the drawers which were already here), her desk, and a bunch of her other stuff to bring here. Again, just the two of us. I felt so accomplished being able to do it with her. It was a great workout, and the weather was great for it! It ended up being quite a bit of fun, and we did it all fairly quickly too! So after my workout, I am showered, getting ready to start working on things for this week, and going to throw a load into the laundry. Finally... I am feeling so much more like the me I know and love!!

Transition completed-- feeling self-sufficient, and able to tolerate change--. I know life is not easy, and this year will continue to challenge me. But I feel like I am making improvements that will help me accomplish my goal of becoming a wonderful genetic counselor. I had the basic structure before, and after some cuts and scrapes I now feel like myself again- perhaps stronger? Or maybe just more experienced.

Job Success

Recognizing success in yourself is an amazing thing. Having others reciprocate the same feeling just makes it better.

I am basically still 2 weeks behind after my time off for Shingles. But that time allowed me a much needed vacation that I haven't truly had since this past December. I came back to jump head first into a new rotation-- Children's hospital. I had never seen a pediatrics case 2 weeks ago. This week I have found my inner counselor... she had been hiding from me, and I am so VERY happy that she has decided to emerge.

Pediatric cases are very interesting because you never really know what to expect until you are in the middle of a session. So I prepare by trying to think of possible questions/ answers that could be related to the question... and I try to learn as much as possible as the doctors spit off possible tests we should be running next. But the true counseling comes in when I have to open my mouth. And I am no longer focusing on planning out everything I need to cover. I know that the certified counselor in the room will help me fill in the blanks that I am not as aware of yet (so that I will be better prepared to think of them next time), and I know that they trust me enough to let me go on my own. In return, I find myself explaining complex conditions or taking complex histories and in the middle realizing I am not going through a checklist, but truly taking the direction of the patient. Even better- when I finish and look back to see if I am forgetting to ask something... I am realizing that for the most part I did not forget anything! Wonderful.

Now, I am not anywhere near perfect. There is still much I am trying to learn and become more comfortable with. But this is such a big step for me. It makes each case so rewarding. When the counselor asks if I want to take on a new role in the session, I am finding myself say 'yes' without thinking about it. 'Why not?'

I know that I will get harsher criticism as time goes on. That there will be cases/ issues that I will struggle with as I continue in the months to come. But knowing I have done a good job, and that I am on the road to becoming the person I desire to be makes me think that harsh criticism is just another way to learn. Face value- advice is there to help me, no matter how it comes out.

If only I knew where I would be able to find a job next year, everything would be exactly on track for where I want to be!

And now I want to leave you with a quote I read yesterday that I really enjoyed:

"Home is not where you live but where they understand you" Christian Morganstein.