Graduation Week

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!  I'm actually DONE with PA school.  Where did the time go??  I feel like I just started.  I am also extremely glad to be done.  Yes, even though I have kicked it in San Diego, Honduras, and Hawaii for rotations, the last two years have been intense and exhausting.  I somehow passed all of my final comprehensive exams and never again have to introduce myself as a PA student.  How thrilling!  But man, what an exhausting graduation week.  I had written final exams on the Friday before graduation week, then practical final exams on Monday.  Tuesday and Wednesday were lecture days for Board prep.  On Thursday my sister and parents got into town just in time for my graduation party.  Booyah.

On Friday morning we presented our poster, representing our clinical project-- READ IT HERE, because you know you want to :)  That afternoon was the PA certificate ceremony.  Then some of my Mom's friends threw me a graduation BBQ/party for the whole family.

Then Saturday was the actual graduation!  It was combined with a few of the other programs like psychology and dental hygiene so was a little long, but so glad to celebrate with my classmates!  A degree well earned!

I was sure glad to be done with all the festivities and spend the next few days with my family showing them around Portland and then spending a few relaxing days in a beach house on the coast.  SO MUCH FUN!  We had a great time!  Love my family!  We missed you Ryan & Maranda!!

Indulging at the famous downtown food carts-- why did my favorite one have to be closed?!

Waterfront at the Portland Saturday Market

The delicious Voodoo Doughnuts!!  The line was forever long so we opted for the East side one.

On the Burnside Bridge

Typical-- what else can I say??

Multnomah Falls-- well worth the short hike to the top

Haystack Rock

Acting like "goonies" at Cannon Beach (movie reference anyone?)

The famous Tillamook Cheese Facotry-- squeaky cheese & ice cream!

Shopping and touring Depoe Bay

Fish & chips for lunch!!

Gleneden Beach-- sand volleyball without a net??

Roasting hot dogs and smores on the beach

Yaquina Lighthouse

I JUST LOVE THIS

SO WHAT'S NEXT??
I moved to Provo to be closer to family, friends and the outdoors while I study for my Boards, which I take in September.  Then I have all of October to play, mountain bike, hike, read books I want to read (!!), and travel.  Then I start a 14 month emergency medicine fellowship in Southern CA on November 1st.  Looking forward to it!