Colors of Fall

I LOVE FALL! I grew up in AZ without experiencing Fall, so I enjoy it thoroughly every year up here. Except this year the colors have seemed to escape without even making an appearance. Allison and I have been mtn. biking every Tuesday now so we decided it was time to head up the canyon before it was too late. It was one of the most beautiful rides and the picture doesn't do it justice. We rode through canopies overhead of red, orange, and yellow leaves with a smattering of the same colors on the ground, crunching as we rode over them. It's a good thing October has just begun! There's more fun to come!

Doctor Shadowing

Because of my recent PA applications, I took a day off of school last week and shadowed a MD in the Utah Valley Pediatrics office. My roommate's mom works there so she set me up to shadow one of the more popular doctors. Mostly I just felt like I was following him around all day, but I must have done something right cause my roommate came home the other day and said the doc said I was one of the most impressive persons he has ever had shadow, and apparently there has been a lot because he is such a good doctor. Was it because I asked lots of questions? Was it because I stayed behind and chatted a little longer with the patients? Was it because I tried to make the kids smile? I honestly don't know. But I'm sure glad and let's hope it pays off so I get into the university I want!

It was an interesting day though. The doc saw a range of patients from 4 days old to 15 years old. About half were in for well checks and the other half for anything from colds to the flu to asthma. There were a few procedures I saw such as a circumcision and a girl getting 3 staples in the back of her head after hitting a brick wall. This definitely clenches it......I think I want to go into surgery or the ER. I definitely enjoyed the day shadowing though. And I definitely know I don't want to work in a clinic. Too many sick kids. Maybe that's why I'm suffering with the flu right now....

Just call me Aunty

Well, I am now an aunt and I am super excited. My little baby niece came on September 8 weighing 8 lbs 9 oz with a head full of black hair. She is definitely one of the cutest newborns I have ever seen. I've been to visit her a few times already and plan to do so a lot more. I haven't really been around little kids much growing up so I'm excited for the first one!

the 80s = pure bliss

I have to preface this by saying even though I have done a lot in my life, at the same time I haven't. There are a lot of "firsts" that I am still working on. I just barely watched Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure
and Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Apparently I hadn't been living before seeing them. I also barely watched Top Gun this year too.
I've also been listening to 80s music for about the last 3 weeks and I don't see any end in sight. I love it! It all started when my roommate, Lindsay, played a song one Saturday morning to be heard throughout the house. Fading like a Flower by Roxette. I put Roxette into Pandora (the Internet radio station) and it's been pure bliss ever since. I can't get enough of it. Bands like Roxette, Journey, Heart, Steve Winwood, A-Ha, Genesis, Cheap Trick, The Cure, Boston, etc. I'm sure you're well familiar with them. I was too young in the 80s to fully appreciate the culture. Good thing I'm catching up now!

Physician Assistant School

I have decided once again to apply to Physician Assistant School. I applied 3 years back and got put on a waiting list. I only applied to one school, which was kind of pointless, but that one school called me the end of May and said they had a spot for me. I would have taken it in a heartbeat had I not been in Spain awaiting a 6 week backpacking trip with my 2 sisters. I wouldn't make it back to the States until 2 weeks after the program start date. They wouldn't let me come late and they wouldn't let me defer for a year. So I said heck with it, I'll reapply later down the road if I want to. I don't regret that decision at all either. That was the most memorable trip with my sister and we had SO much fun exploring. I wouldn't have had the experiences teaching and coaching that I've had either or met the amazing people along the way.

It's time again. I just decided about a month ago that I would reapply. Just out of the blue too. Actually, I found out my prereq's are going to expire soon so I might as well see if it's even an option. Do you think I'll get in? I spent a whole week 24/7 working on applications. I still have about 4 supplemental applications to finish off as well. It's taken a ton of time. Hopefully it's worth it! Here's where I applied........ What's your vote? Where do you think I'll get in? Where do you think I should go?

University of Washington - Seattle, WA
Pacific University - Portland, OR
University of California, Davis - Sacramento, CA
AT Still University - Mesa, AZ
Quinnipiac University - New Haven, CT
Northeastern University - Boston, MA
George Washington - DC