Coming soon-Pictures of my new apartment

Summer's Gone

Welp, the summer is officially over as Fall 2010 courses resume on Monday. I could really use just one more week before classes start though, since really, I didn't have a summer! I've come to learn that even when a graduate student is on vacation, it doesn't mean he/she is free of work. Apparently, I signed on for a  4 year commitment to be at my professors beck and call 24/7. As long as it gets me where I need to be, then I will continue to manage.
Over the summer, I had clinic, classes, and other obligations. First, I helped complete the Healthy Athlete Hearing Screenings for Special Olympics, which I LOVED. Even though we worked 1:30-8:30 M-F and worked the weekend prior, the athletes made it all worth while. It is amazing how they always maintain a positive attitude. I only hope that I took away some of the enthusiasm they exhibit on a daily basis. When the week was over, we screened nearly 1,000 athletes and fit 170 hearing aids-for free! It was definitely a successful week! There is a possibility for a trip to Greece this summer for the International Special Olympic Games. This is something I would absolutely LOVE to be a part of and hope I am one of the two picked.
Once summer break arrived (3 weeks), I was soon haunted by school again. One of my professors approached me regarding an "opportunity for professional growth"-well if you put it that way, can I really say no? I had 3 weeks (my entire summer break) to edit a manuscript that was research based and soon submitted to a professional journal. It took me the entire 3 weeks to complete this project, but I am happy I accepted it as I did learn from it; plus I can add this to my CV.
Many of you know by now that I was asked by a professor in the Fall of 2009 to present one of my class powerpoints to a professional convention in October (so soon!) Unfortunately, I haven't had time to work on that project because I had a summer class project in which I will be presenting on an additional topic! So, I wrapped that up and now I am making my final edits on a newsletter that will be distributed to the patients at the Barkley Center. Whooa! I am exhausted just writing all of that out!
Now, my summer wasn't all work, I did go on a float trip on the Niangua River and then went to California! Stephanie and I were able to celebrate our birthdays with Jymme-Lyn and the boys and have a couple of fun days with Scott. Most of all, we were thrilled to be able to help out Scott and Jymme-Lyn during a difficult week. Scott was out of town and JL was starting a new job. Hopefully the boys are doing great with the new babysitter!

We went to the farm and picked some fruit from the vine and fed some animals

We went to the park and played on the slide

Stephanie and Will playing at the pool

This is where Harrison sat most of the day at the pool-he sure looked good though!

We went to the beach too!

Eclipse

Yes. I am one of those. I remember loving every moment of reading Stephanie Meyers' books: The Twilight Saga. It was that kind of intense reading where you can't put down the book and 1:00 AM comes by so quickly it was like you fell asleep for hours and just woke up. Now, it's been nearly a year since I've read the complete series and I'm ashamed to say that my feelings just aren't the same.
Erin and I saw Eclipse this week as a treat for accomplishing Dr. Honaker's class successfully! Too bad, I didn't get those goosebumps and chills like the first time. (not to mention this movie was a million times better than the first!) I attribute my lack of feeling to distance from the descriptive, trance-like writing throughout all of the books and maybe my instant attraction to Edward's character was dulled by poor acting abilities and his love for Kristin Stewart, uhk!! Now that I really examine this, maybe it was when Edward removed his shirt in the 2nd movie and I actually wanted to close my eyes in repulsion-skinny, vampire pale (which makes sense), and the 3rd nipple didn't do it for me. Maybe I am more of a ware-wolf fan after all ...
You are now aware of my feelings towards this movie, but I must admit that of all of them made, this was the best. I suppose the funds and directing skills have improved substantially, thus producing a more fulfilling movie that better captured my vision while reading the books. I have suggested to myself that the need to re-read all the books and then watch all the movies in order may make for more enjoyable viewing and bring back those old feelings. Or perhaps, I am maturing from the 13 year old vampire/ware-wolf hormone rage. All are possibilities.

Update

Alright, this summer hasn't gone as planned or desired, but it has still been pretty good. I have been keeping busy with summer classes, clinic, and work. Finally, most of my classes are over and I just completed a manuscript, presentation in front of a panel of professionals and students, poster presentation and a newsletter on the topic of noise induced hearing loss. My partner and I entitled our work: If You Can't Stand the Pain, Turn Down the Gain: Consequences and Solutions to Noise Exposure. Clever huh?! I thought so too! Well that was for just one class. One of the greatest challenges has been my time at the ENT clinic. Now, I have really enjoyed being there, much more than I ever anticipated. However, it is really hard keeping up with the pace and everything I thought I was good at doesn't matter any more because I don't get to do it, or my skills aren't fast enough. For instance, my supervisor wants me to get to a point where I can read off a 25 word list, keeping track of which words the patient gets correct or incorrect, while filling out paper work and listening to her story about the weekend. I am not that talented! Everyone says, "oh it will come with time" but I am running out of time and I don't see how it's possible for me. Although the time issue is frustrating because I like to do things correctly the first time and be efficient (where now I feel like a chicken with my head cut off just trying to keep up and not at all confident in my abilities), I have been a part of some really cool clinical appointments. I helped with my first EVER Dix hallpike and head roll, which probably means nothing to you, but I helped diagnose a vestibular disorder and treat the patient for his vertigo! I watched an ENG which is an hour and a half test/treatment for more vestibular problems. I met with a hearing aid representative, helped program hearing aids, observed disgusting objects stored in the ear canal for years finally emerge, and so much more, in just ONE DAY! I know I will learn so much and my supervisor is extremely patient as well as a great guide. In time, I will be confident in my abilities and become an even better clinician!

Disturbing

I recently found out in my Genetics class, that 1 in 20 kids are born not knowing their ACTUAL father. Meaning, their father at birth is not their biologic father. CRAZY! In fact, some students at Yale wanted to test this statistic and one of the them found out his DNA did not match to his father's DNA.

Yes, I asked my mom if there was any possibility of my genetic makeup belonging to some other male, but she denied that it was possible.

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

My Ideal Summer

1. Lay by the pool sipping on Crystal Light's peach ice tea
2. Read for leisure
3. Go on a road trip
4. Vacation in Colorado- sitting on the porch at a cabin in the morning with the mountains in sight, reading, with a hot cup of coffee
5. Cook something adventurous
6. Frequent the farmer's market
7. Do absolutely nothing

I torture myself thinking about these things while I am in class, or in clinic all day, or working in a project.