My mind spins and emotions flood my being as the rush of the last few months come to a temporary stop… yes I have a few days off. As one pushes themselves harder than ever thought possible, it is only when they stop and come up for air that all the wonders and twinges of life pulse through each vessel. Today I am hit with myriad thoughts and feelings… and the difference is, I have time to experience them. All good thoughts and twinges, but emotional none the less. One that brings water to the edges of my eyes is my sister… I truly miss her today. She is alive and well… but has been in Africa the last several years. I think about her just about everyday… but her presence was truly missed at my wedding a couple of weeks ago, and throughout the pregnancy of the first grandchild. When I was young I always pictured us together during these times of our lives. As we get older and plans change and we find our callings, we choose other paths and they are beautiful and needed, but that does not mean they come without difficulty. One of the CDs in my car right now is Paul Simon’s Graceland… this CD means so much to me… we used to listen to this cassette tape as a family driving around in the old 1974 VW Bug… all 5 of us squished… looking at Christmas lights around the neighborhoods in Flagstaff. But since my sister has been in Africa, track #7 Under African Skies brings tears to my eyes… I wonder what her life is like over there… the beauty that she sees, the simplicity of the people, the culture that seeps into each pore.
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Josephs face was black as night
The pale yellow moon shone in his eyes
His path was marked
By the stars in the southern hemisphere
And he walked his days
Under african skies
This is the story of how we begin to remember
This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain
In early memory
Mission music
Was ringing round my nursery door
I said take this child, lord
From Tucson Arizona
Give her the wings to fly through harmony
And she wont bother you no more
This is the story of how we begin to remember
This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain
Josephs face was black as night
And the pale yellow moon shone in his eyes
His path was marked
By the stars in the southern hemisphere
And he walked the length of his days
Under african skies
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Burkina Faso, Africa
Jen and Barry, Malawi
Sunset over Malawi
Lake Malawi
Last Christmas.. taking Jen to the airport…my dad just kept taking pictures, which is why we all look a little disoriented 
The three ladies in the family (until this Nov!)..
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This last few months has been packed full of tears, feelings of “there is noooo way I can get through this”… it has been the hardest stretch of medical school that I can recall, but also the most rewarding. I did it. I did it. I did it while being in my 3rd trimester of pregnancy, I have traveled all over the country… I have had OB doctor appointments in NY, AZ, OK, and next CO. I have worked harder than I ever thought possible, and I feel accomplished. Pedie (the baby) and I have done it together… she reminds me of how beautiful life is and to take time for myself and to breathe. She makes me take care of myself.
As I drive these streets in Tulsa I come up to a stop light… and all of a sudden I can’t remember where the heck I am… Watertown? Flagstaff? Kingman? Maine? oh… I’m in Tulsa. Last weekend was one of the most intense… an intense ending to an insane schedule. I worked everyday (see the last blog ) last week up until Thursday, when I had to give a presentation to all of the residents and docs in Kingman and then after that, I drove to Phoenix to take my written boards on Friday the 19th. It started at 730a. I got in to the hotel in Goodyear Thursday evening and was greeted by a BEAUTIFUL bouquet of flowers from Dennis… he has been my saving grace this entire time…
I studied and ordered food from Macaroni Grill (bruschetta, salad, salmon, asparagus, spinach rice, bread and tiramisu… yes.. the baby was in heaven!… and so was I!). I took the 400 question exam and then headed up to Flagstaff.. my folks and I went out to eat again, and all I wanted to do was to stay in Flag… sleep and catch up on my sanity.
But instead, on Saturday, I packed up the car and headed towards Oklahoma. I stayed in Albuquerque Saturday night (a 4 hr drive from Flag) then got on the road for 10 hours on Sunday and got into Tulsa close to midnight. I am staying with a guy from my class.. he graduated last year and is a first year resident in the EM program that I hope to get into here in Tulsa.. Brandon. He had to go out of town for a family emergency, but his wife and 2 year-old, Gracie, were there to greet me when I pulled into the driveway.. I knew it was going to be good. I then went on to work Mon, Tues and Wed from 12-12.. whew… no time to recover from my insane rotation in Kingman.. until yesterday.
So far so wonderful in Tulsa! The people here are really nice… I am getting around and exploring on my few days off. I have found a Panera and a Whole Foods… what more does a girl need?!?! After I am done here at Panera I hope to go explore the parks in town… there are some really cool ones around.
As all of the feelings and emotions of a pregnant, newly married, traveling, fourth year medical student come up.. I hope to post them.
Below are a smattering of photos from the last few months… Dennis has all of the hundreds of wedding photos, and they need to be resized for the blog, so as soon as I am back in Colorado, we will work on that and get some posted.
These first 3 are from a trip to Sedona that my mom and I took back in August.. we went on a bit of a hike around Bell Rock, Sedona and then went to check out the wedding spot at the West Fork Trail!
The next 5 are from Oatman, Arizona… it is this crazy little ghost/mining town along the old Route 66 near Kingman… my mom and I ventured there. It is a little Western town out in the middle of no where…. it used to be a happening place, tho. Clark Gable and his new bride stayed there so many years ago…
The next few are from Kingman AZ… my first rotation of 4th year… our house is pictured below as well as the hospital… there is something mysterious and beautiful about the desert mountains… I will miss the desert sunrises when I would go out and beep my car and a plethora of lizards, jackrabbits and little chipmunks would scatter from under the car!!
My overpriced hotel in Philly at the Marriott! Fancy Schmancy!! Room service and everything
Flowers the night before our wedding… complements of Embassy Suites…
The 2 sites I have seen in Tulsa so far (besides the hospital and home)…
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A few random wedding photos from family and friends~~ September 6th 2008!!! Thank you to all who came…. to Susan for photos, Marty for making it so special and Meg and Caleb for traveling AALLLL that way!!!! LOVE YOU ALLL!!!!~~~
