My Return to the Left Coast

Seasons Greetings!

Oh how I miss Pacific Standard time where waking up at 6am is normal again. Some would say this is never normal! However, when you are used to waking up at 6am Eastern Standard time it becomes 9am on the west coast...and this is one gift to my circadian rhythm that I appreciate most!

It is good to be in California after being absent for a year! I have missed my friends & the family most of all! It is strange how quickly a year has flown by, yet how much has changed in that year. I returned to town and there are new babies everywhere, new houses, new relationships, new life adventures. It is truly a blessing how happy and healthy everyone is upon my return!

I am so grateful for this three week break! I don't think I've ever welcome a three week visit to Fresno like I have this one. I practically ran from my terminal to baggage claim and eagerly headed home to Kelso Ave. Christmas was awesine, plenty of food and many hardy laughs were shared with the clan of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends that spent the day at my parents house.

I have only been home a week and have the pleasure of seeing most of the people nearest and dearest to my heart! We have partaken in game night, lunches, margaritas(!), and coffee. I couldn't ask for a better gift than the time I've been able to spend with everyone. Time truly is the best gift of all. I can attest to that after not having even a minute to spare in the last 365 days. Not that I haven't enjoyed those days as well! Don'e misunderstant me, I am extremely grateful to be doing what I have been doing for the past year, but things such as spare time and relaxation are things I appreciate more than ever!

It is time to get rejuvenated and pumped up for the coming year! I can't wait to see what 2009 brings my way!

Thankful for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was awesome! I headed up to North Caroline Thursday morning at 5 am. Little did I realize that I accidently rerouted myself on MapQuest and sent myself on a wild turkey chase. I had looked at the directions and remembered that the trip would take me 5.5 hrs. However, my printed version said 6.5 hours. Turns out I moved the route to include directions up an unnecessary highway and back down that same highway

However, my map did not print so I had no clue that I had done this...It's amazing what school has done to my common sense!

North Carolina is ABSOLUTELY beautiful!!! I almost didn't want to leave. It forced me to relax and not study and catch up with a dear old (really young) friend!

Another Thanksgiving surprise arrived in Atlanta on my way back and that was a call from my friend Max from my days at the Electric Beach in Seattle. He and his wife were visiting friends in Athens and asked me to meet up with them at the Mall of Georgia.

It was an awesome Thanksgiving despite the fact that I was away from home...but I will be there soon enough to enjoy the remaining holidays of the season.

Now it's time to get my rear in gear and begin preparation for the next 3 weeks! YIKES!!! I am going to need many prayers...hint hint!

It's been so Long

I really should be sleeping right now, however I feel that it has been so long I must briefly blog.

I have pictures from Halloween with the Girls at Wicked... So good!

Currently, I am surviving week 7 of our quarter, only 3.5 more of them to go!

Tentatively I'm heading to North Carolina for Thanksgiving next week to visit the Tavana's (college roommate & her family). So excited to get out of dodge!

Other than that my time is spend sitting in classes, studying my booty off and dreaming of my next break in California! Oh how I miss the west coast, mostly my family & friends!!!

Time after Time

It seems my life is an ongoing countdown these days... who knows if this is good or bad:)

• 1 more hour until I have to go to Office Hours
• 5 more hours of class today
  
• 3 hours of studying tonight
• 9 hours until I can go to sleep again
• 9 more exams
  
• 1 more week until finals
• 2 weeks until I go to NYC to visit Heather (canNOT wait to get out of dodge!)
  
• 1 quarter until I get to go home again!!! :)
  
• 11 months until Megan gets married in HAWAII... I love her for this:)
  

Don't get me wrong, life is fabulous, it just seems so scheduled. I guess that's what happens when your life is consumed by cadavers, books, people you love, school, eating, and Gossip Girl...I'm such a nerd, I know!

p.s. just to show you that they weren't lying when they spoke of humidity in the south...check out the hair! YIKES! even paper products get damp in the south.

I Heart Third Quarter!

We just finished up our first round of midterms... and what a relief this quarter has been! I still feel like I'm studying all the time,  but at least the information is so much more interesting (for the most part).  I swear I went crossed on Thursday after all of my tests where over, my brain was Fried! ... of course it didn't help that I tried to get a jump start on the next round...

I am learning to read x-rays, which is extremely cool! Dr. Paul gave me my old x-rays  which are totally awesome to see and practice drawing on! We have the best instructor by far for this course, I hope to encounter her or those like her again and again! She is so  passionate about the profession and really cares about who we are and our vision for the future of chiropractic. EXTREMELY refreshing!

Other than that, life is pretty uneventful... that's what happens when you spend 85% of your time in class or at a coffee shop. Speaking of coffee shops, one of my favorite nearby spots to study is closing (gasp it's a Starbucks)...and for those of you know who know my passion for coffee houses know this is usually a place I go out of desperation, not common place! I am deeply saddened, almost to the point of protesting the corporation. Starbucks originally set ou to represent your third place (home, work, third place) and should be somewhere you visit to not only to get a cup of coffee, but to have a good chat with a friend, to read a nice book, to STUDY, or to play a game of chess with a pal. This particular coffee shop represents all of those! and they arer closing what has become one of my favorite third place's!

I began studying there upon the recommendation of a friend who had worked there. I was a doubter at first, but fell in love upon my first visit! It is no ordinary Starbucks, it is the Vinings Starbucks, which reminds me of Capitola, a place near home. It is was built into what seems to be a renovated old home. It has a large patio with trees and tables surrounded by a white picket fence. It has countertop tables, comfy couches, and a train that passes by while you sit out on the front porch. I know, I couldn't believe it myself! The people that frequent it and work there are the BEST! One day I locked my keys out of my car and a Regular offered to call AAA for me! What upsets me most is that they are opening a drive-thru less than a mile away !!! and closing this one because it cannot be converted into a drive-thru despite the fact that it is ALWAYS busy and full of energy, life and such vigor!

Here is the customer service website if you feel as passionate about this closing as I do!

www.starbucks.com/customer

This is why I think drive-thru's are ruining America! Slow down and enjoy your coffee, America!

I am going to miss this study  spot and must now waste gas to travel 14 miles on Sunday's to my favorite far away study locale:(

The Heat is On

This week has been a prelude to what I suspect people refer to as August in HOTlanta! It's humid at 6am, its humid right now at 9:39 pm, its humid in my 64 degree classroom. My hair is wavy despite the straight iron I take to it AT LEAST 3 times a day. But who am I to complain, I grew up in the dry 100 degree Fresno heat. It is really not that terrible, but I'll confirm/deny that statement within the next month. 

Other than the weather, school is much MUCH better this quarter! I am in cadaver lab again, this time looking at visceral structures. I must say, it is pretty darn stinkin cool to hold a human heart or lung in your hand! I have seen cases of melanoma, tumors, emphysema, and goiters amongst other things. It is pretty fascinating, but I must admit it is sometimes a little weird still. 

I have begun going to clubs and getting my hands on more and more people. I feel like the meat and potatoes are just around the quarter. It is crazy for me to think that in three years I will be done with this program, mostly because I can't believe I've been here for seven months!

I miss the west, but I love the south. I learn something new everyday about it's history and culture. It is pretty cool!

 

Summer Break

I finished finals, once again unscathed. Somehow finals week seems so calm compared to the rest of the quarter, even though it contains the most stress. It has been a great three week break, lots of good times & great changes!!!

I'll catch ya'll up on my life: 

• Friday Night of Finals week: A group of us went to a Braves v. Mariners game (Mariners won!!!) of course I not so secretly cheered for Ichiro with my cute new Braves hat!
  

Me & Tate

• Saturday thru Monday: Moved into my new AWESOME apt (bug free!!!)
  

Living room & kitchen

Tate in the Kitchen

My room

• Wednesday: Game night with friends

• Sunday: Went on a hike (a.k.a. walk) around Lake Allatoona 
• Tuesday: Left for Florida with Erica
• Wednesday: Lazy Day on the couch with Erica & Sam in Orlando

• Friday: Worked my first official Chiro Screening... totally AWESOME experience
• Saturday: Beach day with Erica, Sam & Amanda at Coco beach...I love the sun!

Sam & Erica

Erica & Me

• Sunday: Beach day with Erica & Brittany in St. Augustine, Florida...Nation's Oldest Town
• Monday: Drove back to Marietta

Since then running errands & preparing for 3rd Qtr (bring it!)

New definition of Heat (southern edition)

I know, it has been a long time since I last blogged! What can I say, things have been very busy and exciting around here. We've had tornados hit (not fun!!!), midterm after midterm and lots of good times together. This quarter has been tough! ... much more so than the last. But I'm almost done with it and that is all that matters:) ...Flooorrridddaaa here I come!

My parents have been to visit twice and we had a great time, even though they basically watched me study. It was nice to see them! I make a new friend every day;) you know me. I still am lovin' Marietta, even though things are heatin' up (temperature-wise) around here! I am told this is nothin'...but a gal from Fresno can handle a little bit of humidity (naivete...isn't it beautiful)!

I miss the home state... not sure when I'll be back to visit. The breaks are so short, it feels like they are all booked for the next 3.5 yrs with conferences and exploration of the east coast & south. But don't worry, I'll be back to visit... we all know I can't stay away for long!

I promise to get some pictures up of some social outings or hikes I take. Both occur infrequently these days, but I'll be sure to give ya'll a lil bit to chew on.

xoxo

Energy Flows Where Focus Goes (Wk 4, Qtr 2)

...or so I tell myself these days! Trying so hard with the beautiful weather to focus this quarter. I know what ya'll are thinking, I've got 3 more years left... too early to fizzle out! I agree that's why I repeat this mantra every time I sit down to study;) Other than great weather and classes we enjoy ourselves by exploring a little more of Atlanta each day! Can't wait for summer break...7 more weeks:) I know they'll fly by and I can't wait! Heading to Florida with Erica for a bit and hopefully camp/hike in North Carolina & North GA a bit (weather permitting!) 

Gettin' Back in the Flow and rearin' to go...

 ...is oh so hard to do! 

FINALLY, back in the swing of things! 

Had a great visit with the fam this past weekend! My Dad, Aunt and Uncle came to visit (...exchanged the Suz for the 4Runner).  I introduced them to Brazilian Buffet and Slope's Southern BBQ. We explored the beautiful old homes of Buckhead and ventured into Atlanta's Historic Center. Another great thing we did was visit my cousin and her beautiful family. It was so great to catch up and see how her children have grown!

I attended my first technique club tonight and LOVED it! ...probably misaligned because of it, but totally okay with that, because I learned so much! 

Being a Chiropractor is going to be AWESOME... I already knew that, but tonight I realized that I really am going to be one some day... rather soon it seems! Days like today make all the challenges we endure oh so worth the while! 

Nothing too spectacular planned for the coming weeks, but excited to be back & be pumped for the 2nd quarter challenge!

As Erica would say:  "Let's get our learn on"

Allisonism:  "I've got two of these (referring to the ears) and one of these (referring to the heart)"

Context:  Consoling a friend in all sincerity... at least it made her laugh;) even if it was "the corniest thing" she's heard thus far... 4/14/08

1st Quarter Finale

Finals Week and Spring Break came and went with finesse! Finals week was chaotic, but I survived as expected:) I was just happy to finish my 1st Quarter and move forth! 

As for our camping trip to North Carolina it has been postponed due to rainy weather conditions. Despite the camping let down my Spring break was comprised of day hikes and excursions in and around Atlanta! Also, a visit from my former roommate and his girlfriend Jen. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed catching up! 

Now it is back to school tomorrow and I am thrilled to no longer be a 1st Quarter student! Feels good to have a quarter under my belt and look back at how fast eleven weeks flew by...thinking ahead I realize that the next 13 quarters will do the same (I better hold on tight and enjoy the ride)!!!

Happy Easter!

I am spending Easter studying for Finals, I know sounds like a BLAST! However, I did manage to bake the bunny cake...which turned out to be a SCULPTED masterpiece of perfection! 

But I sure had fun making it despite my attempts at what resulted in a few slight mishaps:)

Hope you are all enjoying the day wherever you are!

The Perfect Trifecta

This past weekend was full of twists, turns, and roundabouts!  It was especially SPECTACULAR because we had three days off!!!

Thursday

Tara & I decided to kick off the weekend early with some classmates at  Taco Mac's... which oddly enough doesn't serve tacos, but sure knows how to serve up some AMAZING wings!

(L-R: Drew, Rihanna, Marty, Allen, John, Tatum, Me)

Saturday

Tara and I headed off to Virginia Highland so I could run the O'Highland Jig & Jog. We left about 6 am and hit some pretty rough weather on I-75. It wasn't until I finished the race that I discovered that downtown ATL was hit by a tornado... I thought it was pretty odd that so few people showed up for the race. Other than that, the race was fantastic! I ran it in the time expected and got to see a new part of the neighborhood.

(Look at all those bananas!)

(After the Storm)

Later that day, I got my hairs cut... It's a bit Carol Brady, but there is quite the story behind it and I appreciate what I ended up with!!!

Sunday

Lazy, but oh so BEAUTIFUL. I sat on the porch and studied until this enormous bee started a buzzin' his way towards me. 

Away to the Blue Ridge (Foothills) Mountains

Up Up and Away... our trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains. We encountered a bit of snow, what a wonderful treat for a weekend retreat!  

As promised here are some pictures:

(The Car Ride... Really, are you surprised?)

(The Cabin)

(L-R: Michele, Erica, me)

Now it's time to hunker down and study like a mad woman for what will be the most trying finals week thus far. 8 exams in 4 days...truly "oh my!"

March 1st Madness

The BIG 26 & All it's Glory!

My oh My...What a great way to ring in 26... yet another even year!

25 brought many new life changing events, I'm excited to see what 26 has to offer...I'm sure it will be Equally if not more SPECTACULAR!

I must say this Birthday was pretty Awesome, top notch, in fact! I received so many wonderful birthday messages/gifts/wishes from the friends & the fam. It was so great to chat with some of my favorite people in the world on my birthday! What great people I have in my life, really couldn't ask for much more!!!

The Evening: Dinner & Drinks(which I realized I'm getting a bit too old for) in Virginia Highlands with Great Friends!!!

The Gang

(R to L: Kyle (Erica's BF), Alex, Me, Tara, Erica, Sean)

The Cool Kids!

(R to L: Sean, Patrick, Alex)

All Smiles!!!

Erica

Me & Taritta

Trip Up the Mountain

This weekend was a resting one...!!! It was so nice to hang out and only study 1/5 of the time instead of every waking moment!

Today Tara and I took a walk up Kennesaw Battlefield National Park. Here are some pics from the walk:

Cha Ching!

I am so excited that Midterms are over!!! My initial hypothesis proved to be correct, Midterms do not cause physical, mental or emotional harm... 

What they do cause are the following:

headaches, bloodshot eyes, coughing, sneezing, petty arguments with your roommate and the desire to want to forget all that you have learned in the past 6 weeks as soon as you pass your exam so you can make room in your brain for the next BIG exam!

Top 5 things I'm looking forward to in the coming weeks: Drum roll, please...

1.) A few more hours of shut eye

2.) Celebration of several Birthdays 

(hhhhuh hmmm... I accept gifts in all forms,  I will be 26 after all!!...Just Kidding of course;)

3.) Retreat to the Blue Ridge Mountains!!! Excited to leave the Apt for more than 24 hours

4.) My Australian Friend Max's visit to Atlanta... he's not really coming to see me, but I at least get to see him!

5.) The O'Highland's Jig & Jog ...  pub crawl to follow!!! ... that's right, I'll be jiggin! 

*All of which I hope to provide plenty of pictures for ya'll to see ... excluding the sleep part, of course!*

Close Call!

Yesterday was a very exciting day! It was my first tornado scare!... Go figure it kicked off midterms week.  A group of us were studying at the apt and heard a loud train-like whistle coming from outside.  Our friend Erica - who is from Florida and has lived through plenty of hurricanes, but not yet a tornado - informed us that this was what a tornado apparently sounds like.... Our immediate thought:   

"Jump into the bathtub, Desperate Housewives style and cover ourselves with a mattress." One major flaw in our plan...  We don't have mattresses!!!

We turned on the tv and found out the sound was an alarm generated by the City of Marietta, for no apparent reason ... but I must say, it was quite alarming to think of a tornado a comin'. I felt a bit like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Except my plan is to take the aerobed and float on down the river with my bottle of Coppola in hand! I realize this isn't a joking matter, it was quite scary to think of what could have happened after seeing the tornado damage in N.C.! Life is full of surprises, none of which we can control. I'm just thankful everyone here is safe and sound!

Sleepless in Marietta

I am seeing more of 5 am - 12 am days (5 hrs of sleep, oh my)! But, I'm undeniably lovin'  the experience despite the long days and intense work load! We keep passing 2nd quarter students who not so subtly mumble "you think this is tough, just wait!"  Of course, I pay them no mind!

Interesting factoid I found out about myself yesterday... I'm Amiable! My entire life I have thought of myself as purely analytical when low and behold I'm really an amiable driver... don't know how that works! I don't know if it's all that accurate, but that's what Meyer's Brigg assessed;) I'm sure most of you are laughing right now because you have always known this about me, but I was truly convinced that I was entirely analytical!  

I'm fixin' to post pictures for ya'll real soon! "Southern Speak," as Dr. B phrased it, is so charming, I can't help but want to incorporate it into my vocabulary! 

Word of the Week: INTEGRITY ... Do you live with it or without it? 

The Sweet Potato Life

On days like today, despite sleep deprivation and having a PAINFUL 7am Public Health Lesson, I continue to be thankful that I am where I am! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world! ... not even BRAZIL!!! okay, maybe hanging out with some of you, but you know what I mean!

We took our first Exam of the Quarter... Not too bad... Health Care Terminology.  A good warm up for what is to come! I am loving biochemistry because there is no chemistry involved and my teacher is HILARIOUS ... Sometimes I laugh myself to tears ... and I'm pretty sure a girl turned around and told me "it really isn't that funny" ... she was joking of course, but you get the gist!!! Chiropractor's aren't biochemist, they are chiropractors and need to know the concepts not necessarily the structures... I don't question this philosophy, I just appreciate it!!! 

My new obsession of the week: Alexandra Sweet Potato Fries with Tara's aoli sauce! 

They may be cheap, but I get my thrills where I can! 

And yet another picture of my new digs...

This is where Sheri and all of you will be sleeping when you come to visit... just kidding I'll let you have my Temperpedic bed (aka the aerobed)!

Another Wednesday full of Ishkabbible

They have begun... midterms that is! I can't believe it is ONLY week 3! I've got 13.75 more quarters to go. OH MY!  It is so odd because with school and studying and clubs and seminars and assemblies and decompressing from listening to professors exclaim ISHKABBIBBLE and spell "HYPOGLOSSAL," it seems as though time has flown by!!!I miss California, but I haven't had a spare moment to dwell on the fact that I am no longer there! I'm sure it will hit me sooner or later.  I hope to get out and explore a little more of Atlanta and the surrounding areas...but I've got to get this schedule down before I do too much venturing.

By the way this is a picture of the local landmark here in Marietta...Literally, EVERYONE gives directions according to where the BIG CHICKEN is... "take a right at the big chicken"... totally hilarious!!!

The New Digs

My Roommate: Tara (Tahrah or Taritta) Isn't she adorable! She is my food guru and decorating goddess!

Notice the cost-effective mirrored blacksplash! Hard to believe they have such an affinity for water and grease!
My room... Difficult to see, because it's all floor level. Still waiting to get a bed. Surprisingly the aero-mattress and my down are working wonderfully! Almost as great as a Temperpedic.

Snow Falling in Hotlanta

A snowman in Virginia-Highland Neighborhood of Atlanta...

W.E.D.N.E.S.D.A.Y. N.I.G.H.T. at Azalea

This is my Wednesday Face!

Such gumption, enthusiasm and cheesiness is required for days like today! Seven hours of class. Four of which I listened to a man who loves to spell... E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.!!! and what fun that can be when you are learning about all things reproductive;)  Oocyte...O.O.C.Y.T.E. -catch my drift. (I kept it clean, it was much worse in reality)

My new favorite word:  "ishkabbible" 

-Dr. Silverman's explanation of something you may not know, but understand... yeah, kinda confusing, Huh Hah!

And let's not forget my favorite catch phrase:  "Lock n' Load"

-that's what DC students are supposed to do when they learn something pertinent!