Sunday, October 18, 2009
Bragging Rights
I figure if I'm not allowed to brag about my husband, who is? Joel just received interview request #12 & #13 which means that ALL 13 schools he applied to asked him for an interview. This includes the #1 pediatric hospital in the country (CHOP- in Phillie). I don't think he actually wants to go there, but it's fun just to see if you can get an interview, and he did!! I'm so proud of him- what a smarty pants!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Germies
I don't consider myself much of a germ-a-phobe, but when our principal gave us the fabulous news that 5 kids had been sent home with the Swine Flu I began to be keenly aware of the germ situation. During chorus a kid on the top riser sneezed (mouth open wide) down onto the 4 risers below him- the sneeze was visible if you know what I mean and all I could think of was - "Where is my hand sanitizer? I need to drench myself in it."
Monday, October 5, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
4 Generations
Last night Nathan met his great-grandma Slovacek for the first and most likely last time. As we sat there with four generations in the nursing home I couldn't help but think about one life just beginning as another was ending. Joel's grandma is slipping away. She's been suffering from Alzheimer's for quite a few years and this past week she fell and broke her hip. You could argue that she's been gone for a long time and that her body is finally being put to rest. Her moments on this earth can now be measured in days and possibly hours.
Since last night I have been pondering about the topic of death. It sounds morbid, but there is something so mysterious and complex about death and yet it is so simple at the same time. When someone dies that we love or have known there is always a sense of loss. Even when we don't know them personally, stories of people losing their life touch us. We focus on it a lot- if you watch the news there are always stories detailing a natural disaster or accident, and the number of lives lost are always listed as almost a measure of the significance of the event. When someone else dies it reminds us of our own mortality and how quickly we can lose it. It makes us (hopefully) want to make our time here on earth more meaningful and live it to the fullest. It reminds us of how much we love those around us. I felt the same way when my Grammy Stuetz died when I was a Freshman in high school.
In cases such as Grandma Slovacek & Grammy Stuetz it's kind of an odd feeling to want them to die quickly without pain and yet still be holding on. You know that it is for the best and wish them well, but somehow their missing presence leaves a vacancy in your life. I think that the knowledge that they are going to a better place to be with their family that has already passed on makes the sense of loss not only manageable but a calming, peaceful reassurance.
I was listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing "Come, Come Ye Saints" today in conference and because of these previous meditations the last verse really touched me:
Since last night I have been pondering about the topic of death. It sounds morbid, but there is something so mysterious and complex about death and yet it is so simple at the same time. When someone dies that we love or have known there is always a sense of loss. Even when we don't know them personally, stories of people losing their life touch us. We focus on it a lot- if you watch the news there are always stories detailing a natural disaster or accident, and the number of lives lost are always listed as almost a measure of the significance of the event. When someone else dies it reminds us of our own mortality and how quickly we can lose it. It makes us (hopefully) want to make our time here on earth more meaningful and live it to the fullest. It reminds us of how much we love those around us. I felt the same way when my Grammy Stuetz died when I was a Freshman in high school.
In cases such as Grandma Slovacek & Grammy Stuetz it's kind of an odd feeling to want them to die quickly without pain and yet still be holding on. You know that it is for the best and wish them well, but somehow their missing presence leaves a vacancy in your life. I think that the knowledge that they are going to a better place to be with their family that has already passed on makes the sense of loss not only manageable but a calming, peaceful reassurance.
I was listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing "Come, Come Ye Saints" today in conference and because of these previous meditations the last verse really touched me:
And Should we die before our journey ends, Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too; With the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again to see the Saints their rest obtain,
Oh, how we'll make this chorus swell- All is well! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too; With the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again to see the Saints their rest obtain,
Oh, how we'll make this chorus swell- All is well! All is well!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
#11
Joel just scheduled with school #11- Ohio State! This is in Joel's top 4 choices, so we're pumped about this one. He's pretty much going to be gone for a huge chunk of November interviewing, but then he'll have most of December and January just to enjoy himself with little Nathan.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sleep Deprivation
After what felt like the zillionth time Nathan woke up last night (I actually lost count at some point)- I began to contemplate the evasiveness of sleep. I'm always tired. It's been so long since I've felt well-rested that I don't honestly remember what it feels like. I started thinking about it and for one reason or another I'm always running a deficit in the sleep column. I've been pondering just how amazing our bodies are that they can deal with such things.
Because I'm slightly sick and twisted, when I'm driving to work in the mornings and I feel like I've been run over by a semi, I chronicle my years of sleep deprivation.
I think I can trace it all back to Early Morning Seminary in high school. I was involved in too many activities with too few hours in the day. I would go on 4-5 hours of sleep a night and then usually sleep excessively on the weekends if possible. This extended to the college years- I pulled quite a few all-nighters trying to get assignments completed on time. Most of the time I simply went to bed too late and then had some required class early in the morning (one painful 7:30 am class comes to mind). The mission came along and that proved to be a new level of tired. By the end of my mission my body was giving out on me- I could fall asleep anywhere at any time. The spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. :) After undergrad I had 3 jobs at once and often found myself up talking to Britt for hours on end. We talked about anything and everything and yes, we were always tired. Then came Grad School. The all-nighters started again - although I will say that it started getting harder to stay up all night the older I got. I did still sleep in most weekends when possible though.
I think it comes down to a key flaw: I've just never been good at going to bed early enough to match what time I needed to get up. I try but it rarely if ever occurs.
I started teaching school and I spent hours doing lesson plans, putting together materials, grading stuff - you name it and I was up late doing it for school. And then I got pregnant.......Sleep becomes that elusive thing people talk about but you're not quite so sure exists. I was teaching, doing the musical, taking 2 college courses, had 2 callings in church - all while I was growing larger and larger. I thought I had won the tired award, but sadly I was mistaken. I had Nathan and at about 2 or 3 weeks the word "exhausted" took on a whole new meaning. I argue that a couple weeks of sleeplessness could break the strongest of individuals. And there is no such thing as sleeping in on the weekends anymore. In fact, I'm convinced Nathan gets up earlier on purpose.
One could argue that I'm continuing this vicious cycle by staying up to write this instead of going to bed. I'm just truly impressed with our body's ability to endure and function with such little rejuvenation. On that note- I think I'll try to catch some zzzz's before the all too soon morning arrives or Nathan wakes up (I believe Nathan will be the winner of that one....several times- which is how I got started on this whole diatribe of mine to begin with). Good night- happy sleep to you all.
Because I'm slightly sick and twisted, when I'm driving to work in the mornings and I feel like I've been run over by a semi, I chronicle my years of sleep deprivation.
I think I can trace it all back to Early Morning Seminary in high school. I was involved in too many activities with too few hours in the day. I would go on 4-5 hours of sleep a night and then usually sleep excessively on the weekends if possible. This extended to the college years- I pulled quite a few all-nighters trying to get assignments completed on time. Most of the time I simply went to bed too late and then had some required class early in the morning (one painful 7:30 am class comes to mind). The mission came along and that proved to be a new level of tired. By the end of my mission my body was giving out on me- I could fall asleep anywhere at any time. The spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. :) After undergrad I had 3 jobs at once and often found myself up talking to Britt for hours on end. We talked about anything and everything and yes, we were always tired. Then came Grad School. The all-nighters started again - although I will say that it started getting harder to stay up all night the older I got. I did still sleep in most weekends when possible though.
I think it comes down to a key flaw: I've just never been good at going to bed early enough to match what time I needed to get up. I try but it rarely if ever occurs.
I started teaching school and I spent hours doing lesson plans, putting together materials, grading stuff - you name it and I was up late doing it for school. And then I got pregnant.......Sleep becomes that elusive thing people talk about but you're not quite so sure exists. I was teaching, doing the musical, taking 2 college courses, had 2 callings in church - all while I was growing larger and larger. I thought I had won the tired award, but sadly I was mistaken. I had Nathan and at about 2 or 3 weeks the word "exhausted" took on a whole new meaning. I argue that a couple weeks of sleeplessness could break the strongest of individuals. And there is no such thing as sleeping in on the weekends anymore. In fact, I'm convinced Nathan gets up earlier on purpose.
One could argue that I'm continuing this vicious cycle by staying up to write this instead of going to bed. I'm just truly impressed with our body's ability to endure and function with such little rejuvenation. On that note- I think I'll try to catch some zzzz's before the all too soon morning arrives or Nathan wakes up (I believe Nathan will be the winner of that one....several times- which is how I got started on this whole diatribe of mine to begin with). Good night- happy sleep to you all.
Friday, September 25, 2009
#8, 9 &10
I've fallen a little behind- this week has been killer in so many ways it's not even possible to delve into all of the tumultuous details (yes, I'm still in quite a dramatic- woe is me- mood). Anyway, enough sob stories- the point is that Joel got three more residency interview offers this week and I haven't gotten around to posting them.......
They are Akron (OH), Buffalo (NY) & St. Christopher's (Philadelphia, PA)
They are Akron (OH), Buffalo (NY) & St. Christopher's (Philadelphia, PA)
Monday, September 21, 2009
#6 & 7
Joel heard from Rochester (New York) and Dupont (Delaware) today!! These were his top 2 choices, so we're thrilled. He could go to these interviews and absolutely hate the programs, but for now things are looking good. We've now heard from a program in every state we've applied, so this is great! It looks like November is going to be a busy month.
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