Neglecting the Blog

I have been delinquent in my blogging. I apologize to all four of my loyal readers. Things that I plan to cover in future postings (as it would probably be a bit too overwhelming to cover in one post):


--Kate and Emily came to visit and helped me make a spreadsheet of wedding to do tasks. And we played Ticket to Ride all weekend. We also spotted this mysterious creature on Coronado beach:

--Adam and I went to the O.C. for the weekend. He went to the Red Sox game with his brother and I went to a wine bar with Chrissy. And visited with Katey and her remarkably well behaved baby. A lovely time away from home.

--I made template wedding invitations. Adam thinks they look like baby announcements (they are blue and ivory--I've given up on my original color scheme of blue and brown), but I think they are nice. I'm still working on it.

But most importantly (drum roll....):

Our venue got their temporary land use permit!!! The wedding is on!!!

More later.

Altering Dresses and Other Uses of the Internet

I have learned to shop around. It is essential when it comes to wedding planning. My dress is too big and I need to get it altered. I had no idea where to start, since I didn't really like the people at the shop where I bought it. Enter the internet. The Knot has message boards where people getting married post messages, ask questions, get answers, and sometimes are a little rude. I'm generally a lurker, because these people are far more into the whole process of wedding planning than I am, but occasionally it comes in useful. I got several recommendations for dress makers, and have met with a few.

The estimates for taking in the top 4 inches, adding a little padding in those places where I'm lacking, and a bustle?

Anywhere from $90 to $900. Seriously? I'm going to wear the dress once. People really spend $900 on the alterations??? Needless to say, I'm going the $90 route. Although I didn't like her bustle. We may have to negotiate on that one.

And Emily introduced me to the craigslist wedding florist. I love the way we are putting this wedding together. It's definitely going to be our own unique party.

Denver, and other assorted items.

I know you have been eagerly awaiting my report on my interview in Denver, and I aplologize for keeping you all on the edges of your seats. University of Colorado was very nice. I was pleasantly surprised with the program. The people were great, the program is very diverse and quite impressive with the work they are doing. And Denver was nice too. It is sunny most of the time, and so close to the beautiful Rocky Mountains. I think this would probably be the best program for me, if there weren't so many other reasons to go back to Seattle. We'll see how things end up working out. But now I am done with the interviews, and just wait. Match Day is June 18th.

We went snowboarding while in Colorado, my first time. While I started to get the hang of it there towards the end of the day, I think I'm going to stick with skiing. My ass cannot take the falling that comes with snowboarding. And I fear getting the front edge stuck in the snow and whacking my face on the ground. At least with skiing I have the option of falling sideways, which hurts much less.

And on the knitting front, I'm one step closer to finishing the fabulous Lizard Ridge afghan:

Just needs an edging and it is complete. I'm already using it though, it is wonderfully warm and cozy.

As for wedding planning, we're getting there! Kate and Emily are coming out to SD this weekend to help me compile a list of things to do, and then we will figure out how to delegate. I'm setting things up for my visit to Seattle next month--meeting with the secret dessert people. If you really like wedding cake, I apologize. We will not be having wedding cake. We will be having something even better. Yum. I am also going to meet with our photographer, and try to find a florist. Right now I'm in the midst of finding someone to do the alterations on my dress. Due to the fact that my hips are about 3 sizes larger than my chest, we have some serious work to do to make sure it doesn't fall down. So far I've gotten quotes that range from $200 to $900, but no one has actually seen the dress yet. I'm hoping it can be done for closer to the $200 price.

So that's what's going on here. Which may explain why I haven't written anything in awhile. It's really not all that interesting, is it?

I'm Not Quitting

After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to stick it out. I have changed my mind at least once a day since UW gave me the offer and it came down to the risks and benefits of each situation.

UW:
benefits--I am guaranteed a spot in Seattle, I get an extra year of research
risks--I lose a year of medical education, which could be a problem if I ever decide to practice endocrinology rather than pursue an academic career

UCSD:
benefits--I get that extra year of education, and I get to stick with my original 3-year plan. And I can moonlight next year and make extra money.
risks--I am not guaranteed a spot at UW for fellowship (or anywhere for that matter)

In the end, I decided the extra year of clinical education is more important. I have gotten good feedback from UW and think they will still rank me high enough so I will match there. And if I don't, I will make the most of wherever I end up. It will all work out for the best. So you all have one more year to come visit us in San Diego!

Life Without the Internet

How did we ever get anything done before the internet?
Adam and I were doing some preliminary planning for our honeymoon and trying to figure out what to do once we arrived in Lima. Our flight gets in late--around 11pm. And our flight to Cusco leaves the next morning at 5am. It didn't make much sense to go all the way into the city, pay for 4 hours in a hotel and then come back to the airport. Sleeping at the airport, while not the way I had envisioned the first night of my honeymoon, really made the most sense. A quick google search led us here: sleeping in airports. And it looks like, yes, we will be spending the first night of our honeymoon in the Lima airport. Trying to get some sleep in the 24 hour food court. Before the internet, how would you ever be able to find information on whether or not it was safe to sleep in a South American airport?

And now, to use the internet to figure out how to get from Cusco to Pisac, where I think we'll be spending night two--arriving on market day. Hopefully we'll be able to get enough sleep in somewhere along the line so we can actually enjoy our trip!

The $200 Afghan

After 2 years and approximately $180, there is only one square to go. And since I'm out of yarn for the time being, I've started sewing the squares together. Here's what I have so far:
I'm sick this weekend, and really wish the blanket were already done. I would like nothing more than to curl up on the couch with a nice wool blanket and sleep all day.

In other news, I still haven't decided what to do with my life next year. This morning I was ready to go back to Seattle, but now I want to stay in San Diego. I'm going to have to make a decision by the middle of next week.

I Am White People

While I had seen this website before, I hadn't realized just how much of a white person I was until Adam pointed out that this list described me frighteningly well (although it is probably more accurately a list describing liberal white people).

Take item #28 for intstance: not having a TV. When he point this out to me, I said, "I miss not having a TV. I used to love telling people I hadn't seen the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy because I didn't own a TV." Hmm, guess I'm not alone on that one.

Items #1, #5, #36 , #46 and #44 are my favorite ways to spend weekends.

Item #60 is going to be my next car.

Item #54 is the only reason I am getting married (just kidding Adam! It has nothing to do with the gift registry! I am getting married because I love you! But the kitchen gadgets are a nice bonus!)

I have a strange love/hate relationship with #59. I'm a big supporter of childhood immunizations, especially after seeing a baby die from pertussis while on my pediatrics roatation in med school (and they no longer have thimerosal in them, which was the substance possibly linked to autism). I am also a big fan of immunizations for me, given my tendency to stab myself with needles and expose myself to blood borne illnesses at work (it's only happened once, but I have a stock of antiretrovirals now just in case it ever happens again). But my patients have to beg and plead and appear as though they are on death's door to get anitbiotics out of me (or have a culture proven bacterial infection), and I never take medications myself. I love the Neti pot though. That thing is pure genius.

And #67. Yeah. That's me.

I'm sure in some way, to some people, this list is offensive. But I find it hilarious. I'm such a stereotype.

Weekend Randomness

Adam is in Seattle this weekend and I miss him. I don't know what to do with all this Adam-free time. I feel very disorganized. I've cleaned, and discovered that Toutou and her crazy running around the apartment managed to do a number on the wood floors. I went through my bookmarked recipes and picked a few things to cook this week (but still have about 400 bookmarked recipes to go through) and even went to the grocery store. I tried to do some wedding planning, working on invitations but I'm a little hesitant to go ahead and order all the invitation components until we get the word that the lavender farm is going to work out.

Tomorrow I am going to go to the farmers market down the street. I haven't been in months. I doubt there will be much in season this time of year, but I'm craving vegetables, so maybe I'll find the components of a big salad. Meanwhile, I'm trying to stay up late enough to watch SNL. It's an exciting life I lead.