Fa-la-la la la!

It's hard to believe that the Christmas festivities have come to an end!! I truly enjoyed the holiday season and tried my best to soak up every bit of it. I love going home to Williamsburg, where pineapple wreaths, magnolia garland, and colonial decor translate into a beautiful background for the quality time spent with family and friends. One of the benefits of living in Kingsmill is having Busch Gardens in our backyard. After Christmas Eve service at the Chapel we meandered over to the park's first annual Christmas Towne, where each country was decorated with a different theme. As we strolled through the Christmas market in Germany, I reminisced on spending Christmas in Heidelberg, opting for hot chocolate rather than vin chaud.

Christmas day was magical, as always. My traditional breakfast strata was accompanied by a Moravian sugar cake, compliments of Jarrett. This perfect combination fueled us for a morning of openings presents, each carefully chosen and wrapped to provide delightment. Christmas evening unfolded with the arrival of the Conleys. After round two of opening gifts, we enjoyed a savory meal in a dining room that could easily be featured in a spread of Southern Living. Laughter, playing with the children, and spending quality time with my family was a wonderful gift which I consciously do not take for granted. The Lord has truly blessed my life. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

The Nutcracker!

One of my favorite Christmas traditions of all time is going to the ballet to see "The Nutcracker." As I child, I would dress up in my Sunday best and watch in awe, captivated by the beautiful ballerinas and their extraordinary talent. I always looked up to Clara and daydreamed about what good friends we would be. As I got older, my festive flair shifted from frilly Christmas dresses to an extra hot half skim half soy peppermint mocha (hold the whip), to be enjoyed as I walked around Colonial Williamsburg before the show.

This year, I had the pleasure of seeing "The Nutcracker" performed by the dancers of the North Carolina School of the Arts. To give you a rough idea of the talent behind this production, I should mention Ethan Stiefel, a principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre and star of the hit film "Center Stage", was the choreographer and director of the show. From the intricate costumes and elaborate sets, to the fouettés en tournants and pirouettes, this year's performance told the story through incredible talent and remarkable skill.

Christmas Lovefeast

Last Sunday marked the 45th annual Christmas Lovefeast and Candlelight service at Wake Forest University. The custom originated in Europe in 1747 and was established six years later in North Carolina. Today, people of all religious beliefs and backgrounds join in on this Moravian tradition.

Before this year's Lovefeast, I hosted a cocktail party at my apartment, which was outfitted in its Christmas best, with a cozy fire and elegant tree. We all enjoyed mingling and catching up, and I had fun making various introductions between different groups of friends. Several hors d'oeuvres and cocktails later, we bundled up and set off for the service, which was easy to spot, as it was landmarked by hundreds of luminaries lighting the way.

We gathered in the beautiful Wait Chapel and awaited with much anticipation for the event to commence. Music created by voice, flutes, and bells would soon fill my spirit with a feeling impossible to describe. The sermon incorporated a message of humility, a much needed spin on the original Christmas story. While reflecting on those powerful words, I stole a glance of both my friends and total strangers, and felt incredibly blessed to be in such loving company.

After partaking in the traditional coffee and Moravian buns, the lights dimmed to prepare for a moment that would capture the essence of the night. As we all held high our small beeswax candles, we sang with our hearts proclaiming "Joy to the World." This night is perhaps the most magical moment of the Christmas season- a reminder of the birth of Jesus Christ, the love we have for one another, and the excitement and joy that fills us all in this wonderful time of year.

Twenty six point two

I love running. I love the endorphins. I love the simplicity. I love the time to get lost in my thoughts. I love distance. I love the prestige. I love the art of perfecting my stride. I love the companionship of fellow runners, the camaraderie that comes from a shared passion. I love racing. I love picking up my race packet, securing my timing device, and psyching myself up for a good run. I love seeing the mile markers go by one by one, seeing my split times and challenging myself a little more. I love settling in, putting myself on autopilot and enjoying the ride. I love scenery, from trails to busy streets, I love that my feet can take me where I may otherwise never have gone. I love the feeling that comes from finishing a run. The positive vibe, the pride. I love it all. I love to run.

This love is what inspired me to run the Richmond marathon, my second 26.2 mile race. I began training with Andrea 5 months ago. As fun as it's been, there were certainly some gruesome times as well. I logged in a total of 314 miles, the equivalent of running from Winston-Salem back to Williamsburg! After months of preparing my body and mind, I was very excited for the race weekend to finally arrive.

Andrea and I met at the expo on Friday night to pick up our race bags, filled with all kinds of goodies and a technical race shirt to commemorate the event. After following a strict pre-race diet, we topped ourselves off with a delicious pasta dinner. As I closed my eyes that night, I was filled with jitters and excitement that the race was now merely hours away.

We awoke to perfect running conditions- cool, cloudy weather with a gentle mist in the air. After warming up in the staging area, the gun sounded and we were off! The first mile was exciting and surreal. We settled in and found a comfortable, yet brisk pace that would eventually average out to be slightly over nine minute miles. Our race entertainment was nothing short of incredible, and included thousands of cheering fans, party zones, and even two junk food stops (the gummy bears were my personal heroes). I hit my wall at mile 15, but was able to shake it off three miles later to run it in strong. The most incredible moment was seeing our two proud parents towards the end of the race. It was just what we needed to push us through to the home stretch. As I crossed the finish line, I was overcome with a surge of emotions. I was filled with excitement, pride, relief, passion, and appreciation for all those who came out to support this amazing event.

HIV awareness

HIV... AIDS... words that so commonly connote a mental image of gay man, IV drug abuser, or someone partaking in outrageously high risk behavior. While such behavior does contribute significantly to the epidemiology of this disease, I frequently find myself caught off guard with the true demographics of the patient population I see in my HIV clinic.

Take, for example, the patient I saw in clinic this morning. A very nice lady who has been married to her husband of 17 years. She denies any other sexual partners, has never had a blood transfusion, and has never used any injectable drugs. Over the last 3 weeks, she has noticed progressive right sided weakness and difficulty with her speech, symptoms which have exacerbated quickly leaving her wheelchair bound in a matter of days. In the last couple of weeks, she has seen multiple physicians and has had extensive work-ups. Somewhere in the process, an HIV test was performed and found to be positive.

It's unclear how long she's had HIV. After all, who would think to test a monogamous, ordinary woman who goes about her business as usual. Unfortunately for her, the presenting symptoms of her HIV manifested as a severe neurological complication seen in patients with advanced AIDS. I started her on medication today and am praying that she overcomes her slimming odds, the long shot possibility that she will come out on top. I can't begin to imagine what's going on in her head when just one month ago she was completely healthy. All I can do is try my hardest as a clinician to help this patient and make every effort to spread the word. To my colleagues- please test your patients- even those with no apparent risk factors. To my family and friends- please get tested yourself. Every 9 1/2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is infected with HIV.

Boo!

Don’t mess with Texas!

As a girl originally from Texas, I was very excited to return to the big state for my first professional business conference! I have been working in an AIDS clinic, learning about cutting edge research and seeing patients in various stages of the disease process. As we convened in a monstrous convention center, I was amazed at the complexity of the presentations and the intricacies of the minute details that were the forefront of debate. While much of the information was over my head, I felt driven to learn and excited about this specialty as a career choice.

In between conferences, we had quite a bit of time to explore the city of Dallas. My favorite venture was visiting the Texas school book depository, where Lee Harvey Oswald shot John F. Kennedy in 1963. As we listened to our headsets and strolled through the museum, we looked at photographs in an effort to relive the events of that somber day. It was eerie to stand by the boxes of books that served as Oswald’s hideout spot.

On a lighter note, we also enjoyed Tex-Mex cuisine and dined in an authentic Steakhouse. My favorite meal was by far getting a room service for breakfast, which I delightfully enjoyed in my pajamas. On our final night in Texas we got drinks 50 stories high in a magnificant architectural masterpiece offering a panoramic view of the city. I truly enjoyed the company of my fellow PA friends and colleagues, who offer not only laughs and good times, but also inspiration for the type of PA I strive to be. As I return home to the Tarheel state, I am filled with an excitement for my career, a love for Texas, and most importantly, some pretty cool cowboy boots!

Fall festivities

The middle of October equals peak foliage in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. I stole off for a weekend getaway with some friends of mine to soak up the essence of autumn. We started off at the fall festival at Shelton Vineyards, which was absolutely delightful. Along with the wine tastings, there was a craft show and local vendors selling apples and pumpkins, which happen to be two of my favorite fall fixtures. To immortalize the event, I bought a whimsical tin crafted angel to symbolize the carefree feeling that epitomized the day.
A beautiful drive in the mountains brought us to Olde Beau, where Geoff and Whitney were married exactly one year ago. It was fun to reminisce on that special day, and sweet to see the couple look so lovingly at one another. We started the party early at her family’s home in the mountains, accompanied by a hoppin Itunes mix, dinner and drinks, and best of all, lifelong friends sharing stories, laughs, and good times.


Before heading back to reality, we woke up the next morning to take a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway, captivated by the endless array of oranges, yellows, reds, and greens. A hearty breakfast at a local joint filled us with sweet potato pancakes, blackcherry jam, and the best homemade biscuits I have ever had. I hope that this getaway becomes an annual tradition, a perfect celebration of God’s gift of nature, friends, and the simple pleasures in life.

Dixie Classic Fair

Although I have lived in "the dash" for two and a half years, there is so much uncharted territory I have yet to explore. Among the many traditions of this city is the "Dixie Classic Fair!" I went to the fair for the first time last night and had so much fun! Although there were plenty of rides, games, and activities, I found entertainment simply in walking around the fair grounds, taking it all in. From the racing pigs and rodeos to the Ferris wheel and fireworks, there were smiling faces everywhere, memories in the making. To top it all off, I indulged in a couple of "fried oreos," a selection that seemed justifiably healthy, when compared to the fried butter at the neighboring stand. I will definitely be there next year to enjoy the 128th anniversary of this amazing fair!

30 before 30

For the last year or so, I have heard those around me personalizing their own "Bucket List," throwing out dreams and desires of what they wish to accomplish in their lifetime. The concept is exciting, yet equally grim as it requires some consideration and realization that we will indeed one day "kick the bucket." So in the spirit of compromise, I have created a list I call "30 before 30," a title that needs no explanation. In no particular order, I should probably get busy and ...

1. Go to a country I've never been to
2. Teach Sunday school
3. Ski out west
4. Become a homeowner
5. Host a really fun party
6. Run a marathon
7. Give a lecture at Wake's PA program
8. Perfect the art of cooking homemade macaroni and cheese
9. Find my niche in the field of infectious diseases
10. Study the book of Romans
11. Go on a hiking trip
12. Make memories with my niece and nephew
13. Have a reunion with my PA school friends
14. Buy a piece of art
15. Create a piece of art
16. Master a new yoga pose
17. Share my faith
18. Buy a new car
19. Have an all day movie marathon
20. Learn how to play soccer
21. Spend a day at the spa
22. Help with the local outreach opportunities at my church
23. Go on a fun family vacation
24. Go fishing
25. Read five good books
26. Volunteer at a free clinic
27. Become a better recycler
28. Splurge on designer shoes
29. Support a charity that speaks to my heart
30. Stay in my pj's all day long

Hootie

This weekend J surprised me with Darius Rucker tickets!! We had a wonderful time watching Darius perform all the songs from his "Learn to Live" album, with a little Hootie thrown in the mix. The concert was at a semi-private venue in Greensboro, and the intimacy brought a unique level of excitement not usually included in the massive concert package. After a rainy rainy day, it was fun to get dressed up and go out to a show. I must say that J has perfected the art of "date night." Enjoy this clip of Hootie singing his heart out.

Guests of Honor

There's nothing quite like family. I had the pleasure of hosting my parents for a Winston weekend getaway. I was of course very excited to show them my first apartment, newly decorated to coincide with their arrival. Prior visits to Winston have revolved around some major event- from interviews to graduation, moving in to moving out. This time, however, we got to kick off our shoes and veg, just like the average bear. I know that sounds so simple, but I was utterly excited to hear the sound of my dad flipping the channels while surfing the web, and loved cooking alongside my mom for a dinner party we hosted Saturday evening.

This morning we sprung out of bed bright and early. We enjoyed coffee and pumpkin bread over an interesting conversation concerning the fine art of making chicken pot pie. I have this awesome cookbook written by chefs who experiment with different variations of the same classic recipe, all in the name of perfecting a (fill in the blank). In the case of chicken pot pie, they included two pages of prose discussing which variables were not successful, to include the reason behind what went wrong. For example, raw veggies don't cook enough (duh) while cooked veggies turn mushy. The perfect compromise? Veggies that are gently sauteed during the preparation phase. The chefs discussed at least a dozen variations, in which each go-round featured a sole variable- milk, cream, or half and half? Chicken on the bone or chicken breast? Poached, baked, sauteed, broiled. I'm not even kidding, they literally covered all basis, culminating to the grand finale- the perfect recipe for chicken pot pie. Needless to say, an interesting topic of conversation before the 7:00 hour.

We went on a morning walk before church, enjoying the crisp autumn weather. We even collected a bunch of acorns to fill hurricane vases back home, all in the name of interior design. Which speaking of, after church my mom and I went to a decorating class at Pottery Barn. Today's class was about living rooms. The two cute sales ladies talked us through the art and fundamentals of designing your dream living space. The offered tips (buy your furniture in the following order: couches, media center, end tables) and demonstrated how to transform a neutral colored sectional from cool and crisp to warm and bold (hint: pillows, floral arrangements, more pillows). How inspirational! Before my parents hit the road, we went to my favorite Brunch venue, the Fourth Street Filling Station. The weekend was perfect, and I feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Snap!

My friend Erich was telling me about a neat little experiment he did a few months ago. He got the idea from a book that was geared towards positive thinking. For a few weeks he put a rubber band on his wrist and everytime he said something negative, he'd snap the band and move it to the other wrist. It's a simple concept, and yet I can only imagine how effective this could be! Hearing about this exercise prompted further investigation on my part. It turns out that this technique is quite popular can be applied to other thoughts as well.

Here are other ways to apply The Rubber Band Technique. Snap the band when you:

Catch yourself talking about someone behind their back.
Catch yourself reaching for that second helping of food or dessert.

Catch yourself swearing.
Catch yourself judging others.
Catch yourself driving over the speed limit.
Catch yourself yelling at bad drivers.

Pretty cool, huh? I think I'll give it a try!

5 Things to be Happy About

I have alot to be happy about right now. As I was sitting in church on Sunday morning, it just kind of hit me.. life is good. I could probably go on and on about what I'm grateful for, but these are the top 5 things that are making me smile!

1. My new job- I started my career this week. I'm working at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center as an infectious diseases physician assistant. The field is very exciting and I love being at an academic institution, where everyone is so passionate about education. My coworkers are very nice and have made the transition a smooth one. Between orientation, paperwork, and navigating my way around a maze of a hospital, I also spent a few mornings and afternoons in clinic. My first patient ever was a memorable one, as she just so happened to have the swine flu. "Soap and water, soap and water, soap and water"... ie- my new favorite mantra. I am equally excited and overwhelmed by the plethora of knowledge I have yet to learn. My feeling are perhaps articulated best by the eloquent RD Lang in his poem "Knots."

"Knots"

There is something that I don't know that I am supposed to know. I don't know what it is that I don't know and yet am supposed to know, and I feel I look stupid if I seem both not to know it and not know what it is I don't know. Therefore I pretend I know it. This is nerve-racking since I don't know what I must pretend to know. Therefore I pretend to know everything. I feel that you know what I am supposed to knowbut you can't tell me what it is because you don't know that I don't know what it is. You may know what I don't know, but not that I don't know it, and I can't tell you. So you will have to tell me everything.

Despite feeling utterly clueless at times, I am amazed at how much I am learning each day. In the mean time, I am truly loving my job!

2. Fall- It probably wouldn't be farfetched to venture to say that I am utterly obsessed with autumn. From the beautiful foliage to the crisp weather and endless football... I am a fan of it all. Although fall doesn't officially kick in until September 22, 2009 at 5:18 pm, I always choose to start celebrating a little early. For me, the fall fesitivities begin when candy corn hits the shelves (and in case you were wondering.. I'm partial to the autumn mix- the perfect combination of little pumpkins, yellow and indian corn). To me, there is nothing that says fall more than walking around a college campus, preferably on a Saturday when football is involved. I can't wait to get back to Virginia to stomp around Mr. Jefferson's grounds.


3. Friends- My friend Ann turned 30 this weekend, and to celebrate she had a backyard birthday party themed "29 going on 6." It was so fun to be invited to a "little kids" birthday bash which featured an inflatable jumper, cornhole, pinata, party hats, and party favors. As if that could get any better, the guest list absolutely rocked. I got to spend quality time with some of my favorite PA girls who I haven't seen since graduation. It was so fun to laugh, dance (yes, I did my signature worm), and catch up over the last couple of months. I am truly blessed to have amazing friends!


4. Church- I have been church hopping in Winston for the last 2 years and am excited to say that I have found a church I love! Saturday night, I randomly googled "Winston-Salem churches" and this church named "Pinedale" was among the first to appear. I checked out the website which held my interest enough to give it a try the next day. I showed up Sunday morning to the "blended service" and was blown away. I loved the praise and worship team, was impressed by the choir, and challenged by the sermon. The cherry on top was the friendly congregation, sense of fellowship, and peaceful feeling that I was somewhere I belonged. I'm already looking forward to Sunday morning!


5. Holidays- As if things could get any better, I enjoyed a wonderful Labor Day weekend. After a busy first week, I was very thankful to have an extra day to relax, work around the house, spend time with my friends, and of course enjoy some awesome food off the grill (smoked brisket + blueberry cobbler = a winning combination). Labor Day always invokes wonderful childhood memories of starting the new school year. Our family had a tradition of packing a picnic and renting Jon boats for the day. We would always sneak aboard Chelsea, our beloved sheltie. I love the way holidays make you feel... happy and carefree.

So ya, I'd say that life is pretty good right now! Can't wait to share more adventures :)

A new chapter, a new adventure

Well, it's my last official weekend of summer! I have spent this past week moving into my new apartment. I love it! I have never lived on my own, and must admit that I feel quite adventurous and excited to be making this move. I am still in the process of unpacking boxes and am in extreme organization mode. I can't wait to post pictures once I get settled.

Monday morning I start my career as a PA-C and I could honestly not be more excited. I have truly enjoyed relaxing this summer- taking some "me" time to travel, play, rest and rejuvenate. It is with much anticipation, however, that I put on my (long!) white coat, exchange my Rainbows for my Danskos, and leap into the world of Infectious Diseases. I'm very curious to learn more about the swine flu, and can't wait to slowly build my patient base in the clinic. I am eager to learn and very excited to be working at a prestigious teaching intuition!

Marathon training update

In precisely 80 days, 19 hours, 56 minutes and 21 seconds I will be running the Richmond marathon with Andrea! It's hard to imagine being excited about running 26.2 miles, but there is an inexplicable energy that comes with long distance running.  I ran the Richmond marathon in 2003 and was excited when Andrea asked me to run with her this year. 

Training has been tough.  In fact, even as I blog, I am icing my hamstring after this morning's 13.1 mile run.  I  look forward to transitioning to autumn weather, and will appreciate the crisp cool air and the sound of leaves crunching under my Mizunos. Gotta run ;)

Birmingham = Inspiration

Every time I visit Birmingham, I am overcome with an incredible sense of energy and inspiration. Of course, I can largely attribute this spirited feeling to my cousin Ann Wade, whose energy and enthusiasm is contagious. For example, a trip to the Y began with a 45 minute spinning class, merely a warm-up to the hour long session with Ann Wade's ripped trainer. With fatigued glutes, achy shoulders, and a seemingly firm core, we cooled down with a 2 mile run. In a nutshell, my cousin's typical morning workout.

Along with the motivation to become a better runner and athlete, I also feel more spiritually challenged. With worship and praise music as the soundtrack to our comings and goings, I feel a heightened gratitude for God's blessings. In January, we decided to read the Bible in a year, and I am both excited by our progress and tickled by how utterly broken in our Bibles have become in the last 8 months.

My creative and artistic ambitions were expressed at an art studio that we went to the other night. I painted a canvas of an assortment of wine bottles, which will be the perfect addition to the kitchen of my new apartment. We enjoyed other expressions of creativity in the form of a comedy night, featuring Matt Mitchell, who literally had me in tears from the moment he walked on stage.

Running around Birmingham over the last couple of days has also resulted in a new found love for smoothies, a Lilly Pulitzer shopping spree, and smoother skin from using Arbonne products. My 4 day August getaway to Bham has left me feeling refreshed, renewed, and rejuvenated, which is exactly what I need before starting my career in a few weeks!

The Nanny Diaries… well, sort of.

I made it! I survived Martha’s Vineyard! While you may find it difficult to feel sorry for someone who has spent the last two weeks in paradise, I can assure you that it was actually quite difficult. Babysitting for two trust fund babies proved to be quite a challenge, and required a bit of creativity on my part. Fortunately, the kids had sailing camp during the week, which freed up my mornings for some beautiful runs and exploration. I learned to navigate the island in no time. For someone who never used to like driving, hopping in my nanny mobile, turning up the radio, and cruising along the scenic views became a saving grace.



Afternoon activities with the kiddos included playing at the beach, arts and crafts, making sodas, watching "Clueless," having play dates, acting out "Snow White," shopping, picking vegetables from the garden, baking cookies, and playing beauty shop.

The family threw me a going away party last night which was quite thoughtful. We had a delicous lamb stew over couscous with fresh vegetables from the garden. They even showered me with gifts and a pretty sweet bonus. It has certainly been a difficult, yet rewarding experience. I must say, however, that I have never been more excited to go home to good ‘ole Winston-Salem.

MV Weekend

This weekend was anything but typical. The Saturday morning farmer's market was full of beautiful flower arrangements, jams and spreads, breads and dipping oils, and various assortments of cheese, pastries, and fresh produce. While enjoying the hip tunes of a local band, we munched on a delicous lunch of sesame noodles and spring rolls. The fun continued at Gray's beach, where Elliot and I made drip castles, played frisbees, and collected stones and shells. We beach hopped to Sandy Rock before heading to the island pinnacle for the most incredible view of the vineyard. Arriving home just in time, I ran back down to Gray's to watch the sun set on the beach. The combination of oranges, yellows, and reds was spectacular!

This morning we went to Oaks Bluff, an area on the island with the most precious gingerbread style houses. We were lucky enough to stumble upon a parade and enjoyed watching the old cars and fire trucks pass by. Our next stop was "Flying Horses," which is America's oldest carousel. Each horse has a metal rod on it, where you stack silver rings that you reach out and grab during your ride. When the music stops, a brass ring is introduced into the mix and whoever grabs it gets a free ride!!

We hopped in the ocean for a quick swim before heading to the Black Dog for some baked goods. We spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the backyard. Phoebe crafted a book of fashion and then played with my hair, coming up with all sorts of unique updos.

I broke away for the rest of the evening with a novel, towel, and picnic dinner. My destination was the Gay Head cliffs of Aquinnah, where I cozied up to watch the sun set. It was so peaceful to have some alone time to burry my nose in a book, get lost in my thoughts, and truly appreciate this opportunity.

The perfect summer day

My first day in the vineyard was wonderful!! I woke up up in a beautiful room of a not-so-humble abode with the most incredible view of the West Tisbury sound. I took a cup of coffee down to the beach and enjoyed a peaceful morning stroll, collecting sea glass, stones, and shells along the way.

We ventured off to Menemsha, which is known across the island for its seafood. I must say that I never knew what an 86 year old lobster looked like before today. As I pet the critter I felt mildly guilty about my seafood lunch, although the delicious flavor quickly made that a fleeting thought.

We spent the rest of the day playing on a private beach in Squibnocket. We rode the boogie boards and built sand castles, frolicking the afternoon away. The perfect summer day was made complete by a delectable homemade dinner of grilled swordfish with a peach tomato salsa. As I cuddled up with Phoebe to read Raggedy Ann, I felt surprisingly energized and rejuvenated from my first day with the kids. Man, what a life!