Free Food Samples

I just woke up today at about 2:oo pm. No I am not that lazy...I was on call last night and got home at 5:00ish. Anyways, I woke up with a ravishing appetite, but no food in my kitchen to satisfy my need for mexican tostadas (thanks to Lora for introducing me to these wonderful treats). Anyways I go to the store thinking it will be empty and a great time to go get some groceries. Of course the fact it was the day before Thanksgiving did not register with me and it was beyond crowded. I wondered around the store for an hour picking up random stuff that sounded good at the time, but will probably sit and go bad in my fridge in a week without being touched. During my grocery store adventure, I came across the always delicious cheese and cracker sample platter. Which brings me to my blog title. I was seriously laughing to myself at how funny free food samples are at stores. People see them and act so surprised. "Oh wow! A variety of cheese and crackers that are completely free." They timidly take one bite and act like they are truly trying to decide to by this cheese. Then they walk away, look around to make sure no one is watching, and casually go back to the platter for another sample, all the while acting like they had just stumbled across the free samples for the first time again. I know this scene all too well because, that is exactly how I end up full from all the free samples at every grocery store trip. I know we are all guilty of this, but it still makes it hilarious to watch complete strangers go through the whole process too. Anyways, random thought for the day. Now back to pretending to study.

Wedding Weekend

I can't believe now Vanessa is Mrs. Calcara. She was absolutely gorgeous. Her rehearsal dinner and wedding were beautiful and I had a blast...actually I am still recovering. At her wedding with all the girls, I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have such amazing friends. W e always have so much fun together. We all have the same sense of humor and find the dorkiest things absolutely hilarious, such as interpretive art photography. I think each one of my friends is so beautiful inside and out and I really love each one of them. Thanks for such a great weekend...and many more to come. Also, thank you to Vanessa and Chris for such a wonderful time. Now, to go see New Moon with Emily and Adam Griffin!

P.S. Brian,you were a wonderful date too!

When do you have to officially grow up?

The question to the blog title came to mind many times this weekend in Manhattan for the K-State/KU game and Vanessa's bach (I don't know how to spell the whole word) party weekend. I remember discussing this issue various times throughout the weekend, and no one seemed to have an answer. This weekend was a blast, but also a reality check in that my 24/25 year old body can't handle college life anymore....but that is besides the point. There were many moments when I thought...when will this not be funny or not appropriate to laugh at. As bad as it is, why are farts still funny? When should I not laugh and just say, excuse me? When is making up interpretive dances on the dance floor something that is more weird instead of hilarious? When do Carly and I's weird voices become obnoxious instead of awesome? When are we too old to have mango flavored margarita chugging contests (which I do not recommend)? The answers to these questions may never be clear, but I am glad I have an amazing group of girls that understand and share in these immature and fun experiences with me. Let's promise to never really grow up at times when we don't need to be! Now back to being hung over.

Happy Halloween!

It has been awhile since I last blogged, but for good reason. 2 weeks ago, I finished my Family Medicine rotation. That weekend, Brian and my brother, Chris, did a marathon. They both did amazing and I was very proud of them. Melinda, my sister-in-law, spent most of the day watching the race in the cold...it was hard work let me tell you. The following Monday, Brian, Lora and I drove to the great city of Denver. It was an amazing trip, filled with lots of wine drinking. We also got to hang out with Em and Adam and see their cute house and feisty little kid/dog, Tyson. That Thursday, I left for LA to go visit Ash. Oh before I go on, I must tell you about an odd experience I had at Lora's house that morning (I forgot to tell you this Lora). So I wake up at 4:30 in the morn to get ready for my 6:45 flight. Brian and I stayed in the guest room of Lora's house. As I get up in the dark and open the door into the hallway, I see a bright flash of light in front of me. I was startled, but I was too tired and had to pee too bad to investigate. As Brian drove me to the Denver airport, I mentioned this occurrence to him. He claims he saw the same light, but thought I had turned on a light or something. Could it be the ghost of Helen, the prior inhabitant of the house, playing tricks on me. Hmmm.
Anyways, I got the LA early in the morning and spent the day with Ary roller bladding down Venice beach and hiking in the 80 degree heat. The day was completed with a visit to In and Out Burger, which was amazing. That night Ash and I went to downtown Hollywood to see Paranormal Activity. The movie is a low budget film about a couple with a hand-held video camera that try to capture a ghost that has been haunting their place. Turns out their place is not haunted by a ghost, it is a demon. Very scary shit. I still have trouble sleeping. The movie is completely improved, which makes it even better. It is a must see if you like those kind of movies, but warning....very disturbing (as most of you all know, how much that stuff freaks me out based on personal experience). The next day I went to Ash's work on the Warner Bro. Studio Lot. As she worked, I walked around to different sets and tried to find famous people, per usual. No sightings, but I got to see them filming a commercial. That night Ash, Ary, Ary's friend, and I went to this place called Magic Castle. It is a mansion full of magicians and mystery. Great night, besides the haunted pianist named Erma, not knowing how to play Frankie Valli. WTF! The rest of the week Ash and I went to a beautiful beach and then went out and met Emily and Adam out in Hollywood. I was supposed to leave for home at 7:40, but set my alarm for 5:50 pm instead of am. Yeah I am an idiot. I missed my flight and had to wait around the airport for like 6 more hours for another flight home through Denver. During that time, I did hear Gary Busey being called to the gate next to mine. Last time I was in LA, I saw him and Ash says she sees him all the time. We may have a celebrity stalker. I finally made it to my flight and had a layover in Denver, where coincidentally I met up with Brian and Jeff Miller on their way home from Tuscon, as well as Jamie and Adam on their way home from Denver. Strange how things work out.
I finally got home and settled and started my dreaded Surgery rotation. This rotation everyone seems to hate and dread because of the long hours and intimidating attending surgeons. So far this week, I have loved it! I never have had much interest in surgery and thought I would hate it. Oh contrare. I am doing ENT (ear, nose and throat) right now. I love the residents and have got to see so much and even got to sew up an arm. We will see how the rest of the next 2 months go, but I am very pleased that I may have figured out what I want to do with the rest of my life.
So due to the long hours of this rotation, I may not be updating this blog for awhile. I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween! Brian and I are going to Mal and Daut's for a Halloween party. It has been awhile since I have done anything for Halloween, so here's to a good night. Now, back to Ghost Hunters marathon on the Sci-Fi channel.

Red Lobster

When you start off your first conversation of the day with a perfect stranger with the line, "Did I see you at Red Lobster last night?" You know it is going to be a great day. So, Brian and I went to Red Lobster last night to partake in some never ending shrimp. We decided to sit at the bar so we could watch the baseball games. This older gentleman and his wife sit near us for a couple drinks. I remember leaning over toward Brian saying, "that guy looks so familiar to me." I could not figure out why he looked so familiar. Bright and early this morning at the family practice office I work at, I see this same gentleman walk in. He is the first patient of the day, so I go in to see him. I look at him and say, "before we begin, I must ask you. Did you go out to dinner last night?" "Why yes," he responds. "Did you happen to go to Red Lobster because I think I saw you there." He laughed and said yes and that he remembers me sitting there eating with my boyfriend and he "always notices pretty ladies." What a strange encounter....and proof that I may be a little psychic. Anyways, he turned out to be one of my favorite patient's today. He was in his 80's and very healthy. I asked him his secret. "Red Lobster, drinking, and young, pretty ladies," he joked. Well, I got two out of three! Well, maybe more like one...but I guess you can't have it all.
Now, off to studying for the weekend. If anyone knows where to find motivation, please let me know. Thanks!

Made my day

This website link made my day. Courtesy Ary Sarbaz.

http://www.holytaco.com/25-hilarious-roller-coaster-photos

Chris and Melinda's wedding weekend

It has been awhile since an update and I have been harassed by Miss Chastain to update. So I shall. Last weekend was my brother Chris's wedding. Both the ceremony and reception were at Lake Quivira. It was a beautiful wedding and so much fun. Ash and Ary also came in town for the nuptials. Basically it was just Ash, Ary, Gwen, Ryan, Brian, Chris, Melinda Kelly (her new name), Connor, Madison, Chloe, and I taking over the dance floor. Let's just say dancing runs in the family. Most of the moves were influenced by my dad, Hap, who was definitely present, smiling proudly.

Here is an example of some choice moves of Ryan and Gwen.

Damn it feels good to be a gansta.

They are getting so big!

Isn't he cute? Cooper I mean.

Connor's famous worm move.

The Kelly girls.

All in all, the wedding was wonderful and I am so happy for my brother and Melinda. Melinda is absolutely perfect for him and I have never seen him so happy before.

Later that weekend Ash, Ary, Brian, and I went out to eat to Ra Sushi. I highly recommend it. I thought it was just going to be a low key night, but someone decided to start some saki bombs. Next thing I know we are driving all over Kansas City looking for a second hand video store for Mario Kart. We went to Brian's apartment and played a Mario Kart drinking/shot game that Brian and I invented. It consists of four players playing battle. Whoever gets out first has to take a shot of whatever the winner chooses....unless you are the bomb and blow someone up and that person blown up must take the shot. We all took a lot of AbsolutPepper shots and it was not pretty. The only chaser that seemed to work to get the taste out of our mouths was a delicious Asian pretzel stick covered in strawberry candy, know as Pocky sticks. I highly recommend these as well.

Ary helping me out with the Pocky.

Anyways, I had a great weekend with Ash and Ary in town. I just booked my flight to LA and I am so excited to hang out with Ash and see her new house and job and maybe a celebrity or two!

Don't worry, I still have many new medical mishaps that have happened, so I will try to update those soon!

P.S. If you think you have "the Swine Flu", don't go to the doctor and get the medical staff and everyone else there sick. Stay home, drink water, and rest...you will live.

Sunday

So, it has been quite some time since I last went to mass/church. Today, Brian and I wavered back and forth whether or not to go. We decided to go, but we would leave early (or to the Catholics...right after Communion). Right as we got there and sat down, a nice old man came up to us and asked Brian to help take up the collection. Brian had no idea what he was really talking about but agreed as long as I did it too. So here we are in this huge Cathedral with a mile long aisle, and we have to go from our inconspicuous seats in the very back to standing up in front of the crowded Church. Basically we had to walk up to the front of the Church get the baskets with the long handle and go down the aisle shoving the basket in front of people's faces to guilt them into giving money. I think it is God's way of punishing us for missing Church for so long. We had to do this collection thing twice during the mass and even stand in the front of the Church during the whole Communion. I did not think I was nervous, but my armpits were drenched and basically I was preoccupied with my potential pit stains then doing a thorough money collecting job . So much for going to Church and paying attention. The whole time I was not thinking about God, but I was thinking about "I hope I look cute right now" and as I strutted down the aisle..."I kind of feel like I am on a cat walk!" Also, should I say, "thank you," or "God bless you," when someone gives a donation? I am a bad Catholic. After all the money collecting...I didn't even think to put money in the basket myself. Then again, I don't have an income, I have an ever growing debt. Oh well...I have learned my lesson. I should probably start attending Church more and from now on will sit closer to the front.
Amen!

Dedicated to Lora and Sarah

Tonight Lora and I helped think of blog names for Sarah Clark for about an hour. I thought my ideas were very clever and catchy. After all that, her roommate came up with her blog name, "Slark's Remarks". It's good...real good. Why did I not think of it? So, I had to put my creative ideas to use and thus I created my HILARIOUS blog name, which you can see above. I thought I have some pretty interesting stories working in the medical field day to day that I may be able to share. Everyone that knows me, knows I like to inform anyone who will listen about new medical facts that I learn. Well, here I can post that info without feeling too preachy to others. Also, I do a lot of stupid shit and am pretty awkward. I find myself thinking often that I am on some kind of hidden camera show and the whole world is watching in amusement.

I have many embarrassing moments to report, especially lately when it comes to patients. For example, the other day I got my stethoscope caught in my hair after listening to a patient's heart and lungs. Once I got it out and listened to her abdomen...I looked down to see a chunk of my hair attached to the end of my stethoscope on the patient's stomach. We both saw it lying there. Hmmm how do I recover from this? "Sorry, I shed a lot. Let me get that hair off your stomach." I know...I am smooth.

Oh and before I forget. I spray painted my car a few weekends ago on accident. How you may ask. Well, I went to Dodge City with Brian for his dad's 50th surprise birthday party. Brian's dad, Derek, is really into cars and likes to fix and clean them. So, I decided to clean the inside and outside of my car and detail it pretty well to impress him. I was pretty much done cleaning when I spotted this "Rust Eliminator" can sitting on the shelf in the garage. I have a pretty big rust spot by the back tire of my lovely Ford Taurus, and I thought, "Eureka!" I took the can and sprayed the rust area...it came out black in color, which I thought was just part of it's magic. I am all excited and go tell Brian to come out and look at the car...I had a surprise for him. His jaw drops and he says, "What's the hell did you do? You spray painted your car. You r car looks like the Mexican's cars around here." Well shit...the can never said spray paint. At least it was black and matched my car somewhat, although it did look pretty obvious it was spray painted. I begged Brian not to tell anyone, especially his dad. At that moment, Brian's dad walks out and says, "Don't tell me what?" Crap! After some surprise and a lot of laughing, Derek said it was fine and that it didn't look "that" bad but proceeded to get supplies to scrub some of the paint off. All in all, it turned out ok and doesn't look too terrible anymore, but that story was told to all the friends and family of the Seacats about 50 times that night and I continue to hear about the incident every time I am around their family.