Intern Year: We Did It, Darling

A few weeks into his first year of medical school, Christopher opened up a fortune cookie that said “you will make a name for yourself in medicine.” Since that day, he has kept that fortune in his wallet as a reminder of what is to come.

I can’t even begin to describe how proud I am of Christopher. Some of you have asked me how we ended up in Chicago for a year. The short version is that he is required to do an intern year in internal medicine, surgery, or pediatrics before he can begin his four-year radiology residency. Instead of spending the year complaining about having to do something not in his specialty, he worked hard to be the best doctor he could be. I’ve lost count of how many times he was asked to switch his specialty from radiology to internal medicine by people in his current program because they wanted him to stay. Not only that, but he had to take his Step 3 (a physician licensing exam) a year before most people, and he scored in the top one percent of everyone who took it. I’m not usually one to brag, but it was just so amazing to watch him work so hard all year when he could have coasted along until radiology residency.

This was both the best and worst year of my life. As much as I loved exploring Chicago, Christopher’s constant schedule changes and long hours at work combined with my health problems resulted in a lot of stress. Through it all, I was so impressed with my love. I rarely heard him complain, even when he had to go back to work on two hours of sleep, or when he had to stay six hours later than expected because of an emergency.

This year has made us stronger as a couple. I learned that residency is just a season of life, and it’s okay if he can’t make it to a Friday night get-together with friends or a close friend’s wedding. We made a point to focus on each together during the limited time we did have together.

To intern year, I say good riddance. In many ways, I won’t miss you. What I didn’t expect to feel was grateful that we went through it. Not only has Christopher grown so much as a doctor, but we have grown so much as a couple. We didn’t just survive. We thrived.

As for that fortune cookie, I believe every word. Someday, my Christopher will make a name for himself in medicine. Maybe not in the number of publications he publishes, but certainly in the compassionate way he treats his patients. And I will be right beside him cheering him on along the way.

Eight Books I Liked in May

If you have read my book posts in the past, you know by now this has been the year of NetGalley for me. I’ve majorly toned it down on the requesting, and I still somehow have 84 books on my shelf. Usually I have great luck with NetGalley, but this month I’ve read a lot of three-star books. I’m not sure if that has more to do with the books or my frame of my mind, so I will include them and have y’all decide for yourselves.

I’m super excited to do Erin and Dani’s Read My Books challenge in June. Sadly, the timing is a bit off for me since the books I do have in Chicago are currently packed up for our move (and I had to leave most of my books back in Texas), but I am excited to read some Kindle books I bought years ago and NetGalley books that have already been archived. I’m currently reading The Good Girl by Mary Kubica, which has been on my list forever.

Anyways, enough commentary and on to my reviews:

Clouds in My Coffee by Julie Mulhern
(c/o NetGalley)
Clouds in My Coffee is the third book in the series, but it worked well as a stand alone novel. This might be a strange thing to say about a murder mystery novel, but I thought this book was fun! I really liked Ellison, her quirky family and the 1970s Kansas City setting. In this book, Ellison realizes after several near misses that someone is trying to kill her. On top of that, she must deal with two unwelcome house guests: Aunt Sis and her sister Marjorie. I liked this quick read so much, I'm going to go back and read the first two novels soon!

In the Light of What We See by Sarah Painter
(c/o NetGalley)
This book tells the story of two women set 80 years apart in Royal Sussex Hospital. In 1938, Grace Kemp becomes a nurse after being shamed by her family. In present day, Mina Morgan is brought into the hospital after a near-fatal accident and deals with severe memory loss as she tries to put her life back together. Told in alternating chapters, this story was engrossing, and I really liked both women and how their stories intertwined. I'm usually not a huge fan of the supernatural, but it was done really well in this novel. In the Light of What We See was one of my favorite reads so far this year.

That Darkness by Lisa Black
(c/o NetGalley)
This book is the beginning of a new series featuring Maggie Gardiner, a forensic investigator, and Jack Renner, a homicide detective...and a vigilante killer. The plot was interesting, but I didn't love Maggie's character (especially towards the end). Jack is a fascinating character, though, as he truly feels what he's doing is the right thing to do. I don't usually read detective series, but I am curious enough about this one that I will probably read the next book.

The House of Dreams by Kate Lord Brown
(c/o NetGalley)
I read a lot of WWII literature, so I was sad to find out I had never heard of America's Schindler, Vivian Fry, who helped over 2,000 artists (and other people) escape France to the United States during the war. Although he is not the main character in this story, it was interesting to learn about him and his mission. The main plot of this book was about an investigative journalist named Sophie who is determined to find out the full extent of her great-aunt Vita's connection to the famous artist Gabriel Lambert. Gabriel's story was beautiful, interesting, and heartbreaking. After I finished this book, all I wanted to do was read it again and recommend it to everyone I know who loves WWII historical fiction.

The Girl from the Paradise Ballroom by Alison Love
(I received a copy of this book courtesy of Blogging for Books, but all opinions are my own.)
This book was different than the description, but I still liked it. I think the romance part was weak, but it was interesting to learn about how England treated Italian immigrants before and during World War II. The character development could have been stronger, and the ending fell a little flat for me. Overall, I do not feel like I wasted my time reading it, but I think there are better World War II books out there.

Just Fall by Nina Sadowsky
(c/o NetGalley)
Ellie finds out on her wedding day that her new husband Rob is a killer. Can she love him anyway...and help him escape his past? With a description like that, I was hoping for more from this book than I got. It was a decent thriller, but it took a while to get into because it alternated between the "now" and "then" chapters so quickly. It oddly felt more like a light read than a thriller at times. I also wasn't super impressed with the twists at the end. I still think it is worth a read if you don't go into it with high expectations.

Saving Abby by Steena Holmes
(c/o NetGalley)
Claire and Josh have been hoping for a child for six years, but when Claire finally becomes pregnant, she receives a devastating diagnosis that forces her to choose between her life and that of her child. I'm conflicted about this book. I thought the conflict of Claire having to choose her life or her child's life would be a bigger part of the book than it was. I also expected this book to be a tearjerker, but the emotions fell flat for me, probably because of some of Claire's actions. That said, I read the book in a day, and it kept me interested. I was just hoping for a bit more than I got.

Exposure to a Billionare by Ann Menke
courtesy of the author
I don’t usually post about books I didn’t like at all, but I am making an exception for this one since it was a Literary Ladies book club read. There's no way to sugar coat it: this book is just not written well. It's extremely repetitive, full of awkward phrases, and lacked a real plot. I got so tired of hearing how Stuart was like family and the two pilots were like brothers to her.

The French really bothered me. If you don't speak French, please don't put a phrase into Google Translate and put it into your book! Plus, there is no way you would address someone you love with the "vous" tense all the time! Plus, there was no consistency, even with someone as simple as nicknames. Jean Michael randomly became Mitch and then JM, and the author would use all these nicknames interchangeably. Then, Anna randomly became Annabelle for a bit. It was really odd. 

There was no real character development. All I can tell you is Anna was thankful for her job, Stuart Manning was apparently perfect, Vanessa was beautiful and kind, and Jean Michael was charming. 

The only positive thing I can say is I did enjoy the descriptions of Anna's travels. That's the only thing that moved the book from one star to two stars for me.

Favorite reads in May: The House of Dreams, In the Light of What We See, and Clouds in My Coffee.

Linking up with Steph & Jana.

I love book suggestions. What have you read lately?

One Year: A Love Letter to Chicago

One year ago yesterday, we were moving into our apartment in Chicago. It’s crazy how much has happened in the past year. In honor of my time here, I decided to write a love letter to the city that stole my heart.

Dear Chicago,

I owe you an apology. This time last year, I wasn’t super confident about my year here. At the time, my hesitation made sense. I was leaving a job I loved and moving away from family and friends. The first time I got to visit the city was when we were looking for a place to live.

As a self-proclaimed nomad, I’ve never felt a true connection with the other places I’ve lived. Imagine my surprise when I felt an instant connection with you. As soon as our moving truck pulled into our building, I knew I would love it here, and I can't really express why. I just felt a strong sense of belonging.

After that first impression, my love for you only grew. Lake Michigan became my favorite place in the world. I feel closest to the Lord when I’m by a body of water. It serves as a constant reminder to me that no matter what happens in life, God is always present. If I’m feeling stressed, all I have to do is go to Lake Michigan to feel completely rejuvenated and at peace.

The thing that has surprised me the most is how beautiful and clean you are. I could spend all day relaxing at a park, wandering around and looking up at all the stunning architecture, or taking a boat trip on the Chicago River or Lake Michigan. I don’t even have to leave our loft to feel connected to the city. All I have to do is look out my balcony and take in another breathtaking sunset or admire the view of the Willis Sears Tower.

Of course, I have to mention the amazing food. I don’t think I’ve had a bad meal since our move here. It’s nearly impossible to pick a place to eat when every restaurant sounds amazing.

Chicago, I’m so thankful for you and our time here. You will always have a piece of my heart. A year ago, I was practically dragged here kicking and screaming. I never thought I would feel the same way when it was time to leave. Home is where the heart is, and I would follow Christopher anywhere, but I sure wouldn’t complain if someday we make it back to you.

Love you always.


Linking up with Kristen and Gretchen

Best Things to Do in Vegas If You Don’t Gamble or Drink

Las Vegas is one of my favorite places to go for a long weekend, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people dismiss it as a vacation destination because they don’t drink or gamble. I think Vegas sometimes gets a bad reputation due to its Sin City nickname when the city has so much more to offer. Today, I decided to make it my mission to share why I think Vegas is a fun place to visit.

See a show
My favorite part of visiting Las Vegas is definitely watching a show. I’m a huge fan of Cirque du Soleil (though I think Le Reve beats all the Cirque du Soleil shows in Vegas) and have enjoyed several comedy shows and musicals. Click here for a guide to my favorite shows in Vegas.

Eat
Once upon a time Vegas was solely known for its buffets. While it still has good buffets (check out my favorite Vegas buffets here), the whole food scene on the Strip is seriously amazing. Whether you want a delicious snack after a day at the pool or a fancy meal for a special occasion, you can’t go wrong with your options in Vegas. Stay tuned for a future post about my favorite restaurants.

Wander through the hotels 
One of the best things to do in Vegas is to explore all the hotels. If I had to pick, my favorite hotel would be the Bellagio with its conservatory and gorgeous fountain, but all of the hotels have unique experiences. Go up the replica Eiffel Tower for a gorgeous view of the Strip at Paris. Ride a gondola at The Venetian. Check out the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay.

Relax
Another great thing about hotels on the Strip is their amazing pools and spas. I love spending the day on the lazy river at the MGM Grand Pool or in a cabana at the Bellagio. The best part is the pools are open during the winter for those looking for an escape from the cold.

Try Coca Cola from around the world at the World of Coca-Cola
For just $8, you can try 16 Coca-Cola products from around the world (and eight ice cream soda flavors for an additional $4) on the top floor of the Coca-Cola store. It’s such a fun experience to watch the faces of your friends and family as they taste the flavors.

Shop
Vegas has some of the best shopping around. On the Strip, I love shopping at the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace, the Fashion Show mall, Las Vegas Premium Outlets-South, Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, and The Shoppes at Mandalay Bay. If you feel like leaving the Strip, my favorite places to shop are the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas and Las Vegas Premium Outlets-North.

Go to a museum
I have only recently discovered that Vegas has several museums worth seeing. Of course, Madame Tussauds at The Venetian is always fun, but next time I’m in Vegas, I plan to check out the mob museum in Downtown Las Vegas and The Neon Museum.

Get out of town
As much as I love being on the Strip, I love taking day trips to see the gorgeous scenery in the area. The Grand Canyon is the obvious choice, though it takes over eight hours round trip, which doesn’t leave you a lot of time to spend at the Grand Canyon. If you want to visit the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, I recommend spending the night at a hotel close to the Grand Canyon or booking a plane or helicopter tour from Vegas. If you prefer to take a shorter day trip, I love the Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire State Park. We visited the Valley of Fire State Park last time we were in Vegas, and I would love to go back!

Curious about my favorite place to stay in Vegas? Check out my Instagram for the answer! 

Have you been to Vegas? What’s your favorite thing to do?

Baylor University: When Sexual Assault Hits Close to Home

Today, my heart hurts. I ache for the sexual assault victims and how my beloved university has failed them countless times. I have been hesitant to comment until we knew the results of the Pepper Hamilton report, and I was sick to my stomach reading the results of the investigation.

I especially hurt for those fans who call Baylor the “scapegoat” and say this problem has occurred many times at big name programs without the head coach and president taking the fall. That’s not the point. We shouldn’t point fingers at other schools when our school failed women. Baylor chose football over sexual assault victims.

I will never stop loving Baylor. It’s where I met the love of my life and pursued my passions. At Baylor, I grew and was constantly challenged in my faith. My love for the school is unconditional. Some of my favorite memories are associated with Baylor football. I will never forget Baylor Homecoming 2010 when, after an insane rainstorm, we stormed the field after Baylor became bowl-eligible for the first time since 1995. I have always admired Coach Art Briles and how he overcame tragedy to become a successful football coach.

Although my heart bleeds green and gold, I will never make excuses for the awful decisions made by the university and football team. After failing so many times, the first step in the right direction is to fire Coach Art Briles and demote Judge Ken Starr. Now is the time for humility and forgiveness. We can’t change what happened, but we can make sure it doesn’t happen again.