The Sun and the Sand and A Drink in My Hand

Back in Lake Orion after a great few days in East Tawas at the cabin! I always forget that it is so much cooler in MI and even cooler in East Tawas! It was 57 degrees this morning, definitely not the type of weather I want to jump in the lake in. I waited for it to warm up to the mid-60s before even heading out for my run, and I am opting for a pool swim here shortly. While we were up north we were able to enjoy some great time at the beach (yes, Michigan has great beaches), in downtown East Tawas and at our cabin. We got a 1000 piece puzzle to do in the evenings and it was addicting. We had it finished in 2 days and it reminded me of all the time I spent doing puzzles during my last year at GSU with my roommate! I wish I had that kind of time to do puzzles during school still, now I get to do puzzles in the form of "Where's the Lesion?" or "Is it a Musculoskeletal, Antalgic, or Neurologic impairment?" We were able to try a new restaurant in East Tawas that served of some pretty darn good Mexican food! On our way home we stopped at A&W for the class rootbeer float for old times sake! They were absolutely delicious as they always have been.

During a run around Lake Orion on Monday morning I ran into Dan, a PT from HealthQuest. We chatted for 10 minutes and talked about his first clinical experiences and jobs. It's good to hear that there is hope even if some of your experiences are less than great. We have been receiving information from our clinical sites for the fall. While I am less than thrilled to be at a nursing home, I am grateful that if I only have to be in a nursing home 5 times during my entire career it will be worth it. Also we get to wear scrubs so it can't be that bad. The site has about 10 different extra processes we have to go through in order to be cleared to work with patients there. I've completed about 2 of them - they aren't exactly what I wanted to spend my vacation doing.

Charlie Jo and I are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our brother tomorrow! He'll be home with us for a couple days before we drive back to DC together on Sunday. We are planning on going to a high school football game, Lake Orion vs. Oxford, the first time the 2 teams have played in 27 years! I am getting eager to get back to DC and my comfortable bed and warmer weather. I noticed this morning it was pitch black at 6:15 am, which is the time I had been waking up to run and swim during school. It should be interesting heading back and seeing how I can schedule my workouts during my day. And now seems like a perfect time to hit the pool!

Cool treat from the A&W on the way home from up north! Bringing back the old times!

East Tawas night time entertainment - 1000 pieces of pure coke.

Charlie and I at the easement by the cabin.

Tawas Point State Park Beach!

Get Away, to Where the Boat Leaves From

3 Semesters down, 4 to go! That's right I'm almost halfway done with grad school, I only have 2 semesters left in the grand classrooms of the GWU hospital. Our program so thoughtfully provided us with a 2.5 weeks break between the summer and fall semesters. I am taking the well deserved time off to spend time at home and summer time in northern Michigan! In less than 1 year I will begin my full time clinicals - this the question becomes where will I be? I change my mind on this everyday! Stay in DC, move back to Michigan or explore another part of the country, preferably the west - only time will tell.

My break so far has been great. I've gotten some good triathlon training in, hitting up Lake Orion for open water, biking, and running around the Loop. I was able to watch the GSU Women's Soccer Exhibition game on the internet. I can't believe I only played with 5 of the girls currently on the team and it's even harder to believe that 5 years ago I was playing my first year of college soccer. The next day I started cleaning my room and came across all my old cleats, summer training manuals, and posters. Thus I was motivated to go and do a summer workout from the book! It was great and really made me realize, I'd rather be playing soccer then going to school.

Over the past year it has been hard to continue to play soccer at much of a competitive level. I've resorted to playing on an adult co-ed team which has been a lot of fun. In order to get my competitiveness out I have begun training and competing in triathlons. I have competed in 3 sprint distance triathlons so far. My focus has now turned to September 12th and my first Olympic Distance Tri. It will be a new challenge, but one that I am excited to take on in preparation for a Half-Iron Man next year.

The summer semester in DC didn't feel like much of a summer at all. School all day everyday mixed with tri workouts in the AM and PM. I am so thankful for the awesome classmates I have that make every day a new and interesting experience up there on the 6th floor! I am also so grateful to have some of the best friends from Michigan ever! Last Wednesday right after I got back to town I was able to go out to Sagebrush to catch up with them and then last night enjoy a night out at the Zac Brown Band concert (w/ surprise guest Kid Rock)! It is finally beginning to feel like summer! The biggest challenge of being home has been balancing my training, since I have all day to train I have ended up doing multiple sessions/day and ending up very sore. My first attempt at wakeboarding the other day has not helped in the soreness.

I am enjoying summertime in Northern Michigan with my dad and Charlie Jo Dog, we are welcoming mom home on Saturday after the Woodward Dream Cruise! Heading up to the cabin at Lake Huron in East Tawas on Monday. I should be able to get some great training in up north. Spending the final weekend of the summer with Rory at home as well! Then the road trip back to DC to start the fall semester...what a summer break!

**When you finally lose yourself, that's when you'll find a new paradise**