Reality Check

Today was a sad and very strange day. It was our last official day together before we go our separate ways. It is hard to imagine life any other way than it has been these past three years. We have gone through everything together. We rely on each other and keep each other sane. Of course we will still be in touch, but it is hard to think about life without these six people by my side.

It is also strange because there was no ceremony, no send off. Without some rite of passage, like graduation, it's hard to understand what this day really means. It's like we're all just going on vacation and we'll all be back together again soon. I secretly hope we all end up back in Dallas in a year, but I think it's foolish to assume such a thing. I'm sure this year apart will help prepare us for real life and we'll eventually be okay going our separate ways and getting back together for conferences and such. It's just not something I can really wrap my mind around today.

Luckily, the transition will be gradual. Susan goes first, then Sara, and then Greg and Julia. I am fortunate enough to be placed with Reagan, and Rachel will be close by also. We've been to the pit and back together - more than once - and we'll always have a special kind of bond that only a few people can understand. We are... us.

My week in pictures

Luckily, I have the internet to keep me sane.
The next time I blog I will probably:
1. no longer be a student
2. live in a new house
3. have a new hobby or two
YAY!

Hiking Pictures

Part 2

A man in his eighties reads that hearing loss is rapid at his age so he decides to give his wife, the same age, a test. She is in the kitchen with her back to him so he asks quietly "What’s for lunch darling?" He gets no response. A little worried, he takes two steps nearer. "What’s for lunch darling?" Again she keeps her back to him and does’nt respond. Now he is really worried so he goes right up behind her and asks again, "What’s for lunch darling?" At this she suddenly whirls around and yells "For the third time DARLING we’re having pork chops!!!!!"

Seems an elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years. He went to the audiologist and was able to get a set of hearing aids that allowed him to hear 100%. The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, "Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased you can hear again." To which the gentleman said, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will five times!"

Funny Stories

I love working with old people. They are so fun and often funny. Here are a few jokes to share with you some of the things I experience on a daily basis...

Three old guys are out walking.
First one says, 'Windy, isn't it?'
Second one says, 'No, it's Thursday!'
Third one says, 'So am I. Let's go get a beer.'

A man was telling his neighbor, 'I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost me four thousand dollars, but it's state of the art. It's perfect.'
'Really,' answered the neighbor . 'What kind is it?'
' Twelve thirty.'

Morris, an 82 year-old man, went to the doctor to get a physical.
A few days later, the doctor saw Morris walking down the street with a gorgeous young woman on his arm.
A couple of days later, the doctor spoke to Morris and said, 'You're really doing great, aren't you?'
Morris replied, 'Just doing what you said, Doc: 'Get a hot mamma and be cheerful.''
The doctor said, 'I didn't say that. I said, 'You've got a heart murmur; be careful.'

And a few quotes from actual patients I've seen...

"Now just wait a minute while I get my head oranized."

"One hearing aid is broken and the other's not working."

"Well you can't live forever..... thank goodness!"

Raising dogs

Sadie the Destroyer and Green the Disaster









Here they are pretending to be friends.














Usually, it is more like this...
















No, these are not posed.

So anyway, I've decided that having dogs must be a lot like having kids.

Here's why:

If they get too rowdy inside, you can always:
a) force them to play outside
b) take them to the park, or
c) drive around in the car in hopes that they'll pass out in the back seat.

I am constantly cleaning up spills and messes.

They cannot go to the bathroom without my help.

If you stop paying attention to them for long enough, they will surely get themselves into trouble in the meantime.

You can never get both of them to look at the camera at the same time, and if you want to take a picture of something they do, you can never get them to do it again for the camera.

They can usually be bribed with treats.

It takes lots of discipline, consistency, and repetition to train them to listen and obey.

But in the end, they are fun and rewarding to have around...most of the time...