Let the Residency Begin!


Justin and I have officially moved to La Crosse, WI!  We arrived (with much help from our wonderful parents) on Saturday and moved most of our belongings into our apartment that evening.  We settled things in a bit on Sunday and then promptly left for a 4 day trip to Custer, South Dakota.  The trip was a combo celebration:  2 year anniversary (today!), 2 graduations, and the beginning of residency.  Exciting stuff!

Our first day we drove 11 hours to Custer, SD, arriving around 7 pm.  After checking into our hotel we took advantage of the hotel hot-tub and fell asleep after vegging in front of the TV.

The next morning we discovered that we had neglected to find and bring an inhaler for Justin amidst the moving rubble… oops!  We made a few pharmacy phone calls, picked up the inhaler, and were on our way to a full day of hiking!  We spent our time in Custer State Park, beginning with Harney Peak and finishing with Little Devil’s Tower.  It took us about 7 hours to finish the hikes, but they were BEAUTIFUL!  You can see some pics here We finished the day with a few more hot tub soaks and then a nice dinner outside at Sylvan Lake Lodge.  It was a beautiful day - we only wished we could have a few more weeks of days like that!

The third day we slept a wee bit later (apparently our out of shape bodies protested the strenuous exercise ;)) and took on a shorter hike called Sunday Gulch.  Though this trail didn’t boast a stunning vantage point, the trail itself was our favorite.  The gulch descended adjacent to a waterfall so we made our way down the slippery rocks with the welcome assistance of hand rails.  (Thank you park rangers!)  With the weight of our bodies supported almost entirely by our arms, we were able to gingerly pick our way down the ravine.  It was a fantastic hike, but the precarious positions coupled with water at our feet didn’t allow many pictures of our adventure.  You’ll have to take my word for it or go see for yourself!

That evening we visited Mt. Rushmore and stuck around to see the lighting ceremony.  It was a fun time and gave us a new perspective of the monument.  Did you know that they had initially planned to make the sculpture extend beyond the faces and include their shoulders and suit coat/military coat? They ran out of money and the sculptor died so it was “completed” as you see it today.  That factoid left me preoccupied, trying to imagine what it might have looked like.  Either way, it is an impressive feat!

Our last day we woke up a bit earlier and made our way back home.  We made a pit stop at Wall Drug, of course, and then proceeded to Sioux Falls, SD.  We had heard that the falls there were pretty impressive and we were not disappointed!  Definitely a worthwhile stopping point if you’re driving by.  We arrived back to our apartment in its full glory of moving disarray, just in time to crash :)

Now that we’re home, Justin is starting orientation today and I’m continuing to settle in.  I’ll post pictures of our new home once we’re a little more presentable ;)

Let the Residency Begin!

 

Happy St. Matchrick’s Day!


CUE “DOOGIE HOWSER, MD” JOURNAL ENTRY MUSIC

March 17, 2011… Last night I kept waking up with the same recurring dream. Probably 5-6 times in total. Super vivid. It was Match Day 2011, and I had just been given my white envelope with instructions that would dictate the next three years of my and Tamara’s life. Each time I opened it, the words “La Crosse” stood forth. The dream happened so many times, that in the morning I had to take a few minutes to be certain I knew what day it was (Did I already open the envelope or not?).

The morning progressed s-l-o-w-l-y; as I felt the nervous ball in my stomach grow, it felt like 10:30am would never arrive. The best way I can describe the feeling is like the morning before an exam; you’ve studied all you can, now you just have to wait until 10:30 before you can take the exam. Luckily, I was just opening an envelope!

A few names were called off, people turned in their dollar in order to get their envelope. Some cried, some jumped for joy. Then in his best “announcer” voice, Dr. Holloway called out “Juussss-tinnnnn Schwwaaaaaall-beeeee”. It felt just like another iteration of my dream. Thankfully, this time it was no different! I opened the envelope and forced myself to read and re-read the words “La Crosse” at least three times.. and then because I still wasn’t sure, I made my mom read the words as verification! Wahoo!

I’m thankful my mom was able to be there to cheer me on and hold the iPhone so that Tamara could participate from Indiana (in video format), thanks to the wonders of Skype.

Justin divines the contents

Justin divines the contents

Tamara watches on..

Tamara watches on..

Justin Schwalbe on Match Day 2011

Justin Schwalbe on Match Day 2011

 


Justin and I had the blessed occasion of several “snow” days due to the large ice storm that came through. We had each recently finished an extremely busy season with rotations (70+ hours per week) so it was sorely needed! I have to admit that I could happily accept a few more days of relaxation, but Justin was getting a bit stir crazy after 3 days straight in our little apartment :)

And in other news (since we’ve been slacking on the updates), Justin and I are nearing graduation and beginning to plan for our next step. We’re still not sure where we’ll be beginning in June, but we’re leaning toward La Crosse. I’m working on job searching and Justin just submitted his residency rank list today. We’re anxious to see what God has in store for us - we’ll know more on March 17!

Justin and I have both passed part 2 of boards (Justin had a second part of part 2 - don’t ask me why it wouldn’t be considered part 3 - that he just recently found out that he passed) so we’re moving on to the final stages of our doctorates. I’ve just begun a new rotation in Indianapolis and Justin was able to arrange an ophthalmology rotation down here as well. I’m so thankful that we are able to have one more month together before our final 2 month separation!

It’s time for bed in preparation for our last day of a short week :D Thank you, ice storm!!

 

Justin Passed Boards Part 2!!!


I wanted to make a quick update about a very noteworthy accomplishment: Justin passed his boards test with flying colors! I’m so excited for him and proud! He worked really hard studying for it and it paid off. :)
(And I’m stealing a quick break from my own boards studying so I better get back to it before Justin catches me procrastinating ;))

 

a quick studying update


I wanted to put up a quick update about how things are going with my studying.  For all of October I’ve been preparing to take Step 2 (the second part of my Boards exams).  I’m just under one week away from taking it (Oct 28th)!  I’ve studied tons and have been reciting Phil 4:13 (”I can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives me strength.”) over and over throughout the day!  I think in sum I feel more ready for this test than I did for any of my other ones, but I still can’t help but feel nervous given my not-the-best history with these tests.

In light of that, I’d like to share a prayer request!  Would you pray that nervousness would not interfere with me being at my peak performance on this exam?  Also, during my last exam there were lots of distractions (papers shuffling, people talking and walking about), so could you also pray for a quiet test environment and for my ability to tune that other stuff out?

This also marks one of the first months since we were first married that Tamara and I have lived in the same city.  It’s been great.  Beyond great… after enduring choppy video chats and dropped phone calls for so long this is night and day difference.
 

new airline search: hipmunk


Since Tamara and I do a little bit (lotta bit) of airline traveling to see each other, we have used lots of airline search engines.  Today I stumbled on one that is super fast, not full of crappy ads, and doesn’t take a masters degree to understand: hipmunk.com. If you’re needing to buy tickets any time soon, I suggest you check it out!

 

Professional Pics


justin schwalbe professional picture

Justin Schwalbe

Howdy!  Well graduation is looming just around the corner.  I’m busy finishing up my pediatrics rotation and doing lots of things in preparation for applying to various Family Medicine residency programs around the area and beyond (including writing a 1-page personal statement & CV, and obtaining letters of recommendation).  One of the more fun things I got to do recently was go to a photographer and get treated like a movie star.  This guy was lots of fun — I think the hardest thing to do when a camera is pointed my direction is “act natural”, but he was telling jokes and stuff and I had no trouble smiling.  In fact, I was actually trying my darndest to not be laughing out loud while he was snapping away.  Anyhow, here is my “professional picture” — I clean up pretty alright, don’t I? :)

I’m trying to get Tamara to post hers.. She seems reluctant for some reason. Perhaps that reason is because while my photo makes me (an average looking fella) look a little better, it makes her (a super above-average looking girlie) look just a bit above average (so she says).  She might need a little encouragement, feel free to write something in the comments! :) But right now I’m having flashbacks to Peter Pan — “if you believe.. clap!”, so I think this post has to be finished.

 

Assorted pictures of our last year :) Hooray for a beautiful beginning!


Justin and I have been busy enough with rotations/clerkships that we’ve been sadly lacking in posts.  Our apologies! ;) This doesn’t make up for things entirely, but here are a few pictures to tide us over. :)
Pictures of Year 1

The quick update is that we’re trucking along through our final year of being married, while being apart.  (saying that we’re married but separated makes it sound like we’re married, but separated… and that just isn’t even close, thank God!)  I’m almost done with my first rotation and final stay in Bloomington.  Justin is heading down the home stretch in his studies as well.  We’re making it, little by little, and trying to wait patiently as Justin’s locations and plans for residency next year slowly unfold.  We’ll keep you posted ;)

All’s well on the home front!

 

Rite of Passage


I’ve always been amazed when my dad can spout of my mom’s Social Security Number. He’s got a way with numbers that I look upon with envy. Well, tonight, I envy no more. Tamara and I were talking on the phone, and out of the blue, I thought it was due time I memorized her SSN. I’m told that this very ritual is actually a requirement before allowing marriage in many countries!

After a few minutes of guessing, I got it and we have now mutually committed eachother’s social’s to memory. It actually felt weird.. I’ve given it out numerous times, but never before did I memorize someone else’s while aiding in the learning of mine. This may sound silly, but it felt sorta intimate! (You can stop laughing now.)

So, now what? Maybe I’ll go open a bank account, or take out some hefty loans. (For the record, both of ours have the same first number.. A match made in Social Security Heaven!)

 

Spring Break!


Though I’ve officially been on Spring Break for a week and a half already, I’m currently on a shuttle (with wi-fi! spectacular!) to Really start my break! :)

Let me explain.  See, I had to take a life-consuming, excessively long and difficult boards test for optometry school.  I’ve been studying for over two months and took the test over the past two days.  A couple of noteworthy blessings in the mix:  1)  though the test was scheduled to last 16 hours, it really only took me about 9 hours spread over 4 sessions.  2) the weather has been crazy gorgeous!  I didn’t bring my car down to Bloomington with me so I had over a mile walk each way that I made several times a day… but they were some of my favorite parts of the day :)  3)  I missed a lot of questions, but I think I passed, which means I don’t have to stress myself out for the next 2 months as I wait on scores ;).

So back to the shuttle - I’m on my way up to Indy to catch a flight up to Milwaukee where I’ll spend my 4 days of “true break”.  It should be a good time of just relaxing, free and clear, for the first time in what seems like a long while…  *sigh and a smile*  Popular Science issues from last summer, here I come!!!  :D