Camel Ride at the Cleveland Zoo

Grizzly Bears, friendly as always.

Momma and little one at the Cleveland Zoo

The tiny deer with peg feet... good traction. Not.

Giraffe and a half.

The second day we had in Cleveland, we decided to chance the rainy morning and head to the Cleveland Zoo!   We stopped for some sandwiches and soda, because the zoo allowed carry ins, our favorite way to save a few dollars.  We started at the zoo and saw some amazing animals!

Paul consoling the monkey.

Mr. TMJ.  How does he chew side to side?

Paul is taller than baby giraffes. Shortly after, someone asked if he played basketball...

We loved the zoo, apparently we're big fans of seeing all of the exhibits and all of the different animals.  We walked around the entire zoo and appreciated all of the "wild"life they had to offer.  Paul got a good kick out of the camels, and I loved the flamingos.

While wandering around the zoo, we stumbled into the children's area where you could pet the sheep or... ride a camel!  The line wasn't too long, only three 4 year old children were ahead of me.  I grabbed a ticket for a quick camel ride.  Sure beats the Shetland ponies that are at the New Zoo in Green Bay!  It was hilarious!  I jumped onto the big camels back and Paul was snapping pictures like a proud dad.

Ready to tame the camel... Yahh, giddy up!

There's one thing for sure though, we definitely always go to the zoo for the orangutangs! We took the hike to the monkey house and saw some interesting monkey species!  We spend some extra time near the gorrillas and orangutangs because they are just so darn entertaining!

I could almost pet this fierce symbol of 'MERICA!

That evening, we went out for a nice dinner and relaxed during our last few hours in the Cleveland.  It was an excellent day, and we were so happy we decided to spend it at the zoo.

The sloth was on the move, slowly of course.

This goes out to Em and Sarah - Breastmilk.

The pacing Otter was one of the last friends we saw at the zoo.

The weekend in Cleveland was a nice little getaway after my first big exam.  After our weekend away, it was back to the books for the next few weeks to keep up with the pace of Cardio!

Cleveland Getaway!

Great Lakes Brewery for lunch and a cheap haircut for dessert...

After my first big cardio exam of the year, Paul and I planned a weekend to get away.  We weren't really sure where to go at first, but we settled on taking a quick weekend trip to Cleveland!  We started out the weekend with a campfire at Duerrs - which was a classic Friday night.  Oh, how I've missed the smell and the memorizing flames of campfires!  After a few mallows we headed home to get some sleep before our Cleveland adventure!

Paul with his pretzel bun burger and excellent BBQ glaze!

Saturday morning we made our way to Cleveland and our first stop was down by the Great Lakes Brewery!  We parked and went to the fresh market in the area before getting a seat only a few minutes after Great Lakes Brewery opened for lunch.  The food was excellent and the bar and outdoor seating was the perfect relaxing atmosphere!

Fresh fruit in the Cleveland market.

Mr. Iguana

After our lunch, we walked around the area and Paul signed up to get his hair cut at a local barber across the road from Great Lakes Brewery.  We knew it was going to be a little bit of a gamble, and we decide that for $4 it was worth it.  Paul came out of the barber shop looking like a new military man with a short, short crew cut.  He even had some blade action on the back of his neck for the taper!  Impressive....

Beautiful tropical succulents

Orchids, why aren't my mine growing like this?

Before checking into the hotel that evening we decided to check out the Cleveland Botanical Garden which is conveniently located right by the Case Western campus.  It was a good way to see some of the city before taking a stroll in the excellent greenery of the gardens.  The Botanical Garden was quite large, and really beautiful.  Paul was able to get up and close with an iguana - new friends. 

We made our way out of town to check into the Hotel to relax for the evening. Paul found an excellent deal at an Embassy Suite, so we felt that we were living in luxury.  We checked out the pool and watched movies.  Paul scored some complimentary internet for his NFL Fantasy football draft from our highly rated attendant at the front desk!  Thank you!  First day in Cleveland was a success!

Scenic walk in the Cleveland Botanical Garden!

Cardio Raises the Roof

Me and Puru taking in the sunshine!

After getting our butts handed to us on the first Cardiology exam, we had the opportunity to spend some time on Taylor's roof and enjoy the view of the city.  I had an applicant staying with me from Wisconsin, and we thought it would only be fitting to sponsor brats for dinner!  We brought over a slow cooker and brought them to a boil with a fine Pittsburgh beer.  They smelled delish.

 

We also had an ice cream cake that had "Eric + Taylor"... too adorable.  There were some competitive games of bags/corn hole to be had.  It was relaxing and we couldn't have asked for better weather.  I have this weird feeling that the next cardio exam we'll also need a gathering to help us lick our wounds and take in a breath of fresh air...

Little bright there boys?

Pug Adventures

Look at those eyes - they'll stare into your soul.

This all started when I accidentally saw one of Paul's emails asking for someone to dog sit.  I clicked it out of curiosity only to find the most adorable photo of a small pug attached to it.  I immediately asked Paul to see if we could volunteer to pug sit.


Many of you who know me must think I'm out of my mind because I'm not the biggest animal lover, and I'm not really a fan of house pets in general, but the adorable picture caught my attention, and sure enough, a pug by the name of Gus was delivered to our house for us to watch for a few days.  I liked to call him "Pug" or "Gus Chiggins" in tribute to one of Will Ferrel's greatest skits as Old Prospector.

It was perfect timing because I didn't have to go to school that much that week and I was cramming for Cardio with my new pug companion.


Adventure #1 - Locked out with Pug
One morning before PBL, I thought it would be nice of me to take Gus out for a quick piddle before I caught the bus.  After a nice pee, I look behind me only to realize that I locked myself out of my apartment entirely.  Yep, I had nothing: no phone, no money, no identification, nothing, just the pug.  I looked down at Gus/Pug only to find that I had two options: (1) Run to see if Anna or Josiah were still home (2) Run with the pug to school.  I starting running as fast as the pug would let me (short legs and hardly able to breath, you understand) only to be stopped by his strength while he was poop-running... it was a mess.  Lucky for my neighbors the only thing I had in my possession was a plastic bag to clean up his do-do.

I arrived at Annas with the pug and Pug and I were both out of breath.  Anna was kind enough to spot me $20 and let me use Josiah's car to get up to school.  I had to leave the pug at her house for an hour or so and I made it to PBL with five minutes to spare. She seriously saved my life (and my cardio grade).

"Ohh, we're locked out? Mmmmm, sucks to be you"

Adventure #2 - Pug and I Survive Bat Attack
Our next adventure occurred the next evening as I went down to take Pug out for his nightly pee.  When going through our entry way, a black object came swooping at my head and I was screaming in the midst of a bat attack.  Pug didn't seem to mind, he just looked at me with those carefree eyes.

I rang the doorbell to try to get Paul's attention who also ended up getting attacked by the bat (sorry Paul).  Paul was yelling from out of our second story window "Don't let it touch you!! The Rabies vaccine is almost $2000 - so EXPENSIVE!"  Good point Paul.  We decided that the only way was to carry Pug up the fire escape and avoid the entry way all together - what a fiasco!  The next morning I heard the loud wack of the broom, a maintenance man saved the day.  Darn BAT!

"Bat attacks aren't so bad, I'm going to bed"

Strangely enough, I enjoyed the time with Pug/Gus.  He brought a lot of interesting personality to the apartment and his snoring made me crack up!   His breath and shedding need a little work - but I loved having the company!   The adventures?... ahh I could probably do without.

Well, until next time Gus Chiggins!

MSTP Retreat 2012

This is why we retreat...  to present our work and go to Bedford Springs!  It was a fun weekend that started with taking our Pharmacology test early and heading over to the poster session to present our work.  It is always fun to see what people are doing and it looked like the first years had a really productive summer!  After the on campus portion was done, we jumped into Josiah's car and made our way to Bedford. 

The first night we had a tribute to Clayton who is stepping down as the director of the MSTP.  It was nice to be able to talk to him a bit at the retreat and to celebrate the many years that he's dedicated to the program.  Also another fun fact, we found out only a few days before that Clayton is from Wisconsin - represent!  I was seriously so thrilled to find out this morsel of knowledge.

Clayton cutting the large cakes with his photo on them!

Josiah, Zims, Taylor, Manjit and Clayton for the cake cutting!

On Saturday we spent most of the morning learning about the state of the program, hearing from graduating senior students and attending break out sessions.  The afternoon was spent trying to catch up on things and to catch a few rays of sunshine.  I caught Taylor heading out to the driving range to shoot a few balls!

There's really nothing more relaxing than an afternoon at Bedford Springs...


Saturday evening we were addressed by our keynote speaker who Hedberg arranged to talk to us.  We heard from Mario Capecchi who won the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work with genetic knockout mice.  He gave an excellent talk and it was such an honor to listen to such an accomplished man.  I had the opportunity to shake his hand and thank him for the talk.  We were also fortunate enough to have breakfast with him the next morning. So neat.

Bedford Springs breakfast, simply delicious.

To wrap this post up, I want to leave you with the saying...

"This is why we retreat"

Officially an MS2, yikes.

Well, there you have it.  I'm officially and MS2.  It's scary how fast our first year went and to think how fast this abbreviated year full of organs is going to go.  With a new year comes new classes and new responsibilities.  This year Zel and I are mentoring a group of MS1s as a part of the FAST program (Faculty And Students Together).  So far we had a great time with them during their orientation week and during our dinner where we were able to meet the faculty advisor.  I always laugh so much when I'm listening to their crazy stories - it's refreshing.

Paul was a wee bit embarrassed from the flash at the fancy restaurant, my bad.

Going for a walk in downtown Pittsburgh after our dinner at the Carlton.

Enjoying the homemade bacon burger

To wrap up the summer and start the new year, I only thought it was appropriate that I thank Paul for the support that he's given me over the last year.  I don't think I would be starting this year of school without him.

Additionally, when I become an MS2, that means Paul also completed a milestone - yep, he's not longer and Intern!  Whoot!  Paul now is a first year anesthesia resident and he's loving every minute of it.  It's so great to see him coming home from work fascinated about his area of care.  I'm so excited for the man.  Nice work Mr. Anderson!

To celebrate the year coming to an end and the new beginning, we went on a few dates.  One was downtown at a fancy restaurant where we didn't necessarily belong, but we brought our coupon and went anyways. We took on a massive curb on accident and we're just thankful that my car survived!  Whoops.

I also decide to finally make Paul some food that included red meat, so I made a gigantic bacon burger with fresh vegetables and guacamole.  A good treat for a growing boy!

Thanks Paul, you're the best.