Boards Hiatus

(haha, I had to post this... found this in my blog post drafts...  Update: I passed.)

Thank you for coming along on this journey through my first two years in Pittsburgh.  Unfortunately, I have reached the point in school where I must prepare for my USMLE Step 1, which is known as our first Board exam.  I started studying in February, and will take my exam on April 22nd.  My new best friends have become coffee (well I guess that isn't new) and my trusty First Aid (see below).

I want to write to say thank you for the encouragement, and well...

HOLY CRAP WISH ME LUCK!

Love,

Alyce

Look at me, I'm in color!... and full of errors. Doohh.

Madison Weekend

One of our final adventures in the Ertel sistsers' apartment!

MSN Airport with Lyssa!

After our last official class I had a quick weekend trip planned to go back home and visit with family to refresh before the big boards study binge.  I flew back to Madison after class, just in time for my parents and Lyssa to pick me up at the airport.  From there we went to Becca's apartment to freshen up for an important family meeting.  Mom, Dad, and I were contacted by one of Joel's recipients and he was going to be in Madison for a routine post operative check up.  We wrote letters to all of the recipients, and received a few responses, but were delighted to hear when one family wanted to meet.  You can read more about meeting David on Up North At Peace.

 

What a wonderful gift and story...

Our families united by our bond with Joel - another sign of comfort from above.

 

Curty & Deb join into the roomie party - they were a big Kendall factor!

After meeting, Mom, Dad, and I sat down to talk and waited for friends to come over from Becca's apartment.  It was a regular Kendall Ave reunion!  We all gathered at the Great Dane to start the night until Curty and Deb went to visit the Helberg's just outside of Madtown.  After they took off, we decided to take the rest of the crew to the Essen Haus and finish with some wild polka!  We finished the night we a generous tip to the polka band and spent one of our last nights in Beccas apartment!

The next day, we made our way home and spent Saturday and Sunday in Seymour which was a nice break, and I was able to catch up with my Grandparents.  After my quick break, it was back to Pittsburgh to start in with hard core USMLE Step One studying...  Definitely worth it.

Lindsi, Jeanne, Stacey, Sarah Nahnsense, Lyssa, Me, Becca, and Emm!