Wednesdays possible

There is a distinct possibility that I will get to follow around a pediatric gastro-enterology doctor at Georgetown Hospital. I am super excited since that is the exact field that I am thinking of entering (at least this month). Cross your fingers and pray that this will work out long term with my job. Which has not materialized yet. Still waiting for the department of Homeland Security (hereafter known as "the man" or DHS) to get on the ball and determine that I am not : A) dead, B) a major felon, C) linked to the international network of unsavory people. Needless to say, this is a tremendous undertaking considering my super sketchy past (haha). Pray that this moves a little more swiftly. I would like to pay next months rent.

On a distinctly fabulous note, today I bought the America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Cookbook. I am very excited, even though some of the recipes are repeats of the ones in my other complete family cookbook. I can thoroughly recommend the original (its red). It is the best replacement to Betty Crocker's or Better Homes and Garden's ever found. Every recipe is a guaranteed hit and even has pictures and complete explanations that go from simple to extensive, great for the experienced or the never initiated cook. I can't recommend this enough.

Pamela and I's good day

With some mild unrest later in the evening. Not to be entered into here. Just trying to settle it all out. My stomach, my mind, my political opinions, my relationships. Whenever there is a small question it opens up a large questions on every topic in my mind. Why can't I just stop thinking sometimes. . . .

And for those of you in my life who have belabored and abhored my indecisiveness, today I was give example that I may have become too decisive, in the not best way. I really wanted to paint the walls of my apartment. As luck would have it there are now complete samples of colors from different selection which allow you to try out and buy without completely sinking money into it. I tried it on my bedroom wall. The pleasant calming green with gray hint which I had hope to convince Samantha to use through out the apartment is now a disgusting seafoam on my wall where nothing else resides. As soon as it dries I will be covering it with a poster. And later another attempt at paint, possibly in a nice neutral tone . .  . like cream.

I promise to post my pictures from forever ago and today. Just seems to take some work. And its closing in on 1 am. So I ought to probably sleep now.

Samantha sleeps

Samantha is sleeping through Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic Nantional Conference. Even if you don't like him, it is a completely rousing and inspiring. But apparently not inspiring enough to keep my political science major roommate awake.

Yes, it has been a while since I posted. And much has happened. I will give a more lengthy update soon, but I am well. No, I don't have an idea about what I got on my MCAT. And yes, I do have a job, hopefully starting sooner rather than later. And yes I have some really wonderful pictures from lengthy time in Seattle including a wonderful hike on Mt. Ranier that was fantastic! I can't wait to do it again.

Tomorrow mornings MCAT

I took a practice one today. It went so well that I don't trust the results at all. More practice tests I take, the more I am beginning to believe that there is an element of luck this test. My results have varied between a range of 9 points and while all were good numbers, how can you trust a standardized test that varies that much with the exact same test taker?

Pray and cross your fingers tomorrow. Whatever you happen to believe it, I will take it all. The only thing I can count on about tomorrow's outcome is that at least the whole thing will be over.

I love cheddar

I love even pretty normal cheddar. Obviously fantastic is better (ex. Tillamook) but I will settle. What I do not love is low fat cheddar. I made the mistake of buying the low fat cheddar cheese sticks from Trader Joe's and have been cursing the $.40 I "saved" ever since. Seriously folks, cheddar is not supposed to taste like plastic. I suppose if I wasn't used to such fine quality cheeses it would be fine. Alas, maybe I am a cheese snob.

Didn't take a single picture

I went to the Spy Museum here in DC yesterday with my little sis from the sorority and two friends of hers who were also from the sorority. I thoroughly enjoyed myself doing both the museum and the "Operation Spy." Warning, however, this is pretty much the only museum in DC with a cover charge, and its steep. 25 bucks for the two parts when bought together. So I probably won't be going there to hang out randomly. But I did learn more about the building that makes of the entire view for every window in the apartment. Apparently when the Soviets were building this new embassy compound here in Glover Park, the Americans were equally busy making sure the whole thing was bugged everywhere. The Russians got rid of some and others didn't find for quite a while. And there is a rumored tunnel somewhere from one of the nearby houses going under the embassy to listen in, though that is unconfirmed yet.

The bummer of the experience is that I completely forgot to take my camera so I missed out on pictures of anything there or later when we adjourned to McCormick and Schmidt after stopping in the National Portrait Gallery (which was AMAZING! I love Thomas Hart Benton and Catlin and early 19th century American furniture). Samantha met up with us at the restaurant where we bought out the really cheap happy hour deals, ordering one of at least half the menu and sharing all around. Though portions were small, we were all filled. But may I completely reccommend this happy hour. For $1.95 you get a half pound burger and fries. It was AWESOME! That was not small, so it offset the shrimp creviche which tasted excellent but consisted of only four battered shrimp. Total. I must admit to being eager to return for the burger and a taste of one of the few things on the menu we didn't try, bacon and cheddar taters.

Megan and her visitors returned briefly to Baltimore then came back to stay with me and Sam last night. I really enjoyed having visitors, despite the mess of the apartment and I think they enjoyed staying here.

This morning, despite getting little sleep, the visiting crew left for Virginia Beach and shortly there after Samantha informed me I was not going to be catching up on my sleep but joining her for her school's picnic. Social situations with absolutely no one I know are not completely my strong point, but I think Samantha was glad I was there for the first part and I really enjoyed seeing everyone, children, parents and teachers interacting. It was very joyful and relaxed. And man were the little ones, some only in pre-kindergarten, awfully cute. I would have loved to hang out with some of them for a little while, but they were all going a million miles a minute, jumping on the moon bounce, running through the obstacle course and sliding the huge blow-up slide to the bottom. Reminds me of my Declan who is not so little at all, but still so gosh darn cute!

Robin's wedding and me!

This is from Robin's wedding photos. I thought it was interesting.

Riding in the rain

When I left Georgetown from class, it was drizzling heavily. I tried walking and talking on my cell with my umbrella up and leading my bike. Unfortunately I was at least 1 hand short for that, so it didn't last very long. I decided the best thing to do would be ride my bike home. Faster so it might have worked to keep me less wet. I arrived home completely sopped, but I throughly enjoyed it. It felt fantastic to be completely soaking as I powered up the hill home. I can sincerely reccomend it. For a short journey anyway!

The doctor says I am not sick enough. . .

When I woke up this morning with pain in both ears in addition to the other sick, I decided that maybe a trip to the doctor could be warranted. Guess what he told me to do? Wait! For the length I was thinking (until around Friday) then if not getting better start taking the prescription he gave me. I could have done that! Geez louise! At least he didn't make me come back in again to write it. I only have to come back if I don't get better after the antibiotics. The bummer is if the whole thing is viral, the antibiotics won't help anyway! Cross your fingers and pray.

The cold optimist

Since I have had a sore throat for almost a week I thought that when to whole thing developed into an actual cold/sinus infection this weekend, the whole thing would end quickly. Obviously. This morning I was proven completely wrong. Well, we can only hope for the best. Ironically from the girl who is constantly trying to talk all her doctor-phobic friends into going to see the doctor more often, I keep trying to get away with letting the cold incubate and end on its own. I firmly believe in letting the immune system fight (when its reasonable) and not over using antibiotics... however it may be coming to that time.

On other notes, Samantha finally started "teaching" yesterday (actually only observed) and met her kids. I asked her how she felt about it, whether she thought they would be a good bunch. She is still crossing her fingers. After all, every class, even the terrifying ones, start out being good.

No, I didn't fall into a hole

I just have spent the last few days moving alot of stuff and keeping up with my MCAT class. Needless to say, not having internet at Samantha and I's apartment really bites. I miss being available and online most all the time. Especially to get distracted and play silly games. Though moving in to a new apartment is just as distracting, I must admit. Today I sorted out a huge chunk of the kitchen, trying to find room for Sam and my stuff. Which shouldn't be a problem . . . .but apparently not only do we both like to cook (and have the stuff to prove it), I love to buy food, even when I take a while to go through it. Luckily for me it doesn't have to be the eating (although I love to eat!). I just really like grocery shopping too. Urg. Canned goods have not yet found a home in the kitchen. Its getting a bit squeezy for sure!

As soon as I actually remember my own address (its new, ok) I will send out an email with that so you can send lovely housewarming cards or just consent to look at the pictures online, which I will be so excited to share soon.

On a happy note, I end. MCAT prep is going really, really well. My practice test on Saturday went swimmingly and I am really pleased with the strides I have been making for sure. Now if I can continue and completely blow them out of the water!

I wish I had forgotten longer. . .

After a day yesterday of stomach revolt, today I played it close, trying to rest and sleep and eat nothing. I still don't know what set off a truly uncomfortable episode, and while the nausea seemed gone today I still didn't feel up to par stomach wise. Even just drinking full glasses of liquid was beyond me. But I did make it out of the house for a brief period and managed to eat a bowl of soup, which is 1 meal more than yesterday. The knots in my muscles are less than appreciated and lend weight to the theory that the whole thing can be laid at a virus's door. Thank the Lord that the body is capable of healing, even when its not as fast as one would like.

Which leads me tomorrow, which I was hoping to take to lay low in preparation for Sunday in New York, moving Samantha and her ridiculous multitude of books down to DC. Fortunately (/unfortunately) I just realized I am taking another practice MCAT tomorrow. Great news for later. Sucks right now. Pray for recuperative sleep and a stomach that doesn't feel completely unglued tomorrow.

New apartment pictures, the quick and the dirty.

A new kitchen, with new appliances (including a cabinet mounted microwave and dishwasher, what luxury!). The apartment building is old, with wood floors, and lots of space. I will definitely need to bring some color and life to my room, which is much less light than my old studio, but the living room and dining nook are quite light filled. But I definitely see lots of up lamps moving in after I get a secured income (still working the post-mcat job aspect). Pray that I would find something that would keep me comfortably and still be enjoyable.

And now. . .

Samantha and I found an apartment this weekend. I really like the look of it all. The location is near my old apartment, but off of Wisconsin Ave. The view can't compare but hey, the back side of the Russian Embassy can't be all bad, can it? Suprisingly the rent was the most reasonable for the any area we actually wanted to live. I did find something cheaper, but Samantha refused to get out of the car to look at it. So we decided it might not work to live there.

Here on the pictures and a videos will follow.


Ok, this is not our view, but it is a pretty cool part of DC Chinatown.

And this also isn't our view, but I did enjoy reminding myself of some of the completely amazing things about living in DC.

This is our view, or part of it and while not as completely awesome as the first two, or even my old view, it is still a pretty acceptable. Samantha preferred the ground floor retaining wall view, but I vetoed that.

And if this view from the apartment isn't good enough for you, at least think, at least it isn't this view. My feet are functional and great. But the tan line hardly adds the necessary je n'ai sais quoi. After an arduous weekend of hunting apartments, we drove out to Chain Bridge and the Potomac Gorge (I will take pictures next time, I promise). Then we returned to the District and parked to join the Smithsonian Folklife festival, which unfortunately starts this week, not this weekend. What we completely missed was the HUGE, HUGE Capital Cookoff that was going on North of the Mall, with large sections of Pennsylvania avenue closed off. I was bummed to have settled for a brownie in the sculpture garden, but I did get to dip my feet in the fountain!

Return to MCAT's tomorrow!

Those moments

Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.
- Kurt Vonnegut

When stress shouldn't be a problem but apparently rules your life? Yuck. I lost my keys today. I found them again too, but for an hour fear ran my stomach. Its ridiculous. All the keys were replaceable. But I was still driving myself nuts. Thank the Lord that the car rental place had them from yesterday. I guess I was so focused on leaving and getting away from the sketchy 5 foot tall high pressure sales guy that I just booked it out of there. All worked out to everyone's satisfaction.

MCAT study continues. I went to Georgetown for class last night instead of Howard and found the smaller class size incredibly helpful. It really increased the interaction available. It will foul up my time schedule a bit in taking the test, but I think I will learn and remember more. The class is older as a whole, so I am thinking that will help as well. More my peer age group.

Samantha is coming down this weekend to look at apartments since she received a job offer this week. I think she is pleased about moving down here, but this job sound high stress. Another teaching job. Hopefully we will all survive. Moving in with her will definitely save us both moving for long term living and make commuting easier for me, but I will miss the family interaction and discount living I am getting at Hope's. Cross your fingers and pray (which ever you do) and hope that this living situation, everything life-related, is the right decision. I still have lots of nerves. Yuck, again.

There's something about the Blommer

The science library at GU, that is. It just makes me want to write! Most obviously about myself and anything else I can think of. However today I actually have news and fun stories to tell!

Starting with yesterday. I went on an interview with my cousin Hope's company. It went really well. I enjoyed meeting the different company recruiters and dressing up to look the part. Office attire is so fun. The interview process lasted two and a half hours, though it was fairly free form, so its not like I was being grilled under lamps for that long. Although there was brief mention of finding salt and pepper.

By that time, I needed to catch a bus into town (it was in Mclean) and make the switch so Hope could have a car to come home in. I arrived barely ontime to my first MCAT prep course (ExamKrackers) and found out no the class or teacher. I hung out talking to another kid waiting, a 5th year senior from University of Missouri named Osa. After the interview, I was primed to make friends and connections with strangers.

The class, unfortunately, which was to have started at 2pm had been moved to 6pm. This was something I had been trying to avoid because it made commuting out to Dulles area of northern Virginia impossible. But I stuck around the District, shopped Marshall's and Target at Columbia Heights and ended up with a really cute pair of shoes, which placed different blisters on my feet than the ones I was wearing. It thundered and lightening royally and had started to spit rain about the time I moved from eating a sub for lunch to drinking Starbucks coffee (grande skinny vanilla, as always).

The torrents of sheeting rain had tapered to a soaking pour by the time I left to catch the Metro back to campus. But the walk to the Howard campus was several blocks. Even though I had time, I decided not to wait for the bus. I was going to enjoy the rain. Even though my glasses were impenetrable from rain drops and my nice ironed shirt (lets face it, it had already been had!) was completely soaked. I was very thankful I had worn a small cami underneath, since I would a been showing more than I am normally comfortable with! I had no hope of arriving anything less than looking like a drowned rat, when a Prius stopped at the curb and the man inside rolled down the window. I was a little sketched out until an umbrella was outstretched. I laughed and said, "you feel that bad for me? Thank you so much." I think I heard a "your welcome" from the car as it immediately pulled away from the curb, the window not even beginning to roll up yet. It was a wonderful thing to do and made my day. Probably even my week.

The class turns out to have been a sponsored one for Howard University students, so there were only three of us who did "belong." It also meant we were the three who had paid the most for the course! But though I think pretty much everything I learn in the class will be redundant, the repetition is exactly what I need to totally kick the MCAT out of the park, which I feel is a real possibility.

Class ran long. I ended leaving before it was done. I am guessing it continued for at least 20 more minutes. I had a bus to catch that left L'Enfant Plaza at 10:38, which I hadn't anticipated being problematic. Well, it was. Trains take longer at night. And guess what? The exit to the correct corner (D and 7th) was completely closed. When I left the Metro station the clock said 10:35pm. I started running up the escalator. And thought I had had gotten lost in a mall or something. Luckily I chucked my pride and asked for directions from a security guard right there because even after running down the block (in heels with blisters no less) I just barely made the bus. They were about to pull out. Since it was the last bus of the night, and it already arrived at 11:30 pm, I was completely sunk for public transportation if I missed it. Praise the Lord, I made it. It made for a long day, pretty rough. And I can't express my thanks to Hope enough for staying awake and about long enough to come get me at the bus stop, especially since she had to be up early this morning to leave for another round of work.

Thank you, Hope. For the many helps.

Lastly, a funny story from my best friend, who suffers through the trials and tribulations of being a middle school teacher in the Bronx for only 11 more days of school. Two years over with. Maybe they were well spent. I know you sure feel spent. So during the course of staff meeting with all the teachers, her principal notes that "she helps out with all the children on all 8 continents." For those of you not perfectly remembering your fifth grade geography and counting slowly in your mind (as I did) making certain that what just sounds wrong actually is wrong. There are 7 continents, and she is probably only involved with helping children on the 6 inhabited ones. Apparently now the teachers at the school talk about the outreach to penguin children.

TMI to totally nothing . . .

Yes, just focusing on MCAT prep, living at my cousin Hope's, and not being required to constantly check assignments online has moved me from telling everyone, everything, all the time to nothing, rarely and never. Its not all entire intentional. I have been puttering around with few terribly exciting developments. I started taking practice MCATs. My first today went entirely well and I have 5 more practice ones to go, so its all only going up! I hoping that my amazing, fantastic unbelievable score will carry me easily through admissions, although I am not holding my breath for that. I start seriously ear marking my AAMC book which lists schools and with various pertinent information. I am excited beyond belief but prayerful. In an admissions environment which keeps saying that they are not relying as heavily on MCATs, I am hoping for a more in that direction, even! Oy.

That's pretty much my life right now, along with applying for jobs. I am interviewing on Monday, but the position is entirely non-medical, which is an obvious drawback. Pray and hope that something wonderful will come along here soon. I have a little bit of breathing room for studying thanks to my parents (wonderful parents!) gently encouraging me and backing me up for it.

Family life around the Benitez-Murphy-Everheart "clan" has had some ups and downs recently. My cousin's son graduated from high school today, the first of the younger generation. Payton and Hailey (another part of my "cousin's-children" generation, and my generous house sharers at the moment) have just about finished the regular soccer season. Though Hope has the joy tomorrow of sharing her wedding anniversary with Father's day and one last soccer tournament day. Hailey has been off and on sick, however, for the last two weeks and capped off today's long but successfully rainy day by a round of stomach upset. All five who live in this house pray that this bug remains quarantined and short.

Ok, now that is pretty much my life. Although I do have the joy of extending congratulations next Saturday to a long time friend getting married. And perhaps more importantly (just kidding) she is moving in the DC area. That makes two new DC additions. Hurrah for recruiting people to the crazy weather, pretty but weird DC.

In the midst of storm there is a rainbow

This does no justice to the weather yesterday. I biked to Dulles airport from Hope's to catch a bus into the district. Shortly after everyone got on the bus, the rain started sheeting down. At one point all the cars on the toll way were pulled off because visibility was so bad. Several tornadoes touched down in the area and many areas were without power last night. I waited for almost an hour and a half for the bus as the line of customers lengthened. The orange metro line which runs west lost electrical power between two key commuter stations. Though they promised to shuttle passengers, one bus rider said the scene was chaos and that there were thousands milling around waiting for the shuttles. That made the bus line to the airport which also services the Herndon Monroe Park and Ride an easier, if not faster, way home for many who live out in the boonies near Dulles (sorry, guys, it really is far out here! Not saying its not pretty!) When we finally waded through traffic, the rain again started up. My brilliant plan to bike home again was foiled. Thankfully Hope came to pick me up. We stopped at Wegmann's for dinner where this rainbow shot was taken. Quite pretty, yes?