Thank You Notes:How things go wrong... and how to make them go right

 A list of Thank you cards accumulate after a bridal shower...

 

and though you TRULY are grateful...it is a tidbit overwhelming..... 

This is my thank you note story....well thus far a least!

    I had my first bridal shower over my spring break week. It was a good introduction to the wedding event season that was beginning...(three months prior to the upcoming nuptials). It was a lovely shower with all my college and high school girlfriend. We rented a beach house and had a shower and bachleorette weekend! It was wonderful to see all my close friends (9 of whom make up the bridesmaids)...and I had a blast. 

   Saturday morning we had the bridal shower, and it was ADORABLE...we played silly games, and such....and of course I got WONDERFUL PRESENTS....

                      

That set of thank you cards was really easy....as they were my BEST FRIENDS....I could write whatever I wanted and I knew they would be fine with it and LOVE whatever I wrote.... and the best part...I had the rest of spring break with nothing to do but write these 20-25 thank you cards!!

   

     Then...on to the next bridal shower, and where I started to make mistakes!! (oops!)

       

        The Next bridal shower was in my hometown...let's call in Smallville South Carolina.... and it was thrown by eleven of wonderful ladies and gentlemen that went to my church/ were the Dr's Wives/ other family friends....and 70 people were invited. This shower was, however, thrown in the middle of my head and neck/ cognition block at school during a weekend that I really needed to be studying....But I had as great time as it was too a wonderful event...let me clarify that I knew one of the three showers I was/am having would have to be during school as there were only sooo many weekends before the wedding...so I did provide this date..because it was earlier in the block.. 

        So this shower was again a wonderful one,be it slightly different from the one when I goofed around with my girlfriends. Again, I was showered with Many Wonderful gifts!! While I was at home, there were also wedding presents being delivered to the house from the various local stores...

When I got home from the shower I complied 2 lists...one of bridal shower presents, and one of wedding presents!! I then asked my mother, if I should just (in my limited time....remember this is during a busy block) write the shower ones for now, and wait the two-three weeks to write the wedding ones after my big test (the one I had yesterday)...no big deal right?? ....oh noo...

       So I wrote them...I looked up online (thank goodness for the internet) polite ways to write thank you cards for hostesses, for guests, for guests who sent presents but couldn't come, for hostesses who could attend, etc...and then I put my one personal touch to them, trying to make each one individual....It was not easy...but I finished in about a week and a half..writing a couple every night during my "study break" to watch my various TV addictions.I mailed all but two of the hostess thank you notes as I didn't have their address on hand, and theirs got mailed about a week later...when I was able to hunt down their addresses..

and do you know what happened next...

1) My mother got a phone call from a lady who asked if the wedding present she sent was lost as the thank you note was only for the shower present and she knew that I had both in my possession

2)Someone else went to my mother and asked if I had Christopher writing the thank you cards as the handwriting was...unlady like...

      Now I spent A GREAT DEAL of time thinking about each and every card, and even writing them...but come on.... Im going to be a doctor and you expect perfect handwriting??!?!  I admit...my handwriting isn't the best..but now I'm just self conscience.. In my defense.. I wrote them after writing notes and study guides all day..I offically have a HUGE bump on the side of my finger from writing so much lately.... Break please...

But the lady who called about the wedding present informed my mother that thank you cards were sent in order of the date recieved, not event, and I truly felt bad....I really appreciated her gits and wanted her to know that....

So...to the point!! (whew...)

I have looked up the CORRECT information on thank you notes so that I know in the future as well as others!!!  *if this is not correct or you know a better way PLEASE let me know...I am trying to do things the right way from here on out... I really appreciate that so many people care about me and I really don't want them to think otherwise!!

THANK YOU NOTES

-Must be sent as early as possible

-Must be personal, handwritten 

-Cannot be pre-printed or typed

-Thank them for the gift as well as thanking for attendance/ regrets for not being able to attend

- Try not to make the card all about you.Don't start with, "I," "me," "my," "we," or "our."
-Try to focus more on the gift giver than the recipient.

Most Importantly!!

It's important not to procrastinate...thank you notes should be sent out no later than two weeks after you get back from your honeymoon (which for me and the lack of honeymoon due to Christopher starting dental school two days after the wedding...is two weeks post wedding....)

AND...If you receive a wedding gift prior to the wedding...send a THANK YOU immediately! Though it is correct to send separate thank you notes for shower presents and wedding presents received at the same time (at least I did something right!)

So now that I know what to do...I get to spend the next two days getting caught up on my thank you notes before classes start again on Monday....Then only three weeks until my next shower....and 35 till the WEDDING!!

Hope you enjoyed!!
<3 A

Post Test...PARTY!

This is quite possibly the best part about medical school...besides the whole helping people bit...

       You get 173 first year medical students who have been learning about the brain for six weeks non-stop...no social life....and then you give them a weekend off...

   WHAT DO YOU GET? A GREAT BASH...

Now this only happens every block... So you learn to enjoy them when you can! This Post Test Party.... is for the Cognition Block....thus the lovely logo!!

The test was hard....but no one will know how hard until they post grades...which they do between midnight and 2 a.m.....coincidentally when the bars close!?! The post test isn't about getting hammered though...(well to some it is...though not purposely.... I find...Med students just can't tolerate alcohol anymore!?!)...but it is a time to SOCIALIZE...to act NORMAL...and yes Drink that BEER you have been yearning for....  O the taste of a beer after six weeks....

Well I'm off...to the Pre-Post Test Party Cook out!!! ( My friend Tracy is a host)

Its MY WEEKEND OFF!! I hope you have a lovely one as well!!

<3 A

From Post Test Numero UNO!

Science Can be Beautiful....

      So..for a short study break I decided to share the beauty that one can find in science. Typically when you think of scientific research you think about nerds in lab coats, beakers, test tubes, piles of paper, and lots of refrence books laying around. And, yes...this is all true (I admit I worked as one of those nerds in a labcoat during college, and it was a wonderful experience), however, there is beauty and art in science as well. Here are some images that result from scientific study, be it immunohistochemistry  or staining prodecures. These images are of tissues that we all have within us...and they are AMAZING...  I hope you Enjoy

 

 

Here's hoping tommorow goes well!

<3 A

Ending on a good note...Farewell Anatomy!!

Yesterday was a late night, but I knew that going into it.....

        I arrived at campus around 8:30 … with books and snacks packed for my long haul at the library to begin. I sat, in my usually seat with my good friends, headphones on, Wicked soundtrack playing rather loudly….desperately trying to get the nuclei and tracts of the brain, brainstem, thalamus, and hypothalamus into my head. Quick break for lunch and the cramming continued. This went on all day with the occasional question to, or from, my friend Tracy and an occasional chat with Chelsey for a moment (both girls being classmates of mine). Around 7, we ordered Chinese food….delivery to the library…yes it is a low point when you get delivery to the library, but hey, Its life!

At nine the tree of us packed our bags and trudged up to the anatomy lab. Now, this for once was an exciting experience because we knew this would be our last time going to the lab to study, as our FINAL anatomy practical was the next day (today).  Three hours later, I called my fiancé’ Chris to come and pick me up. Those three hours were full of quizzing, identifying, and learning every little nerve, muscle, foramen, and mucosa we could find! But we did it!! We got through all the terms we had to know, and felt comfortable.

This morning at TEN AM I went into my last anatomy practical EVER (well hopefully!! knock on wood!!). It was forty pinned anatomy structures (which I felt comfortable with) and 10 neuroanatomy questions (which I think I bombed)…but now it’s onto my next battle…Fridays test….

It’s hard to reach such a monumentous landmark and not be able to celebrate, but rather bring all my belongings back to the freezing library and settle in for another late night…but inside, inside I’m jumping around excited….

Here’s to getting a good night’s sleep eventually!!

<3 Alex

P.S. This was a good study break! Ahh…

Living the week...day by day....(P.S. I dont drink coffee)

               I ran across this lovely cartoon during my "study break" today from my block VI exam week. I think it summarizes this week perfectly (minus the coffee of course...which kinda makes it a little harder!)!! Some of my close friends who are not in medical school seem to think that since I have a whole week to study for a test I shouldn't be stressed. However, I sit at my seat in the library for 9-13 hours a day with a five inch notebook of random information and three or four other "assignments" to complete during the week (like Wednesdays anatomy lab practical that is sneaking up quickly...). I am the epitome of stressed, and to just get away even for just one minute throughout the day to find a cute cartoon, or write a short blog....that is what keeps me sane...

                It's time like these that I have to tell my self..."I love medical school..I love medical school"... and I do love medical school, and I am thankful for the opportunity and for the (future) ability to help others.....but man is it stressful!!

Only two more tests...and I'll be an M2...oh...second year!!

Back to studying for now!!

<3 A

Dog gon CRAZY!

<---- This handsome fella is Tungsten. He turned one year two months ago.

I know.... only four blogs in and he's made three of them. However, In my defense I don't have Children, so Tungsten is pretty much my life, other than my fiance'.. and who could blame me, he is ADORABLE and LOVING and SWEET and...well the list goes on....Now, Tungsten is on a strict schedule, he goes to doggie daycare while I am at school and Chris is at work...yes...there is such thing as doggie daycare. After daycare he comes home eats dinner plays for a while, maybe even a trip to the dog park, and then naptime and bedtime....he REALLY likes to sleep. The point here is that Tungsten lives the good life and likes it that way.

Top: Corona Bottom:Twx

Now I mentioned earlier that I have my parents dogs for the week... Twix and Corona. They are both a few years older than Tungsten, but just as spunky and playful. Today is day four of having all three dogs in my condo, and it's official, dogs truly are just like children. Together for just a little longer than usual and the bickering begins. First, only a couple times and over minor things.."That's my bone, I  don't want to share" and "Quit Hogging the water, I'm thirsty too".Then it begins to escalate..yesterday afternoon tungsten began moving all his toys into the bathroom, and then laying in front of it, as if he were saying.. "I dare you". Then twenty minutes later they were all three running around the house playing fine. ..However last night Twix and Tungsten Got into it, not so bad as I thought they were legitimately going to hurt each other, but bad enough I was worried they were going to smush poor Corona. I can only Imagine what my poor neighbor was thinking...as my two HUGE dogs were snarling, wrestling on the floor, banging into furniture. Thank goodness for Mr. Piggles though, Tungsten's stuffed squeaky pig that he absolutely adores!! Dogs fighting...my first instinct is the squeak Mr. Piggles...and it worked!!! They all came running, panting, and wagging their tails as if there had been no problem!! After the fight we had a little heart to heart..some yelling and "are you crazy!!?!"' may have been involved....but no fights since, or even arguments (knock on wood). I don't think they like to be fussed at. Maybe they've crossed that hump, or maybe like children its just a fight waiting to happen...

Here's hoping we survive the rest of the week without any more major episodes...
or doggie timeout is going to be issued!

<3 A

Wedding Wands...a crafty little "Do It Yourself"

As my wedding approaches, I find myself trying to figure out what more I can do to make it special. Thankfully, since I'm in school, my mother is a very crafty person....and loving, because more often than not my crazy idea that I found in X magizine or Y blog... she makes a reality. Not so say that I dont assist with these endavors, but I probably would not have half as many personal touches for my wedding as I do without my wonderful mother

Soo... Just to name a few things that my mother and I have made:

1) My ring bearer's pillow
2) Both of my garters...so they would match the wedding colors
3) wooden signs for the reception
4) Test tube wedding favors... I am in medical school! (and my fiance' is going to dental school)
5) Embroidered Can Koozies with cheezy wedding sayings...( my mom owns her own shop...so that's really convient)
6) Embroidered totes for the girls
7) A wedding quilt guest book... each guest is going to sign a square of fabric with a permanent fabric pen, then we are going to make a quilt out of it
8) Personalized Candles (See to right)

So...after all this crazyness.. last week I found this AMAZING idea in a blog...

Imagine a bride exiting for that amazing photo op, running to your getaway car/horse and buggy/ golf cart... what do you imagine.. rice? sparklers? bubbles? Well after reading RibbonWands celebration streamer wand tutorial...that is all I could picture.. Now, I am having a large wedding (200+) and couldn't afford ribbon wands for everyone even if I made them. So my thought was to have 20-30 ribbon wands (i.e. the wedding party) and everyone else bubbles... A nice mix, and a change from the everyday expected...at least in South Carolina.

So I emailed my mother.

It just happens that I went home the following weekend. We had a bunch of wedding errands to run, and things to check off the to-do list. Well, MaMa sugested we try to make these wands, she had already read the blog and thought that it explained how to make the wands really well, and she was sure we could do it. So we bought wooden dowels, cut them in half (18 inches long), and bought loads of beautiful ribbon....and the outcome......

24 GORGEOUS ribbon wands!!!

Now, what we did different than the Ribbon Wand blog was to choose ribbon with writing on it for the actual wand. These ribbons say anything from "2011", or "Mr. and Mrs.", to "With this ring". and even a plain "F" (the New last initial!). These cute ribbons are all from the craft store Hobby Lobby, in the scrap booking department. We also put more ribbon on each wand than the blog called for, and that was no easy task either...the eyehooks didn't want to close around the abundance of ribbon. But in the end they turned out beautiful!! I cannot wait to make a grand departure (from the church to the reception of course..) surrounded by my lovely ribbon wands (and bubbles)!!


Here's to the next crafty idea I can find!!
Suggestions welcome!
<3 A

All I do is Study Study Study...and Dogsit?

     So...Its the dreaded test week...which means I, like most first year medical students, sit around eating gross food...while simultaneously trying to cram as much information about cranial nerves and brain nuclei locations into my head.... ie. I'm slowly going crazy.
      To add to the stress its Easter Weekend...So my lovely Fiance', who is not currently in school....he starts dental school in June,  went home to visit his family. My parents decided to go to Jamaica for a vacation before the Wedding.. only 41 more days!!! So this all means two things... 1) I now have three dogs in my condo...two of which weigh more than 65 pounds... and 2).I am alone. trying to study. and having a take care of these dogs.... This has been a truly interesting weekend.. Needles to say.. I cannot wait till I get help!!! o Christopher!!!!!

Anywho... here is a little insight to study week of an M1.

<3 A

A beginning!

I finish my first year of medical school in a few weeks. Throughout this past year, I have been searching for an outlet...medical school can become overwhelming if you allow it.... thus far my outlet has pretty much been planning my upcoming wedding, however, after reading a few friends blogs I have decided to try my hand at it... So here I am.

Here is a little About me.
My name is Alex.
I am in Medical School.
I am engaged to my Best Friend in the Whole world.
I have the best puppy in the whole world!
His name is Tungsten.

So...here's to a new beginning!

<3 A