I got a Nook!

John and I celebrated Christmas last Thursday evening, after a pizza party at his advisor's house that ran a little late and before we left to meet his family in Chicago on Friday...whew!  He got me a Nook!!  I had hinted a little about how nice it would be to have one...I wasn't sure I would like it but then tried his out (he got one for his birthday last summer) and really liked it.  Plus, though I love actually reading books, it's much easier to just carry the little device around than lug a bunch of books around.  Now that he has convinced me to read these HUGE The Wheel of Time books, it definitely made me want a Nook.  Since he loves reading and his Nook so much, he had absolutely no qualms about buying one for me...and he hid it really well too!

Unfortunately for John, I didn't get him anything spectacular this year.  I'm not sure I'll ever top last year's gift...a PS3 that was a complete surprise to him.  But, this year he doesn't really need (or even want) anything that he didn't already ask our families for.  So, I just got him a couple of new Wisconsin shirts, a new wallet, and a book I thought he'd like (and he does)!  Best of all, he's totally fine with whatever...such an easy-going guy I have!  :)

By the way, since I got my Nook, I'm almost halfway through The Shadow Rising, book four in The Wheel of Time...and I'm still loving the series!

Merry Christmas!

John and I are spending the week in Oshkosh with John's family after meeting them in Chicago last weekend.  (I'll post pics of our adventures there once I get back home in January.)  We'll be here for Christmas Eve with John's dad's side of the family and then drive down to Madison (well, Belleville, actually) on Christmas Day to celebrate with my dad's side of the family.  We're going to spend some time with my family in Cochrane next week and then come back to Oshkosh for New Year's Eve and the Rose Bowl (!!) to see our friend Tim and his fiancée.  Fun fun!
  

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas (and a Happy New Year if I don't get back on here before then).  Enjoy!
  

Here's a copy of the photo card and letter we sent out for Christmas this year:

This year was another busy one for us...lots of (school) work, lots of travel, and lots of fun!   Once again, we started out the year by traveling to Idaho with John’s family.  We visited his uncle, aunt, and cousins near Boise and also skied at Sun Valley.  The skiing wasn’t as good as last year but we still had a great time!  

March brought academic accomplishments for both of us...I finished my master’s project and John passed his prelims.  Yay!  Then in May, I graduated with my master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner.  My parents, John’s parents, and Grandma Rohrer celebrated with us in Chicago and Champaign.  To top off the celebration, John and I went on a Caribbean cruise with our friends Mark and KJ Davey and others.  We went zip lining in Cozumel, cave tubing in Belize, snorkeling in Isla Roatan, and dancing (and drinking) at Margaritaville in Grand Cayman.  It was such a fun trip!

Memorial Day weekend was spent in Madison.  We got to see two of our favorite families...the Sluzewski’s and the Kurth’s.  And, we were able to eat brats at Brat Fest not once but twice that weekend!

At the end of June, we took a road trip to visit John’s sister Annie in Virginia.  She graduated from Purdue in May and worked as an intern at NASA for the summer.  It was fun to spend the weekend with her...even if it was 100 degrees and muggy!

Nearly the entire month of July was spent away from Champaign.  We celebrated the Fourth of July in Oshkosh...and had a Lenz Family Reunion too.  Then we were off to Costa Rica with my mom.  We had a great time with Laura and her family.  Costa Rica is a beautiful country.  We are lucky to know such wonderful and hospitable people there.  After Costa Rica we spent some time in Cochrane to help my dad celebrate his 60th birthday.  To end the month, we drove out to Montana with John’s family.  John, his dad, his sister Natalie, and I hiked for 4 days and 3 nights in Glacier National Park.  It was a great experience and I can’t wait to do it again...in a couple of years!
  

Most of August was spent relaxing, getting ready for school to start again for John, and studying for my board examination.  I passed my boards in September and was able to start working part-time as a nurse practitioner in October.  I’m also now an adjunct clinical instructor at the university...still teaching those undergrads.
  

We had some fun this fall too.  I spent a weekend in Chicago with Aubrey and some of our friends from college.  John and I went to the Packers vs. Bills game in September...my first NFL game.  We also went back to Cochrane for a weekend in October to celebrate the marriage of Andy and Sarah Kramer...it was great to see old friends again!  I spent another weekend shopping with my mom, aunts, and cousins...The Spindler Girls Shopping Extravaganza...so fun!  We’ve also enjoyed just relaxing at home this fall...and watching the Badgers’ football games!
  

John will (hopefully) graduate this May.  He’s the instructor for a calculus class again this semester and really enjoys teaching.  He is applying for postdocs and teaching positions at universities from Wisconsin to California.  We still hope to end up in Madison but we’ll see where the offers come from!  We’re looking forward to finding new jobs...and then expanding our family! :)
  

We hope you all have a joyful holiday season and a very happy 2011!

Update on John

A few weeks ago, John decided that he would indeed pursue a job in academia.  Three of his applications were due yesterday...a postdoc position at the University of Colorado-Boulder and professor positions at UW-Eau Claire and Michigan Tech.  He's also planning to apply to positions at UW-Madison, UW-Stout, the University of Minnesota, Berkeley, and Stanford...I think, anyway!

My preference would be Madison, of course!  But, I'm willing to go anywhere...even Houghton, Michigan...if it means that he can pursue the career path that he wants.  Besides, as a nurse (practitioner), I should be able to find a job anywhere, right?  I sure hope so!

The Dragon Reborn

I finished Book Two earlier today and will be starting Book Three shortly...maybe after I finish last week's issue of Sports Illustrated.  My husband was right...this is a great series.  I love it!  I even dreamed about Mr. Rand al'Thor a couple of nights this week...crazy!

Thanksgiving

Last week John and I went back to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving.  We had a really great trip.  We started off by visiting my cousin and her 5 year old son in Stoughton.  John did a little computer work for them and I just hung out with Jill and Colton.  Colton is such a smart, sweet kid.  We headed up to Oshkosh the next day but stopped to have supper with Jamine and Brandon in Columbus first.  It was so great to visit with them again too!  Those two visits made me want to move back to Madison even more...but we'll just have to see where we end up!

The rest of the week was spent in Oshkosh.  I went shopping with my mother-in-law, had great conversations with Natalie (She has such a great head on her shoulder for a 16, almost 17, year old!), and spent a few hours decorating Grandma and Grandpa's Christmas tree and making cinnamon candy with Natalie and Michele.  We also drove through Oshkosh's Celebration of Lights (my father-in-law is very involved in it), celebrated Thanksgiving with both sides of John's family, went bowling with the Lenz family (a Thanksgiving night tradition), and spent an evening catching up with Mark and KJ.  It was such a nice, relaxing trip!

It's a little late for this...but better late than never, right?  I'm extremely thankful for John, our families, and our friends.  I'm also very thankful for my job...not only am I gaining experience as we wait to figure out where we're going next but it's also super flexible and I don't have to work holidays.  I'm thankful for my education, my freedom, and that I don't have to worry about money (too much).  I have a good life...and I'm thankful for every single part of it!

Race (Natalie's boyfriend), Michele, and Natalie

Natalie and me

Natalie and Michele

Natalie and me waiting for the cinnamon candy to harden.

Grandpa Lenz and me

The Time Traveler's Wife: The Movie

I finally watched The Time Traveler's Wife last night.  I had had the DVD from Netflix for weeks but just didn't have/take the time to watch it.  I really enjoyed the movie...though, as usual, I thought the book was better!  I recommend both versions though...it's a really good story either way!

Book two already!

I finished The Eye of the World and started the second book of The Wheel of Time series!  I absolutely loved the first book and am excited to continue this adventure!  My husband is equally thrilled though thinks that I should spend all of my time reading these books...not quite, hunny, not quite!

27

My 27th birthday dinner at AnSun. Delicious!

Beautiful day

Friends

Last Friday I was able to visit with not one but two of my favorite people!  Lauren moved to Charleston this fall to continue her education at EIU...so she's not too far away but far enough that we can't easily do our weekly lunches anymore.  Marissa moved back home to Miami after graduating with me in May.  But, it just so happened that they were both in town on Friday...and I had wonderful visits with both of them!

Boltini's with Marissa

Beauty of a Woman by Sam Levenson

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers 

through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be 

restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; 

never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, 

you'll find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, 

one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in
the clothes she wears,
the figure she carries,
or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman
must be seen from her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman
is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman
is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives,
the beauty of a woman
with passing years—only grows.

The journey begins...

My husband is very pleased that I have finally started reading The Eye of the World, the first book of the epic, 14 book The Wheel of Time fantasy series.  I'm only on Chapter 7 but I think it's safe to say that I'm hooked.  The 13th book was just released yesterday and the 14th is due out in early 2012...hopefully I'll finish the first 13 books and read a few others before then!

Integrative Medicine

Two nights ago I finally got around to reading my most recent issue of On Wisconsin, UW's alumni magazine.  As I was reading the article about Integrative Medicine (Click here for the full story.), I kept thinking "This is what I've been learning...this is nursing!"  Throughout my nursing career I've learned to treat the patient, not just the disease...and that's what Integrative Medicine is focusing on as well.  I think my FNP curriculum did a good job of integrating "alternative medicine" treatments with the traditional medical regimens as well.  It's nice to see that medicine is beginning to implement this as well.

I read a few of the comments posted on the article's website and was surprised to see that some people were very against the concept of Integrative Medicine.  I, personally, haven't tried any of the alternative treatments...but I haven't had a reason to either as I've been lucky enough to be healthy.  However, I firmly believe that not all effective treatments can be proven by science.  If a patient wants to try acupuncture or massage, then why not offer that option?  If it works, great...and if it doesn't, try something else.  Besides, Integrative Medicine isn't just alternative treatments, it's the integration of alternative and traditional medicine.  Makes sense to me!

Girls just wanna have fun!

 

The Spindler Girls Shopping Extravaganza, October 2010

Cousins in the front, moms/aunts in the back.

Fun, fun, fun weekend!

Thank you, Sports Illustrated

I would like to thank the people at Sports Illustrated for this week's issue about concussions.  There were really good articles about not only the big hits that we see over and over again on SportsCenter but also an interesting study conducted by Purdue University researchers on how the "little" hits players suffer can also cause injury.  It'd be great if we could come up with a way to keep players safe!

Khaled Hosseini

 

Last week I finished reading The Kite Runner and started and finished A Thousand Splendid Suns.  Though both books were absolutely heart-wrenching, they were excellently written.  I could imagine myself in every character's shoes.  Themes that stuck out to me were the treatment of women, expected gender roles, the importance of education, and the ability to survive, to endure.  I hope Mr. Hosseini continues to write...I will definitely read another book by him.

The Time Traveler's Wife

I just finished reading The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.  It took me a little while to get into it but I ended up loving it!  It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me think.  Niffenegger's whole notion of time travel was very imaginative and intriguing.

I moved the movie up to the top of my Netflix list...hopefully it doesn't disappoint!

Now I'm on to Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns before I tackle The Wheel of Time series.

Chicago, Chicago!

Last weekend I went to Chicago to meet up with a few friends from college...and one friend that I've known since 3rd grade!  It was so good to see them again...and to explore the city!

 Jess and Anit wearing Jess's new mittens and hat.

 Jess and Aubz with a particularly interesting piece of art in East Village (east of Ukrainian Village).

 Anit and Jess sipping coffee on a chilly evening.

 Aubz, me, and Vibha

 Making our own art at the Art Institute.

 Commemorating Aubrey's first visit to the bean (aka Cloud Gate).

 Jess and Aubz grabbing the bull by the horns. Really!

 Aubz and Anit at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Very cool place!

 Anit and Aubz with the giant agave plant.

Me and Aubz with some vanilla vines.

Update: Zac Brown Band

I went to Chicago this past weekend to visit friends (More on that later!) and listened to the new Zac Brown Band CD, You Get What You Give, on my drive to and from the city.  I LOVE it!  Here are a few of my favorite lines:

Don’t you let regret take place of the dreams you have to chase...
You might fall down on your face
Roll the dice and have some faith 
From As She's Walking Away.

Save your strength for things that you can change
Forgive the ones you can't
You gotta let 'em go
From Let It Go

Just can't get enough...and can't wait to go to another concert! :-)

New favorite author: Brandon Sanderson

This summer I started reading Brandon Sanderson's books.  John recommended them to me a long time ago and was nagging me to start reading again.  (I just didn't enjoy reading for fun when I was reading so much for school too.)  So far I've read Elantris and Warbreaker which are stand-alone novels as well as the Mistborn series.  I loved each and every book!

Brandon Sanderson is also completing The Wheel of Time series that was started by Robert Jordan.  My plan is to start reading this series after I read a few other books from my list.

It's SO nice to be able to read for fun again!  I should have enough books to keep me busy for awhile...but I'm always open to suggestions.

I passed!!

I forgot to post this sooner...I passed my family nurse practitioner certification exam on September 16th!  Woohoo!  I was super nervous and the process was really formal...I had to be fingerprinted and everything.  Ahh, it's such a relief to be done!

So, what's next?  I will hopefully be able to start working as a nurse practitioner on the rehab unit at Carle in Urbana in mid-October.  I'll only be working PRN (as needed) so I'm not sure how many hours I'll actually get.  John will graduate with his PhD in May and then we're hoping to move back to Wisconsin (specifically the Madison area).  So far I've applied for two family practice positions in Madison but haven't heard anything back yet.  I know it's early and hopefully there will be lots more jobs to apply for...but keep your fingers crossed!

Zac Brown Band

I've loved Zac Brown Band for quite awhile now...ever since I heard their first single, Chicken Fried, on the radio.  I went to see them live when they came to Champaign last October and they were even more amazing in person.  There weren't any crazy special effects, just a bunch of guys making beautiful music and amazing harmonies.

I was reminded of just how much I love their music on Friday when I got an email inviting me to watch their newly released music video, As She's Walking Away.  (Click here for the video.)  It was awesome!  While I was on the CMT website, I also watched the video to Free and nearly had tears in my eyes.  These guys are such cool people!  I hope they continue to make their music and share it with me for a long, long time!

30 Day Shred

Last week I started Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred.  I had heard good things about it from a couple of different friends but was still a little skeptical.  It is an awesome workout though!  I'm still on level one and have only done it four times...but it's definitely something I'm going to keep doing.  My plan is to alternate with running...we'll see how I do!

Certification update

I finally got my letter from ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) OKing me to schedule my certification exam.  I will be taking it in mid-September!  So, now it's time to study, study, study!  Wish me luck!

So proud of my momma!

My mom walked in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure event in Minneapolis last weekend.  She walked approximately 20 miles each day for a total of 60 miles.  She was required to raise $2300 and ended up with over $3400 in donations.  And, she made it through the whole walk without any blisters or major problems...just sore legs!  I can't even say how proud I am of her...SO PROUD!!!  She wants to do it again...with me...I just hope I can keep up with her!

Boston Med

Have you seen Boston Med?  It premiered on June 24th and I had it in my planner from the moment I first heard about it.  However, since I was out of town for so long and not running on just my schedule, I just starting watching it yesterday.  I've watched three of the eight episodes so far and I am hooked!

I've always loved the medical dramas on TV...Chicago Hope, ER, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice...I love(d) them all.  But this show is a documentary, not a drama.  It's real life.  It's amazing.

In the second episode, a pregnant woman copes with the fact that her growing baby has a heart problem...and her husband is fighting in Iraq.  It's heart-wrenching!  The baby is born and he looks so normal...but he's not.  He has open heart surgery when he's only a few days old.  I can't even imagine going through that!

Bottom line...if you haven't seen it and are interested, watch it!  I highly recommend it!

Happy anniversary, John!

John and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary on August 9th.  We didn't do anything too special as we had already been on a cruise and to Costa Rica this summer.  But, we did spend a little extra money on our Brewers tickets. 

John's Grandma Jo turned 82 on our anniversary so we went out to eat with some of John's dad's side of the family.  The cake even acknowledged both events...and we got two separate candles too!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our special day.

Brewers win!

John and I went to the Brewers vs. Astros game with his dad on August 6th.  It was my fourth Brewers game but my first with the roof open...finally!  The game was awesome too...the Brew Crew came back to win with 4 runs in the 9th inning.  It was so exciting!

RIP Aunt Joan

John's aunt and godmother, Joan, passed away on July 31st after enduring multiple sclerosis for 19 years.  As we walked through the receiving line before the service, all of Joan's sisters told us how much we meant to Joan.  I knew that John's family had been really close to Joan...and John's mom has become practically part of Joan's family as well...but I didn't realize quite how much, I guess.

I didn't know Joan very well but as I read her obituary and listened to her family speak about her, I realized that I missed out on getting to know a really wonderful woman.

Montana

John's family drives out to Montana nearly every summer to visit the wheat farm that John's dad's family owns. This summer was my first time going with them. John, his dad, his sister Natalie, and I went backpacking in Glacier National Park for 4 days and 3 nights. We did have to modify our original route a little bit. Natalie and I both had really bad blisters on our heels...and John and his dad were almost as exhausted as we were. We're already talking about the next trip though!

We had to cut the trip a couple of days short as John's mom got news that John's aunt/godmother had passed away...more on that in the next post. For now, here are some pictures from our journey...on the road to Montana, on the hike through Glacier, and finally, at the wheat farm in Chester.