White Coat

Today was Steve's white coat ceremony. What is that, you ask?

"The white coat ceremony (WCC) is a relatively new ritual in some medical, veterinary medical, podiatric, optometry and pharmacy schools that marks the student's transition from the study of preclinical to clinical health sciences. At some schools, where students begin meeting patients early in their education, the white coat ceremony is held before the first year begins.
WCCs typically involve a formal "robing" or "cloaking" of students in white coats, the garb physicians have traditionally worn for over 100 years and other health professions have adopted." (thanks wikipedia)

So, today, after sitting through a VERY long convocation and ceremony... Steve was dressed in his white coat!

He now looks like a real med student. He will be starting school on Monday.

I am so proud of Steve and this great accomplishment of becoming a medical student. I know these next years won't be easy, but I know that he will do well and I look forward to the journey that awaits us. He's such a cute little doctor-to-be!

After they were "cloaked" in their white coats, all the students stated their pledge of ethics. I don't really expect you to read it, but for anyone who is interested (and for my own record keeping) this is what it said:

Medical Student Pledge of Ethics
I publicly acknowledge and accept the privileges and responsibilities given to me today as a physician in training and dedicate myself to provide care to those in need.
I will approach all aspects of my education with honesty and integrity, embracing opportunities to learn from patients, teachers, and colleagues.
I will always maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.
I will certify only that which I have personally verified, and I will neither receive nor give unauthorized assistance on examinations.
I will value the knowledge and wisdom of the physicians who have preceded me.
I will recognize my weaknesses and strengths and strive to develop those qualities that will earn the respect of my patients, my colleagues, my family, and myself.
I will respect eh humanity, right and decisions of all patients and will attend to them with compassion and without bias.
I will maintain patient confidentiality and be tactful in my words and actions.
I will value the diversity of patients' experiences, cultures and beliefs because it enhances my ability to care for them and enriches my education.
I will not forget that there is an art to medicine as well as a science and that warmth, sympathy and understanding are integral to patient care.
I will strive to earn the trust my patients place in me and the respect that society places upon my profession.
I will recognize the privileges afforded to me as a physician-in-training and promise not to abuse them.
Even as a student I have a responsibility to improve the standard of health in my community, to increase access to care for the underserved and to advance medical knowledge.
As I accept these new responsibilities, I will not forget the importance of my own health and well-being.
I will continue to value my relations with those who have supported me in the past and those who will share in my future.
Knowing my own limitations and those of medicine, I commit myself to a lifelong journey of learning how to cure, relieve and comfort with humility and compassion.
I make these promises solemnly, freely, and upon my honor.

Ever wondered....

....what happens to marshmallows in humidity?

Okay, so I had never wondered before either. But, then we bought a bag of them the other day, and it became very aparent to me after one day of having them (even though they were tied closed with a twisty tie) that we were going to to have to find a better way to store them. So,just incase you're curious, this is what happens (at least this is what happened to ours).

They become... a giant.... mass.... of marshmallow! No individuals anymore. You can try to take one, but you soon discover it has morphed and become one with its neighboring mallow.

Our 'mallows now live in the fridge.

Since we've been here in Toledo, we've started storing many things in the fridge that we never had before.

For instance.... cereal and crackers. They go stale very quickly in the humidity.

And bread.... we always keep that refrigerated now, since our first loaf we bought was molded by the next day.

Oh the joys of humidity! Any tips on storing food in this humidity would be greatly appreciated!

Memories....

(okay, so I'm a little behind in the blogging world... but, maybe I'll do this now!)

1. As a comment on my blog, write about a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next (if you choose to), re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

So let the fun begin!! Can't wait to start sharing memories with everybody!!

Miss Me???

Since last you heard from me......:

Steve and I purchased a couch. This is the first couch we have owned in our 3 years of marriage, so it is kind of exciting. In the first basement apartment we lived in, the couches Steve's parents said we could use couldn't fit down the stairs. So, we just had our jumbo Luv Sac and a papasan chair. And after that, we lived in other people's houses and used their furniture. But now, we have our first couch! Thanks to Steve's parents for supplying us with money to buy it : )

I think it's a cute little sectional. We had a heck of a time finding something to fit in the room. The room itself is plenty big, it just has a limited amount of open wall space.

Theres a large opening that goes into the dining room....

....a closet and a door that leads out of our unit....

.....two windows and double doors that lead out to the balcony.....

....a "fireplace," shelving, and more windows....

So, we had to search far and wide to find a couch to fit!

Obviouslyl, I still haven't quite figured out how to set everything up.... and I haven't hung anything on the walls yet. Some day I'll get around to decorating and hanging things up (and maybe finish unpacking....)

On Wednesday, July 30th, I made a voyage to Utah! I know, it was a little soon to already be heading back for a visit. But, turns out my braces weren't quite ready to come off when I moved and my orthodontist said they needed another month or so. He told me it would be cheaper for me to fly back and have him take my braces off than to find a new orthodontist out here in Toledo and have them do it. So, I took advantage of that, and scheduled my orthodontist appointment the same week as my Kirkham Family Reunion! I had REALLY been wanting to go to that, especially since my parents were in charge this year. Thanks to my cousin, Deirdre, who gave me one of her buddy passes so I could fly out to the reunion/orthodontist on standby. Saved me lots of money.

Flying standby was quite an adventure!

I was at the Detroit airport (closest airport to Toledo) at 9am.... and finally got on a flight at 9:30pm! I flew from there to Las Vegas...then flew to Phoenix, where I arrived some time around 1 am (which to me felt like about... 4am because of the time difference). There I slept in the airport until about 5..... then I watched the sunrise....

....which was a big deal for me... because I don't often wake early enough to see the sun rise!

There at the Phoenix airport, I met up with my cousin Deirdre (which wasn't actually part of the original plan, but since I didn't make it to Phoenix until early Thursday morning and Deirdre was heading out to the reunion that morning as well......we got to make the last stretch together!).

So, we got on the first flight at around 7 which got us to Salt lake city around 10! Nothing like living in the airport/airplanes for about 27 hours straight!

Anway, we drove up to Island Park in Idaho and met up with the family for the reunion. I love our family reunions....

We had a great time. I am glad I got to be there.

Then, Tuesday, August 5th........

..... I got my braces off!!! Hooray for no more BRACES!

The next day, I headed back to Ohio. This time, my standby experience went much more smoothly. I got on each flight I attempted.

And......

Now... here I am.......

Back in Toledo, Ohio.....

Working at Shoe Carnival....

....Steve has been working at the Pharmacy out here...

.... and next week he starts orientation for school!

THE END

Oh.... P.S. We received callings at church. Steve is going to be a ward missionary. And I am going to be the Second Counselor in the Young Womens organization.