Book Review: Life Would be Perfect if I lived in That House by Meghan Daum

In this book, a twenty something Meghan struggles through identity, self esteem, and unstable relationships but mostly her anticipation of greener pastures that cause her to fast forward through her college years and move more times than I thought were humanly possible. I am not into moving, I don't like change. However, the book is largely about Meghan being discontent with her life and thinking that the next lease will 'fix' her. 

It was entertaining.  Especially because (minus the moving which is again 3/4s of the book) that would be my life. The book made me think of a quote a heard once about how you can only be Happy in past tense. (Think about it. I get it) Towards the end of the book Meghan struggles with Happiness versus Contentment. Obviously Contentment being what keeps evading her.  

Good book. Worth a read. Especially if you struggle with discontent like me, or if you just like to move! 

Twenty Five

I wish I had written down somewhere at fifteen where I was going to "be" at twenty five.  Things that I wanted to achieve by twenty five, do places I would have gone. I wonder what my fifteen year old self would think of me today. . . I think she would be a little surprised that I live in suburbia, that I have a dog that weighs half what I do. But I think younger me would be happy that I am happily married and about to finish my masters. Younger me might be surprised that I have practically the same hair style and some of the same friends (true besties). I think to fifteen year old me twenty five must have seemed old just like thirty five seems so old to me.

I don't want to write out goals for thirty five just predictions or musings or something more likely just to look back on (if we still have Internet and I can still find this blog in 10 years)!

Predictions for 35 year old self

- For me and Mr. to be living in or building our forever home
- maybe the pitter patter of little feet or at least a couple better trained dogs
- to be working as a PA in a job where I am happy and fulfilled
- To be an aunt
- To live within a 20 mile radius of my sis and mom
- That I will have run a triathlon
- That I will be more fluent in Spanish
- I will have traveled to Europe again with Mr., Sis, and Bro-n-law
- I'll be confident enough to make crepes

What a precious thing life is. Can't believe I'm twenty five. Where has the time gone! I know that before I turn around it will be ten years down the road.

ER: PA school reflections

Mostly in the ER you see people on the worst day of their life. 
I put staples in a guy's head who woke up drunk in the ER and had no idea how he got there. 


I saw a guy who lost both his legs after being run over by a fork lift.


I had to tell a lady that for the fourth time she was having a miscarriage. 


Mostly in the ER you see people on the worst day of their life. 


I stitched up a 45 year old African American lady who had been in a car wreck. Her daughter had been driving and hit the brakes. The daughter was fine but my patient went into the windshield and we thought initially that her face was fractured. Luckily it was all just swelling and lacerations. I sewed up her lip and her hand. To pass the time, we talked about where I was from and where she grew up. A week later I heard "Dr. Longview" being called across the ER. There sat this beautiful lady in a white sundress. She had come back to have her stitches taken out. The swelling had gone down and I was able to see her pretty face. She told me thank you for talking to her and stitching her up so nicely. I couldn’t help it, tears started to well up. No one ever came back must less told me thanks before. It was so fulfilling to see someone look so much better, so much more whole and normal.  It was a wonderful experience and really helped my work in the ER come full circle. 

Honeymooning in Paradise.

When Mr. and I got married a little over a year ago because of the strenous PA program I am in there was no time for a honeymoon. (we literally got married over the 7 day break I had between the spring and fall semesters). We hesitantly chose to postpone our honeymoon until there was more time. I tried to not make a big deal about it but the last breakfast we had on the island that week of the wedding I wanted to cry. We had had a wonderful time entertaining and celebrating with all our family and friends but I had no time to ourselves to share the joy of being in love.

So fast forward a year.... and here we went back to Anna Maria to celebrate our honeymoon. And boy was it worth the wait! Here are some pictures to explain.

Our hotel suite, The flounder!

 Standing in the exact spot where we got married!

 Wishing you were here!

 I had to sacrifice my pedicure but it was worth it.

I surprised Mr. with a deep sea fishing trip. Mr. caught way more than I did. This is him with his favorite fish to eat. Grouper!

 This is us with our Red fish we caught. (over two feet in length and about 15lbs each.)

 I caught two Red fish! I never realized that the hardest part was reeling the fish into the boat!!

Mr.'s honeymoon surprise for me was to order a cake from the bakers who made our wedding cake and get a bottle of wine for the little shop that we bought all the wine for from the wedding. (Mr. also bought me several bottles that are going to be shipped home yum!!)

PS. we got to keep all our fish from the fishing trip. Snapper, Mackrel, flounder, and red fish (the only fish that I contributed to our bounty was a red fish) But I did catch a baby shark!! sorry no pics of that one you will just have to believe me and my fisherman tales! .... Come over and eat some with us ok??

Book Review/Reflection: The Help

I just put down "The Help" it was an intriquing story that shares the story of women, prejudice, and old fashioned snootiness. The characters are admirable and it is a fun book to curl up with and read. I must say I thought one part was going to turn out differently than it did but all in all I enjoyed the book!

If you are looking for something to read, this is a good choice.