Done at last!

So...I am officially a pediatric nurse practitioner. I graduated in May from the University of Utah and took my boards today and passed. Hip Hip Hooray! It feels really good to finally be done. Now I am on to bigger and better things.

1 year and going strong

It is hard to believe that we have completed our first year of marriage. We have been through a lot together during our first year, but it has only made us stronger. I am so lucky to be married to my best friend!

Bonjour!!!

The view from the Arc De Triumph



John and I just got home from a week in Europe. We spent the first few days of our trip in a small town in Germany called Karlsrule. John did some surgery while we were there and we were also able to see a few small towns along the way. We drove on the Autobahn, something I have always wanted to do, it was good that I wasn't doing the driving. I think our top speed was 200 kilometers/hour. The second half of our trip was spent in Paris where we got to be tourists. We had a great time seeing all of the sites and grabbing a bite to eat on a sidewalk cafe. The people watching was great. After climbing all 680 stairs to get to the second floor of the Eiffel tower we ran into a group of American teenage girls who suggested the above pose for our picture in front of the tower.

This picture was taken on a quick visit to Heidelberg, Germany. It was super cold while we were there. I definitely wasn't prepared for the cold weather, but I did end up getting a cute new sweater out of the deal.

New Arrival!!!!!

Let us introduce you to our new arrival....the baby "Q" the cat. We picked him up from the Humane Society yesterday. He is a 10 week old tabby male (well.....formally male...) He is making the adjustment to his new home. We are hoping that he will become a killer....as we seem to have lots of critters around the house and recently, a mouse sighting in the garage. However, so far, he is afraid to go outside at all!

4th of July

John and I just got back from spending the 4th of July weekend in Alta, Wyoming with Dick and Jean. We had a great time. We golfed all three days that we were there. We spend the 4th of July at a party hosted by the Dunns. They clearly know how to throw a great party. The party consisted of good food, great company, and a spectacular firework show. It was great to be able to escape the heat of the city and enjoy a little country life.

Segway

So...John and I just got back from playing golf. We played at a new course in Driggs, ID called Teton Reserve. It was a beautiful course and we actually played pretty well for once. We found something that every golf enthusiast needs! John came right home to see how he could get one. For a mere $5K, you can take one home today. Check out the picture. It actually is a really great invention.

Resident Graduation Dinner

Every , year, for the last 17 in a row, we have a celebration of the graduation of our Residents at the Country Club. Even before that, in 1986, I celebrated my own graduation from the University of Utah Orthopedic Residency Program. This is the night that culminates many years of study and challenges and gives you an admission ticket to the "real world" .



This year, the setting was especially special because it was the same setting where Melissa and I got married. Another beautiful evening with all of the ambience and warmth that Utah has to offer. The soft air of a setting sun with our spectacular mountains in the background. Jacques D'Astous took the picture as a near one year anniversary of that event. While much has happened during the last year (and most of you know about it....) I think that we make a pretty special couple!!!



Following our trip to the christening of the Stockdale in Maine, I have read some of the philosphical books of the Adrimal, a true American Philosopher and Hero and have developed an appreciation of his complete understanding of the Classics, and his study of the ancient (79 AD) philosopher Epictetus. He states, " no one can harm you without your permission". This philosophy carried him through a personal hell of torture and imprisonment in the Vietnam war and beyond. I think it applies to all aspects of our lives, past and present.



John and Mel