Day 3296: Chicago

My parents, ever the class acts, found Milwaukee a bit too small-town for them so we returned to Chicago on Saturday. We finally made it to the Art Institute this time. Last time (in 2011), we waited in line too long at Hot Doug's (which is now closed for business) and we missed the chance to go to the Art Institute. We also continued to follow my father's stomach which only has eyes for Andrew Zimmern's "Bizarre Foods" and Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations," so we checked out The Purple Pig (fancy/weird tapas).

Mongee and I waiting in line at The Purple Pig

My pals and I after lunch!

Taken on Michigan Avenue

Alex and I in front of the Art Institute. She's cute, I'm roaring.

Day 3294: THE MD!

I am no longer "On to an MD," friends. I HAVE IT!

The entire outfit -- tam, hood, and all

With the man who has supported me unconditionally these past four years

With all my loved ones who came out to support me on my big day!

With all the signs my sister and friends made

With the best sister ever and her favorite sign

Thank you to my friends and family who physically came out, who texted or called, who were there with me in spirit on the big day. An equal thank you to all of you who have supported me these past...gosh, six years? SIX YEARS! Through phone calls, visits, care packages -- it has all meant so much to me and I will never forget it. So...

Day 3293: Hooding Ceremony

Today was the hooding ceremony. A little history...

The "hood" that is part of the academic costume was originally designed as a head covering to keep tonsured heads warm in cold, unheated buildings. It dates back to the medieval days of some of the oldest universities in the world. Today, hoods are the most expressive part of the academic costume. They not only indicate the field of study which has been completed but the degree and the institution's colors. The hooding ceremony signifies a scholarly personal achievement. Graduated members (senior leaders, faculty and special hooders) of the profession place the hood on the student as a symbol of their passage from student status to graduate status.

The coveted pictures of this special ceremony:

A fun candid with some classmates before Hooding

This is the core group of classmates I had on my very first
clinical rotation as a third year medical student.
We are really going to miss each other :(

With the fam after the ceremony

My BFF and her newly appointed Marine hubby came out too!

Three-fourths of our high school quartet!

My sister came to celebrate with me!

Lastly, the man who has been with me through the
craziest four years of my life thus far.

This was followed by Senior Dinner. This dinner was put on by my school. They had us pay for some pricey (just okay tasting, therefore making it overpriced) meals and gave out awards to various seniors. I didn't get an award mainly because, despite my loud personality, I kind of just kept to myself throughout medical school. And, I am a middling medical student anyway so I wasn't expecting to be awarded anything for my stellar (sarcastic) academic record.

Overall, the dinner was nice. It was nice to be there with my friends and family. Here are some pictures of senior dinner below.

Me and my closest friend in med school

Nicki came out too! So happy she could make the time!

Day 3292: Happy Birthday Aleja!

Alex came a day earlier than my family, which meant we were able to spend her entire birthday together!

Aleja (as I like to call her) has been one of my biggest supporters throughout medical school. She has visited me once a year since I moved to Wisconsin in 2011. She has sent me numerous gift packages. She has hosted me at her place when I was on interviews last year. I am so blessed to have so many people in my life who care about me. Anyway, enough of a lovefest about Aleja. Here is the only picture we took (sad!). But luckily it was at Kopps, her favorite place in Milwaukee.

We love custard!

Day 3290: Door County

Danny and I took a trip to Door County, Wisconsin with his aunt and her two children. We have always wanted to go (think Carmel for Midwesterners) and we finally got our chance! Going with Aunt Mandy (whose sister lives up there) made it much more cost-efficient!

Here are some pictures of our trip:

Driving along the lake up to Door County

On the tour trolley!

The lighthouse at Eagle Bluff

The trolley tour included wine tastings at 2 wineries and a delicious
lunch. This is Danny after eating the leftover cherry pies.

Day 3199: A smattering of pictures so far

The hospital where I work most mornings

Perfecting my suture skills

My classmate and I at Zhinan Temple

One of the prayer sites at Zhinan Temple

Taipei 101 -- the tallest building in Taiwan

Guanqian Road near Shin Kong Mitsukoshi (a department store)

Day 3159: Happy 2015!

Happy new year everyone!

Danny and I spent the final night of 2014 in North Carolina, where I was a bridesmaid for my beautiful friend Mel. She and I met way back when in 2008 when I first began this journey towards becoming a doctor. She and I have stayed friends since, despite never living in the same state again, and I was thrilled to be a part of her special day.

Day 3150: Flight pictures

One of my favorite things to do is take pictures of the landscapes I traverse to get to my destination. Here is a smattering from my million flights these past two months.

Day 3103: Happy Halloween!

From Tetris, Reverse Superman, and Jess the disgruntled Bob's Pretzel's employee!

Day 3054: Chicago

My classmate N, Danny and I went to Chicago this past weekend. Danny has never been, so it was exciting to do tourist-y stuff and walk around the city. We will be applying to programs in Chicago so it was nice to get a feel for the city from a local (my classmate).

Anyway, here are pictures! (Jess G. I hope all these posts are satiating you ;P)

First stop -- Eataly! Look at these yummy treats!

Who is this stud muffin?

Navy Pier

Chicago skyline from Navy Pier

El Bean

Looking up within the Bean. Trippy.

The Bean = Perfect for #Selfies

Day 3050: House-town

In early July, I flew to Houston to take my clinical skills board exam. Basically, fake patients came in with fake complaints and I had to treat them like real patients. Ask the "right" questions, perform the "right" physical exam, write the "right" (love the rhyme) note. I, of course, overexamined every aspect of that exam afterward and was truly worried I might have failed the exam. Luckily, these results have come out and I have passed!

The moral of this post, however, was to provide more pictures! I chose to take this exam in Houston because my old college roommate lives there. I haven't seen her in more than 4 years so it was a visit that has been a long time coming. It was great to see her, catch up, and experience the woman she has grown in to since we were last in-person together.

Just like old times--giggling over drinks.

Funny faces at the Houston Aquarium

White tiger pals at the Houston Aquarium

Is this her prince?

Outside the Houston Aquarium

Happy gals and marlins

We went to the Osteen Church so I could experience a televangelist service.

Mr. Joel Osteen, himself. This man is well-dressed!

Celebrating the end of my board exam!