Looking Back and Feeling the Love

Hello hello, friends! How was your weekend? Connor and I had a busy, but fun-filled weekend, which was nice... until I realized how exhausted I am today! On Friday, I had a wine night with my girly, Kim. I realized drinking wine out of a leopard-print goblet probably isn't the best idea because you think you're having one glass, but in reality it's the equivalent to 2 and a half. I certainly had fun, but the next morning my tummy hated my guts... literally and figuratively. Then on Saturday, we went to a BBQ that one of his friends from school had at her house. The party continued all day basically, so by Sunday I was POOPED.

Since I was living it up all weekend, I had to do all my chores and errands on Sunday. (Don't Sundays just stink?) But luckily I found the energy to get everything done! I also finally exchanged Connor's wedding band for a smaller size. Hopefully this one isn't too small. I might freak out because it has been seriously annoying trying to get this done. The ring needed to be ordered in a size that wasn't available anywhere, so we had to wait until the jewelry store was able to get the ring. Lucky us! But after all my hardwork, I stopped by Banana Republic Outlet for their 50% off sale, and bought myself an awesome beach hat for the honeymoon! It came out to be like $17! I think it's totally worth it. Connor said I should keep it forever, so I can wear it on our beach trips with our future kiddies. How cute is he?!!? Really though?!!

On Friday, prior to my wine night, I baked a blueberry loaf with walnuts to surprise Connor when he came home from clinic. I've been kind of slacking in the baking department (but for a good reason!). I've been really trying to watch what I eat with my first dress fitting quickly approaching. But then Connor made a remark about how he missed my baking and I immediately felt like CRAP. Although, it was nice to hear how much he appreciates it! :) Never miss a good thing till it gone, right? Anyway, so then I got a little crazy and also baked chocolate cookies with chocolate chips. Terrible for my "diet", but a dream come true for the boy.

To make up for some of my calorie splurging, I've been making lots of yummy salads. They are so good, and also a nice, quick meal to make for myself! :) Really convenient for those days when you're not in the mood to cook an elaborate dinner. This happens to me when it starts to get warm outside, so salads become my get-outta-jail-free card.

Connor is really stressed because he has a ton of work right now. He has a presentation on Thursday (his topic is Dermatitis Herpetiformis) and on top of that has to get his learning issues done for Wednesday. I feel terrible because I can't really do anything to help! All I can try to do is make life easier with cookies and trying to be quiet as I can... which I'm naturally not that great at, but I've been getting better!

The other day I thought back to when Connor first started this med school journey this past August and can't believe the progress we both have made. In the beginning, everything was so new, stressful, and scary and now we have fallen right into our groove. It certainly is still stressful (that will never go away), but in a different. It used to be stressful adjusting to the radically different lifestyle and the nervousness about us surviving this insane journey without killing each other. Now, I have absolutely no doubts about whether or not we can get through this process happily and still with our sanity intact. I keep telling myself how silly it was to feed into all the ridiculousness that I would read on the internet. Every relationship is different and go through challenges differently. Luckily, Connor and I have so far experienced minimal challenges this year. And yes, it is only first year, but it still has proven to me that we only strengthen each other when one of us is in need of it. We really are a great team and I'm so grateful of that. He knows that I will always do my best to support him and to make this journey as easy possible for both us. We depend on each other in such a balanced and loving way, so I know only good things will come out of all of this. :)

As we embark on our last month of Y1, I really couldn't be prouder of him for almost reaching the finish line. He got through it without barely breaking a sweat! ;) I'm so happy that I'm marrying such a strong-minded and motivated person. He makes me want to be the best version of myself and I really can't ask for more than that in a partner.

Love,
Mandy <3

Suffering from piles... of work?

Is anyone else in disbelief that April is almost gone? I know I am. But I am happily surprised by how quickly this month is passing. It just means I am that much closer to the big day! All this planning is really starting to wear me out. As exciting as it all has been, I'm just ready to enjoy everything that we've worked so hard to set up. It's just become so burdensome! Any free time I have, I'm just stressed out by all that is still left to do. It makes relaxing very difficult to say the least. The only thing keeping me sane is Connor's amazing sense of humor. He reminds me that all of this wedding planning madness isn't really what matters. We found each other and that's what counts. Two seriously cool cats are coming together to start a seriously awesome life together! ;)  I can't wait to get to the blissful newlyweds phase and hang out on a beach in Puerto Rico until my skin melts!

Anywayzz. This weekend, I visited my mom and stayed with her while Connor was out gallivanting in West Virginia. I had a blast spending quality time with her and my kooky niece. We had plenty of girl time and I loved every second of it. We played games, watched movies, went shopping, and baked brownies... I fell asleep with my niece holding my hand while we were watching Hotel Transylvania and when I woke up at like 11:30, I saw our hands and my heart melted like butter! She's just the best little girl in the world. I hated that it had to end, but I was really looking forward to seeing Connor!

Connor loved the Tough Mudder competition. He finished the entire 11 mile course in about 5 hours... in one piece! Which is all I ever wanted! :) He survived all the mud pits, electroshock therapy, and the "arctic enema" (this involved him jumping into a dumpster filled with ice-water). He really wanted me to post the link to the site, so you can see it for yourself! ;) Click on the obstacle names and it will link you to pictures and videos.

So after our fun-filled weekends apart, we are back home now and back to the routine... Enjoying each others company,  but not the routine, for sure. Connor is cramming for DPC and I am dreading week 2 of exams! :( When will the school year end?! Not soon enough! This weeks learning issues are already driving him crazy, which means I get to stare at his lovely profile hunched over his desk all night for the next three days! Thanks a lot med school! 

To end on a funny note, Stedman's Medical Dictionary taught Connor and I that "piles" is a medical term for hemorrhoids. HAH! FYI: I found this out because I've been looking at vintage advertisements on pinterest lately, and this lovely one popped up:

Love,

Mandy <3

Finding those sweet silver linings...

I'm not so happy about this week... or the fact that it's only Tuesday! :( This week the students have lots of testing and it's very stressful for both them and the teachers! Unfortunately the testing will go into next week, so the end is nowhere in sight! UGH. This weekend I'm heading upstate while Connor heads off to the Tough Mudder competition. I'm a nervous wreck about it and just want it to be over. With the tragedy that just happened yesterday in Boston, I am just not comfortable with letting my fiance travel hours away! But I have to stay faithful and hopeful that he will be okay and get home safely. :/ I also hate saying goodbye. I'm awful with them because I'm way too emotional. I cry almost every time I say goodbye to my mom, niece, or Connor. I just can't help it!

The only silver lining I can get out of all of this yuckiness is that I'll finally see my adorable niece. I haven't seen her in so long and it's been so hard for me to cope with that! Going from practically seeing her every day to now only seeing her twice a month has been truly difficult. I'm trying to get used to it but it's not easy.

Connor took his content exam on Monday, so thankfully all of that stress has been alleviated! As usual, he said it was difficult and he's been panicking about how he did. I keep trying to assure him that he did well. I know this because of his track record! ;) So my confidence is based on facts. Now, he's working on the pancreas and all things related to it. Today he didn't have any classes, which allowed him to really catch up after all that content exam cramming. He also managed to make me dinner! It was so great coming home to a handsome boy in the kitchen cooking a meal for us. Have I mentioned how lucky I am? :D

This past Sunday, Connor and I went to his brother's (and our future sis-in-law's) engagement party. It was so much fun to get dressed up and celebrate love! Plus the cake was super yummy! I usually don't eat the cake at parties because it's sub-par and not worth the calories, but I really enjoyed this cake! And therefore ate the whole slice. :O

When I got home I decided to make dinner even though I was not really in the mood. (Mind you, I hadn't cooked since Thursday...embarrassing.) Since the coconut shrimp turned out so well the other day, I made coconut chicken bites and they were equally delicious! We couldn't stop popping them into our mouths. It took quite a bit of time to make, but it was definitely worth it. The savory sweetness is to die for!

So although I started this post on a down note, I'll try to end on a happier one: I called Kleinfeld and my dress should be coming in with the next 2 weeks! AHH Can this be real?! I am beyond excited!

I'm hoping that this week turns out better than I expect it to...

Love, Mandy <3

I saw the sign and it read "Reality Bites"

Hello friends! Happy hump day! Don't you wish it was at least Thursday? Yup, me too. There's a thunderstorm brewing outside and it's so strange listening to it. It's been so long since we've had one. I think this means warm weather is officially here!Thankfully, Connor's home while this storm is raging, otherwise I'd be a little spooked...

So last night Connor and I went to a 90's themed party (yes, on a Tuesday night like we were young and crazy college kids again). It was so much fun getting dressed up and actually living a life at night. We've grown so accustomed to going to bed by 10pm and waking up at 6am during the week that we never have the energy to do anything once the sun sets. But once I heard that it was a 90's party, I was pretty pumped for it. I am so nostalgic for the 90's that it's ridiculous, so any opportunity to relive those glory days is one I shall not miss! I went for the grunge look and Connor did more of the bright colored clothes thing (he wore turquoise colored pants).  I'm not sure what genre that is...  hip hop maybe?! Kim joined us for the party and we both ended up wearing denim vests like the good 90's children that we are! Dancing the night away to the Spice Girls, Savage Garden, and Ace of Base was just what I needed to feel acquainted with my old, fun

self again. My legs are actually a little sore today :X ....yeah, I need more gym time...

As you could imagine, getting up for work today wasn't the easiest thing to do. Unfortunately, college allows you more time to recover from those crazy nights out. It coddles you and rubs you gently as you bury your face into your pillow. Adulthood, on the other hand, gives you a hard slap in the face and continuously kicks you in the ass all day. Not very nice. Back off real life. I'm sick of being your slave!

Despite feeling like I was shoved in a bag upside down and beaten with a baseball bat all day, I still don't regret it!

SO back to our dismal reality here... Connor is in full time studying mode for his next, big content exam. Thankfully, it's getting easier and he's figuring out how to get through it with most of his sanity still intact. The exam is on Monday, so we are both looking forward to it being over! Also, today  he was assessed by his DPC facilitators and he got an A! Very proud of my hubby-to-be. Such a smarty pants.

Connor and I have been so excited getting RSVPs in the mail! Keep them coming! :D

<3Mandy

Can you unclog my sinuses, please?

Thank God tomorrow is Friday! What a fast week! For that, I am extremely grateful. It wasn't easy getting back into the groove of school after having so many days of rest. Today I was a complete zombie. Just no energy pumping through me whatsoever. Not to mention, I woke up in a nasty mood! Poor Connor..... He wakes up and is ready to go! He can chat, watch tv, do jumping jacks, whatever. I, on the other hand, need like 45 minutes to acquaint myself with the idea of functioning before I can even utter a word. So today, being so sleepy, I was just not a bright ball of sunshine. Sorry, Con! I know you still love me! :P

Today I was subbing in the high school and had a normal day. Normal as in I was asked to prom by one of the students. Just another day of my life looking like a sixteen year old! :( People keep telling me that it'll come in handy one day, but for now... it really sucks!

In other news! I was suffering from bad sinus pain today (I assume because of my seasonal allergies) and Connor did some OMM on my face! It was actually really good! He did this lifting this on my sinuses and pushed his thumbs down my nose. I couldn't believe it, but it really worked! The pain has subsided and I'm so proud of my cutesy med student. I'm also happy that I inadvertently helped him study for his OMM practical coming up on Monday.

Coming up for this weekend: Pre-Cana! Holy mittens, I hope it's somewhat fun because it's an all day gig. At least, we get a breakfast :) I can't wait to get all churchy with my almost-hubby. (That sounds almost inappropriate, right?) Weird!


Happy Friday, everyone! Sail through it!
Love, Mandy

Playing Ketchup

Howdy guys! I've been getting into the habit of waiting too long to update and then overwhelming you with a post the length of a short story. For that, I AM SORRY! :(

Spring break was as lovely as I imagined it to be. I had my fiance all to myself and didn't have to share him with that mistress we call "Med School!" ;) We had so much fun hanging out, painting the house, and going out to lunch. It was a dream that didn't last long enough, of course. All good things are good because of their fleeting quality. But I'm just happy that I got to enjoy a whole week of quality time. I visited my family upstate the weekend before last, which was fun. And it was so nice to have some of my mom's Spanish cooking, which I missed dearly. I never really make it because I love making it a treat when I visit my mom. It makes it that much more delicious! I also got to see me scrumptious niece, whom I always miss. We went to the movies and saw The Croods in 3D. Very cute movie! I recommend it to anyone at any age. The humor is so wonderful and smart. We all loved it and can't wait until it comes out on DVD.

As soon as Connor and I got back home, we started painting the next morning. First, we did the bedroom in a gray color and the transformation was incredible! It instantly became an actual bedroom. I can't believe the power that just a can of paint holds. The bedroom is now my favorite place in our home, which certainly wasn't the case before! It was so white and sterile lol. Now I'm really looking forward to getting a big people bed... aka a queen size! Connor thinks we'll get lost in it, but I don't see that as a problem. Getting lost in a bed seems like the best place to get lost, in my opinion!

Anyway! We moved on to painting the bathroom the next day and it was much more of a taxing process with all the corners and  going around the bath tub and toilet.  BLAH. But it looks so fresh and so clean (like the Outkast song, remember it?). We are so happy with all the work we  Connor did. Connor really did the bulk of the work, OBVIOUSLY. But I did do an excellent job with painting the edges where the roller couldn't get to!

I'm happy to say that I didn't get TOO lazy over break with my cooking. I tried a coconut shrimp recipe from pinterest and it was phenomenal. I wish I had pictures to show of my crispy creations, but they took so long to make that by the time they were ready, Connor and I inhaled about half of them. I also made it with broccolini and couscous. SO yummy and Summer-inspired. Yes, I'm saying Summer because Spring is just not greeting us graciously enough. I want more warm weather! We want more, we want more!

Easter was so much fun! As per tradition, I joined the "D" clan out East for the annual brunch at a family friend's beautiful home. It is always wonderful and there is so much good food. I unforunately am on my "wedding diet nutritional plan," (God, I hate to use that word) so I didn't get to indulge on some of my favorite breakfast foods like french toast and bagels! However, I did have a couple of bites of a pink cupcake then gave the rest to Connor. YUM. I can't deny anything pink! It's a weakness of mine. We also went out to Southhampton (my first time being there). I loved it! I mean, who doesn't love mansions, beautiful stores and beach views? It was like being in a movie. For a second, I thought maybe I could be Sabrina Fairchild (after she came back from France and became sophisticated),  but then I realized that it was just a dream. And I am not Audrey Hepburn. :(

Won the jelly bean contest!

OH and wedding invitations are officially on their way out today! WOO HOOOOOO! I couldn't be more relieved to be finished with that monstrosity of a project. And now the wedding seems so much more real now that it will be announced to over 100 people! In just 89 days, I will be a Mrs! AHH. Yesterday, Connor's wedding band came in and it is so beautiful. Beautiful in looks, yes, but also in it's meaning. It's such a huge step getting married and it means so much to me to be doing it with the man of my dreams (and the coolest guy in the universe)! I couldn't be more excited to be his wife! :D

I think I end every post like this lately... hmm. I'll work on adjusting that! lol. The wedding butterflies are really taking hold now.

So it's back to reality. Connor's back to work on DPC issues and has his serious study face back on. OH bummer.

Love,
Mandy