Looking forward to the weekends!

In my last few months left in NC, I have a lot of traveling and events I'm getting excited for!  Here's what I'm especially pumped for:

Las Vegas -- THIS weekend with these two amazing girls --> RSJ and S$.  Words can't explain how pumped I am for this!!  We are going to run amuck in Vegas.  I miss these girls every day and they are my absolute best friends.  A reunion is much needed after being apart for a VERY long time.

Great Grapes Wine Festival!  I don't know why I hadn't heard of this before.. but I'm excited to go this year.  SSC introduced me to this event -- and what could be better than being outdoors in the spring, with unlimited wine "samples"..?  I can't wait to go and get belig with her and friends in the sunshine.  Who's down??

Trip to NOLA!  At the end of April, I'll be heading down to New Orleans with Dad and Bex (and perhaps Deluxx(x) now that he'll be 21 -- heyohh) and look for housing!  I'm getting so antsy.. words can't even explain.


..and speaking of Deluxx(x) (my dear little brother).  He turns 21 on April 16th.  And believe I will be there for that debauchery.  He's hilarious to me, and I love him tons -- and I can't wait to help him celebrate with him and friends!

Then there's a series of Bon Voyage parties.. for me and others.  One of TP's friends who is a lot of fun is moving to Utah for work and is having a blowout of drinking and hanging out on the lake.. how can you say no to that?!  I have a weakness for booze in the sunshine.  There's nothing more relaxing.


And then there are my going away party(ies?).  TP's husband brews beer as a hobby (jeal) and it is quite delicious.  He has begun brewing a NOLA style beer, and we're going to have a small party with that and all the New Orleans-style food to have a mini-goodbye party.  One of the girls that used to be in the lab (and one of the only med students that was honestly cool and not an utter douchebag) JC got into her residency up in NYC and we'll be saying goodbye to her too!  I hate goodbye parties, but this will be lowkey enough that I won't get all teary like a baby (although I'm not betting on anything).


..then I've got to do some kind of Adios Triangle bar crawl.  It's only approp since I doubt I'll be back here anytime soon (except to visit of course).  Ah! Sad.. ok enough of that.

San Antonio!

So last weekend, Moms, the Wifey and I went to San Antone for the weekend.  Wifey's family lives in the city, so we did some visiting of the in-laws and exploring the city.  I forgot to take a ton of pictures, but I did catch this cute little fam on the way to the rodeo.  Only in Texas.  The rodeo was quite interesting -- and I even got some dope cowboy boots!  (Thanks to the Wifey!)

And while I do think I still may do pediatrics, I did get a taste of what dermatology may be like -- lots of work, but a schedule you set yourself, while also living in an incredible home with an even more incredible closet..?? Um, sign me up.  I cannot explain how immaculate her wardrobe was.. I literally die.  LV, Chanel, YSL.. a girl's dream.

But overall it was a really fun trip -- did the Riverwalk, drank lots of margs, and ate some quality Mexican food.  Am looking forward to a repeat trip for sure.

Brazillian Style

I miss Brazil. A lot. I spent 6 weeks there in college volunteering and fell in love with it. Everyone there is so laid back and friendly, the food is amazing, and the drinks were divine. I had the best time, learned a lot, and met great people all while working in the medical field which will soon become my whole life.

The Sartorialist has recently been snapping some great style shots of people in Brazil (specifically Rio, not where I was, but we did travel there), and I adore these looks. It is the essence of the women in Rio -- bright colors and not afraid to show some skin. Just plain gorgeous. Here are my favorites of their latest piece:

So much for the city..

..tell me that you'll dance til the end.
[the thrills]




I know I've been MIA for a while -- and mainly because I've been traveling and visiting friends. RSJ came to Raleigh, and I was so excited to see her! She's one of my dearest friends, and I'm always psyched to see her. All that was missing was S$!

..and the crew I spent numerous late nights with senior year of college came out! I missed these kids so much, and was super psyched for the reunion. Love them dearly.


Then it was off to New Orleans. I had an interview at Tulane (keep your fingers crossed!) and fell in love with their program, their people, and New Orleans in general. The food is delicious, the drinks are legendary, and everyone there is ridiculously friendly. I find out in about 3 weeks if that will be my new home -- and it cannot come soon enough.

Plus, I got to see my dearest friend from my time in Brazil -- LS! She's doing Teach for America down there and after my interview showed me what NoLa is all about. I adore her friends, and had the best time.

It ended up being a definite "sorry for partying" kind of night -- missed my 6:15am flight, but made it home in one piece. Tulane's attitude is "Work Hard, Play Hard" and it is something I can definitely get in line with.

This was also my first "adult" trip. I'm 23, and all my traveling has been done with someone. Friends, family, or new acquaintances. I hadn't seen LS in years, and we picked up right where we left off. In high school especially, I was the super shy kinda girl, and had a handful of close friends -- very few fringe friends. For the most part, that's how it'd been in college too. I'm def more confident, and I think this trip is part of my coming of age into my full independence. I'm doing things on my own, and picking up close friends along the way. If I go to Tulane, I know these new friends will be part of my close knit NoLa clique, besides that of the medical school community I'll be in as well (which from what I can see is pretty fun and tight as well).

..and now it's back to the real world. I'm afraid once I get into school, I'll start to check out of my job, but my boss knows this is just an interim place for me anyways. and I'll get back to blogging on the reg.

Currently Reading.. and such.

I feel like I've been living out of a suitcase lately -- my apartment is a mess, I have no groceries b/c by the time I buy them, they rot in my absence, and I'm constantly tired. This is my last weekend away (at least for a week or two), and it is by far the best one yet -- I'm going to NYC to see S$!! Words cannot explain how excited I am to visit her!

During my travels, especially in the airport, I usually always stop by the second hand bookstores -- I feel the books have a little more character there, and the owners are always around to give you advice on your next read. There's one in the airport, and I'm a huge fan of supporting local businesses.. and their latest recommendation is:


So far I love it -- and I know it's been out for a while, but it's time to start reading all the contemporary fiction I can, before medical school takes over my life (my interview at Case went well, btw).