Stories on Sunday

Kind of a catchy title, don't you think? I thought perhaps if when winding down on Sunday, I could also do a weekly blog post, that might be fun/productive for me. So, we'll see how it goes. The problem is some weeks there's not a whole lot going on, and others there is a lot going on. We'll see if I can find a happy-medium in there to keep you reading/memories preserved for us! Anyways, onward and upward.

Where have I been? Work. Remember, I started my new job?! It has been really, really great. I can not complain about one single thing so far. They have done a fantastic job of getting us any/all resources we'd ever need, and making us feel comfortable and at home. Oh, and my two other fellows? Well, they are pretty great, too. It's really nice to have people to go about this adventure with.  So far, we have done a lot of education, we have more coming up this week, and then we'll be starting our rotations. So, here is our life in pictures recently.

Dave insisted on the classic "First Day of Work/School" picture. I obliged.

This is my "office." I'm in the middle, and the other girls are on each side of me.

Oh, this. This, my friends, is a batch of "Carmelitas." I made them for my Sister-in-Law when she re-did my blog. Good thing I sent them to her, because I had one and wrapped them up to be sent off to her. Click Here for the recipe I used. 

These are a big ole' pan of roasted veggies. I don't always reach for veggies, but know I should, and it was one way I incorporated more into my life. Plus, when working full-time it's easy to make on Sunday and pack in my lunch all week!

Speaking of meal prep...This Pizza Dough is delicious, healthy (it uses some wheat flour), and easy. You just have to make sure you have time to let it rise. Click here for this recipe.

Chicken Parmesan Bake. I made this on a Sunday so all Dave had to do was pop it in the oven. We both enjoyed it, and it was a much lighter version than what you'd get going out. Recipe here. Oh, and I actually just halved this recipe, because when there are only two people, you don't want to eat leftovers for 10 days straight.

This is nothing too exciting, but my old roomie, Amy, got us this Hard Boiled Egg/Poached Egg Maker for our wedding. And, I LOVE it. I use it ALL the time. Oh, and the point of the picture? Good snack, good breakfast, whatever goes with a Hard Boil Egg, this is a great way to make a batch!

 

Mini-Pumpkin-Donut-Muffins. These are to die for. I have the recipe downstairs. So, if you really want it, just ask!

These are new gray flats that I love. I try to pick my outfit just so I can wear them. They feel like I'm walking on pillows, and my feet don't hurt. 

This is a view of The Texas Medical Center from the 21st floor of one of the libraries I believe. 

If you didn't know about this, well now you do. And, I can confirm it's delicious and a great way to start your day!

This is a view from a different spot.

This stuff. Also delicious. And new. Just the perfect hint of Vanilla if you ask me!

This conference was very interesting, and I will definitely go back to my very thick binders when I need to look things up. 

Some Homemade Cherry Granola.

We used these chopped up Veggies to make Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps. Link is here. We both enjoyed this light/easy dinner!

Spaghetti Soup. This was good, except for when I went to add the "Red Pepper Flakes," I didn't realize the jar was wide open, and I accidently poured nearly 3/4 of a cup in there. I tried to salvage it, but it was still super hot.  I would make again though, because it was yummy. Link here

This is a Fro-Yo Bar at work. I can't make this stuff up!

I went to a painting class one night with some of my new friends, and this is what I came up with. I was going to send it to my Rooms because I was convinced she was having a boy, but she had a GIRL. So, I got something else special cooking up for sweet precious baby ELLA! 

These girls. Love em'. They are fabulous. I hosted the Parenthood watch party for the new season!

Us all cuddled up on the couch, drinking wine, eating crackers/cheese, and popcorn!

They also brought me this sweet mug.

Went to our first Astros game of the season with the girls I work with/their families.

I thought the stadium was pretty cool.

Yes, I know, I'm wearing a Texans hat. But the baseball season is pretty much done, so I wanted to get something that would carry me for awhile ;) Oh, and see that cute Yankees fan? Yep, his team won. Apparently they call the "Astros" the "Disastros" here. 

Waiting for the fireworks to start.

Pretty Fireworks.

New Fall Nail Polish. Don't mind if I do.

Want a business card?

Love this little area, run by it a lot!

Greek Pasta Salad. Click Here.

We took a little walk around Hermann Park Golf Course, so pretty!

Ah, and now we are up to TODAY. We went to a Greek Festival! Super Yummy!

Balklava!!

You know my friends up there? One of them is the one who taught the painting class, and they were having an art fair this weekend where she had a booth! So, we picked up this gem, it has the map of Houston integrated, pretty cool I thought.

She also makes these cute little magnets. Now, rest assured, I haven't joined the "'Y'all" culture, I just thought it was cute. 

Oh, and this? Our local grocery store doesn't make too bad Sushi. So, sometimes we do date night in with H-E-B freshly made Sushi!


If you've made it this far, I'm impressed. Happy Sunday!

Prelude

As I sit down to write this I have lots of emotions going through me. I am beyond excited to get this opportunity to be a fellow at MD Anderson for a year. I am blessed beyond belief for all of the supportive people who helped me get to where I am. I am in awe of the program, and what the hospital stands for. Tomorrow is usual first day stuff, orientation, sign up for benefits, and more orientation.

But, I know as the days unfold,  some days will be long, maybe some will be short or "normal." I know there will probably be days where I am fighting to hold back tears, and other days when a patient goes into remission that will fill my heart with joy.  I know I will be touched in ways by patients and their families that I never would have guessed. I know I'll probably end up forming lifelong relationships with new friends, and colleagues. I will be stretched when I don't necessarily want to be stretched, but it will be worth it and good.

It will be hard. I won't always know what I'm doing. I will have to ask a lot of questions. Some days I'll wonder what I have gotten myself into, and others I'll wonder if I picked the right place to be.  But, I'll also know my work is bigger than me. I know I'll be part of a team that is fighting to end cancer. I will be lucky enough to have an abundant amount of resources at my fingertips. I will get to learn from the best, and I feel so incredibly lucky to be able to do so.

So, tonight, my "summer" comes to an end. No more laying by the pool and reading my books. No more going to the gym whenever I want. No more home baked goods for the brothers, well maybe I'll still make time for that :). Tonight, marks the closing of one chapter, and tomorrow when I wake up I will be starting a new chapter. A chapter that is new, and exciting, and yet scary and daunting at the same time. But, with all that said, I could not be more excited or proud to be joining the team that is "Making Cancer History!"

-M

Week 4 to Week 7--Where did the time go?

Hi. I'm sorry. I haven't been good at updating the blog every week. Maybe I should work on that so you don't have to wade through tons and tons of pictures. Well, I'm not promising anything because work starts this week! So, I'll just fill you in on the past few weeks!

I organized the closet one day. I must say I thought I did a pretty darn good job! 

We went and saw "We're the Millers." Great flick. We laughed super hard and got Sushi afterwards.

Do you see this ridiculousness? Yes, those are bulls shaved into a bush. A very large bush. Sometimes, I can't believe my eyes down here.

Maybe I didn't mention in the previous picture? Yes, these are indeed in someone's front lawn down here. I told Dave to drive extra slow as we passed. I just can't make this stuff up. You will be in for a treat when I post a picture of the entire street that is lined with these things in all sort of animal shapes and sizes!

Orange is the New Black. Have you heard of it? Have you seen it? I blew through this season in no time on Netflix. It's not really kid appropriate, I warned you.

Oh, what is this you ask? A major Pinterest fail. MAJOR. As in, this our sheet music from our first dance at our wedding. I had grandiose dreams of blowing it up, antiquing it, and framing it. However, the guy at Kinko's was no help to us in blowing it up. So, it's currently sitting underneath our bed until I figure out what I'm going to do with it.

You thought the view from our balcony was cool? Well, guess what? This is our "Sister Apartment's" pool. It's kind of better as far as grandiose goes. But, hey a pool is a pool, right? Our apartment had an end of the year pool party complete with salsa dancers, tacos from taco trucks, and plantains, which  were pretty delicious.  I actually took Tennis Lessons at Rice University that weekend, met a nice friend, and she came to the pool party with me while Dave and his brother were working on their game they are making.

Can you name this movie? It's one of my favorites. It can make me laugh really hard.

Look at my snuggle muffin!

Precious baby. Everybody here thinks we have the most gorgeous girl dog, oh and that she {he} is a puppy. 

Ah. I merely mentioned to Dave that I saw on Ticket Master Chapelle was coming. I'm pretty sure within 5 minutes the tickets were purchased. It was really fun, and we went to a Happy Hour prior. A lot of different comedians performed, we really enjoyed it.

More of the Comedy Tour with Chapelle.

What's this you ask? I hope my brothers savored every last bite of the cookies I made them, because this week I start work, full-time, 8-5. No more three, twelve hour shifts with lots of days off in between.

Derrick requested Monster Cookies. He ended up getting "Brookies." A layer of Brownie + Monster Cookie. Glad they were shipped out of here as I would have gained 20 pounds merely be eating them.

Jacob has more delicate taste buds, which requested white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.

Which turned into bars, because it takes a lot of patience to make cookies.

Ah. My sweet new blog look. Did you notice? My sister-in-law, designed this for me! I really love it!

Ah, you want your behind kicked into gear? Try this workout on the treadmill. Guarantee you leave dripping in sweat. Totally worth it.

Oh hey! Just getting ready to go to my Welcome Reception at MD Anderson. 

Dave took this past Friday off work to spend the day with me. Awful sweet of him I thought. This is us at the beach. The ocean water was warm. The ocean is to me, what the mountains are to my Dad. He'll probably never understand why I like the beach so much, someday we'll come to an understanding, right Jimmy?

More beach.

I just love the water.

Awesome day!

We love Chipotle. But, look, I made a burrito bowl just like they do, and probably less calories!

Well, if you made it this far, I am impressed. Thanks for reading, and wish me luck as I start at MD Anderson this week! Enjoy the rest of your Labor Day weekend!

-M