think before you speak...

It is hard to believe, but tomorrow morning will mark the end of my first semester as a PT student. The semester has been very challenging, but it has absolutely flown by. Last week held the much anticipated Standard Patient Interaction (SPI) that serves as a cumulative practical for all that we have learned this semester. I had the chance to perform an initial evaluation on a very sweet man who was quite patient with me as I fumbled through the encounter. The highlight of the interview, was when I asked what he did for a living.

Patient replied, "I manage an Apple store in Georgetown."

I enthusiastically responded, "That's fantastic! I love apples. They are so delicious!"

His response was to give me a look of bewilderment.

In that brief awkward moment, I relieved that this was not the manager of the quaint, country orchard I had somehow been picturing. This was the manager of the world's most popular brand of electronics.

"Oh, you work for the Apple computer store. I love those too!"

Then he just chuckled and we went on with the exam.

It is the simple joys that keep me going.

Turkey Day 2009

We had yet another wonderful Thanksgiving in Salt Lake City this year. In addition to spending time with dear family, we were thankful to have some precious time in the west again. We love our new home in DC, but the beauty of the snow peaked mountains is hard not to miss.

One of the highlights of the trip was our Turkey Day hike up to the radio towers, two giant sheets of metal that sit atop a neighboring mountain/large hillside, providing a good destination for motivated hikers. A highlight of the hike, was seeing our ironwoman friend who is probably in her mid 60's and finds it enjoyable to run up the mountainside, leaving us in her dust every year. Who knows how often she takes this route, but for us, she is someone we look forward to seeing each year.

Making our way back down to a delicious feast.

The yummy place settings we had, compliments of Annie! Needless-to-say they did not last very long.