Chicago Botanic Garden

One of the first things I did when I had free time before Orientation was visit the Garden with my mom. I thought we might be there for a couple of hours but we ended up staying the entire day! The place is huge, and beautiful. Mom was nice enough to get me a membership so I can come back and see the gardens at different times of the year or even plop myself out on one of their many grassy knolls and do some reading while the weather is still nice. Here are some of the (way too many) pictures I took that day.

(Do you see the armadillo?)

White Coat Ceremony

After several days of Orientation we had our White Coat Ceremony. Below are a few clips from the evening.



We had to state our name and one word on what we would bring to medicine. Of course there was one guy who said "sexy back". Of course.



The hippocratic oath.



Ending remarks.


And in 200 weeks I will be a doctor. Yikes!

Getting Settled

Here are a few pics of my apartment after moving in. It pretty much looks like a disaster. Good thing Dad is handy with the tools.





His knees looked even more red in person from kneeling all day putting together furniture! Thanks Dad!

Day 4: Dixon, IL to North Chicago, IL

We slept in on the last day since we only had about a two hour drive left. I let Dad do the driving since we would be going through city traffic and he has more experience pulling a trailer.

We rolled up to school at about 10am. My move-in appointment wasn't until 3pm, but it was so quiet they let me move in immediately. We spent the rest of the day moving in and unpacking boxes. Boy do I hate moving. You never realize how much crap you have until you have to move it.

My kitchen as seen from the living area.




The living area as seen from the kitchen.



My empty boxes.


Looking back toward the kitchen and the front door (on the left). The bedroom door is on the right.


Looking into the bedroom.


The bedroom as seen from the bathroom hallway.


Poor dad. I think I tuckered him out.


Looking toward the bathroom hallway.


I'll try to post a video once everything is completely finished. I still have some pictures to hang and a few other things to do.

Day 3: North Platte, NE to Dixon, IL

Up at 5 am.

645 miles.

4 gas stops.

We finally make it to Illinois and get....

...tornado warnings and downed trees.

Welcome to the midwest.



It's hard to see, but this is the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument.


Dash Pug again. And lots of buggies on the windshield.


Getting closer!

Dash Pug was very excited about the World's Largest Truck Stop


Cursing a truck driver who cut me off.


We made it to Illinois!

Isn't it quaint and cute?!

Day 2: Burley, ID to North Platte, NE

Yeah, that's right, Idaho to Nebraska. Four states in one day. That's how we roll.


Up at 5 am.

800 miles.

5 gas stops.

Severe lightning and thunderstorms.

A brush with bad beer.

Me: What beers do you have on tap?
Waitress: Bud, Bud Light, Miller...
Me: looking absolutely crestfallen
Waitress: ...Boulevard Wheat
Me: Wait, what? What was that last one?
Waitress: Boulevard Wheat?
Me: Yes, yes, that one! I'll take that one!
(hope remains alive!)




And more adventures of Dash Pug.

Day 1: Portland, OR to Burley, ID

596 miles.

3 gas stops.

(The Subaru, or "Subie" did great, except for the gas mileage. Down to 14.4 mpg. Ouch!)

Lots of scenery, including big horn sheep (live, not roadkill).And, little Dash Pug going over Cabbage Hill outside of Pendleton.

Packing Day

My muscle-bound Dad.

So Sorry

I know I promised to blog from the road, but we have been soooo busy. Between driving 800 miles per day and moving and setting up furniture, I am tiiiiiired. But I promise to post stuff soon, including pictures.

Some things to look forward to:
Lots of road kill
Severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings
The trifecta of %$#@: Bud, Bud Light, and Miller
My awesome new apartment