High Five for Friday

Wooohooo! It's Friday, y'all!  Didn't think it would ever get here this week.

I pretty much studied all. week. long. So there is not much happenin' around here.

Let's see if we can come up with a High Five for the week:

1. Jesse threw it back old school this past weekend and pulled an all-nighter with our friend Mike playing video games. They battled goblins and trolls until the wee (weeeee) hours of the morning. It's great to have friends so close that can hang out this way.

2. On Tuesday we kept the cutest baby in the world. I tried to teach her about the digestive system and all of it's possible diseases, but she wasn't too interested. She much preferred swinging in the hammock with Jesse and playing with a few baby apps he added to his tablet. Then we watched her eat an apple half the size of her own head, one teeny tiny bite at a time. So cute!

By the way, I learned at small group on Wednesday that saying "keep" a child, as in to babysit them, is a Southern thing. Apparently those that live way above us on the map prefer to say, "Can you watch my baby tonight?" However, I might have corrupted a certain Northern friend. ;)

3. This week at school I learned how to appropriately check your blood pressure, began an enormous packet of notes about ocular antibiotics, and can now test all of your eye muscles and visual field for defects while randomly (not really random at all) waving my arms around in front of you for about 2 minutes.  I'm no pro at any of these quite yet, so it would probably take me longer than expected.

4. After a long week of studying I de-stressed with a little shopping after class today. Mostly window shopping, but I did get a nice deal on these makeup brushes, which I've been needing to upgrade from the ones the Estee Lauder counter gave me for free quite some time ago.

5.  The best moment of the week was last night when I was bombarded by a pirate at my front door. Thankfully she did not plunder my house, but only wanted to see if we would go with her to Pirate Day at Krispy Kreme to loot some free donuts. Kelsey and Mike put their theater skills to good use. Words cannot describe how awesome the performance was - you should just watch it for yourself!

From Our Kitchen - Red Wine Steak & Mushrooms

It's been a little while since I've tried a new recipe or meal. I've been in a cooking slump, mostly due to the lack of time to spend in the kitchen. We really wish we had a grill, especially during the summer months. I've thought about getting some kind of indoor grill-like cooking surface. We found this pan at TJMaxx, and put it to use that same night:

It's a cast iron pan with an enamel coating on the outside. It is VERY heavy, and has this extra piece to press down on top of foods (not sure how useful that will be). 

We picked up some beef at Publix. Now, I'm not a huge beef fan. It can be fatty, which to me is gross. And then there are cuts that can't be cooked quickly or they will wind up tough. So, I have a hard time picking out a piece of beef, and I'm not going to by an expensive cut of sirloin (or whatever) to cook in the pan - it just ain't right. This piece of flat iron steak seemed marbled enough to stay tender and thin enough to cook evenly and through in the pan.

Here's the line up of seasonings we used. The herbs on the right were Herbs de'Provence, or some kind of blend of Italian herbs. It would have been best to marinate so that the steak could absorb more of the flavor, but this was dinner on the fly.

I soaked each side in wine and soy sauce, then shook the Lawry's and herbs on top and rubbed them in, then threw it in the pan.

After several minutes I flipped it over, and was a little excited to see those "grill lines." Now, of course it doesn't give the same flavor as a real, outdoor charcoal grill, but it is a step up from a flat pan which just lets the meat steam in its own juices. I also added some mushrooms to the pan, with a little butter and wine.

This is where things got weird. I stood in front of the rice aisle trying to find a mix, like rice pilaf or something. I saw this quinoa and brown rice mix, but did not realize it was pre-cooked until I was trying to determine how long to cook it, and the package said to rip open the top and a tablespoon of water and microwave for 90 seconds. WHAT?! So I took the suggestion in fine print and warmed it up in a skillet. It was a little disturbing to think that this rice had been cooked who knows how long ago, packaged, and sat on a shelf. I like the combination of quinoa and brown rice, but I won't be buying this again. I'd rather cook my own.

Tada! A quick and yummy meal for dinner! The steak was tender, and had good flavor (which could have been better by marinating). I would probably try cooking this cut of meat again- maybe with different seasoning, like a lime marinade (to replicate my favorite Urban Cookhouse dish...hmmm).

What are your favorite cuts of steak/beef to cook indoors?

High Five for Friday

Happy Friday everyone! It's been a doozey of a week, with late nights and lots of morning coffee to keep me going. I'm about ready to crash. Let's see if I can muster a high five:

1. I studied hard last Friday and Saturday so that I could join Jesse and Mike on their trip to Atlanta. We made it in time for the sushi buffet at our favorite place - Ru San's. Right in the nick of time to pile our plates high with deliciousness before they took the buffet down. :) We then went to The Fish Store (appropriately named), which is a salt water fish and coral warehouse. It was full of beautiful corals and unique fish (also a lot of Nemos)! We then made a quick run through Ikea, which is always fun! I found a neat bamboo cutting board and a cute purple and pink spatula.

2. I got to see my friend Hannah this week! We studied together... separately really, but I still got to see her, and that makes me happy!

3. I can now thoroughly evaluate your pupils and determine if you have abnormalities, like an afferent pupillary defect, aniocoria Horner's syndrome, or Adie's pupil!

4. I think it was last week that I worked on changing a very minor detail of the blog. If you look up on your tab to any webpage there is a little image next to the site's name. These are called favicons. The typical Blogger favicon is their trademark B in an orange box. I've tried to change mine before, but it didn't work. I gave it another try last week and made a white heart in a blue box. It didn't show up immediately, but I noticed it works for me this week when I view the blog! So maybe you see that too.

5. Tonight, we went to a meeting at school that was held by the Banzai group - a community of optometrists who are focused on practicing medical optometry, and being so successful they bring in at least a million dollars a year. It was so insightful, and I'm very glad I chose to go, and that I brought Jesse along to hear what they had to say. It was wonderful to see all of their passion, especially in the midst of feeling overwhelmed by school itself. It was good to be reminded of where I could be in just a few years, although the present seems difficult and unending.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

High Five for Friday

It's Friday again?!  A Monday off sure mixes up the week. Considering I feel like I just got into the swing of the week as it's coming to an end, not much happened this week. But let's see what I can come up with...

1. Saturday we went to our friends' daughter's birthday party. She is one whole year old!  She's the best baby, possibly ever. She always smiles when we first see her, she loves to play with Jesse's hair, she rarely cries, almost always eats all her fruits and veggies (I'm always proud of non-picky eating children), she has the cutest little 'focus face' as she concentrates on nearly everything (because she's also super smart), and we love her very much.  She got lots of sweet little gifts from all of her friends, including a touch and feel book from us, which she kindly pointed to each animal's fur and said "oooh." It means she like it! A success!

2. Labor Day was spend with my mom's side of the family at my Aunt Mary John's house (hi Aunt Mary John! She's a frequent reader.)  Jesse's parents came along as well! Uncle Charles grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and MJ made all the sides (fixin's) and various desserts were brought. It's not a Wilson gathering if there aren't nearly as many desserts as "real food" options. ;)  It was delicious, and a wonderful time with family, with some... interesting... conversation.

3. Our Community Group is changing paces, and this week we cast lots, true Old Testament style, to determine the next book of the Old Testament we should work through chapter by chapter (or something like that). After several dueling rounds of chance dice roles, throwing of tokens, dropping of sticks, and flipping of coins, six books were finalists. In the last casting of lots, sticks were drawn and the Lord declared Amos the book we shall study! So, Amos it is. Anyone know anything about Amos? We don't now, but we will over the next few months, and I'm excited to be digging through scripture together!

4. A repeat from last week: Jesse went to Dothan for work, which meant he got to spend (some more) time with Matt & Heidi. He returned yesterday, and all became right with the world again. :)

5. I took a nap in the hammock today. Aaaah... I love that thing. Makes for the best naps.

Just a little song...

This song recently, and quickly, has become a favorite of mine. And thankfully, it comes on the radio nearly every time I'm in the car. I don't know if that's because it's super popular, or the Lord is trying to reach me. Either way it is humbling no matter how many times I hear it.

High Five for Friday

Happy Friday everyone! I'm blogging to you with my feet kicked up, relaxing. It's been a long week with two exams, a lost lunchbox, and a husband that was away for a couple of days. But, let's not dwell on that. It's time for High Five for Friday! Aaaannnnnd.......GO!

1. Last Saturday, we got to see the wedding of Chris and Gill, two of our friends from community group. Most of us from the group were able to go, and we all clean up real nice (don't ya think?)!  It was a beautiful ceremony at the Donelly House here in Birmingham, complete with delicious food and drinks, dancing, and what else, but Steel City Pops! Weddings are just so lovely, sweet, and blissful.

2. Monday was my White Coat ceremony - see that post HERE!

3. Got a new best friend this week. This little contraption is what we call "the schematic eye." I should probably give it a name, since we will become quite acquainted. It's helping me learn how to do retinoscopy, which means soon I will be able to determine your prescription with one little hand-held instrument (and that tray full of lenses)!

4. Jesse had training in Dothan this week, which also meant he got to spend time with his brother and sister-in-law. Then he came back home, and all was right with the world. :)

5. I had some girl time with my friend Hannah this week, and while we chatted, Jesse worked on some small repairs on my car. Then he washed and waxed it, without me evening mentioning it. He loves me. :)

White Coat Ceremony

Monday night my classmates and I received our white coats! This means that we are at the stage in our education that we are moving into the clinical setting, as we spend this year learning skills to care for our future patients.

Why a white coat? The back of our program for the ceremony summed it up best: "White was chosen with good reason as the new standard of the medical profession. White represented purity and is a visual reminder of the physician's commitment to do no harm. White represents goodness, cleanliness, symbolizes seriousness of purpose, and represents a cloak of compassion. Likewise, the white coat reminds optometrists of their professional duties to practice their art in honor. The white coat, as one of healthcare's most important symbols, signifies that a doctor's responsibility is not only to treat the patient, but also to care for patients well-being. Today, the White Coat is the universal symbol of the health profession."

We were able to invite a few guests, so my parents and Jesse's parents came. They are all so supportive of us! While looking over the photos, I just realized I only started out in this world with one of the four of them, but am so blessed to have each of them in my life.

And of course, my main squeeze (or, as he likes to be known, my sugar daddy). There are not enough words allowed in this post to express his love, support, and patience for the last... 10 ten years (literally), as I've worked toward this goal of optometry.

And while my whole class is amazing, these three girls here help me keep my head on straight. I don't think I could make it through without them!

The Interns Pledge

With full deliberation I freely and solemnly pledge that:

I will practice the art and science of optometry faithfully, conscientiously and to the fullest extent of my ability.

I will uphold and honorably promote by example and action the highest standards, ethics, and ideals of the optometric profession.

I will provide professional care for those who seek my services, with compassion and due regard for human rights and dignity.

I will hold as privileged and confidential all information entrusted to me by my patients.

I will place the treatment of those who seek my care above personal gain and strive to see that none shall lack for proper care.