Simplifying our lives

I put this as the title of our blog, because that is what I feel that we are doing over here. In the US, we spent nonstop hours on our cell phones, going out to eat, working ourselves to the core, and constantly on the go... that I felt disjointed. Part of the problem was the stress of residency, but I definitely took advantage of all the luxuries and conveniences that the US has to offer. Here, there is no starbucks...am making my own coffee; no dishwasher....have to wash all dishes by hand; garbage only comes everyother week....so I have turned into a recycle maniac (they have a compost bin (for vegetables,fruit,etc) and a large dry recyclable bin for almost everything else); no Target/department stores (that i have discovered yet)...resorting to "common beauty products" (dove, cetaphil, etc); there are fewer eating establishments...am cooking at home; no cafeteria in the hospital...bringing my own lunch. It has definitely caused me to step back and reflect on how I was living my life and realizing that I really can do more with less. I have had a "reawakening" with regards to wanting to be even more "organic" and be more environmentally conscious. I have been doing a lot of reading on different topics such as household cleaning chemicals, and, even though I have made some of my own nontoxic cleaners in the past, I am definitely switching to all nontoxic! There was also this article on minimizing purchases and buying used items...some people went to the extreme on no new purchases (except toiletries/food) for one whole year...I am not quite that hardcore...but have bought items from a Craigs list-like thing on base for our house (coffee maker, alarm clocks, TV stand). I am also doing a lot more "greener/healthier/organic" cooking at home...I feel so much healthier and I have discovered that I love cooking! Don't get me wrong...I am sure I will dive right into somethings when I return back to the US for various trips (Caribou/starbucks/chipotle/chilis here I come!), but I am enjoying the "simple life" over here in England.
I have volunteered to become an assistant coach with the swim club on base. I am really excited and will have my first practice tonight! The swim club travels to Italy, Germany, and France for their swim meets...don't know how much I will be traveling yet, but at least the meets are on the weekends. And, I am joining a Master's swim program in our town that practices a few nights a week. My hope is to do some triathalons over here...but, I am afraid to ride my bike on these narrow roads with no shoulders (cars line up behind you as you are riding and pass when it is safe to do so...). I figure the first step is to get in the pool...baby steps.
Aaron has been golfing a lot over here...I think he played the last 7 days straight with at least 18 holes each day. He has met a lot of people and has even played in a few tournaments on base. We got a membership at the course, so he has definitely gotten his monies worth so far. I took a lesson a few weeks ago and have another one this next weekend. I am at least hitting the ball now...its amazing how much more enjoyable golf is when that happens. Aaron and I are going to play around one of these days...hopefully it will not be too busy!
Brittany arrives on the 11th. We are very excited to have her staying with us! We are all planning to take a trip the first week of October somewhere...don't know where yet. We found this website www.lastminute.com that you can get flight/hotel for super cheap if you wait until the "last minute" for travel. There are several discount airlines over here, but are going to try the "last minute" site for something spontaneous and cheap! We will keep you posted.
Well, I hope all is well back in the states. We miss you all!

Settling In...

Well, we are finally moved into our house. The movers came two weeks ago and we just got internet hooked up, so now I can resume blogging! We are quickly realizing that we have way too much stuff! Our house, despite being quite large by British standards with four bedrooms has no storage! We have two closets in the entire house, no storage in the bathrooms as all of the sinks are pedestal style, and our kitchen has only four cabinets. But, we are slowly finding a place for everything.
We have even managed to venture out in the surrounding area for some fun. Two weeks ago we went to Cambridge. It is a large University town approx. 25 colleges within the University system. There is a river cam running through the city and we took the opportunity to go punting on the river.

Punting involves cruising the river on a flat bottom boat while the punter pushes off with a pole. We were on a guided tour, but you can rent a boat and try it yourself. It was quite entertaining watching people try to navigate...and run into the side of the river or other boats. I think we will just stick with the guided tour.
Here is a pic of King's college.

The tour was 50 minutes long and we learned alot about Cambridge history. A definite stop when we have visitors...yes, you can drink while punting.Then, last weekend we went antiquing and to the horse races in a nearby town. There is quite a bit to do just in the neighboring towns. We are going to London this Sunday on the "tube" (train) to explore. Hopefully visiting some of the castles and Piccadiliy Circus.
I officially started work/seeing patients last week. I absolutely love it! A refreshing change after residency...I actually enjoy going to work! The 48th fighter wing (RAF lakenheath) where I am stationed is the largest F-15 base outside of the U.S. and is considered fully operational. Being such, I have been assigned to a deployment cycle, with deployment likely next March - August. But, just because my group deploys does not mean I will. Currently, the only Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons going to Iraq are from 5 different bases in the US. However, I may be deployed for a humanitarian mission to Africa. We will see though.
It is definitely more laid back here...anything would be after residency. We get out at 3:30 MWF for mandatory fitness, which is nice. I am on call every other week with one week of the month being Trauma. I managed to go the first week (non-trauma) with no calls! Brad Turner, the other surgeon, is extremely nice and a pleasure to work with. He is a Lieutenant Colonel and its nice to work with someone with experience. I will be doing all of the cosmetic cases because he does not have an interest in them and we will split the surgeries for patients with braces (orthognathic surgery).
Aaron is trying to find a job...wanting something part time to give us time to travel. My sister Brittany is arriving mid-September so they will both be able to job-hunt together!
I do not want to post our phone number on line, so I will email it. We got a very nice calling plan with unlimited minutes to the U.S (as long as the calls are less than 60 minutes, which you just hang up and call back). So, please call us (remember we are 6 hours ahead) when you are available and we will hang up and then call you right back.

One more week...

Well, we finally found a house to rent. We were trying to decide between this cute 200 year old cottage in an ultra small village (<500 people) or a "newer" home in a larger village (8000 people). After much back and forth....we decide on the "newer" home. It is within walkin distance of the local market, resturaunts and pubs; more spacious (the cottage had one shower that was so small Aaron could not turn around in it); near more Americans (we were told the neighbors near the cottage were not the friendliest)...Here is a picture of our new home.

We move in on friday and are anxious to finally get settled...two months of living out of suitcases is getting old.
Our landlord is an older lady who has taken great care of the house and she has planted all of these shrubs in the backyard...Looks like a nice English garden.
Once we get moved in and get our computer hooked up, we can keep in touch with everyone. Right now, we have to go a few blocks away to the library to check our emails.
The house has four bedrooms....plenty of room for visitors!! Hope all is well back in the states.

We have arrived!!

Well, we made it safely to England without too much problem. The woman I am replacing picked us up at the airport and gave us the grand tour of the base. It is rather nice. We checked into lodging and wanted to go to sleep, but my commander and his wife stopped by after work (Aaron had been awake for 36 hours at that point...I was fortunate enough to have slept on the plane). They have given us the red carpet welcome...my commander also had Aaron and I over for dinner the next night. It has been a wirlwind past couple of days...we both passed our drivers test, will try to find a house to rent this weekend, and are learning how much England is a foreign country...the English language is the only thing we share! the English slang is quite different. For example....a "faggot" is a meatball sandwich. Kind of a shock when we get asked if we like juicy faggots! The surgeon I will be working with, Brad, is really nice. We sat down with him for a while this afternoon and he has volunteered to take us around to different villages this weekend. It will definitely be more alaid back than residency!!

Well, for now, email is the best way to contact us. When we get a home and a cell phone (hopefully tomorrow), we will forward the number to anyone interested.

Thanks for all of the emails!!

Living out of suitcases

Well, after a whirlwind weekend, we have moved back into base housing...week three of living out of suitcases. We had such a good time last weekend. My parents, two of my sisters (hilary and brittany), Mother-in-law, cousin Rachel, and friend Maria, flew in to celebrate my graduation. We all stayed at the Embassy Suites and ate and drank way too much!!
Here is a picture of me and the other two chiefs (brendan and george) in our Service Dress (Class A) Uniform at graduation.


Here is a picture of the gang at graduation



Aaron and I are excited that this chapter of our lives is completed and look forward to spending more time together! We look forward to seeing y'all. Both of our parents are planning going away parties on the 7th and 21st of July, so let us know if you are available.
Well, my 20 minutes are up on this computer in the hotel lobby. We will be flying home on the 1st and look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Graduation Dinner

Last night was the graduation dinner at Paesanos. It was a bittersweet dinner since it marks my transition from resident to oral surgeon.
Here is a picture of me with George and Brendan at Paesanos

We tried to get a group photo, but multiple people were taking a picture at once so it was hard to get one with everyone looking at the camera.
After the dinner we went to a bar...where I had a few too many martinis. Here is a photo of some of the women I became friends with during our four years in San Antonio. Shannon (on the far right) was in the residency with me and the others are wives of residents.


The official graduation is on Thursday at 5pm...and, because I happen to be the last graduate to walk across the stage, I have to salute the General! But, it will be a fun celebration and will be nice to see most of my family, Peggy, my cousin Rachel, and our friend Maria.

Well, we are moving onto base housing tonight and I have a ton of stuff to organize before the movers come for our final stuff tomorrow morning. We are really looking forward to seeing everyone in a couple of weeks.

I am the luckiest woman alive!

Last weekend Aaron and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband. Here is what I came home to after work on friday....

I could not have asked for a more supportive husband for the past 5 years. He has kept me grounded during my residency and really has shown me what is important in life; He is driven by life's simple things rather than money; Always knows how to make me laugh; I look forward to him being a father...something I know he will be incredible at; I could never repay him for all that he has given up to support my career in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Here is us last weekend at The Melting Pot (a fondue resturaunt)--we celebrated our anniversary a few days early since I was on call during our actual one..


Well, they are here moving our household belongings to England today. I will post some pictures of the insanity soon.