Bonjour!!

Well, we returned from our trip to the French/Italian Riviera last night at 1am. We had a blast and could not have asked for better weather. But, I must say, it is nice to be home. I will not be sad if I do not have a jamon/fromage (ham/cheese) baquette any time soon.
Oh, before I begin....My sister, Lindsay, had her baby on Oct 2 (while we were gone). Her name is Lauren Grace and she is adorable! Click on the link to her blog on the right.

We flew into Nice, France which is the largest city on the Coast; we stayed there for two days. It was our first time to the Mediterranean coast and it was interesting to see a rocky beach. Most people spoke English so it was not hard to get around or order food. Here is a picture of the coast line:
And, here is a picture of Brittany and I on the main street through town where all of the shopping was

I learned alot about European fashion. Skinny jeans are in (even with zippers at the ankles....80's fashion anyone) and leg warmers are making a comeback!!!
Here is Aaron and I in the Plaza (Old Towne)

Our next stop was Monte Carlo, Monoco. Monaco is the 2nd smallest country, next to the Vatican. Aaron described it as Bel Aire on steroids. Aaron got to experience his first train ride....

Two James Bond movies were filmed at the Monte Carlo Casino, we we went there as well. It was interesting to see all of the cars parked outside: two Bentleys, two ferraris, mazerati (which is my new dream car...see previous post), Lamborghini...the mercedes looked out of place.
This is Aaron and I overlooking the casino (we were not allowed to bring our cameras inside, so this is the only glimpse we have

And, us overlooking the coast


Next, we took the train to Italy and stayed in a coastal village called Monterosso.
Our hotel was situated on a bluff that overlooked the city. The map made it look like it was rather close to the train station, so we decided to walk. Well after about 4 switch backs up this steep road (hauling our luggage), a shuttle stopped by to pick us up. THANK GOD!! There were still about 8 more switch backs up this steep windy road.... Map was definitely not too scale. Here is a picture of Aaron and I overlooking the village from our hotel.

Monterosso is in an area called Cinque Terra (five towns). There are five towns on the coast and we hiked 8 miles between the villages. It was a rather strenous hike and gave us an opportunity to burn off some of the Italian Pasta we had been eating. We started in Riomaggiore and hiked to north throught Monorola, Corniglia, Vernaza (the most scenic), and ended with the most rigorous climb to Monterrosa (and jumped in the sea to cool off!!!). Here are some scenes from our hike...
From this photo, you can see Monterosso in the distance.

This is Monorola. It is amazing how these homes are built right into the cliff side.

This is looking back at Corniglia. The hike was strenous in that you would hike up through the villages, then down to the sea, then up through the olive trees and vineyards... Lots of ascending and descending, but the scenery was amazing.

This is Aaron and I on the last leg of the hike, overlooking vernaza. We bought a watercolor painting from a woman along the hike with the same scene in it.


This was our favorite part of the trip and would recommend it to anyone traveling to Italy.
After two days in Italy, we took the train to Cannes, France for our last night of vacation. Here is a funny picture of Brittany. Most of the hotels did not charge additional money for having three people (vs. two), but the hotel in Cannes did...almost $90 more. So, Brittany opted for the floor. She created a bed out of the cushions on the chairs and pillows and covered up with the bathrobes!


So, there you have it. It is so much fun to be able to travel over here. Only a two hour flight and we were in vacationing in the Med!

100 things about me

I was tagged by a friend of mine to post a list of 100 things about me. Taunya, you are now tagged :)
We leave tomorrow for France/Italy, so check back next weekend for pics and a blog update.
Until then, enjoy....
1. I met my husband at a bar in college.
2. We have been married for over 5 years
3. I never graduated from college, but have a graduate degree. I was accepted via an early admission program to the University of MN School of Dentistry.
4. I love being blonde.
5. I have never had the same hair style for more than 4-6 months.
6. My favorite outfit: banana republic t-shirt, jeans, flip flops
7. My adventure goal: Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
8. I am a huge nerd: I love studying and learning. Maybe why I went to school for an additional 12 years after high school.
9. I am a product junky. I have many partially used bottles of lotion, shampoo, conditioner. I get impatient to use them before the current one is empty.
10. I love antiques. Lots of antique stores and auctions in England.
11. I love making lists! Which is maybe why I am trying to create 100 things about me.
12. I moved over 10 times while I was in college and in dental school.
13. I love looking at pictures.
14. I love looking at Christmas card pictures and decorating the fridge.
15. I am a terrible singer.
16. But, that does not stop me from singing in the car (when I am by myself)
17. I get a massage at least once a month.
18. I love the spa…facials, body wraps, pedis, manis…you name it.
19. I do not keep in touch with anyone from High school. My longest friends are Nicole and Dawn (met my first year in college and we swam together)
20. I used to stop at starbucks 5-6 times a week.
21. My favorite drink: Cinnamon Dolce Latte (non-fat, sugar free)
22. I have a huge sweet tooth!
23. I love cooking and baking. A new hobby of mine since finishing residency.
24. I am addicted to people.com-gotta get my celebrity gossip!
25. The next AF base I want to be stationed at: Japan
26. I was asked out on a date by one of the Baldwin brothers
27. I turned him down because I was dating Aaron
28. I pray regularly before going to bed
29. I am a morning person.
30. I love wine. Thank you Rachel for the tours in Napa and Sonoma.
31. Christmas is my favorite holiday.
32. I hate valentines day.
33. I love decorating.
34. I have only read one non-medical book in the past 9 years. But, have recently joined a book club to change that.
35. I am afraid of heights.
36. I want to get married again….to the same guy, but I just loved our wedding.
37. I love weddings in general.
38. I love watching college football.
39. Which is probably why fall is my favorite season.
40. But, we do not get much college football over here in England.
41. I try to be as environmentally conscious as I can.
42. I buy as much organic foods as I can (our base grocery store has a fairly limited supply).
43. I make a lot of my own cleaning chemicals.
44. I quit drinking caffeine cold turkey last week.
45. Aside from a killer headache the first day….doing okay
46. I can not go anywhere without my Nalgene water bottle. I fill it up 2-3 times a day.
47. I perform major operations (in residency even did an open heart bypass) and have not problem tolerating the site of blood. But, as soon as I smell/see vomit or crap….dry heaving.
48. I should be studying for my boards right now…..
49. I enjoy working out.
50. I swim or run 4-5 times a week.
51. Aaron has some competition….this cute little 7 year old on the swim club I coach said “ Coach Courtney, I wish I was older so I could be your boyfriend” My reply…”I think you would be too cool for me”
52. How come the first person to hit on me in what seems like ages is a 7 year old in a speedo?
53. I think residency aged me too much!!!
54. I love exploring the English country side. All of the local villages are so quaint!
55. I am enjoying our “simple” living over here despite missing a lot of the conveniences of home.
56. I am only on #56 and running out of things to say….see I told you I was boring
57. I consider myself a fairly religious person. We go to mass at least 2 times a month and are trying to get better about that.
58. I consider myself a loyal friend. Anything told to me confidentially stays that way.
59. i love playing trivia. But, my husband hates board games, so have not played it in a long time!
60. Favorite household chore: laundry
61. Least favorite: window washing
62. The house we are renting has some real wood floors. I love wood floors—the real kind; not the pergo, fake kind.
63. I wish I could buy an older house with all of the character (and wood floors)
64. But, Aaron and I have no clue about home repair so, if something went wrong…..
65. We decided to eventually build a new house, but spend way to much money to make it look old
66. But, seeing that I have anywhere from 4-15 years left in the military, that may be a while.
67. I love subscribing to or purchasing magazines. Favorites: Southern Living, Real Simple, Organic Living, People, US weekly, Runners world
68. I love what I do for a job! Although I am not quite ready to say the last four years of insanity (AKA residency) was worth it, but getting there.
69. I miss our dog, Aspen. But, thankfully she is doing well with her new family!
70. Aaron and I collect travel books. Every place we visit, we buy a book on the location.
71. I love my husband’s laugh.
72. And, how he can be watching TV all by himself and start laughing so hard that he can hardly breathe.
73. Love ya, Babe!
74. I love to decorate
75. Especially for the holidays!
76. I love to have my toe nails painted. Can’t stand the look of naked toe nails.
77. I hate wearing shorts.
78. I love wearing skirts and jeans.
79. I grew up wishing that I was tan.
80. But, now I enjoy being a “whittie”
81. I use a facial moisturizer with 15 SPF every day!
82. I look forward to being a mom.
83. I hope I can be as good of one as my mom was to me.
84. I wish I could raise my kids in a time similar to when I grew up or my parents grew up.
85. It scares me to think about the world our kids will grow up in.
86. My parents never missed a sporting/school event that we were involved in.
87. It kills my mother to keep secrets ☺ (okay, that one is not about me)
88. Favorite snack: Celery and peanut butter
89. Favorite indulgence: Truffles from a little candy store in a nearby village
90. I think it is fun driving on the “wrong” side of the road….and, am finally used to it.
91. Dream car: BMW 700 series
92. I am terrible at reading maps, which is why I usually drive and Aaron navigates….we make a great pair.
93. I am addicted to reading peoples blogs.
94. Y’all need to start one…Really easy. Go to www.blogspot.com.
95. I am blessed with awesome friends that I wish I could see more ☺
96. I have the best in-laws in the world.
97. I am super close to my family and talk with them a few times a week.
98. Even though technology is great, I still have a paper planner and address book
99. I can not study from textbooks on-line. I have to highlight in my books.
100. Yeah!!!! I made it to 100!!!! (hopefully I did not repeat any or misspell any words)

"Brilliant"

This is one of my favorite new British phrases, along with "smashing". Everytime you would use "good" substitute "brilliant" or "smashing". It is quite humorous at times.
Anyways, prepare for a long blog. I have a bunch of random thoughts this brilliant Sunday morning.
First of all, I can not believe how many people read this! I put the "ticker" on my blog five days ago and was amazed when I signed in this morning that 85 people have viewed it. But, I have to say, a bit disappointed that more of y'all are not leaving Comments! Better yet, maybe you should start a blog! My sister Taunya started hers. There is a whole blogger world out there! It is quite addicting. I will check a friend who will have a link to their friends who will have a link to their friends....next thing you know...i am reading about this cute couple who went on clomid and now have quads! Check it out...these poor two! www.thelifeofsuz.blogspot.com (cannot quite figure out how to make a link....)
I have been tagged by a friend to post "100 things about me" I really do not think I can come up with that many, but will start working on it, so be prepared to be thoroughly bored! But, you never know it could be a smashing time!

I have been feeling the pressures from the parents to post pics of the inside of our house. I must say, it is quite difficult with the british rooms being half of the size of american rooms. I could not take one of our bedroom because the flash reflects in the mirrored doors of our closet. Plus, some things just need to remain private :)
Here is our kitchen. Yes, that is a washing machine! And, what you see is all there is! No cabinet space! So, lots of "clutter" on the counters and above the cabinets.

Then, off of the kitchen, is our dining room. This is also my study room as both the doors from the kitchen and to the family room can be shut.

And, here is our living room (2 views). We went and bought a sofa and recliner on base. They are so much better than our old sofas that I still had from college!



Brittany is getting settled. She has already filled out an application to work at the Child Development Center (on base daycare/preschool). Hopefully she will get it. I think she is getting anxious to start working! We went into Cambridge yesterday and had sushi. Here is a pic of her and her brother-in-law at a pub.

And, her is Brittany and I overlooking the river cam. It was a beautiful day.


I am really excited! Our first trip is going to be Nice, France (southern coast) and Italy (along the Mediterranean coast). We are going to be gone 6 days the first part of Oct. The best thing...our flights were only $100!! We are very excited to start traveling! This will probably be our only big trip until I take my boards in January. So, we wanted to do something really fun!

So, earlier this week, I wanted to publish a post with regards to 9-11 (which before I forget...Happy Anniversary to our friends Dave and Betsy....whose anniversary falls on 9-11) It was so sad to see how raw emotions still are after all this time. I remember I went to Northwest Athletic Club that morning and hopped on the treadmill. The first tower had been struck and my initial thought was "That Sucks, someone flew their plane into a building", but, not thinking much of it, continued running. Until that next plane hit. It was amazing no one flew off their treadmills because there was an instant stop! I immediately ran home where Aaron and I watched everything unfold for the rest of the morning. I had a late clinic on Tuesdays so I went to campus at about Noon on the bus and we were informed that all classes were canceled. I was glued to the television the rest of the day...crying to stories about loved ones leaving voicemail messages during the attacks and not surviving; pregnant women who never had the opportunity to tell their husbands they were pregnant; and, stories that came out after the fact regarding an airline ticket agent who let the terrorists on the plane even though he had a bad feeling about it....
That brings me to my next thought.... It really frustrates me when people do not support this war. Have we all forgotten? During my residency, I treated several soldiers injured in Iraq. And, they ALL wanted to get back to finish fighting the war. They ALL thought it was a war worth fighting! I can not imagine how difficult it would be to be on the front line. And, to be on the front line when many people oppose the war (but, yet they claim to support the military...seems a bit contradictory).
I am so proud of being in the military and working on all of the members of our armed forces who allow us all of the freedoms we have. If they believe the war is worth fighting, because of all they are seeing over there....Shouldn't we?
President Bush has been given a lot of heat lately regarding his Iraq tactics, that he has not given us evidence why the war is justified. My response is...I do not want to know everything. When I elected him, I trusted that he would do whatever in his power to protect my family, friends, country..... And, I trust that he has the information to justify the war. Maybe it is not in the best interest of national security to disclose. Maybe I chose to be more open minded about war since I am in the military...
Okay, I am done. Thanks for hanging in there during this long post!

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!!