Cutest Baby Ever.

Last weekend I went to Houston. I got back Monday. Y'all. Holy mother of bumpy flights. Have you heard about the storms up here in New York? Well that's what I flew over the entire flight back. The drinks were spilling everywhere and the flight attendants were seated most of the flight. It was good for my prayer life.

Mr. Snoop has been so generously hosted this month by my cousin and his wife while he completes a research month at MD Anderson. The best part is that he is housemates with my cousin's baby, Jack. Who is the most precious baby ever invented by God. I'm convinced that on the 8th Day God created Jack's cheeks. And it took the entire day, I'm sure. Behold:

Please note that immediately before I took this picture of Jack passed out on Mr. Snoop, Mr. Snoop said "I don't like babies." And then everyone in the vicinity laughed in his lying face.

Don't worry, not sunburned. Just hot. He fratted too hard and passed out.

With mom and dad. Can you believe he is only 7.5 months old? Nom, nom, nom.

Pinterest Skirt

Yes, I actually made something I pinned on Pinterest. Last night, even! After making slipcovers for my sister-in-law, I have caught the sewing bug (again) big time. Plus Jo-Ann's is having a huge September Sewing sale, so after spending nearly $70 there (WITH coupons, y'all), I was feeling (p)inspired. No, I'm not even sorry about that pun.

Here's the pin:

Source: whatwouldanerdwear.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

And here's the skirt I made, which I am wearing today (sorry about the selfie, you know how I roll):

So if you should choose to use the tutorial on Pinterest, know that the girl's yardage is wrong. She calls for 3/4 of a yard of fabric, which must be a mistake. I'm a size zero (probably smaller around the hips) and that would not have been enough fabric for me. Unless you are a small child, you'll need more fabric. So mine has some awkward side-seam placement issues from the mis-measuring, but hey, I'm not pretending to be an expert here.

I just realized my skirt is polka-dotted too! This is actually old fabric that a friend gave me when she was cleaning out her stash. I'm glad I used it... I think I'll be able to wear the skirt with brown boots + tights when it gets colder and then wear it all summer, too.

Just a warning, there will be more sewing projects coming up. My sister-in-law (not the one I sewed the slipcoveres for) is having a baby. So, yeah, get ready.

Applying to Residency 101: Basically it's Rush

So I decided to do a post on the process of Mr. Snoop in applying for residencies.  Since this ole blog here is for family and friends, you might want to know what is ahead of him/us.  If you don't care, I get it.  Don't read.  Because I literally had a read a book to figure out the hot mess that is the residency application process (no really, I did), I thought I'd break it down for y'all.  After my exhaustive research, I've come to the conclusion that all you need to know is that matching into a residency program is just like Rush, er, Recruitment, for fraternities and sororities.  

The Timeline:

1. Medical School: 4 years long

2. Medical Residency: 3 - 7 years long.  For Mr. Snoop it will be 5 years.  This is where you train in your specialty.

3. Fellowship: Optional additional, specialized training.  1 - 3 years long.

4. Medical training is finally over!

Since Mr. Snoop is in his 4th year of medical school, he is in the process of applying to residency.  He would like match in ENT; aka Ear, Nose and Throat; aka Otolaryngology.  Matching is the term for, you guessed it, matching up a student with a residency.  My overview will be specialty-specific.  Other specialties would be slightly different.

Let the Great Analogy of Residency Application Process as Rush begin!

Oh yes.  Yes, I did.

1--Applications
The first step in applying for residency is like the first Rush party.  The students turn in their applications.  They can apply to as many programs as they want.  Everyone's invited!  Including all the weirdos!  Mr. Snoop is applying to 55 programs.  This is because his specialty is super competitive: each of the >100 programs in the US only has 2 or 3 spots, on average.  In other specialties, hundreds of programs might have 15 or more spots.  Hence the reason he has to apply so broadly.  Applications are in a common ap format online, and he will turn them in this Friday.  Yep, he's a rushee!

2--Interviews
The second step, the interview, is like the second or third Rush party.  Programs make cuts: not all rushees are invited back.  Residency programs invite a number of students back for an in-person interview.  For Mr. Snoop's specialty of choice, interviews take place in December and January.  For other specialties, the lucky ducks, this happens sooner.  Out of the 55 programs to which Mr. Snoop has applied, he would be over the moon if he got 10 interviews.  Yes, yikes, it's crazy out there.

3--Rank List
The third step happens in late February, when the med students, you guessed it, rank their top 15 programs.  They can only rank the programs where they have interviewed, in the same way that for Rush you can only rank the houses that have invited you back.  Meanwhile, residency programs rank their candidates (and the houses rank the rushees).  Like in Rush, a computer algorithm matches the candidates and the programs. 

If only Match Week involved matching (haha!) outfits.

4--Match Week
Match Week is the second week of March.  On that Monday, students learn IF they have matched.  So on March 11, 2013, Mr. Snoop will learn if he matched in his specialty.  Students who fail to match take the next 3 days to "scramble," which is exactly what it sounds like: they scramble to fill any random open residency position in any specialty.  This is very scary to me.  Then on Friday, March 15, the students gather at their med schools and receive an envelope.  This tells them to which program they will go for their residency.  Just as in Rush, you must go to the place where you have matched.  Unfortunately, there is no Pref Night and no mad run for the sorority houses in Match Week.  I know, what's even the point?

5--Graduate And Begin Residency
Mr. Snoop graduates in late May.  Residencies begin anywhere from June 1 - July 1, depending on the program.   

Did you make it?  Phew, I know.  And even though y'all know Mr. Snoop's real name, now you have probably figured out why I keep him anonymous on here. 

As far as where specifically Mr. Snoop is applying, the best I can tell you is to sing the "50 Nifty United States."  While of course there are certain areas where we would both prefer to go, the fact of the matter is his speciality is so competitive that we will be thrilled for him to match anywhere!

Lately

I've been the worst about updating.  Going out of town every two weeks is cramping my blog update style.  Here goes.

- This past weekend Mr. Snoop and I visited his sister Michele in Florida for Labor Day.  We went to the beach, ate lots of Bluebell banana pudding ice cream, and did DIY/odd jobs around her house.  Plus girls' trips to Target, TJ Maxx, and Homegoods.  My kind of weekend.  This is how I felt about being at the beach:

- A note on the Bluebell banana pudding ice cream.  My cousin's wife, Kathleen, introduced it to me when I visited Mr. Snoop while he was doing his away rotation in Galveston.  Now I'm about to make a strong statement here.  It might be better than Bluebell peppermint ice cream.  I know.  Amazing.  And I don't even really like ice cream.  Behold the crack:

 

- Michele and I spray painted her wicker and had planned to make new slipcovers for one of the sofas.   But then I was introduced to her sewing machine, my new mortal enemy. Have any of y'all used a computerized Brother?   It was ugly. After lots of bad language, tears, yelling, prayer, and wine I was only able to make two of the slipcovers.   Needless to say, I'm making the remaining ones here on my Singer and mailing them to her.   I'll post pictures of the "after."

 

- I will never complain about running in New York again.  Florida is so freaking humid.  Did I tell you my girl Keely and I are running a Halloween 10k in October?  It's true.  There will be costumes.  What is even more true is what my coworker said to me: "I was really surprised you were so into this running thing that you are doing a 10k.  But now that I know there are costumes it totally makes sense."  Truer words were never spoken. 

 

- Did I ever show you what we found on the beach in Galveston back when I visited? 

 

 

It's a Portuguese Man of War.  Maybe I should start a section of this blog for terrifying, possibly murderous creatures.  And include the scorpions.



- I have lots to say about what's going on in the land of med school right now.  But I can't really say anything on the intertubes for a while.  Like a month or so.  But I can say that applications for residency will go in on Sept. 15.  Woohoo!

- I also have things to say about what is possibly our final year in New York.  But I am going to try to tackle that after back-to-school this week.

- This post is finally ending.  You're welcome.

Ugliest Shorts in the World

So I haven't been keeping y'all up to date.  As usual, it is because I am a paranoid weirdo.  Mr. Snoop has been in Texas the past month doing an away rotation.  I didn't want to put it on the internet until he came back (today!) because I'm afraid someone will come attack me in my lonesomeness (issues, I know).

While he has been having a fabulous time in Texas, I've been getting used to my alone time.  Most of the time it looks like this:

Me + Couch + Book + Shammy Boy.  Yeah, SB has pretty much been velcroed to me.  And it has been an issue.  Mr. Snoop is ShamBoy's person.  So in Mr. Snoop's absence he has had to make do with me.  It's been exhausting.  That cat requires tremendous amounts of love, at all times.  I don't know how Mr. Snoop does it.

Otherwise, while Mr. Snoop is away I do things like waste time at Loehmann's.  I was there the other day to take advantage of their end of summer sale.  BCBG and Michael Kors sweaters for $15?  Don't mind if I do.  While perusing the sale, I chanced upon The Ugliest Shorts In The World.  So naturally, I had to try them on.  Without a husband to feed, what else I am to do?  Don't worry, I documented it.  Front, Back, and Side views.  You're welcome.

I present to you:  D&G Diaper Shorts.

Please note the square of fabric in the middle.  It buttons on three sides.  Like a diaper.  And that's elastic at the leg-holes.  Oh but wait.

 

Ah yes.  You can see the monstrosity much better from this angle.  But the best is yet to come. (PS, recognize the evil giggle face?)

 

Shabam! 

 

I know, I know.  I should totally switch over from a I Live Far Away From Everyone So Here's a Blog So You Know I'm Alive-blogger to a fashion blogger.  I mean, check out that last pose.  Why aren't I a model with moves like that?

 

Seriously though, I know Dolce and Gabbana makes bizarre stuff.  But honestly.  Who wants to wear shorts that look like a diaper?  How is that flattering?  For $175 on sale? 

 

Basically it's a good thing Mr. Snoop returns today.  So that I can give up my life of being smothered by a cat while wearing a denim diaper.

 

The end.

 

Weekend + Bad Cat

This past weekend, my cousin and his wife came into town.  It was super hot and even more humid, but we had a great time.  It was so nice to spend time with them.  Mr. Snoop said that they saw more of the city in two days than he had in three years.  He's not wrong.  We did everything!  You name it, we went there.  Even some new places for me: Top of the Rock and FAO Schwarz.  Both were awesome and must-sees.

Here I am at Top of the Rock.  Told you it was hot and humid.  Check out the pollution.  That's the freedom tower waaaay down to the right. 

Here we are at Shake Shack (after the Natural History Museum).  So flipping good.  I love that place.  My mouth is watering just typing this.  

On to more domestic issues.  Let's talk about Shammy Boy.  And what he did Monday night.  Mondays are my day off.  So I deep clean the house, do laundry, grocery shop, etc.  By the end of the day I am worn out.  This past Monday I was enjoying the Olympics and relaxing.  I was winding down for bed, brushing my teeth in the bathroom when I heard a gigantic crash.  Of course I immediately panicked.  Burglars?  Aliens?  Zombies?

No....



Just Shammy Boy.  Knocking over an orchid.  Onto my newly clean floors.  How it landed upright but exploded so much dirt everywhere, I will never know.  So I lugged the vacuum back up out of the basement.  And don't you know the bag was full.  Back down to the basement, got a new bag, and cleaned the orchid explosion.

And the culprit just laid there and gazed while I cleaned up his mess, smirking and doing his best attempt at an innocent and angelic face:

Look at my pink nose and pink ears... aren't I just precious?



Random Thoughts

Here's what is going through my mind this week.....

- Summer.  In New York it is too dang short.  In a month it will be feeling like fall.  I'm sure someday when I (hopefully) live someplace hot again, I will miss this.  But when the cold and dark weather drags on and on I would love a summer longer than 2.5 months!

- Olympic Gymnastics.  Oh dear.  I just cried and cried watching Team USA win the all-around.  And those poor sweet Russian girls, bless their hearts.  I felt so bad for them and wanted to throttle the camera people getting in their faces while they sobbed.  They are children, jeez, give them some space!  Seeing Jordan Wieber smile as she hit tumbling pass after tumbling pass just did me in.  And isn't Gabby Douglas just the most darling thing you have ever seen?  Too cute for words.  I can't stand it.

- Chick-Fil-A.  I like my delicious chicken served by well-mannered teenagers saying "My Pleasure" without a side of politics.  Any politics.  I'm just annoyed about everyone's reaction to it, left and right.  What's wrong with live and let live?  On both sides. 

- I have lots of projects around the home coming up.  Including a cabinet that I'm re-finshing to (hopefully) consolidate all of my craft storage.  I may have to share if they turn out pretty.

- Olympics in general.  I'm probably the only person who is not the hugest fan of swimming.  It all looks the same to me.  Plus Michael Phelps needs subtitles in his interviews.  Such a party pooper, I know.  I do love diving, even though I'm constantly terrified that someone will die.  And I can't wait for track and field!

Hope y'all are doing well!