Ooh la-la de Paris

A while back we received an email asking for people to volunteer as models for a show school was hosting to advertise a new line called "ooh la-la de Paris" that The Eye Center (the clinic at school) was picking up. Allison and I thought that this sounded fun and decided to sign up. We convinced our friend Janelle to join us.

We didn't really know what we had gotten ourselves into, but as we walked in we saw the transformation that was taking place in The Eye Center. The check in area had lots of little goody-bags, the check out area had a fabulous spread of food, and the waiting area had a small runway!

We went to get fitted with the frames we would wear in the two fashion shows of the evening while the jazz band set up and the finishing touches were being made around the clinic. Over time we learned more about the event. It was a fundraiser for our "needy children’s fund" which covers costs of exam and glasses for children without insurance or other means to pay.

Later I learned that the two men fitting us in the fabulous frames were the owners and designers of the frames we were modeling, and alumni of SCO! After the first show we were having such a ball taking pictures and enjoying ourselves that they offered each of us any pair we wanted as a thank-you. We were thrilled! Here are some pictures of us enjoying the fabulous eyewear, food (I tried caviar!), wine and company of fellow students and staff:

Allison and I

The second year models

Trying caviar!

Enjoying ourselves and having a little wine

Second years with the owners and designers of Ooh la-la de Paris

Most of the models with the owners and designers again

Check out the Ooh la-la de Paris website: http://www.oohlaladeparis.com/

Iowa, you make me smile

For my week and a half break before my "mini summer term" I returned to Iowa for a week. It's so good to go home and just relax and catch up with people. I intended to chronicle my travels across the state to visit everyone, but looking through my pictures I realize I did a poor job (I have an excessive amount of Kate and our neighbors cat). So bear with me as I fill you in with text.

I started home on Monday and made it in record time (9 hours with only 1 stop!) On Wednesday it was a trip to the other side of the state to catch up with all of the grandparents. Lunch and afternoon with M&M. Grandma's lilacs were in full bloom and she and Grandpa were gracious enough to share with us. Here they are cutting down half the tree for us, I swear!

Late afternoon and evening was spent with my Grandma Mary. We were with her when she recieved the good news that she would be able to go home after spending a month recovering from hip replacement surgery. Next on the whirlwind stop was my cousin Tom's. We were too late to see the little ones since we got there after bed-time, but we did get to catch up with Tom and Meghan.

Thursday was the Iowa City trip to see my good friends Jen and Kristin at Hu Hot (my favorite!), and Friday was lunch with Jodee. Even though I see these girls so much less than I used to it seems like we pick up conversation and stories like we were just together yesterday. I guess that is what true friendship is like.

Saturday was spent in my pajamas reading a book in my favorite chair. Also a very good day!

Sunday was Mother's Day and after church we had Fred & Judy over and Ev, Josh and Kate over for a little cook out. Here is Mom and I with the cake I made her (all of the pictures turned out a little "Allison in Wonderland-ish" of us. I swear I am not that much bigger than my Mom!)

The neighbors cat also crashed the party. Kate enjoyed petting "Kitty," while Paul chased her out of the yard when he wasn't tending the grill :)

(As a side note: This was my first time meeting "Kitty" as Mom calls it since we don't actually know the cat's name. Mom is growing fonder of the cat, I think that means they need to get a dog, don't you?)

While in Iowa I kept re-assuring people "No it's not flooding where I live, only in Nashville." Then when I headed back on Monday I realized I had no idea what I was talking about...the park along the Mississippi had indeed taken on some extra water:

The trees are normally at the edge of the bank...

Allison and I took the opportunity to photograph our favorite houses on the island as well. Here is Allison's:

My favorite is 2 doors down:

Have you seen March?

...Because I don't know where it went, or the first part of April for that matter. Let me catch y'all up on the going-ons around here...

I helped Anna and Amanda celebrate their birthdays...

We had a lab practical where we had to take a patients blood pressure. Al and I practiced on ourselves...

More study groups...

My apartment complex has a little pick-nick area complete with a grill for the tenants to use. We arranged for a little cook-out. The weather was beautiful all day, then just in time for the cook-out it became cloudy and windy. We had a good time anyways...

Then it was time to celebrate Janelle's birthday in Tunica at Paula Deen's Buffet...

Al bought a little coffee pot for us. Now we have caffeinated motivation at home! (isn't it the cutest thing?)...

My parents came for Easter, and spoiled me rotten. Now I have patio furnature and party lights! My new favorite place to study...

Only 2 weeks left and then I will be a second year!

Study Groups, Study Breaks and Spring Break

The week before spring break we had a couple of tests; one which was in Theory. Theory is the most "optometristy" class we have. We are currently learning how to talk to patients, take a proper case history, how to make insurance companies happy, come up with a diagnosis based on test results and things like that. A few of my classmates and I got together for a little study group to go over charts and help each other start thinking like doctors instead of students. I managed to get a candid shot of these two:

A candid shot is difficult with Erin around, she is always posing! Our last test of the week was on Thursday, so that night the little study group got together for a little study break fun. We all made goodies and went a little overboard. There was soo much left-over! Below Erin counsels Anna in the art of posing for pictures

The last Friday of every month is the "trolley hop." All of the art galleries on main street stay open late and have free wine/beer and hors d'oeurves and it is free to ride the trolley along the way. We ended up seeing quite a few classmates also enjoying the trolley hop. This is my roommate and her boyfriend (Sorry Al this is the only pic I have of you two in a gallery!)

Walking from one gallery to the next (I just love this picture!)

After the trolley hope we stopped to get some food on Beale with some of our classmates. A great start to spring break!

"Real Snow" Snow Days

A few weeks ago when the entire nation was being pummeled by snow there was no exception here in the Mid-South. Monday I woke up at my usual time and got ready to go work out at the little rec center that my apartment complex has. Just as I was getting ready to leave I recieved a text message. This was a little unusual since most normal people are not texting at 5:45 AM. Turns out it was an alert from school and classes had been cancelled and the clinic was closed due to inclement weather. YAY! I had spent the entire weekend studying for the two tests that I was supposed to have that day. I stood there for a while debating what to do. Go work out, or go back to bed? I was already up and dressed to go work out and the excitement of another snow day (and not having to take two tests) made me feel much less sleepy. So I decided I would go work out and be super productive on my day off since I had neglected studying for some classes over the weekend.
Inclement weather resulting in snow days so far has meant little to no snow or a sheet of ice. As I was walking out I thought maybe I should put on a real coat along with the fleece I usually wear, you know because of the "inclement weather." Good thing I did because to my surprise upon walking out of my apartment there was real legitimate snow about 3 inches or so! It was the heavy, wet kind that is good for making snowballs and snowmen! After working out I came back and took a few pictures while it was still dark and snowing:

I then went back to bed...(so much for "super productive," I decided just "productive" was okay). After my early morning nap I took another picture:

1/8 OD, A Squeaky Wheel, The Weather Recap and The EyeBall ...

Well I survived my first semester of optometry school (24 quizes, 17 tests, 3 lab practicals, 6 finals and 2 lab practical finals...a rough estimate) and have "earned" 1/8 of my Doctor of Optomentry (O.D.) degree! I believe this semester will be just as busy. Last semester we had 6 classes and this semester we have 8. Although the credit hours are about the same the number of classes is a bit overwhelming!

As a 5th grader my teacher told me and my parents during conference time that I was to quiet and needed to speak up more in class. He then told me "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." I have since hated this analogy. Upon telling this story to one of my classmates here in school he countered with a movie quote he vaguely remembered "The loud goose gets shot." I found this pretty amusing. Well today for the first time since probably high school I asked a question during class. I must admit I was a bit proud of myself. I didn't actually get the complete answer I was looking for though but thats ok because the complete answer was in a different field and beyond what we have learned thus far. Believe me I look forward to learning why a large amount of anisometropia can only be corrected with contacts and not in spectacles.

Lately the weather has been GORGEOUS; in the 60's! About 15 degrees warmer than normal which means they won't last long, but still warmer than home so I can't complain. A few weeks ago the weather was abnormally cold, and some snow was even forcasted. The students from around here and more south were thrilled. Those of us from more northern regions were highly amused by the excitement over the forcasted 1-3 inches! Schools were cancelling days in advance for the potential snow. We recieved an email explaining the schools policies and what to expect. We would not close for a "little amount of snow." What is "little" you might ask? Well we got a delay...

For this much snow...

Despite the snow we still had the school's ball...The EyeBall (get it?). After much debating my roommate and I decided not to wear our tights, but rather to wear sweat pants and leave them in the car for the ball (my date made sure to take a picture of the "functional fashion" against my instructions, thus my funny face)

This one is better...

Time Flies

Since my lasp post I have taken 5 tests and had 2 lab practicals. The exams never seem to end! A good week is one where we have 2 "easier" exams. We were warned by one of our professors about the "first year funk" where students get a little overwhelmed and just want to go home. He has been at the college for 36 years or so and is not only a professor but also the Director of Academic Support Services (fondly referred to as D'ASS, needless to say he has a good sense of humor). He is a great teacher and reminds us that its not about the exams, but that some day we will be in clinic and there is going to be a body in the chair with eyes staring back at us. It is refreshing to go to his clas because he really knows his stuff and what concepts students struggle with, so he goes slow and lets us know that it will get worse but that it will eventually "click" and get better. The start of the "funk" was around the beginning of October, which was also when us first years received our white coats at the Convocation ceremony. Just before the ceremony started he came up to me and a few friends and told us "Even if you failed your neuroanatomy exam this morning you can still keep your white coat!"
I have managed to have a little fun besides all the studying lately. On Halloween I went to the party hosted by the social fraternity at school (I was the "Devil with a blue dress on" and my roommate was Audrey Hepburn.) I also was Will's date to the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. It was a welcome break from studying and all the stress in my life. Here are a few pictures from the mentioned events (In the class picture I am front and center itching my face). Enjoy!