Is it too much to ask?

 Dear Coley,

  Recently, I have had the same question running through my mind- Is it too much to ask? The ending to that question changes depending on the situation, but the question keeps coming up over and over again. So, I wanted to share a few of the things, about this big ole city, that just make me wonder-

Is it too much to ask:

Is it too much to ask, for peace and quiet on the bus? Seriously, the last few times I have ridden on the bus, I have been accompanied by either a mentally ill person shouting obscenities at the air, or a very loud person yelling/talking to the driver. I mean, come on people, just sit and be quiet! By being loud and obnoxious, those lovely passengers really just make me regret spending the two dollars on a ticket and make me want to either break down the window and escape or box my ears into deafness. Oh and while I am asking…. Please take a bath before getting on the bus. The other day I actually gagged from the body odor coming from the man beside me, and I am a nurse (meaning that I deal with stank every day). Help me out here!

Is it too much to ask, to make it home safely without incident?  Let me paint the picture: I am walking home from the bus stop, in the dark and pouring rain, freezing and wet….. when all the sudden a guy walking his dog loses control of the leash and the dog darts out in front of me- this causes me to trip and land on all fours on the nasty streets of Philadelphia.  My keys when flying, my tights were ripped, my umbrella was thrown, my hands were raw from the impact of the cement….. all in the rain and darkness. It was bad, but when I realized that my bare hands were on the street where the day before a dog had peed and a homeless man had puked- it got worse. I scrubbed them sufficiently later.  Anyway, thank goodness I was one block from home, so I could hobble home with blood running down my knees (exaggerated by the rain) to have my doorman greet me with, "Looks like you've had a rough one". Why yes sir, I have! And then I call home (as I am soaking in the tub) to have my dad say, “You got mugged by a dog!”  Not funny Tommy.

Is it too much to ask, to get to celebrate the end of the semester, every weekend? I really don’t go out in the city much, let’s face it, I study a lot.  However, when we finished our first semester this Friday, it was the perfect excuse to get out and experience the best of the city.  So, 19 of us headed out to have the best night of our lives (well, the best night since we have all been imprisoned by graduate school). We went o Tequila’s (the name gives it away) and had some amazing Mexican food, accompanied by- well you know.  The food was great and we all laughed more in that one night than we had all semester. It definitely made me wish each weekend was a celebration. However, we managed to rack up a heck of a bill (see below)…. which answers the question- yes, it is too much to ask to celebrate every weekend (cause I definitely don't have that kind of money).

 Clarificaiton: that was the bill for the entire group (not just mine, haha).

So those are just a couple of things that I ask- often on a daily basis.  Sometimes, like when I am on my hands and knees on the side walk, it can be frustrating! I am just waiting for the day when I can wonder, "Is it too much to ask for the Morganton driver to drive the actual speed limit, and not 10 under?" 

- Can't wait!

See you in two days!

Court

my 27th (belated now)

Dear Coley,

   Happy Birthday to me!

  I had such a great birthday this year (especially when I got your card).  My day mainly consisted of Patho (which is every Friday from 9:30-4:00) but thanks to my amazing friends, it turned out to be a fantastic day.  Meredith started the day off by bringing doughnuts for breakfast (Meredith and I are both healthy eaters {yes believe it or not, city life has transformed me into a fruit/vegetable/nut/nothing fried eater…Susie says we eat like squirrels haha}, and so when we are really sad or stressed, we share our food fantasies… this week was doughnuts, the cookies that come in tins during Christmas, and cheeseburgers with bacon).  So Meredith brought doughnuts for breakfast, cupcakes for lunch, a cookie tin, and a gift card to Chili’s- yeah, she is amazing! 

   Later that night we went out for sushi. My birthday dinner consisted of: a Sake-tini, Sunomono (a cold seafood salad), Calamari, Edamame, Spicy Tuna roll, free chocolate birthday cake, and Tempora ice cream. I was beyond stuffed and crazy happy.  I am so blessed to have met such an amazing group of girls here! I can honestly say I would not be able to make it without them, and they went out of their way to make my day special. We finished dinner, then Susie, Lauren, and I went to The Continental- a restaurant that has a roof top bar.  It was so nice to sip a martini, look up, and be surrounded by skyscrapers- definitely a first. Susie then took us to a hookah bar, again, a first (and legal- mom). Overall, I had an amazing birthday- and was so happy to experience my 27^th year in Philadelphia.     

   The next day was when the real adventure started.  My mother sent me a surprise package for my birthday….. although, even though it was a “time sensitive” package, it was not delivered to my apartment.  After some UPS tracking, phone calls, and texts, it was discovered that instead of sending the package to 2100 (my street name), my mother sent it to 1200 (my street name). Yes, bless her heart.  So, Saturday morning, I set off to find this special package.  Turns out, 1200 is an apartment building too, but unlike my building, they do not have a doorman.  So there I was, at 7am, standing outside a locked building, able to see the package in the lobby, and unable to get inside to get it! I was so frustrated, especially since I just walked 9 blocks for no package.  I headed back later in the day with a plan: study on the stairs until someone with a key came and let me in (yes, genius, I know).  Thank God, about 5 seconds after I sat down, a guy walked up and allowed me to follow him into the building. Turns out, the package was a pumpkin pie- a very delicious Maw-Maw made pie! I guess all the drama was worth it.  Through it all, I just kept thinking, “this would never happen in NC” haha. But where else do you get to walk 18 blocks, stalk an apartment building, and end up with a homemade pie- only in Philly baby!

   It did hit me, I will also spend my next birthday in this city…. kind of crazy (especially when you think where I was and what I was doing a year ago).  I definitely made a wish before blowing out my candles.

Love you,

Courtney

Just for fun, here are the places we went on my birthday night (all of the places were within walking distance from my apartment, I do love this city):

http://www.fujimt.com/apps.php

http://www.continentalmidtown.com/

http://www.byblosphilly.com/home.html

A Philly Thanksgiving (and more)

Hey girl!

   As you know, I wasn't able to come home for Thanksgiving (boo). At first I was pretty depressed about the situation, but then I decided that I was going to make the best of being in Philadelphia. I took the "see all, do all" attitude.

   So, last weekend (11/20) was the Philadelphia Marathon, and since the race course was just one block from my apartment, I decided to take part in the “fan zone”.  There I was, at 8am on a Sunday morning, at mile marker 7, with my clapper (a little high five thing that they handed out) in one hand and a cow bell (another free gift) in another. It was a little awkward because everyone around me was waiting on someone they knew to run by, and I was there…… to just cheer. On top of not knowing anyone, I also questioned my cheering ability when the first racers went by and I almost started crying! - they were the disabled racers. (I am sure there is a different word, because clearly, anyone who can race 26.2 miles is not disabled).  But, when I saw them race by, I lost all ability to cheer and started to tear up a little- I know, I am getting soft in my old age, but seeing someone with such strength and perseverance really got me, it was amazingly impressive. Anyway, I got myself together in time to cheer for the other runners, and I found that even though I didn’t know anyone in the race, I had the best time!  A couple of awesome moments:

~Seeing a “guide” run along a blind marathoner- another miraculous woman.

~Cheering for Students Run Philly Style, a non-profit organization that I share a cubicle with (at the law office); it is a program that works with inner city kids and pairs them with runners. Over 200 kids ran this year!

~Meeting a woman from Asheville, NC who was there watching her daughter run.  She had a sign that said, “fastest woman in Asheville” (evidently, her daughter won a 5k there, haha).

~Cheering for runners by name (their bibs had their names).  I walked along the course (cut through to the finish line, near the famous “Rocky stairs” at the art museum) and stood about ¼ of a mile from the finish line. There I would shout “way to go Steve” “good job Olivia” and then they would throw up their arms, or smile, or shout “thank you”- it was so much fun!

   So that was my first “embrace the city” activity.  The second came this weekend (11/25), THANKSGIVING!

   Even though I was not with my family for the holiday, it was pretty cool that 4 different graduate students offered to take me home to spend the break that their families. So, for all those Southerners who think they are the only ones with manners... not so! Anyway, I realized that if I wasn't going to "deal" with my family, I definitely wasn't going to deal with a friend's family- this Thanksgiving was going to be all on my own. Its a good thing that Philly has lots of activities to occupy my time.

   Did you know that Philadelphia has the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the country?  Well, they do, and even though I really wanted to spend all of Thanksgiving in my pajamas exploring the world of gluttony, I made myself get up at 7:30 to get a spot to watch the parade. 

   I walked over to the art museum and get a spot where I could see all the action. When I sat down, this extremely nice family immediately starting talking to me and by the end of the parade, I felt as though they adopted me as their fourth child. They asked all about my “city adjustment” and what I thought about Philly- turns out they were both therapists, so it was like 3 hours of free treatment. The parade was great! I detailed the events through the pictures on facebook, so I will spare the repetition. 

   After the parade, I went home and cooked a masterpiece of a dinner. The only problem was…. I was only able to consume about 1/16^th of what I cooked. Turns out, I am terrible at cooking for one and after being too busy to eat the last few weeks, my stomach has shrunk….. don’t worry, I stretched it back out. After my two dinners (oh yeah), I took a stroll through Rittenhouse square, and did feel a little lonely, but overall it was a great holiday. It was so nice to just sit around, eat delicious food that I don’t normally have the time to cook and hulu all kinds of shows. (Speaking of, Pan Am, is amazing! I got hooked, via Hulu, over the holiday, and now cannot stop watching). 

   So the past two weekends were great, and made me fall in love with this city even more! It turns out, that no matter where you live, if you are surrounded by nice people and great food- you’re in the right place.

That being said, Christmas is a different story…. I cannot wait to be back in NC! hehe

See you soon!

Courtney

Finally...

Hey girl,

   First of all, I have tons to tell you (and at least two blogs to post dating back from a week before Thanksgiving), but I have just been so insanely busy!  However, all of that is over now because, today at 10:30ish, I finished my first semester of graduate school!  As my mom put it- I am 25% finished.  25% doesn't even begin to explain what I have accomplished, haha.  Anyway, I will post the blogs I wrote weeks ago, tomorrow- but tonight, I am going out with my friends here to a Tequila bar :)  All I care about is the evidently amazing Mexican food that resides at the same place with all of the Tequila (clearly not LaBamba quality, but a city girl must settle).

   And speaking of city girl..... the other day I was about to walk out of my apartment and realized something- you can take the girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the girl- haha.  Some days I do wear "trendy things" that would make my family and NC friends laugh. Susie actually said I looked Italian the other day with my boots, dark tights, dress, and scarf, but anyway- Thursday I walked out of the house wearing...... (See below).  It just made me laugh because, check out the hat..... Carhart all the way! Yep, without a doubt, still a country girl :)

Love you, check back tomorrow for more updates. 

Court.

Just to tease you a bit about what is to come.... this week we were talking, in study group, about the Duggar family and how they are getting ready to have their 20th child! In the discussion, Lauren said, "well, don't they live down there near you" - hahaha, classic!  Not only am I Elle Woods (who by the way is from California) but I am also neighbors with Jim-Bob Duggar (who resides with his clan in Arkansas).  It only gets better....

Yeah, I am from the South :)

Hey girl,

This week, I was so happy to be in Philadelphia.  After an extremely difficult Monday (you know, you actually got a phone call about that stuff), my week quickly recovered, and I was reminded how lucky I am to get the opportunity to live here. This is an experience I always wanted, but never really thought I would get, and here I am, go figure. (Now, don’t get me wrong- I do have a countdown calendar until I fly home for Christmas….. but I am happy here). Anyway, a couple of random/funny things happened this week that I wanted to share.

Tuesday: I'm sitting on my floor sorting my laundry (the laundry that I pay $7 a week to do in the sketch  basement of my apartment building) and I realize that a pair of my clean underwear is ripped! Immediately, I think, "I swear..... I do not have the money or time to go and buy underwear" (haha, sad but true) But then, as I hold up the pair to survey the damage, I realize.....that is not my underwear! Somehow, between the washer, dryer, and back up to my apartment, I collected a stranger's underwear. This is not a "Northern phenomenon" by any means, but this also never happened when I lived in NC..... not to mention.... I miss having a washer and dryer! I miss a lot of things (like a kitchen….I went to study at a friend’s apartment, and when I saw she had a real kitchen I just fell in love with the place) but anyway, this is not the time to be listing what I miss. Random underwear collection, check.

Wednesday: For my NP class this week, we had debates, meaning we had to dress professionally and “look the part.” I even splurged on the city bus ($2) to take me to class, since I was in heels (fancy).  I was sitting with my group, as we were discussing how different it was to come to school in full business attire, when one of them commented, “But Courtney, you are always ‘dressed’, you never come to class in jeans or looking rough.”  At first, I took this as a compliment, because I do approach grad school as my job right now, and I do believe in dressing at least business casual when I am dealing with patients (for example, this week I did my first pelvic exam….whoot whoot, and if I were a patient, I would want whoever was in my nether regions to at least look the part of a professional). Plus, I only have three full days of classes, only two days when I am in contact with my NP program directors, so I figure I can wear khakis for two days a week (Patho days, Fridays when I have lecture from 9:30am-4pm....yeah, those are jean days). Anyway, all of this is beside the point…. then, one of my group members said, “Yeah, dressing nicely for school is a Southern-thing, like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.” (pause for reaction)  

That my dear, is when I just started laughing (after the initial shock of the comment wore off- seriously I could not make this stuff up).  Not that they think I am “Elle Woods” but it was so funny to hear them think I dress nice for class, because I am from the south!  They clearly did not know me in college!  The conversation then turned into a barrage of things like “Southern people always dress nice for things, they see it as a matter of respect, they are so traditional,” and a lot of other generalizations that are just too funny. I spent a little time correcting these mislead opinions, but in the end, if they want to see Southerners as traditional/nice dressing people, why not?  It beats them picturing all of us wearing overalls and raising cows……oh wait, maybe that is me.

Thursday: After getting out of class at 8pm, I was talking on my cell phone on the bus (I normally don't do that, but I was talking to my grandparents, they make the exception) and when I hung up, the girl beside me said, "Honey, where are you from?"  Now, if anyone up here refers to me as "Honey" I know they are about to make fun of my accent, so I wasn't too excited about sharing my origin.  However, when I gave the cute little southern girl smile and said, "North Carolina" to my surprise she said, "I know...I am from Florida!"  Haha...I love that she said "she knew" like all of us Southerners know each other (not to mention I secretly exclude Florida from the South, seeing that all of the people who live there are just Northern transplants, but whatever, she was nice).  She then proceeded to tell me where in the city I could find grits, and that there was a Chick-fil-a within walking distance of my apartment. Again, I love that those are the two things she thought would fulfill my soul, grits and fried chicken :)  She may have a point.  We had a conversation about how much we miss biscuits and cakes (homemade from our grandmothers).  Then, sadly, I had to get off the bus at my stop, and my Southern connection was severed.  It was really nice.

So those were the highlights of my week- stranger underwear and southern mis/connections. Good times. How are things down south?  Traditional? Dressy? :) 

I told some friends this week, that when I come home for break, I will probably have culture shock. But, I think the food, family, and the fact I will have a couch to lay on, will help my adjustment, haha

Hope you have a great weekend,

Miss and love you.

Court

Learn something new every week...

Hey girl,

 This past week was a tough one (by this point you are probably saying, isn’t this a trend- yes it is!  I think UPenn is trying to kill me….slowly….and painfully).  I have decided that if I can make it to Dec 9^th, I will have accomplished one of my greatest victories (over the giant that is- one semester of grad school).  I cannot think of more than one semester right now. I haven’t had a mental breakdown this week, and I want to keep it that way. 

So, this week, I passed my second demonstration!  This one included a review of systems, head to toe assessment, and assessment write-up, totaling 3 hours! I swear, I can assess like no other and I can ask you every question under the sun related to your digestive system (and all the other systems, I am just best at the digestive system for some reason-haha).  After I got out of lab at 8pm, I headed to the local market to get food for a celebratory dinner (in all honesty, I didn’t have a bit of food in my apartment, and when I run out of milk, bread, cheese, and cereal…. I don’t know where to go). So for my celebration, I decided to splurge and buy things too expensive for weekly purchase- TGIF’s potato skins and grapes!  Both items cost over $5 here, which is a no-no in my current budget, and they both tasted AMAZING!  Don’t worry, the next day I went back to a cheese sandwich and sunchip lunch.

Today, I went to the street market, partially because I cannot afford grapes again until Spring, and because I don’t know how much longer I am going to be able to get fresh fruit every weekend.  (I usually stick with the apples, $1.65 a lb, sold by the cute guys…. but who is looking).  While walking to the market, I realized- once it has been cold one week, these Northerners dress like its freezing no matter the temperature.  I was comfortable in a long sleeve shirt and jeans, and some of the people I passed were in full winter coat/hat/ glove attire.  It was very strange, but also reassuring to know that when it actually does turn cold…. I will not be alone in my arctic attire.

 I am making a photo log called “what I have to wear to class” to document the progression of coldness, haha.   I thought it would be a funny way to keep track of just how ridiculous I have to look on my 2 mile walk each day (or how cold I get before I start spending the $2 on the bus). I took my first picture this week, and if I can figure out how to post pictures, I will share. Surviving a winter up here will definitely be a learning experience.   

Speaking of learning experiences, I learned something very valuable this week- how to deal with mice in your apartment. No, I have not encountered a mouse yet, but my Northern friends are preparing me for the day.  Now, other than the weird creature that I swear used to live in our water heater, I have never had to deal with rodents in my place. I think it’s a “Northern thing” or maybe just the acceptance that it will happen, is a “Northern thing.”  So here is what I learned from my trusted sources: I have three options:

1) I can use poison, which leads to the mouse crawling back into my walls and dying there- leading to the terrible smell of rotten flesh permeating my apartment for weeks. 
  2)I can use a sticky trap, which leads to the mouse breaking his/her legs and the squealing there until I take it outside and beat it to death. 
  3)I can use a spring trap, that will crush the rat body and leave a bloody mess- if it actually kills the mouse and doesn’t just disable the creature.

Yes, that is what my trusty “city friends” have told me will have to happen sometime this winter.  Needless to say, I would love a 4^th option.  I can deal with the cockroaches (yes, I have cockroaches on a daily basis) but not the mice. {Let me just clarify about the cockroaches- no matter how clean I keep this place they still come!  I literally sit at my desk, or in the tub (oh yeah), and watch them crawl through the wall from my neighbor’s apartment- there is nothing to do.  But be assured, I do keep this place clean….mom} Like I said, I can deal with that….. but Dear God, please don’t send the mice.  I would prefer to locusts…. if you were wondering. I will keep you posted.

That is really all I have for this week- cold weather and mice, haha.  I did see the most amazing sunrise on Friday morning, and it literally stopped me in my tracks.  It forced me to take a second, look around, and it hit me- it is fall (my favorite season)!  UPenn’s campus is always beautiful, with its old building and brick sidewalks, but it is supremely beautiful in the fall. I must admit, it cannot compare to the Blue Ridge Mountains (which I miss so much, especially this time of year), but it was definitely lovely. I think that the sunrise was God’ way of saying, slow down silly girl, this is not grad school, this is your life….. and it is beautiful (if you would just take a second and realize).

I hope you have a great week!  Miss you,

Love,

Court

(haha, Winter Picture #1, we shall see the progression.  ps, I am such a dork..... didn't realize I actually have my book bag on in this picture, very- my life right now)

It's been a while.....

Hey,

   Sorry it has been so long since an update, but my life has been crazy busy.  As my advisor says, you cannot trust anything a grad student says in October, because that is when her ghost comes out. Haha- totally true!  I hope that making it to November will be the equivalent of an exorcism, because the stress I am under right now is a little suffocating. So let’s catch up-

    Two weeks ago I survived midterms, and to reward myself I took last weekend off (as did all of my graduate school friends).  I took advantage of the great fall weather and walked to Penn’s Landing.  Penn’s Landing is on the Delaware River and just so happens to be the most eastern part of Philadelphia.  When you look across the river you can see New Jersey. I visited the Seaport Museum and then walked around The USS Becuna and Olympia (a submarine and ship).  It was a little educational for my “no thinking” weekend, but I had a great time.  My favorite part was just sitting on a park bench, looking at the river, and feeling the fall breeze.  Fall is definitely my favorite season. I took my guide book with me and scouted out a great little shop called Franklin Fountain.

    Franklin Fountain, is a great old-time ice cream parlor, and honestly (other than Reading Terminal Market) is my new favorite place in Philly.  The ice cream was AMAZING, and when you get ice cream to-go they put it in tiny little Chinese boxes.  It is a shame the shop is on something like 1^st street, when I live on 21^st street, but whenever I venture east…. I will stop there (especially when I have visitors).

    After that, I walked down to Pine St, which has great antique stores and little odds and ends shops.  I found some great little things, that if I was still working and not broke as a joke, I would have bought.  It was fun to look. I ended the day with a pizza (much deserved after walking a whopping 6.4 miles)!

    Overall it was a great weekend, I paid for it later. Imagine a credit card with a 25% interest rate, yeah, that is what I charged last weekend on -getting nothing done last weekend set me up for some disaster. This past week was the toughest yet, which is odd, because it was the first week since mid September that we did not have one test.  I was so stressed on Thursday, that I actually yelled and then cried to a customer service person over the phone!  I don’t know what possessed me to do that, but these days….. if you mess with my time or my money, the wrath will be brought on you….. right mister man from customer service, yeah.  I did recover just in time for Friday, which was my first walk to campus is sub-40 degree weather. I am proud to say it was not too bad.  I did wear a hat and gloves (very Southern girl moves North of me, but 36 is still a little cold for this Dixie chick).

    So, last week was rough, and my spirits were low, until today…..when on October 29^th….. it snowed!  I am aware that it also snowed in North Carolina (dang you), but it was great to experience my first Northeastern snow. I am sure by the end of my time here, I will loathe the snow, but for now, I am still the excited little girl from NC who loves to see snowflakes!  I watched it snow all day long from my apartment windows.

{side note:  it is currently 34 degrees outside and my apartment windows are wide open, and I have my fan on!  It is safe to say, that my heat is on…. and since it is central heat, I have no control over the hot/miserable climate of my apartment.  It is very strange. So, if anyone wants a tropical vacation, come visit.}

    So, that pretty much sums up the last two weeks of my life.  Nothing too remarkable, but every week is one less I have to do over (that is where my frame of mind is right now).  Now, don’t get too worried about me, I have had some great occurrences during these last two weeks:

-         ~  Meredith took me to the grocery store (for just my second trip since living here) and I got some amazing food! I am so excited each meal time now.

-         ~Susie made Halloween bags for us, including my favorite candies and individualized Halloween jokes: mine was- Where do most goblins live? North and South Scarolina! Haha

-        ~  I got a surprise package last week containing Duke’s Mayonnaise (which they do not have up here), leading to many enjoyable turkey sandwiches.

-          ~I was able to pack away my summer shirts, and now I have room for my clothes in my drawers! (Even when all of my clothes are clean….and that is a big step)

-          ~I finally found out how to get my shower from leaking…. break the handle off to the right!

    Haha, yeah that’s all I’ve got.  I do really love it here, and there are moments every day that I thank God for allowing me the opportunity to live out this dream.  Even though I complain (mostly in humor), I am so grateful for having this amazing apartment, in the best neighborhood of Philly (yes, I am partial), and for having the best friends a girl could ask for!  I am not kidding- Meredith, Susie, Lauren, and Katie have been incredible these past weeks. (Don’t worry, no one compares to you my love.) God is definitely looking out for me, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

That is enough for now.  I love and miss you! 

Courtney

Ps- I got a letter from Hannah and Roy this week (with $3) and I got The Upper Room from Mildred. I love our St. Matthew’s family.   

Shining

You're kicking my butt at this posting thing!!  I guess the country life isn't quite as exciting as the city life :)  The leaves are changing though and the weather is getting a little cooler...this and spring are my favorite seasons.  I love the transitional seasons.  Perfect weather.  ...Except for when it rains, that, my friend, sounds like it is NO fun!!

I'm glad you didn't get run over, let me begin by saying that!  Hang in there!  I know you take bad grades hard, but from someone that almost made a D in astronomy my freshman year...it's ok!  I think the beginning of anything is so hard!  There should be a learning curve of some kind for the first few months of school!  And just so people know...I brought that grade up, didn't want to scare anyone!

Just like the weather, I feel like I'm going through a transitional season.  I've decided that mid-20's suck.  You don't have many ties...you don't know what to do with your life...no fun.  While other people look at this as a good (exciting even!!) time, it's been challenging the past few months.  You survived my "quarter life crisis" in May, so hopefully I'll find some perspective soon.

Nothing exciting is going on.  I'm praying a lot to figure out where I'm suppose to be.  I want to know that I'm using the gifts God gave me, but don't know what that is at the moment.  Should I stay in teaching?  Questions...questions. 

I pray things turn up for you.  Like I posted on your wall, even in the rain, you shine.  Don't ever forget that.  You got this girl!  Don't ever doubt that :)

Love you!
Coley

When it rains....

Dear Coley,

   

Let me just tell you what kind of day I had......

Well, first, on my way to school, in the rain, I almost got hit by a taxi!  Seriously, stopped in the middle of the crosswalk by a taxi..... which forced me to yell something at the driver that my mother would not approve of (I will just leave it at that, use your imagination). I mean really?!  I had the little white walking man.....and its raining...... taxi driver, dont cross me. 

Then, I took my Child Theory exam (oh, you know, just 50% of my grade) and completely bombed it!  I have not felt that inadequate, or honestly mad at the professor writing the test, since around the time of freshman Chemistry.  It is safe to say, that I have made it through two Patho exams unscathed (arguable one of the two most difficult classes in all of grad school), to get my first taste of failure, in the form of a Child Theory knuckle sandwich. Blah (I am honestly hoping I scrapped by with a C.... and you know how I feel about that).

Oh wait, I am not finished.  Then I get to finish my day, literally running four blocks in the rain, trying to chase down my bus home. I refused to stand in the rain for another 30min waiting for the next one. I caught it, thank you God (seriously) and then spent the ride to Center City catching my breath..... just in time to get off the bus and walk four more blocks....in the pouring rain.

I told David, after this day...... maybe the taxi should have just hit me!

(Just kidding my love).

Now off to eat chocolate pudding and popcorn for dinner (yes, I am doing it. When a girl doesn't have access to fried pickles after a day like that, she has to compromise).

Hoping tomorrow is better :)

Love you,

Court 

Occupied Day

Dear Coley,

     Sorry I haven’t written in a while, I have now entered the ‘there is at least one test and something else due each week’ part of the grad school journey. I have not started counting the days or anything, that would be way to depressing, but I did look up flights home for Christmas (fyi: Dec 13^th folks…. that’s what I am aiming for).  Anyway, with all of the school work, and exhaustion I have had recently, the city life has taken the back burner. That is, until yesterday.

     I had an interview for an internship in the City Hall area of downtown. The actual building I interviewed in was right beside the, well one of the many, Opera houses of Philly. Even though I live in Center City….. the office was in, what I call, center Center City (a nice 12 blocks east of my place).  I haven’t completely mastered the bus system, other than knowing what bus to take to school, so I opted to walk in the morning….. in interview attire and heels….. bad idea young lady!  I look down on those women who walk in suits and tennis shoes, but they are swiftly becoming the smartest women I know.  So, I got the internship (yay), and then had to head to get my urine drug screen for my background check. 

    So, I walked the lovely 9 blocks north toward, what I now refer to as, the ghetto lab place. Sat there for a nice hour, and then finally got drug tested. (Ironically there is an article in the New York Times today about mandatory drug testing of welfare recipients, and how recipients think it is discrimination and unfair, saying that the government is implying that they all use drugs). Well my loves, hate to tell you, but I guess it also means that the government thinks middle class, white, grad school-going, southern ladies, also use drugs.  I had to put my big girl panties on (or the reverse actually) and take the test, so get over it, and pee in the cup the same way I did….. Wow…. I am becoming more “Northern” everyday….. did you hear that attitude?

     After that lovely event, I decided to walk to where I knew a bus stop would be, so it could carry my tired self home.  Little did I know that I would have to walk through City Hall which is currently being occupied.  Not occupied by the normal homeless people that sleep there all day, but occupied as in “Occupy Philly” aka the cousin to “Occupy Wall Street.” It was a little awkward to walk through the tent yard they had set up, in my dressy attire, and hear all the chants and rants. I don’t know exactly how I feel about the “Occupy” movement.  All I know is, the homeless people were getting a little restless and tired of those smartphone yielding, constant picture taking, ipod toting squatters, taking up their normal benches, haha….. at least they gave out free food. I think it is safe to say that no one is going to be occupying North Carolina any time soon, so that was interesting to see.

     I finally made it to the bus stop, and took the right bus home (small victory), to change and then head to the library for a night of studying. Oh the life of a city grad student.

     I hope that you are doing well.  I miss you so much. The other day I was so excited because I got a lot of mail….. just to realize that it was actually for my neighbor, and the mailman had accidentally put it in the wrong box, haha.  So far you and my grandparents have been my mail supporters, so thank you.

Talk to you soon,

Courtney

Oh, the internship- I will be working with The National Nurse Center Consortium, a group of lawyers and grant writers who work to lobby Washington for increased Nurse Practitioner scope of practice (pretty much to make insurance companies grant us privileges and make the state governments quit narrowing our rights).  My job will be to do legal research, write law makers, and support whatever campaign the office is currently working on.  They gave me a little desk, with a computer and phone.  That’s all I know so far, will start on Halloween.(I figured this year I will dress up as…… a real professional).

Carolina

Hey,

   I am supposed to be studying for my next Patho test and my first Demo (tomorrow and Friday), but I cannot focus. Part of the reason I cannot focus is because I keep having this song in my head!  I haven't heard this song in years, and wasn't really a fan then.... but for some reason, today, I cannot quit singing it.  I was humming it while waiting for my bus home tonight, and I am sure the girl beside me thought I was a little crazy, oh well!  So, my theme song for the day was:

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind

Symbolic, I think so!  Miss you and my Carolina.

Love, Courtney

Middle School Relationship

Hey girl,

  Today is my one month anniversary..... with Philly.  I figure that is a major milestone (if we were in a middle school relationship).  Caroline told me, before I moved, that Grad School was a lot like Middle School (and I completely agree....will explain later).  But for now....

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME :)

(yes, now that we are going steady.... I can refer to him as Philly)

Eat, Pray, Philly

Dear Coley,

   Last week was a whirlwind!  Yes, I had my first Patho test, which I studied approximately 40 hours for (haha, yes ma’am), and I did well!  Thank goodness, because I really didn’t want to bomb the first one. In that class we have tests every two weeks, so it’s on to another 40 hours of studying… boo!  Anyway, with all of the stress leading up to the test of Friday, my week went by so fast!  And after I left my brain on the floor of the lecture hall, I decided that this weekend would NOT be consumed with studying. 

    On Sat, I went back to Reading Terminal Market and had the best turkey sandwich I have ever consumed!  Seriously, the turkey melted in my mouth.  (So, I really didn’t need that pretzel or milky way ice cream to wash it down… but oh well, they were amazing too).  Then I did some shopping at the fresh market that sets up in Rittenhouse square each weekend.As I perused the fresh fruits and goodies from “organic this” and “naturally grown that” I felt quite City-like, haha. It was the first time I have bought anything from vendors like that, and I must say, the apples are quiet delicious. I finished the day with a trip to a local Thai place that had the best Pat See-Yew I have ever eaten!  Okay, who am I kidding? I have never had Pat See-Yew before, but I will definitely have it again. It was so yummy, and they had tofu (which I have had before, and do love) appetizers for super cheap. So, I guess Saturday (if I were Elisabeth Gilbert) would be “EAT”

    And Sunday, would be “PRAY.”  I hit up First Presbyterian again and really enjoyed the service.  The music there is truly sent from God, and organist gives me some major chill-bumps. The Pastor also relates the entire sermon to daily life (which I appreciate). Then, I headed to The Museum of Art (a mere two mile walk from my apartment) to see the Rembrandt exhibit of the “Faces of Jesus.”  (I definitely felt like I saw a lot of Jesus on Sunday…. good times). Now, if you recall, the steps up to the museum are the known as the Rocky Steps.  No, I did not run up the stairs, but I swear I could have, hehe.  Especially when I got to the top (where there are imprints of Rocky’s feet) and realized that I, like Rocky, had worn converses!  I took a picture of our matching shoe wear.  

     With my student ID, the cost of a membership was only a little over the normal price of admission…. so I am now a Member of The Museum of Art- I have the coffee mug and ID card to prove it (who would have thought the day would come). I spent the next three hours wandering around the museum, with my little headphones on listening to all this “interesting” information about all kinds of art work. I saw everything from oil paintings, to armor, to furniture, to a Japanese hut! The museum is incredible, and now that I am a member, you (and everyone else to visits) better expect to go there, hehe.

      Other than those adventures, I have been cleaning and studying. This weekend was tough (as mentioned before) and I realized I miss my friends and family a lot.  This “journey” is great, but I do wish I was able to experience it with my loves. So, Philadelphia has my stomach…. but North Carolina still has my heart. 

Miss you bunches (and no, I have not found a place here with fried pickles, don't worry)

Oh, and I got a new "Bender Ball" in the mail today, haha, so my sit-up routine can continue on obsession level!  

Love you,

Court.