We ate our way across Vermont

So Jason and I took a long 4 day weekend to go to Burlington Vermont! We have heard a lot of really great things about the city and were very excited to experience it all for ourselves. We left on Friday afternoon with a big list of things to do and places to go. It took about 6 hours to get there and the drive was beautiful the whole way. It took us through the White Mountain region of New Hampshire and into the rolling green hills of Vermont. We arrived just in time for dinner, after which it was late and we were tired from the long drive over so we just went back to the hotel to get a good nights sleep so that we would be refreshed for Saturdays festivities. So to start our day Saturday we traveled to a town outside of Burlington to hit up the Green Mountain Coffee Roaster's Factory. We didnt get to see any actually Roasting but we did learn all about the process and got to have some pretty delicious coffee! We found out that Green Mountains actually just bought out Tullys which is interesting. After that we headed a few miles down the road to the wonderful Ben and Jerry's factory!!! We took the tour which ended with a free taste of the Cookies and Cream ice cream which was very good. We bought more ice cream outside and got to try some pretty interesting flavors. I had a Cake batter ice cream with chocolate fudge frosting swirl and a scoop of the Peanut Butter cookie dough ice cream! They were excellent! After Ben and Jerry's, we hit up the Magic Hat brewing company, got to sample all kinds of good beers (can't beat that!). We also went to a chocolate factory... man I feel like I need to work out just typing about all this food! Probably our favorite part was the Cabot Cheese factory! We got to sample like 11 different kinds of Cheddar! We bought all kinds of cheeses and butters and we can't wait to make some good meals with them!
Long story short- Vermont Rocks! I can't wait to go back!

Hiking Cadillac

I am a little late in posting this but I wanted to share the pictures. A few weeks ago, my friend Holly came up from Portland to visit Jason and I in Bangor. We all went hiking over the weekend in Acadia National Park! Here are the picture! Enjoy!

Hiking Cadillac

Setting up

So now that I have passed my boards and started work I thought it was high time I updated everyone! I started my family practice job, I like it a lot and am very thankful that everyone there is very willing to help me out as I have a thousand questions everyday! The first week I was pretty much lost and confused the majority of the time but I don't think the patients noticed!

Jason and I also got all moved into our new apartment! Finally out the little box we were sharing! It's two bedrooms, one and a half bath. Its like a townhouse in that it has its own entrance and we have a back deck with a storage unit. His Aunt and Uncle were very nice and have lent us a couch and a BBQ so we can enjoy the summer in style! Here are the pics!

New Place

Off by 12 months...

So I was in Starbucks the other day and there was a trivia question (if you get it right you get an extra/free shot)! So the questions was as follows: In what YEAR did the Frappuccino debut at Starbucks?" I thought about what time in life I could remember drinking them and I guessed 1998. The guy was like "no" I was a little bummed but it was pretty much a guess so I said "was I close?" and he said (very confidently) NO! I was like "ah man- when was it?" thinking it would be totally different... he says "1997" totally serious... I was like "1997! I was REALLY close- what do you mean 'no' I wasn't close!!!" He said "you were off by 12 months!" I was like "What do you mean 12 months- the question asked for a year! I was off by ONE YEAR! That's CLOSE!!!" He just stared at me... I COULD NOT believe it. Its not like it really mattered because either way I was wrong but it was the principle... The best part is that every time I think about him saying NO when I asked if I was close- I just start laughing...

I GOT MY MASTER'S!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAY for me!!!! I finally finished and graduated this past weekend. I have my master's degree and as soon as I pass my boards I will be an official grown up Physician Assistant! Right now I am in Boston hanging out relaxing for a few days with friends and family... then back to Maine for another visitor then it's study time. That's right, I will be spending 5 days a week studying! It is kind of important that I pass them because I have a job, but in order to actually start work on the day they are already scheduling my patients, I have to pass! Good luck me!

What's that?

What's that you say? Yes you heard correctly, I have finished my clinical rotations!!! I no longer have to introduce myself as the PA student... No more exams (except boards), no more papers, no more school! I finished my last day on April 30th- I also turned 26 that day! Yikes! Who would have thought that I would be in school for almost 20 years... don't tell you children- it may frighten them! I will be graduating next Saturday with my Master's!!! It will be fun to see my mom and friends at the ceremony. I am trying to keep my mind off the fact that I still need to study for my board exams... I have to pass that before I am an official Physician Assistant. I have already signed up to take them in June and with the help of my good friend/classmate, I hope to pass them! It would be an awful shame if I didn't. We are going to be studying like 5 days a week for almost a month so I think we will be in good shape by the time we take the exam. I will keep you all posted on that.

What else is new... well I have a job lined up!!!! Provided I pass my boards, I will be starting work in a family practice clinic here in Bangor ME at the beginning of July! I am hoping to go home to Seattle for a week at the end of June, between taking the boards and starting work. It is exciting to think that my future is no longer just a black hole of debt!

The end is near...

I still have not posted pictures of my new car but to fill you all in, I got a 2008 Toyota Corolla! It is dark blue and I like it a LOT!!! I just started my last rotation on Monday- only like 5 weeks left! Crazy- I can't actually believe it. I signed up for my boards, I will take them in June so as soon as school is over its going to be Study time!!!! I am starting to panic about finding a job, I am in the process of setting up interviews and will keep you all posted on that. As for this rotation, I am in Bangor doing family medicine. I don't yet know when I will be traveling back out to Seattle for my next visit, probably not until after I have a job... As for today, I am actually at home sick. No good! Maybe I should be studying now... that doesn't sound like fun. Alright, wish me luck on the finding a job thing!