More on cats

The day we adopted Leon, we actually wanted this other kitten that we saw on the internet. She was white and fluffy and her name was Mopsy. Then when we got there they told us that she had a "kitty cold" which we later found out is code for ringworm, but they had this one:

I have to admit, at first, I wasn't thrilled. I wanted the white girl one. Plus this one's name was Leland (after a kind of Christmas tree, it was Christmastime.) But then the lady brought him out and he literally ran into my arms, and I loved him, and the rest is history. Bonus that Joey thought his name was Leon, which is his favorite boys' name. As it turns out, he was a perfect fit... and now I don't have to name my son Leon.

ANYwho... I finally got my white cat last weekend! She has a moving tail and blinks and keeps perfect time! And Leon loves her!

Well, not that much.

Here's Joey trying to make Leon look like a cat clock.

It looks like we tortured him but he was fine. He got some treats afterwards and it was win-win for all. I love this clock so much. It really does keep perfect time, and it brings me joy each morning when I make the coffee. Of course I love my Leon too, I wouldn't trade him for a million Mopsies.

I hope everyone had a great Monday.

An Engineers Guide to Cats

May not be as enjoyable if you don't have cats. Have a great weekend!

Family Ties

I struggled with work on Tuesday, but that was in part because I had such a great Monday... because...

my family came to visit!

My mom and dad and grandma came up from Connecticut basically just to have dinner with us. My parents are visiting CT from Texas, and they haven't seen our place yet - so they made the trek up.

It was so fun to see them, I had such a great time. After everyone came over to our apartment we went out to dinner at La Morra, then, even though it was late I sort of forced everyone into a car ride around Boston. I have a hard time letting go, and well, I had them all captive in the car.

Thanks Mom and Dad and Grandma! I can't wait to see you again soon.

Today's Blessing

What can I say government run workplace? Today, you have won. You drove me right over the brink of insanity. This morning, if I'd had an inflatable escape route perhaps I would have taken it, but I don't have these fancy supplies.

So what's a girl to do in order to camouflage losing her mind? Its easy! After your last morning patient duck out the back door and peel out of the parking lot to Dunkin Donuts, then get an ungodly amount of munchins for one person... and a coffee sort of for show.

Then come back and eat them at your makeshift desk in your operatory. Don't worry, its just a little bit gross.
Thank you Dunkin Donuts, you were today's blessing.

Red Sox and Television

So as my self-doubt and self-pity over the application process continue to duke it out in the background, lets talk about something fun.

Like Red Sox games! Holla!

Joey and I went to a game about a month ago, and it was awesome.

Don't mind that I look like a boy here, I was trying to have carefree side french braids that met in the back and for some reason wore insufficient eyeliner, but that's alright.

Joey had never been to a game, and I hadn't been since college, which doesn't count because back then I just sacrilegiously waited for it to be over.

Maybe because I didn't have Joey to go with. Here he is with a Fenway Frank. Delicious!

Then it was time to sing Sweet Caroline, and Big Papi hit a homerun, and all was right in Boston. This is why I love living here.

In other news - why does Bravo torture me with these terrible women on these Real Housewives shows? I used to really like them, but now they're so terrible that I can't take it. That personality type - the entitled delusional confrontational type - is not good entertainment for me. I just get angry and want her to get a job and a grip. This is on my mind as the new DC one is on my TV at the moment, when I anticipated seeing the Bethenny Getting Married? episode from last week. That show is OK. Mercifully, Property Virgins is on at the same time. I love Sandra Rinomato!

Alright, what else - I spent a couple of days at UConn this week visiting their pediatric residency. The residents were so awesome and kindly tolerated my awkward hovering in their clinic. I was so impressed with the people in that program - their residents were really top notch and their attendings were so kind and knowledgeable.  One of the attendings thought my last name was LaPorta, and then I compulsively told her how much I love Designed to Sell. Fortunately, she does too... so it just got better and better. Plus I got to stay at a cute inn and I felt like I was on Gilmore Girls! 

Last but not least I got to see my parents and my grandma in Bridgeport last night! It made my heart feel good to have dinner with my family. Now I'm back and ready for one more day of work before the weekend. What a great week.

are you there baby jesus?

so I said in my last post that I'm applying to pediatric dental residencies like its no big thing - just a lot of paperwork and time... but its a pretty big deal in my life right now.

doing this is about 2 years in the making - debating back and forth if I should do it, the expense of applying, telling people about it, and then if I get in, we'll be moving... and maybe not to the most glamorous place. (hey, fine with me - at this point I'll sell my soul to whichever program will take me.)

its scary for a lot of reasons...what other people will think about me doing it for one. well - we don't care what other people think, right? yeah right. some people, even friends who probably don't want to feel this way - get some weird satisfaction of other people who try something and it doesn't work out. come on, we all know it, and we've all been that person. will people think I'm doing it for the money? because I'm not a good enough general dentist? well - the money IS good, and I'm not going to apologize for that, and there ARE days where I don't know if I'm a good dentist... but I think people who don't have those doubts are a-holes (sorry for the swear mom and grandma,) and unfortunately I won't be able to relate to them at happy hour.

anyway, I digress. I feel guilty for how expensive the application process is (did I really need to apply to so many schools?) and the time it takes while I'm at home writing cover letters and filling out applications each night.  

I also feel crazy apprehensive and fear rejection.

I just want to be a pediatric dentist - I have pretty big aspirations related to that but that's another story for another day. Can't somebody let me in? That would be just superb.

The residency coordinator at Indiana sent me the most courteous email so naturally now I love that program even more. Joey said if we move there we should probably get a farm, some blue heelers and maybe even a horse that we'll name Lightning. That would be so nice.
Today, (in other relatively unrelated news,) as I was getting on the train home after work I was thinking about how lucky I am that I have a husband that  has mentioned twice since being back from Belize that we should get horses someday because I loved them so much while we were there. He's pretty alright, that Joseph of mine.
Alright then, I'll draw this rambler to a close. Goodnight all, here's to waking up a little bit less neurotic tomorrow morning.

MIA

So I've been delinquent with my posts lately... I'm applying to pediatric dental residencies and it has been pretty time consuming. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel with the application process, and I'll tell you more about it when I'm done. Please bear with me. I hope you all had a great weekend!

Cover letter writing and paperwork assembling station. Note my green binder/security blanket with all of the information about the programs, and 2x2 photos that I practically had to bully the CVS girl to sell me in bulk.

Supplemental materials awaiting quality control assessment prior to sealing up... ie did I write the correct name of the school in the beginning and closing paragraphs, and like, actually sign my name. Believe it or not, I have to do this at least three times and I'll still find obvious mistakes - like "Dear. Dr. Haney," I'm telling you... its pretty amazing.