26.2

(relay, not solo :) )

Meet Meg, ML, Fran, and Linds.

I will save a sappy, emotional blog post for when we all graduate, but suffice to say, these ladies have been the most incredible support system during the past 4 years.

A couple months ago we decided to run the Mercedes Marathon Relay together, and we had a blast! Lindsay hosted a carbo-loading party last night (which, let's be honest, was just an excuse to get together and laugh and eat a lot of food), and the race started bright and early this morning.

26.2 miles is pretty tolerable when it's divided into 5 legs. Mine was 6.3 miles and it was >>>>>> than running 13.1. Lindsay ran our anchor leg, and we all hopped in the last 100 yards or so to finish together. We couldn't have asked for better weather or a more enjoyable time together. Thanks to my hubby for being our camera man!

After a giant lunch (or maybe it was 2 lunches) and a hot shower, my muscles felt like jello and I spent the rest of the afternoon resting on the couch. Totally worth it though.

Back to reality...

Cable Television Win (x2)

Props to these two shows for pulling off fabulous Valentine's Day episodes. Not since Friends [moment of silence] have I been so entertained by cable television. Walker was in Orlando on business this week, and I think Bella was concerned at my solo outbursts of laughter the past two nights. And thanks to DVR, I can watch them over and over again if I so desire...

Also, Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy as Clive Bixby may be my favorite television character of all time.

Yay, it's Friday!!

P.S. I just realized I've had 4 blog posts this week. I think it's safe to say I have been on a VERY schedule-friendly rotation (which unfortunately ends today) :)

Ah, snow

Birmingham has had two pretty good snows this year, and we were unfortunately out of town for both of them (although I'd pick Arizona for the National Championship over a couple of inches of snow any day!), so we were excited to be in town for last night's dusting. I was honestly expecting a little bit more of a winter wonderland when I woke up this morning, but I guess an inch is better than nothing? I do love me some winter weather - snow, jackets, scarves, sleeping under a fluffy down comforter - I could go on. Plus, a dusting of snow makes everything look so much prettier. Guess who else loves snow? We woke up early this morning so she could play in the snow for a bit before I left for the hospital.

Two random things:

1. I love to cook, and prepare home-cooked meals most nights of the week. However, sometimes I crave the taste of a home-cooked meal without having to put in the effort. Enter Bertolli Oven Baked Meals. I in no way support the nutritional content of these meals, but they are delicious, easy, and do not taste like a frozen dish. Everything in moderation folks.

2. I have a serious crush on my iPhone. This morning I received a Living Social e-mail for a deal in San Francisco (to further maximize our California vacation budget), looked up restaurant reviews on Google, e-mailed Walker to get his thoughts, bought the deal using the Living Social app, and put in our reservation using Open Table (apparently this place usually requires reservations made well in advance), all in about 3 minutes and all on my phone. Ah, technology.

I've loved all of the snow pictures that have popped up on my Google Reader today, Happy Snow Day everyone!

Cue the chorus...

After three impatient years of waiting, my favorite phone service provider and manufacturer have finally teamed up. Guess what was waiting at my front door today? My birthday certainly fell at a convenient time this year :)

I will not disclose how many hours I spent on it today...

Weekend Visitors

A college-friend reunion for Lizzie brought her and the babies plus Sissy into town for the weekend. The weather could have been better, but we made the most of it and had a wonderful time together. Campbell had so much fun she fell asleep at 6 p.m. in her new ballet outfit. Don't we have the cutest little nieces? Come back soon guys!

And... DONE!

For my last residency interview I headed north to Cincinnati. And guess who came with me?

 It is even more fun to experience new cities with good company.

We explored various parts of the cities and ate DELICIOUS food from several local restaurants (all thanks to a friend of a friend who grew up there and should maybe consider a career as a tour guide... her suggestions for the trip were that good!).

Oh Graeter's ice cream. Apparently a local/regional legend, we were told it wasn't to be missed. WOW. So delicious. Probably the best I've ever eaten.

Thankfully, we (barely) beat the storm out Tuesday night. Two turbulent flights and one piece of lost luggage (that was force-checked secondary to a full flight and lack of overhead bin space) later we arrived safe and sound in B'ham.

On a random note, it took me exactly 60 minutes to get from the hospital to my house this afternoon (it normally takes 8). 3 miles in 60 minutes. Snow + sleet equals gridlock in downtown B'ham. XM Radio kept me company. Have I ever blogged about XM? I don't think so. It's the best. Toyota gave us a free trial, and 3 months later we were working our lifetime subscription into the budget. Totally worth it.

Enough randomness. We are excited to host Sissy (Walker's mom), Lizzie, Campbell, and Adeline this weekend! If (unnamed airline) ever finds my luggage and returns it to me, I will be sure to take lots of pictures.

Q: What do...

this...

this...

this...

this...

and this...

have in common?

A: They are part of the "Happy-Birthday-Walker-&-Congrats-on-finishing-med-school-Emily-vacation-extravaganza"! We have been toying with the details of this vacation for probably 6 months now, working on seeing how many of these places we could squeeze in to our vacation financially, and we are now officially booked and ready to go (and unbelievably excited with the results)! I basically have become a Southwest rewards, Hilton Honors points, Living Social Escapes, and Groupon groupie, and it is sort of ridiculous how far we have stretched our vacation budget. Free flights and free and/or incredibly discounted hotel rooms have made this amazing trip a reality, and OH.MY.GOSH we are excited!! We plan to live it up before my intern year hits and I return to living at the hospital. Life as a fourth year is pretty sweet.

If any of you have restaurant, activity, or sight-seeing suggestions for Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley, Monterey Bay/Carmel/Big Sur, Yosemite, or San Francisco please send them our way via comments or e-mail (emilytfain@gmail.com)!