There isn’t really a specific person that I want to be like when I grow up. I admire the famous people who make positive influences on the world. I mean, what would this world be without Sandra bullock chick flicks? Or Kate Middleton’s fashion standard? Or Will Smith’s kids?

I appreciate talent and a kid heart from afar, but I am much more moved by the people around me who serve in the little ways- for that is something that can truly bless others’ lives.

The main reason I bring this up is because of the amazing preceptors I have been working with this week, and the many I will be working with for the next two years. These professionals are busy. I mean busy. And stressed. And talented. And busy. And yet, they are so incredibly willing to take a glossy-eyed intern under their wing and mold me into someone with confidence and curiosity.

My first rotation is in the fine dining area if the hospital. They cover the members-only restaurant, catering, and other random deliveries. During this rotation we are developing salad recipes that we will use in future projects and rotations. All day yesterday, the executive chef and manager of the department spent his time giving us ideas, teaching us cooking methods, and helping us put together a real profit making salad. As if he had nothing better to do!

Today, we made our salads again and gave a short presentation to the kitchen staff I get their input. The kitchen staff included: manager, two assistant managers, 3 head chefs, 2 cooks, and a supervisor. The kitchen literally stopped what they were doing so they could taste our recipes and give their input- and they did so gladly.

I’m so appreciative of them and I think I’ve decided that no matter what I end up doing in this career, I want to teach somehow and forward the care and service I have received.

Ps. Pictures to come

Today marks my one-month anniversary of moving to Chicago. What the…

On the one hand, it feels as if I have been here forever. But I still have moments where I stop and think, “what the heck am I doing here?? I am definitely not chic enough for this city!”

There are a few things I’ve learned since I have been here. Always carry an umbrella. Always. Don’t just do your hair in the morning– you have assess the wind speed first. An appointment at 9am really means you have to be ready at 8am. Whatever you do, do not miss the train in the afternoon. You’ll definitely be 15 minutes late to where ever you are going. Always try the drink, or the appetizer, or the entree, or the dessert. You will never be sorry. And finally, there is nothing like seeing theaters, museums, parks, a gorgeous lake, and a million delicious restaurants all in the same Sunday afternoon walk.

It would take a million posts to recap the last 3 weeks, so here are some photos as a pathetic attempt.

Needless to say, I love this city. Oh, and my program 🙂

This amazing quote is from Wernher von Braun, the “Father of Rocket Science.” If you remember the fabulous movie October Sky, he was a wonderful example and motivation for Homer (but not his hero… I love this movie). 

Today we listened to all our professors present their current research topics. We sat through 8 presentations and 16 ideas for what we want to dedicate the next 2 years of research for. I went into the presentations thinking that I would know pretty quickly what I wanted to do. Let’s just say that research was on the bottom of my Rush bucket-list. 

I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised! Out of the 16 presentations, there were only 3 that I knew right away that I do not want to do. All the other topics seem really interesting. I of course have a couple that really stood out to me, but I were not get any of those, I would not be heartbroken with the rest. 

All the information for our topics!

So now we have the next couple of days to meet with professors to ask questions and do our own reading and considering (and for me praying!) which topic we want to submit. We will turn in a document that states our top three topic preferences and a little bit about why we want it/why we would be good at it. Then we find out on Tuesday what our topic is!!

I’m way more excited about this than I have ever been (which I will try to remember when I come across bumps and frusterations). I’ll for sure post about my topic next week 🙂

In other news, I went to a restaurant yesterday for happy hour half off food and had the most delicious guacamole made right in front of me! If you have a Cantina Lorado in your area– go! It’s amazing! 

Lime, salt, pepper, garlic, avocado, cilantro, onion, tomato, pepper (in that order)

Oh and in the corner is a phenomenal virgin strawberry daiquiri!

I have been waiting for this day for almost 5 months (19 weeks or 133 days to be exact).

I wish I could say that I feel a lot of something, whether its excitement or nerves or something. But I don’t. I’m sitting on my couch thinking “I should probably get my stuff ready for tomorrow, huh?” but not in a slacking off kind of way.  It all just feels natural. It’s almost as if the move to the city was the dramatic part. Now it’s starting a program that I feel really prepared for– thanks to amazing professors/mentors/family/friends.

I didn’t always feel prepared. I have definitely had moments where I have wondered how on earth I got here, how I got in to a program like this. I would never consider myself a natural genius, but if college taught me nothing else, it was how to work harder than I’ve ever worked before. So now that I’m on the brink of starting this new incredibly difficult thing, I feel confident in my ability to work.

So here it goes. Tomorrow I will begin my first day of the Rush University Medical Center Combined Dietetic Internship and Masters Degree Program.

Wish me luck 🙂

tourist shot of me and my new home

So yesterday it rained all morning. My hair of course got wet, but only slightly. Turns out that rain plus Chicago humidity makes my hair curly. My hair. My straight, stringy, bodiless hair was curly.

I liked it.

I’ve been a little overwhelmed for the last couple of days. Yesterday I woke up fairly calm, only with the thought “you should probably feel a little more anxious/excited/something since this is a day that will change your life.” But from the time I woke up to the time we landed in Midway Airport, I was totally chill- the only manifestation of nerves was little to no appetite.

Then. We got on the shuttle.

We found a sweet shuttle that took us and my lifetime supply of chocolate straight to my door. But all the driving to get into downtown totally freaked me out. I had no clue where I was or where I was going and that, my friends, has been quite unsettling.

I got into my apartment fine, after my awesome doorman Hector checked me in. We came into the apartment and put all my luggage down. We decided not to unpack, but instead leave for our train to our personal hotel (aka mom’s bestie). As we were standing in the apartment and mom asked how I was doing, I think it was pretty clear how close to tears I was. What the heck had I done?!?!?!?!? The train out of the city was good – a good book distracted me and the cutest little town welcomed me. Much more compatible with my comfort zone.

Then we came back today. And it’s been overwhelmingly amazing.

First of all- very bit of my stuff fit!! Perhaps with even a teeny tiny bit of room left (BOO-YA!) And I have never unpacked so fast. Second- my roommates and I are eerily similar. The more and more I talk to them, the more and more I realized what a miracle it was that The Lord led me to them.

Honestly, I knew I was supposed to be in Chicago. I truly don’t believe my efforts alone would have given me this opportunity. I believe He wanted me here, and he has given me every little thing to make it happen (and not just happen, but make it easier and happier): guided me through my application process, finding a cheap/safe/comfortable apartment, finding incredible roommates with the apartment, making it possible to bring my parents, etc etc etc.

I am excited for the day that everything will feel familiar instead of daunting, but I don’t expect that will take too long 🙂

I’ve never watched pro sports. I’ve always been a college sport fan. I know the big names (aka the ones on the news), but other than that I’m pretty lost.

I’m not sure if I am filling a void or what, but I suddenly have this connection to all Chicago sports teams. I’ve never watched hockey before in my life (sorry I don’t count slow community games), but I watched the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup. I know the Cubs don’t have any chance of going to the World Series, but I love them anyway. And I have this new sense of pride that Michael Jordan played on for the Bulls.

I’m told that Chicago fans are crazy. I’m not worried about being the quiet one, but I’ll probably stand out by being the loud one that isn’t using vulgar language.