#MedschoolMonday | 20 Date Ideas for Medical Students

Hi!

I hope you are having a phenomenal week so far. Today I wanted to share some dating ideas for medical-school couples.
Sometimes we go all out. We commit time and resources to dates on special occasions, but we are poor and Jeff is busy, so this is a non-comprehensive list of fun, cheap dates that accommodate a second-year medical student's schedule:

Taken by Sami Jo at Sierra's wedding

1. Go get snow cones, ice cream, or smoothies
2. Watch a local sports game--this post comes to you from a middle school football game
3. Go for a walk
4. If your community has it, rent a puppy
5. Volunteer together
6. Read out loud--we love reading Harry Potter and the scriptures mostly
7. Play games
8. Double date with friends, neighbors, or other med students
9. Exercise or go to the recreation center
10. Cook together
11. Take sack lunches to the park
12. Create a time capsule adding memories of your life together--ours includes our wedding invitations, a mixed cd, written notes, ticket stubs from other dates, and pictures
13. Host love language olympics--figure out each other's love languages then see who can out-serve the other
14. Make a five-year plan then look at real estate in your planned hypothetical location
15. Check out local attractions
16. Mini golf
17. Attend school or church dances
18. Go on a bike ride
19. Go to a restaurant you've never tried
20. Go to the farmer's market

Now get on out there and continue your courtship, scholars.

Have a good week and come back for Wifey Wednesday (I will talk about this last weekend and what I love about motherhood) and Satur-DIY (I will show how to make bows like the one below)!

If you missed my last post, go check it out! I made a cutesy macaron (fancy, delicious, French cookie) tutorial.

#MedSchoolMonday | Expectations vs. Reality

Hey! I thought I would share my medical school expectations vs. reality. Mind you, this is my husband's second year of medical school. Things could change in the future and I always plan for the worst, as you are about to see, haha.

E X P E C T A T I O N S :

Jeff would always be busy; I.e., we'd never see each other again until, like, 2027.

Although it's not how he'd want it, Jeff would miss date nights, holidays, and activities.

Jeff would never have the time to help with chores, meals, kids, etc.

We would be very sad and lonely; akin to wandering through the wilderness.

My husband's success would depend on how supportive I am.

We would slowly drift away, living different lives, becoming strangers, and wanting to die.

R E A L I T Y :

We have a date night every week and hang out for more than an hour almost every night. 

We went to all our church parties last year (and Jeff even helped me plan, set up for, and execute a Christmas party for our whole church). 

The only time we missed a party we wanted to go to was when I had Riley, so, my fault.

My husband is basically always willing and available to help when I need him. I try to support him as much as I can, but he volunteers to change diapers, prepare meals, clean up, as well as encourages me to take long naps. What a guy.

Jeff does study a lot; basically all the live long day (if you count Quizlet flashcards on his phone). I entertain myself A LOT. I don't even mind that I put that in all caps because it's so true. Here's how I do it.

Our relationship has really ripened since school started. You can read about that here.

Jeff is a scholastically self-sufficient guy, but he says it helps when I pack him a lunch and do the laundry. 

While we spend our time doing very different things, I learn a lot about the human body and Jeff's life. I am involved and we are even planning service we can do together this year.

In the last year we have made separate trips to Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Louisiana, Utah twice, Yellow Stone, and Jackson Hole. Twice. Not sure how that happened, but I can't complain.

We share quite a few friends. Many of them are medical students, too. We actually hang out with these people! Regularly.

Life is good. We do not want to die.

White Coat Ceremony 2014 

What about you, med school wives? Add your voice in the comments below.

Also, check in on Wifey Wednesday (sharing our story) and Satur-DIY (sharing a baby bow tutorial video)! Have a post suggestion? Put it in the comments. I am curious to see what y'all would want to see on this here blog. 

Happy Labor Day! 

#MedSchoolMonday | M2 So Far So Good

Here is a quick update on this semester so far. I realize I under-post about medical school considering the title of this here blog. For that reason I have decided to create a stricter blogging schedule.

Welcome to the very first #MedSchoolMonday! I am a little embarrassed about this, but hey, haha.

For this post I will interview my husband who is hanging out with me.

Q: Hi, Jeff. How are ya?

A: Good.

Q: How is medical school treating you?

A: It's treating me well. Not as well as you're treating me though.

Q: How about Step 1 preparation?

A: Good. I think I've got a system figured out. It's top secret... I use Firecracker then I'll hit things a little harder after this next block with more Firecracker, Pathoma, and First Aid.

Q: You have an exam today. How many flashcards did you create in preparation? How many hours do you think you studied actively and passively.

A: Mmm, 280-ish (Totaling about 7500 flashcards so far). 250 hours actively and I never study passively (haha, okay then).

Q: How would you describe the M2 experience thus far?

A: Um, overall it's been pretty good. It's nice to learn things that are perhaps more clinically relevant. Because of that my time is being put to more affective use. 

Q: Anything you would like to say?

A: Stay classy. Keep on keeping on.

Isn't he great? You keep on keeping on, Jeff Falco. :)

As for the new posting schedule, in addition to #MedSchoolMonday, I have also committed myself to #WifeyWednesday (yep, went there) to keep up on our normal lives and #Satur-DIY where I will post my latest projects and tutorials. So definitely check back soon!

Bye!

How I Take Care of Myself as a Medical Student's Wifey

Last night in the soft glow of Ron Swanson and Leslie Knope, Jeff was studying and I was working on my blog (too typical). About an hour passed without a word until I realized and said, "Wow. It would really stink if I didn't know how to entertain myself right now." Jeff agreed, put my head on his shoulder (maybe that's fictional), and we went back to our projects.

Being married to a medical student, so far, is not half bad. I have said this before and many of my cohorts agree. However, some times are super busy (read: have potential to be super lonely and boring) and it's critical that I meet my own needs. Here are my three best tips for taking of yourself while your partner is stressed out of his or her eyeballs.

1. S T A Y  B U S Y

This was all too easy when I was working full-time. It is still pretty easy with a four-month-old, although it would be easy to slip into a pattern of being bored at home doing nothing (with a four-month-old).

Here's what I do now. I work my hardest to accomplish everything that Jeff would do during his study breaks. I cook, I clean, I maintain our cars, I grocery shop, I pick up dry cleaning (that happened, like, once), and so on.

This sounds subservient, but it's in my best interest, too; I know that if I do the laundry, make dinner, check the mail, straighten the house, and all of that the reward will be twofold: 1. Jeff will feel relaxed and 2. He'll have extra time to spend with Riley and me. It works and I stay so occupied I hardly notice our time apart.

This also bolsters my self-esteem because I am productive for the better part of every day (except Sundays when I take a three-hour nap. Ahhh).

2. K E E P  S E P A R A T E  I N T E R E S T S

One blessing of my marriage is how many separate interests Jeff and I have. We are so different. I say it's a blessing because it fosters my own independence (which is key in a good relationship).

I love doing Zumba, blogging, window shopping, crafting, watching So You Think You Can Dance, etc. Those are all things that make me feel human. I don't feel bad doing these things without Jeff (watching Parenthood, Parks and Rec, eating out, and reading Harry Potter, on the other hand, are "our" things we mostly only do together.)

3. M A I N T A I N  R E L A T I O N S H I P S

There are other people in the world that love you!!!

When my husband is away at school or otherwise unavailable I like to call people and/or make plans with friends. I am lucky to have many friends who have med-student spouses. We have girls' nights, go to each others' pools, craft together, and organize activities.

This is a game changer for me. I love having friends that relate. I know this will just become more important as Jeff gets into residency, fellowship, and what have you.

This is also a good time for me to touch base with faraway friends and family.

I learned early in my marriage to have more than just your husband to meet your needs. It is asking a lot for my husband to be my cheerleader, exercise buddy, and life coach in addition to being a (great) spouse and co-parent. Especially because sometimes I just want to be heard. Girlfriends and grandmas are good for that.

T H E  T A K E A W A Y

All this is to say BE INDEPENDENT. Look at what needs to be done, what you love to do, and who else you have in your life.

Take your happiness into your own hands. You probably know what to do.

How do you keep yourself entertained? Holla at me and have a great day.