Done with 5th semester!

Just finished my 5th semester exit exam. Passed the exam so I qualified to sit for Step 1 USMLE board exam and got the official go ahead to leave Portland! Mom and dad fly into Portland tomorrow afternoon and I am really looking forward to seeing them. We will have some fun on the east coast, do a little exploring before we start the road trip back home. I've been so consumed with studying for this final exam that I haven't done much planning for their arrival but I'm sure we'll find plenty of fun things to do once they are here. We plan to make some stops along the way home to make the trek fun and then before I know it I'll be home sweet home :) Can't wait to see all the friends and family I've been away from and to actually live at home for the first time in 4 years. Although it'll only be for a few months it is still a welcome change from the short visits home that I am used to. Time to start packing up my life into suitcases yet again...you think I would be better at it after how many times I've done it... Ash

Finishing up fifth semester!

Hello everybody! This entry is for Grandpa Pete because he gave me a kick in the pants saying it had been WAY too long since I've written in my blog and the man was right. In my last entry I mentioned how the "weeks were flying by," those weeks turned into months and now here I am in my last week of fifth semester. My time living in Maine has been a quick one and I have thoroughly enjoyed this state. Portland really is a beautiful city and spring has breathed new life into it. I wish I could see more of the summer here, but it is time for this nomad to return home! The last 6 weeks have been filled with a Kaplan prep course, 6 days a week 9 hours a day. I am preparing for my board exams which I will take sometime this summer. Terrifying to be preparing for the biggest exam of my life but I am ready for the next step. Sick of sitting in classrooms and I itch to put my knowledge into practice. My parents fly out here April 20th, we will explore the east coast for a few days and then drive back to WI together. Looking forward to seeing my family again, 4 months apart is always too long! I will return back to Wisconsin where I will live and study at home until I am ready to take my exam. I'm sure most people remember my little ACL mishap, well I plan to have knee surgery on May 1. I will be able to rehab my knee while I study at home, it has been 5 months since I have been able to go for a run and I cannot wait until my knee is repaired and I can do what I love again. This'll be the first time I have lived at home in five years so fingers crossed that the 'rents don't get sick of me. Chase will also be at home this summer and I could almost burst from excitement to be around my family again. I included a picture from the one and only time I've ever been to a beach here. Way too cold to swim, but a pretty cool pic nonetheless. Back to WI in 2 weeks, hope all is well with everyone back home! Love, Ash :)