Hakuna Matata

I woke up one day this week with that song playing in my head on repeat. I don't particularly feel 'worry-less' right now, but I'm enjoying the pace of things here as summer stretches out in the distance. Summer officially begins in Seattle (I've been told) on July 5th, because it's almost always cold and rainy on the 4th. The weather has been uncharacteristically sunny and warm recently, which is fine by me (except as it affects public transportation, which I will address below). 

Work has been...work. Things are a little more exciting, what with more people out and about and hurting themselves. Some days are great, others are terrible...such is life, right? I'm certainly starting to feel comfortable in certain areas (and with certain doctors), and have even had to be a preceptor a couple of times. While I feel kind of unqualified for teaching a new person, it has helped me realize how far I've come and how much I've really learned. I still love spines, and get to do them fairly regularly. Consequently, those are the only cases where I really feel like I know what I'm doing. 

I had to go in and 'help' with a crash a few weeks ago. I've never felt so helpless in my life. There were tons of people in the room, blood was everywhere, and I didn't do much aside from running out to try and find an instrument that they needed. When I got back to the room, they didn't need the instrument anymore...they had decided that the internal injuries were too extensive to continue. Lots of 'firsts' for me; things I didn't want to learn or have to think about or do...but things that will be necessary for me to know to be able to do my job. 

On a lighter note, my friend Amy is great at meeting great people, which resulted in the two of us going over to Jabes (a new friend from Kenya)'s apartment last weekend. He cooked us a delicious dinner (which we ate without utensils), and talked and hung out for a couple of hours (while African music played in the background). It was wonderful. Perhaps Amy and I will start saving up for a trip to Kenya, now that we know people there :)

As the weather gets nicer and the days get longer, riding the bus becomes infinitely more annoying. People flock to the city from who knows where (because it is admittedly a great place to spend a beautiful day), and clog the public transit system. It's especially bad on Thursday and Friday. A bus ride that takes 20 minutes in the morning will take an hour in the evening. And the nice weather makes all the crazies just a little bit crazier. Fun times. Come visit me and I promise you can have your very own Seattle nutjob encounter. 

Nick & Katrina 2009

It's always kind of awkward to write a post about an event that the majority of readers of my blog also attended, nonetheless, here goes...

I flew into Chicago the Wednesday before my cousin Katie's wedding. Of course I sat next to a businessman who flies all the time, and therefore enjoys passing the time on flights by having awkward, getting-to-know-you conversations with the unfortunate passenger next to him. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it's nice to chat and learn all about the details of a stranger's life...but not when there are no means of escape for 4 hours.

Nick and Katie picked me up from the airport, and we spent the next several hours in the car (due to an airport mixup that I won't go into, beyond asking: is Midway really necessary? Really?). It was fun though, in an unexpected road trip kind of way. Also, if anyone enjoys the rush of adrenaline when one is sort of afraid one might die, but doesn't want to pay for skydiving lessons...ride with Nick on the highway :) He could have a second career in NASCAR.

On Wednesday night, Katie and I had a medley of Katie/Rachel traditions (which sadly did not include any games of Rummy). It did include a delicious meal of empanadas and margaritas at On the Border, ice cream at Colonial, and a last minute arts & crafts project for the wedding. 

Cousin friends! "I can't believe you're getting married on Saturday!!!" "I can't believe I'm getting married on Saturday!!!"

I honestly don't remember what we did all day on Thursday. I'm pretty sure it involved 5 or 6 hours of running errands...there are faint memory remnants of going to Target, Kinkos, Michael's. Oh yeah, and spilling coffee on my foot at Panera. 

On Thursday evening, we headed into the city for Katie's bachelorette party. Her sister Melissa hosted a LOVELY dinner at her apartment. There were restaurant-quality cocktails, appetizers, and a delicious meal. And for dessert there were inappropriately shaped cookies :) It was one of those dinners that feels like an event in and of itself, and lasts for hours. After dinner, we went to Howl at the Moon, a piano bar. It was a fun evening, in spite of obnoxious guy in a red shirt, who kept bugging us to get up and dance with him. There were many amusing people to watch, among them leopard print shirt lady, making-out British couple, and large contingent of Portuguese people. I think I've officially crossed the threshold into adulthood (or middle-aged-hood?)...I had a better time at the dinner party than the bar. 

The ambience, as well as the food, was wonderful.

We camped out at Melissa's place that night, where I apparently, sat up and spoke gibberish in my sleep. I guess I talk in my sleep sometimes...usually when I'm very exhausted or stressed out. I'm going to blame this episode on exhaustion, as I hadn't gotten my customary 12-hours of sleep (on my days off).

Friday was pretty low key. Once we got back from the city, I went shopping for a dress for the rehearsal dinner with my sister-in-law Amie while Katie went to get her nails done. It was fun to spend some time shopping with her...it's one of our 'things' and I can't walk into a mall without thinking about Amie and wishing she were with me. end sappy moment

The rehearsal and dinner had an air of anticipation about them...the fun night-before-the-big-show feeling. 

Finally Saturday arrived. My parents were kind enough to swing by Katie's house with a large coffee for me, which is a necessary start for any good day. Several of the bridesmaids went with Katie to get our hair done at a local salon. I had a picture of what I wanted, and was quite pleased with the result. Actually, pretty much everyone's hair looked fabulous when we left. 

Katrina, the bride to be. Please note her veil in the background.

Back at Katie's, things were a flurry of getting dressed and made-up. We took some pictures and then got into the limo (my first limo ride ever) and headed for the church. 

The ceremony itself was lovely and without any major or minor hiccups. Even the 6 children involved did exactly what they were supposed to. My only complaint was my shoes. My feet did not like them very much, and I felt like I was shifting my weight every three seconds because of it. Oh well, at least nobody passed out.

The reception was really fun. I got to sit next to Katie's friend Nicole, who is awesome, at the head table. We were of course served before the riffraff (as was our right as the 'wedding nobility'). The food was delicious, and there were some heartwarming speeches and videos. And then...dancing. I had previously decided that I was going to dance all night, and not worry if I looked stupid doing it. That decision proved to be a good one...the party was a blast (in spite of DJ's who always insist on waiting till the end to play requested songs...which never makes any sense to me).

After everything was over, I took a long bath in my huge jacuzzi tub and removed the 300 bobby pins from my hair. Then I climbed into my king sized bed and had some highly satisfying sleep.

Sunday was brunch at Pheasant Run (another one of those four hour meals).

Here I am saluting Captain Amie. Her ensemble was very nautical.

Russian picture. These really do go much more smoothly when Jon is not involved...he cannot keep from smiling.

This is such a Jeff expression. I have seen it many, many times throughout the years.  

Not sure what he's looking at, but he doesn't like it. 

Xavs McDroolygums and BigNose McGee. WE'RE WATCHING YOU.

After brunch, the party moved to Ruth & Tracy's. We enjoyed many hours underneath the pergola and learned that our family is full of mortadella vultures. 

Thea loved her cousin Xavi (and he loved her too!). If he looks strangely creepy, it's because I tried to fix his red-eye in this picture. I may have overcompensated. 

Lanterns and snugglies. Eating, talking, laughing all day long...this is why I love my family. And a good picture to end on.