Things I'm looking forward to during Summer 2013

So far, my summer has consisted of my Med/Surg book, attending Tuesday and Wednesday classes, Saturday and Tuesday study groups, weekly exams, and studying pretty much every day in between. I honestly understand why I have never taken a summer class before this, and why I never will again! It feels unnatural to be studying and focused on school during the summertime. My midterm for CHA is coming up this week, however, it's not really the halfway point of the semester, more like 1/3 of the semester is over. Luckily, I have a few bright spots to look forward to!

Wicked on July 7th

Wicked is my favorite musical in the whole wide world! I have been lucky enough to see it twice: on tour in Milwaukee in 2010 and also at the Gershwin in New York in 2010. In NYC I won front row lottery seats with my husband and it was literally in the Top 5 of best nights of my life.

Usually when my friend Holly and I go to musicals in Milwaukee we get front row balcony seats because they're cheaper and it's a great view, but this time we decided to spring for orchestra and we got third row seats. Also, the person who played Elphaba when I saw it in New York (Jennifer DiNoia) is on tour, I'm so excited to see her again!

Surprise Party: July 20th

My siblings and I are having a surprise 50th and 60th birthday party for my stepmom and my dad who are turning 50 and 60 this July and August! Their siblings are coming in from out of town and also my brother is coming from Arizona! We're going to have it at their house (we already have a plan to get them out of the house) and it is going to be so much fun!

PKU Camp: July 25th-28th

This is a camp run by the hospital I go to for treatment of my genetic disorder. I used to go from the time I was 12 until 18 but then they set an age limit, so I stopped going. A few years ago they took away the age limit, but I was always working or had plans during the weekend it was, so this is the first year I am going back. It's not actual camping, we stay at dorms on the UW-Madison campus and just hang out with other women that have PKU and also do fun things around Madison. It's always a good time and I'm excited to see some of the girls I haven't seen in awhile but have kept in touch with. Unfortunately, I will have to bring my school stuff since CHA won't be over yet.

New York City: August 22nd-August 27th

My mom has never been to New York, and ever since my husband and I got back from our trip there in 2010, we've said that we were going to go with my mom sometime. I feel very lucky to have been to the city as many times as I have (3 trips) since I live in Wisconsin, and I can't wait to go back again! It will be my husband, my mom, my aunt (my mom's older sister), and I going together. We are driving because last time my husband and I drove and it honestly wasn't a bad drive and also because plane tickets are just ridiculous. We're going to stay in New Jersey and take the train into the city. 

CHA ends Wednesday, August 21st and we are leaving at like 3:00am the 22nd! We will have 4 full days in the city. I am working on putting together a Go Pass sort of thing for all of us, where you can combine all the attractions you'd visit for a discount. Plus, that way you don't have to buy tickets when you get there. We aren't planning to buy tickets for a show, but I think we're going to try for lottery seats for Wicked. It will feel so great to get done with CHA and then be able to go on a vacation the next day! 

In addition to these fun plans, I'm also looking forward to starting my new job! I have orientation on Monday from 7:30-4:30 and then some kind of training on Tuesday at 12:30 and again Friday from 8:00-2:00. They have one other SNI that they hired that will be going through training with me so that will be nice. At the end of the training Friday, I meet with my supervisor to go over scheduling. I can't wait to start.