Fri-daze

As you can see, I am quite enjoying my day off from dermatology by committing the ultimate dermatologic sin- getting sun! (Don't worry, I applied and reapplied SPF 30 all day!) I just finished this incredible book and can't wait to write some thoughts on it. I also heard the new single from Mumford and Sons and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I mean, their sound was dependent on the banjo, so I am not sure yet that I can get behind them ditching the instrument entirely- but we'll see! I've also been enjoying Damien Rice's new album.

Not much else exciting is going on here, though pretty soon things will start happening again, and it will feel like a whirlwind when it does. Monday I find out if I matched to any residency program, and if not I participate in the SOAP, a terrifying Hail-Mary of sorts where I fling my application at dozens of unfilled residency programs and hope something sticks. It probably won't happen that way, but still makes me nervous. Thursday we head up to the main campus, and Friday we match! As of right now, I have no clue where I'll be this time next year, so finding how the next 3 years of our lives will turn out will be very exciting.

Hope everyone's doing well! Any fun weekend plans?

#TBT

Because I'm in need of some cheap sunglasses

The Magic's in the Makeup

This was never a big No Doubt song- it didn't get a music video, or even single status- but it always appealed to me.Hope everyone has a great week.

Blue Ridge Parkway

With just a few hours left till both Peter and I had to leave, we decided to take a drive through the Blue Ridge Parkway. Only a small part of it was open, which suited us just fine as we didn't have much time.

Asheville

So yes- I went allll the way back to Florida and then alllll the way back to the Carolinas again- this time to Asheville. I was pretty tired, so I broke up the drive by stopping at Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia. 

This first photo is, therefore, quite deceiving, since it's in Georgia and nowhere near Asheville. It was well worth the visit nonetheless- I only wish I had gotten there earlier so I could have hiked down to the falls. Unfortunately, even the shorter rim hikes are on tough terrain, so you need a permit to go anywhere past the first quarter mile, and you have to get there before 4 pm. There's always next time...

Asheville itself was perfect. Peter and his roommate met me there and we had such a nice time. Any city with a giant climbing wall right downtown is O.K. in my book. Add a bookstore-bar-cafe trifecta and I was in heaven. And the crafts, artwork and independent shops that dotted every corner were so fun to explore. Peter and I scored two beautiful lamps at super super discount- our very first purchase for our brand new home together, wherever that may be. Is it weird how exciting I find that? After 4 years of long distance, just the idea that these lamps would be for us- not just for me or for him- was super emotional.

Did anyone have one of these as a child? it's basically a tube filled with glitter and colored fluid that you view through a kaleidoscope. It's one of those weird blasts from the past that I completely forgot existed. I wanted to grab one, but we're cinching the belt tight these days with the upcoming move and our wedding (! )

Maybe my favorite shot of Peter (:

As for food, we did really, really well here too. Eating and traveling is definitely harder during lent. Not only is your diet somewhat restricted, but you have to be mindful of the fact that we shouldn't be indulging too much either. We definitely missed the craft beer scene, but the vegan opportunities in Asheville are both abundant and diverse. Our favorite place was by far Plant, a totally vegan spot, but we also did well at the Laughing Seed Cafe. Tupelo Honey Cafe was also good, but had a dearth of lenten options, and the Early Girl Eatery was a really nice breakfast spot.

We stopped at R.E.I. too, to get fitted for back-country camping packs and see if there was anything else we wanted (we're registering for our wedding here!)

Asheville was seriously so fun, and a nice quick visit if you live in the mid-Atlantic or Southeast part of the country. Staying in the center is a lot more expensive, so we found some cute cabins for a reasonable price just a short drive from the city. Parking wasn't terrible and I really don't think we missed too much being a little ways out- it was actually quite peaceful! If you like food, craft beer, handmade Americana, or mountains, you have to pay a visit :)

Charlotte

I visited North Carolina twice last month- both weekends were very different, but totally worth it. These photos are from the first one, when I visited one of my best friends from medical school in Charlotte. We stayed up till 2 the first night (partly because we were both so thrilled to see each other and partly because she just came off a week of night shifts,) but the photos stop abruptly after our short-lived hike, as K got a nasty gastro bug. The rest of the weekend thus took a more laid back tone revolving around saltine crackers, flat ginger-ale and The Fault in Our Stars (yea, sobfest!)

In spite of this, Charlotte was a lovely city and I can't wait to visit again. Apart from poor K's stomach bug we ate SO well, and for the beer-lovers, the microbrewery scene is supposed to be unreal. Noteable places include:

1) Cabo Fish Tacos - sooooo good!!
2) Amelie's Bakery - great chai tea, even better French sandwiches
3) Lang Van Vietnamese - amazing, traditional food that's worth the wait
4) Toast Cafe - tasty brunch, but small plate sizes
5) 7th Street Public Market - pictured above, we had a great ginger chai tea here as well as a tasty breakfast!

Truth is, I needed a relaxed weekend more than I needed the high energy one K had originally planned. Thanks so much for having me, girl! Can't wait to visit again soon!

Music Monday

New week, new rotation, and new song stuck in my head:

Let's make it a great week (: