September 2014

 September had a lot of highs- starting off with the challenge course at Lake Arrowhead (check out Andreas's big jump above)

 Adam tagged along for Harbor's emergency department retreat.

 He was such a great sport!

 From barefoot tennis to sandy volleyball, we enjoyed the great outdoors.

 The annual costume party is always a big hit. This year's theme: the 80's. Adam and I went as the couple from Dirty Dancing.

 Tiffany and Ryan fit together as Tetris pieces and Dr. Burbulys was a convincing PeeWee Herman.

 I was especially impressed with some of the first year residents. We had the crew from Cool Runnings, Marty McFly, and the Karate Kid.

 Mullets were out an proud- just ask Jonathan and Jimmy.

 The Padlipsky family went as the whole cast of PacMan.

 As the night wound down, the spandex remained unforgiving.

 Back in Los Angeles I met up with med school friend Revathi. It was great to catch up!

We enjoyed taking a walk out on the Manhattan Beach Pier and around Hermosa Beach.

 In other beachside happenings, Andrea, Juliana, and I went for a run along The Strand.

 Then afterward we met up with other residents and nurses for drinks and appetizers.

Ryan and Autumn engaged in some sweaty, friendly competition with unending wall sits.

 Adam celebrated his 30th birthday with Neelroop, Da Wei and a bunch of tasty soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung in Costa Mesa.

 I made a quick trip to Portland to interview for the Education Fellowship at OHSU.

 A short run along the water got me revved up for the interview and the prospect of living in Oregon.

Before heading out of town I made a quick stop at Voodoo doughnuts and saw this newlywed couple's first outing.

 The doughnuts were as unique as they were tasty... keeping Portland weird.

Then it was back to Southern California for work...

... and some stand-up paddleboarding with Andrea and Juliana.

 During the last weekend of September, Jeannettee and I took a road trip to Vegas.

 There we met up with Kate and her husband Dave who flew in from Alaska.

 We had a blast- all in honor of Kate's 30th birthday!

 I saw the Mirage volcano eruption for the first time.

We shared a frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity.

 Kate's sister Eileen was also there and joined us for a day at the spa.

 We had a great time staying at the Venetian.

 We walked The Strip, which was a must since this was Kate's first Vegas experience.

 We had drinks at the Chandelier Bar in the Cosmopolitan.

 We really enjoyed our time at the Bellagio- from the garden to the blown glass...

 ... from the Cirque du Soleil show "O" to watching the fountains from the nightclub Hyde.

 Our final morning was bittersweet as we took in a couple more sights, bid our farewells, and left The Strip in our rearview mirror.

August 2014

Get ready for a marathon post. August was a very busy month!

I was very excited to host a pre-wedding party for co-resident Ryan (below in purple) and his fiancee Tiffany (above).

The celebration took place at Monkish Brewery for some beer tasting, cupcake eating, and overall great company.

 

Keeping up with our healthy bonding, Andrea, Juliana, and I ran into nurse Annette while running the Green Belt in Hermosa Beach.

In my first big bridal event, I went to a bridal showcase with Andrea.

I got to check out the Queen Mary (permanently docked in Long Beach) for the first time and even tried on my first wedding dress.

 

I took a whirlwind trip to Chicago for CEP's Senior Residents' Day.

It was fun to meet up with college roommate Ny-Ying for fancy cocktails at Three Dots and a Dash.

After catching up over tropical concoctions at the underground speakeasy tiki bar, we had dinner at Frontera Grill of Rick Bayless fame.

It was so much fun wandering the streets of Chicago with Ny-Ying (who is finishing her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation). The gelato stuffed doughnuts helped, too!

Even though the McDonald's museum was closed we still posed for pictures with a timeless Ronald Mcdonald.

 

I could not have asked for more perfect weather the whole 24 hours I was there. Mandatory exploratory run adventure ensued in the morning.

The run took me along the river to the harbor where I ran along Lake Michigan. Gorgeous!

On my return trek I got lost in some parks and took an obligatory selfie at the bean (aka Cloud Gate).

Back in California, Alyssa, Juliana, and I dressed up for Ryan and Tiffany's wedding.

Ryan's dad married the happy, brilliant couple in an outdoor ceremony at the Faculty Club at UC-Irvine.

Adam and I loved the photobooth.

Newlyweds Sonya and Charley signed a leaf in the creative guestbook.

Ryan and Tiffany favored a variety of tasty cupcakes over the standard tiered cake.

Fellow resident Ami caught the bouquet!

 

The whole Harbor EM crew was happy to be there to support Ryan on his big day!

The next morning I got up early to serve as a greeter at church. The kids shared songs they had learned Vacation Bible School.

I tried my hand at spring rolls for the first time, and I have to say it was both fun and tasty!

My heart melts every time I see my nephew Henry- love that FaceTime.

 

Went to a beach concert at sunset with Andrea and her boyfriend Chris.

Fried up some purple fingerling potatoes from the garden of Adam's labmate Arul.

Vacation continued with a trip to North Idaho. Can you spot the deer I saw on my run?

Mom, Dad, and I were practicing our celebration faces in anticipation of Sam's wedding.

Gosh, I love Hayden Lake. Always looking forward to the next time I can return.

Mom, Dad, and I drove across Washington and caught the Port Angeles ferry to Victoria, BC.

These wonderful warm faces greeted us weary travelers at Sooke Harbour.

Thankfully, we made it just in time for the gourmet dessert!

 

Henry was a bit tuckered out, but Dad sure got in some good "grandpa" time.

In the morning Sarah, Megan, and I ran around the neighborhood and out onto Whiffen Spit.

We also took time to enjoy the playful, snorting sea otters and sea squirts (or at least I think that's what they were).

After the run I returned home to a delicious and beautiful frittata complete with an edible flower garnish from the property grounds.

Sam and Megan really outdid themselves with a nice welcome basket!

Mom, Sarah, and I were excited to welcome Megan into the Thilo women fold.

In the afternoon we went to the Sooke Region Museum and learned about the history of the area.

After a very healthy lunch with paninis and carrot ginger soup, half of the group went to a Meadery to learn all about making mead and keeping bees. 

Henry loved the animals and my hair- he'll have to wait to try the honey!

He's never too young to take a bite of Grandma's glasses at the rehearsal dinner.

Dinner was delicious at Marcus' Bistro and Dinner Club.

The next morning I woke up to see this smiling face and my heart about burst. It's good to be an aunt, and I could not imagine a better nephew! 

The ladies gathered for brunch in the dining room and were joined by a little trio of sea otters.

 

After scones and orange juice, the master gardener greeted us for our tour of the grounds.

Then the wedding primping began... champagne was popped, hair was sprayed, and the view was almost as breathtaking as...

...the bride! I had the huge honor of officiating Megan and Sam's intimate nuptials. 

We enjoyed cocktail hour in the lush gardens and took some family pictures.

Then we set off on a gastronomical adventure complete with sommelier wine pairings in what proved to be the most colorful, floral, and satisfying dinner of my life.

My heart was overflowing, my belly was full, and our family was even more complete!

The next morning we bid our farewells to the newlyweds and their scenic wedding spot. Adam, my parents and I spent the better part of the day in Victoria, starting with some fish and chips.

After Mom and Dad took the ferry back to the States, Adam and I killed time in the Royal BC Museum.

From First Peoples (above) to Natural History (below), we enjoyed the entire museum. I especially enjoyed the Modern History Gallery, but the Vikings exhibition seemed to be the most popular/crowded.

Adam and I returned to LA long enough for me to do a quick costume change and get back on a plane for Sacramento.

I interviewed for a simulation fellowship at UC-Davis, which was very appealing with a lot of promise, but Adam and I have decided to relocate to Portland. Stay tuned!

Back in southern California for good, I met up with Andrea at the pre-race expo for our Disneyland 10k. We saw Sean Astin, and I couldn't help but think of our shared Coeur d'Alene family connection.

Before the sun came up the next morning, Andrea and I were at the start line.

We took advantage of the scenery and snapped many selfies along the way.

There really is something magical about Disneyland- very motivational for a run!

That night I went to helped Jimmy surprise his wife Isis for her birthday at Macaroni Grille.

...And just when you think all I do is eat: another food picture! Adam and I went to the Long Beach Greek Festival and pigged out (or in my case, "lamb'ed out").

We even sneaked a peek inside the Greek Orthodox church, which gave the briefest moment to pause for reflection, count my blessings, and thank God for such a special month!