Tis the Season for Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Call me a Grinch but Christmas shopping is definitely headache inducing event in my life.  But after a few good hours manipulating the malls and stores, I have worn through my credit card and finished all the shopping for the season.  Now for the next part....wrapping.  Any volunteers?!?!  I adore getting gifts for people and truly enjoy watching them open their gifts!  I can't wait!!!  (I think I did pretty well this year!)  All that is left is the Christmas Cookie Bake-a-thon that will ensure over the course of 4 days this weekend. (also taking volunteers to wash the dishes from this).

As my last week in the clinic has begun, I am amazed at how much I have been able to use that I have learned and how much more I am able to add to it!  I have been so very blessed to meet some kind people with fascinating stories and been able to help them get their function back.  My clinical instructor has been more than wonderful in helping me answer questions and give me the opportunity to have some independence and learn!

In the spirit of the season, jean Friday is also going to be "ugly Christmas sweater" Friday at the clinic.  Nothing like going out in AMAZING style on my last day in the clinic for this rotation (no worries, everyone else in the clinic is also wearing fabulous outfits as well)!  One positive thing about having a mom who taught 6th grade in the 90s?!?!?! ......the selection of a knitted sweater and sweater vest to choose between for my outfit Friday.  :) 

So tonight I have successfully made Cookies and Cream Oreo Cupcakes and I am in the process of finishing up my last assignments and assessments so I can enjoy my last few days! ...I stole the picture from the Internet cause mine have some time to cool in the fridge still.

I hope everyone has the most amazing week! 

QT slushies...still delicious when it's below freezing

A week under my belt and I must say I am doing much better in the clinic than I gave myself credit for! I have working on passive range of motion, my subjective evaluation of the patient, therapy exercises, and becoming an authority figure in the clinic.  While I am continuing to work on my hypothesis generation and objective testing, having the confidence to be in charge is the most difficult thing I am working with.  For 1.5 years we have been lectured at and been pretending to explain things to patients, but being in the clinic with real people with real issues asking questions where the way I communicate with them is imperative?!?!  That is something that is difficult to dive into but so important! 

In the next 2 weeks I hope that I can continue to grow in my clinician persona and in valuable information I can take back to next semester and my rotations that start in June! 

I also got to spend some time with my good friend Katie yesterday!  Nothing like a cheesy movie and QT slushies to avoid the gloomy and rainy weather.  Katie and I lived together in an OCH at rockhurst for 2 years.  On Campus Housing is another opportunity to live near campus in houses owned and maintained by Rockhurst.  We lived with 2 other ladies and I must say, we had the best house :) and simply loved the experience.   It is super important to make time for things outside of clinical, and babysitting, etc.  Although next weekend I am going to have to stop avoiding the Christmas shopping!  For a pic, look back to the Halloween entry, she is the cowgirl in the pic. 

Good luck with finals first year PTs and undergrads at Rockhurst!  While it looks bleak at the moment, I promise you will make it out with minimal bruises! 

Now back to the pile of laundry and swimming nationals on TV (yes I used to be one of those crazy fish out of water people, I love swimming! Although I do not have a sweet melody like Dory in Finding Nemo!)