Day 201

Please, it's Doctor Ashley, DPT.
The presentation today went well and I had a wonderful time with family at my pinning ceremony.
I am so proud of all of my classmates and I can now say that we doctors. Congrats to my friends, and thanks to my parents and Braxton for supporting me along the way. I could not have done it without you.
Here are some pictures from today's events  (more to come from mom):

 Jen, Lauren, and I after the ceremony!

 MAZ...the woman who keeps it all together. 

 Dr. Kreger and Dr. Holt ... amazing professors that help keep my sanity these past two years. 

Dr. McKenna and her girls. 

 

 Stacey, Chris, and I

 Mom and I....and my red eyes....

 DPT Banner

 Anointing of the hands.

 The pinning!

 Trying not to fall down the stairs...

 Los Padres

 Los Abuelos

Here's to you, WJU! This door is officially closed, now just waiting for windows to open

Day 200

Research: Defended!

My last day of PT school is tomorrow .. pinning and all .. and here are some reflections:

1. Never stop learning. I vow to never get bored and to always keep my mind working. There is so much to know, and it always seems like I cannot get my hands on enough. I never want to settle for something that doesn't challenge me or something that doesn't fit for me. I have been told by people that I can't afford to be "picky", but I SHOULD be "picky".  I am in charge of MY future for a change, and I vow never to let my learning batteries wear out.

2. You can do anything for two years .... living situations, relationships, friends, athletics. You can do ANYTHING. I made my own happiness there. I found my own friends. Here's to closing this chapter, and here's to using those skills to start another.

3. Don't be afraid to tell it like it is - don't be afraid to be a leader. You are in charge of your fate. If something's not going right because of somebody else - forget them! Don't let THEM change who your friends are, how you study, or your grade on a group project. Advocate for yourself, just as you would advocate for your patient.

4. Give back. We have been given the gift of this education and our hands can make miracles happen. We need to use these gifts to benefit those who have little. We weren't given our gifts to hide, we were given our gifts to share - and share we shall!

Cheers!

Day 195

Time to has come to the end for another chapter of my life - my CE IV. I was lucky enough to work at a Skilled Nursing Facility under the direction of a skilled, caring, and intelligent instructor who taught me about life and how to overcome barriers with difficult patients. Though I was frustrated at times, I fell in love with the work I was doing and the patients I had the pleasure of rehabilitating. Once man, I will never forget, moved from the fog of dementia to all clarity - with a kiss on the cheek he has changed the way I see dementia patients and how I treat geriatric patients overall. I am sad to know that I will literally never see these people again, however I can only hope that for a glimmer of their lives they knew that they had someone believing in them and giving them their dignitiy.

Now it is off to my last week of school! Here's to the end of many things...and here's to the beginning of so much more...

Day 190

Okay - So the past few weeks weren't worth documenting or remembering. BUT this past week and weekend has been fun. My Uncle Matt, Aunt Jodi, and cousin, Jordan, came to visit from OR at the beach. Jodi's family was also there, so we had a full house! It was fun getting to see everyone again, even if I spent most of the week working. Sadly, I do not have any pictures of their beach trip, however I do have pictures from the surprise date night Braxton took me on last night. After a fun day with Mom shopping at the mall, Braxton surprised me with an evening of BBQ, NC Wine, and a Free band at my favorite local winery - Gregory Vineyards. Here are some pictures from this weekend...and here's to my LAST week of clinicals. Now, we just have to get our research defended and I will be DONE with school.

I once heard - "Where God closes a door, He opens a window." Time to see which window opens up...

Day 174

Big News!

Braxton got into Campbell's PA School this week! I am so proud of him for sticking strong. Now it's crazy time to get him ready to start classes in 10 days. Yikes!

Still, thank God for figuring everything out for us. We are certainly blessed. 0:)

Day 169

We did it! After a week of getting my iphone stolen, lots of hard work, and many 5am early mornings, I can say that Braxton and I finished our first triathlon!

Braxton completed it in 1 hr 8 minutes and came in 3rd in his category. I finished in 1 hr 15 minutes and came in 4th in my category. I had a mess up on the bicycle - my seat gave way and plummeted to the bottom at mile 3, leaving me the rest of the time to eat my thighs and push through hills. If any of you have ever tried riding a bike fast on a bike that is too short for you, you know how I feel. It was tough and killed my bike time (37 minutes - Blegh) BUT I was able to make up with quick transitions, a < 6 minute swim and < 30 minute 5k. So, it wasn't a total bust, and although I am no professional and I know these numbers are by no means "impressive" I am excited to say that I am no longer labeled "One Lap Ashley" and I can officially call myself an athlete. I am so glad we had a wonderful cheering section - Thanks Mom and Dad for coming to cheer us on!

Now...pictures! No races in August planned at this time...Two 5k races (One for the family, another for my sorority) in September, a triathlon (with mom!) - 5 mile race - and 5k in October, and currently thinking about suggestions for November or December. This fitness stuff is addicting. ;)

Day 162

Day 162! WOW, I apologize for my lapse in judgment. The past few weeks have chugged by and the weekends FLEW filled with weddings, wineries, and training for next weekends TRIATHLON. (darth vader music begins). Well, hopefully I will cross the finish line. Bought some new threads today to prepare me for the race, advice from a fellow curvy girl triathlon blogger about what to wear - let's hope it works! Otherwise, next week will mark my half way point in this clinical experience. I am glad it is going by, and I am starting to get anxious about finishing up my research paper and beginning to apply for big girl jobs. Anyways, here's the important part - PICTURES! - of the past few weeks.

 First of all, GLUTEN FREE PRODUCTS at Lowe's Foods! Pillsbury has come out with gluten free ready-made-to-scoop cookie dough, pie crust, and pizza dough. Plan is to try the cookies sometime this week. :) Way to go, Gluten Free Awareness!

 Braxton and I at Twin Lakes for a wonderful birthday dinner. It was so nice to have company for the week, although I never got off early to go to the beach. 

 Happy Birthday, Braxton! So glad you chose to spend it with me!

 Braxton and his favorite pie, Key Lime! It was so sweet of them to give him a complementary key lime on his birthday. Plus, the view and the weather were perfect to dine by the waterway. 

Elissa and Ashley take on Gregory Vineyards! This was from a few weeks ago, but it still deserves a picture. I love this girl as if she were my sister and am so blessed to have her in my life!