To Maker Faire, to Maker Faire, to Maker Faire we go.

For a long time I have heard about Maker Faire by listening to Science Friday on NPR and had no idea what the deal was.  So we decided to take an adventure there on Saturday the 17th. We had no idea what to expect but it was wonderful.  I think that this place was created with dorks like Dan and I in mind.

I think we drooled over a lot of things that we could have purchased, but we were good and refrained. 
This cookbook seems to be written with me in mind... so added to my wish list. 
And Dan really wants of these crazy music makers, called a theremin.  People have learned how to do some amazing things with them.  So added to Dan's wish list. 

 People make so many creative things and use the faire as a way to show them off.  This guy covered a car with those singing and dancing fish and had them all synchronized to different songs like Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody".  It was pretty amazing, although we do wonder who has that much time

A bike that runs on VEGETABLE OIL.  So cool.  And it has a certain extra sexiness to me because its a Kawasaki and the same one I used to have...

I think that the faire inspired us... because shortly after.  I made a meal of lasagna and salad (just for me of course).  I even made an extra so during a exam ridden weekend we can eat something other than fast food or take out. 

I even dressed the table up all nice and neat complete with candles.  Why not use them every day instead of just for fancy occasions.

 We also decided to build some furniture.  Well not from scratch... but it felt like it.  If there is one thing that a medical student needs, it is lots of desk space.  In the past few weeks I had begun to take over Dan's desk and the "community space" aka floor with my mess of books, notes and highlighters.  So we motivated and I purchased my very own, adult desk!  I have to say it was a lot of fun for me to actually choose a piece of furniture seeing as most of apartment is furnished with a hodgepodge of hand-me-downs.

So here our before pictures and soon I promise some after pictures.   

In total the desk building process took us about 8 hours (5 Dan and 3 me).  We had to divide and concur in two separate rooms.

I swear this is the proper way to use your OMM table... Dr. Gilliar would be proud. 

Fieldtrip Friday to the 86th Floor

For Christmas this past year, Dan and I asked for tickets to do some stuff in NYC.  So my  brother and sister-in law got us tickets to the 86th floor observatory at the Empire State Building and a gift card to a restaurant (big thank you to them).  We decided about a week ago that the next nice day when I did not have class we would go for it!  So yesterday, after class we grabbed a NYC bound train and headed up the 86 floors.
 The view was pretty sweet.

 A little scary when you look down.We also began wondering how many people lost their cameras over the ledge daily.  Maybe that is the second way the building makes money!

And then there was FOOD.  We went to this place Blue Smoke a few blocks a way cause I had a feeling it was very "Dan and Heidi style."  The food was fantastic.  I think Dan is still drooling over their deep fried bacon. 

I had the most delicious pulled pork sandwich and spicy cheese fries, I know very healthy!  I am not sure what Dan had because it was gone so fast, okay j/k but he did say it was the best bacon burger he has had.   I have to say coming from Dan that says a lot. 

 Then of course.  There was dessert.  For me key-lime pie and for Dan the malted vanilla milkshake.  So very good.  All in all an excellent Friday afternoon date. 
For all those curious I even got some work done when we got home.  Yay cardiomyopathies! 

Introducing...

To be traditional I thought I would start with a quick blurb about why I made this blog.  I am writing to share my life in med school and beyond with friends and family that we no longer live close to.  Also to prove that medical school while consuming is not COMPLETELY consuming.  I thought this might encougage me to finish some projects, start some new ones, and share our adventures.  Enjoy.

I thought a good way to start would be to introduce my Long Island family to everyone.

So to start we have my wonderful boyfriend, Dan who made the plunge and moved to this special place with me.  He is a great guy.  We have been dating for almost two years and I am not sure I would have made it through my first year of medical school without him.  He is also the fantastic person who taught me how to ride a motorcycle! and attempting to teach me standard.    

  Then there is Kittie... He is our cuddle, attention MONSTER.  Dan has had him for about 11 years now, but I swear he is starting to love me more.

This is Paws.  We are so creative with naming our animals, we know.  He is actually the kitten, a year and a few months old, but has a slight weight problem so looks  slightly  bigger.

So this is my LI family... I love them all dearly and they all help me get through the joys and stresses of school.

A great way that Dan I have gotten out stress/ gotten exercise is by taking our bicycles out.  While we do not love being on an island stuck with some of the most inconsiderate people in the world... we are surrounded by beaches and water.  So when we go for bicycle rides we get some amazing views.

 
Yesterday I needed to burn off some "I have been sitting in a dark lecture hall way too long" energy and we took our bikes to this pier.   Maybe one day we will own one of these.  But more likely a row boat.

We had to make it up a gigantic hill, atleast for me it was gigantic and felt like it was taking forever.  I snapped this shot while I was attempting to catch my breath.