Guinea Pig

Many of you know that Keeper has an adjustment table. My crooked spine has been in heaven since he got it and I get my back adjusted whenever I ask. I think this has really helped prevent my IT band/hip and other running injuries from returning. He has also, through the past 2 years of medical school, made me my own herbal tincture, personalized flower essence, as well as put me on various vitamins and supplements. He's done hot and cold hydrotherapy on my legs for my lovely varicose veins. We've used homemade elderberry cough syrup when we've gotten sick.

My naturopathic physician is one of Keith's instructors at school. I was going to Dr. Nick at the clinic pretty much once a month for adjustments and other herbal supplements. I haven't had to make an appointment with Dr. Nick in 9 months. This is because I now have my own personal doctor.

The latest treatment? Acupuncture. I'd never had it done before but was more than willing to try now that Keeper is taking his first "needling" class this quarter. I've had it done twice now and I think I'm going to keep it up. I am very excited to see what the next 2 years hold as Dr. Keith adds to his bag of tricks:)

White Coat Ceremony

After Keeper's board exam was over, his class had one more thing to do before starting the 2nd 1/2 of their graduate degree... get their white coats!


The class of 2011's White Coat Ceremony was held last Sunday (August 10th) at the Scottsdale Civic Center. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but the ceremony was very formal. The Dean of Students spoke (and was the MC), the President of the College spoke, as well as an elected student speaker, and an elected faculty member (who happens to be my doctor at the clinic, Dr. Nick). The best speaker by far, was Keeper's classmate. Each student was called individually to the front of the stage to receive their white coat (embroidered with their name on the pocket) and shake the president's hand. After everyone had their coat the class said an oath and then we had a reception. It was very exciting to realize that the "real education" is finally beginning and all of Keeper's hard work the past 2 years is paying off. I will admit, these pictures are crappy, but I'm not good at getting "action" shots. Keeper starts his clinical training this quarter with 2 shifts; one at the school's clinic on Monday mornings (working under the president of the college!) and the other Wednesday nights at an in-patient drug & alcohol rehabilitation center. I am so proud of him!!

A City We Could Live in...

...San Diego! We made our 2nd trip out to sunny SD last week after Keeper had taken his clinical entry board exam. The trip was a dual celebration of Keeper's brutal test/studying being over and a belated birthday present for me. Keeper found a sweet mid-week deal on 2 nights at the downtown Sofia Hotel. Located right in the center of tons of fun things (Broadway & Front Street), the Sofia was a great place to get away for a few nights.

We left Phoenix around lunchtime last Wednesday and made it out to San Diego by 5pm. We parked, checked in, and changed our clothes for a night out on the town. We started with happy hour at the hotel bar, then moved on to dinner (sushi happy hour at Ra), then hit a few different bars in the Gas Lamp Quarter. We ended our night back at the hotel bar for a late-night happy hour and then went to bed. After sleeping in, we found a great brunch spot, then headed up to La Jolla for an afternoon at the beach.

We decided on La Jolla Shores, where we were surrounded by surfers and surfing lessons. The weather was absolutely perfect. So perfect, in fact, that I neglected to put sunscreen on anything but my face and neck and now (a week later) have awesome peeling arms and stomach. So attractive. We spent a quiet afternoon lounging and reading on the beach, then headed back into town.

We went out for dinner and then walked over to Petco Park to meet up with Keeper's high school friend, Doug, and his girlfriend Kelly for the Mets-Padres game. Kelly's dad had pretty sweet box seats so we were treated to an awesome time in Petco Park. Too bad the Mets suck so much right now that they couldn't pull out a win that night. Oh well....definitely still a fun ballpark. It was great for Keeper to catch up with his old friend and I was glad to actually put a name with a face (we had last seen him at our wedding) and get to know his girlfriend a little bit.

Friday morning, we checked out of our hotel and headed up to the zoo. I hadn't been to the zoo in YEARS and I'm not sure Keeper had actually been to a zoo before so we had a blast. We walked to every single exhibit we wanted to see (which was most of the park) in just over 4 hours. We saw all kinds of cool animals and the weather was ... perfect.

San Diego is the perect Phoenix getaway. We made it home Friday eveing with no stops in less than 5 hours! We had a great time and can't wait to go back!