Location: Vancouver, B.C.

The Infamous Inukshuk

Inukshuk (pronounced IN-OOK-SHOOK), meaning "likeness of a person" in Inuktitut (the Inuit language) is a stone figure made by the Inuit. The plural is inuksuit. The Inuit make inuksuit in different forms and for different purposes: to show directions to travellers, to warn of impending danger, to mark a place of respect, or to act as helpers in the hunting of caribou. Similar stone figures were made all over the world in ancient times, but the Arctic is one of the few places where they still stand. An inukshuk can be small or large, a single rock, several rocks balanced on each other, round boulders or flat. Inuit tradition forbids the destruction of inuksuit.

Shades of Brown

Capilano State Park, Vancouver

Downtown, Stanley Park and W. Van

Hollow Tree Trunk, Stanley Park

Whistler, B.C.

Gastown, Vancouver

Her dreams gave her wings...

Weathervane

Lion's Gate Bridge

A Walk on the Sea Wall

While in Vancouver, it was fabulous being only 4 blocks from the sea wall. I quickly established a routine of running in the morning and stopping by the local coffee shop "Beaners" (as the locals call it) on the way back to get Grams and I a cup of joe.. it was a lovely start to each day! I fit right in Vancouver and cannot wait to reinstate this morning ritual next summer when Grams retires here...

Vancouver Aquarium

Whistler

The Traveling Triumvirate Takes.. Vancouver!!

The city at night from the top of Mt. Grouse

The ladies enjoying scones and high tea

One of many great conversations on the patio

Revolving Restaurant with 360 degree view

The Lift, a fabulous choice by Kim with great drinks, food and view

Oh! In My White Scrubs

As we gear up for our second (and last) year of nursing school it is time to say good-bye to our traditional (first-year student) sterile white scrubs as we graduate to the next level.. cool colored scrubs with fun patterns! Our rotation starting this fall is Obstetrics/Woman's Health and Pediatrics... I can hardly wait!! =)

On Cloud Nine

I've spent the past few days packing, moving, painting and repainting. Having to be out of my apartment by noon on Tuesday and inconviently having a final exam Monday morning and another final Wednesday morning, I decided to take some time out on Tuesday morning to relax and get my mind off nursing school for awhile. I treated myself to a signature full body Swedish massage from Cloud Nine Spa. It was an absolutely amazing 60 minutes of my life!

Finally, finals are over!! =)

It is a huge relief that finals are finally over!! I'm done with the psych and community health rotations and summer is officially here.. unfortunately for me it officially ends two weeks from today!! But in those two weeks, I will be in Vancouver relaxing and visiting with my family! =)

Apartment , Sweet Apartment

After surviving our first year of college in the dorms, Jess, Megan, Carly and I were super excited to move into our very first apartment! It was 4 bedroom/4 bath and about 10 times the size of our run-down dorms! We immediately painted every white wall a vibrant happy color and called it our home for two years! It was a wonderful apartment where a lot of fabulous memories were made, my favorite including all the holiday feasts we prepared for our friends! We are sad to say good-bye to our apartment, sweet apartment that we have outgrown but are really excited to move into our new house we are vastly renovating into a home..

The Traveling Triumvirate

My grandma, sister and I have started a family tradition where each summer we meet in a fun city instead of Grams coming to visit us in Florida! The first year we met in New Hampshire and had a fabulous time with the Duffley's and sight seeing in Boston! Last year (with the fabulous addition of Auntie Linda) we met in New York City! It was my very first trip (but definitely not the last!) to the Big Apple! Our week there was incredible! In 10 days, The Traveling Triumvirate will reunite for our third annual trip in Vancouver, B.C.! I absolutely cannot wait! =)

I am special. I am unique. I am okay.

As my clinical rotation ended today in the psych ward, I learned these 3 motivational phrases sitting in on various treatment sessions this summer in which the MD had the patient recite:

I am special.

I am unique.

I am okay.

Nostalgia.

Off the beaten path, Lago di Como, Italia

Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italia

Positano, Amalfi Coast, Campania, Italia

Sunset on the Arno, Firenze, Italia.

Venetian Waterway, Veneza, Italia

Gondolas in Grand Canal, Veneza, Italia

Duomo di Milano, Milano, Italia

Trevi Fountain, Roma, Italia

Amy Aerobics - My Alter Ego

I adopted an alter ego 2 1/2 years ago when I began teaching fitness classes at the gyms on campus... Amy Aerobics!! My favorite format is kickboxing but I teach various strength and cardio classes. My latest endeavor is instructing indoor cycling which I've totally fallen in love with! This summer Amy, I mean I, have taught 8 classes a week...
www. recsports.ufl.edu

Make Sushi, Not War

Recently, my roommates and I went for sushi to celebrate Derrick's 21st birthday at our favorite local restaurant Dragonfly.. it was delish!