Year End Update

So here is this year's form letter that I was too late to send out, but decided to write it here for those who are interested.  2008 has been a busy year for us and we have been able to have many new experiences along the way.

Rob finished up his second year of med school last spring and spent two months studying non-stop for the infamous step 1 of the National Boards.  This was probably the biggest test of his life and thankfully, he did great and it is over and done with.  Having Rob studying for 14-16 hours a day for 2 straight months was not fun for either of us.  After the boards, Rob started his 3rd year, which involves rotating through different specialties in the hospital.  He spent July and August doing his surgery rotation, going in at 4:30 am and usually getting home around 7 pm.  It was another long two months.  Luckily, he got to do radiology next, which he loved, both for the laid back schedule and the interest he found in this specialty of medicine.  So far, radiology is his top choice for what he wants to go into, but that could easily change over the next few months as he goes through other rotations.  After radiology he spent time doing neurology, cardiology, and internal medicine.  His schedule changes practically weekly, so we've learned to just go with the flow and plan to not know his schedule.  To read more about Rob's experiences, go to www.medschooljourney.blogspot.com In all of his free time (ha ha) Rob was able to build us a screened in porch, grow a fantastic vegetable garden, and work on his photography. 

I have been busy at school, finishing up my second year of teaching 4th grade and starting another year in the fall.  No matter how many hours I spend working on school stuff, I have accepted the fact that there will always be more to do.  I have also kept myself busy participating in the MCG Medical Student Auxiliary (a club for the spouses of medical students).  I became the president of the club this fall and have kept myself very busy planning volunteer work, fundraisers and social events.  Luckily, I have a great group of girls that I work with that always step up and get things done.  I have enjoyed being a part of this club for the past couple years because it is a great source of support and friendship as we are all in similar circumstances with our husbands in med school.  In my free time this year I have taken up the hobby of card making and continue to put together digital scrapbooks and videos.

Even in our busy schedules, we have made time for a lot of travel again this year.  We have taken countless trips to Charleston, when we need to get away for a weekend.  We have also been back to Atlanta on many occasions this year.  I was able to head out to Utah twice this year as both of my grandmothers passed away within a month of each other.  While it was a sad time, I am grateful that they are finally at peace and that I got to be with my family more than usual.  After Rob finished the boards, we headed down to Mexico for a cross-country trip from Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta.  We went with some friends from school and took buses across the countryside, stopping in Guanajuato, Guadalajara, and Puerto Vallarta.  To read Rob's blogs about this trip go to www.egberttravels.blogspot.com  After Mexico, we headed out to NC to visit Rob's family at John and Ashley's house.  It was so fun to see everyone and spend even more time at the beach!  Our last trip of the year was a last minute trip we took last week to the Bahamas for our 6th anniversary.  We have been in Atlanta for Christmas this year and neither of us are looking forward to going back to work next week.

We hope everyone had a great year and wish you all the best in 2009.