part un: bon anniversaire de mariage!

I'm sitting out on our patio... I just cannot get away from the sunshine. [ I'm making it a personal goal to spend as much time outside in this next month (er, sabbatical) as possible...and no pants for 30 days, it's summer kiddos]. well, I thought I'd drag my laptop out here to share about our absolutely wonderful vacation. I feel so incredibly lucky to have been able to get away for a whopping 11 days... we truly felt like birds released from their cage. I'll start with the first leg of our trip - selfishly, we wanted to spent the first half of the vacation just one-on-one...little romantic getaway...to unwind and reward ourselves for this past year. No matter how little money we ever have in the bank, there will always be somewhere to pinch the budget to allow for travel. It is just such a passion of mine, and ours, and I think it's so important. We are the type to crave the type of vacation where you can truly relax... you know, how sometimes you come back from 'vacation' and need a vacation? no way, not here...no agenda, no worrying, just playing by ear and by the pool...where there's always time to take in the sunset and you don't feel like you're 'missing anything'...you're just 'vacationing', imagine that? And, seacrest beach florida definitely delivers. Gosh, I couldn't even begin to give the play-by-play of our sweet time...but I want to try and remember the highlights of our trip (because heaven knows, the memories are already disappearing from my little ole' forgetful cortex). We flew into Pensacola, Florida and made the short drive to the beach house on 29 Endless Summer Way in our 'spicy' little rental car. The big ole' beach house and master suite all to ourselves was the ultimate luxurious treat. I have to say, the water this time there in the florida panhandle was some of the prettiest, most clear water that I can remember. We almost felt like we could be back on our honeymoon one-year-ago in the blue Caribbean waters of St. Maarten! We spent the days lounging by the pool and playing at the beach...riding waves, riding bikes, playing games in the sand, catching up on some conversation and summer reading. We dined 'sufficiently' - from quaint little sidewalk and beachfront cafes to...no joke, my alltime favorite sandwich in this entire world at summer kitchen cafe, just a bike ride away in rosemary beach (not a new discovery, I think my first taste was about 5 years ago, and they've been serving my face ever since...). we both devoured four during our stay. We did a little shopping at Seaside...& as cliche as it sounds, my favorite time was catching the sunset nearly every night... sitting by the sand with my husband & a glass of wine or a 'seacreast swirl' (our personal creation). It's amazing how cathartic it can be to watch the waves crash, crinkle the sand between your toes, stare off into the horizon...how it can help to erase the trivial worries that we seem to accumulate and help illuminate the 'big picture'. I sit by the ocean, and wonder - how can we not live here someday? Aaron and I have always talked of retiring and opening up an inn (so very stars hollow) in our later years - well, I think it's going to have to be one with ocean views.

Aaron's favorite part would have to be our trip to the marine park. We're right on the gulf, so they have a great resource for studying and showcasing all the ocean life - we saw dolphin shows, sharks, sea turtles, sea lions... and I even got the chance to kiss a sea lion! Looking at everyone else's photos at the booth later, I realized no one else went for the lips... the cheek, maybe, but no lips. But, i had seen the trainers do it during the show we'd just watched, so I figured it couldn't be that awful. I did have little herring-taste to my lips for about an hour or so which Aaron found absolutely hilarious. :)

To wrap up the personal part of our tour, we had to relocate from the beach house (unfortunately, there was some miscommunication - and the night of the 27th, our anniversary, got booked by another guest at the last minute) It was upsetting at first, but actually turned out to be quite nice - we booked one night in a bungalow in the town of seaside. Everything was in walking distance - the spot where we were engaged (above) & a cute little 'cafe rendevous' for our special anniversary date. They had delicious steaks, it was outside (bien sur), and they even had the 'italian street fair'-style lights strung up that reminded me of our wedding reception. It'd be a pain to keep uploading pictures to this site - so, I'll redirect you here: portraits of part one. Gosh, I've been journaling for quite some time, and this is just the first leg of the trip... so, I'll probably have to work on another post at another time of 'our first anniversary'...you know, that one...with all we've learned, where we've come, ways we drive each other crazy (in love, and just plain crazy), and how much we have yet to experience. I need to unpack and give the phalanges a rest, and I'll be back with part deux...

sunny FL.

beach bound in T minus 4 hours!
Our kind friends, Carly & Adam, are having us crash at their place tonight before our flight out of DFW in the morning. In a very chandler-esque voice, could we be any more excited?
Soaking up the sun...poolside...beachside... reading books ( and magazines with celebrity gossip that I'd never be caught with undless I was at the beach or at a hair salon...) ... sipping drinks, visiting the little shops, riding bikes, eating delicious food...oh, and going out at night in cute girly sundresses and for the men, adorable white linen shirts, with that fresh glow and tanned skin. This year, I think we're also going to join in on a small charter trip & and try our hand at deep sea fishing! what a happy celebration of finishing up school and ringing in one year of marriage with my very best friend. Bon Voyage & we'll see you in June!

something fishy.

the OK aquarium is more than 'ok'.

dangit, I've bought into oklahoma's citchy slogans of mediocrity.

The license plates here actually read 'oklahoma is OK.' I seem to remember Jerry Seinfeld commenting on that underwhelming sentiment when we saw him perform here in the city. I mean it could say 'oklahoma is more than OK'...but, no, we're comfortable with the honest truth around here.

So, Fact: the oklahoma aquarium has the largest tank of bull sharks found in captivity. The coolest feature of this aquarium is the 'touch tank' where aaron & I got to pet baby sharks and slimy little sting rays.

We had a great time, just browsing through the exhibits with the fascination of little four-year-olds. I think we need to freelance for the aquarium and sell them our awesome pictures!

I'd never been to Tulsa before...it's actually a really neat place, who knew? It has a lot of character, and even has a little artsy side. Aaron's last final was friday morning, so we had a blast enjoying our first guilt-free weekend together... this guy can make anything, and I do mean about anything, just that much more fun. We just grabbed some lunch on their new riverwalk, and spent the rest of our time at Utica Square. We found a great restaurant with outdoor seating (jae's must-have of the season), the Wild Fork, and continue to fine tune our art of dining 'fancy' but still at a Chili's price.

I'm really trying to take full advantage of this little sabbatical. I'm starting to catch up on all the things I've put aside... I've put my pinkie toe in the water of cooking - I made this the other night, if you're looking for a new recipe, it's yummy and really easy. I've begun to make 'plans' for all my lovely friends to come visit or to go visit them over the summer months... Hannah & Jonathan are coming over the fourth-of-july, and we're still working on the calendar for Angela and Logan's visits. I'm looking to go visit my dear friend Candice in San Diego, and Carly & Adam in Dallas over the next month as well. ...and look out - I even started a little crafty project [of which I would tell you about... but, most likely, you'll all start receiving my little homemade gifts for upcoming occasions.] I know, 'homemade gifts' makes me wince a little too, I'm not going to lie. just trust me.

do or do not. there is no try.

Well, I did it! whoa baby. high five. You may now address me as 'Master J'. I'm now educated and qualified to be YOUR genetic counselor. (or hip-hop artist, as the name would suggest - per Dad) Degrees were officially conferred on Friday night at the big ceremony in Norman at the OU stadium...something like 8,000 graduates...a huge 'to-do', much like Baylor's commencement. Having done the 'big' event for undergrad, I opted for the more intimate ceremony on Saturday - just masters and PhD students from the college of medicine. It was really well done, and I think my family thanks me for not having to sit through thousands of other students waiting for me to cross the stage. For a masters/PhD, you are to walk on stage with your mentor/director of your department, and they 'hood' you. It's this really strange elf-hat looking thing that drapes around your neck and hangs down behind you. But, hey, I felt pretty proud. Melissa and I also wore red and silver tassels for graduating with honors. After the ceremony, they had a nice wine & hors d’oeuvres reception in the library foyer for graduates and their guests. My whole family flew in, and Aaron's family (his grandparents too!) were there to celebrate - minus, of course, new daddy Trae (who I can't wait to see with new baby Emma!). As challenging as this road has been, the reward and feeling of accomplishment is of course even sweeter because of the sacrifice. Instead of closing a chapter, I really feel like I'm opening so much more! Recently someone had commented 'wow, it must be great to still be in college'...um, I beg your pardon. 'college' was amazing - that unbelievable adventured filled with such change and activity and excitement and wonderful friends. But, I don't ever remember getting up at 6 am every day, school-patients-work for 8 to 9 hours in the day, returning home at 6 pm, then studying for the rest of the night before getting up to do it all over again. Not quite the exciting-active-adventure picture of college that may have been implied... just as a disclaimer, clearly baylor took a lot of hard work too, it just came with a few more positives I guess, and a lot more balance. happily, I will now be able to come home to just 'come home' in the evenings. What's that like? ...now I want to hear...' wow, it must be great to be married and have a real job!' Now, I know that the future will a still hold the stresses of daily life... but, i've always had that in addition to the school + work load. I want to make myself 'busy' with spending all my time time with Aaron, family, and friends instead of being 'busy' staring at my thesis. sounds like cloud nine to me. In pure 1950s fashion, I'm thrilled to just hone in on my wife-y skills. As much as Aaron sweetly reminds me that he couldn't possibly want anything more, I'm just pumped to be able to just serve and encourage him with MORE of my time (and hopefully cooking!) as he continues through school, working for our future.

Well, my mom planned a few extra days for her time here in OKC... I could write for days on all the fun we had. It has been such a great experience to spend quality time with my parents - first, with my dad in Phoenix, and now with my mom on her visit here. In her 5 days we managed to squeeze in:

• manicures/pedicures/haircuts
• cafe 501
• shopping [hitting up all the favorites - penn square, western ave., and spring creek]
• dining al fresco wherever possible
• graduation reception @ school the day before - put on by the wonderful staff in the Genetics section. it was so sweet!
the happy graduates - thank you melissa, for all the laughs, the venting, & for sharing this experience together. I wouldn't have wanted to walk this road with anyone else! thank you, Aaron, for your constant patience, understanding, and amazing sense of humor. I am, of course, crazy in love with you. I thank you for helping me through these last few years, you have made everything I do seem so incredibly worthwhile. You make me feel so incredibly blessed and loved each and every day. I look forward to returning your oh-so-generous favor.

• of course, graduation ceremony itself with celebratory dinner @ 1492
• lake hefner
• sunning by the pool [...I need a 'base tan' before Florida. I made a promise to Aaron after last year's pre-wedding tanning and subsequent dermatology biopsy scare that I would never hit the tanning beds again. Let that be a word of warning to you ladies. seriously.]
• movie: do not see forgetting sarah marshall unless, I guess, you want to see full male nudity and the most vulgar jokes and innuendos I've witnessed on the big screen.
• Mother's day brunch at cafe nova complete with unlimited mimosas!
• Mother's day afternoon spent hanging out and playing at the chaloner's house

• trip to the casinos. I only spent $10 for 3 hours of fun! I almost won $21,000... no really, almost won. I hit the 'diamond jackpot' across all three lines, and then was given a bonus spin - there were only 7 options, 4 of them being cash awards from ~$100 to $21,000. I hit the other one, multiplying my bet by 12x. It was my first spin on that machine, people had crowded around after the lights went off before I did the 'bonus' round. I didn't even realize what I'd almost done until it was all over.
...and last but not least, a lot of food and a lot of conversation. I put up a slew of pictures on our online photo album. Thanks mom, I had a great time!

it's a girl!

Welcome to the world, Emma Cadence Dedmon! Proud mommy & daddy, trae and coi, welcomed their first born yesterday afternoon. 10 fingers, 10 toes... 7 lbs 5. oz (I think). What an amazing blessing to the whole family. Little Emma, Uncle A & Aunt J are already crazy about you. Aaron's already written you a song. Mom, or should I say 'Grandma', is here in OKC visiting - so, I'd better get going. This is the only photo I have so far, from a camera phone, I'll be sure to give you a better preview of this precious face when I have more!

monopoly...oh, you mean that McDonald's game?

I feel like we've drawn one of the 'fortunate' Community Chest cards. We received a letter on our door today that said we've been paying $8 too much in rent every month since last May when we moved in. Therefore, please deduct $80 from next month's rent to balance out our account. What a nice little budget boost? Monopoly comes with those little Chance and Community Chest cards...half the time you want to draw them, half the time you don't. Life (actual, not monopoly's Milton Bradley rival) doesn't hand out rewards/regrets in the same 50/50 ratio. It seems as if the only financial cards we're dealt in reality are the 'bad ones'... the physician's co-pay, the cracked windsheild, the water damage, the late fees, the blown tire...

It's nice every once in a while to draw the 'bank error in your favor' card, win 'second prize in the beauty contest', have your 'christmas fund mature', and collect your coin$.

I know without a doubt you won't be seeing much of me in the near future. but, why? My big "oral defense" is on Monday at 2:30 [so you can time those prayers...]. I wish I had the time and the words to describe what this is like, but I guess I should spend any available time studying right now. So, maybe later. I have finals too, but they pale in comparison to the anxiety that comes with Monday's presentation. My 8 hour final is over with at least - they have us take our comprehensive exam a week before our defense, so that they can quiz us over any areas of 'deficiency' shown on our written exam. how sweet.
...but, Just hours from my last final, my Mom flies in to town! And soon to follow, the rest of my lovely family - all to celebrate graduation with me! Unbelievably Excited. Exhilarated. Ecstatic. Overjoyed. Thrilled. PUMPED. ...and, clearly understated.

pink moon is on its way...

Working at a Breast Imaging Clinic sure has a few perks. For example, how often does your boss come in and say we're going to drive BMWs and chow down on a fancy spread over our 'executive lunch' break? Obviously there is a little more to it... like the ride to vegas in the private jet. kidding. But, really, the Susan G. Komen foundation has partnered up with BMW for the "Ultimate Drive". My boss, Melissa, was honored at the event as the 'local hero' who champions the breast cancer cause. At the event, anyone can simply get behind the wheel of a new vehicle for a test run (of course, we picked the convertible!) and for every mile you drive BMW donates $1 on your behalf to the Komen foundation. They've raised over $11 million in the past - for everything from breast cancer research, education, and treatment program. Great news for you - they're traveling! here's the 2008 Route Map to check out where they're headed, so you too can make a difference in such an easy, fun way. ...and p.s. my 'yay-for-the-week' - I finished by 8 hour comprehensive final yesterday! on the homestretch baby.

oop Art. oop Art Art.

Good job, OKC. 10 points, you're growing on me. With the summer approaching and the promise of free-time in my future, I'm really looking forward to all the fun (and free) activities that living in a city has to offer. I spent my first 17 years in camden, tennessee (population: what? 3,500?) and then spent the next 5 years in waco, texas (which was a a huge jump for this small-town-girl, but still on the small side), and now I'm residing here in 'the city' - it's definitely the largest place I have ever called home. And, they really have a handle on keeping their inhabitants entertained...the whole summer calendar is filled with outdoor concerts, festivals, fairs... from shakespeare in the park to this weekend's kick-off with the 'Festival of the Arts'. Downtown shuts down for artists across the country to come and showcase their talent. There are 'hands-on' stations for kids, lots of musicians, and so many yummy local restaurants come out & set up booths. It was really fun, but needless to say, Aaron and I decided to wait on the 750$ original piece we liked. One of the exhbits got me craving a Hobby Lobby run to start a new decoupage project- there were some neat pieces there from a California artist, and really it was just paper! I think I lost any real creativity I had years ago, but I'd love to give it a try. I must admit, I think the most fun I had was Aaron and I's 'canadian tuxedo'-spotting contest.He won, with TEN. and I gave him an extra point, because one of the subjects was wearing shorts. unbelievable. Tonight will be less creative + cultural, well at least for the girls...Aaron and Corey are going to check out the new Ben Stein documentary about Darwinism v. intelligent design, Expelled, but Kara (who is with child) and I are going to see Baby Mama. Don't judge...the previews made me laugh out loud. :)

tres cher campaign trail.

So, I have to admit, I've been selfishly swamped in my studies as of late. imagine that. With the exception of my 6:30 am local news broadcast and an occasional visit to an on-line news site...I've not fulfilled my social responsibility of keeping up with the campaigns. or the kardashians. I read that John McCain was heading to Oklahoma, and I'd love to go hear what he has to say...& just be amidst all that patriotism. What do I find when I look up the events of the campaign trail? "...the general reception begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the event are $2,300 per person with a Photo Opportunity, or $1,000 per person." Looks like his intent in Oklahoma is to catch up on financing. As a sign of the times, I guess I'll just have to catch it on YouTube.

come fly with me.

Ever had one of those weekends where you just change up your routine...be a little spontaneous...and it feels like you're off on vacation?

I think that's definitely a signature of a weekend well spent. Being spontaneous is something I've never been, and in the last 2 years it's something I couldn't afford to be (sanity- and study-wise). It's on my "list", which I'll have to compile later, of subtle changes to come once I can finally close the book on school. It took me 2 years... and now 3 weeks from graduation, I feel that I was able to begin to relax and hush some of my worries, and truly enjoy my free time. Other graduate students have shared a similar complaint - that anytime you aren't studying or working on something involving school, you feel this tug and guilt that you should be back at your desk productively laboring away. There's just so much more than having little 'independent' classes, and having your 'last final' being the celebration that meant a semester was over. It's just not like that. There is a lot of pressure to know your stuff with only 2 students in the program, that's for sure. And, a lot of pressure self-imposed to provide for your patient. But, I digress... now that I'm learning to be able to distance myself and unwind...I feel like I've stumbled upon one of life's little secrets. ...and, that I'm probably the last one to know.

So, my totally-guilt-free relaxation began Friday night with dinner after work in Bricktown with Aaron, and then catching a Redhawks baseball game with Corey and Kara. I'll be the first to admit, I really pay little attention to the sport being played until the very end. I just spend the first 6 innings looking around at the other fans... I loved catching up with our friends, counting how many hot dogs the guy in front of us had inhaled, getting up and down to go get bottomless buckets of popcorn, cheering & singing along with all the classic baseball chants, enjoying my husband watching his favorite sport and spending 6$ on ice cream in a batters helmet, and of course, the fireworks display at the end of the ole'...ball...game.
Saturday was a beautiful day... I stepped out on our porch when I woke up and ran back in to Aaron - "Summer is here!" It's felt so strange here, just last week I had to wear my heavy winter coat. I've felt the winter 'cabin fever', and I'm just ready to BE outside. We went and had a long, leisurely meal just catching up with Aaron's mom out at the lake. There are several lovely restaurants that have patio tables where you can sit watch the sunset...it definitely felt like we were out of the city. We almost missed our chance, and I almost got into it with an older couple who snatched our table... yes, me. first come means first serve! I'm pretty sure Aaron was ready to go crawl under one of the big rocks.

Thanks to your friends and mine, Redbox & TiVo - we caught a few movies this weekend... one being Lars and the Real Girl, if anyone has seen it - please, feel free to explain it to me.

On Sunday, we just had to get out and enjoy this beautiful weekend. Aaron and I took the bikes and a picnic lunch out to the trails at Lake Hefner. What seemed like a perfect idea... only to be interrupted by some 40 mph wind gusts! It was definitely an exercise of resistance training. At one point, I actually was 'blown off' the trail. Because the winds were so strong, Aaron couldn't even hear me calling for him to wait up. We only managed to put in about 7 miles (compared to our previous 13). We decided to grab a seat on the benches by the lighthouse and eat our lunch & watch the kite-surfers. Now, they were probably pumped about the weather... we saw some of them fly nearly 10 feet in the air. It looks like so much fun, and I'm sure it's much harder than it looks. For some reason, that seems like something my brothers would love to try. I'll look into it kids... oh yes, and Aaron almost had another run-in with some canadian geese... the second picutre just cracks me up, there's just so much 'going on'. He really earns his membership into his facebook group "People who have been attacked by ducks."

shotgun for eternity.

big day, that april 11th.

We turned in the final copy of our 'theses' to the graduate college.

I went through many drafts to get here at the end. and many more after the mini-crisis last week. [see previous post].

A lot of trees were harmed in the making of this thesis.

It would not have been possible without the guidance and patience from all the wonderful faculty & staff in Medical Genetics. and, As you [family & friends] will read on page 4's acknowledgments section...

"...Finally, I cannot end without thanking my husband, Aaron, whose constant love, encouragement, and sense of humor I have relied on throughout this entire time – and will for years to come. I wish to thank my parents, my brothers, and new in-laws for the overwhelming support and inspiration you have shown me. I thank all my friends and family for their optimism, words of encouragement, and patience as I worked to complete graduate school. It is to them I dedicate all of my success."

This is Melissa and I holding up our handiwork before making the walk over to turn in our year of blood, sweat, and tears...[all actually literally], and to receive our big 'sigh-of-relief' in return.

I didn't anticipate feeling that much better after turning it in - what, why? you've only been obsessing over this for months? - I guess I just assumed I'd just be on to worrying about the next big thing - my oral defense or 8-hour comprehensive final... but, no, a significant weight has been lifted off these shoulders.

To celebrate, Melissa, Julie, & I went out for dinner at 1492, a yummy little Latin restaurant downtown. We had a fun, relaxing, and to our own surprise...4-hour meal. I will love having more time (nights/weekends) after graduation to hang out with these girls.

Aaron & I celebrated together the rest of the weekend - sleeping in, making a big weekend-quality breakfast, shopping, movies, p.f. chang's, open houses - I know this week will be hard because of my little 'break', but well worth the recharge. ::high five::

Extra. Extra.

You get the bad news first:

Well, I can't even begin to tell this story... because to tell of the tragedy, I would have to explain to you my 50+ page thesis for you to fully grasp the situation. But, let's just say this week brought some bad news on the thesis front. I spent a small window of time with fears of not being able to graduate on time...and my day ended with tears sitting in my director's office. The long-story short is that everything is going to be okay. Not without a hefty amount of butt-busting this weekend and into next week. I will 'lose' some of the work I'd already done, and have to work that much harder making myself an expert on 'zinc finger proteins' in the next week and 1 day - but, everything is going to be alright. It's incredibly disappointing, and I'll keep my hands in my pocket and not point any fingers because I'm so appreciative of all the help I have been given. and I've had some wonderful support of people in my section in the midst of all the recent goings-on. Say a little prayer for us 'chaloners' this weekend. Aaron has a Medical Neuroscience test on Monday, and I'll, of course, be righting all the wrongs. Neither one of us can take care of each other this time. We're so used to locking ourselves away like hermits on stressful study-marathon weekends [which needless to say can be a real downer] , so we decided we're going to try a little something different this time... right now, we've set up camp at Starbucks - taking advantage of the wifi and the plentiful supply of caffeine. ...but if you know me, you know I had to walk across the street to get a dr. pepper from McDonald's. :)

The stack of old-school board games rescued us during our study break...[aaron's camera phone is not to shabby i might add.] oh, yes I promised good news too:

This week was our campus's G.R.E.A.T. (Graduate Research Education And Technology) Symposium - a week that "provides an opportunity for students to present their newest and most exciting scientific concepts and research findings through oral and poster presentations." & countless other workshops and lectures. Aaron was offered an oral presentation on his neurological relationship of 'Early Life Trauma and the Development of IBS in Adults'... and I was offered a poster presentation on my research too. That was neat all on its own...but, come the awards ceremony on Thursday and Aaron won a $1,500 Research Grant! They had a little congratulatory message waiting for him back in the lab:


All the OCNS (oklahoma center for neurosciences) kids were well represented, his mentor was quite proud. his wife was too. :)