Graduation Day

Graduation:

It finally came. Since high school I have wanted to be a speech-language pathologist and on Sunday I officially earned my master’s degree.

I must admit my emotions are kind of all over the place. I am kind of sad. Sad because college life as I know it is over and the girls I have spent the last 3-4 years with will all be going separate ways (lets stay in touch CD ladies). Scared. Scared because a new chapter of my life is beginning-my life in the real word. For the last 20+ years I have been a student and now I will be the professional. Uncertain. Uncertain because there are still so many decisions to be made and details to contemplate as I consider job offers. However, despite all these other emotions happiness is the overwhelming winner. Happiness because school has allowed be to meet wonderful people. Happiness- because I have completed a program that will allow me to be in a profession I love. Happiness- because I will be done with the stress, nerves, and lack of sleep that accompany a challenging academic program. Happiness- because as they say the best is yet to come.

Even though graduation is typically about the graduate there are many people in my life who helped make this day possible and contributed to my success.

To my parents for providing me a strong foundation and your constant physical, emotional and financial support

To my sister who has always been there despite being miles away. Thank you for answering my panicked phone calls, giving advice, calming me down, and making me laugh.

To my friends, family, and classmates for your constant support

To my professors and supervisors for increasing my skills as a clinician and allowing me to grow as a professional

Finally, to the clients I have had the pleasure of working with. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives and witness such personal life occurrences

So here is to the future. My wings have been built and now it is time to fly.

Congratulations to UK CSD Class of 2011. We did it!

The Mousetrap

I had a huge desire for pimento cheese today. It had been too long. My first thought was to make my own. However considering all my kitchen stuff is packed in boxes (with the exception of the most essential item..the coffee pot) that was quickly vetoed. I then remembered how good the pimento cheese is at The Mousetrap. This is not your grocery store generic pimento cheese (gross). I would go out on a limb and say it is the best I have eaten from a restaurant.

I used the "I'm moving and have no food" excuse to visit this favorite of mine one last time before I move. I also got the orange glazed carrots alongside it.



And a pretty close up:




The Mousetrap offers seating for dining in and also the option of carryout. Additionally, they sell many gourmet food items as well including pasta, olive oils, and imported cheeses.

Magee's Bakery

Magee's Bakery is one of my favorite places to go in Lexington. About 2 years ago a friend introduced me to this place and with one bite became a big hit. I also love the atmosphere. It is a family owned business (since the 50s I think) and the inside has a big painted mural and there are also pieces of stained glass. Also, you can smell the butter, sugar and pastry scent from the parking lot. Anyplace that has a full crowd sitting inside at tables and also a line of 10 orders in front of you is a sure sign it is a winner.
Magee's serves pastries, breakfast sandwiches, quiche, and lunch sandwiches. Here are my favorite things I have gotten there:

1) The Chocolate Filled Crossiant
2) Cheese Danish
3) Pumpkin Muffin
4) Blueberry Scone.

On Sunday I got the danish because at 10am they were already sold out of the chocolate crossiant. It is just that good. It actually worked out though because I got to try something new.

Ramsey's

Last night I went with friends to Ramsey's for dinner. It worked out perfectly because it was close by and a restaurant I always had wanted to try. Ramsey's is a popular choice in Lexington and the menu screams southern cooking. Once seated I looked at the menu and within roughly 60 seconds knew what I wanted...the fried Buffalo Fried Chicken Sandwich. Buffalo chicken is one of my favorite things especially when it is served with bleu cheese dressing. (As an aside I am not a fan of when restaurants serve it with ranch dressing, yuck). This sandwich did not disappoint. It was thick, had a good amount of spice and being fried was the cherry on top. Apparently fried food was the theme of the night since I got fried okra as my side.

Long Time, No Blog

Man it has been a long time since I have posted. Unfortunately I do not have any delicious recipes to share but I do have an update on what I have been doing the last 6 or so months.

I finished my rotation at UK Outpatient Clinic/UK Hospital. It was a great experience and I got to work with so many wonderful supervisors and fellow graduate clinicians. I also said good-bye to a client I had worked with for 6 months at that site which was much harder than I thought it would be.

I celebrated Christmas break by studying for the SLP Praxis and took that January 15.

In January I began my new clinical rotation at Scott County Schools. After dealing with snow days early on, I have been at both an elementary and middle school on a regular basis. I must say I love the middle school population which was a surprise to me. Even after accounting for immaturity, hormones, and sometimes just general jerkiness/disrespect, 6-8 graders are a fun bunch.

In February I booked my plane ticket to visit my sister in Fairbanks, Alaska! I leave 4 days after my May graduation and will be staying there for 36 days. This has been my light at the end of the graduate school tunnel. I have not seen my sister since she and my brother-in-law moved there in July 2010. To say I am excited is an understatement. It will be a full month of just girls nights.

In March 2011 I took the Educational Praxis and passed my oral comprehensive exam. I presented a case study to a panel of my professors on a client I worked with who had severe ataxic dysarthria and lingering cognitive deficits.

In April 2011 I finished my TEP portfolio which represented my last project for grad school I will ever turn in.

Currently, I am finishing up my rotation at Scott County Schools which concludes my last semester of graduate school. Now, I am considering my job options and packing up my apartment.

While cooking may be limited (since I only have 1.5 weeks in my apartment and boxes are overtaking every room in the place) I promise to have some delicious food from some of the places I have frequented the most while living in Lexington.

Hopefully, this crazy stormy Kentucky weather ends soon and we can start enjoying spring.

Maple Apricot Raisin Granola

I realize I have not posted a recipe in an embarrassingly long duration of time. In fact I missed the whole month of November but I can assure you this recipe more than makes up for it.

It is simple, easy, and can be modified to fit personal tastes. Plus there almost no possible way to mess it up and it makes your house/apartment smell fantastic.


Maple Apricot Raisin Granola

3 cups oats
very generous shake of cinnamon
1 cup dried raisins
1 cup dried apricots, chopped
1/2 c. chopped almonds
1/2c. + 2 T. PURE maple syrup


Preheat oven to 350 degrees


First take a sheet pan and cover it with aluminum foil. Rub some canola oil on the aluminum foil to prevent sticking.


Next combine oats, cinnamon, raisins, apricots, and almonds in a bowl.




Then add your PURE maple syrup and stir. At first it might not look like enough liquid but just keep mixing until the dried ingredients are lightly coated



Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Stirring after about 8-10 minutes. I like my granola with a little chew. However if your more of a crunchy granola person then bake it for a few more minutes.

Cool on the sheet pan



This makes a perfect addition to breakfast. I used mine mixed with soy yogurt, fresh banana slices, and cherries.

Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

VACATION!

Simple facts that led me to this conclusion:
1) I am at my parents house in Louisville during the week.
2) I have been sleeping in...meaning 7:30 am, but hey it beats my usually 6:00am any day
3) I have been wearing yoga pants for the past 3 days

4) Turning on the TV and watching a Law and Order SVU Marathon
5) Having a little cuddle bug follow me around everywhere:



6) Going to my favorite coffee shop and bribing myself to study for the Praxis by getting a soy latte.



And
7) Baking, recipe to come