ORS on ABC

So... fall is here? When exactly did this happen? Too bad Mother Nature forgot those lovely 55-60 degree days (she does the same thing in the spring), and felt the need to drastically drop the temp from 80 to 40 in 24 hours. But I'm ok with it, because that means I get to curl up each night after work with all of my favorite fally things: hot cider (yes, tonight it was spiked), my delicious candles (heavenly--these totally make or break the cozy fall feeling), and next to the fireplace (which I haven't yet figured out how to work, but plan to do so soon). Know what else makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside? My absolute, hands down favorite food in the whole wide world: pepperoni pizza. After five days in a row of long workouts (bike-bike-hockey-bootcamp-run), I ordered some Chicago-style deep dish pizza the other night, complete with pepperoni, pineapple, spinach and jalapenos (I had a coupon for free toppings, so I had to take advantage). Most likely, this decision cancelled out all of the wonderful progress I had made. WORTH IT.

One deep dish pizza = 3 whole meals. Oh, just eating on a budget here in grad school.

When I got home tonight, I whipped up a BBQ chicken quesadilla, cracked open a Mike's, and turned on the 6 o'clock news to watch stories about not one, but two of my patients. The first, I can't go into detail about without violating a HIPPA rule somewhere, but I think its safe to say that after this lawsuit, hopefully he'll be known around the community as someone who's doing right for the city of Rockford. The second news segment was entitled "Person of the Week" and documented the feel-good story of my buddy Bill who is throwing the first pitch at Wrigley on Sunday. We had a TV crew in the clinic yesterday from Rockford's ABC affiliate to interview and film Bill and David. Click here for the video!

Bill and I spent about 15 minutes on his outfit before the crew arrived. We decided a stylish Nike Cubs pullover with a white polo underneath was both sporty and classy. 

Here, Bill is probably telling the anchor about all the times he's picked up Dave and Woody from the bars...seriously.

How I was ever bored in Rockford, I don't know, because I have so much to look forward to this weekend. A brief summary of today/the upcoming weekend:

• {casual} Friday-- Started the morning with an apple pie latte, and rocked my North Stars mesh to work. I mean, it's practically hockey season. In a sports clinic that has no hockey room (but a room dedicated to every other Chicago team, plus the Cardinals, Vikes and Giants), I gotta rep my sport. Then, I got an awesome birthday card (and gift cards!) in the mail today from G&G Mess :)
• Saturday-- perhaps a free breakfast at IHOP? (Oh, how I love restaurants that just throw free food at you the month of your birthday), followed by a day of fun with Lindsey, who's making the trip down for...
• Sunday--Devil's Lake Sprint Tri just north of Madison. Sounds like it's going to be one chilly morning. Thank goodness for wetsuits-- and caffeine and pump up music and the hearty stereo system in my car, because with a 2-hour drive, it's also going to be one very early morning. I have butterflies already.
• Monday--I have to start telling people that I'm 25. Eek! I'm planning to celebrate by using as many free birthday meal coupons in one day as I can (Qdoba, Baskin-Robbins, Noodles, Fridays, Coldstone, and BWWs), without getting too full for hockey at 4:30 (actually, maybe I'll spread those out over the whole week?). Dad will be making the drive to join me for the skate, as well as dinner after. This makes me one happy girl.

How I celebrated 24: at 12:15 am with mini cupcakes in a hotel room in Iowa, after dancing for no less than 5 hours at Sara's wedding. LOVE.