I want to darken in the skies

Open the floodgates up

I want to change my mind

I want to be enough

I want the water in my eyes

I want to cry until the end of time

I want to let the rain come down

Make a brand new ground

Let the rain come down

Let the rain come down

Make a brand new ground

Let the rain come down tonight

- Sara Bareilles

I am a firm believer that anything can be cleansed, and sometimes all you need is a good, solid, all-out-let-the-flood-gates-open CRY. Now, don't freak- I have not had one of these in a long while. But this song on Sara Bareilles (love her) new album made me think about this, and the fact that I haven't had a cry like this in ages. I am fortunate in a way, I haven't had anything to have a cry like this over. I am so blessed. I have amazing friends, a wonderful family, and a fiance that is beyond incredible and more than I deserve. I am incredibly blessed and sometimes I forget to be thankful for that.

Beyond being more reflective and thankful, not a whole lot is new in my life as of late. Fall semester is in full swing. Matthew started his job!!!! And the best part is, he loves it. It is so great seeing him do something he just downright LOVES. Seeing him happy makes me happy, even when it means he is gone for weeks at a time. Pico, however, is not so excited about Matthew starting work. It means Pico gets less attention. We had one little issue while Matthew was gone last week- Pico sat on his chair (he has(d) his own chair, yes), looked straight at me as I was studying pharmacology, and started peeing. (Sidenote: this kitten has NEVER had an accident. He ALWAYS uses the litter box) Needless to say, I FREAKED out. He got a firm talking to, the carpet was scrubbed and sprayed, and the chair (which was cheap thank heaven) went immediately to the dumpster. We have since not had any issues. I'm thinking after having his face shoved in his own urine (I was mad, I don't regret it) he won't be having another 'accident/rebellion' of that sort for a while. We will see what he comes up with for his next attention-grabbing tactic. I will be sure to keep you updated.

Last weekend Matthew and I did some serious Spring Cleaning (yes, I realize we are two seasons behind, minor details). We rearranged the entryway, put the mini-fridge in the coat closet (thanks to some help from Craig and a small hole in the wall) and sold Matthew's desk to make more room in the office now that he doesn't have studying to do! We also negotiated with the building managers to replace our linoleum, clean our carpets, and repaint our walls. So finally, after a whole year, this place is starting to feel less cluttered and more like a home!

I almost forgot, we ran a Half Marathon!! We completed the Lake Country Half Marathon in Oconomowoc, WI on September 4. The first 6 miles went great. Miles 9-12 were rough. And there was a hill that was about 0.75 miles long that started in mile 12 and carried to mile 13 that hurt. But we did it! It was an awesome feeling. I will do another one, but not for a bit, haha. I miss the gym and my spin classes, so I am going back to those for a bit. Next on my bucket list is a Triathalon.

What's on your bucket list? Think about it. Write it down, and have a good week!

You have a choice. You can throw in the towel, or you can use it to wipe the sweat off of your face.

-Gatorade

I've done my fair share of wanting to throw in the towel, particularly in the last few weeks. When I started Dental School, they told us there would be at least a time or two that we wondered what the heck we were doing there, what we had gotten ourselves into, or whether we had really made the right choice. I swore I would never wonder any of those things and that this was exactly where I was supposed to be and I would be just fine. THEN, 2 weeks ago happened. I failed a practical on account of one DEF on one of 13 criteria for a Gold Onlay Prep. There was an undercut in my box (not gonna lie I still to this day have yet to find where it was...). I was 1 of 44 people that failed so I swallowed my anger and frustration and just said "oh well, it was my time." The prof swears everyone fails at least one in dental school and he's prob right. I needed to pay my dues. So I was doing okay. Frustrated, but not throwing in the towel.

Then Wednesday came. Wednesdays are denture day ALL day and they are always really rough. This one- BEYOND ROUGH. Or patient ended up finally going into a position we had previously registered as something else. While this was not entirely our fault (3 different doctors missed her class II skeletal relationship- NOT just a rookie mistake on our part), it resulted in us essentially starting where we had been 2 weeks prior to that. and doing 3 weeks worth of work in less than 24 hours so that our denture could go to the lab on time (A BIG DEAL). So that was the day I called mom, started crying (I was stressed!) and basically questioned whether or not I could actually be a dentist. Poor Tommy thought someone had died when I walked in the door I think.

The denture went out on time. I did 4 near-perfect preps and passed the practical retake. I'm back on the court and I didn't throw in the towel, I just needed a water break (literally, water-works and all).

I also realize a few things. I learned more in 1 week than I had in probably all of summer semester. I know a handful of denture tricks I never would have learned had a I not had to basically redo the entire thing in a time crunch. I can make some killer gingival rolls in half the time thanks to Dr. Imp. I know how to window a trial base (technically not allowed in the class!) thanks to the maverick Dr. Eicholtz. And, I know I can pull stuff off in a panic. I also know I can fail a practical and be just fine.

I can also run 10 miles at an pace under 10 minutes a mile. Which means I am on target for my half marathon!

AND- Muddy Buddy is this Sunday. Things are looking up and Summer Semester is looking all downhill from here :). Good thing I didn't throw in that towel.

And heck, maybe now I have even more reasons to do pediatric dentistry- no onlays or dentures involved!!!

Next time you hit the rough patch, don't throw in the towel. Wipe that sweat and keep on going.

Don't bunt. Aim out of the ballpark.
David Ogilvy

So I have been seriously slacking on the blog updates this summer. I guess between spending 15 hours+ a week in the lab working on projects for dentures, studying for other classes, running 25-30 miles a week, and "wedding planning" (read: looking on the knot for ideas but not ACTUALLY making any decisions) I lost track of the blog updates! So here are some updates in condensed form:

School: is less fun in the summer. I would rather be outside in the sun soaking up some rays, getting a tan, and synthesizing vitamin D instead of in the sim lab (read: dungeon) making a denture. There are several Wednesdays where I wonder how the heck ANYONE ever makes a denture in less than 8 weeks. Then I remember they have experience, assistants, and a lab to ship everything off to to be done. But our patient is wonderful, patient, and SO EXCITED to have teeth. & when she smiled with our trial denture in last week it made the entire frustrating morning of ripping out and moving teeth and replacing wax worth it. At least until the doctor made us redo the entire mandibular tooth arrangement (16 wonderful teeth) all over again in the afternoon. I'm starting to get used to doing things 4 or 5 times at this point...

I was also recently elected ASDA Vice President, and Vendor Fair Chair. I've never really been a sidelines, not involved person- apparently that hasn't changed! I will be organizing the vendor fair, learning the ins and outs of ASDA and attending various conferences throughout the year. I am VERY excited about all of it. ASDA is a wonderful way to learn about organized dentistry and I can't wait to be involved.

Running: Last Sunday we ran 9 miles! & this week, we dropped 2 minutes off of our 3 mile time. 2 whole minutes. It was awesome. 13.1 miles is seeming more and more possible. We had a rough week a few weeks ago where I wasn't feeling well and that made a 7 miler miserable, but I have since bounced back and the runs have gone well. Training isn't supposed to be easy, so a rough run every so often I can take in stride. We have also OFFICIALLY registered for the Lake County Half Marathon on September 4. YAY!

Wedding: I have begun looking into florists and music, as well as working on our wedding website! more to come there...

Life: Sarah Fred came this past weekend and we were off to Colie's lake house for the Princess Koronis Olympics and an epic weekend of reunited-ness. That will get its own post as it was EPIC. Then next weekend is Casey's bridal shower (the wedding is coming up fast!). I am so excited for her and can't wait to start celebrating! The weekend after that I am off to Carroll, Iowa for Abby and Tony's wedding weekend. I am SO excited for them and I can't wait to see my pi phi ladies! The second half of July involves Thriller at Miller and Muddy Buddy. It will be a busy, exciting and fun month with some tests and dentures mixed in! oh yay!

Family: I'm missing them like crazy. Kimmy got to go home last week and I was SO jealous. Matthew and I will be spending a week at home in August but that still seems so far away. Matthew is studying away for the CPA and takes test 2 of 4 next Tuesday. Still no results from the first test, but they should come in the next few weeks! Keeping our fingers crossed and saying lots of prayers. Pico is active and hilarious as ever. Last week he learned to climb the clothes drying rack we have. Instead of yelling at him I took pictures and sent them to my sister via BBM. Sometimes he's just too cute and funny to be upset at!

Well, more specific posts to come on various events, but this was the overview :). Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!

Gratitude is realizing we don't deserve anything.

-Unknown

It's been quite awhile since my last update! The biggest thing I have realized is how truly blessed I am in so many ways. That, and how quickly time passes when you are busy!

Mom and I visited Omaha over my break in May and booked a reception location (Hilton Omaha!) and a photographer (Andrea Bibealt!). I am totally beyond pumped about both. The Wedding Coordinator at the Hilton is absolutely wonderful as are the facilities. Their foyer for the pre-reception cocktail hour is unbelievable with floor to ceiling windows that overlook part of downtown Omaha. It is probably my favorite part of the entire place!

Andrea and her husband Ed were wonderful and exactly what I was looking for in a photographer! They have an amazing perspective on everything and I am nothing but confident that the photos will be breathtaking. We have scheduled an engagement photo session in October and I absolutely cannot wait! I am excited to have the fall ambiance surrounding us as well as a chance to get to know Andrea and Ed a little bit better before our wedding day!

Other than that I have done little else for the wedding as school started again full swing for the summer! This summer we have our dentures course, which has basically taken over my life. Things just take soooo long to do! Our patient is WONDERFUL though and I can't wait to complete the whole process for her!

Matthew and I have started training for our half marathon! We ran 7 miles yesterday and it really wasn't bad at all. Once we hit a good stride it went rather smoothly. We explored a new trail and surprised ourselves at where we ended up and how far away we really were when we turned back. Getting to 13.1 miles in the next 10 weeks doesn't seem so impossible!

Pico is growing like a weed and has learned he can jump up and down from just about anywhere in the apartment (read: to the top of the refrigerator). Therefore, I bought a squirt bottle and Pico is now learning that just because he can doesn't mean he should. It's all a learning process!

I have several trips coming up in the next month and a half so I will be sure to post more often and stop slacking in that department! Happy Sunday- go enjoy some sun!

I would get this burst of energy and tell my legs, "Go!"

My legs would then respond, "Shut up!!"

-Matthew Warnken

So somedays I have to give Matthew some credit for putting up with me. I study all the time, I hog the covers on the bed, I hate folding laundry, and I come up with really crazy ambitious ideas and tend to drag him a long into them (read: pout until he says okay.)

My newest, possibly best, crazy idea to date is the MUDDY BUDDY. Now I will explain this, but please be sure to click on that link and watch the video because it will give you a true picture of this wonderful escapade we have registered for!

Now, Imagine. Teams of two [read: Team (future) Warnken or Team Marriage Prep- open to feedback]. Each team has ONE bike. For each mile leg, one teammate runs and the other bikes. When the first teammate gets to the first obstacle (YES! OBSTACLES!) they leave the bike, go through the obstacle, and start running the next leg to the next obstacle. Teh other teammate (the one running the first leg) gets to the obstacle, does it, and then gets on the bike for the next leg. There are about 6 obstacles so each teaammate runs 3 miles and bikes 3 miles. THEN at the end, you wait for each other and TOGETHER you army crawl through 300 or so yards of MUD (hence Muddy-Buddy).

If crawling through pit of mud TOGETHER doesn't scream "READY FOR MARRIAGE!" I'm not sure what does.

Needless to say, Matthew is excited but not nearly as thrilled as I am. Which makes him a wonderful person. I am not sure even my sister would pay to crawl through mud with me (love you sister!).

So August 1, 2010 in Chicago Matthew and I will be fearlessly competing in the Muddy Buddy challenge. We are looking for a photographer so if you are interested in witnessing and documenting such a fine event, please let me know!

The training has already begun and will continue, as I am also considering training for a half marathon in September or October (I can't make up my mind which one to do- imagine that) so that would simply coincide with my muddy buddy training (basically I have no idea how to train for such a crazy event with obstacles and mud so I think I will train for a half marathon and use this as a fun diversion. haha).

I will be sure to keep you updated.

Happy Monday! Go find something fun to set your sights on completing!

Be a best friend.

Tell the truth.

Overuse "I love you."

Go to work.

Do your best.

Don't outsmart your common sense.

Never let your prayin' knees get lazy.

And LOVE LIKE CRAZY...

-Lee Brice

In exactly 16 months I will marry my best friend! 16 months from today. 486 days, 21 hours, and 52 minutes. I don't have a countdown on the dashboard of my mac or anything.

I have tried to avoid dishing about the wedding and the planning on the blog, but rather than not talking about it at all I promise to keep wedding posts to a minimum :). However, I figure those that read need an update every so often. So why not exactly 16 months before the big day!

Many ask why we are taking so long to plan the wedding (our overall engagement will be exactly one day short of 2 years). The simple response to that is I am in Dental School. haha. It was unrealistic to think I could take on my D1 year, moving and adjusting to milwaukee, and planning a wedding. Additionally, our wedding is in Omaha. I live in Milwaukee, my mother is in Tampa, and my sister and MOH is in Auburn. It just wasn't going to fall into place in any less time! Additionally, I am indecisive and pretty much can't decide on half of the things we are supposed to decide on. But the wonderful thing about it is that planning is not stressful. At all. It's FUN and a nice break from studying (read: good procrastination tool).

So what have I done so far you might ask?!

We have a church- St. John's!

I have a dress!! (if you have ever been or will ever be a bride you know this is HUGE)!

We (read: I) picked colors and haven't changed my mind in over 3 months!

We have scoped out, but have not yet decided on or booked a reception hall. Mom and I will be doing that in May while Matthew diligently studies for the CPA exam.

I started looking at pictures of flowers. AND cakes. AND ideas for favors.

Matthew and I each started to look at wedding bands (even though we don't actually need to do that for several months/ a year. haha)

We have also started to narrow down our honeymoon options!!! (this is almost as exciting as a dress. an entire week together with no other commitments? is this real life?!)

So there you have it. The wedding update. There is way more "TO DO's" than there are "Already done's." But I think I'm okay with that for now.

Happy April 13th. Love like crazy.

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~Robin Williams

I have always always loved spring. When it comes, it gives me a crazy feeling inside that just makes me want to dance in the sunshine. Here are a few reasons why I think spring is so wonderful:

• SUNSHINE. As soon as spring shows up I can basically feel my energy double due to the vitamin D my body is finally getting enough of again. I just want to sit outside and soak it up for hours and hours. I want to run in it, sit in the grass and bask in it, and even get up early to watch it rise and then sit and watch it set in the evening.
• EASTER. It is such an awesome holiday celebrating the Risen Christ. It is a time for celebration, reflection, and family. Matthew and I were blessed with visitors (Jenny and Tommy) as well as loving friends who welcomed us into their hearts and home for Easter dinner (Thank you McIlrath family!). Not to mention I think I ate the most delicious garlic mashed red potatoes I have EVER had. Mr. McIlrath is quite the cook and we were nowhere near hungry when we left! It was absolutely wonderful to have such great (and hilarious) people to spend Easter with.
• FLOWERS. My aunt sent me flowers for Easter and when I called to thank her she simply said "Well every house needs flowers for Easter!" I could not agree more. I love fresh flowers. They can completely brighten a room in an instant. I also love walking outside and seeing flowers in bloom. Just the sight of them makes me smile and appreciate life a little bit more.
• BEING OUTSIDE. Fresh air inspires me. It inspires me to run farther, to study harder, and to enjoy life more. I love going on long runs and walks. Just walking to class brightens my spirits because I am not freezing to death.
• THUNDERSTORMS. My cousins and I used to pretend that really bad thunderstorms were actually God bowling. The big lightning bolts only happened when he got a strike. Some nights I think God was bowling 300. I love the smell of rain and watching the lightning in the distance. And I can't help thinking God is reminding us to take a break and have some fun every so often.
• BACKYARD BAR-B-Q. Or just outdoor parties in general. Or just drinking a beer on the porch. This goes back to the being outside above.
• LIFE. The signs of new life that spring up everywhere give me the warm-and-fuzzies. Flowers, budding trees, ducklings, birds chirping. All of it just gives me the warm-and-fuzzies inside.

Happy Spring! Go outside and enjoy it!