First week done!

I started my externship last Tuesday (June 1). I was SUPER nervous, but now think I'll like it for the most part. No job is perfect.

Anyway here's a quick review of my first week. Tuesday I spent the day at our DSM office and mostly observed how my supervisor does things. I did get to do a couple of basic hearing tests. Wednesday I was at the Mtown office. In the morning I observed our two hearing aid techs and saw how repairs and new orders are processed. In the afternoon I met one of my other supervisors and spent the rest of the day reading up on new hearing aid products. Thursday was spent in Mtown again and observed all day long.

After work I headed down to Kansas City for a sales training on Friday. The hotel was nice but it was weird to stay in a room all by myself. Friday a.m. I went to the training. It was interesting, but a really, really aggressive approach.

While I was gone, Allie (my dog) stayed at my parents' house. She did pretty good there, but occassionally annoyed their little wiener dogs.

Happy Memorial Day

On this day I am especially greatful for all the sacrifices our military men and women (past and present) and their families make. I'm the proud granddaughter of 3 veterans (2 WWII and 1 Korean War) and the proud cousin of many service people.

Here's are the lyrics to a song that reminded me of all the sacrifices people have made to make or keep our country free.

"Ragged Old Flag" by Johnny Cash

I walked through a county courthouse square

On a park bench, an old man was sittin' there.

I said, "Your old court house is kinda run down,

He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town".

I said, "Your old flag pole is leaned a little bit,

And that's a ragged old flag you got hangin' on it".

He said, "Have a seat", and I sat down,

"Is this the first time you've been to our little town"

I said, "I think it is"

He said "I don't like to brag, but we're kinda proud of

That Ragged Old Flag"

You see, we got a little hole in that flag there

,When Washington took it across the Delaware.

and It got powder burned the night Francis Scott Key sat watching it,

writing "Say Can You See"

It got a rip in New Orleans, with Packingham & Jacksontugging at its seams.

and It almost fell at the Alamo beside the Texas flag,

But she waved on though.

She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville,

And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.

There was Robert E. Lee and Beauregard and Bragg,

And the south wind blew hard on

That Ragged Old Flag"

On Flanders Field in World War I,

She got a big hole from a Bertha Gun,

She turned blood red in World War II

She hung limp, and low, a time or two,

She was in Korea, Vietnam, She went where she was sent

by her Uncle Sam.

She waved from our ships upon the briny foam

and now they've about quit wavin' back here at home

in her own good land here She's been abused,

She's been burned, dishonored, denied an' refused,

And the government for which she stands

Has been scandalized throughout out the land.

And she's getting thread bare, and she's wearin' thin,

But she's in good shape, for the shape she's in.

Cause she's been through the fire before

and i believe she can take a whole lot more."

So we raise her up every morning

And we bring her down slow every night,

We don't let her touch the ground,

And we fold her up right.

On second thoughtI *do* like to brag

Cause I'm mighty proud of

That Ragged Old Flag"

Puppy Love Part Dos

I HAVE A DOG NOW! Yep I officially entered the world of dog ownership yesterday. In my first Puppy Love post (I don't know how to link that post, sorry) I talked about how much I wanted an English Bulldog. Well, I didn't end up with one of those, but rather an American Bulldog think Chance from "Homeward Bound" or Petey from "The Little Rascals". Her name is Allie and she's about 3 years old. I got her from a rescue in Humboldt and she's amazing.

Here are pics from yesterday of my furbaby:

Aud Haps

I realized yesterday that I am less than 365 days away from being Dr. Marra. CRAZY!!! In the past month much has gone on in my audiology life. April 24 I took my audiology PRAXIS and it was to HARDEST.TEST.EVER! What was worse is that I had to wait until yesterday to find out my score. I needed a 600 to pass, and unfortunately that test will never have to see me again. I scored above 600!!! This means that I can apply for temporary licensure in Iowa, even though I haven't quite finished up my AuD program.

Then a mere 10 days later I had to take the IA Hearing Aid Dealer's licensing exam in Ankeny. This was a simple 100 question test. I also got these results yesterday. I totally pass and am now licensed to sell hearing aids in Iowa.

Friday, May 7th was a big day for me. I had to present the research that I've been working on for almost 2 years to all the AuD faculty and students. It was NERVE.WRECKING and I'm a person that doesn't mind speaking in front of people. It went well and I don't have to do this again either!

In other aud related news I move to Mtown this weekend and start my PAID externship June 1. I can't believe it's time for me to leave Madison and have a 5 day work week. I've not had a 5 day work week ever!

FIRE!

Last night there was a fire at my apartment building. Somehow the couch on the porch caught on fire about 12:30 a.m. Myself and my neighbors were all able to get out injury-free and the building had minimal damage. The firemen and police were called and took care of everything relatively quickly and confined the fire to the porch. They told us later that we lucked out in the fact that the building is brick instead of old wood, like many of the other buildings surrounding. They said the whole place could've gone up in flames if it were wood. The police and fire warden questioned us while the fire was getting put out. It was really chily last night and they found a sitting room in a nursing home up the block for us to use and try to stay warm. Finally about 2:30 a.m. they let us back in the building; there wasn't much damage beyond the porch, but of course everything smelled like smoke.

I feel very blessed and lucky to have gotten out and to not have any damage to my own apartment. I am very sleep deprived right now. I just couldn't get to sleep once I was back in the building because of adrenaline.

Here are some pics that I took with my cell phone, so they're not the best quality!

Not much time

Oh man! I can't believe I let the blog go this long without even a fun little update! Well, I only have 2 weeks left until I'm finished with my finals. I couldn't be more excited or more busy. You see I have 3.count 'em. 3 mini-projects left to do, finishing/presenting my capstone research, a final, and the BIG one, my IA hearing aid dispenser's licensing tests. YIKES!

I think I finally found an apartment in Mtown where I can have a dog. YES.SO.DARN.EXCITED! Also looking at English Bulldogs this next weekend when I go home.

It's also started to hit me that I'm leaving Madison soon and I don't like it.

Baseball

I love opening day of baseball season. It should be a national holiday! My Minnesota Twins start their season tonight in California. I hope to get up to see them play at some point, but so far it's super hard to get tickets :(. Another thing I love about the Twins is that they have a new stadium. I'm sad that they let the Metrodome, but SO excited for the Target Field. The last thing I'll say about the Twins is that they may not be the most talented team, but as a whole they are the most ATTRACTIVE team in baseball. Just look at Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, JJ Hardy, and the list goes on. If you need to check it out for yourself: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/

Other than that spring is HERE. We've had spring thunder storms and I've seen robins out and about. It's hard to believe that there are only 5 weeks left!!!