From Blog to Book

Ever since I started my blog about a year and a half ago, I have been looking for ways to make it into a hard copy.  There are many sites out there in the internet world that you can use to turn your blog into a book.  But until I saw that my friend Sara had done it with her blog, I hadn't been motivated enough to really put an effort into doing it.

I followed her lead and used this site which allowed me to upload my posts and pictures into a program I downloaded on my computer.  I could then sort through the pictures, edit spelling errors in posts, and design my own layout for each page.  It actually took a somewhat significant amount of time, but I also had 143 posts for 2011! 

I finally finished my editing in August and was able to order my blog book.  It cost less than $100.00 and considering it is hard-bound and over 260 pages, I think it was very moderately priced.  I received it in less than two weeks and I am so pleased with the final outcome.

 

 

It makes a great coffee table book!

Since my blog really only serves as an online public journal, I think it's great to have a physical copy of all of our adventures over the last year.  And I thoroughly enjoy rereading my posts and reliving all of our great memories.   I can't wait to have years worth of blog books and I don't have to wait long, I already need to get working on 2012!  Where has this year gone?

Following My Own Advice...

...is easier said than done.

This past month, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity for the 2nd time to write a guest post for the blog The Graduate Wife.  Yesterday, my post went up on the blog.  You can read it HERE. 

Though it has only been a few weeks since I actually wrote this post, I couldn't help but reread it yesterday and realize that I need to do a better job of following my own advice.

Josh and I are in the process of selecting our top choices for clinical rotations.  Can you believe it's almost time to move again?  We will be back in the states for good in May and though I have been looking forward to this moment since we started this journey and left California on August 3, 2010, I can't help but be a little anxious/nervous for the road ahead.

I think my concern is stemming from the fact that we are once again entering an "unknown zone."  We KNOW we will be in the United States for the next two years.  But, we don't know where we will be and Josh will be entering a new phase of medical school, the clinical years.  I am so excited for him to progress forward, but I have gotten extremely comfortable with our current routine.  I've finally gotten used to Josh's study schedule and of course, now it's almost time to leave.  On top of that, I am going to miss Grenada so very much.  And oh yea, there's that itty bitty thing called the Step I looming in the near future. 

However, God has a plan for me, for us.  He has taken us on this journey around the world and of course, there have been ups and downs, but I trust that we are following His plan, His blueprints.  He knows what is to come for us and that, in and of itself, should be comforting enough. 

Please pray that as this medical school journey continues to unwind, that I can be at peace while going through this phase of uncertainty.  And of course, prayers for Josh's continued success in school are always welcome.

Finally Blogging!



I have been thinking about it for months, and I finally decided it's about time I started a blog.  I've known it's a great way to journal about our adventures living in foreign countries and our first year of marriage, but I wasn't motivated enough until recently.  So let's rewind a little bit and catch you up on what is going on in our life.  Josh and I moved to Newcastle upon Tyne in August for medical school and we have now been here for 6 months!  I still can't believe it. Josh is part of St. George's University's Global Scholars Program. Next year we will move to the island of Grenada in the West Indies for year 2 of school. 

After only four weeks of marriage, we moved to the UK with no place to live.  Yes, we got on a plane at LAX and headed to England with a hotel room booked for two nights and no real plans other than that.  Don't let the picture below fool you, we had seven bags, I don't know how I possibly agreed to only seven. :)


Leaving for the UK.  Gosh we were tan!

Sometimes I can't believe that my mom let me even leave the country with no place to live.  Fortunately, on the first day of searching, though tired and completely jet-lagged, we found the perfect place for us!  We live in the quaint suburb of Jesmond and we couldn't be happier.  It's quiet and cozy and we love it here.  In fact, we will be sad to leave come May.

Our flat in Jesmond



To catch you up, here are some pictures of our "flat."  Of course I've spruced up the place.  It was mostly a monotonous beige all the way through until I added a little splash of color.


 

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Kitchen

Sitting Room

Sitting Room