Estoy disfrutando las flores.

 It's hard to believe that it's been nearly a whole month since Togo. A lot has happened in the past few short weeks. It's slightly awkward to jump back into a thriving general surgery practice when in a few months I'll be packing up again. The partners are all wonderful to work with and accommodating to this nontraditional schedule. As much as I prefer to be busy, the extra time has allowed me the ability to devote energy and attention in other areas of life, for which I am thankful.

Most recently Amber Miller and I made a quick trip out to Virginia to visit Sirish and Kristina Mulpura.  Six years ago we had made the trip to visit them in Florida after the birth of Noah.   It seemed rather fitting to repeat the tradition after the birth of their second son, David. 

Making a quick pit stop in West Virginia on the way out, because, why not?

Amber and I with Noah at the Norfolk Botanical Garden.

Exploring the Enchanted Forest at the Norfolk Botanical Garden.

Kristina, Amber & I at the Norfolk Botanical Garden

Visiting the College of William & Mary. Founded 1693, second oldest in the USA.

College of William & Mary. No big deal, just maybe where Thomas Jefferson sat for class! 

Continuing our visit of Williamsburg.

Williamsburg.

Visiting Jamestown.

David loved to snuggle. He got no complaints from Amber or I.

Amber & I with Noah on the trampoline.

Sirish watched the boys for our last evening in town. Kristina, Amber & I.

Recreating photo with David from the original 6 years ago with Noah. 

Late night Dosa making in the kitchen with friends.

We interrupted the drive home for a few quick hikes at Shenandoah National Park.

Dark Hollows Falls

Dark Hollows Falls

Stony Man - on part of the AT

Stony Man - on part of the AT

Next up, big Memorial Day plans!

Much Love.

Estoy en casa.

 My time in Togo ended well, and I have returned to Indiana. I've covered a lot of ground, literally, in the past week.

Here's last few photos from Togo. Figured I'd post them since I posted every single other photo. Thought they would feel left out.  All photos taken last Saturday as I traveled from Mango down to Lome to fly back to the USA.

Back in Indiana I was struck by how much slower and colder everything was. Work had given me a few days to settle and recover from jet lag, for which I am thankful, but also the reason for the "slower". 

My nephews and I modeling our matching Togo pants that I had made for all of us!

Once responsibilities at the hospital resumed, flow of life picked up once again. I'll be honest it was a definite mental switch to go back to minimally invasive surgery and limiting myself to just the field of general surgery as defined by US standards. But once at the robot console... just like riding a bike.

Today was the Indy Mini. The annual half marathon that is run on the Indiana Speedway track. I had signed up to run long before Togo was first even mentioned. I was worried how I'd fair after running the past four months really took a hit due to the high temperatures and my schedule in Togo. But I finished the race running! Success!

Val Leman is one of the NPs that works with our team at the hospital. 

Not only did I get Val to run with me, but her three boys as well! Happy to see others motivated to get out and move. 

P.S. yes, I did kiss the red bricks on the racetrack... kind of. Kissed my hand and just bent down to hit the bricks as I ran over them. ;)

Much Love.