The Siberian American: Friday Favorites: Exchange Reveal and Trip Planning

Friday, January 9, 2015

Friday Favorites: Exchange Reveal and Trip Planning

Happy Friday! Is it just me, or is the week after vacation always tough? I have already mentioned our car issues, but now I literally can’t open our front door…and I got home yesterday to find my poor pup really sick in her cage. Anyways, it doesn’t matter because today is Friday! Here are my Friday favorites this week:

/ / One:
This is the last month of interviews for Chris. He is coming home from an interview tonight (at least I hope so. Yesterday, his plane had a fuel leak, and he was stuck at airports for 20 hours, which caused him to miss the resident dinner). He only has three more interviews left, and we are so ready for the next step.

/ / Two:
I did the ABC Book Challenge in 2013 and really enjoyed it so I decided to do it again. The challenge is simple—read a book with a title that starts with every letter of the alphabet, eliminating A/An/The. In 2013, I picked books as I went, but I might actually put together a list this time. I had a hard time finding a book that starts with an “X,” so it helps to start that early.
/ / Three:
I participated in some fun Christmas exchanges this year! My gifts from Christina from Route Bliss for the Great Christmas Exchange were so sweet. I squealed when I saw that adorable owl mug. The package also included a beautiful scarf, vanilla brulee Starbucks hot chocolate, purple nail polish, fruity tea, mini love bag, cupcake baking cups with several great cupcake recipe cards, notepad, and EOS lip balm. Thank you so much for the great package, Christina!

/ / Four:
I have been trying to plan a graduation trip for Chris. I am not sure what will work logistically yet, but I have some days off I need to use, so I am looking into several options. Nothing gets me more excited than planning a trip.

/ / Five:
I am currently reading The Secret Life of Violet Grant, and it’s great so far. It’s a historical fiction in a past-present format where the present character Vivian (though the present is actually the 1960s) finds out she has a great aunt who murdered her husband and ran away with her lover, and no one has heard from her in years. I really love Vivian’s quirky voice, and Violet’s story is intriguing. I am only 20 percent through so I can’t officially recommend it, but it’s the kind of book I think about throughout the day.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! 

Linking up with AmandaKarli, Amy, and the new High Five for Friday girls.

25 comments:

  1. That book sounds so good! I am so adding it to my list!

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    1. I read more of it last night, and it got even better! Really loving it so far. :)

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  2. Hoping for good news from all the interviews and fingers crossed he gets on home safely! Hope ya'll have a fabulous weekend and thanks for the book review- i'm in need of a new read!! xoxo

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  3. You are the best at trip planning - can't wait to see what you decide on! xo, Biana - BlovedBoston

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  4. That book sounds great, and I imagine pairs well with that adorable owl mug!

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  5. Nothing excites me more than planning a trip as well! As soon as I finish one trip, Im always itching to plan another one.

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  6. Both of your Christmas exchange packages look so great. What a fun idea!!

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  7. i am doing that challenge as well, picking books with X was super hard! i have heard great things about that Violet Grant book. Planning a trip, yay! I am trying to plan our trip to europe this summer and i love planning but it's making my head and heart hurt. i don't know what to do! i have always wanted to go to italy but it is the most expensive part of our trip and i am thinking of cutting it off and going somewhere else, it's like absurd how expensive it is, and we could always go another time just to italy, you know? oh i don't know. help? :(

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  8. That sounds like a great book challenge! I think I might do it too now. Such a great way to help me get through my 50 books in 2015 challenge. Add a little more focus to it. Which focus is good for me. I live for vacation planning too. I totally get it. :)

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  9. That book challenge sounds like it was a lot of fun! Have a great weekend!

    ~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
    acutelifestyle.blogspot.com

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  10. I've seen a few different book challenges, but yours sounds really interesting. I might have to give that some thought...

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    1. I really enjoyed it when I did it in 2013. It was a great way to encourage myself to read! :)

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  12. I hope you enjoy your ABC book challenge--I do imagine that a few letters would be hard to find! And I can imagine that you guys are ready to be done with his interview process by now.
    I know you like travel and vacations--and I'm looking for some guest posts for my vacation blog, posts describing a trip you've taken to any destination in the world. If you're interested, you can check out the information about guest posting here: http://www.plantovacation.com/submit-a-plan/

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  13. I hope your dog is ok, being sick is no fun!

    Yay for almost being done with interviews, that is awesome! You got some great stuff in your gift, that owl mug is adorable and that book sounds really interesting!

    Hope you have a great day!

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    1. Sky is doing fine-she just has a weak tummy, so it's something I have to deal with way too often!
      I am so obsessed with that owl mug. It's so adorable. :)

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  14. I love books like that. When you really and truly feel connected to the characters - that's what reading is all about! Can't wait to hear about your upcoming trip!!

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  15. I haven't tried the ABC challenge yet but it sounds interesting. Makes you productive while having fun. :)

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    1. Exactly! Last time, it really motivated me to read more, so I hope it works that way again this year. Thanks for stopping by! :)

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  16. I keep hearing great things about that book! Need to add it to my reading list. And YAY for another blogger who gets the medical road. My husband is a 2 year Nephrology fellow, so we did the match day several years ago. But once interviews have settled down, and that match list is submitted, the anticipation of match day is just SO EXCITING!! And nerve wracking, because you hate not really being able to pick where you can go.

    But totally get it! Once those interviews are done, be sure to celebrate! And a huge thank you for linking up at H54F!! Hope to see you next week!
    Katie @ Cup of Tea

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    1. Hey Katie,
      I love hearing from others who have gone through the medical school journey, especially those ahead of us! It's nice to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. :) I totally understand the nerve wracking part about not really getting to pick where we're going. I like his top choices though so it is definitely exciting to start making that match list! March 20 is just around the corner. :)

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  17. That swap looks like so much fun!

    And I feel like that book challenge is an awesome idea. I've got a little one, so it's hard to find time to read, but I feel like that would give me a reason to. I don't even know where I would find an X like you said. I'll have to start thinking about it!

    Thanks for linking up for H54F! Glad to have you :)

    Caitlin @ Coffee with Caitlin
    coffeewithcaitlin.com

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  18. That looks like such a good book. I will definitely be adding it to my reading list. The Christmas swap looked so much fun. Thank you so much for linking up to High Five for Friday!!!

    Della@Della Devoted
    delladevoted.blogspot.com

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  19. One of my best friends from from undergrad is a doctor, and one of my best friends from law school is married to one. I remember the dress of them going through interviews. Good luck to you all! Also, I love that ABC challenge (I sometimes read 3 books a week), and your owl mug and scarf from the gift exchange are adorable!

    Thanks for linking up with us for H54F!!!
    Tif
    www.brightonabudget.com

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