Phew…I made it through the last two weeks of having some sort of examination every day! Now I get to breathe for a little bit before the last push toward finals. This trimester flew by so quickly. It’s hard to believe that it will be all over in just three weeks. Most importantly clinic entrance exams are done, though I won’t be positive about the results until tomorrow. The tests were a bit stressful, but it’s kind of nice to be evaluated on all that you have learned up to a certain point – it reaffirms that you really are learning a lot.

With all of that out of the way, this past weekend I had the chance to do some relaxing with family and friends. My son was out of town with his father, so the house was pretty quiet. It was the perfect opportunity for some mommy-daughter bonding time. I needed to make sure she didn’t feel left out, because she was left behind. We decided to take grandma out for breakfast and then hit up the nature center in the local forest preserve district, so we could see some animals and spend some time in the sun. Despite the just-above-freezing temperatures, it was clear to see that spring is here, and I am looking forward to the coming of many more sunny days like this one.

River Trails Nature Center used to be a one-room space with a few exhibits and a hand full of wild animal enclosures. It was a place I frequented as a child and where I later volunteered my time just after high school. During my time there I helped care for facilities and the animals that lived there. I was taught how to handle large birds of prey. It had been years since the last time I was there, and it was amazing to see how much it had grown. My daughter loved it just as much as I did as a kid; I think we will have to go back when the weather is a bit warmer.

It’s good to be settled down here in the Chicago area, although I may be a bit biased, as I haven’t lived anywhere else for very long. There are so many little places to go, and things to see, that it’s easy to find something to do on the weekends when time allows for it. Next weekend we will be heading into the city for the Prismatica art exhibit at Navy Pier; I will be looking forward to sharing that experience with you all next week!