Every place has its ups and downs, even the paradise that is Hawaii where I’m on rotation. After dealing with what is pictured at right, I started to wonder: “Is it better to deal with snow for a couple months or these little treats year round?”

One might be (foolishly) quick to answer, “roaches, of course.” But those who answer so have likely not had the joy of working with these “treats.” Allow me to let you re-live some choice experiences with me.

First, these things never die on first attempt at annihilation, even when you think you’ve got ‘em good. I have stomped on one before and it’s lived to scurry away. In fact, if you use anything beside a 150 lb anvil, it’s bound to live and taunt you as it finds a new hiding spot. That means if you find one on your wall, you’re not going to kill it unless you punch bare-handed with the force of Mauricio Rua. Throw a shoe at it? It’ll throw it back. Try to capture it with a Tupperware bowl? It’ll make your hand move like a possessed Ouija to the location it wishes to go. It’s disturbing how resilient these suckers are. It’s like they have nine lives like a cat. That’s what they are: they’re cat-roaches and they’re disgusting.

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So, I’m in Hawaii. Yeah, exactly. It’s awesome. I’d like to say it’s terrible and I’m having a bad time and the weather isn’t cooperating but that’d be a lie. It’s phenomenal and I’m having a wonderful time and it’s 85 and sunny every… single… day.

I’m in Honolulu for October, November, and December busy pretending I’m a P.T. on my first clinical rotation.

The D.P.T. curriculum allows students to enter the “real world” and practice what we’ve learned after three blocks worth of classroom, or didactic, education (much sooner in the curriculum in comparison to other programs).

Luckily, the education I’ve received at DMU has allowed me to make the most of my time here on the island. Why? Because I know everything already. Okay, not entirely true. Actually, not true at all. But I was so well prepared for my internship that it almost seems easy. Well, not easy, but natural.

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Clemson vs. Georgia Tech. Anybody watch last night? If you did, you were treated to an enjoyable, remarkably close game… that I called. I said it was going to be close and I said it was going to be good. Nailed it.

I send an email to my classmates every week with my “What to Watch For” picks of NCAA football matchups. Below is this week’s installment (including last night’s game). If you’d like to receive my picks each week, just comment below with your email address and I’ll save you a spot on the highly coveted “CC list.”

Thursday
Clemson v #15 GA Tech – 6:30 p.m., ESPN
The Ramblin Wreck are planning a white-out @ Bobby Dodd. Every game between ’96 and ’06 were decided by less than 5 pts. It’s gonna be a good one. I had 2 cousins go to Clemson but I believe in Paul Johnson.

Saturday
Iowa v ISU – 11:05 a.m., FSN
Iowa, this is not your year. Paul, do it buddy. Do it big. ISU.

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Kendall in the kitchen

I like to cook.

When I say I like to cook, really I mean cater because I don’t like to cook for myself and I don’t really like to cook for two… I like cooking for parties of 10 or more. I recently set a record and cooked a three-course meal for thirty people.

My apartment was cramped but I finally solved the question, “How many people can I fit in my living room?” Something that had really been weighing on me and obviously a way more important question than anything like “How long should I leave a TENS unit on a patient?”

Nothing makes me happier than filling my house and feeding people. So stop me in the hall and let me know when I can cook for you. My only request is you bring twenty friends.

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There have been an awesome assortment of concerts in Des Moines this summer. I’ve seen Colbie Caillat, Jason Reeves, Gavin DeGraw, Collective Soul, Carolina Liar, Jason Brown, Love and Theft, Gloriana, Emerson Drive, Bucky Covington, John Michael Montgomery and Tracy Lawrence. The only truly important musical encounter, however, has been with the amazingness known as the Eli Young Band.

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Well hello there, Mr. Gondolier!

The D.P.T. curriculum is three full years of non-stop excitement and fun. Unlike other programs on campus (ahem… D.O.s… ahem… D.P.M.s… ahem), we have classes scheduled straight through the summer. We do, however, get a two-week break at the beginning of June for some well deserved rest and relaxation.

Not being a fan of rest nor relaxation, I prepared a little something special for my mini-vaca. I hopped on a plane and headed to Italy, Slovenia and Croatia for exploration, adventure and family time.

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