Hello t-r-o-u-b-l-e.

Charissa. 26. Naturopathic medical student and future women's health doc, cat mom and part-time dog mom.

[barbellsandmedicine]

First wedding anniversary trip. I love getting to explore with you 😘 (at Cape Disappointment State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CM8zVHbn-9b/?igshid=f853b9qdsrso

[barbellsandmedicine]

Wow long time no post.  It seems I only come here to share things I’m upset about and have nowhere else to get out my feelings.

I hate my job. It was supposed to be so great.  I’d have a partner to help pay for things but it would be my practice.  Except it’s not my practice.  I have no say in the types of patients I’m seeing and I don’t get to choose how much I’m charging patients.  I’m barely making money and I’m lucky to see 3 patients a week.  I’m stuck in my contract until November so I can’t even begin to look for another place to work until at least summer.

My husband and I have been talking about trying to get pregnant at the end of the year.  But because my job isn’t working out, we have to wait.  I don’t want to wait too much longer but I’m trying accept that this will be for the best.

I need things to change. I hate crying at least once a week because I hate the job I’m at so much.

[barbellsandmedicine]

Today we had to make a really hard decision. We haven't been able to find an apartment complex accepting of our husky mix (who is honestly the gentlest dog I've ever known) so my parents will be keep him for an unknown amount of time until we can eventually find a place that will allow us to have him.

I'm so happy we're not entirely losing him but it still fuckin sucks. It won't be the same living without him. I think what we're both most upset and worried about is that because he's older, we may not ever live with him again. (And it's definitely the hardest on my husband since it's his dog that he brought into our relationship.)

[barbellsandmedicine]

Just spending the rest of my study days outside soaking up the sun by the pool 🌞 (at Gold Canyon, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCt2ibKg9iv/?igshid=1quomkz3pzl0s

[barbellsandmedicine]

Studying for boards is in full swing.  I’m studying anywhere from 6-8 hours a day now that I’m not sick anymore.  I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed with the amount of material but I’m trying to just press on and keep moving forward.

Boards are 3 days (August 5, 6, 7), then the following weekend I’m walking for graduation, then I’ll finally be moving back to Washington!

[andallshallbewell]

[barbellsandmedicine]

I haven't posted anything on here other than from instagram in ages.

In the time I've been away I graduated from medical school which is great and I'm so excited to be done and continue on my way to getting licensed to practice.

But I also likely have COVID and although I'm on the mend I hate being stuck at home and hate not feeling well.

[barbellsandmedicine]

Before ➡️ After #quarantinecrafts https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0_ccVnUf4/?igshid=afxrxqc3rsiy

[barbellsandmedicine]

Happy 2 month anniversary my love! There’s nobody else I’d rather feed cupcakes to 😘 https://www.instagram.com/p/CAvVcw6ALV2/?igshid=1twew4a74zo4g

[barbellsandmedicine]

Beat the sun, the heat, and the crowds to do my favorite essential activity ⛰🏜 #takeahike #hikeaz (at South Mountain Geronimo Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_aL21ggE7w/?igshid=lbtzhygzudo

[barbellsandmedicine]

“Hiking and happiness go hand in hand or foot in boot.” - Diane Spicer . Since @dougducey agreed that hiking is an essential activity, Gabe and I hiked one of my favorite trails at South Mountain this morning and we’re rewarded with amazing views. #hikeaz (at Alta Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-cur1sn-n2/?igshid=ifjvobhyfsft

[barbellsandmedicine]

Today in the presence of family and friends (in person and through Zoom), we said our vows! (Don’t worry, the church sanctuary was big enough to observe social distancing!) this wasn’t the wedding we’ve been planning for the last year, but in the midst of a pandemic we were so incredibly blessed to still be able to get married. . Gabe, I am so incredibly happy to be your wife and if we can survive this pandemic, we can survive everything life throws our way. You’re my best friend and I love you so much! 💕 . #wedding #coronabride #elopement (at The Springs Church) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-TWKOlgv8w/?igshid=k1fn27zfvtli

[barbellsandmedicine]

I made a goal at the beginning of the week to hike 40 miles and I hit my goal this morning! (Actually I surpassed it at 44.7 miles 😁). ... I finished my week of hiking by hiking out to one of my favorite places at South Mountain. ⛰🏜 ... #hikeaz (at Hidden Valley Trail At South Mountain) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Pnze0g175/?igshid=1t2s1ywxfaqiy

[barbellsandmedicine]

With all my hiking this past week I managed to get in about 30 miles of hiking. It was great to get out to hike and camp this weekend and get out of the city for a day. #hikeaz (at Lost Dutchman State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-CqGL8AwOw/?igshid=bcn1ttiphnbl

[barbellsandmedicine]

With finals and shifts over, I have tons of time to socially distance myself and hike. The bonus of all these solo hikes (plus the occasional couples hike with Gabe) is I have tons of time to look for outdoor places to elope in 9 days. #socialdistancing #hikeaz (at Desert Classic Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/B97eaOcgA4-/?igshid=1q3mzm2hspye0

[barbellsandmedicine]

Every time I think I’m done grieving the postponing of the wedding Gabe and I have been planning the last year, I start crying again. It’s been so hard on both of us knowing that all the hard work we put in has gone up in flames 2 weeks before our wedding date. Our ceremony site closed, our reception site sent a strongly worded email asking us if our event was important enough to endanger people, and we have so many older guests that we couldn’t have the wedding we’ve been planning.

It feels slightly okay knowing we’re going to elope in Arizona on the same date with our families being FaceTimed in, but man it’s still fucking hard. This isn’t how we planned to get married.

[barbellsandmedicine]

“Think outside. No box required.” - Unknown . I convinced Gabe to get up early to try a new hiking trail. After a little struggle finding the trailhead and struggling to stay on the trail a few times, we were rewarded with such a beautiful view of Phoenix. And I got to have a mini photo shoot at the top 😁 #hikeaz #southmountain (at South Mountain Geronimo Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9cCZvMHhiR/?igshid=x0ysqeya5ds2