I'm Back!

It is so unfortunate that I have to take my little "vacations" from blogging when the end of the semester is near. Instead, I work on assignments until the wee hours of the night non-stop and then wake up in the wee hours of the morning. Let me tell you, like always it was intense. I blame myself for some of it, but you know, that happens when I want to have a bit of a social life. Well, it is all done and over for now, for a week now (Sorry, I needed to get some R&R too!). In the next week you will be seeing what I did over the past summer session of 10 credits in 8 weeks. Again, it was well worth it. I received my grades yesterday and did another stellar job and I am very happy about it.

This last week was pretty good as well. I hung out with my cousin in Madison last Friday and Saturday as well as drunkenly calling a college friend to come out at bar close; she did, (I had a great time and I couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like if I went to Madison instead of St. Norbert College for undergrad (no regrets at all though).) , went home for a couple days, went boating (My brother bought a pontoon. Yes, he is only almost 19!), did a ton of reading (I finally succumbed to the Twilight series.... addicting! Plus, it is a lot more fun when you can read for pleasure.), and visited a hometown friend. Plus, our final assignments weren't due until this past Monday, so I saved just a little bit to work on for the past weekend as well. Needless to say, I kept myself busy. And just like that, I'm back in Chicago and back to work. Though I still have another week of no classes, I will be updating a website, as well as working some more of my project research (I didn't quite do what I was supposed to and now I'm making up for my negligence.... ugh Lindsey!)

Now to reminiscing a few weeks back. The images that I have here are for my Surgical Orientation class. We had plenty of lectures in the class, mostly with speakers and surgical protocol; we even had a lecture/demo on surgical instruments by Autosuture working with foam intestines and stomachs that was really fun and interesting. The assignments that we had to do was research a surgical procedure and do a few sketches as well as illustrating 3 surgical instruments in different categories in pen and ink: I chose cutting, grasping, and clamping categories and used a digital pen and ink process. The surgical procedure is not finished or course, but it works for what we were asked. Initially, I wanted to do the Whipple procedure, but yeah... way too many steps. Therefore, I decided to do laser varicose vein removal instead since my I have family that are having issues with theirs. Take a look yourself!


Surgical Instruments. Lindsey Pionek. Adobe Illustrator. 2009. Surgical Procedure on Laser Varicose Vein Removal. Lindsey Pionek. Graphite and Adobe Photoshop. 2009.

Independence Day in Chicago

I have to say that this Independence Day was one of my best. My parents came down not only to bring me some of my huge packing bins, but to spend some time in the city and enjoy the festivities. I was so excited that I started planning right away for their visit, since they really haven't seen much of the city other than what is close to my apartment. I also planned and booked a little surprise for them by booking a Fireworks and Architecture Cruise from Shoreline. The day after I booked it, Mom gives me a call mentioning the cruises. She's not supposed to be looking into that stuff! I always do the planning when they come down! Crap! I quickly say that I saw that and called all of the places and they are all booked; the websites must not be updated yet. Being as stubborn as she is (that's where I get it) I was almost expecting her to book them anyway and not listen to me. I was just hoping she would just drop it and not look further the rest of the week.

Of course, when I planned everything initially, it was supposed to be a beautiful, warm and sunny day, but that's not what it turned out to be..... stupid weather. That didn't stop us though! Even through the annoying drizzle and rain, we started our day of fun at the Taste of Chicago. At least we had umbrellas, but we still ended up pretty soaked. All I was thinking through the whole time was "Please let the rain stop before 7 pm" while convincing my parents that we had to be to Navy Pier to get nice seats for the fireworks. While we were waiting at the bus stop to get to Navy Pier, one bus just completely flies by. AWESOME! We need to be there in 10 minutes to get the tickets before we board! Thankfully, another one came (and stopped) soon after. For some reason, the Ogden Slip dock where we had to be is not well-known or really well-documented on its location, so I'm still scrambling while my parents are probably wondering why the hell I was spazzing. We finally got there with enough time to spare and I announced my surprise. Mom was tickled pink and was so excited, and I think Dad was too (he tends to control his emotions more than Mom).

I recommend the Fireworks and Architecture Cruise to anyone. Considering being a Chicago resident, I learned a lot about the buildings that make Chicago the place it is. It was interesting to hear the thoughts behind the designs as well and all the little details that are often looked over. The cash bar was pretty awesome too being cheap (to Chicago standards) and high quality liquors. Needless to say we took advantage of that. Lastly, the best place to view fireworks are on a boat, hands down.

Afterwards, we headed to Navy Pier and ate and drank at Charlie's Ale House since we had cravings for a good burger. Yum! When we were done there and ready to head back we took public transportation back.... I was a little squeamish since it was at night and unfortunately the most interesting people come out of the cracks later at night. We did it anyway, I mean there were three of us so it wasn't a big issue. But when we were waiting for the Blue line with my parents sitting and me facing them and not paying attention, a man approached us, and being startled, I just automatically turn around and put my hand on my purse that was on my shoulder. I didn't notice what I did until the man kept on telling me that I was "insulting" because I did that. I'm sorry, but I would have done that to anyone, any time of day, anywhere in Chicago. He continues on calling me insulting, but then starts to ask us for money. Again, I'm sorry, but you think that I am going to give you money after you were just rude to me? Don't think so! I apologized, but he wasn't taking it. So he leaves, but then a minute later he starts on his rant at my from a distance. Great. "Welcome to the El at night Mom and Dad, this is why I don't travel by myself at night," I say. It was fine, but it still bothers me a bit. Whatever, I'm a young female in Chicago, what do you expect me to do with my purse?

Other than that little situation, the time with my parents was excellent. I am so happy that they had a great time and I was able to surprise them. They deserve it since they have done so much for me. They are the best parents I could ask for.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com. July 4 -- Fireworks Over Chicago, Guy Flaneur, 2008.

My Break Thus Far

Well back from Vegas and Bachelorette festivities.... it has been great having some time to enjoy myself as well as getting some much needed R&R. As you probably noticed, we did not have any free wi-fi like I thought we would have in Vegas and I was a tad too busy since I have been back in Wisconsin. Though not much of a gambler, I doubled my money and also have a bit of a tan, ate some great food and drink, as well as getting my Mom a little tipsy on the last day. (Love you Mom!)

Back in the wonderful W-I, it was a friend from college's bachelorette party which was a great time. We mostly stayed in Appleton, but spent some time in Green Bay as well, taking in some of the memories from undergrad and working there. Thank goodness we weren't driving during the party! We all enjoyed ourselves and it was great to see the bride-to-be. Waking up, surprisingly without a hangover, a friend and I went to our favorite college weekend breakfast place, Nicolet. It was also the SNC graduation, so we caught up with a few graduates-to-be. After that, I went back home, just to go back the next day.

Yes, I went back to the same location the next day. I really wanted to see one of my friends and former co-worker, but she was working at the time that I was there. I really wanted to see Star Trek (yeah, yeah, laugh and groan) and I convinced her to come along with me. I met her where I used to work, went to the movie (which was really good by the way), and then went out to the best sushi place EVER (still haven't found one in Chicago as good Koko's). Next, it was back to Margarita's to meet up with others to go bowling for another one of my buddy's going way bowling party. After that, the rest is history. So far, I have been very happy with my break and my life right now; I have received the highest GPA for this last semester that I have ever received in my college years, I have an assistantship to pay for a large amount of my tuition as well as getting paid for it too, and I have a great family that has been very supportive throughout my whole life. On to some more of break!



In case you are traveling as much I have recently, check out the Samsonite Black Label "Hero" designed my Alexander McQueen. This suitcase mimics the functionality of the ribcage to protect and preserve all of you vitals. With a price tag of at least $349 (yay for sales!), I will have to wait to purchase one for myself until the full-time work thing labeled as a job comes around. Ha ha, only a mere year away hopefully!



Photos courtesy of Samsonite Black Label. SBL by Alexander McQueen "Hero".

My Excursion to Milwaukee

In continuation of my never-ending week of being so tired, it is Saturday. On this day I was on my way to go to Milwaukee to meet in the middle with my family for my birthday celebration and my Mom's (on February 3). Since I didn't go to bed until 3 because of upstairs, 9 AM came quickly and it felt like 6 AM. I rolled out of bed, finished packing, and was off to take the bus. I know I took out my U-Pass for the bus so I didn't have to fumble for it at the stop. When I got there, it was nowhere to be found. Seriously? It must have fell out of my jacket pocket so I left the bus stop to retrace my steps. As soon as I was up the the stairs to open my apartment door (with my very large and heavy bag, by the way) and realized where I put it..... in my back pocket. Needless to say, I was a little ticked at myself. I trudged back to the bus stop and thankfully didn't miss it.

I was off the bus and going to the Blue Line stop now. It came in a matter of a minute.... it was going to be a good ride and I was going to have plenty of time to catch the Amtrak to Milwaukee. Got on the train, sat down, and the doors do not shut..... here it comes..... "Beep beep" Attention passengers, this train is experiencing difficulties. Please stand by until we fix this situation." Awesome. What made it worse than standing there for 15 minutes, was that there were two individuals right in front of me sucking face on the El. Right in front of me facing my direction at 9:30 in the morning. While trying to avoid looking, the El finally started moving, but now I was worried about running late.

Though I made it, I was tired and sweaty. The Amtrak was nice though, I did get my own two large seats and I was able to sleep some. Eventually, it was time for the Milwaukee Airport stop and assuming since there is only one stop in Chicago, that there was only one stop in Milwaukee. I got off like I thought I was supposed to, but of course I was wrong. There are TWO in Milwaukee, but only ONE in Chicago..... it doesn't make sense to me. Anyway, my parents had to travel a bit more to get there and I waited. Eventually, they were there and we went back to the hotel, The Ambassador. It was a beautifully designed hotel with an Old World, Art Deco feel. We dropped off our stuff and we were off the Milwaukee Public Museum to see the Titanic Exhibit. Not only was is a beautifully-designed exhibit, but it was a different way of seeing it and it blew me out of the water, no pun intended. I was impressed. We went back to the hotel afterwards and had drinks and dinner at the hotel. Very good and classy food. It felt nice to be with my family this weekend in such a nice place and be away from everything. Plus I finally was able to catch up on my sleep! Back to school now. Keep posted for more medical-illustration based blogs in this week!

Skull A Day

Well it's New Year's Eve everyone and I hope everyone will have a fantastic time tonight and be safe and stick true to those New Year's Resolutions. I am heading to Green Bay tonight to celebrate and see some people that I worked with before moving to Chicago... as well as spending another New Year's with someone that I am pretty much infatuated with. :D Don't worry, I will let you know how it goes!

One of my New Year's Resolutions (other than the typical ones) is to do more research in the fields of biomedical visualization, illustration, etc (however you want to describe it) and graphic design. With that, I present an awesome blog Skull A Day. If you haven't seen this one yet, take a look! Though most skulls are not anatomically correct, it is great to see what people can do with typical objects to make or see a skull. It definitely gives me some creative inspiration, hope it can do the same for you!

Happy New Years once again!

It's Not Too Late to Shop Anatomy-Style!

Just in case you were looking for that special someone who has everything for Christmas, check out the outrageous array of objects at Cafepress.com. I want a mug, an ornament, and a tshirt, with a matching throw pillow and shirt for my dog....yes, they have all of those things for the science geek at heart. Or you can get something a little more tasty, like antomically-shaped chocolates.....no lie, I purchased some for Christmas. I'm looking forward to get the weird looks when they are opened! Well off to sleep to do some more Christmas shopping tomorrow and meet a little one!

Happy Thanksgiving Vacation!

Well ladies and gentlemen..... I have done exactly what people (other than people in Grad school) on vacation should do.... veg. I have really done just about nothing during my Thanksgiving vacation and it feels good. For example, I went to bed last night around 11:30 and woke up at 12:30 the next day. It felt sooooo gooooooood. :D I guess it made sense though since the night before thanksgiving I went out with some buds from high school to a bar in my hometown and it was just about a high school reunion. It was nice to see everyone though, so I stayed until bar close. However, there were 2 guys that were definetely interested in me there that I did not go to high school with that would not leave me alone.

One was a cousin of a friend, but so no interested since he was so drunk that he started talking about Girl Scout Cookies and farting, after that I was even more disinterested than I was at the beginning of the night.... I later found out that he wanted me to drive him home (which didn't happen) and he puked when someone else was. I'm back at home....

The other guy was a creepster. I mean Total old man creepster. No one knew who he was, but he just kept starting at me the whole night... I mean I was there for 4 hours and I'm not exaggerating... the whole damn night. I wasn't even wearing anything spectacular, I was dressed down from when I ususally go out. My guy friends said to me "Yeah, that's dressed down in Chicago, remember you are back home in Almond." Yeah, I guess, I sometimes forget about that. Plus, when he would walk past me he would let out a "woo-hoo". Yeah, that would get my attention in a good way, buddy, good job. You can tell that he didn't learn anything about treating girls in his 50 years of experience....gross.

At bar close, one of my fave guy-friends finally got home and wanted to hang out. He ended up coming over to my place, and with a bottle of Kesslers and Mountain Dew we talked the night away, literally. He left at 6:30 AM. We could already see the trucks filled with deer hunters on their way out to start the day and we were just about ready to end ours. It was a great get-together and I miss hanging out with him, as well as some of the other guys from my hometown.

ps: can you tell I'm from the middle of nowhere, WI? Wouldn't have thought that I was from this did you? :D

Another reason I'm being a bum is that I forgot my charger for my laptop in the living room in our apartment in Chicago. I forgot to pack it. Therefore, I can't work on my website like I wanted to.....awesome job, Lindsey. So we will see how much I will actually get done in the day before it needs to have at least 50% of it done.... When my fam is home, my Mom pours me a glass of wine and it tastes so good that I have to have more.... My last name doesn't mean "drunken" in Polish for nothing!

Oh well, everything will be fine next week. I'm not worried, though I should be. Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for what you have and what you have done, and I have many things to be thankful for. I could not have been where I am or the person I am today without the help of others. Thank you all and have a fabulous rest of the vacation!