Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1.) How is Richard doing? 2.) What do you do while he's gone?
These are two important questions that I get asked a lot. So I thought I'd write a little post about them.

1.) Richard is doing so well. He's studying all hours of the day and night, dissecting cadavers (and still managing to be hungry for ground beef when he comes home), going to class, going to lectures outside class, going to the gym, fabricating braces, and still making time to hang out with me. Patient - models come in to the classes to let the students make orthotics for them and last week he made the coolest device for a man who'd had a stroke and couldn't stretch his fingers out. The fingers go in little loops all attached to a spring that pulls the fingers out and up while keeping the thumb steady so that with minimal effort the hand can be closed, and then opened flat again easily. Richard's teachers liked his design.
As you would expect, everyone loves Richard. His classmates are a lot of fun and, thanks in part to some spectacular dance moves he pulled out a couple weekends ago, think he's both smart and fun. Somehow the cool crowds just form naturally around Richard, I've always noticed this. That's a Miltenberger for you!
So all in all, Richard is doing very well, albeit very busy - and a little stressed out.

2.) "Busy" and "stressed" are not terms one might apply to my leisurely schedule here in Chicago. I decided not to get a job - since getting hired for 10, 9 ,8! weeks looked unlikely - and chose to devote my time to self-improvement. I looked into classes - art, dance, language - but I didn't find anything that looked really intriguing. I was a little depressed for a while, without much to do (there's only so many times you can go to H & M) until my dad put me in touch with some of his many contacts at Lyon & Healy Harps. The long and the short of it is, I'm going to take lessons again, and there is now a rental harp my home - it arrived this very day. This summer, I want to focus on arranging music to accompany the harp. I'm excited, and it feels good to have a plan. Now I have several main activities to fill my time : playing the harp, going to the gym, and of course, grocery shopping.
The gym we go to through Northwestern is amazing. Since it's only 4 blocks away, is equipped with a swimming pool, "state-of-the-art" workout equipment and a lot of fun classes, I spend a large amount of time there. I mean, at least it's something to do - and finally exercise seems fun to me. Mostly, it gets me out of the apartment, and since we've paid for the membership already, it also keeps me from buying things like clothes, coffee and gelato when I've got nothing better to do. If I get fit here, it'll actually result from laziness and boredom. Among other things, I've discovered yoga at this gym, and I'm really enjoying it. I like the slow exercise sandwiched between relaxation times- it's like taking a nap and working out at the same time. Very relaxing.

One thing that I'm obviously not doing enough of is updating our blog! Sorry everyone. Once I buy some new batteries for our camera we'll make a video of the apartment and things. Thanks for keeping in touch!