10 more of my favorite things:

1. The smell of the Charleston beach

2. Clear, blue skies.

3. Discovering new music.

4. Waking up to thunderstorms.

5. Mom's apple pie.

6. Colorado; the nature and mountains there is just incredible

7.  Swinging at Waterfront Park

8.  reuniting with old friends

9. black and white photography

10. the hopes of traveling around the world somedays: hopefully those dreams will turn to reality.

So, can I please just recommend doing this if you're every feeling upset or down.  I wasn't in a bad mood when doing this, I think it's just good to think of your blessings and things that you love.  Goodnight friends! Pray for me these next two weeks; it's going to be insanity here in Columbia for us med students.

Currently Listening Gold By Ryan Adams see related

Ten of my favorite things:

1.  being outside and seeing the beauty of God's creation

2.  long, flowy skirts that are super comfortable to wear.

3.  all my friends in charleston...i miss you guys!

4.  roller coasters, especially ones with lots of loops and dips.

5.  having genuine and sincere conversations with people

6.  being on the lake

7.  through learning anatomy, appreciating how intricately God made us and how much detail He put into us

8. Panera.  anything there really just makes me happy

9. Driving on the interstate with the windows rolled down and my music turned up really loud

10.  the smell of rain

I have lots of other favorite things, but that's all for now.  Here is something interesting i read yesterday:

"We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises, or for the other beautiful attractions of life--those are simply intended to be moments of inspiration.  We are made for the valley and the ordinary things of life, and that is where we have to prove our stamina and strength." ~Oswald Chambers

Currently Listening Arriving By Chris Tomlin see related

So, I'm starting to get addicted to Amazon.com.  I mean, you can find just about anything on there, but for me specifically, I find lots of new and old music for really cheap.  This could definetley be a huge temptation for me, especially when my funds are rather limited and come from the government. Other than that, I'm doing better.  Our class has survived the first rounds of test, and for the most part I did allright.  However, there is much work to be done, as far as making the quality of my study time more effective.

I have finally started getting involved in a Bible study.  I've only been once so far, but it's a part of the CMA group on campus here.  I think I sometimes talk to much in Bible studies.  When there is silence and no one answers a question, I just speak up b/c I'm not a big fan of silence.  I dont' know if I need to think out my answers more, and try to go deeper in my thoughts? So, that is about all.  I'm going home this weekend to Clinton to see my family. Hurray! Also, a prayer request.  I am SUPER busy.  And it's very hard to find time to just sit with the Lord and soak up His presence, and read, pray, and just to actually be still and silent and listen to what He has to say to me and not just what I have to say to Him.  I know that God has a lot of things to teach me, and a lot of ways that He wants to mold me and take away my sin and burden, but it is hard to find that time.  At CMA on Monday, the speaker was talking about how that it's God's will for us to be here at school, and that by studying hard and doing our best, it is a part of our worship to Him. Which I completely agree with.  I don't remember the exact verse, but I think it's in one of Paul's letters, but to paraphrase, it goes, whatever you do to for the Lord to the best of your abilities so as not to please men, but to please God.  Therefore, by studying and working so hard, we are worshiping the Lord.  However, I can't let that be my ONLY form of worship to God.  Being so compeltely focused on my studies and schoolwork, the only time I find to sit and be with God is the few minutes I read my Bible before I go to bed.  It's just not enough. I know it's quality versus quantity, however, when I'm already exhausted, it's not quality.  Anyways, I love you guys and thanks for your prayers!

Currently Listening Garden State By Various Artists see related

Warning: Due to my lack of updating, my desire for a break before continuing my studies, and an opportunity to decompress, this entry may be long.

So, I am about to finish my third week of medical school, and can I please just say that it feels more like three months has gone by and not just 3 weeks.  We had our first test today.  Actually, right now I am up in my study carrel and have just returned from the test.  Hence my need to decompress.  I'll be honest, the practical part of it, sucked, badly.  I don't feel very good about that part.  The written portion, however, I think I did pretty well on.  We'll see.  I keep telling myself that it is only one test, and in the big scheme of things, not too importent.  My motto: C = M.D.  I would rather not get C's, but if that gets me to taking care of patients, then I'll take it. Besides, there will be future opportunities to redeem myself.  My life is going to soon be consisting of solely gross anatomy for the rest of the day/week/weekend. 

These past few weeks have been a huge struggle for me.  First, all I ever do pretty much is study.  I get up early, go to class all day, study in the afternoon/evening, and I usually don't leave school until somewhere b/s 12-1 in the morning.  And then I get up in the morning and do it all over again.  It is definetely hard work, and can be draining.  Don't get me wrong though.  I love what I am doing.  Some classes I definetley like more than other, but I keep trying to remind myself why I am here, and what my purpose is.  

For awhile I struggled with not feeling, shall I say intelligent or competent enough to be here.  I mean, this is medical school, so obviously everyone here is pretty bright, and some people are probably on genius level, or bordering it.  And so, I go to class, and review sessions, and don't know the answers to questions, when it seems everyone else does, despite all the studying I've done.  I felt like I didn't belong, or that this wasn't where I was supposed to be.  I still sometimes get a little overwhelmed by all the material, and how long it takes for me to actually study it to the point where I can comprehend it and teach it to someone else. 

But, the hardest part about school is being in Columbia.  I am very homesick for Charleston.  It's where I grew up, and what I have know for most of my life.  I miss CofC.  Well, maybe not school itself there, but I do miss my Charleston friends big time.  Last year was such a fun year for me, and I made a lot of good new friends that year, people that I hope to keep in touch with.  I haven't found a core group of friends here yet, and I think that makes me miss Charleston even more.  It's hard for me to get close to people, mainly b/c I'm just a little shy when I first meet people.  Especially when I'm in a place where I don't really know anyone at all.  You people who are reading this know me well, and probably think I'm crazy for describing myself as shy, but I am.  So, to all the people in  Charleston  that are reading this, I love you guys, and miss you all very much! My roomate is great though.  We're very similar and get along really well.  She is one of the few things that is helping me get through.  Her and the Lord. A wise friend told me that God would provide me with a different but equally special and good fellowship here in Columbia.  And I know He will, and I am just trying to trust in that, and when people do come along, not be so missing my other friends and comparing them that I don't appreciate the new people I'm meeting. 

So, that's where I'm at right now.  Sorry if it's confusing and all over the place, but I'm just feeling a lot of different things.  Overall, I'm doing okay.  Some days are definetley better than others.  I love you guys, and you're all in my prayers!

Currently Listening Stop All The World Now By Howie Day She Says see related