Inspired...

Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present. 

- Albert Camus

For some reason lately, I get inspired to write while studying at starbucks. Maybe it's the caffeine. Maybe it's the solitude even in a crowded room. Maybe it's the need for a study break. Regardless, it seems to happen a lot. (we will ignore the fact that that means I am at Starbucks "a lot"). 

Today, I am trudging through developmental biology and embryology. I began to appreciate what an incredible miracle it is for a child to be born healthy. Seriously, so many things can go wrong. Also, God is an incredible Creator. For so many different things to fall into place with such incredible timing and precision. It seriously is incredible. 

I also began to think about the future and what I want, as I often do when I am somewhat overwhelmed by school or a subject I am studying. But a good friend reminded me the other day as we were talking (at Starbucks, imagine that) that all those things will come, and they will be amazing, but I can't miss the moment NOW and what is happening and amazing and beautiful in my life NOW simply because the future seems "greener" at times. You have to care for the yard you have now, not the one that looks greener on the other side. I am so grateful for the people God puts in my life at times like these!

So live for today and have a wonderful weekend!

Real...

"Real is a hand you hold fifty-seven years. Real is a band of gold trembling with fear. It's the first long tear down an old man's face, watching his angel slipping away, his heart so broke, it's never gonna heal. I call that real."

-James Wesley

As I sit in Starbucks studying away on my snow day, this song popped up on my iPod. Sometimes I have moments in my life where songs literally stop me in my tracks.

I want to be that old couple. Less the "losing one and the other bring broken hearted part." I'm focusing more on the "holding hands and standing strong together for 57+ years" part here. That is beautiful and nothing short of an act of God in this day and age. And it stops me in my tracks. Whenever I hear a song about it, or see an old couple who clearly adore eachother, it brings me to the brink of years everytime. Love is such a beautiful, inspiring thing!

I hope each and every person that reads this finds a love like that.

Getting rid of distractions...

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”

-Alexander Graham Bell

I have given up Facebook. I know that our generation seems to rely on it for all things communication, but it is a HUGE time suck, and I do not have time to be sucked on pointless scrolling of the newsfeed these days. So forgive me friends, but i will NOT be responding via facebook for some time, at least until boards are over. 

I did not deactivate my account, as I could easily reactivate it whenever tempted to do so (which at first was about every hour). That would defeat the entire purpose of this little hiatus. So, instead, I have had my wonderful fiance change my password. And promise not to tell me (or anyone else for that matter) what it is. I think he took great joy in this as he strongly dislikes the amount of time facebook sometimes sucked from me. He probably took great pleasure in making up some wildly sarcastic password and having control of the monster that sometimes controls us all. Ha. 

So please feel free to call, or email, or text, or even post a comment or two here on the blog. Time spent here is more therapeutic and far less in volume of minutes :). 

Happy Saturday, enjoy the weekend!

I love plans...

Feb 22nd: NBDE Part I (BOARDS)

Feb 25th: Weekend Away in FL

March 2nd: ASDA Annual Session

March 13th: Spring Break in FL

March 19th: Bridal Shower!

May 12th?: Omaha!

I love making plans. & having things to look forward to beyond boards!!

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

-Oscar Wilde

I'm gonna let this one speak for itself today!

Happy Friday!

"The only one who can tell you 'you can't' is you. And you don't have to listen"

-Nike 

 

It's Tuesday. Tuesdays mean Crown and Bridge (aka Fixed Prosthodontics) ALL DAY. They mean 8 hours in the sim lab. They mean I come home tired and usually somewhat defeated because they usually don't run all that smoothly and result in a lot of unnecessary and overwhelming frustration. I usually give myself the night off and fail to do anything productive. I usually feel slightly guilty about that for the rest of the week. 

But today, I decided that Fixed Lab didn't get to win. I left, worn out as always, but instead of vegging on the couch for the rest of the night, I went to the gym for 2 hours. I did an interval class and a weight lifting class. I probably won't be able to move my legs tomorrow at 5:30 am when I am back at the gym, but it was SO worth it! I felt energized and renewed. All because I didn't let Fixed Lab get the best of me.

I think I've turned over a new leaf, and I like it!

So next time you feel defeated, remember the only one who can let you feel that way is you. And don't listen :). 

“Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.”

-St. Augustine

School has started. NBDE Part 1 Boards studying is in full swing (Mocks are this coming Wednesday). Yet, so far, I am totally okay with all of it. 

I started a new devotional. My sister actually recommended it. It is called Jesus Calling and so far, it is awesome. It is helping me to find peace and balance in an entirely new way and I love it. Highly recommend the book if you are in need of a devotional!

Wedding planning is on hold somewhat, but that is totally okay for now. One hurdle at a time. As soon as Boards are over, it will be full speed ahead on the wedding!

I have recently taken up going to the gym on a regular basis BEFORE school. aka around 5:30 am. While it was slightly rough the first few days, I am starting to really like it. a lot. My days start out on the right foot, I'm awake and alert when I get to class, and I have more energy. Plus, I get to spend an entire hour with my fiance, who is currently in the throngs of "busy season" as an external auditor (in other words, sometimes this is the only quality hour I get to spend with him).  Sometimes, I even make it to the gym again after school if I don't have too much studying to do! It's great and I am really looking forward to keeping it up!

The only other major news is that we got a toaster oven. Now, to some people, this is no big deal. Honestly, I have never had a toaster oven- prior to having one I was def one of those people that thought this was no big deal. But we got one at my bridal shower while in Kansas for Christmas. Let me tell you, if you have never seen a toaster oven's powers- you are seriously missing out. It not only toasts toast, it heats curly fries to lovely crispness in little to no time. It doesn't take 15 minutes to preheat like my oven from 1975 (okay, our oven prob isn't that old but it's def no where near new...). I've been told it reheats pizza to perfection- I will have to try this sometime and let you know. Basically, it is speedy, it times itself, and it's small and doesn't turn your apartment into a small sauna like the oven does sometimes. I am currently in love. I'll keep you posted as I continue to discover it's capabilities. 

On another note, the National Championship game is this Monday. My family is going and I am SO excited for them! My mom and dad didn't get tickets, they are along for the ride, but my sister and her boyfriend (who is THE biggest Auburn fan I have EVER met) did. It is gonna be wonderful for them and hopefully the Tigers will be eating Duck for dinner that night! WAR EAGLE!!

Happy Saturday. Enjoy today and take some time to appreciate the beauty, even of winter. Oh, and Happy Cam Newton Day (as declared by the Governor of Alabama!). 

WAR CAM EAGLE.