Goodbye 2009, You Were Good To Me.

2009 was a good year. A lot changed for me. I have a whole new life. I am in a place, I never imagined I could be. It is so funny how quickly things can just change and then feel like that is how they have always been. God has been good to me!

I am on my first (and only) real vacation in the first year of medical school. We get 2 weeks for Christmas and New Year. I just completed 4 months of school, but it feels like it's been years. I have to admit, medical school is difficult. They were seriously NOT KIDDING. I mean, really mentally exhausting. I'm not complaining really. I am very grateful to be here. I am simply acknowledging that it takes a lot of discipline, and honestly I am still adjusting to this new, intense lifestyle that it requires. I am still happy and I still love it. If it wasn't for some of the wonderful people I have come to care about, I would have reached my break point already. We all suffer together. We help each other along. We encourage each other. On days that I am strong, I help the weak around me, and on days I am weak, there is always someone there to lift me up.

I feel very blessed because I went to medical school thinking that the majority of the people there would be socially awkward, uptight, type A, and generally suck (and believe me, there are plenty of them out there), but I have met some incredibly cool people. Maybe it's a UTMB thing, but a lot of people are laid back, humble, and know how to have some fun! I love that about UTMB. I also really like living on an island and on the beach! I wake up every day to look out my window at the sun rising over the ocean. I have a great apartment with an amazing roommate! I am walking distance from the beach and absolutely take advantage of that! I especially love our post-exam beach parties. Galveston is pretty quiet, but that's sort of perfect for medical school. There isn't too much to distract you here in GBay, but it still has personality. Downtown and the Strand are fun. I kind of like that small town feel, but probably only because Houston is close enough for a fun night in a real city anytime. I am still close to my family and friends in Houston and see them often, which is really nice for those times when I just want to escape from the med school world. I really feel so blessed. Things could not be more perfect. Thank you, God!

I am looking forward to a New Year. 2009 was filled with lots of change and the unknown. Lots of uncertainty. Here's to 2010! Full of promise! May God guide us all as we devote our lives to Him and His glory.

Don't Worry, I'm 1/16th of a Doctor...

4 years minus 8 weeks to go.

Have you ever been incredibly nervous and unsure about something and then once you begin the process it just all feels so right? It feels like this is what you were meant to do. That's how medical school is for me.

At first, I was apprehensive about it. I wondered if it was the right choice for me. Do I really want to be in school for another decade? The minute I got here, all me fears were put to rest. Even though I have only been through 8 weeks, it feels like I've been here for years. It's funny how things seem to fly by when everything is so intense. They weren't kidding about the workload. There is really no time to spare, so every second is used to it's fullest potential.

You have to look at it like a career. The studying and the classes are my full-time job. And the thing that makes it great is that I am absolutely fascinated by what I am doing. I realize it won't always be that way, but for now it really is.

As of last friday, I finished the first block of medical school: GAR (Gross Anatomy & Radiology).I am 1/16th of the way there! Woooooooooo!

Amber Getting Married and Sev Getting Moving

I just spent the weekend in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for my college roommate's wedding festivities. What a blast! I saw a lots of old friends I hadn't seen for at least 3 years. It's amazing how many people are married, having children, and moving on in their lives in big ways. Congratulations Amber & Daniel!!!

I had so much fun seeing Amber and Kali. Even after being apart for so long, we pick right back up as if we were never apart. (I adore you guys.) In fact, this weekend ended up being the pick-me-up I needed. I came home with a load of new experiences, fun memories, re-energized, happy, and re-confident. I have such a blessed life and I am truly happy with where I am headed.

Now, I am ready to PACK, PACK, PACK and PLAY, PLAY, PLAY.

Moving to Galveston in 3 days!
Starting medical school in 2 weeks!

2 Weeks Left

I have exactly 2 weeks until the BIG MOVE. Everything has been building up to this point.
In 2 weeks, I move to my new apartment in Galveston to start medical school. A new life for me. Sigh.

Is that a dreamy sigh or an anxious sigh? I'm not really sure. Both, I think.

There's No Place I'd Rather Be

I have been home for one week today and it has been a fantastic week! To me, one of the best feelings in the world is coming home again. There are few things that can match it.

You FINALLY get through customs and walk through the automatic doors and you see the vacant expressions on the faces of your loved ones (who have been at the airport for close to two hours already due to your delayed plane). There is that moment when they see you and you witness the most beautiful thing you will ever see. Their faces completely change. They are overtaken with excitement and love. Pure, unadulterated joy. Another glimpse of God. It just oozes out of them. I am pretty sure I yelled "get out of the way" and ran over a few people to get to them. You experience one of the best hugs of your entire life...can you even call it a hug? It's just not a strong enough word. Embrace. Just holding each other so tight, making up for all the missed hugs while you were gone. There is not one thought in your mind except for the presence of the people you are holding. And when there are 6 of you in the family it becomes a strange, choreographed dance. You take turns, grabbing whoever is closest, re-hugging, adding an extra person here and there, a big group hug, then back to the singles. You are so overcome that you can't talk. So much joy that words don't come out, only laughter.

And I don't care how old you get (24!), there is nothing that makes you feel totally safe and relaxed like being in your dad or mom's arms. Maybe I am a little sentimental towards them, but when you have looked at their faces and legitimately had the thought, "I will never see them again," your outlook on everything changes. Thank you, heart surgery.

It is such a statement of love to miss someone. Such an honor. Before you leave, the people who matter would call just to hear your voice once more, then while you were gone they would facebook, email, and text you, just to let you know they missed you and were thinking about you. I was overwhelmed by the love I received. It reminded me of the hospital days. Then you come home and phone calls and visits come pouring in. Friends and family alike. Is there really a difference between the two? I am not talking about shallow, fair-weather friends here. I am talking the real thing. I appreciate you guys so much and I love you!

Travel is a beautiful thing. You have the best time abroad, but then you come home to an even better time. It truly makes you appreciate what you have. I truly feel loved and this affirmation of love that has been flowing from family and friends is exactly the strength I needed to get me through whatever trials lay ahead. The value of this life is measured in love and people and relationships (one of Jesus' main messages). I feel like one of the wealthiest girls on this Earth. I am so blessed!

European Adventures: Part 5...Adios

Happy 4th of July! God bless America and everyone in the whole world too!

Today is my last full day in Europe. We're leaving tomorrow. It's bittersweet because we are sad to leave (there is still so much to see and do), but at the same time we are really excited to go home. I miss everyone! I can't wait to see all of you!

Tomorrow makes it 3 whole weeks of European fun. I've had the time of my life. I saw some really amazing things, met a lot of cool people, and solidified some great relationships. In the end, that's what really matters isn't it? It's not what country you are in or what things you've seen, but it's really about who you're with and the connections you make. Relationships and people and love are really the only things that matter in this world. That is why I am actually ready to go back and see the ones I love. And show them the 1000+ pictures I've taken...:)

See you soon!

Happy 26th Anniversary, Mommy and Baba!

I love you!