So, I promised myself that this year I would update my blog. Not for anyone else, but to keep a record of how things were during med school, how it is being engaged and what I've learned so far, just life in general.
BUT... the rough thing about med school is that it seems that it consumes all of your time/energy and those times when you aren't pulling all-nighters, sitting in front of the computer watching lectures, going to labs, etc., you are busy with actual LIFE.
So, before I talk about anything else, here's what's been going on since Aug 13th (Wow, time flies around here!):
My little brother came down and stayed with us for a week. He is interested in writing news for a living, so Phil took Jacob to work with him one day and then we also were able to hang out and enjoy my brother's company. We were able to take him to the Art Museum, out to eat and all that good stuff. It was good having him around!
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| Phil at the art museum standing in front of a Japanese something or other, we felt we needed to incorporate Kiki |
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I had tests (like always) In the time since I last posted, we have covered Respiratory, Hematology, Renal, and are now in Cardio... yes, med school is hard, fast-paced, and EXTREMELY difficult to catch up on once you are behind. It's been easier this year, but is definitely still hard. I am learning even more than last year which is good but its still definitely something I have to force myself to do.
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| Yes this is actually what medical school studying looks like... FML |
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We also celebrated my 7th brain surgery anniversary and Joee's 3rd birthday! I can't believe that it has already been 7 years or how much can change in those 7 years. Who knew I would be in medical school in Texas, with the love of my life! God is so good and pours out so many blessings.
LOL. To celebrate, Phil made me a brain made out of Jello and Joee got a turkey cake with candles on it (Yes, we are "those" people, and I am OK with it)
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| Happy Birthday Joee!! |
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| My brain... made out of Jello (although that's how it feels most days after class anyway) |
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| Logan opening his presents! |
I also had the privilege of attending my cousin's son's 2nd birthday up in Austin. He is a cutie and I love that family. Although, (Let me preface by saying it was dark and I was in unfamiliar territory...) on my way home, I was trying to figure out where I was going and driving at the same time (DO NOT DO THIS!) and the lane ended. So, my car went flying into a curb, blew a tire and damaged the wheel. After replacing a tire in the darkest place someone could possibly create with a dead cell phone and spending 600 dollars to replace wheels etc, I havelearned my lesson. It is worth the time and effort to pull over to the side of the road. believe me, it is.
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Phil and I are definitely busy ones! In one weekend we went to two separate 2 year old bday parties (Molly and Micah... they were born on the same day), a going away party, worked at Games2U, and attended an Oktoberfest party all in one day. Then on Sunday, we got up and drove to Rockport for my cousin's baby shower. My guy is a trooper! And I love him!
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| Molly's 2nd birthday! |
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| Marcus's Oktoberfest party |
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| Our Class! |
Lindsey and I also started teaching our Anatomy and Physiology Class at a high school on Monday nights, we started with around 23 kids and now have 14 because apparently we are "hard and demanding". The kids who have stuck with it have learned a lot. I am really starting to get to know these students, learn about their high school drama, and counsel them on those issues when they feel like they can't talk to anyone else. I am young and not a "real teacher", so the kids are able to open up to me. It's a blessing and a curse... I do not want to hear who stole who's boyfriend and why yesterday your best friend is now your enemy. I will listen to why your parents kicked you out and give you advice on that. One lesson I have learned that high schoolers need strict boundaries! And that you don't give them candy at the beginning of the class period!
So far we have covered anatomy terms, chemistry, cellular structure, the integumentary system and musculoskeletal. The first test only 5 kids passed, and I'm in the middle of grading the second test so we will see how they do.
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I was also accepted to go to Haiti this January! It's something that I really wanted to do last year, but with everything that went on, I wasn't able to go. Now I head down there for a week in January. I can't wait to see what God has planned for me. Because, while I'll help a little, those who we treat will bless me more than I am ever able to bless them. It always works that way because God is completely opposite of the way this world thinks. It is beautiful. But!!! I am raising money for Haiti, the trip and medical supplies... and if you'd like to help, go HERE!!! Remember to put my name in the little box at the bottom!
We've also done a couple of other fundraisers aka bake-sales, Order-Up percentage nights, but our big fundraiser will be in December where we have a silent auction of different things that local businesses have donated. it should be a lot of fun and I am so thankful to those businesses that decide to bless others with their profits! The place I am getting married, Serengeti Resort, donated a night stay! I love working with and supporting businesses like that! Also, Bend the Light (my photographers) came out to Order-Up to support Project Haiti as well! I'm telling you best people ever to work with!
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Also, my friend Gaby had surgery again on he back. This time, however, her surgeon was knowledgeable, supportive, and cared deeply about Gaby's outcome. She was in surgery for something like 8 hours, but Dr. Cyr stayed in there til he thought that everything was perfect. I was definitely impressed with him (He's pretty adorable too). Before the surgery she came in to talk with the MS2's about her experience not as a med student, but as a patient with chronic pain.
I used to think that emotional pain was a lot worse than physical pain, that those who were hurting emotionally, were worse off than those hurting spiritually. However, that is not the case. God has designed us so that while we are on this earth, our bodies and our souls are intertwined. Those with physical pain suffer will also suffer emotional pain and those with emotional pain will feel physical signs of it as well. In the past year, two of my closest friends have faced probably some of the roughest times they will ever face in their lives. One suffered emotional pain, and the other physical, but in the end, they are both suffering the from both. I wish I could take Lila's emotional hurt away and Gaby's phyiscal pain, but I can't. All I can do is be there for them when they ask me to, God has to do the rest.
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| Phil eating fried beer. No joke. |
On a lighter note, Phil and I celebrated his birthday in style! We first headed to Athens (TX not the country, I wish... sigh) and went scuba diving for the day! This was my first time scuba diving outside of being certified and it was AMAZING! I love being under the water, navigating, checking out all kinds of cool things like sunken ships and buses. It was a lot of fun. From Athens, we traveled north to Dallas where we were able to see Phil's parents, some of his great friends, and a couple other relatives. We went to his grandparents' house for breakfast (so good), then headed to the state fair where Phil had fried beer and I stuck to a corn dog, and then ventured over to a place called Main Event. I had contacted all of Phil's Dallas friends and arranged it so they would all be there as a surprise. He was definitely surprised! It was such a satisfying feeling seeing how happy he was and what a great time was had :)
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Phil and I FINALLY had our engagement session with them and the pictures turned out beautifully. While I am super critical of my body, the pictures are great. I am so thankful to be working with such great people. Here is their professional blog and Here is the personal one on adoption.
These are some of my faves :)
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Phil and I also went up to a cabin with both sets of our parents (well my mom and Jacob). It was the first time that each of Phil's parents met my mom and vice versa, but it went GREAT! I adore my biological family as well as the one I am being adopted into and am gaining more people who love Phil and I. It is such a blessing!
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And then, for Halloween weekend, one of my FAVORITE people came out to visit me! LILA! We visited the Alamo, played in a corn maze, laid around the house and attempted to pass out candy (I turned on the long "porch light" so not many came by). It was refreshing to have her in town. I loved just being able to be myself with someone I have known since 2nd grade. I can't wait for her to come back.
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| Lila at the Alamo |
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| Dorks |
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| Nana bought her grandpuppies Halloween costumes lol |
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And here are just some random pics that I think are ridiculous/hilarious/embody my life...
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| Phil with a monster burrito from Freebirds... seriously? |
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| This is actually how I teach... they should have screened me before hand |
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| So lady-like... |
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| And pathetic.lol. |
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OK, now onto the boring/what have I learned, etc. part...
Phil and I have been growing closer and learning a lot by living together. It takes extreme will-power and, more importantly, the grace of God to live with someone and not sleep with them. While Phil and I are saving money by living together, it can definitely be hard. On the other hand, living with Phil has taught me so many problem-solving techniques. I've learned how he likes to be praised, how to best argue with him, and how to make-up cleanly. This is the first relationship where I can say that when we argue there is no yelling, bitterness, hurtful words, or anything like that and I am SO SO SO SO SO SO grateful for that! He is a wonderful man whom I come to love and respect more and more each day. I can't wait to call him my husband and am so thankful for this time we have where we are learning so much about each other every day.
On that note, God is definitely teaching me patience... in almost every area of my life. I have realized that I am a lot like a toddler, throwing tantrums when I don't get my way/have to wait. But I am finally starting to grow up a bit. I still throw tantrums, but I am also understanding that everything, I mean EVERYTHING, will work out in the end to honor Christ. How amazing is that? So although I may have to wait, I know that the waiting is worth it. That is a huge thing for me!
Phil and I have come into contact with so many great people lately. People who inspire us, make us want to seek God that much more. We have been encouraged by old friends as well as new ones. We are realizing just how blessed we are and with that comes a humbling reality that not everyone in the world is as blessed. God is opening our eyes to the poverty that is almost everywhere and that we are so blind to. He is showing us the need for such things as adoption and the beauty of giving. It has been great to follow so many people that are fully trusting in God and we are blessed to be surrounded by it.
On another note, I've been missing so many people more and more, that its become really hard. With saving for the wedding I haven't been able to travel and get my usual "fixes" of the people that I love. I miss my nephews and my sister more than I thought I ever could. I almost cry when I see photos of them because they are getting so big. I miss seeing Micah and being able to fly on a whim to go see whoever I was missing. I miss my two Bosnian drama queens who sometimes hate me but I love them nonetheless. And then there's Quichia who went from living in our house to half-way across the world (literally) in Japan. I most definitely miss her. However, Skype has been such an amazing tool to keep these friendships as amazing as they are. I'm learning what it is to be a grown-up, to have responsibilities and be accountable to other people besides yourself. It is an adjustment, but well worth it in the end. I am learning to rely on Phil for my companionship. I am learning that it is OK to be in a quiet house by yourself (well, with two sleeping dogs) and that it is OK to relax and to sit and study. That doesn't mean that my life will always be this way, but that this season of my life, right now, is.
I am learning about loss and pain and disappointment and failure, but also about redemption and healing and pride in the successes that we accomplish through Christ. I am learning that to truly appreciate those good times, you have to go through the bad, although I wonder why some people are tasked with more of the bad than others.
I'm learning what my high school teachers must of thought of me and how thankful I am that so many of my teachers stuck with me even though I squirmed and I talked out of turn and asked a gazillion questions and had run-on sentences that would last for a paragraph or two ;) Teachers are so amazing, have such a hard job and do it for so little! Honestly, they are my new heroes. Well, them and stay at home moms.
I'm also learning that prayer works! I know that everyone always says that it does, but Phil and I have been keeping a daily prayer log with an iPhone app and it has been amazing to see so many of those prayers come to life! How great is it to know that our prayers our heard and answered! Sigh... amazing.
Finally, Phil and I are learning (actively) how to give. How to support those who continually working for God, how to give to build wells and supplies that are so needed in other countries, how to plan for Haiti and give money to causes that are far more important than movies, or the next big Apple product (I know... that was a hard one to right). It is such a beautiful thing lately and I am so in love with Phil for learning this with me! Again... love songs do not even begin to describe what I feel for that man.
To end... Here are a couple of great places where Phil and I have started giving... And we have been so much more blessed than the people we are "helping". Again, God is funny that way.
One of our photographers and her husband are in the process of adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia, while they wait for their beautiful little girl they are raising money for two wells in Africa. You can donate here. And follow their story here.
Also Phil and I started supporting one of my college Navigators leader, Bryce Bouchard. He made such a difference in my life and God finally told me, why aren't you giving back to him. You know those people that you just walk away from going "man, that guy just encouraged me more than I've ever been encouraged". Well, he's that kind of guy and has had to pull back in ministering to students in order to raise funds... This is such a sad thing because he makes a difference in peoples' lives EVERYDAY. Anyways, you can donate to him here.
And, I am heading to Haiti January 1st. We are taking supplies and anything else that may help the people we will come into contact with and also giving funds to organizations who are in Haiti full time. Everyday, all the time, in the dirt and grim and grease giving everything they have to help these people (they are also my heroes). You can donate to Haiti and the trip here.
Oh and randomly... check this out! I am so proud of Mike Severson for starting this company... I know friends who are doing big thing and making big differences and giving back with their time, their work, and their money. What great people I am surrounded by!
Ha! I feel like I am soliciting donations left and right. I am not. That is not my intention. I just want people to know the great things that are going on and the opportunities that there are to give. It has blessed Phil and I in so many ways and we have barely scratched the surface.
Ok! I am going on a date with my amazing fiancé/roommate/best friend! What a wonderful life :)
P.S. I learned how to embed webpages! Why there are so many links in this post... lol
P.S. I learned how to embed webpages! Why there are so many links in this post... lol
