Prodigy?

Here is a video of a precious little boy I get to see each week at church. He loves music and his parents graciously recorded this clip for me - enjoy!

Busy Weekends

Last weekend I took a quick trip out to one of TX's state parks where gators abound. A group from our church volunteered at the city's food bank earlier that morning, so it truly was a marathon Saturday! So fun!


This weekend I'm here with a friend in Dallas. It's such a beautiful city, lots of cute shops, older homes, parks, and trees. I'm staying with a classmate and her family who live here. They are a wonderful Christian family who are more than hospitable.

Home for Spring

I had a wonderful time at home last weekend. I was able to return to NC and surprise Dad and everyone else. I made sure to take lots of pics to send to Mom in Singapore.
This was such a wonderful break from clinicals, short though it was.

Labor

This has been quite the weekend! Just now I’m finding a few minutes to write down my Sunday night feelings, and I warn you – this is a spiritual post and an honest one.

Let me be honest. Some days I find it difficult to love. Some days it is difficult to keep bitterness at bay and to remain a gracious compassionate human on this decaying planet. As I get older and my life has been seasoned with wise friends, I have learned that often I make my own misery. I worry over things that would be better left unworried over. I try to focus on not worrying about them, and end up worrying more. I get tired and start to see faults I never had seen before in others around me – faults that only my tired glazed eyes could conjure. To make it all worse, I do not heed the advice of my friends , screaming at me to slow down, to take one hour to rest and be still. Instead, I push harder until I am weary of myself and others. I’m incapable of sequential thought.

At times like these, my mind is so far gone that not even prayer will focus me again. How is it that I am so convinced of my own better judgment? Did not God give us the gift of feelings to be used? He gave us tiredness to know when our bodies need rest. Thirst to know when to drink deeply. Laughter to cheer our spirits. And still, I push some of his most precious gifts away.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

Lord, I admit I push too hard on my own. I do not prioritize my body or my gifts best to serve you. Worst of all I am guilty of not listening to your promptings in my life. I ask that you would fill me with rest and the discernment of wisdom to do that which serves you best. Be with me now.

Surgeon's Eyed View

Wow, so much has happened this last week! Let me fill you in.



Monday started off with an early rushed morning. I was off to the OR at 5:30am, for once during my time as a PA student this operation was on me. Leaving out most of the details, let's just say that local skin excisions can be quite gruesome when you are awake. That was a strange, almost out-of-body experience. Not that I regret requesting local anesthesia, the recovery time was awesome! I left the hospital resistant to the steel chair that wheeled me out, and the forced promise made to the surgeon to take ONE pain pill.... can I say I'm stuborn???



Tuesday I was sick of being knocked out by the medication, so I didn't take any and headed to work. I saw some great patients until the staff sent me home to rest. Wed. was the same, until I was heading home and got pulled over for my first speeding ticket EVER and another ticket for "not surrendering an out-of-state liscence". Since when does the latter count when you are an out-of-state student??? I digress... and will be calling a friendly traffic attourney.



Wed. evening was Bible Study, and studying for my exams. It was also my last day of work, and I was sad to see my wonderful preceptors at my Internal Medicine clinic for the last time (or maybe not since they've requested my resume when I graduate :-)



Thursday was early morning classes, presentations, and advisor meetings. Did I mention more, more, more studying?? It was also the first day I could remove my bandages and it felt so good to finally completely shower and change them with the help of a sweet friend. That itself was enough motivation to study for another 2 hours.



Friday (today) was another early morning. I got up, studied some remaining bothersome topics, and then headed off to school where I just finished taking my Geriatrics and Internal Medicine exams. Wahoooo! So nice to be done with those.



Tomorrow I have a 10k that unfortunately I have been banned from running in, so I'm going to go cheer my friends on. Then our school's annual fundraising ball in the evening.



Did I mention how blessed I feel, and how God's love has been showered upon me this past month? In the word's of Mary, "My Soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Isn't he wonderful? Thanks for the prayers and encouragement.



Love and miss you all, everyone wear your sunscreen!

Recent and Not-So-Far Travels

Earlier this month I traveled to beautiful historic Alexandria to a national meeting, where for once we actually go there early enough to play a bit... the city is absolutely beautiful, and I greatly enjoyed my time there and the brevity and efficency of the meeting itself!

And for the not-so-far travels... here are a few pics from a recent shoot of the city skyline. Enjoy!

The Short of It

New Weekend... New Look!

Thirteen or so inches later, and I love it! Never thought I would like short hair, but here you have it.

New Look

[Everglades National Park]

The blog finally has an updated look!

I've been wanting to do something different for awhile... I have to confess I still miss the black but change is inevitable.

My break has been marvelous! I'm so far away from the sterile white-coat environment (mentally and physically) that I don't even feel like a medical student anymore. Let me list a few things I've done thus far....



(1) A few initially hectic days of doctor's appointments, hurried (but great!) friend visits, and PICKING THE PADRES UP from the airport!


(2) Some much needed therapeutic riding with a very dear friend...


(3) Playing for a childhood friend's wedding


(4) Spending lots of time outdoors - hiking!


(5) Trip to a nearby cutsy historic town


(6) Being "Aunt Joy" :-)



(7) FAMILY TIME!!

And did I mention my Camera?!?! Sigh... I love my camera... And Dad's new lenses. Tomorrow we head to the orange state to spend time with my grandmother. More stories and pictures to come!

Done!!!

Exams are over, all I have are a few lectures this afternoon and then I'll be on a plane tomorrow evening coming and seeing all of you.... So HAPPY :-D

Can I come wake all of you up around midnight to say "HI" on sat. night????

Thanksgiving

This was my first Thanksgiving without family, and while not the same, I had a good day. I got up early and rode the rail uptown to volunteer at SuperFeast, which is a big event that feeds folks that otherwise would not get fed. It was great! The only problem was there were actually way too many volunteers and eventually I left because there wasn't enough to do.Early Morning Crowd Starting to Gather

Then as I was walking back I got to see the Thanksgiving Day Parade... you can imagine what my favorite part was :-) Miss these guys!

Around 1pm I was invited to a church family's Thanksgiving dinner and it was yummy! I got to play with their pet dwarf hamster - Tidbit. I was very thankful for the good company and invite.

Thanksgiving is my favorite time of year, but for the first time I'm finding myself looking forward to Christmas more. I miss my family and friends back in NC. This is going to be one busy month, I'm posting my to-do list below so I don't forget it and so each of you can hold me accountable :-)

- working, working, always working
- Research thesis proposal and IRBs due Friday
- 2 Speeches at Awards Ceremony- Friday
- Upperclass graduation- Saturday
- Finalizing Church's Singles X-mas Party- event Saturda... lots to do
- Studying for final exams- until next Thurs/Fri... exam days!!

FLYING HOME!!!!! when the i'll post a new list.