Random Good News

Life has been full of random good things lately! Here's a taste :)

ICE CREAM

My grandmother sends me newspaper clippings from back home. Usually, she includes wedding announcements and local tidbits. This week I had the most exciting photo in the envelope! The ice cream cone on Hwy 77 is reopening! I can remember riding up to the giant ice cream cone and ordering the best ice cream a 12 year old can imagine! And it was less than a dollar! It certainly was a treat. The next time I go home, I'm going back. I love letting my inner child out!!

KATY AND PAUL

Two weeks ago I drove to Lakeland to visit Katy and Paul! I hadn't seen them since their wedding in early July. We had a wonderful weekend full of good food and lots of relaxation. Paul brews his own beer, and Katy has become quite the baker! On Saturday we participated in an autism walk around the lake. Later we stopped by a wine tasting and soaked in the pool. Spending time with them, and their new pug-Ducky, was just what the doctor ordered!

POST-EXAM

Another round of exams is over! This time they were split between Monday and Tuesday. I spent the weekend at Kelly and Miguel's house. I essentially move in when we have tests coming up :) But both cats now approve!! I'm officially welcome :) Even Scout comes downstairs when I'm over. After the test on Tuesday a few of us spent the afternoon at the pool. My new Victoria's Secret suit was a big hit. It's zebra! I love it!

On Wednesday we had our last bible study meeting. I'm sad the study is over but eager to put into practice what I've learned. I've been challenged, now I can't back down. I must be fully satisfied in God alone, everything else is the cherry on top!

Wednesday was also a very special day---it was my sister and my roommate's birthday! Unfortunately I couldn't celebrate with Eve in person :( Kristen chose On the Border for her birthday dinner! It was delicious! Melissa brought a homemade cake for dessert.

Thursday......Grey's Anatomy is back!!!!! Kristen I were literally on the edge of our seats. I know, it's a bit obsessive. But only one show holds that much priority for me. Why not Grey's Anatomy???? By the way, next week looks even better! You won't want to miss it!

Friday: Eve came to Gainesville!!!! Mosley seniors went to Grad Nite at Disney this weekend. AND they stopped in Gainesville for lunch! Eve and I had two amazing hours to eat lunch, chat, and shop! It doesn't get any better! It was a birthday celebration two days delayed!!

PARTY PARTY

This weekend we hosted a big party at our house! We had so many things to celebrate! Kristen AND Melissa both had birthdays, Melissa's done with class and moving on to her internship, Kristen's almost done with her first semester teaching and I'm almost done with my first year of med school! The food and drinks were delicious!!!! Kristen's 5-layer bars are always a big hit. Melissa made a cheese ball, and I put together Mexican pinwheels (tortillas, beans, cheese). Not to mention over 70 jello shots! Not surprisingly, we pulled out guitar hero! I'm slowly moving up to the hard level! That orange button is a killer! Of course the best part was having our close friends over. I'm so thankful for all of them! They keep me sane :)

MUSIC

Last but not least, this week I've been listening to a few amazing artists! You should check out their music!

Erin McCarley

Tristan Prettyman

The Reign of Kindo

And a few of the new Mariah Carey songs are actually good! Not like the old days, but still good :)

All thanks to No Doubt

Today I felt pissy. I was cranky and literally wanted to throw a temper-tantrum in the middle of the street. I came pretty close to screaming in biochemistry today. Whoever decided it would be a good idea to memorize every apoprotein involved in lipoprotein transport of lipids is INSANE. I hate every term I just listed. I do not need to know these endless facts to serve my patients. WHAT IS THE POINT?!?!??! Not to mention the busy work UF has decided to pile upon us this semester. Example: We each have to present one slide on a disease related to pulmonary physiology-that's 128 slides. Yes, you read that right. And my group of 8 was very demanding and bossy today. I wasn't in the mood. It's not a big deal; take your sentence and make a slide. On days like today I want to throw in the towel. But luckily I wasn't that rash.

Tonight we went out to eat for Melissa's birthday. After a delicious Mexican meal, Kristen, Melissa, Jcole, and I piled back into my mustang. While we were driving No Doubt came on the radio. We actually squealed with delight and threw inhibition to the wind. We sang at the top of our lungs.........."Don't speak! I know just what you're saying, So please stop explaining, Don't tell me cause it hurts!" It felt so good to just sing, to be in the moment, to forget everything. And now that I'm back in my room preparing to study, I actually feel better. The mountain doesn't seem quite as daunting. I won't let the system drain me. Deep down is still a girl who loves to sing at the top of her lungs. Thanks No Doubt, you rock.

Ice cream = independence

Last night I decided to go to TCBY.....all by myself, no good reason, just felt like ice cream. This may seem like a simple feat but yesterday it felt like quite the accomplishment. Last night I wasn't on a date, I wasn't meeting friends, I wasn't picking up an order for my roommates, I just wanted a delicious bowl of ice cream. And I went. I waltzed in amongst all the sorority girls and couples on dates and bought my ice cream. It was delicious. Independence is sweet.

Maybe I'll try going to a movie by myself next. Confidence can be exhilarating.

Welts and scrubs

I know.....weird title but it's what I'm thinking about instead of biochem :) This weekend I played paintball for the first time!!!! My friend Miguel, Kelly's husband, invited me to play with them on Saturday. At first I thought I better watch (to learn of course) but Miguel convinced me to play. I even had camouflage to wear! Thank goodness my classmates thought it was a good idea to buy long-sleeved camouflage UF MED shirts. I never thought I would actually NEED that :) We went to a paintball place in Newberry, about 20 min away. It was only 30 bucks for the whole day, including equipment! If only you could see me with that face mask and gun, I'm sure it was SUPER intimidating :) I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself for the first time. I'm not sure if I actually hit anyone but I did shoot a lot of paintballs. I was "good cover fire" according to the boys :) I did manage to crawl around Rambo style though so I was happy. The guys said they usually had no idea where I was :) As for the welts, I'm VERY proud! I only had a few "hits" (the paintball actually bursts), but unfortunately I had several deflections which actually hurt worse. I feel like I'm in water polo again, the more bruises you have, the cooler you are! I can't wait to go back!

Kristen and I made a very wise investment this weekend.........Grey's Anatomy Season One!!!!!! I love this show! I'm so hooked, especially on the first two seasons! It's encouraging to watch all the interns suffer through the first year. In a lot of ways, it's similar to starting med school and having NO CLUE what you're doing. AND since I'm seriously contemplating surgery as my specialty, it's inspiring too. Someday that could be me!!!! Here's my favorite quote for the day:

"I can't think of a single reason why I should be a surgeon, but I can think of a thousand reasons why I should quit. They make it hard on purpose... there are lives in our hands. There comes a moment when it's more than just a game, and you either take that step forward or turn around and walk away. I could quit but here's the thing, I love the playing field." Meredith

A good day.....

I was reminded today how much the little things matter. As most of you know, it's been a really hard week for multiple reasons, most of them personal. But on top of that, we had exams yesterday in biochem and endocrine physiology (EEK!) On one hand that was a blessing, I couldn't drink my sorrows away; I had to be FOCUSED. On the other hand, I wouldn't recommend having a personal crisis a few days before the test. BUT......now that's behind me, well at least the test. And surprisingly today was a GOOD day. It was unexpected but welcomed with open arms. Some of the things I'm grateful for:

1. sleeping in an extra hour!
2. a hard morning workout to get my heart pumping
3. McAlister's salad for lunch!
4. 3 hours tanning by the pool with Sonja!
5. lo-cal Bubble Tea
6. "Friends" episode with my roommates during dinner!
7. ordering sexy bathing suits from Victoria's Secret with my friends
8. a surprise kiss on the cheek from a dear friend
9. and last but certainly not least-a few moments doing my Beth Moore hw

I'll be looking for those sunny moments again tomorrow. Besides as Phoebe says, "it's all for the best!"
I'll try not to reply like her brother....."if by the best you mean INDESCRIBABLE PAIN!"