That small break in spring..

Well, I'm already in over my head with school and missing every moment of spring break! It was one of the best spring breaks of my life--for several different reasons. One of the obvious reasons being that it was a break from medical school and tests... the mental hiatus was certainly needed.

So what all did we do while we were there? I can't even remember everything we did, but I'll attempt to give a brief synopsis:

We did most of the typical touristy things you can do in Chicago. We went to the top of the Sears tower (Willis tower.. whatever), saw Lake Michigan, walked the Magnificent Mile, and ate deep dish. We visited several different museums:
The Museum of Contemporary Art (my definition of art was put into question... or maybe other people's definition of art should be put into question)
The Field Museum (saw "Sue" as well as some pretty cool diamonds--including one that was over 100 carats!)
The Art Institute (much more artistic in my opinion, and I was much more appreciative)
The Museum of Science and Industry (coolest museum I have EVER been to. I want to work there because they actually show people that science can be FUN!)
We also visited the Adler Planetarium, which taught me a whole heck of a lot about stars and Chicago accents.
Lincoln Park was pretty cool, and I thoroughly enjoyed walking around areas outside of downtown. I felt like I saw so much of the city, but there was still so much more to see.
We saw the cloud gate (aka mirror beany thing) and the really cool amphitheater right by it.

The food and company was the most amazing part. The weather was gorgeous and in the 60s all week until Saturday... when it snowed?! I could definitely go back up there for some more. It's a big city, but with people there that are down to earth and very friendly. On our ride to the hotel, we already had locals giving us suggestions on where to go or not to go. Not many people commented on our accents (thank goodness), and I hope I get the chance to go back up there soon!

Pictures soon....

Spring-a-ling break!

Spring break is finally here!!!!!!!!!!

This week has been on my mind since January... but more so these past 3 weeks than ever. Over those weeks, we've had 2 board exams, 1 cumulative final, 3 regular tests, and a practical. Histology and genetics are both finished, and physiology is mostly done. I guess this week marks the "M1.75" mark for all of us first years. It feels good to say that!

So what to do on a week off of school? Travel with 2 of my favorite people--Mom and Caitlyn--to the windy city! We'll be flying out early-bird early tomorrow morning and arriving in Chicago around 9. That gives us all afternoon, along with the rest of the week, to enjoy museums, tall buildings, deep dish pizza, and fantastic architecture. I've made a rather long list of places to visit and restaurants to enjoy--and hopefully still having plenty of time to get lost in the city. I think I'm most excited about taking pictures and seeing what life is like for people who live in the 3rd largest city in the U.S.

Can't wait to let my mind relax for a week! Enjoying spring already!

Rodeo!

I'm studying for my histology board exam, but I thought I'd update the blog real quick. This is a video from the rodeo I went to on Valentine's day and here's a video of the best bull rider at the rodeo! Glad I went.. can't wait for next year. I'm dressing much more appropriately this next go 'round.


This second video was pretty cool because you can see how dangerous these bulls are even after the bull riding is over!

Schnee!

Well, here I am up late, for no reason. Typical. You'd think I'd try to go to bed early so I can get up at a normal hour. It's true that old habits die hard. One day I'll have a normal, adult sleeping schedule.

Tonight I do have somewhat of a reason to be up... and that reason is SNOW. And quite a decent amount, I must say. We've had classes cancelled so I get the whooooole day off. To study. Either way, I'm not skipping class this time. Plus, there's no new information for tomorrow = good possibility of catching up :)

This weekend should be a fun one. I'm planning to go see Valentine's Day (not exactly my choice) in honor of such a ..... "beloved".... holiday. Then Saturday night will lead to a night of salsa dancing (weather permitting) and Sunday will be the best day of all. No, it's not because its Hallmark Card day. It's because I'm going to the rodeo. Yep yep. My first time to experience the Dixie National Rodeo here in Jackson. It should be quite an adventure as I've only seen one rodeo before. I'm not your typical southerner in that respect.

Hopefully this weekend will be quite funfilled, as it's my last duty-free one until spring break. I can handle it though. Speaking of spring break--Mom, Caitlyn, and I are reuniting and heading to CHICAGO! more to come on that later. Merry Valentine's to all!

for you, Germany

I am getting ready for bed so that I can get up and study more about the kidneys (trust me, you should looooove your kidneys for all they do). For some reason, I started feeling nostalgic for Germany.

I miss it. I can't believe I can actually say "this time last year..." about Germany. What? How? When did that happen? On Feb. 1 (guess it's really the 2nd), 2009, I was in process of learning the beautiful city of Dresden--learning places, people, customs, and culture... and still there is so much I didn't learn. Not until after I left. I pray for you Dresden, and for the Dietz family, and for Amy, because they are doing amazing things in that beautiful city.

Every time I think about that place, and those months, I tear up. Tears of joy? yes. Tears of sorrow? yes. Tears for fears? no. I changed because of you, Germany. I changed because of what God wanted me to do and become and see and believe because of you Germany. And I am forever grateful for you, Germany.

STILL here

Yes, I am still alive, and I still use this blog. I realized its been over a month since my last post and I know the 5 people that read this are dying to know about my life, right? yeaaah, don't think I wanna know the response to that.

Either way, I am still here, back in school after a lovely 2 week break. We started on January 4, and things are much, much different this semester. Instead of having hours upon end of several different subjects, we've been focusing mostly on one subject: physiology. And we didn't have a test for the first three weeks of class. How can this be?

While it was all wonderful to not have tests, our first test ended up covering 26 lectures (ouch) so the whole catching up aspect was a bit intimidating. Fortunately, our next test is next week only a fewer amount of lectures. On top of that, we have a 3 day weekend this weekend. I've been able to talk to my friends and see them much more then last semester. I've taken breaks and actually had time to catch up... why, this semester seems much more promising!

I don't have much else to write about here. Just wanted to check in and prove that I still use this blog. Hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of 2010!

And one last thing....... GO COLTS!!

M1.5

I made it! I finished it. Stick a fork in me--I am d-o-n-e.

I am officially on Christmas break and let me tell you--this is going to be the most cherished break I've had in life, so far. I have already spent a day doing absolutely nothing and loved every second of it. My week includes activities such as reading for pleasure, going to our local coffee shop and drinking my favorite white chocolate mocha, seeing friends who were kind enough to remain my friends after my semester long hiatus of friendship... you get the picture.

You know, it's weird to say that I'm IN med school now. I feel like I've talked about wanting to go.. or "I'm starting in the fall"... that the fact that I'm done with a semester (supposedly the worst of them all) is surreal. I guess I really will have the letters that aren't just letters at the end of my name: M.D. How crazy is that?

I'm excited to see familiar faces over the next 2 weeks--from faces of people that I haven't seen since BEFORE I went to Germany to some that I haven't seen in a few weeks. A lot has happened throughout this year, more so than I think any other time in my life. So many chapters in my life closed and opened, and its hard to believe it happened in such a short amount of time. God keeps me going through all the changes--good, bad, and ugly. I can't wait to see what He wants me to do as time goes on.

Another thought is I have bought a grand total of 2 Christmas presents so far. It's actually quite embarrassing. I blame it on school :) I hope to brave the crowds tomorrow or Wednesday to find what I need. For now, I need to figure out what I need. Yikes. In conclusion, merry Christmas. I hope your heart, feet, and other all body parts are warm as this winter chill is settling in--even in Mississippi!

here are a couple of shots from my first night of freedom: a tacky Christmas party at my house!