VIP #4 Court

Last year I started a series of blogs about the most important people in my life. They featured my best friend from high school, Tiffany; my Dad; and my Troy roomie, Ashley. I figured now was as good a time as any to add the next person to my VIP list. Courtney Bryant and I met during Rush at Troy. We, along with 2 other girls, were inseperable during Rush. Although the other 2 decided on KD (Love you, Tara), Courtney and I were die hard Phi Mu girls. We wound up in the same pledge class, and the rest is history. We spent a good part of our freshman year at swaps, socials, and fraternity parties. We had lots of late nights/early mornings at the Sigma Chi house, the Front Porch, and the Waffle House, the only place in Troy that is open past midnight. We stayed out too late and then dragged ourselves to class with no shower. We pre-gamed for football games, baseball games, date parties, and formals. We pigged out when Court's mom or Dad would come cook for us. We took many trips to Tuscaloosa (even when we forgot important things, such as IDs, in Troy...ahem).

We spent an eventful Spring Break together where there were lots of awkward seagulls, rotations, and Dirty Sexxy Mondays...not to mention plenty of summer denim to last us a lifetime.

When we graduated from Troy, leaving Court and my other close friends behind was one of the hardest parts. It's just not that often that friends come into your life that you feel like you've known forever and you could never imagine your life without. Those are the kind of friends who you can go a month without talking to...and then call and never miss a beat. They are the kind of friends who tell you what you need to hear, even when it may not be what you want to hear. You trust their advice because you know that they always have your best interest at heart. These are the friends you can talk to via facebook chat when you are sitting in class bored senseless...and the kind of friend you can text random song lyrics to, because you know they know what line comes next. They are also the kind of friends you can depend on to be there for you when life deals you a hand you never thought you'd be equipped to deal with. Court, you are one of the most amazing women I know. I will be forever grateful for God blessing me with our friendship. I love you :)

No one ever said it was going to be easy...

This is the week that never ends. I feel like Monday was months ago. I know that part of it is the fact that Spring Break starts Friday...9 whole days without having to worry about pulmonary function tests, interstital lung disease, ICM quizzes, CSTA meetings, etc., etc., etc. I'm excited about spending a week at the beach with my family and some of my best friends. I plan on lots of tanning, shopping, seafood, and catching up on sleep and gossip. That is, if Friday will ever get here.

This week has been one of the most taxing I have had in a long time...physically, mentally, emotionally. My brain hates me for cramming so much information into it. My thighs hate me because I haven't been to the gym all week. My kidneys hate me for the fact that I am currently keeping Diet Coke in business. I have been coughing my head off all week; a sure sign that my immune system is preparing for epic failure. I am trying to talk it into not bailing on me for at least 2 more days. I am mentally spent, too. I couldn't tell you a lung from a heart right now, but I'm hoping that getting some sleep is going to help me sort out all the million details in my head.

On top of all this other business, earlier this week there was an emotional day for me. I found out that a very sweet girl I know passed away in a car accident, along with her 15 month old little boy. Brittany Shepard was a beautiful person on the inside and out. She was a model Christian, an elementary school teacher, pageant queen, and a fantastic mother. I cannot imagine what her family must be going through right now, but they are most definitely in my prayers, and I ask that you keep them in yours as well.

Life is so precious, and we are never promised tomorrow. Brittany was taken from this earth on a normal Monday afternoon after work. It could have just as easily been me or you. Our lives can change in the blink of an eye, and I feel like sometimes I just walk around in a daze. I feel like it's time for me to start living with a purpose and stop just going through the motions. There are so many things I want to do with my life, and I feel like now is as good a time as any to get started...as soon as I get my Pulmonary final over. I hope you all have a blessed rest of the week. <3

"Life is too short to wake up with regrets. Love the people who treat you right, forget the ones who don't, and believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it'd be easy....they just promised it'd be worth it."

Just Keep Swimming...

I did it! I survived my first semester of medical school. If you can't tell by the lack of blogging I've been able to do, being a future doctor is rather time consuming. There really is no way to describe it to anyone who has never experienced it before. It's above and beyond anything I have ever experienced or could have ever imagined. I have never worked so hard in my life just to stay above water. I'm not going to lie and say there haven't been days...many days...that I have wondered if it was worth it or wanted to just throw in the towel. On those kind of days the two things that keep me going are 1) knowing that it will all pay off one day and 2) the people in my life. My family is supportive, as they have always been. They remind me of my capabilities and reassure me when I stop believing in myself. I have a fantastic, supportive boyfriend who understands that I can't come home every weekend or talk on the phone for hours at night. I have friends who tell me how much they believe in me. All these people love and support me unconditionally, even though they have no idea what I am going through.

There is a subset of people, however, who do know what I am going through. If not for those people, there would be no possible way I could ever make it here. It makes a difference to have someone to complain with, someone to help you when there are so many things you don't understand. They have been there for me to laugh with, cry to, to kick me in the butt when I am slacking, or to tell me to relax when I am on edge. They are also the people I let loose with when the studying is done--whether it is going out to dinner, concerts, sporting events, or just having a lazy movie night. In a way, it's like I have made a sort of family here. Sure, we may be a little dysfunctional, but we truly care about and want the best for one another. I believe with all my heart that these people will be some of my best friends for the rest of my life. I will be eternally thankful for them and all they have done for me <3

MS-1

So, it's been awhile...a long while...since I have had a chance to blog. On July 26th medical school started, and my life ended. Okay, not really...but I will have to say that school has been a hundred times more time-consuming than I had ever imagined. I've always been told you can't fathom it until you have experienced it, and now I can truly appreciate what those people meant! I have no doubt all this hard work is going to pay off one day, but it sure is stressful right now! The picture below is from my white coat ceremony on August 15th. That day was so surreal. I think sometimes it still hasn't sunk in that I am actually in medical school. I had an entire row of people here to see me that day. A special thanks to: Mom, Dad (even though he had a stomach virus and couldn't come to the actual ceremony), Bethany, Baylee, Ashton, Erin, Jerry, Aunt Glenda, Laura, Lane, Lake, Aunt Di, Uncle Jerry, Tim, Logan, Keely, and Lisa. You guys will never understand how much it meant to have you here!

Our medical school class includes some amazing people. I know I have already met people who will be my life-long friends. We work well together and we definitely keep things interesting! It's time for some sleep now...it's hard to come by these days. Thanks for reading, and please keep us all in your prayers this week, as our first test looms on Friday morning. The good news is that I am beach bound as soon as the test is over! Hooray for a long weekend and college football season! War Eagle!

Moving On...

Moving sucks. I have always hated it...and it's not just the fact that I am moving from the third floor at Creekside to the third floor at my new apartment (Dad was super excited when he discovered this); moving is always a bittersweet process, and this one will be no different.

I am really excited about moving to Birmingham. I have a fantastic roommate who is one of my very best friends. We have a really cute apartment in a place where I feel safe. Most importantly, I can finally begin to see all my hard work paying off. I've worked toward this since high school when I decided I wanted to pursue a career in medicine. My dream is coming true, and it is an awesome feeling.

However, I am also sad to leave Auburn. It is a wonderful place to live. It is so easy to take things for granted when you have access to them everyday...Pannie George's, for example! I have made some great memories and some great friends in Auburn. Wednesday nights at the Q will serve as some of the best times I had in college. Tailgating, having porch nights, cheap movie nights, and study break runs to Daylight Donuts or Cold Stone (until it closed...I'm still scarred). I also gained a new "family" this past year in an unlikely place--New Site, Alabama. There are some really special people there...people that remind you what being a good person is all about...people that will take you into their family and treat you like they have known you all their lives...people who will be there for you when you need them, no matter what time of day or night. My time with them won't be as frequent next year, but I will always stay in touch and never forget everything they have done for me.

In my old and wise years, I have begun to think people are lot like moving...you have to separate them into boxes. Your favorite things/your necessities...these things will always be with you, no matter where life takes you. Then there are the things you'd kind of like to keep around...just in case. They aren't things you need on a daily basis, but you know they will be there when you need them...and finally, some things seem to just get in the way and cause you more stress than they are worth. That stuff goes into the "Trash" pile :) I encourage you to survey the people in your life...and think about which box they really belong in.

In closing, I ask that you pray for our safety as we travel this weekend. Also, pray that my Dad doesn't talk me into leaving my furniture in Auburn and just sleeping on an air mattress in Birmingham...

Let Go and Let God

The song I have had stuck in my head for the past few days is a very fitting one for me. It is "Unanswered Prayers" by Garth Brooks. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in telling God what He needs to do and how He needs to do it, that I forget that He is the one in control of my life. You know, it's funny, when I look back on my life and some of the things I have prayed for, I know that if some of those things had come true, my life would be very different than it is today. I find comfort in knowing that one day, I'm going to look back on today...and know that everything that was going on in my life had a purpose. It's hard for me right now to see what that purpose is, but I am confident that there is one.

I'm a big fan of the song "Something Beautiful" by NeedToBreathe. I think it's because that's kind of how I have always envisioned my life--beautiful. I want an awesome husband who I am totally in love with...I want children, and I was to raise them in a Godly home. I want to be in love with my job and really make an impact on people's lives. I know that sounds like a lot to ask for, but is it really? I don't want to sound conceited but I think I deserve that! So one day when I have all that, I hope I can appreciate the bumps along the road to it!

Changing the subject now, I had a fantastic weekend! Friday night we had a sleepover at the cabin...Bethany, Ashton, Amellia, and I. We have a way of making any random night the most fun. I am so very blessed with the best friends. Saturday Bethany, Baylee, Ashton, and I met Tiff and her family in Destin and went to Big Kahunas for the day! Aside from Ashton's stalker, Ashton and Bethany wiping out, Ashton not having her ID...now that I look back, I think most of the problem's of the day were Ashton's...we had a really fun day! We went back to Tiff's condo and showered and met my parents at the Crab Trap for dinner. Today I spent some time with my grandparents and with my Dad to celebrate Father's Day. I am so blessed to have a Dad who has supported me in everything. As I have said before, I would never be where I am today without his emotional and financial support and encouragement. I love you Dad!!

In closing, I have a special prayer request. My Mom's mother, my Granny, has recently found out a leaky valve she has had for awhile is getting worse. If she doesn't have surgery to repair it, she is going to progressively get worse. She has decided to have the surgery, in hopes of improving her quality of life. She is in such good spirits about it...so optimistic. She has already overcome a stroke, a severely broken leg, and many other health problems. She is such a fighter! I hope to be like that one day. I am so proud of her. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated!

In closing, I just want to thank my friends...you know who you are...I couldn't get through life without y'all. You always know what to say or do to make me feel good or laugh. God truly blessed me with you guys. I love you! :)

Summer's Halfway Over!

So it has been awhile since I had a chance to blog...I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. So much for having a summer break! In all honesty, a lot of my "running around" has been fun stuff, though. Blonde Britney, Brooke, Tate, Drew, and I made a trip to Six Flags to celebrate finals being over. Brooke's brother met us there and we had a fun day of roller coasters...until the rain started...or should I say monsoon? We got to ride all the big coasters though. The park wasn't very crowded since the forecast called for an 80% chance of rain! The picture above was taken while we were waiting in line for Batman!

After the Six Flags trip, it was time for Bethany's high school graduation! I was very proud of myself...I didn't shed a single tear. I think deep down I know things are about to get a lot better for her. She's going to a great school (even if it is Bama) and she is going to have some great times there. I am very proud of her and all the things she has accomplished, but it's on to bigger and better. Here's a picture of us after graduation!

Next stop after graduation...tattoo parlor. Yes, you heard right. I got a tattoo. I still can't believe it either. It is something that is very special to me, though. Bethany and I both got tattoos of bumble bees...get it? Our names start with the letter B :) We told Baylee when she gets older she has to get the same one...we are still convincing her :) My sisters are the most important people in the world to me. We are SO close, and now we have something that will bond us together forever...because it's permanent...I'm still having problems coming to grips with that, too. But I do like it and I don't regret it. It didn't even hurt too bad, and I am absolutely terrified of needles. I was a big girl, though. I asked the tattoo artist for a sticker for being sweet...as you can tell from the picture, he wasn't very amused....

Last stop on our tour of my summer...BAMA JAM. This was the first time I had ever been to BamaJam, and boy was it an experience! I saw some interesting characters...caught up with some old friends...heard some great music...and have a few funny stories to tell. Although some people may view BamaJam as a big redneck festival (okay, somewhat true), they should remember it is just for fun. People wear cut-off denim shorts, cowboy boots, and plaid shirts because it's FUN. You actually look out of place if you don't have on something a little bit redneck. I'd like to give a shout out to Hope for letting me borrow her cowgirl boots :) They gave me a few blisters, but what the heck? They looked cute, anyway. I would also like to go on record as saying I did not participate in any mud or Jello wrestling events while said boots were being worn. While at BamaJam, I saw my future husband Kenny Chesney for the first time...he didn't disappoint! Train also put on a great show. If you get the chance to go next year, do it! It's something everyone should experience at least once. I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer! :o)