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)

All Good Things...

I don't want to talk about it...I don't even want to think about it really, but I know it will probably make me feel better so here it goes...softball season is over. And for the first time, looking forward to next season isn't an option for us or six other amazing young ladies. Getting put out at Regionals isn't what any of us wanted or expected. I can't tell you why it happened. I wish I knew, but so often I don't have the answers to questions like that. What I do know, however, is that I could not be more proud to be called a Kinston Bulldog. I would take being a fan of this team over whatever team wins the state championship. This year has been one filled with adversity, questions, and trying times, but the way this group of girls has fought through that and banded together to attempt to achieve a common goal has made me so thankful to be associated with them. For the Senior class, it is heart-breaking to end your career on a sour note, but I encourage you to remember all the fun times and awesome memories we have since your 7th grade year, which was my Senior year. Girls, that is the year that we put Kinston Softball on the map! We surprised everyone by beating Ariton on their home turf, then beating JU Blacksher in Kinston and making our first ever trip to Montgomery. You cannot begin to understand how much it meant to me that y'all did not quit on me after we got a disappointing second place trophy at the area tournament.
Be forever grateful that you had the opportunity to win a state championship ring. There aren't many people who can say that! I'd like to take a second to say something about each one of the Seniors, who will be greatly missed next year.

• Tiffany Wingard #16-Tiff, you moved here after I graduated to join this team so I never really got the chance to know you that well. You have been moved ALL over the field, from SS to third to catcher to left field, but you never complained. Your hitting improved leaps and bounds from last year to this year, and I know you worked hard on it in the off-season. You are a sweet girl, Tiff. Never lose your team player attitude!
• Amanda Crohn #2-Amanda, you also moved to Kinston after I graduated, but my family has grown to love you! You are such a good-hearted, sweet person. I remember when you first moved here and you were so intimidated by Ronnie and you just cried and cried and cried when he hurt your feelings :( But your skin thinkened and you have grown into an amazing softball player and I know you are gonna do great things in college. You are FULL OUT, WIDE OPEN all the time. I love that about you.
• Tasha Jones #10-Tasha, you were a huge part of the success of my Senior year. You and I ruled the right side of the field over there. :) My mom and your mom are two of the loudest, craziest fans anyone from the other teams have ever seen with those megaphones and shakers. I will never forget in the state championship game against Pleasant Home I was sitting with Mr. Coale. We were down and you had a base hit to right field to score two runs. I thought Mr. Coale was going to tackle me. I just remember him screaming "It's DOWN. It's DOWN!" You have been a huge part of this program ever since your 7th grade year, and it's going to be very weird with you not being there next year.
• Amber Jacobs #9-AJ, I'm so glad you decided to come back and play your Senior year. You did an awesome job in center field and I'm glad you finally got to get that homerun! You were also a member of the team when I played, and you have come such a long way since then. My favorite memory of your career is you catching that very last out against Pleasant Home in the championship game. The look on your face was shock and excitement. You slammed that ball into the ground and started jumping up and down. I will never forget that moment as long as I live!
• Whitney Hercus #00-Whit, girl one day I hope you learn to run with both arms! HaHa, but seriously Whitney, you are one of the sweetest girls I know. You have the best heart, and we could always count on you to be there for Bethany, whether it was her nurse or her counselor in the dugout. You came through for us so many times when you were called on to hit in clutch situations! Your mom is right in there with my mom and Tina with those shakers and megaphones. It won't be the same next year and I know you and I have talked about that already. You have what it takes to succeed in life Whitney. Never settle for anything less than you deserve and keep your positive, cheerful attitude. It puts a smile on people's faces, and that is a hard thing to come by these days.
• Erin Shaw #4-Ewin, my Dad and I were talking at the Elba tournament about how huge of a part you had played in the success of our softball program. You and Beth have come a long way from the old Liberty Belles days! I know that is only because of hard work and dedication. You are the kind of person who never goes at anything unless it's with your whole heart, and that is such a great quality to possess. I've already told you how much we appreciate the kind of friend you are to Bethany, but I don't know why we would ever doubt it for a second. I mean, you were wanting to bring her Kleenex to school in Kindergarten when she cried everyday. We should have known from that point that we could always count on you. I know that this is not the kind of season you and Beth had hoped for. As I said, I can't tell you why it had to turn out like this. Just know that the kind of person you are will be with you forever, while softball season had to end at some point. And the kind of person you are is going to take you anywhere you want to go in life! I know I will be seeing a lot of you since you and Beffy will be living together in college, so you won't be rid of me anytime soon. I love you, Erin!
• Bethany Holley #3-Here's where it gets hard. Beth, I first and foremost want you to know that playing softball with you my Senior year is what brought us to be as close as we are today. It moved us from that fussy sibling rivalry stage to the I would do anything for you stage. If that were the only benefit I had ever gotten from Kinston Softball, it would be enough. I know that softball being over is on a totally different level for you than it was for me as a senior, and I loved softball. Beth, the number of hours you have put into softball are COUNTLESS. I don't think people really understand the sacrifices you have made to get better, for yourself and for your team. Anyone who has anything bad to say about you, your work ethic, or your team-player attitude should be ashamed of themselves. For people to question your motives, to think that for one second you are a selfish person, it makes me furious. We will never fully understand the things that have happened to you throughout your career, Beth. Tearing your ACL, the way this season has gone, losing to Waterloo that year in the semi-finals...I won't lie, sometimes I have questioned God's motives behind all those things. I know I shouldn't and that all things happen for a reason but sometimes I can't help it. But memories of your softball career, all the way back from the Enteprise Rec League days, are some of our families best memories. We have made so many great friends through your travel ball days--The Phillips (even if they ARE from Ariton), the Byrds (even if they ARE from Pleasant Home)...just kidding guys...The Rowlands...Ronnie and Dawn...the Smartts...Uncle Sammy...the list goes on and on. All those people will be our life-long friends, and those people know the kind of person you are and they have so much respect for you. I will never forget traveling all over the southeast to watch you play...from the days you were so little that all you could really do was bunt...to watching you ripping balls to the fence in high school. I have watched you go from being scared senseless pitching against Vestavia Hills in the 7th grade, to being a strong, confident athlete who knew she could pitch against any team in this state. You have received some much deserved awards like All-State, State All-Tournament Team, the list goes on and on. The picture we have of you kissing that state championship trophy says it all. I have seen you do some very selfless things over your career, letting others be in the spotlight, taking yourself out of games when you knew your pitching wasn't going to cut it anymore. I know you ARE a team player Bethany, and anyone who has played with you could not argue with that. It's going to be a huge void in all of our lives not having that #3 on the field next season...it's hard to imagine Bethany Holley not playing softball. Bethany Holley IS softball. But Bethany Holley is a lot of other things too. You remember how I told you that after softball was over, all your other great qualities would still be hanging around? I was right: You are still beautiful, you are still intelligent (most of the time), you still have a great personality, you are still a generous, loving person, and you are still my hero. I love you more than life itself Bethany. You are my sister, and you are my best friend.

VIP #3...Smalls

Very Important Person #3 in my life...my partner-in-crime, Ashley Smallwood. Ashley and I met at Impact Orientation at Troy University. We immediately hit it off, and we have been friends ever since. We had several classes together and we even wound up living together my last semester in Troy. There's no way I could ever name all the memories we have together, but I will name a few of my favorite.

1. Pearl & Ruby--our kittens we had for a few weeks. Let's just say the potty training didn't go quite as well as we had hoped. Don't worry, we gave them to my grandparents, so they wound up in a good home. I guess we were unfit mothers.

2. Spring Break '09...Party of Five...Ashley "shaking what she got in those jeans"...all the guidos in Panama City...Candice's classic line "WHOA"...awkward seagull...Dirty Sexy Monday at Spinnaker...

3. The Front Porch--Enough Said.

4. On the way home from the Front Porch, or whereever we had been for the evening...decided whose bed we were going to sleep in that night. Don't get the wrong idea! I mean whether she and I were going to sleep in MY bed or HERS. If we slept on separate ends of the trailer we heard noises and got scared!

5. Us and Kirby making summer roadtrips to Tuscaloosa! SO much fun.

There are so so many more...Ashley and I are so alike in so many ways it is scary. However, it makes it great that we share the same taste in clothes and are the same size, because I know the clothes in Ash's closet as well as I know the ones in my own.

Ashley has been there for me through the ups and downs...and vice versa. We have listened to each other cry, and threatened to kill the person who was to blame. We were attached at the hip and when people saw one of us in Troy without the other, they were immediately concerned. We did everything but go to work and class together. We finished each other's sentences. We don't get to see each other as much now that our lives have taken separate paths and we are so busy all the time, but I know that if I need anything--whether it is to laugh or cry, or just talk--Ashley is just a phone call away. I was very upset Sunday night and when I called her it took 2 seconds for her to pick up on it and say, "Talk to me...what's wrong?" Friends like that don't come around that often...but I am very thankful to have Ash, because I know we will be friends forever!

The Week in Review

So it's been awhile since I had a chance to blog...it's a little thing called Finals Week around these parts. I have been working on the "crying" blog for several days now and just finished it, but I figured I would catch everyone up in the goings-on of my life. My very last two finals are on Thursday! That is when freedom arrives! I have my Personal Finance and Mammalian Physiology finals on that day. I have been holed up in my room studying ALL. DAY. LONG, so I figured I deserved a little break to get my thoughts out.

This past weekend was a successful one on the softball diamond. The Kinston Lady Dawgs won the area tournament, sending them to the Regional tournament in Gulf Shores next weekend. If we place first or second there, we move on to the Elite 8 state tournament in Montgomery. Softball season is winding on down...which means graduation is upon us :(

After the big win for the Lady Dawgs, we headed south to Panama City for Baylee's first 10 & under tournament of the year. Although we have some talent on our team, I figured it might be a rough first weekend since a lot of them had never actually played together. However, they wound up winning the tournament! We were so excited for them, as they beat a team who had won a big 10 & under tournament in Troy a few weekends ago. Baylee has come SUCH a long way since last season. She has been practicing so hard in the off-season on her hitting, pitching, and fielding. She is pitching a little bit, playing third base, and batting clean-up. This weekend she had a double, two triples, and several RBIs. Congrats 10U Southern Extreme! We are expecting many more trophies this season!

I suppose my break time is over now. I think I'm going to get some shut-eye so I can start back strong studying in the morning. Oh, in case you missed "The Hills" tonight, catch it one of the million times it reruns on MTV this week. Spencer Pratt has officially lost his mind. He is worshiping crystals, giving them as house-warming gifts, and saying they have changed his life. Blonde Britney, Kendall, Kaitlyn, and I think maybe he is talking about crystal meth, from the looks of his crazy eyes in this episode. I won't tell you any more...just take my advice and watch it. :o) Thanks for reading...wish me luck on my finals!

Letting the Tears Flow...

I'm not much of a crier...I never have been. I guess I should say, I'm not much of a crier compared to most girls. When all my friends were boo-hooing at "Titanic," I was laughing because I thought Leonardo Dicaprio looked like a rat sinking to the bottom of the ocean. Some things just don't hit that emotional chord for me like they do for other people. There are a few exceptions. When someone hurts my feelings, and I mean really hurts them, I cry. Whenever I think about Bethany graduating, I cry. But there are sometimes when I feel like crying, but I just tell myself to toughen up and not show my soft side. I'm so tired of that. Plus, it makes my throat hurt to hold back my crying. I don't like that either.



It's so funny that I have been thinking about crying, because in the book I'm reading, there is a chapter about it. It talks about how in our society, crying or showing emotion at all is a sign of weakness or vulnerability. But if we really feel emotionally attached to something, why should we hold back? Almost all of us know the shortest verse in the entire Bible..."Jesus wept." John 11:35. That verse, though short, says so much about the type of man Jesus was. He was human. He was not ashamed of his emotion, not ashamed of his tears. He did not try to hide from the crowd in order to cry...he didn't run to the bathroom or choke them back so his throat hurt...he let them out.

Blonde Britney and I often say we are a "package deal". We are always together, and we are so different in so many ways that we really balance each other out. Blonde Britney is the crier of the two of us. Sometimes she wishes she were more like me and let things roll off her back, but I wish I were more like her, not afraid to just LET IT OUT. I think I need to learn that I don't have to be so tough all the time. I guess I have a lot to learn from Jesus...and Blonde Britney.

Mindless Blog

So last night I took my Mammalian Physiology lab final. I am now two class days and two finals away from rounding out the semester. Since I am so mentally and physically exhausted from school, I figured I would do a mindless blog of a few interesting facts about yours truly:

1. I failed my drivers test the first time I took it. I drove on a curb in the parking lot...that's right, the PARKING LOT. I never even made it out onto the road. How incredibly embarassing. I think the very manly female police lady in the car with me made me nervous. Speaking of driving, I got my first ticket about this time last year for going 82 in a 70 on the interstate. I didn't see the problem since the car in front of me and the car behind me were obviously going the same speed as me...I told the state trooper that...I don't think he agreed.

2. Favorite holiday hands-down is Christmas. Like, I am so obsessed that I get on people's nerves. I start listening to my Christmas music on my iPod the day after Halloween (okay, let's be honest sometimes I listen to it all throughout the year...because it makes me happy). I drive my family NUTS wanting to do Christmas-related family activities like watching Christmas movies, going to see lights, baking, etc. My favorite Christmas movies are "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and "Elf". Favorite Christmas song: "Have a HOLLEY :) Jolly Christmas". Favorite Christmas Beverage: Aunt Peggy's Strawberry Ice Cream Punch.

3. I love to read, but it's mainly mindless stuff. I, like everyone else, am obsessed with the Twilight series, even though I swore I would never read them. I also love anything by Sophie Kinsella. As I have previously mentioned, I am currently reading God Never Blinks by Regina Brett, which is amazing. I also religiously read my Cosmo magazine, but the odd thing is that I always read magazines from back cover to front cover. If you notice I also always start my tests on the last page and work from back to front...I don't know...I'm weird.

4. I love to travel. My favorite trip so far was Vegas last summer. It was amazing and I would love nothing more than to go back. I also want to go to Hawaii, New York (between Thanksgiving and Christmas), Europe, a Red Sox game in Boston, among many other places. This past summer was my first time flying. I won't lie, I was a little skiddish EVERY TIME the plane made a funny noise or shook, but I think I could muster up the courage to do it again.

5. Although if you are reading this you probably know I have two little sisters, a lot of people don't really know how close I am to my family. I talk to my Mom and Bethany every day without fail. I also talk to my Dad and Baylee a couple of times a week. I go home A LOT, because I get so jealous when I call them on the weekends and they are all getting to hang out or do something fun and I'm missing out. There's never a dull moment at my house because there are always people coming in and out...whether it be Erin or Macie or Ashton "living" with us or Allen coming over to talk softball with Dad or boyfriends or family, it's absolute chaos and I wouldn't have it any other way.

6. I love sports...and when I tell you that I don't mean it like most girls..."I'm going to pick this team to like because they have pretty colors or because their QB is hot, or I love football season so I can get drunk and go to the games" I have been watching college football with my Dad since I can remember. College Gameday is one of the few shows I will watch religiously and when I hear that theme music, I get chillbumps. I want to BE ERIN ANDREWS. I can watch a game and everytime a flag is thrown, I know what it's for because most of the time, I saw it too. Holding, block in the back, pass interference...yes, I know what all that means. I love Auburn. I always have. I'm not really a huge NFL fan, but I do like the Saints. After football, baseball is my next favorite. Of course, I'm a Braves fan, but I also love the Red Sox and Jacoby Ellsbury :)

7. I have friends EVERYWHERE. My Mom always jokes that no matter where we go, I know someone there. If we need a scouting report for a softball team we are going to play, I have to get it because I know someone from everywhere. I guess that stems from Bethany playing softball with girls from a lot of different cities, then me going to Troy, taking a few summer classes at EOCC/ESJC/ESCC/whatever it is now, spending one summer in Tuscaloosa and one summer in Huntsville, and now coming to Auburn. It also makes it easier that I do not meet a stranger. I could talk to a brick wall...I get that from my Daddy. I feel like I can find something in common with just about anyone, so why not try to get to know them?

8. I love clothes and I am the most insane bargain shopper. People will always say how cute something is I'm wearing and when I tell them how much it cost, they don't believe me. I always get the same response, "I'm going shopping with YOU!" I love cutesy sandals. I love the way heels make my legs look, but I hate wearing them because I hurt my left ankle REALLY bad in 8th grade so it hurts it to walk in them. I'm obsessed with dresses. I probably have about forty. I love Victoria's Secret, too...and Ellie...and Private Gallery...I'll stop now.

9. I am really pretty organized. I try to function off a to-do list. My room never gets that messy because I believe in a place for everything and I TRY to keep everything in its place. I find it hard to study or sleep when my room is a wreck.

10. I love food. I am currently dieting, but I will always be a fat girl at heart. I will nearly always cave under the pressure of being tempted by my Auburn favorites: Pannie Georges, Veggies to Go, and Chicken Salad Chick. I am also obsessed with hot food. I LOVE jalepeno peppers, and I get my wings "Wild" at Buffalo Wild Wings. If it doesn't give me a runny nose, it isn't hot enough. I like Mexican, Chinese, and Italian. I also like sushi (not as much as Blonde Britney), and I love love love raw oysters. I also have a sweet tooth. Let's be honest, I don't discriminate against much food.

Hope this educated or at least entertained you. Sorry if you were reading for words of wisdom, my brain is too fried right now to provide you with anything!!

On a side note, my most favorite show, "The Hills", started back tonight. I watched it with my very good friend Kaitlyn. A few thoughts on it:

1. What do these people DO for a living? Just make public appearances? Who has time to go to "lunch" with your friend every day? Who has the money to fly to Miami for the SuperBowl just because you had the urge? Who can go to the bar every night? (okay, so I know plenty of people who do that).
2. Dear Heidi, You look scary. Don't worry though, now you match your hideous husband whose facial hair looks like a combo of peach fuzz and body hair from another part of the body.
3. Kristin...just because you got in late last night does NOT mean that, obviously you should wear your sunglasses. Face it, you're on crack.
4. Audrina...Brody is not "after" you because he likes you...you are the only one in your group of friends he hasn't had yet...it's called the thrill of the chase
5. Lo...I love you because you are blunt like me. :)

That's it for now :)

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step..."

We've all heard the quote, but have you ever thought about what it really means? When I got back to Auburn today, Blonde Britney had bought me a book I have been eyeing at Wal-Mart called God Never Blinks. If you have never heard of it...FIND IT...READ IT. I'm doing it, and I should be studying for my final tomorrow. :)I'm on Chapter 2 and I'm in love with it already. This particular chapter is entitled "When in Doubt, Just Take the Next Right Step". It sounds easy enough, but I am so oftentimes guilty of getting worried about how I'm going to handle medical school and if I'm going to get married or have kids and what I'm going to do this summer that I forget the most important step in my journey...the next one.

This chapter can apply to people in all kinds of situations...people who are trying to make a change in their life...trying to overcome an addiction...trying to plan their future...trying to forgive someone...trying to imagine what the future holds for them. As sad as it is, it's true that we are never promised another second on this planet, so maybe we should stop worrying so much about what the future holds and do the only thing we can do and that is to take the next right step. The book uses the analogy of driving at night. Your headlights can't shine all the way to your destination, but they shine just far enough ahead so that you don't get into trouble...and inevitably they get you to there.

We set out on journeys in life all the time...education, love, friendships...and sometimes we have to redirect our path because we realize maybe we have taken a wrong step...but that's okay because the beauty of your journey is that it is your own and you have the ability to take a few steps back and redirect yourself. And don't focus on how MANY steps it is going to take to achieve your goal or mend your broken fences. "If you want to lose 40 pounds, you order salad instead of fries. If you want to be a better friend, you take a phone call instead of screening it. If you want to write a novel, you sit down and write a single paragraph."

Whether your journey is a thousand miles or just a walk around the corner, I encourage you to take that next right step, and you might be surprised at what you accomplish when you reach your destination.

VIP #2

Time for the next Very Important Person in my life...my Daddy.
I had a terrible night last night and day today, so I decided to drive home, because it always makes me feel better. No matter what is going on in my life, my Dad always knows how to make me feel better. For instance, he knows when not to bring up what is REALLY bothering me, because he knows I don't want to talk about it. Instead, he tries to find ways to get my mind off things and make me laugh. When I got home today he had dinner waiting on me, and was constantly asking me questions about school and reminding me I am ALMOST officially in medical school. That's just what I needed. Not the same old same old "What's wrong with you, what happened?" etc. Don't get me wrong, I'm so thankful for everyone who has checked up on me over the past 24 hours. You all mean more to me than you could ever imagine and I love you all!!

A lot of people don't know how to take my Dad, because he is strong-willed...he has a temper...and he's not afraid to stand up for what he believes is right. He tells you what he thinks and doesn't try to sugar coat it. But anyone that TRULY knows him knows that my Dad would bend over backwards and do ANYTHING for the people who are important to him. He has devoted COUNTLESS hours of his time unselfishly to our family, school, work, friends, among other things. He is also one of the most generous people I know. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it...and everyone that truly knows him loves him for who he is.

I believe whole-heartedly that I would not be where I am today if it weren't for my Dad. He has always pushed me to do my absolute best, in sports, school, and life, because he knows what I am capable of. My parents were a little strict during high school, but looking back now I know that they only did it for my own good. It's amazing as you get older, you realize nearly everything your parents told you was right. Because when push comes to shove, they only have your best interest at heart.

People say that sometimes the only person a girl can trust with her heart is her Daddy...and if that's true then I think mine is in very safe keeping. <3

VIP #1

So, I'm having problems getting to sleep tonight and I'm obviously burnt out on studying...so I figured I would start my first blog in a series entitled VIP...very important people in my life. These people will be talked about in no particular order, just as they come to mind. One person I am so thankful to have in my life is my best friend from elementary school, high school, and my college roommate...Tiffany. It really is true that a good friend is hard to find these days. I know I'm guilty of becoming so self-absorbed or selfish sometimes that I'm not the kind of friend I should be, and it gets hard to keep in touch with all my friends who are spread all over the Southeast and beyond. However, it seems that no matter how long is has been since we talked, we can call each other or get together and it's as if we never were apart.

Tiffany and I became the best of friends in Mrs. Roberts' second grade class, and we were inseparable after that. Tiff basically lived at my house when we were in high school. We shared so many things together: making the JV cheerleading squad and having everyone hate us for it, battling head lice, heartbreaks, cheerleader camp in Tutweiler, and nearly getting attacked by a bear in Gatlinburg...but no matter what, we stuck by each other's side. I think with the two of us the saying really is true that one day you will look back on all the times you cried and laugh and all the times you laughed and cry. Anyone who knew us in high school can vouche that no matter where "Chanelle and Lashonda" were, something entertaining was going on.

Living in Troy together just added more fond memories like nearly getting thrown out of Hunter's Mountain because they wouldn't cut our grass. And every night at 10:00, no matter what else we had to do, we would crawl in Tiffany's bed with some kind of snack (usually nachos or macaroni and cheese) and watch an hour of Will and Grace before we fell asleep. I wouldn't trade all the memories we have shared for anything in the world. I'm thankful to have someone in my life who has always stuck by me and I know I can call on and she will be there for me in a minute. I love you Lashonda! :o)

New at This

So, I've never tried this blogging business before...but I figured hey, I usually have plenty to say, why not share it with the world? :) I have to say I have been inspired to create a blog by two beautiful people in my life...My "sister-in-law" Hope and my good friend Karis. They are both amazing women of God and I am very blessed and lucky to have known them. I was having trouble coming up with a name for my blog, however, so I asked my roommate (another Britney) to help. Knowing that if I could have one job on the face of the planet, it would be Erin Andrew's job at ESPN, she suggested "Broadcasts from Britt," and I found it very appropriate :) A note for the future: Since it gets very confusing with two Brittanys/Britneys living under one roof, I have been dubbed "Brown Brittany," while she is "Blonde Britney". Since she and I will be living together in Birmingham next year and she will inevitably be mentioned quite often, I figured I should go ahead and clear that up. Now Blonde Britney and I need to figure out what to do for dinner...more broadcasts to come later!