I'm laying in bed, snug as a bug in a rug- no thoughts of guilt, no places to be. I just can hang out all day. Clean up. Pack. Reorganize. A great day ahead.
Our tests were pretty gross this semester. On the whole, the classes weren't difficult. The teachers threw curveballs on the final exams... without giving us a curve. There were a few moments of rage/tears/sadness and many moments of defeat and stress. It'll turn out okay. I think.
Yesterday we had our last final at 8 am. We had a double whammy on Tuesday, so studying Tuesday night was nearly impossible. My roommates and I made the terrible mistake of flipping the tv on and discovering that the Madonna and Brittney Spears episodes of Glee were on. Even after the shows were over, I could not look at printed words. I decided to go to bed and get up early. I've been setting early alarms and running through the material before going to take the test- which works pretty ok as long as I have hot fresh coffee in my hands. I get to the test, and thankfully I brought reading glasses to help becuase it was crazy long. It was for our Evidence Based Medicine course. She handed out a 12-page 75 question test with a separate reading packet- equally as long. It reminded me of taking the ACT. One of my favorite Peds docs was walking through the lobby outside the test as we were finishing, "I haven't seen you guys this happy in a LONG time!!" No ma'am. You have not.
After the test, I ran out and grabbed a few gifts for roommates. Jessie has been "feezin cold" all week "I don't know how people live like this!" (low of 25 degrees). I got a cute hat (with ear flaps and braids) at Target and then found a (sort of) matching scarf/glove/hat combo at NY&C. She loved it. I got Kaila some jewelry. She liked hers a lot as well.
Last night we had some friends over for a potluck. I prepared a sangria that had time to yummify over night. SUPER yummy. Here's the "recipe" that I, of course tweaked: Citrus Rum instead of the brandy and apples instead of grapes-- things I had on hand. I also whipped up some mashed 'taters (from Dad's garden) and some deviled eggs-- that I forgot in the fridge- so if anyone wants one (or two) come on down!! OH Almost forgot. I made Chicken Dip. Mom used to make it when my friends would come over in HS. A nice gooey chicken/chiles/cheese/ and various forms of cream (sour, cheese, celery soup). So many other wonderful dishes!! We also did a Grab Back/Dirty Santa gift exchange. I ended up with a nice tin of ghirardelli squares. holla! Sam brought Apple Pie- the drink-- we celebrated the end of the year with a few shots of that sweeet sweeeeeeeeeeeet business.
Tomorrow we three girls are traveling a far... OK not really. We're going to NASHVILLE! We're hoping to do a little sight seeing and then go to see GARTH BROOKS in CONCERT!! I don't even know what else to write. IT'S GONNA BE AWESOME. I'd better find my battery charger for my camera. Then Kaila and I will drive back to MEM to fly out Saturday morning. I found cheap (ish) tickets non-stop into Omaha by lunch! Whirlwind of awesome. Hopefully the weather cooperates.
ok. probably better do laundry. i think i've had a load in the dryer (dry) since saturday...
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
december.
dr. newman reminded my roommates and i that "it's the MOST WONDERFUL time of the year." in real life, i agree. however in school life? not so much.
real life = a group of friends got together saturday night and decorated cookies, drank cider, and i watched the husker game as well. we had fun... decorating anyway. i think they got a kick out of me yelling and kicking and grumbling under my breath... ah well.
school life: = finals.
gross.
needless to say, i was not very productive over thanksgiving break. last week, i had my final theory lab practical, so i was dilated every day which makes studying (and frankly, doing anything) nearly impossible. so this week, is cramtime. we had a test this afternoon which went ok, i guess. personally there were some pretty dumb questions, but whatever. i'm sitting in an ok spot in all my classes. i wish i was sitting a little better so that i didn't have to worry as much about a grade- ok fine. i will pass all of my classes with flying colors-- it's just i'd really like to pad the ol' gpa a little as next semester will be a bear.
all this to say, prayers are greatly appreciated.
back to learning about stereopsis and the joys of binocular vision...
real life = a group of friends got together saturday night and decorated cookies, drank cider, and i watched the husker game as well. we had fun... decorating anyway. i think they got a kick out of me yelling and kicking and grumbling under my breath... ah well.
school life: = finals.
gross.
needless to say, i was not very productive over thanksgiving break. last week, i had my final theory lab practical, so i was dilated every day which makes studying (and frankly, doing anything) nearly impossible. so this week, is cramtime. we had a test this afternoon which went ok, i guess. personally there were some pretty dumb questions, but whatever. i'm sitting in an ok spot in all my classes. i wish i was sitting a little better so that i didn't have to worry as much about a grade- ok fine. i will pass all of my classes with flying colors-- it's just i'd really like to pad the ol' gpa a little as next semester will be a bear.
all this to say, prayers are greatly appreciated.
back to learning about stereopsis and the joys of binocular vision...
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
election day... guatemala.... other thoughts...
so today was election day. my roommate voted when she was home for the weekend. i did not vote, for the first time since i was able to. i did not request an absentee ballot. i was thinking about it as i was brushing my teeth a little bit ago. some of the reasons: 1. i do not watch the news. 2. i read the sports section/big red today section only on omaha.com. 3. what tv i do watch, tends not to have political campaigns (tlc,foodnetwork, tlc) 4. the little tv i do watch that has political commercials are tuned out as i don't care about tn politics AND commercial time is prime study time. :) my roommates and i were discussing politics briefly- and we determined that 'kids' our age tend to vote fairly liberally as we are in college and have little 'at stake' with taxes/property/responsiblitiy etc- which i think i had heard/talked about before. it'll be interesting to see if my generation will continue to vote liberally (the ones that do, anyway)...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
new topic.
mission work.
our chapter of 'fellowship of christian optometrists' is going to guatemala in may to give eyecare to people down there. i am very interested in going, but haven't felt the strong nudge to go/not go yet. so i would appreciate prayers for guidance. the part(s) that are making me apprehensive are - cost and going to a different country-- and, i'd be missing luke's graduation. (though, he said he couldn't be upset with me if i wanted to "help poor kids see." the deposit is due on friday... go figure, i'm waiting until the last minute to make my decision...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
do you ever feel like you just need a break from certain people? ugh. some of my classmates are getting on my nerves, to put it nicely. it's time to get away from them for a while. thank goodness the holidays are coming up!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
new topic.
mission work.
our chapter of 'fellowship of christian optometrists' is going to guatemala in may to give eyecare to people down there. i am very interested in going, but haven't felt the strong nudge to go/not go yet. so i would appreciate prayers for guidance. the part(s) that are making me apprehensive are - cost and going to a different country-- and, i'd be missing luke's graduation. (though, he said he couldn't be upset with me if i wanted to "help poor kids see." the deposit is due on friday... go figure, i'm waiting until the last minute to make my decision...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
do you ever feel like you just need a break from certain people? ugh. some of my classmates are getting on my nerves, to put it nicely. it's time to get away from them for a while. thank goodness the holidays are coming up!
Monday, November 1, 2010
i turn to the kitchen to spice up my life...
school? blah.
creating and experimenting in the kitchen? awesome.
try these for a wonderful twist on a beloved fav--- PORK CHOPS-- no, no applesauce here!!
I'm eating one leftover on a salad: spinach, gala apples, baby portabella mushrooms, pecans, chunked leftover chop, and a drizzle of strawberry balsamic ---
creating and experimenting in the kitchen? awesome.
try these for a wonderful twist on a beloved fav--- PORK CHOPS-- no, no applesauce here!!
I'm eating one leftover on a salad: spinach, gala apples, baby portabella mushrooms, pecans, chunked leftover chop, and a drizzle of strawberry balsamic ---
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
great day
the day started, waking up, feeling rested (what?) and my hair was looking good. i went to bed with it wet and so i had some wave to it. i added some more waves with the help of my 3/4" curling iron. i was to school by 8:15 and then went to a study room to prepare for the test this afternoon. i checked my email and gchated with a dear friend, natalie. school was long and blah, but then, after my test had a missed call from another dear friend, tia. we chatted. and i prepared dinner: a sun-dried tomato herbed pork tenderloin, baked potatoes (from dad's garden to the oven), and california blend veggies. i called grandma mary to see how her back injections went and ask her advice on how long to bake the potatoes. it was so great talking with her. now, i'm full, finishing my glass of white merlot and getting ready to enjoy reeses's ice cream and a movie with my roommates- new and old. :)
love you all.
oh, and the test went okay. i think. :)
love you all.
oh, and the test went okay. i think. :)
Sunday, September 12, 2010
baking...
I'd love to bake. and bake. and bake.
I discovered baking blogs this summer while I was at home.
The Pioneer Woman Blog is great. I made this blueberry crumb cake for a breakfast with my bible study gals. Delish.
PW introduced me Joy the Baker. Holy Cow. This pancake is perfect in every way. And I just pulled these out of the oven.
Since moving back, I've baked every Sunday. It might become a tradition.
I discovered baking blogs this summer while I was at home.
The Pioneer Woman Blog is great. I made this blueberry crumb cake for a breakfast with my bible study gals. Delish.
PW introduced me Joy the Baker. Holy Cow. This pancake is perfect in every way. And I just pulled these out of the oven.
Since moving back, I've baked every Sunday. It might become a tradition.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
second year
i'm nearly 2 full weeks into my second year.
i know how to use a Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope-- this model is currently my fav---
Heine Omega 500 UNPLUGGED baby--
(cue Tim the Tool Man grunt)
i'm drinking my coffee black. i'm telling people where they can find things. i'm experienced. i know things. it's so weird. a year ago, i was lost. i didn't understand people- 'you di'nt bring none of dis widja didja'- i was weirded out by memphis. now, i just say "oh memphis".
we are building on the knowledge we acquired last year- which, yes, is the goal. i'm taking more pathology and pharmacology (grosssss) but also taking Binocular Vision, Pediatric Optometry and Vision Development, another Theory and Methods course, Ophthalmic Optics and Environmental Vision, and an Evidnece Based Medicine course.
i'm super excited that we have a different instructor for Bino this year, as the man who used to teach it got relieved of his teaching duties. Dr. Cisarik is soo cool. she knows her stuff and can teach it - Steinman knew his stuff but couldn't bring it down to our level.
Peds is good so far. i'm a little worried about when we switch professors. currently, we have "young, hip, dr. smith" teaching us... soon we'll have an older faculty member teaching- who, is a brilliant man, but i struggle seeing how he works well with children. it'll be interesting.
the other courses are ok- nothing too exciting. BUT our evidence based medicine is a bunch of hooey. ba-lo-ny. the textbook is entitled: "Studying a Study Testing a Test". ok whatever.
i love my new apartmet. my roommates are great. i purchased curtains and throw pillows and made my room feel more home-y. it's good to be back. except that i have to study again.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
3 weddings leading to a lot of thoughts
As I look back at the last few weeks I've realized that I've become one of "those girls" that I'd never thought I'd become, and yet, I'm the same girl...
I flew home for a wedding a couple weekends ago, arriving a couple hours before the wedding and flying out the next day. Who does that? I never EVER thought I'd be "that girl" who just "flies in" for the night.
The following weekend I drove from Memphis to Shreveport LA to visit a friend and her little family in their new house en route to attend a friend's wedding in Dallas. I drove to Dallas and around in Dallas like it was no one's business. I didn't even get stressed out about it. Then I drove north through OK, KS and then back to the good life via highway 81. I put on a total of 1375 miles in the span of 4 days. I called a friend in Wichita. We ate ice cream. He called me letting me know of weather that was brewing on the western part of the KS/NE border- so I attempted to outrun it- picking up the speed a little and altering my route attempting to avoid it by listening to KS/NE rural radio and pestering Dad on Father's Day in order to get his expert navigational/weather reading skills.
I had a conversation with a dear friend in Dallas late at night which got me starting to think. She told me how I reminded her of her mom who had grown up in a small town in Northeast Nebraska and is now a very successful carreer woman in a city in TX. She told me that her mom loved going back home and was sometimes wondered whether or not she should have gone back to the town that "built her."
This past weekend one of my best friends from high school got married. Vel's bakery catered the wedding- it's where her dad goes for coffee every morning. Her sister-in-law made the cake. The Pastor who married them has known her since she was in elementary school. The girls she babysat were junior bridesmaids. My mom made mints. A gal from her church made the punch. It was so simple.
Before this week, I thought, that there was no way in a million years that I would come back to Wayne. In returning home, even just this week, I'm starting to change the way I feel- while driving through the storms around York/Columbus knowing to go to KZ-100 for good weather reports, stopping for a Runza in York for comfort food on the drive back, being able to walk home for lunch, leaving for church 8 minutes before 10 and getting there 5 minutes before Mass starts, having middle and high school teachers who come in for eye exams ask where I'm at and how school is going, recieving warm smiles and howsitgoings? from people who just recognize you but know you look familiar, double takes when telling people you knew pretty well at one point that you now live in Memphis (Like, Tennessee?!?), getting hugs from the older women at church saying they are glad I'm back and ask if I'll be playing the organ, recieving offers to go "check cows" from old friends but having the offer [somewhat, jokingly] taken back because I don't like beer that much, leaving belongings in plain sight in my car and not worrying that someone's going to break into it, being able to charge things to an account when picking up something for work. Someone who I had never seen before asked me who I was and then asked if I was ever in the musicals in school. I told her I was. She then said it was a middle school production, which my class was the last class to do it, and said- It WAS you- you had a solo. Turns out she wasn't even from Wayne, but she was at the play for something to do and remembered me, 10 years later. It's home. I love it.
Is it who I am and who I will be after school is done?
or is it who I was and I am now "That girl" who drives to Dallas and flys back for a wedding?
or is there a way to have it both ways- a girl with roots that has big wings as well?
people ask where I think I'll end up after school. God willing- I'd live to end up back in the midwest. While I thought I didn't want to come back to Wayne, who knows. It really isn't as bad as I rememebr, but then again, I've only been back a week. I don't want to go to chain stores to pick up things I need. I'd love to be able to walk into the drugstore to pick up an Rx and have the high school girl at the front counter know my name, have my kids be teased by the grocer as we walk through the produce aisle like I was, get hugs from the elderly parishoners after Mass, give/recieve food when someone is sick or has died, etc. But I love the opportunities and wide variety of things a larger community has to offer: theatre, musical events, shopping (!), things to do in general.
can I have my cake and eat it too?
good thing I have at least 3 years left to figure it out.
next post will be about the weddings. this one is long enough.
I flew home for a wedding a couple weekends ago, arriving a couple hours before the wedding and flying out the next day. Who does that? I never EVER thought I'd be "that girl" who just "flies in" for the night.
The following weekend I drove from Memphis to Shreveport LA to visit a friend and her little family in their new house en route to attend a friend's wedding in Dallas. I drove to Dallas and around in Dallas like it was no one's business. I didn't even get stressed out about it. Then I drove north through OK, KS and then back to the good life via highway 81. I put on a total of 1375 miles in the span of 4 days. I called a friend in Wichita. We ate ice cream. He called me letting me know of weather that was brewing on the western part of the KS/NE border- so I attempted to outrun it- picking up the speed a little and altering my route attempting to avoid it by listening to KS/NE rural radio and pestering Dad on Father's Day in order to get his expert navigational/weather reading skills.
I had a conversation with a dear friend in Dallas late at night which got me starting to think. She told me how I reminded her of her mom who had grown up in a small town in Northeast Nebraska and is now a very successful carreer woman in a city in TX. She told me that her mom loved going back home and was sometimes wondered whether or not she should have gone back to the town that "built her."
This past weekend one of my best friends from high school got married. Vel's bakery catered the wedding- it's where her dad goes for coffee every morning. Her sister-in-law made the cake. The Pastor who married them has known her since she was in elementary school. The girls she babysat were junior bridesmaids. My mom made mints. A gal from her church made the punch. It was so simple.
Before this week, I thought, that there was no way in a million years that I would come back to Wayne. In returning home, even just this week, I'm starting to change the way I feel- while driving through the storms around York/Columbus knowing to go to KZ-100 for good weather reports, stopping for a Runza in York for comfort food on the drive back, being able to walk home for lunch, leaving for church 8 minutes before 10 and getting there 5 minutes before Mass starts, having middle and high school teachers who come in for eye exams ask where I'm at and how school is going, recieving warm smiles and howsitgoings? from people who just recognize you but know you look familiar, double takes when telling people you knew pretty well at one point that you now live in Memphis (Like, Tennessee?!?), getting hugs from the older women at church saying they are glad I'm back and ask if I'll be playing the organ, recieving offers to go "check cows" from old friends but having the offer [somewhat, jokingly] taken back because I don't like beer that much, leaving belongings in plain sight in my car and not worrying that someone's going to break into it, being able to charge things to an account when picking up something for work. Someone who I had never seen before asked me who I was and then asked if I was ever in the musicals in school. I told her I was. She then said it was a middle school production, which my class was the last class to do it, and said- It WAS you- you had a solo. Turns out she wasn't even from Wayne, but she was at the play for something to do and remembered me, 10 years later. It's home. I love it.
Is it who I am and who I will be after school is done?
or is it who I was and I am now "That girl" who drives to Dallas and flys back for a wedding?
or is there a way to have it both ways- a girl with roots that has big wings as well?
people ask where I think I'll end up after school. God willing- I'd live to end up back in the midwest. While I thought I didn't want to come back to Wayne, who knows. It really isn't as bad as I rememebr, but then again, I've only been back a week. I don't want to go to chain stores to pick up things I need. I'd love to be able to walk into the drugstore to pick up an Rx and have the high school girl at the front counter know my name, have my kids be teased by the grocer as we walk through the produce aisle like I was, get hugs from the elderly parishoners after Mass, give/recieve food when someone is sick or has died, etc. But I love the opportunities and wide variety of things a larger community has to offer: theatre, musical events, shopping (!), things to do in general.
can I have my cake and eat it too?
good thing I have at least 3 years left to figure it out.
next post will be about the weddings. this one is long enough.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
a taste of home
home is so close i can feel it. and it is making me really anxious and not able to focus.
a bunch of different things are frustrating me right now. it is more the amount of little things i need to do before i can go home. it's weighing me down and distracting me and other things that have been bothering me for a while are becoming amplified.
this weekend i was looking at the food in the freezer- what i need to eat in the next week-- chuck roast. oh yeah. it's been in the crockpot since 8am with wine, celery, basil, onion, thyme, oregano, and my fav- garlic. it smells so yummy. kaila's making rolls. i think leigha's making spuds.
maybe, hopefully, it'll help me focus for a little longer before i get to go home.
pharm test tomorrow. prayers appreciated.
you know those commercials for bladder control (detrol), asthma (spiriva), etc? and they mention the mechanism... yeah. that's what we're learning--- antagonist/agonists/effects/side effects/ contraindications... it's a blast, let me tell you.
omaha friday to celebrate the Blessed union of Natalie and Dan. Praise.
a bunch of different things are frustrating me right now. it is more the amount of little things i need to do before i can go home. it's weighing me down and distracting me and other things that have been bothering me for a while are becoming amplified.
this weekend i was looking at the food in the freezer- what i need to eat in the next week-- chuck roast. oh yeah. it's been in the crockpot since 8am with wine, celery, basil, onion, thyme, oregano, and my fav- garlic. it smells so yummy. kaila's making rolls. i think leigha's making spuds.
maybe, hopefully, it'll help me focus for a little longer before i get to go home.
pharm test tomorrow. prayers appreciated.
you know those commercials for bladder control (detrol), asthma (spiriva), etc? and they mention the mechanism... yeah. that's what we're learning--- antagonist/agonists/effects/side effects/ contraindications... it's a blast, let me tell you.
omaha friday to celebrate the Blessed union of Natalie and Dan. Praise.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
i should be pharming now...
It's 92 degrees outside. Earlier the heat index was 98. Now, it's "cooled off" and only feels like 93. Gross. I can't wait to go back to Nebraska, where I thought summer was bad. Turns out it wasn't.
I'm having one of those days where I feel disconnected from home- even though I've talked with my mom at least once a day (more like 2 or 3) since Wednesday. I feel like I don't know what's going on. Ok. So I really do know generally what's going on, but I just feel disconnected and way too far away.
I've missed 4 bridal showers. 3 for girls whose weddings i'm in. one of which happened to be yesterday.
I just got off the phone with my bff from high school who is getting married June 26. I'm her MOH. I haven't done squat to help her- I warned her when she asked me, but I still feel bad. It's really hard not being there to help her with things that a MOH should? She is a "take care of things herself" kind of girl, but still-- I'm planning (or at least attempting) to plan a bachelorette party. Let's be honest. I hate drawing attention to myself and my group. I also hate making decisions that affect a whole group. I also hate disappointing people- I'd hate to throw my best friend a horribly lame party. I don't know the other BM very well- or frankly, at all.
As much as I hate those things,thinking about it is more fun than studying pharmacology.
in two weeks, i'll in the middle of my northward trek back home.
on a happier note: i kicked my pathology test's hiney on wednesday. hopefully it wasn't a fluke and i can do it again on the final path test next week and the upcoming 2 pharmacology tests... I suppose I should go study now.
I'm having one of those days where I feel disconnected from home- even though I've talked with my mom at least once a day (more like 2 or 3) since Wednesday. I feel like I don't know what's going on. Ok. So I really do know generally what's going on, but I just feel disconnected and way too far away.
I've missed 4 bridal showers. 3 for girls whose weddings i'm in. one of which happened to be yesterday.
I just got off the phone with my bff from high school who is getting married June 26. I'm her MOH. I haven't done squat to help her- I warned her when she asked me, but I still feel bad. It's really hard not being there to help her with things that a MOH should? She is a "take care of things herself" kind of girl, but still-- I'm planning (or at least attempting) to plan a bachelorette party. Let's be honest. I hate drawing attention to myself and my group. I also hate making decisions that affect a whole group. I also hate disappointing people- I'd hate to throw my best friend a horribly lame party. I don't know the other BM very well- or frankly, at all.
As much as I hate those things,thinking about it is more fun than studying pharmacology.
in two weeks, i'll in the middle of my northward trek back home.
on a happier note: i kicked my pathology test's hiney on wednesday. hopefully it wasn't a fluke and i can do it again on the final path test next week and the upcoming 2 pharmacology tests... I suppose I should go study now.
Monday, May 24, 2010
giving life
donating blood.
my dad has donated gallons of blood in the last two decades. it's something he does as often as it works out in his schedule and as much as he is allowed. i'm not certain as to how he got started- but i remember growing up and seeing the neon elastic band around the punture site and his sticker that read "be nice to me, I gave blood today." maybe he just wanted us to be nice to him once in a while, so he gave blood.
in high school, when we had our blood drive, it only seemed natural that i do it as well. what's the worst that could come out of it? sure, you feel a little woozy afterwards but then you get juice and a cookie, not to mention a free meal at subway complements of STU.CO. i continued to give in the summers- dad and i would go to the hospital or fire station and race to see who could give the fastest. he always won (not by much, though)... i've gotten away from it going to college. it disappoints me and i'm going to do better.
your blood is given to someone who needs it. you lose a pint. to you, a healthy person, it is so little. to a sick person, it is so much.
organ donation.
when i turned 16 and got my license, i said YES to organ donation. my mom didn't get it at first. she told me she didn't want them to "cut me up" after i had died. "it's weird, ash." i explained to her: but. what would i do with them? wouldn't it be good to give someone else life?
newest to me is: bone marrow donation
did you know there is a national registry that you can be a part of?
a family friend is suffering from multiple myeloma. they are praying for a bone marrow match as his only chance. they've tried so many other treatments- approved and experimental. he is a fighter. still working on his farm as much as he possibly can- more than he should, that's for sure, but it's what keeps his spirits up- that and his wife, 4 kids, and 2 granddaughters. his second daughter will be married in august. she's graduating from PA school this month. she posted a link last night on facebook. they are sending me a kit to swab my inner cheeks in the next 7-10 business days to be typed and processed to join the registry. maybe i'll be a match for dan. maybe i won't. hopefully someone will be. and maybe i will for a stranger who is special to someone else.
if it's God's will.
consider it. there is someone out there that might need you. what do you have to lose?
my dad has donated gallons of blood in the last two decades. it's something he does as often as it works out in his schedule and as much as he is allowed. i'm not certain as to how he got started- but i remember growing up and seeing the neon elastic band around the punture site and his sticker that read "be nice to me, I gave blood today." maybe he just wanted us to be nice to him once in a while, so he gave blood.
in high school, when we had our blood drive, it only seemed natural that i do it as well. what's the worst that could come out of it? sure, you feel a little woozy afterwards but then you get juice and a cookie, not to mention a free meal at subway complements of STU.CO. i continued to give in the summers- dad and i would go to the hospital or fire station and race to see who could give the fastest. he always won (not by much, though)... i've gotten away from it going to college. it disappoints me and i'm going to do better.
your blood is given to someone who needs it. you lose a pint. to you, a healthy person, it is so little. to a sick person, it is so much.
organ donation.
when i turned 16 and got my license, i said YES to organ donation. my mom didn't get it at first. she told me she didn't want them to "cut me up" after i had died. "it's weird, ash." i explained to her: but. what would i do with them? wouldn't it be good to give someone else life?
newest to me is: bone marrow donation
did you know there is a national registry that you can be a part of?
a family friend is suffering from multiple myeloma. they are praying for a bone marrow match as his only chance. they've tried so many other treatments- approved and experimental. he is a fighter. still working on his farm as much as he possibly can- more than he should, that's for sure, but it's what keeps his spirits up- that and his wife, 4 kids, and 2 granddaughters. his second daughter will be married in august. she's graduating from PA school this month. she posted a link last night on facebook. they are sending me a kit to swab my inner cheeks in the next 7-10 business days to be typed and processed to join the registry. maybe i'll be a match for dan. maybe i won't. hopefully someone will be. and maybe i will for a stranger who is special to someone else.
if it's God's will.
consider it. there is someone out there that might need you. what do you have to lose?
Saturday, May 22, 2010
laundry
Sometimes I feel as though I'm one of the laziest people on earth. Especially when it comes to laundry.
Generally, I like doing laundry: folding, hanging up, organizing drawers, closet etc. I dislike dirty laundry laying around. BUT when there are "other things to do" I let it slide. Why? I don't know. It's not like it will take any longer to hang it up/put it away/throw it in the hamper the first time than it will to maneuver around it. My mind plays tricks on me. "You reaaally should do x. It's more important than dealing with your laundry." It's dumb, and rather annoying especially when piles build up all over my small little room.
I like ironing too. Weird, I know but with a good hot iron and a stack of fancy clothes that need a little TLC, I know I'll look good in the end! but I also feel like I'm wasting time doing it- especially with one or two items.... I recently purchased a new pair of shorts and wore them once- to a smoky place, so I had to wash them again before I can wear them again. I pulled them out of the dryer and they were a crumped icky mess. So I'll have to iron them- which is exciting and dreadful at the same time. This morning I "ironed" the cuff on a different pair of shorts with my flat iron. I think my mental conflict (of like/dislike) stems from the hassle it takes to actually start ironing- and the awkwardness of the tabletop ironing board. gross.
this post was essentially pointless. and very ridiculous.
Generally, I like doing laundry: folding, hanging up, organizing drawers, closet etc. I dislike dirty laundry laying around. BUT when there are "other things to do" I let it slide. Why? I don't know. It's not like it will take any longer to hang it up/put it away/throw it in the hamper the first time than it will to maneuver around it. My mind plays tricks on me. "You reaaally should do x. It's more important than dealing with your laundry." It's dumb, and rather annoying especially when piles build up all over my small little room.
I like ironing too. Weird, I know but with a good hot iron and a stack of fancy clothes that need a little TLC, I know I'll look good in the end! but I also feel like I'm wasting time doing it- especially with one or two items.... I recently purchased a new pair of shorts and wore them once- to a smoky place, so I had to wash them again before I can wear them again. I pulled them out of the dryer and they were a crumped icky mess. So I'll have to iron them- which is exciting and dreadful at the same time. This morning I "ironed" the cuff on a different pair of shorts with my flat iron. I think my mental conflict (of like/dislike) stems from the hassle it takes to actually start ironing- and the awkwardness of the tabletop ironing board. gross.
this post was essentially pointless. and very ridiculous.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
st. lucy patroness of the blind and eye doctors
Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let the light of our Christianity illumine our daily lives. Please help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation -- every corner of our day. Amen
so many states!
phew.
it's been a whirlwind of 2 weeks. after finals jessie and I jumped into her yellow suv and headed out- through mississippi, alabama, georgia (commemorated with peach shakes from chik-fil-a), and south carolina. we were greeted with open arms by her bf kyle. and then we went to the ocean. it was dark. but it was soo gorgeous and calming. every care and stress in the world evaporated with the roar of the ocean in my ear, crunch of shells under my feet and tickle of salt in my nose. i attended mass at Our Lady of the Sea the next morning, ate a Bo Jangles chicken biscut (better than chik-fil-a!) went for a ride on the elmore's boat "like eye care" up/down the intercoastal waterway. some of the houses over looking it are absolutely gorgeous. we ate the most delicious fresh (fried) shrimp and hussssh puppies. i think they were more like circular mini funnel cakes- dip them in honey butter mmmm mmm mmm. calories didn't count on my trip.
the rest of the week we hit up the beach, walking, reading, coffee at java joes (waaay better than starbucks), outlet malls, more seafood, a couple dance clubs, and slept. as much as we wanted.
glorious.
the drive back wasn't good. wasn't bad, but it was sad to leave. we then had 2 days of class.
basic pathology and pharmacology. grosss
then i flew home over missouri, illinois, iowa, maybe some others to NEBRASKA
i had a lovely time with a good friend friday night- sushi and drinks and then headed home.
home.
a wonderful place.
i got to see my preschool teacher, many of my high school teachers, my piano teacher, one of the little girls i babysat since she was a baby, a few high school friends, and a good chunk of my family. my family. i love them. they are some of the craziest, stubborn, loving people that can cook. daaang. can they cook. i couldn't resist. tuxedo brownie tarts, gramma cake, cream cheese mints, TATO SALAD, grilled pork sammys, mmmmmmm mmmmm mmmmm
i woke up sunday morning with a terrible stomachache- so much delicous food! it probably didn't sit well, but i think it was more that i didn't want to come back to memphis. AND THEN they buried the crappy keyboard from the church at home. i can't wait to play it this summer!
4 more weeks.
4 more tests.
7 mini practicals.
2 weddings.
and then home for the rest of the summer!
it's been a whirlwind of 2 weeks. after finals jessie and I jumped into her yellow suv and headed out- through mississippi, alabama, georgia (commemorated with peach shakes from chik-fil-a), and south carolina. we were greeted with open arms by her bf kyle. and then we went to the ocean. it was dark. but it was soo gorgeous and calming. every care and stress in the world evaporated with the roar of the ocean in my ear, crunch of shells under my feet and tickle of salt in my nose. i attended mass at Our Lady of the Sea the next morning, ate a Bo Jangles chicken biscut (better than chik-fil-a!) went for a ride on the elmore's boat "like eye care" up/down the intercoastal waterway. some of the houses over looking it are absolutely gorgeous. we ate the most delicious fresh (fried) shrimp and hussssh puppies. i think they were more like circular mini funnel cakes- dip them in honey butter mmmm mmm mmm. calories didn't count on my trip.
the rest of the week we hit up the beach, walking, reading, coffee at java joes (waaay better than starbucks), outlet malls, more seafood, a couple dance clubs, and slept. as much as we wanted.
glorious.
the drive back wasn't good. wasn't bad, but it was sad to leave. we then had 2 days of class.
basic pathology and pharmacology. grosss
then i flew home over missouri, illinois, iowa, maybe some others to NEBRASKA
i had a lovely time with a good friend friday night- sushi and drinks and then headed home.
home.
a wonderful place.
i got to see my preschool teacher, many of my high school teachers, my piano teacher, one of the little girls i babysat since she was a baby, a few high school friends, and a good chunk of my family. my family. i love them. they are some of the craziest, stubborn, loving people that can cook. daaang. can they cook. i couldn't resist. tuxedo brownie tarts, gramma cake, cream cheese mints, TATO SALAD, grilled pork sammys, mmmmmmm mmmmm mmmmm
i woke up sunday morning with a terrible stomachache- so much delicous food! it probably didn't sit well, but i think it was more that i didn't want to come back to memphis. AND THEN they buried the crappy keyboard from the church at home. i can't wait to play it this summer!
4 more weeks.
4 more tests.
7 mini practicals.
2 weddings.
and then home for the rest of the summer!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
well THAT's embarassing
i have a ginormo red eye... like as red as my husker shirt. from overwear of contact lenses because of studying... it's odd because its only in my left eye- you'd think that it would affect both equally. i've been a naughty girl and sleeping in them- but was told by doc when he fit me that i could, so... i did. it's embarassing to be in optometry school with a red eye because of "cls abuse"
worst part:
i can't wear cls to the beach.
the 4th years are back from externs to graduate tomorrow. they look like doctors. literally. and i just look like the "stupid freshman" who doesn't know how to take care of her own eyes... not really, but i feel like being dramatic. ; )
best part:
dr. newman said it's just inflammatory (no cooties!) and gave me some steroids to put in it.
i'm on the roids abbreviated FML. ha.
one more tomorrow...
then. paradise.
back to the physiology of the eye...
worst part:
i can't wear cls to the beach.
the 4th years are back from externs to graduate tomorrow. they look like doctors. literally. and i just look like the "stupid freshman" who doesn't know how to take care of her own eyes... not really, but i feel like being dramatic. ; )
best part:
dr. newman said it's just inflammatory (no cooties!) and gave me some steroids to put in it.
i'm on the roids abbreviated FML. ha.
one more tomorrow...
then. paradise.
back to the physiology of the eye...
Saturday, April 24, 2010
TWIST on oatmeal raisin cookies
I've been wanting to bake... big surprise, right? I was craving oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, but decided that I would eat too many of them, soooo I found this recipe which seems a little healthier. There isn't any eggs nor butter in them. They are made with applesauce instead. I ended up eating quite a bit of dough- no salmonella! Just out of the oven, they kinda taste pasty, but as they cool, they taste pretty good... ok. need to get out of the kitchen and stop eating them AND hit the books again for a little while.
prayers would be appreciated for
1) sanity while studying
2) patience with classmates/profs
3) peace during/after tests
prayers would be appreciated for
1) sanity while studying
2) patience with classmates/profs
3) peace during/after tests
Sunday, April 18, 2010
two weeks until i'm a second year
where did the year go to?
golllllllley
this has been a pretty crazy past week. the weeks go by so quickly and yet so slowly. several tests and practicals. the doc who proctored my theory and methods practical talked with me yesterday morning about how i did. he made a point to tell me, 2 days later, that he thought i did a very good job. he doesn't just hand out compliments- he's a military man- short, to the point, doesn't fluff things up, will tell you you are wrong, make fun of you for it, but then will tell you the best way of doing it. he always laughs everytime he sees me- "of course you're blocking the projector, you're so tall!"
there was also some stuff with my extended family- my aunt's father passed away and some other things which really made me want to be home, but also, made me realize how awesome my family is. if i didn't have a solid, Catholic, loving family who raised me to be who i am now, i wouldn't have cared that i couldn't be home to support and see them. i was reminded of how much of an example my godfather is this week: the strong silent type with a big heart that breaks easily for those he cares about and would do anything for. i thank God daily for the wonderful family he blessed me with.
school is going all right. people are starting to get on each others nerves. stress levels are getting higher because ambition is getting lower. we have an exam this week and then 6 finals the following. thankfully, labs are over, so we can use the afternoons to study this week so we aren't soo burned out (or even more burned out) by the time next week comes.
after baking for easter, i decided to bake cupcakes for my friend's birthday. instead of just frosting them, i decided to decorate them with hershey's chocolate frosting- to DIE for! target had some tips and bags at a reasonable price so : voila!
golllllllley
this has been a pretty crazy past week. the weeks go by so quickly and yet so slowly. several tests and practicals. the doc who proctored my theory and methods practical talked with me yesterday morning about how i did. he made a point to tell me, 2 days later, that he thought i did a very good job. he doesn't just hand out compliments- he's a military man- short, to the point, doesn't fluff things up, will tell you you are wrong, make fun of you for it, but then will tell you the best way of doing it. he always laughs everytime he sees me- "of course you're blocking the projector, you're so tall!"
there was also some stuff with my extended family- my aunt's father passed away and some other things which really made me want to be home, but also, made me realize how awesome my family is. if i didn't have a solid, Catholic, loving family who raised me to be who i am now, i wouldn't have cared that i couldn't be home to support and see them. i was reminded of how much of an example my godfather is this week: the strong silent type with a big heart that breaks easily for those he cares about and would do anything for. i thank God daily for the wonderful family he blessed me with.
school is going all right. people are starting to get on each others nerves. stress levels are getting higher because ambition is getting lower. we have an exam this week and then 6 finals the following. thankfully, labs are over, so we can use the afternoons to study this week so we aren't soo burned out (or even more burned out) by the time next week comes.
after baking for easter, i decided to bake cupcakes for my friend's birthday. instead of just frosting them, i decided to decorate them with hershey's chocolate frosting- to DIE for! target had some tips and bags at a reasonable price so : voila!
I'd so rather be baking right now.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter
Three Redheads and a Wanna-be...
The four muskateers at the Easter Potluck
Me. Jenny. Kaila. Jessie
The outside of St. Peter's Church.
The trees were in bloom- too gorgeous!
The Left Side Altar
I couldn't get a picture of the main altar... church was packed.
Butterflies and Easter bunnies (semi-Gumby/Donnie Darko-esque)
They taste better than they look!
I wish you all a blessed Easter!
Fr. John reminded us that we are an Easter people-
not a Lenten people, nor a Christmas people.
We should be in awe of the Resurrection.
We should celebrate the Resurrection.
Most importantly, we must LIVE the Resurrection!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
easter's almost here!
this morning I woke up realizing today (tonight, actually) is one of my favorite times of the year. I love going to Easter Vigil. I know it's a little long and that's what turns a lot of people off to it, but it's such a beautiful liturgy. I'm super excited to go tonight at St. Peter's. I'm going to try to get a picture of the church in its Easter glory. As gorgeous as it is normally, and Christmas time... I know that the lilies and daffodils and the chorus of Easter flowers will be incredible.
Is it just me or has this Lent FLOWN? It just doesn't feel like it's been long enough yet...
My friend Sam is having a pot luck Easter Dinner tomorrow. I'm really grateful that someone is having something. Since we don't get any time off, not many of us are able to go home. By doing this, we are at least able to have it feel less like a normal Sunday and more like Easter! I think I'm going to make cut-out cookies (mom got me cutters last year) and then strawberry pretzel salad- a traditional Easter "salad" in the Gentrup fam. I'll be sure to grease the pan though, right Beth?
Agenda for today:
Study. Grocery Store. Bake. MASS!
Happy Easter!
May the joys of the risen Christ fill our hearts!
Is it just me or has this Lent FLOWN? It just doesn't feel like it's been long enough yet...
My friend Sam is having a pot luck Easter Dinner tomorrow. I'm really grateful that someone is having something. Since we don't get any time off, not many of us are able to go home. By doing this, we are at least able to have it feel less like a normal Sunday and more like Easter! I think I'm going to make cut-out cookies (mom got me cutters last year) and then strawberry pretzel salad- a traditional Easter "salad" in the Gentrup fam. I'll be sure to grease the pan though, right Beth?
Agenda for today:
Study. Grocery Store. Bake. MASS!
Happy Easter!
May the joys of the risen Christ fill our hearts!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
one month
march is over.
how.on.earth...?
crazy.
this month has been busy. very busy. 7 tests. numerous meetings.a couple icky days. many sunshiney days.
the coming month: eh- finals at the end of it but only 3 midterms before we take finals... BECOME SECOND YEARS! and then
THE BEACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that's right. One month from right now. This very minute, I will be on Myrtle Beach, SC. Jessie's parents have a condo down there and we will take the week and hang out. mmmm lovely.
how.on.earth...?
crazy.
this month has been busy. very busy. 7 tests. numerous meetings.a couple icky days. many sunshiney days.
the coming month: eh- finals at the end of it but only 3 midterms before we take finals... BECOME SECOND YEARS! and then
THE BEACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that's right. One month from right now. This very minute, I will be on Myrtle Beach, SC. Jessie's parents have a condo down there and we will take the week and hang out. mmmm lovely.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
"You are for Me" - kari jobe
So faithful
So constant
So loving and so true
So powerful in all you do
You fill me
You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to you
I know that you are for me
I know that you are for me
I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness
I know that you have come down
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who you are
So patient
So gracious
So merciful and true
So wonderful in all you do
You fill me
You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to you
I know that you are for me
I know that you are for me
I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness
I know that you have come down
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me that
I know that you are for me
I know that you are for me
I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness
I know that you have come down
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who you are
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Tia introduced me to Kari Jobe's music via "My Beloved" and I was hooked. Such a pure voice. Such perfect lyrics.
So constant
So loving and so true
So powerful in all you do
You fill me
You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to you
I know that you are for me
I know that you are for me
I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness
I know that you have come down
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who you are
So patient
So gracious
So merciful and true
So wonderful in all you do
You fill me
You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to you
I know that you are for me
I know that you are for me
I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness
I know that you have come down
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me that
I know that you are for me
I know that you are for me
I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness
I know that you have come down
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who you are
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Tia introduced me to Kari Jobe's music via "My Beloved" and I was hooked. Such a pure voice. Such perfect lyrics.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
enough
lately, i've been struggling with my morale. although being at home was great, i got to see many friends over break - in lincoln, kearney, and wayne; eat fish with dad's family; go shopping with mom and grandma mary; and just "be," i was in the funk. and it worried me. it worried my mom more. even my friends down here were asking what was up... "ash, you just aren't as happy as you used to be. what is going on?" jessie and i talked about it and i realized my feelings could be summed up :
i've been struggling with feeling like i'm not ______________ enough.
fill in the blank with anything and i've felt it: not pretty, thin, smart, popular... etc... just not good enough.
the most frustrating part of it was, though i felt these things, i knew i shouldn't because these things don't matter and if they did, still aren't true....
-i've been dwelling on the weight i've gained since being down here. my clothes don't fit as well as they used to. i don't feel confident in them. i don't want to buy new clothes in a bigger size.
-this week i've gotten a couple test back and was incredibly disappointed in the grades. below average. not good enough.
-i didn't get the student ambassador position. fake, phony baloneys that people don't really like that much but kiss up did.
-no boyfriend. 8 friends getting married? 3 babies? while i am excited for friends, i felt left out, not lovable, not pretty...
not. good. enough...
then i talked with my mom this morning.
"ashley, it's satan."
duh
why else would i feel so terrible about myself? why else would i buy into the lies?
he took advantage of my vulverablity. my desire to be perfect. or should i say "perfect."
i was attempting to make myself feel better by spending time justifying bad days with material pick-me-ups, instead of the only thing that can fill the voids... instead of spending 20 minutes in prayer, or reading scripture, or doing good for others. i was essentially spiritually stupid.
now that i'm aware of it, i feel like a burden has been lifted. after i hung up with mom, i spent some time in prayer. as i opened my books, i opened a spritual radio station on itunes and heard this song... REALLY listening to it. exactly how i felt. and exactly what i needed to hear... Walk on Water
i've been struggling with feeling like i'm not ______________ enough.
fill in the blank with anything and i've felt it: not pretty, thin, smart, popular... etc... just not good enough.
the most frustrating part of it was, though i felt these things, i knew i shouldn't because these things don't matter and if they did, still aren't true....
-i've been dwelling on the weight i've gained since being down here. my clothes don't fit as well as they used to. i don't feel confident in them. i don't want to buy new clothes in a bigger size.
-this week i've gotten a couple test back and was incredibly disappointed in the grades. below average. not good enough.
-i didn't get the student ambassador position. fake, phony baloneys that people don't really like that much but kiss up did.
-no boyfriend. 8 friends getting married? 3 babies? while i am excited for friends, i felt left out, not lovable, not pretty...
not. good. enough...
then i talked with my mom this morning.
"ashley, it's satan."
duh
why else would i feel so terrible about myself? why else would i buy into the lies?
he took advantage of my vulverablity. my desire to be perfect. or should i say "perfect."
i was attempting to make myself feel better by spending time justifying bad days with material pick-me-ups, instead of the only thing that can fill the voids... instead of spending 20 minutes in prayer, or reading scripture, or doing good for others. i was essentially spiritually stupid.
now that i'm aware of it, i feel like a burden has been lifted. after i hung up with mom, i spent some time in prayer. as i opened my books, i opened a spritual radio station on itunes and heard this song... REALLY listening to it. exactly how i felt. and exactly what i needed to hear... Walk on Water
Friday, February 12, 2010
in the mail...
I love mail. I love opening my box at school and seeing a graded paper in there- especially when they have a big A on them. I love opening my email and seeing good deals and coupons for clothes, groceries, etc. I love opening facebook and seeing unexpected, "just because" notes. Opening the mail at home isn't usually as fun, for it usually consists of bills, and former tenants' mail, but sometimes a neat optometry magazine or a Save the Date! I've received all of the preceeding in the last week and love it.
Today in my box at school, I received an invitation to apply to be a Student Ambassador. I'm really excited about it. You see, you must have a 3.0 to even be considered. Then, faculty and current ambassadors nominate people that they feel would be good for the position from the 3.0 and above pool. While I felt as though I probably didn't make much of an impression on many people, I must have. I don't usually try to do a lot of things to stand out, so to be considered for this is a great honor. I'd love to be able to be share my love for the profession and my school with interviewees and incoming first years. I still have to fill out the application and interview... then it's in God's hands.
Today in my box at school, I received an invitation to apply to be a Student Ambassador. I'm really excited about it. You see, you must have a 3.0 to even be considered. Then, faculty and current ambassadors nominate people that they feel would be good for the position from the 3.0 and above pool. While I felt as though I probably didn't make much of an impression on many people, I must have. I don't usually try to do a lot of things to stand out, so to be considered for this is a great honor. I'd love to be able to be share my love for the profession and my school with interviewees and incoming first years. I still have to fill out the application and interview... then it's in God's hands.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Legit Snow Day
Last night, around 11, I checked weather.com and saw that there was a (pretty good) chance for snow and sleet, the "wintery mix." Since my windshield wiper was still on the fritz, I grabbed a socket wrench, put on my moccasins and headed outside to tighten that dumb nut. Success. Then I decided that since I actually "prepared" for the "storm" it wouldn't come.
FALSE
I received a text from Dr. Philips at 5:45 am stating that campus is closed today. After a little while, I got up and looked outside, expecting to see a dusting, < 1 inch. HOLY SNOW! There's a couple inches out there!! (not 5, like my dear Louisana friend claimed, but beside the point)! Turns out we could get 4-8 more during the day today! What?
I would like to point out that we've had 3 "snow" days since we came back this semester. I think I had a total of 3 in 4 years at UNL. Weird.
Best part about it: Ophthalmic Optics Test, Geometric Optics Quiz, Ophthalmic Optics practical- POSTPONED and I get more time to study for the Ocular Physiology test we have tomorrow... IF we have school... tra-la-la!
FALSE
I received a text from Dr. Philips at 5:45 am stating that campus is closed today. After a little while, I got up and looked outside, expecting to see a dusting, < 1 inch. HOLY SNOW! There's a couple inches out there!! (not 5, like my dear Louisana friend claimed, but beside the point)! Turns out we could get 4-8 more during the day today! What?
I would like to point out that we've had 3 "snow" days since we came back this semester. I think I had a total of 3 in 4 years at UNL. Weird.
Best part about it: Ophthalmic Optics Test, Geometric Optics Quiz, Ophthalmic Optics practical- POSTPONED and I get more time to study for the Ocular Physiology test we have tomorrow... IF we have school... tra-la-la!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
windows
I have a very large window in my bedroom. I think it is as wide as I am tall, and well over taller than I am. The light coming in is wonderful, but, the glass is not energy efficient. It is at least 10 degrees colder in my room compared with the rest of the apartment. Even with the vents in common spaces closed. At night it's not too bad, for I sleep under several layers of warm covers, but sitting doing homework, my fingers get cold. I guess I could leave my door open, but that increases distractions. Something I struggle with. Namely Leigha and the kitchen. To limit distractions, I go to school to study- either the library or study rooms. School is closed again today. Yes, it's Saturday, but the school is closed because of snow on the roads. Frustrating, because 1) I can drive on this stuff. 2) I have troubles studying at home. (chilly room, common area distractions, and laptop).
I scraped car windows a lot yesterday. Something I really never did in Nebraska. In Lincoln, I parked in the 17&R garage. When I was at home over breaks and new I'd need to scrape, Dad let me park in the garage, or cleaned the windows for me. My cheapy little blue scraper works quite well. We had about a 1/4-1/2 inch of ice/snow build up on our cars yesterday. I cleaned my roommate's car last night. She's from AZ. It wasn't really that cold out, but of course, to her it was 'fah-reeezing.' She doesn't have a scraper. She doesn't now how to drive on roads with a little slush and snow on them. So I drove to the restraunt. During the drive, she and our friend from Florida asked what the roads were like in Nebraska when it snows... I told them that they were snowpacked and a little slick, but able to be navigated... They asked what snowpacked meant. I responeded, well, snow is packed down covering the streets. Highways, not so much, but streets, yes. They were floored that it was possible to drive on it. So then I gave them a driving lesson: drive slow, give yourself plenty of space between cars in front of you, and don't make abrupt turns, stops, accelerations. Kristen then said... "It's white death out here!" (with a mere 1"-2" of snow/ice/slush accumulation) Oh my.
I scraped car windows a lot yesterday. Something I really never did in Nebraska. In Lincoln, I parked in the 17&R garage. When I was at home over breaks and new I'd need to scrape, Dad let me park in the garage, or cleaned the windows for me. My cheapy little blue scraper works quite well. We had about a 1/4-1/2 inch of ice/snow build up on our cars yesterday. I cleaned my roommate's car last night. She's from AZ. It wasn't really that cold out, but of course, to her it was 'fah-reeezing.' She doesn't have a scraper. She doesn't now how to drive on roads with a little slush and snow on them. So I drove to the restraunt. During the drive, she and our friend from Florida asked what the roads were like in Nebraska when it snows... I told them that they were snowpacked and a little slick, but able to be navigated... They asked what snowpacked meant. I responeded, well, snow is packed down covering the streets. Highways, not so much, but streets, yes. They were floored that it was possible to drive on it. So then I gave them a driving lesson: drive slow, give yourself plenty of space between cars in front of you, and don't make abrupt turns, stops, accelerations. Kristen then said... "It's white death out here!" (with a mere 1"-2" of snow/ice/slush accumulation) Oh my.
Friday, January 29, 2010
rain changing wintery mix changing to snow day
Good morning! It's Friday, my friend Jessie's birthday, AAAAAAND a "snow day." Funny thing about it? All I can hear is rain through the gutters and when I look - see ripples in puddles. So, for now we have a rain day. SCO has text/email alerts so at 5:45 I received a text saying NO SCHOOL TODAY!
I'm a little bummed out. We won't have theory now. And, I already had no lab this afternoon and one of my professors had canceled class because he was going to be out of town, so my "snow day" is getting me out of a mere 2 classes. Ah, well.
The forcast says that it's supposed to pick up soon, get colder, and start wintery mixing and snowing. Up to measurable snow, I hear. We'll see. I'm debating whether or not to go out now, get a couple groceries and maybe some cupcakes for J's birthday- gourmet cupcakes. delcious. downfall, it's across town, practically East Memphis. Big plus though, she LOVES them and if it does what they say it's going to do, she won't get any. So I'd be the hero! : ) What I might do is get ready, and if I slip as I'm walking outside, come back in and start homework and reorganizing my room.
I'm a little bummed out. We won't have theory now. And, I already had no lab this afternoon and one of my professors had canceled class because he was going to be out of town, so my "snow day" is getting me out of a mere 2 classes. Ah, well.
The forcast says that it's supposed to pick up soon, get colder, and start wintery mixing and snowing. Up to measurable snow, I hear. We'll see. I'm debating whether or not to go out now, get a couple groceries and maybe some cupcakes for J's birthday- gourmet cupcakes. delcious. downfall, it's across town, practically East Memphis. Big plus though, she LOVES them and if it does what they say it's going to do, she won't get any. So I'd be the hero! : ) What I might do is get ready, and if I slip as I'm walking outside, come back in and start homework and reorganizing my room.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
wednesday. wiped out.
Week 4. Two tests. First real 100. Optics. Bam.
I think I've gotten the hang of this Optmetry school business. There's a delicate balance between caring and not caring-- you have to care to learn, but you have to go in to tests confident in what you do know, though it seems to be little, I think I usually know more than I think I do... I've figured out how a few of my professors test, which makes studying more productive. Buuu-uuut the semester changed and we have a few new professors, so it will keep life interesting.
I've started a workstudy position in the Vision Therapy department. I make photocopies. lots of photocopies. and retype forms that are used frequently so there is a digital copy for Publications to process- put our logo on it, format it, and keep on record. In the future instead of making photocopies, the little people (like me) can send an email with "I need 2 pads of VT-2020" and voila the forms come from the sky, errr 9th floor. Later on, I will have the opportunity, hopefully, to do some research projects, and learn more about VT. I am a patient of one of the best VT Doc's in the country right now.
Some of you know a bit of the trouble I have with my eyes and others do not. Basically, I can see with both eyes, but my brain doesn't put the images from the two eyes together because I was born with a crossed eye-- alternating, though, so I use both eyes. BUT my brain shuts off the input from one eye so that I don't see double. Double vision is bad. But, because I can't use both eyes at the same time, I can't appreciate depth- like 3D movies, magic eye, etc. I've done pretty well for myself so far, but there are some things an optometrist needs to see in depth- like funky things inside the eye while looking through the biomicroscope.
Wednesday is my VT day. My feet tingle. My head hurts. I feel, at times like I'm going to throw up. BUT I saw depth. The clown's hand was reaching out of the wall at me (creepy, I know). I look into creepy looking instruments which flash bright lights and force my brain to pay attention. I baffle the third years and staff doctors from other departments. Dr. D thinks it's awesome, calls me a freak, and cusses when I don't see things the way he wants me too. It makes me wonder-- how would I have been had I been able to go to VT when I was younger... If my ophthalmologist would have done surgery, if he would have been open to mixing VT with surgery. It makes me excited to learn more and want to help kids like me.
Hmmm. The words on the screen are starting to go fuzzy. Probably better rest a while.
I think I've gotten the hang of this Optmetry school business. There's a delicate balance between caring and not caring-- you have to care to learn, but you have to go in to tests confident in what you do know, though it seems to be little, I think I usually know more than I think I do... I've figured out how a few of my professors test, which makes studying more productive. Buuu-uuut the semester changed and we have a few new professors, so it will keep life interesting.
I've started a workstudy position in the Vision Therapy department. I make photocopies. lots of photocopies. and retype forms that are used frequently so there is a digital copy for Publications to process- put our logo on it, format it, and keep on record. In the future instead of making photocopies, the little people (like me) can send an email with "I need 2 pads of VT-2020" and voila the forms come from the sky, errr 9th floor. Later on, I will have the opportunity, hopefully, to do some research projects, and learn more about VT. I am a patient of one of the best VT Doc's in the country right now.
Some of you know a bit of the trouble I have with my eyes and others do not. Basically, I can see with both eyes, but my brain doesn't put the images from the two eyes together because I was born with a crossed eye-- alternating, though, so I use both eyes. BUT my brain shuts off the input from one eye so that I don't see double. Double vision is bad. But, because I can't use both eyes at the same time, I can't appreciate depth- like 3D movies, magic eye, etc. I've done pretty well for myself so far, but there are some things an optometrist needs to see in depth- like funky things inside the eye while looking through the biomicroscope.
Wednesday is my VT day. My feet tingle. My head hurts. I feel, at times like I'm going to throw up. BUT I saw depth. The clown's hand was reaching out of the wall at me (creepy, I know). I look into creepy looking instruments which flash bright lights and force my brain to pay attention. I baffle the third years and staff doctors from other departments. Dr. D thinks it's awesome, calls me a freak, and cusses when I don't see things the way he wants me too. It makes me wonder-- how would I have been had I been able to go to VT when I was younger... If my ophthalmologist would have done surgery, if he would have been open to mixing VT with surgery. It makes me excited to learn more and want to help kids like me.
Hmmm. The words on the screen are starting to go fuzzy. Probably better rest a while.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Pop Tarts
I ruined a perfectly good Unfrosted Strawberry Pop Tart experience. Not by burning it... but by looking at the total calories in ONE... I ate it anyway, but was no longer as excited to eat it. Moral of the story: If you are excited about eating something, DO NOT ruin it by looking at the number of calories.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Back in the Saddle
Sheesh, it's been a while. Christmas break was excellent time away from school. Cold and snowy time, but good. We were able to just "be" at home, frankly, because we couldn't go anywhere else. Although I wasn't able to go to the "Big Family Christmases" I did get to spend some time with my godmother and gramma Mary when we took her to the retinal specialist. We also made a point to stop in and see both grammas when we found out I couldn't make it to Family Christmas.
So far in school it's been really hard to get back into the swing of things as far as studying and staying on top of things, not getting too far behind. It was great to come back and see everyone again, but sitting through 8 different classes, several meeting multiple times each week, ugh, not fun.
One of my classes is Ophthalmic Optics = optician stuff. I learned much of it already working at Shopko and taking the opticianry test. I really like the Doc that teaches that one ---a good ol' military man. Then there's another prof who has a thick Jersey accent with an obsession with his cats... eccentric.
I started training for a work study position in the Vision Therapy department in the Clinic. I'm really interested in doing VT when I'm an OD-- likely because I'm making pretty big strides as a patient. I've had some pretty trippy exercises and usually feel pretty woozy afterwards. My work study is, for now, simply making copies of diagnostics and therapies and keeping things tidy. Some of the docs have projects and stuff going on that they need us to help with... I could have my name on some posters and stuff if I really wanted to... kinda neat.
So far in school it's been really hard to get back into the swing of things as far as studying and staying on top of things, not getting too far behind. It was great to come back and see everyone again, but sitting through 8 different classes, several meeting multiple times each week, ugh, not fun.
One of my classes is Ophthalmic Optics = optician stuff. I learned much of it already working at Shopko and taking the opticianry test. I really like the Doc that teaches that one ---a good ol' military man. Then there's another prof who has a thick Jersey accent with an obsession with his cats... eccentric.
I started training for a work study position in the Vision Therapy department in the Clinic. I'm really interested in doing VT when I'm an OD-- likely because I'm making pretty big strides as a patient. I've had some pretty trippy exercises and usually feel pretty woozy afterwards. My work study is, for now, simply making copies of diagnostics and therapies and keeping things tidy. Some of the docs have projects and stuff going on that they need us to help with... I could have my name on some posters and stuff if I really wanted to... kinda neat.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)