0.125 OD

sigh. done. 1/8 of the way there. 12.5% ... random fact, 0.125 is the lowest increment you can write a glasses rx... not many do it, but it's possible... okay. nap.

finals. shminals.

you know it's finals when:
appearance is no longer important.
showering is trivial.
a coffee mug is your best friend.
all of your highlighters are dead.
fingers are calloused from writing.
back muscles are knotted.
A's are nice, but settling for a B is nicer if it means keeping sanity.
All of the music on your ipod annoys you.

optics. check.
physiology. check.
tomorrow neuroanatomy.
monday regular anatomy
tuesday theory
wednesday biochem. then christmas shopping.
thursday drive home.

Power of Prayer

My buddy had his tumor removed yesterday. The surgeons are pretty sure, by the looks of it, that it is BENIGN! They will be taking tissue samples to make sure that there aren't any cancerous cells to be sure. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Still. Prayers for Cal.

Now. Studying. Ugh. The worst.

reality

It was so wonderful to be back home for the week, to see everyone, to hang out, relax, eat delicious food, etc.

Today we noticed that one of our classmates wasn't there for Anatomy. He misses from time to time, but then we saw his roommate/best friend and girlfriend talking very seriously. His normally very social best friend was withdrawn. Our theory prof told us not 10 minutes later that he, our classmate and friend, will not be with us for at least the rest of the semester. Over break, he had gone to the doctor to get looked at because he had been having some odd symptoms recently. They are suspecting it to be lymphoma. They are pretty confident, but are still doing tests to make a more accurate diagnosis: if it really is, whether it's Hodgkin's/Non-Hodgkin's, where it's at, best course of treatment, etc.

It's a reminder that we can't take anything for granted.
Life. Love. Happiness. Each day. We never know what's headed our way.
Prayers for Cal.

The Good Life

I arrived at the airport. Security asked to inspect my bags. They didn't like my diagnostic kit handles which are the battery power for my retina/ophthalmascopes and transilluminator. My boarding pass said I needed gate A7. So that's where I went. But that gate was heading to some crazy place, not Omaha. So I watch the board (like I should have in the first place) and see I need to go to gate B16... which is nearly a million miles away, or at least it seems like it when you have a crazy heavy backpack and suitcase. I finally get there (sweating because I left on my jacket) and sit down. Phew. Look across and see my old friend Ryan who lived on P4 freshman year and who I saw frequently in High School for speech meets. Ahhhhh! Another reason why Nebraska is a great place: you catch up with people from NE that you usually know in different states!

So we get on the plane. I start chewing gum. As the pilot gets on the intercom, which I thought was to tell us that we were getting ready to go to the runway, "Ladies and Gentlemen there's been a slight problem. We are missing a part for the (as I think, Oh CRAP! Lord Help Us!) Lavaratorie! We're working to get it fixed before we take off,  but if we can't, there will not be any use of the lav during flight."  20 minutes later, they make us get off the plane and board a different one. 20 minutes later, we start moving toward the runway. 5 minutes later, they tell us that they do not have all of the luggage from the other plane accounted for. 5 minutes later, they said, "it's all here! we're number one for take off!" so I got on a plane at 6:20ish and actually left MEM around 8:20, about the time we were supposed to land in OMA. Whatev. Landed at 9:45. Way to cut into my Heathertime NWA!

But. I am here. It was cool to look as we were approaching, on the left side of the plane were the lights of Omaha. The right side? Pitiful looking Iowa. : ) Rough flight. But waaaaay the heck faster than driving. That's for sure!

2 days...

Motivation is lacking. I'm ready to go home. Luckily, the test I have Friday shouldn't be too bad... But, I do need to study for it a little (lot) more. ; )

My cousin flies in tomorrow evening for an  interview Friday. It will be awesome to have her here. My first real visitor, well, besides Mom and Dad! I have to be really motivated tomorrow to finish cleaning up our apartment and study enough before she gets in. Now, the big question: where do I take her for supper? bbq? mmm mm mm
One of the best things about her coming? Her flight leaves 10 minutes after mine Friday night. Which I really find comforting since I have never flown before. I know, right? My dad likes to drive and is afraid of heights so we always drove everywhere. I'm a little nervous, not too bad though.

Once I get back to NE? Heathertime. Bible Study Brunch. Tailgate a little, maybe? Huskers vs. Wildcats. Borrow a lane and patients to practice eye exams. Friends. Hugs. Visit the gang at work. and then go home! Talk MOH responsibilites with my Bride. Watch my little sis at District Mock Trial. Eat Turkey. Relax. Study. Eat Pie. Study. Catch up with high school friends. Eat pie. THANKSGIVING! eat pie. eat turkey. What a great break!

Once I get back here: 2.5 weeks until finals are over. a wedding in TX. and CHRISTMAS!

Phew. What a week... and it's only Wednesday?

I'm hanging in there! Only 3 tests left until we get a WHOLE WEEK OFF!
I haven't been doing stellar on the tests I've taken, but I can't complain... So far, I haven't gotten a major grade < 80, so I'm okay with that, not necessarily happy, being the perfectionist that I am...

I woke up Friday with a sore, sore throat which progressed into congestion through the day. Saturday I woke up with major congestion and thought I had a sinus infection. I waited around to see the doctor who assured me it was only congestion and gave me an Rx for Flonase and instructions to take OTC Mucinex D, push the clear liquids and rest-- halting what little ambition I had to study for the Physiology test Monday. I watched the Blackshirts BOOM the Sooners and went to bed early.

Sunday I sat/laid by the pool while I studied and took a break to walk along the river. It was soo beautiful. the leaves are falling now and it's lovely!

Monday
Physiology Test went alright... and the day improved: I found out I can go to the football game while I'm home!!! My cousin called and asked if she could stay with me next week becuase she has an interview at UT Health!!! We had the afternoon off because Anatomy Lab is OVER (aside from the practical next week) so I cleaned the kitchen, baked pumpkin bars, made mashed taters and went to my friends' place for meatloaf, taters, green bean casserole and bars!!! mmmm mmm mmmmmm We ended up hanging out for a while afterwards which was nice, to relax.

Tuesday
We got our Theory Lab practical back... Not good. It's frustrating because I KNOW what I'm doing and I feel like it was set up unfairly, but that's how it goes, I guess. I wish we had better feedback on it, but that's how it goes. I guess. It was just an off day all together.

Today
I went into school for 6 hours even though we didn't have class in the morning nor lab this afternoon, but I needed to get away from my apartment, because I distract myself too easily when I'm here.  Although, I did get some stuff done this morning. I came home and worked some more problems while watching the CMA's... (I'm so over Taylor Swift...) Now, I thought I'd update the blog and write out some more Anatomy Flashcards before going to bed!

Love to you all!!