Facebook

On the eve of classes starting (Sunday night), I decided to give up Facebook for awhile, and that is the last time I logged in. It has only been three days, but it feels like a lot longer. I feel disconnected from everyone, and throughout the day I keep thinking of things that would be great for my fb status. But at the same time, FB had become a HUGE time-waster, plus I don't really need to know every time someone I barely even know anymore gets a haircut, goes to bed, has a bad day, makes dinner, etc. I guess the degree to which I am missing it just shows me how addicted I was.

It will be okay

Yesterday I restarted school. And at my appointment with Dr. Mar in the afternoon, I realized that whatever happens, I'll be okay with it either way. I didn't exactly want to go back to MS, and while I will be a little sad if I fail exams and have to stop, at the same time it will be a huge relief and then I will just be done. So it will be okay. And if I pass exams, well then that will be what I've always wanted. So that will be okay too. So now all I have to do is do my best for the next four weeks and not let myself get too anxious or stressed.

Dear 21-year-old Me,

Don't go home every weekend - soak up every minute of time you can living in Santa Barbara. You will miss it terribly once you're gone.
Drinking isn't all it's cracked up to be. At its best you'll waste money, act silly, and make yourself sick, and at its worst you'll put yourself in dangerous situations, break the law, do things you'll regret later, and make yourself violently ill.
You think life sucks now...just wait a few years.
You have the best parents in the world.
It will always be harder for you than for most people, but you will eventually learn to interact and make friends with people. You won't always be alone.
Please don't starve yourself. I know it makes you feel better, but the consequences really aren't worth it.
Oh yeah, and you can skip the cutting too. It won't provide any real relief.
Even though all you want is to be accepted to medical school, it just may be the most difficult and painful thing to ever happen to you.
Jason is a total loser and he doesn't really love or care about you. Don't give him your time or heart.
You don't need to drive 90mph everywhere. Besides the fact that you WILL get a speeding ticket, it just isn't safe.
Dating really isn't all that great - you won't miss out on anything if you wait a while before trying it.
As much as it may seem to be true, your self-worth really isn't based on the grades you get.
God loves you and cares about you more than you can imagine. Even if it doesn't always feel like it.

"Made to Praise"

LOVE this song!

Homemade Ice Cream in a bag

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup half and half (whole milk works too)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup salt (The bigger the granules, the better. Kosher or rock salt works best, but table salt is fine.)
Ice cubes (enough to fill each gallon-size bag about half full)
1 pint-size ziplock bag
1 gallon-size ziplock bag
1. Combine the sugar, half and half, and vanilla extract in the pint-size bag and seal it tightly.

2. Place the salt and ice in the gallon-size bag, then place the sealed smaller bag inside as well. Seal the larger bag. Now shake the bags until the mixture hardens (about 5 minutes). Feel the small bag to determine when it's done.

3. Take the smaller bag out of the larger one, add mix-ins, and eat the ice cream right out of the bag. Easy cleanup too! Serves 1.


~I used 1/2 cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk and 1 tsp butter instead of the 1 cup half and half...only because I didn't have any cream or milk and didn't want to go to the grocery store. It worked just fine and turned out delicious. :)

2011 so far

Lost 20 pounds


Gave blood three times

Day thirty: a photo you find beautiful

Day twenty-nine: a photo of your favorite person from history

Day twenty-eight: a photo of something/somebody that made your day

Day twenty-seven: a photo of something you are looking forward to

Day twenty-six: a photo of your favorite subject in school

PDX (Physical Diagnosis) is/was my favorite class in med school, and this was the best I could come up with for a picture...this is the textbook I have for the class.

Day twenty-five: a photo that inspires you

Sweet Mia Amore'. This precious little girl has been on a ventilator since birth and fights so hard every day to make improvements and learn new things. She is such a joy to her family and everyone around her. Mia's Blog

Day twenty-four: a photo of what you want to be when you grow up

A pediatrician specifically, but I just like the way this picture looks.

Day twenty-three: a photo of something you want to do someday

More than anything in the world, I want to have a baby someday.

Day twenty-two: a photo that you associate a good memory with

Hanging out with Adie, fall 2008. I have so many good memories of babysitting Adie and spending time with her and Brandi and Andrew. I miss them so much. I could take Adie anywhere and she and I would have fun. And Brandi and I would have a blast just spending time together, running errands, eating, watching a movie, or knitting. If only they hadn't moved so far away (North Carolina).

Day twenty-one: a photo of somebody you find attractive

I'm going to skip this one for now...

Day twenty: a photo of something you ate today

Tuscan Chicken that I technically made (from Dream Dinners).

Day nineteen: a photo of your favorite thing from school

In medical school, I enjoyed ward experience the most (getting to do peds endocrinology, general surgery, plastics, and cardiothoracic surgery). And I always liked getting to wear my white coat. :)

Day eighteen: a photo of your town

Day seventeen: a photo from a trip you'll never forget

July/August 2007, Machu Picchu, trip to Peru with the Loma Linda School of Public Health. Definitely an unforgettable 3 weeks.