A waiting game.

I am finished with my interviews. Yup. All done.

I don't really know how I did or if I'll get accepted. They really give you ZERO feedback during the interview. I think that I did better at Orlando than Jacksonville, but we'll see.

The 2 interviews were VERY different than one another, but the questions were about the same; which was good, because it gave me good practice for Orlando.

However, with that said, Paulene (the admissions lady at Orlando) told me that you could be a great applicant and do fantastic at the interview but still not get accepted, simply because there aren't enough seats.

I think I'm more nervous now that the interviews are over. Just a waiting game...

I should hear back from Jacksonville in 7-10 days and Orlando in 2-4 weeks.

I hope I get in. Pray for me....

Nova Southeastern - Jacksonville!

I got another interview!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On my way to school this evening, I got a call and was offered an interview. I have not yet been to the campus, but I'm sure it's similar to the Fort Myers and Orlando campus.
I had some scheduling problems, but got it all worked out. They only have interviews on Fridays and Mondays. However, since the holidays are coming up, they only had one Monday available -- December 6, the next would be January 10th.  I told them I was unable to come that day because I had an interview (hopefully that'll make me look competitive!) Anyways, that left Fridays. I have class in Fort Myers on Thursday nights, usually until about 9ish. I told the lovely lady that I would have to call her back.
So, I called my mom to see how I would manage to get to Jacksonville by 8:30 the following morning. She has it was do-able, just with lots of driving. Thankfully I have a wonderful mother who is willing to help me do anything that needs to be done. She's seriously the best. I called back Nova and told her Dec. 3 would be fantastic.

I purposely chose Dec 3. because that would give me good practice for Orlando. Obviously I will try my hardest to get accepted into both places! I am SO proud of myself  for getting this far. I didn't think that I would be able to get any interviews, let alone two! I thank God for his awesome blessing on my life!

On a side note, please pray for my brother to get a job soon!

Nova Southeastern - Orlando!

On Thursday last week, I was called up and offered an INTERVIEW to the Orlando campus of Nova Southeastern! Orlando is my first choice so I am absolutely thrilled and extremely nervous!

Hopefully this will be my school starting in June!!!!

Anyways, I have my interview on December 6. I go in at 8am and I will have an hour to write an essay on the topic of their choice. After the essay, I am given a tour of the campus (mainly the top floor, which houses the PA program). Then, I am given some financial aid information and the group of students are brought to the panel and interviewed at random, one by one. After that, I am free to leave. I will hear if I am accepted, denied, or placed on the alternate list anywhere from instantly to four weeks after the interview.  

If anyone has tips on interviewing, that'd be great =)

 I am SO nervous and

 SO excited.

Song and Verse

Lately, I have been clinging to this Bible verse that really calms my heart and lets me know that GOD is in control, not me.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

 

I feel extremely blessed that I serve a God that gives me the perfect verses at the perfect time and ensures me that I do not have to stand on my own! :)

This song hasn't really calmed my heart or anything, but it's very true in my life, catchy, and fun to listen to :) 

"I just have met you yet" by Michael Buble

I'm not surprised, not everything lasts
I've broken my heart so many times, I stopped keeping track
Talk myself in, I talk myself out
I get all worked up, then I let myself down

I tried so very hard not to lose it
I came up with a million excuses
I thought, I thought of every possibility

And I know someday that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, that I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet

I might have to wait, I'll never give up
I guess it's half timing, and the other half's luck
Wherever you are, whenever it's right
You'll come out of nowhere and into my life

And I know that we can be so amazing
And, baby, your love is gonna change me
And now I can see every possibility

And somehow I know that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet

They say all's fair
In love and war
But I won't need to fight it
We'll get it right and we'll be united

And I know that we can be so amazing
And being in your life is gonna change me
And now I can see every single possibility

And someday I know it'll all turn out
And I'll work to work it out
Promise you, kid, I'll give more than I get
Than I get, than I get, than I get

Grandma

My grandmother passed away yesterday evening.  My Aunt Jane wrote this:

"Ruth Lehman was born in Bowie, Maryland on November 19, 1915.  She was a
devout member of the Bowie Methodist Church and a Worthy Matron of the
Eastern Star.   The church and parsonage were built by her father, Millard
Nathaniel Schafer.  Ruth retired after many years of service with the Bank
of Bowie.  Ruth is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Grayson Edward
Lehman and enjoyed 59 years of marriage.  She is survived by her son and
daughter-in-law Gary Grayson Lehman and Elizabeth Jean Lehman of Orlando
and her daughter and son-in-law Jane Lehman Wood and David Wood of Houston,
Texas, along with 4 grandchildren, Mark, Jonathan, Ben and Bethany  and
great grand daughter, Katelynn Grace."

She lived a long, great life.  She was a fantastic grandmother and I have very fond memories.  She is better and happy now. 

 

It's Official

I have applied to P.A.school via the CASPA application. Everything is officially out of my hands. Phew. Scary. 

Here's my narrative.
The question was "What is your motivation for becoming a physician assistant?"

Michael Jackson influenced millions of people around the world.  Sometimes he was controversial, but almost every person in America knew at least one of his hit songs.  I’m not sure that the song “Thriller” changed any lives, but Michael Jackson had the right idea with his song “Heal the World.”  The chorus of this song says: “Heal the world, make it a better place for you and for me and the entire human race. There are people dying, if you care enough for the living, make a better place for you and for me.”  Although I’m not much of a Michael Jackson fan, this song encapsulates my desire to become a physician assistant (P.A.).  As a P.A., I would live each day knowing I was helping to heal the world, making it a better place, and feeling satisfied with life. Growing up around medicine, coupled with traveling to third world countries, ignited my passion to be a P.A. and motivates me to complete the training so I can help people everywhere in need.

I grew up with a doctor in the family: my father.  My father used his knowledge to not only help the people of Central Florida, but to help people all around the world  Through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, my father was able to give his skills and resources to help destitute people.  And thankfully, he included his children in his own personal desire to help. When I was in the eighth grade, I traveled with him to Russia.  I was astonished by the poverty, lack of basic necessities and substandard healthcare in this underdeveloped nation. The shock of this impecunious country helped shape my decision to become a P.A.  My desire to help people stemmed from this trip – and has continued throughout my life.  Since that trip to Russia, I have been to Armenia, Ukraine, South Africa, and Kazakhstan with no intentions of stopping there. 

Since that fateful trip in eighth grade, medicine was bound to be a part of my life.  Like life, my desire to help people is a constant journey.  Throughout high school, I knew I had decisions to make.  I knew that medicine would be involved, but medicine is full of numerous opportunities.  The years of school involved and my desire to have a family were reason enough to not pursue becoming a physician. Believing that nursing was the next best option, I started college with that degree in mind.  But my passion for nursing was missing.  I flirted with some other majors, but to no avail.  My father, noticing my trouble, suggested I follow his P.A.  After the shadowing experience with her, I immediately knew that I was meant to become a P.A. 

Physician assistants have every attribute of an occupation that I am looking for.  It would provide me the flexibility to have a family and continue working; it would provide rigorous academic standards with a shortened time frame; and it would give the unique ability to change specialties, providing for a lifelong journey of learning in medicine.  After my first mission trip to Russia, I fell in love with medicine.  The journey to realizing my dream of becoming a P.A. took some searching, but with a bit of help, the perfect place for me in healthcare was found. Once I become a physician assistant, I will heed the advice of Michael Jackson and become one step closer to healing the world. 

Let me know what you think!! :) 

FALL!

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the feeling of fall and winter. I am thrilled.

I know that Florida really misses out on the whole "fall/winter" thing... but it's what I know and I love it.

Here's a list of what I LOVE about the upcoming seasons! Just fall for now..

--Cute clothes -- I just love me some sweaters!

--Apple Cider (the smell is almost as good as the taste!)

--Pumpkin Spice Lattes

--Pumpkin carving

--Pumpkin patches and fall festivals

--Pumpkin pie

    (Clearly I am into pumpkins lol...)

--The wonderful FOOD, does it get better than Thanksgiving? I think not.
--The day-after-Thanksgiving SHOPPING. I've already planned where we're going.

--Christmas music.

    (Let me explain this one. In Florida, I consider it fall until December, when it KIND OF starts getting cold. Christmas music starts on Thanksgiving, which is in November, therefore it can be included =D )

--The wonderful fall colors

 Who cares that I can't see it in Florida... I can still wear the colors and look at pictures :)

--Decorations

 This is a pic from a fellow blogger that I follow. She has the most adorable decorations!!

Follow Courtney!

--Halloween. I am not really one for Halloween, but for some reason, you can make the CUTEST Halloween pastries! And looking at Halloween pics are always priceless.)

10-30-09 by insidemypumpkin featuring halloween jewelry

(Made by Mary! , isn't she so talented and creative?! 

(The pic above, not the food!)

TOO CUTE!

--Holiday Candles

--Cinnamon Brooms, you know... The smelly good ones from Publix!

Oh, I just LoVe Fall!

Jesse

I have a Jeep Liberty. A FABULOUS Jeep Liberty; it's name is Jesse. Yes, I named my car Jesse. My car pulled a MIRACLE today. Here's what happened.

When I was a junior in high school, I wore two rings every single day.  I loved them. One was a pretty pearl one and was was a pretty black heart.  The contrast of them both was pretty awesome.  Here's a picture :)

Sorry this isn't a good picture...

Anyways. I, for some reason that I can't fathom, took off my rings and put them in little holder in the door of my Jeep.  I went to get them again later that day, and it was GONE -- just the black heart one.  I was SoOo sad. I accepted the fact that my ring was gone, after searching and searching my Jeep for it.  I figured that it must've fallen out of the holder when I opened the door. 

This evening, after coming home from church, I looked in my cup holders and somehow (I have NO clue how it they got there), but somehow there was a whole bunch of pennies, bobby pins, and MY RING!!!!!!! As said, I have absolutely no clue how it got there, where it came from, but I am ecstatic. I have my ring back. Yippie. I thank Jesse, my beloved Jeep. 

Another quick story about my Jeep. The weekend Mary came to visit, my Jeep window broke. I have awful luck with my windows. Once, on fourth of July weekend, I was driving a few girls back from Red, White, and Boom and the girl in the back thought it would be funny to flirt with the guys in the next car and then role the window up and speed away really quick.  The plan backfired.  She flirted, embarassingly, and tried to open the window and it wouldn't go up!!! On top of that, the light was still red, so we were just sitting there. SO the car of boys next to us laughed at us :-\ 

Anyways, back to the weekend.  My window broke, and since I live in an apartment complex, I was paranoid like mad that someone would take my car and that it would rain. Well, I didn't fix the fact that someone could steal my car, but I fix it if it rained. And for your viewing pleasure, my ghetto car:

Nobody stole my car and it didn't rain :)

A Change

I have changed my blog design and name. I haven't changed the domain though, cuz that'd be confusing. :)

I finally finished the semester, with an A and a B, thankfully.  I am just about finished with CASPA, the online physician assistant application. I have to request my transcripts, finish my essay (which I'll post on here for you to read), wait for one more reference, and take the GRE. I plan on taking the GRE on September 14th, so I'm studying, studying, studying...

During my two week break I will take a small break from the GRE to go on a cruise with my mom. Yes, another cruise. We found one for super cheap leaving from Port Canaveral, which is only 45 minutes away, so we jumped on board (hehe) and snatched up the deal.  We are going to the Bahamas. Although I have been on this exact cruise 3 other times, I have never been to the Atlantis Resort... you know, this one....

Anyways, we book an all day excursion playing in this Resort, so we're hoping that those hurricanes and rain stay far, far away...

A few weeks ago, my friend Mary came and stayed with me in Fort Myers. We made it over to Sanibel and had some good food and girl time. It was extremely pleasant and fun. 

In other news, my wonderful friend, Elise, got MARRIED!!!! She was absolutely beautiful. It was a small wedding, with about 40ish people with a home reception at the pastor's house.  She had all those she loved and the food and company was great. I am so happy for her and Jason. <3

Elise was a stunning bride

Also, my BEAUTIFUL niece, Katelynn, started PRESCHOOL!!!!!!!!! Oh man, it was so exciting. She's growing up so fast, it's not fair!! She's such a cutie!!!

Her first day!!!

I wish I had something more blog worthy, which is perhaps the reason I haven't written anything in a while.  Hopefully when I get back to Ft. Myers and I have nothing to do but study, I'll write more :)

Hope you had a good summer!!

Distraction Please

I just needed to take a quick moment (real quick) to take a break from studying. I am exhausted from driving this morning.. which is something I do every week so should be used to it by now... but, I'm not. I have a test this evening and am studying....Blah.

The good news is that I get to go on a mini 2 day vacation next week to Maryland. I am super excited. And then the even better news is that next week starts the month of August, and August means that school ends for the summer, and that means that I get a 2 week break!!!!!!

Of course, after the 2 week break, I come back with Microbiology, Research Methods in Healthcare, Human Resources in Healthcare, Medical Terminology, and Intro to Diagnostic Testing. Phew. I'm tired already...

2 week break, here we come. :)

1...2..3!!!!!!!!

My beautiful niece is turning 3!!!!

Katelynn Grace is turning 3 years old on Sunday and we are having her birthday tomorrow. 

I will be making her cake -- it will be Yellow because that is her favorite color, and the party will be princess themed, because that is her favorite...well, everything. Her world revolves around princesses. 

In honor of her, here are pictures :) 

<3  It's love. <3

FUTURE!

In February 2011, I will have a new sister-in-law, and I am absolutely THRILLED. I can't wait.

Anyways, in November-ish, I will hosting a BRIDAL SHOWER for Kim. I have never thrown a bridal shower, but I am super duper excited. So, I was wondering if the readers of this blog would please give me advice or tips or ideas about the bridal shower. Anything would be helpful :)

This is their website, if you care to know a bit about them.

My Bucket List

There's been a few things that I've always wanted to do, not all practical, I want far too much :)

-Visit Italy
-Visit Greece
-Hopefully, I"ll achieve the above by taking a Mediterranean cruise
-Live in a small town (think Gilmore Girls)
-Live in New York City
-Backpack Europe
-Be a missionary

Sorry that I've seriously lacked blogging recently; my life is pretty repetitive lately :)

Technology...

I may not have mentioned, but my poor computer broke -- the silly cooling fan... So, I took it in to the geeks over at Best Buy and they had to send it off... First off though, lets venture back to June 16, 2009...

About 2 weeks before my hip surgery, my computer (HP) broke, for like the third time... So, I took it also to the geeks over at Best Buy. The week after dropping it off we went on a cruise, and then the next week I had hip surgery. Of course, after my hip surgery, I got aspiration pheumonia and wasn't doing too hot... But the world doesn't stop. Best Buy called me while in the ICU. (Little side note -- my ringtone at the time was Travis Tritt's "It's a Great Day to Be Alive" and rang at its highest volume in a hopsital wing of dying people.. Smart, Bethany...) Anyways, they called me and said that they computer, which was less than 3 years old.. cuz we got the extended warranty, couldn't be fixed and we could get a BRAND NEW ONE. My mom told me, and then I forgot. So, the day I left the hospital, my mom was like "Let's go pick out a new computer.." and I had forgotten and got SO excited and off we went to get a new computer.  I got a Sony Vaio, which has been working out well for me and I like it.

Back to the present. My beloved Sony Vaio broke. I took it in to get fixed. And today they called me and said my computer was ready. So I went in to pick it up and he brought out the computer, sans my computer cord, which had also been sent.  Turns out, Sony LOST my cord and they have to send me a new one, go figure. So, although I have my computer, it is dead with no cord and therefore useless.  Until next week, I am stuck with my dad's computer, which I am incredibly grateful for :)

Perhaps my next computer should be a Mac...

All sorts of stuff :)

I have been MIA for a while, but I come back with lots of thoughts :)

So, first off. I started my shadowing with the doctor that runs the office I shadow at. We'll call him Dr. J. He, as well as running his own business, does lots of surgeries and rounds in the hospital. He's a busy, busy guy, going in at 7 AM and leaving for his home at 7ish PM. I only worked with him for 6 and a half hours and I was EXHAUSTED!! I got to see a cardiac catheterization and and insert of a stent. A cath helps see if you have an clogged arteries by making a small incision in the groin and inserting a tube through the vein and artery. Once inserted, they will insert a dye that highlights the arteries to see if there is a clot.  If there is a clot, they might insert a stent. A stent is a small tiny coiled tube that is placed in the artery to expand the artery and increase blood flow. It was very interesting to see. When I told my dad I was going to see it, he gave me one piece of advice "Do NOT pass out" I didn't pass out, and wasn't bothered by it at all. I thought it was cool!

While doing rounds, we saw this guy who had a melanoma in his eye, causing it to close.  He told us he didn't want to get surgery cuz he thought God would heal it, but He hasn't.  I personally believe that God gave man the tools to fix his eye, and perhaps that IS the healing... but whatever. If the man don't want surgery, he ain't gonna have surgery. Maybe God will heal it. That'd be cooler anyways. 

Also whilst walking around in the hospital, I discovered something about myself. First off, when I was younger I swore that I would never enter the medical field, now look at me... When I finally chose the medical field, I swore I would never work pediatrics. Well, I may have had a change in heart.  When we were walking through the hospital, we passed quickly through some peds section and I immediately felt a difference. It was so much lighter and happy (even though they were all sick). I just felt a huge difference and I loved it.  Of course, I won't know what I truly like until I do my clinicals, but peds is back in the running. :)

I have a meeting on Monday at my school about the Hodges nominations for Nova Southeastern. This is the "preliminary nominations." I was on that list, which is good news.  I am not sure what the meeting will be like -- I hope it's interesting. 

I suppose that is it for now. Enjoy your weekend :)

I'm around...

I shadowed for the last two days. I wish I had something to say. But I don't.. Sorry :-\

I changed my layout again. It was there, I was bored. That's pretty much why. I personally prefer the other design much better, but I like the way the layout is and the font and colors and stuff.. Hmm...We'll see how long it stays :)

My mother and I ventured down to Fort Myers for the night. I have to go a Saturday lab in the morning and we are dissecting a heart. That should be interesting.  We met up with my brother for dinner and that was fun.  We went to Carrabbas. My fave.

I had to take in my computer to the geeks over at Best Buy. They might (probably) will have to send it in and that will take 2-3 weeks. AHH. But my parents have an extra computer (well.. not really extra, but it gets passed around). So I'll have to use that for a while. :(

Pretty much low on words for the last few days. Maybe it's just those lazy-hazy-crazy days of summer? Stay tuned :)

Day 2

I will probably be updating for each day that I shadow. Mostly because I am forgetful and would like to remember what I learned, and only slightly cuz it's mildly interesting :)

Also, I got a new blog layout.  My mom, who has come to like reading my blog (HI MOM!) told me she could hardly read it due to my colors. So, I thought it was my layout. It turns out that it wasn't my layout but something in the settings, but I ended up liking this one so much I'll keep it!

So. Day 2 at Cardiovascular Interventions!
I got there early and none of the PAs were there yet, so I went back to see Christie in the nuclear lab.  She was doing a treadmill stress test and a chemical stress test. So, I watched them for about 30 minutes and went out to see if I could find Paul or Jonathan (the PAs). Paul was there and he told me to go ahead and finish watching the stress tests and to come on out when I was finished. So, I did.

After the tests, I went and followed Paul for a very long while. All the people that we saw were for the most part fine, and were just there for precautionary reasons and to make sure nothing has worsened and to check medications.  He was caught up and so I went back and watched some more stress tests.  Paul came and got me a bit later and we saw more patients.  At cardiovascular Interventions, they do tests and results for the ultrasound and stress tests on the same day. So, I was able to follow a guy through the stress tests and then his visit. He was healthy.

The last patient of the day was my fave. He was Russian and just an absolute sweetheart.  Unfortunately, although seeming and feeling like he was in great health, his stress test showed that he might have a blocked artery.  It was nice being able to see one that wasn't normal, because up until then I had seen like 6-7 normal ones (although that is good). They have to do a cardiac catheterization.  This will then prove if he has a blocked artery or not. If he does, they will put in a stent, if not, they will put him on medication and monitor it. 

Overall, it was a very interesting day. Thanks for letting me bore you with it. I think I'll learn a lot and I really love the people! Have a great weekend!

I started...

I started shadowing today!

It didn't start off as awesome as I would have liked. But, it picked up in the afternoon and I really think I'll enjoy it. 

I started off my day taking a quick tour of the center and then watching an ultrasound of the heart. It was pretty cool. Then, I went off and watched *something!* I can't for the life of me remember what the name of it was and it's raining so hard outside I don't want to go get my pamphlet.  Anyways. It is used for people who have coronary artery disease and are unable to get bypass or a stent. But clinical studies have shown that this non-surgical option is just as effective. The downside is you have to come in every weekday for 7 weeks. I wish I could explain more, but let's face it, you probably don't care and wouldn't understand anyways :)

Next, I went into the nuclear lab (sounds cooler than it is) and watched a chemical stress test (meaning that they didn't use the treadmill, but rather had a radioactive chemical injected into them).  I also watched a MUGA scan.  This uses a radioactive chemical too, and measures the ejection fraction. EF is the amount of blood that is pumped out of the hearts ventricles. 60-70% is a good range. I was able to follow through on the patient with the MUGA and see her with the P.A.

I then went for lunch.  I went to my dad's office for lunch. That was pleasant. I just love my dad so much :)  Around 1, I went back to the cardiologists office.  I got to follow around a P.A. for about 2 hours, going in and seeing patients with the P.A., and her explaining to me different heart issues and solutions, and medications, and basically everything else.

It was overall a very successful day, and I hope tomorrow will be just as good.

Thanks for tuning in.. Have a good weekend!

Long Overdue...

I haven't posted anything lately. So, here's whats been going on...

I have a Tuesday night class (Anatomy and Physiology 2) and an online class (21st Century Healthcare Leadership..BLAH).

I go down to Fort Myers mid-day Mondays and I return mid-day Wednesday to Orlando.

On Thursdays and Fridays, I will be starting shadowing for a very talented Cardiologist. Yay.
I (my mom) also bought my first pair of SCRUBS. I am thrilled and I can't wait to wear them.

I didn't do well on the GRE, so I am signing up for an online class and will take it again in a month or two.

I am trying to stay positive. I have a LOT going on with school, shadowing, traveling and it's starting to get to me. I need to focus from now on. So, I hope I can.

I read a book, "Redeeming Love" (for like the thousandth time..) and I feel better. I just wish I had more time to read. I enjoy reading so very much.

That's it. Perhaps my next post will have more substantial information :)

Counting

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10...
That is my trick. And it works like a charm.

I am a patient person. Really. I am. Or at least I try to be.  But some things and some people push my last button without even trying.  I used to just snap, tell them they were wrong, yell back.. anything, but I made it known to them that they were annoying.

But, at some point, someone (I wish I could remember who!!!) told me that I needed to just count to 10! By golly, what a trick! When I feel like I am about to snap, I simply count to 10 (or whatever number it takes to get calm again). And voila, I am calm.  It works. If you are an impatient person, simply count to 10, and then share the trick :)

Don't judge ;)

Winner! Winner! Winner!

Okay, so I'm not a winner yet. But hopefully I will be...

Brittany over at Far More Than Rubies is doing a Giveaway.

She has a fantastic blog that I encourage EVERYONE (all 5 followers...) to read.

Follow her blog and try to win for youself!

Good Luck.

Prayer

I need some good-old fashioned, hard-core 

PRAYER

for a very dear family extremely close to my heart. God DOES heal and prayer DOES work. 

Freewrite... Why not.

So, for tonight's blog entry, i just decided to write. anything. everything. something. whatever. no grammar, unless it just comes out, no stopping, unless I'm truly wordless...

I started an online class. Well, I was supposed to start an online class. Like 3 days ago. and I was late, to my FIRST assignment. Ugh. I was SOOO angry. I am not late. It just doesn't happen. and to be late for my first assignment shows that I don't care enough to be on time, which is so not true and i just don't want to give the teacher a false impression. I hate myself tonight for being late. I simply hate it. But there is nothing i can do.

I talked to someone tonight. i found out something that i originally, months ago, thought would pain me. the good news: no pain. not a flicker of pain. nothing. it validated my decision and made me feel good and that i made the right decision. yippie :) i feared jealousy, cuz i am a very jealous person, but there was no jealously, and that made me feel really good. and after being mad at myself for the online class, i felt pretty good...

Eh, that's about all the freewrite that I feel like writing... Whatever. Perhaps next time I'll write something more interesting :)
Thanks for stopping by...

I love this baby girl so much that sometimes it make my heart hurt. I can't wait for the day I love a boy this much :)

Break

After taking a break from blogging to go on a fabulous cruise with my mother -- I am back to reality. Well, for a week at least, and then I go day hiking in the mountains for a few days. But then, it really is back to reality... 

I did pretty well this semester, with 2 A's and a B, silly Organic. I was close to an A though, I had a 87..I survived. If you remember, at the beginning of the semester, I wasn't so confident :) I have a slight change in my plans, do to the needed bachelor's degree and wanting to raise my GPA just a tad before I apply. I will now plan on applying in August, instead of July. A bit less stress on me, which is nice.

That's just a little update, and here's a picture from my cruise!!

I was GOING to put more up, but it's taking forever to upload pictures, and I just don't have the patience this evening. This is my mom and I in front of a cave in Mexico. It was SO much fun.

More to come later. 

P.S. Happy Birthday to Jon and Kim!!! (They have the same b-day)

Wordless Wednesday

Credit

A BACHELORS?!?!

I had a major shock this weekend.

I am a planner. I plan everything that is important. Always. 

If you've read this blog at all, you now that I am all set and have my grand plan ready to go for P.A. school.

 I was going to apply to 4 schools (all Nova Southeastern) because they only required me to have 90 credit hours and not a bachelors degree.

This weekend, my friend Tina and I went to the Open House over at the SW campus of Nova. We were told that we are now required a bachelor's degree before matriculation. SAY WHAT NOW!?!?!?!?!?!

Needless to say, in true Bethany form, I absolutely freaked out.

My mom, being the FABULOUS mom that she is, assured me that everything would work out fine and it would all be okay in time. She always knows what to say. :)

Anyways, I met with my adviser this morning and luckily I only needed 5 extra classes to get my bachelors (because I had already done 2 years at UCF). Of course this means that I will have to take 2 very full semesters, but it's definitely do-able. Even though I will have to work crazy hard, I will feel better knowing that I have a bachelor's degree when I graduate even if I do not get into P.A. school. Also, I am able to apply to far more schools now for a better chance of getting in. 

I'm in for a busy year.

Dynamics of Aging

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This semester I took a class on aging.  Aging terrifies me. Seriously. I am scared to death of getting old, forgetting who I am, and loosing everyone that means the world to me.  

I have recently been watching a lot of Grey's Anatomy.  There are two episodes that just stick to me, and they both the cutest adorable old couples involved.  Each couple has SUCH love for each other and such devotion and care towards each other, it's encouraging. I know, I know, it's just a TV show, but I've SEEN love like that in old age, and I know it can happen.  

Anyways, in one episode, the husband looses the wife after surgery and stands there for a while trying to give chest compressions, unbelieving that she could really have died.  In the other episode, the wife (always the girl...) is diagnosed with advanced cancer -- given 4-6 month to live. The husband doesn't want the wife to know and the wife doesn't want the husband to know.  They both know, but they don't know the other knows. So, they leave the hospital and travel around until she dies.  

They make me cry every single time. 

I thought that when I took this Dynamics of Aging class, it would help me understand getting older better, and help me feel better about aging.  But no. It just gave me the facts and that's it. It was an informative class, but I don't feel better about aging. 

Obviously, I don't have a choice, as people remind me.  But luckily, I have a while :) 

I just hope that I have love like the movies -- and that will get me though.

Wordless Wednesday!

Nothing

I honestly have nothing to say, except that the semester ends in ONE WEEK. :)

I will study until then, and then come back to the blogging world and have interesting stuff to say, and lots of pictures of my CRUISE. 

Yay.

What Happens In Vegas...

Don't have much to say, so I'll say what I'm thinking::::

In ONE WEEK I take my Organic Chemistry final!!!!

I have about an 87 in the class right now, so that's extremely encouraging. 

 CASPA (The online PA application) has officially opened, which means that I can officially start my application, which means I am officially freaking out!

In TWO WEEKS I get to go on a cruise with my mother!

For 2 whole weeks I get to read whatever I want, and not a textbook!! Woohoo!

I get to go home this weekend on Saturday to watch Kim, my future sister-in-law, try on wedding dresses!!

This is the front-runner. Gorgeous.

MaggieSottero.com

Dress: Vogue

On Sunday, I get to spend the entire evening and night with Mary and we're going to eat at Too Jay's and watch Sherlock Holmes and talk and I just am so excited. I love Mary!

Did I mention I get to go Vegas in June?! I've never been, but can't wait. 

 If you want some great shopping tips for some inexpensive clothes, check out Mary's blog this week!

Sometimes I feel like sermons are like research papers. 

TONS of fluff, and a little bit of message.

Ugh.

(Confession idea stole from Mary over at Great White Snark -- Thanks)

Words

I have many, many thoughts and I want to share them. But I have learned to 

keep my mouth SHUT.

If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all.

I firmly believe in that over-used cliche. And I think others should too.
Why is the world so negative?

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Wordless Wednesday

Home

I got to come home for Easter weekend

I met my mom at the Bass Pro Shop because I needed hiking boots. I have failed to mention that I am going on a week long hiking trip. It's not quite the hiking trip you'd imagine. We rented a chalet (like a log cabin) and we are going to be day hiking. We will be dropped off/picked up by a person from our group who isn't hiking and we'll spend the evenings happy in beds, relaxing in the hot tub. This is where we are staying::

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Anyways, I got hiking boots, these to be exact.. ( I know, I know, they are HIDEOUS. BUT I found pink socks, so it's all okay :D)

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After that, we went to the nearby outlet malls (fabulous!) I needed a jacket that could be used in light weather or heavy weather and one that was waterproof. So, we headed over to Columbia Sportswear, where I found a $260 jacket for $50!! 

On Saturday, we went shopping for some furniture and then headed over to my brother and his wife's house for some dinner and went to bed early for Sunday.  

On Sunday, we went to church and then went to the local Country Club for lunch -- a tradition we've had for about 18 years, if not more.  My mom and I went to see "The Last Song" that afternoon.

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*Spoiler Alert*

This was a Nicholas Sparks novel that was made into a movie. Now, he is famous for writing sappy love stories where a main character (usually) dies. My mom HATES movies where people die, absolutely hates it. (I thought she was never going to see a movie with me again after "A Walk to Remember").. Anyways, I looked up a review and decided that no one dies, so I convinced her to go with me. Of course, half way through the movie, someone coughs and she looks at me with the death stare and I knew I was in trouble. Oops. She forgave me, once again, but vowed to never ever see another Nicholas Sparks movie again. 

Monday, I got to go shopping briefly with my mom and we took Katelynn to Chuck-E-Cheeses.

After that, I got to have lunch with Mary, whom my Wordless Wednesday Post was dedicated to. We went shopping as well and that was, as always, very enjoyable.  I came home and chilled with my mom and then we went out to dinner with my dad and brother and Kate.  We came home and relaxed again.  I had such a great Easter weekend. 

Hope you did too :) 

P.S. Please pray for my family. We will most likely have to put my grandmother in a nursing home this week and that will be very difficult on my father.  Please pray that the transition, if one is made, goes smoothly and everything works out..

Happy Easter

Wordless Wednesday!