Reminder of the good stuff....

This is the final week of our 'semester'. We have only had class for eight weeks in between our last internship and the next one. It has been a whirlwind of courses, projects, and exams. This morning four classmates and I got to take a step back from school and give back to the Durham Rescue Mission. We did cleaning and odd-jobs in a Rescue Mission facility. Even in the midst of all of the chaos that is going on in my life, there is something so relaxing about vacuuming for a good cause. Not only did I get to vacuum, but I got to sanitize a bunch of donated glasses. They were awesome... most definitely from the era of my grandparents, with big frames, crazy shapes, and lots of thick lenses. It was a great experience though, and really made me remember what is important in life. I'm so thankful for the times when I get to do something that is not for myself, yet fills me with so much joy!

Have to run, though. Lots of vestibular system information to learn!

My classmates and me at our FINAL all class picnic!

Campout with the CRAZIES

It's that time of year again... the start of DUKE BASKETBALL excitement as Campout Weekend comes! I didn't participate this year (yay for sleeping in my warm bed at home) but I did go for the first night and I'm so glad I did.

If you're not familiar with DUKE GRADUATE SCHOOL CAMPOUT, let me fill you in... All graduate students are able to register for campout which ultimately puts you into a lottery drawing for season tickets to Duke Men's Basketball Games. Campout starts on Friday evening (around 6pm) and goes through the weekend until early Sunday morning (usually 7am). Throughout the weekend there are a number of 'checks' that each participant has to make. They announce the 'checks' through the most annoying siren on the face of the Earth. That sound will forever be etched into our brains as a bad sound. The tough thing about campout is that sleep is very limited; the checks come every hour or so all throughout the weekend. Despite the lack of sleep, it is definitely a unique experience, one that you couldn't get anywhere else!

On Friday night there was an AWESOME dance party. As a class, we've been to a lot of dance parties, but this one far exceeded all the others. By far one of the best memories from my time at Duke! Hard to believe it was our third year at campout, though.

First Time CAMPING

Yes, you read it correctly... last night was my FIRST EVER time camping outside! When I was little, I was never the "let's sleep outside in the backyard in a tent" kind of girl... my sister and I attempted once with some friends and didn't even last one night!

Some of my friends from church invited me to camp with them at HOLLY POINT campgrounds. We had the most beautiful site on the grounds! We had the entire lake right behind our tents!

After the rough last few weeks I've had, it was such a blessing to be surrounded by a wonderful group of women. These friends are the ones that make life significant! I got to meet some new friends too-- which is always a wonderful thing!!

[Around the campfire]

As you can tell-- Amy and I and were glad to be hanging out again after my long time away in Colorado... :) She's an amazing friend... SO full of wisdom!

All in all this was a great experience... I can definitely see myself embarking on future camping adventures (as long as there are showers and toilets provided!)

Hello-Goodbye-Hello-Goodbye

My mom shared a quote with me the other day that popped up into my head tonight.

"Maybe every GOODBYE is just the platform to hear another HELLO"

Over the last few months I have had my share of new hello's and goodbye's. I must admit, I am much better at the HELLO's. Over my experiences in the past few months I am realizing that it is really hard to continually change locations and cycle through the 'get-to-know-you' process in each place. When I first got to Colorado I had convinced myself that I could survive alone-- I didn't need to meet new people. I didn't think I needed to invest myself there, because in all reality I would be leaving in five months. I think my experience out there showed me that HELLOs lead to significant experiences and friendships, regardless of how long those might last. I think I'm learning through my time in graduate school that we should cherish every HELLO that we give and receive-- with no strings attached. The old sayings go "people will come in and out of your life..." and that is true. Once we realize that we become the person we're meant to be, maybe the HELLOs and GOODBYEs will become a little easier.

Who knows... maybe the greatest HELLO is just another GOODBYE away...

Back in the groove...

Hey! I am going to try to write a little bit more frequently (you know, more than once every two-three months!)

I just finished my first week back at class at Duke. It was wonderful to be back with so many people that are so special to me (like my great friend Jess in this picture!)



It's weird to think that last Monday was my last "first day of school". Hard to believe that every year since 1990 I have had a first day of school... that's a long time! It was great to think that this time next year I will (prayerfully) be going to my real job! This is an interesting time in my life right now-- filled with every possible emotion that a girl could have. There are good days and bad days, but I am finding it hard at times to keep my mind focused on the here and now. I was reading the other day and came across this really great poem that is such an encouragement to me... I pray it's an encouragement to you too!


My life is but a weaving, between my God and me
I do not choose the colors, He worketh steadily
Oftimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.
Not till the loom is silent, and shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful in the skillful Weaver's hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He had planned.
- Annonymous


Until next time...

SELFISHNESS Lesson at the airport

I learned a really valuable lesson tonight. I was flying back from a great trip out to California this weekend. I picked the latest flight possible to give me more time with my friend. The late departure and late arrival of my flight made me super tired... which sadly tends to bring out many bad qualities from within. I was frustrated with the people walking slow and making my trip through the airport even longer. I realized that my mentality was saying, "Don't these people know I'm tired and ready to get home...". How selfish of me to think that my situation was far more important than all of the other travelers. They were all tired, they had all come from various destinations- traveling for a variety of reasons. Who am I to think that my situation trumps them all. Despite the humility this lesson brought on, I'm always thankful to have situations that show me ways that I can improve myself. Hopefully the next time I'm inconvenienced or delayed, I can remember this lesson and have a better attitude...

Oh the Ant!

Today in the kitchen I saw an ant circling the top of a measuring cup...

...around and around and around and around...

sometimes I feel like that ant-- I keep going in circles hoping to find the way out. Turns out, for the ant, that the situation is not as challenging as he thinks. If he could see the big picture he'd know that there was a way down to the countertop. But all he sees is the path he's on at the moment. Once he's willing to break out of his old pattern he can see all the wonders of life on the countertop.

That's what I need to do... trust God to provide the strength to break off the normal path around the measuring cup, believing that there is a world of wonder out there for me to see...

It's cool how we can learn life lessons from a small ant in the kitchen