Oh how I've missed you...

So it has been MONTHS since I've last posted; in fact, I dont even know if it is fair to say that I still have a blog since I haven't been blogging.

Honestly lately I haven't had much social interactions. Let's see if I can catch you up on my life in less than 3 minutes..

- Studying for Part 1 of my National Board Exam
- Studying for Part 1 of my National Board Exam
- Studying for Part 1 of my National Board Exam
- Did I already say I was studying for Part 1 of my National Board Exam??

Ok so basically that has been consuming my life...
Things have definitely taken a change for the better.

Of course I am still in Optometry school... 2nd semester 3rd year... whoop whoop!

I remember when I wrote all the blog posts about how much I was dreading moving to St. Louis and once I got here how much I can't stand it.

Don't get me wrong, STL and me aren't necessarily best friends, but I have definitely come to appreciate it for what it is.

So what triggered this random post?
I saw this video on how Relaxers (Perms) has been linked to fibroid tumors in Black women... and I was like man I wish I still wrote on my blog because that would be awesome to post.

Anyways... life is good, somewhat. I have 21 more days until I take my national boards. I really can't believe it. And yet this week I have two tests on Friday and an assignment due... wow!

So it always goes this way, whenever I have a crap ton of things to get done I squeeze some time to blog. I will try and have another update or two and of course post that video on the relaxer thing... Until Next Time...

Week 11 of Classes

::hangs head in shame::

So this is like a bad relationship, I promise to do better, but then I fall back into my same skiddish ways. It's been almost 2 months since I've last written. I really can't believe it has been that long. My life has been zooming by, but certain parts have just been moving s..l..o..w..l...y... ie this week. 

So..how's 3rd year?

Hmm...3rd year is -_- 

For some reason, I was under the impression that 3rd year, I would be living it up, partying, enjoying the good life, laughing at the 1st years (ok I do that). But in fact, 3rd year is just blah... maybe if I wasnt too busy randomly planning stuff for NOSA life would be less intermittently stressful. Also I manage to work a couple hours a week. I can't pay my rent off it, but it does supplement my gas money.

I work for our Clinic's dispensary. I love my job, but honestly some days stress me out more than taking a test. Speaking of taking a test, most of my grades have fared well so far. ::knocks on wood, tree, and linoleum (for good measure)::

All in all, I can say life is indeed good (intermittently).

So I do this rather compulsive thing where I label each day we have been in class and countup each day/week. Well it's week 11 and I am in disbelief. Excited, but nervous for what is ahead. Anywho... just wanted to type a few words. Hope yall aint mad.

Until Next Time...

Summertime JOY!

What up KIDS!! It's summa summa time! So far this summer has been pretty cool. Besides the fact that it is beyond hot in St. Louis. I really never thought it could get so hot here especially since the winters are so dreadful. Further confirms how much this city is the devil's playground. The reported heat index right now is 110 degrees. Like what does that even mean? Well I know, but it's just awful. How the heck is it more hot in St. Louis than Atlanta, sigh, who knows!

So I love warm weather, because you can wear dresses, and tank tops. Two of my favorite articles of clothing. :)

I wanted to share with you all the joys that have been keeping me company this summer.

1. 

So this is officially my favorite song of the summer. There is always a "summer anthem," that basically symbolizes it is summer time. Not my favorite time of the year (Fall is my favorite season), but definitely better than the winter. Whenever I am out and this song comes on, it makes me dance, it has a great beat and the lyrics are so cute! It has me feeling  pretty nostalgic already.

2. My second summer joy is the "MUNY." It is apparently "America's Largest and Outdoor Musical Theater." I have been to 2 shows already, I went to "Legally Blonde" and "Kiss me Kate." They were both FANTASTIC! The actors were so talented. Their singing, acting, and dancing were all impeccable. I have been trying to figure out what it has stood for since the first time I've heard of it, i think it is just for "municipal theater."

There is a new show every week and a half. Tonight I am going to go see "Singing in the Rain;" I honestly have no idea what that musical is about, so I hope that I enjoy it. I'll be sure to wear a hat and bring lots of water to keep my hydrated in this heat. Oh and did I mention the best part...it's FREE!

The line up for this summer is as follows:

1. Legally Blonde
2. Kiss Me Kate
3. The Little Mermaid
4. Singing in the Rain
5. Little Shop of Horrors
6. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
7. Bye Bye Birdie

3. My third and final joy thing this summer is ICE. Yes I said it Ice. So as most of you know, I'm a self proclaimed coffee addict. So when the temperatures started heating up, I knew I needed to adapt with the heat. So it took mainly failed attempts, but I finally got my perfect blend of iced coffee!! Hooray for me!!! You have to use less water because when the ice melts you don't want your coffee to be all gross and watered down. YAY for Coffee. But the key ingredient in this all is ICE! One big round of applause for ice.




Until Next Time...

White Coat and Clinic FLOW!!

I'm halfway there!

HEY GUYS!! So I said I was going to write a quick post on White Coat Exam and White Coat Ceremony! So here we go! On May 12, 2011, I received my White Coat. So what does that mean?

In a nut shell, you are required to take an Exam that is formally called the "Clinic Privileging Exam." So this exam is the end of your 2nd year, and simply you have to give a full eye exam while being watched by one of the doctors. Ok sounds like no biggie right...umm NO!

So up until that point, you have been practicing all of your different clinical skills and learning to not only do every test, but in a efficient manner and to record it properly. So it is essentially a culminating exam that is supposed to prove that you are ready to see real patients! Yup. So my White Coat Exam was on  April 21st... Needless to say, I passed and I got my white coat! Woohoo!

It's a big ceremony, my mom, dad, and aunt came to St. Louis to watch me get it! Woohoo! It was just a really great and exciting day. I felt like I finally successfully crossed over a huge hurdle. We have been looking forward to white coat, since first semester first year. It is all really surreal. I find it hard to believe that I am a 3rd year now.

This summer in clinic I have started seeing patients. It is extremely weird, because I just sometimes feel like I have NO IDEA of what is going on. Also it is weird to me that the doctors trust me enough to leave me to do all of the tests and just "report" back my findings to them. They do double check some stuff, but for the most part it is just me!! Aaah...so scary.

I have had some great patients so far. My 2 favorite have been a 9 year old boy and this lady that got into a motorcycle accident and now can't see out of her left eye. Very sad, but I am glad that I was able to help them see. Optometry has been a lot more than I have expected. Honestly a lot more complex, intricate, and REWARDING! I have definitely chosen an awesome field and I am so glad.

Here are some more pictures as promised:

Getting my White Coat!

"I be up in the gym, just working on my fitness"

What up!!! I got my White Coat Yall!

Mommy and Daddy

Until Next Time...

"Always be a poet, even in prose." C. Baudelaire

One of the many benefits of attending Emory University is the amazing people that I was able to meet and befriend. Not only are many of these people like minded in ideals and goals, but they are also amazingly talented.

So I've always had a thing for poetry... I think it was around middle school that I realized that I was just not going to be a poet. I liked the "idea" of writing poems, but I was just not good at it.
I usually ask all of my friends that consider themselves poets to write me a poem. Luckily my friend Carlos obliged. I am an avid lover of Robert Frost's, The Road Not Taken. I believe I have even featured a post on this poem (I DID...yay...Click here for the link to my August 2009 entry on the Road Not Taken) So when he decided to write a poem, that was loosely based on The Road Not Taken. I was excited to say the least!! It's below!

There is a fork out front of me
two frosted paths- one traveler's glory,
adventure surly lies just down one pick
the other holds some unknown story.

One shall do well enough I'm sure,
the other far worse I'll likely tell
but both assuredly plainly stood,
neither way seemed the better scaled.

The trees will not bother tell me
just which path is better lain.
The one looks swift, if grass be quick,
the other just as brisk and plain.

I will spend the day until assured
which is the better of this way.
Two roads diverge in a frosted wood,
And I- have not a decision made.
C. Harper

So I've been telling him that I was going to write a blog entry on the poem he wrote for the longest and honestly. I remembered because he emailed another poem out this morning. I enjoyed this one as well, it is concerning Travel. For those of you who don't know..I LOVE to travel. I love the airport, I love exploring unfamiliar places and learning about cultures... (hence my Anthropology major). So once again, Harper seemed to "hit the nail on the head" (that's a weird expression..lol.)

One autumn a man preached about destiny
and the church listened, nodded, said amen
and I was with them till the train came.

Trains, they are boxes large and heavy
whistling loudly shaking at our temple.
The preacher pauses till she passes through,
I know she means no harm but see
the tracks were lain,
she has no choice but follow.

One autumn a man preached destiny
and my mind took to a train.
C. Harper

I hope you enjoyed those poems as much as I did. Until Next Time...

Hello There!

Hello There!!

I am alive and well!! I honestly didn't realize it has been since April 14th since I last wrote. ::shame on me::

Things have been on the up and up. I have so much to share. So much so I will put it in bullet form and maybe I can write some retroactive posts.

• Finished my 2nd semester, of my 2nd year!! (woohoo)
• -Had my White Coat Ceremony (I was so excited yall)... 
• i'll share some pics!
• Finally settled into St. Louis and i've accepted this is indeed where I will be living for the next year and some..
• Currently I'm working 2 jobs
• One is the dispensary of my school's clinic... Helping people pick out glasses, fixing glasses, etc
• The second one is with a Minority Pre-Optometry summer program for high school students
• I went to MIAMI for Memorial Day!!
• It was fun, but a little too crazy.
• I've been tweeting a lot!
• One of my friend's wrote me this awesome poem. I told him I would share, so I will do that soon.
• My coffee addiction is growing and growing...smh.

That's just some things that come to mind since April. Nothing too exciting. I am at work currently. I figured I'll finish this up and just know I haven't forgotten!! Until Next Time...

Let Your Light Shine Through!

So this is going on the Day 2 of the Snow Day, in which school has been cancelled. Well actually tomorrow will be Day 3 since the semester has started. We had a snow day the first week of school, and now there has been a colossal storm/blizzard that has hit the midwest region. But to be honest, there was just freezing rain in my area. Which was a little scary... well mostly because the sound of rain/snow is amplified in my living room due to my sky light.
I actually really like my sky light because I have always thought the "pitter-patter" of the sound of rain is peaceful and calming. The main reason why I like my sky light is because it lets a lot of natural lighting come into my apartment. Love it! I have to make sure I have this feature in my house. Essential!

Ok so clearly I just got off on a random tangent about my skylight. As you can tell this is only my 4th entry for 2011... Eek I can't believe I am slacking already.Today which has almost come to an end, was the first of February. So far, I don't know what to think of 2011. Nothing too exciting or out of the ordinary has happened. I have been having and enjoying a lot more "me" time. In the process I feel myself maturing and really growing up. It's weird, because there is nothing really tangible  that I can say is happening or I am doing differently. But I can just feel it. I guess it is part of being 23. I am just staying positive and letting positive energy flow. I've been in tune with my mind and heart a lot more and just listening to those inner musings.

This blog post is really just a free flow of my thoughts. So in other words, no real point. lol. I can't believe we have another day off of school, there is going to be so much work to make up. But I'm just going to try and get caught up in all my classes and really use my day wisely, because I did not use today wisely at all.

How's 2nd year, 2nd semester? Hmm... I guess it is off to a good start. It is hard to believe that I am already this far in my optometric schooling. Time is really flying and in essence that has been pretty scary for me. In May it will have been 2 years since I graduated from Emory. Extremely hard to believe. I do feel like I am where I want/need to be. There are a few things I plan on tweaking/changing/upgrading by this May. So stay tuned... I often title my posts after I am done with the actual entry, and I thought "let your light shine through" would be a cute one. Since I did start randomly talking about my sky light and I think that is what 2011 is all about.  I have a couple more posts, but I'll make them separate. tata!

Until Next Time...

Enamel, Dentin...

As my break quickly approaches an end, I can honestly say it was a great break. I was able to stop, rejuvenate, and evaluate. I found a lot of time to do things that I missed, which is lots of reading, movie, and tv watching. My motto for 2011 is "Let Go and Let Flow."

I also managed to decently recover from being on my death bed for about a week and a half. Before I get into the exhaustive list of movies that I watched over break I have to speak on something briefly...

Two words: Wisdom Teeth!!!

First of all, I feel like I was lied to. I feel as though people implied that it wasn't that bad, that I will recover rather quickly and it will be a thing of the past before I knew it.

Despite the sharp shooting pain, I managed to have a good New Years... puffy face and all. But as I was saying, no one told me all the little nuances. Like the fact, that I will have 4 holes in my mouth in which food and stuff get caught in and I am forced to "irrigate" with salt water...gross!! Just everytime I have to do it after eating, all I can think of is that I cant believe I actually considered being a dentist.

Lawd help all those people that are currently dentists and those that are pursuing dentistry... Just grossed out thinking about it... All the pain, tenderness, jaw swollenness, puffy cheeks, inability to open my mouth... I ate yogurt for almost a week. For some reason, I don't like soft foods... so couldnt eat applesauce, pudding, jello, none of that stuff. I braved mashed potatoes, but only because I was desperate, don't really like that either. Anyways, having all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed was simply awful, can't think of a sum of money you would have to pay me to endure that again.. I'm think at least $1,000, ok maybe $500... (I need the money. lol. )

Until Next Time...

Is it getting warmer or colder??

First off, let me start by saying HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Secondly, so I was on twitter earlier, and for some reason, the idea of global warming popped into my head. I have been thinking a lot about temperatures and climate. Given that it actually SNOWED on christmas...like semi-real snow (not just flurries) and it actually stuck to the ground. Anyways, I remember hearing a couple places that due to "global warming" we are expected to have Colder Winters...

So I was just curious about why is this the case. So I started looking up random articles, and each and everyone seemed to contradict each other.Some articles in fact did not want to acknowledge that the colder temperatures we are experiencing is even significant or related to global warming.

Something that I think is interesting is when this global warming is being discussed, in my mind I was thinking things are warming up by 5 or 6 degree's. But we are talking about approximately 1.33 degree increase in a century. Ok...so that definitely wasnt as alarming as I thought it would be. But then again, I guess it is an issue, because the polar ice caps are "apparently" melting at alarming rates.

The reason I think this has also been on my mind, because I was watching Parker and Spitzer the other day and this guy, Bjorn Lomborg, he is a climate change skeptic and has a documentary out that is called "Cool It". He says that Al Gore has people so worried about climate change and what not, but instead of focusing on that, we should be more worried about the people that are dying every single day because of war, poverty, etc... It is so true. He also says that we shouldnt necessarily focus on the here and now, but we as a society/world won't be able to make it another century if we dont change what we are doing right now!

Another reason that it has been on my mind is because I watched 2012 the other day. Yes the movie was over the top, and quite ridiculous (because the main character and his family should have died, within the first 20 minutes of the movie starting), but their whole premise was on the earth's crust suddenly heated up within like 48 hours,and melted everything. So there was just so much wrong scientific information, that I am not even going to start in on it, but one of the things I was wondering is whether the temperature outside stayed the same? While the earth was opening up and people were falling into molten lava (gosh so unrealistic)...

One of the few concise articles, that did not manage to contradict itself by the end is one that I found from foxnews... Yes we all know how Right Wing / Ridiculously Radical Fox News and it's news can't be trusted, so keep that in mind, but they basically said we were going to go into a mini-age for about 30 years. Ok first of all, a mini ice age... do they not understand the ice ages lasted for supposedly millions of years, so 30 years would actually be a very tiny miniscule microscopic of a fraction ice age. But anyways, here is the brief article..it still doesn't quite all add up to me. But one person did mention that it is actually a "blip" and is not explained at all by the "supposed" global warming that is allegedly going to happen.

I dont know what to believe. I don't want it to get warmer or colder, just stay the same... You know.

Until Next Time...

Book Worm Pt 2: No Girl Needs a Husband 7 days a Week by Nina Foxx

So this book was definitely a good one. It was an easy read, but also very entertaining. I got it from the public library a couple days ago (yeah its a recession). I liked it mostly because there were so many twists and turns that you really couldn't predict how the book was going to unfold. It follows three friends who happen to be sorority sisters and how they maneuver through the love and relationship world. I liked how all of the stories appealed to a different type of woman. The book was not overly cliche' or filled with lots of slang words (which many black books tend to be). As I said before it was indeed a pleasant read. Below is the description:

A husband can be good for a number of things:

• Companionship (when he's home)
• Household repairs (if he's handy)
• Good loving (if you're lucky), but . . . no girl needs a husband seven days a week!

A spouse is fine as long as he doesn't screw up the rest of your life. Now three lovely ladies who think they have this "husband" thing all worked out are about to learn that, when it comes to love and marriage, "perfection" can always be improved upon. And it's going to be one wild ride! 

Until Next Time...

Book Worm Pt 1: The Ideal Wife by Jacquelin Thomas

So as long as I can rememeber I have always liked to read. Maybe it is the "hooked on phonics" that brain washed me at a young age. Anyways, I just read 2 books in 3 days. Yeah I am not even sure how that is possible, given that I started one of the books 11pm that night. Both of the books dealt with black love/dating/marriage. So there were times in both books that were agonizing and frustrating.

The first book was called "The Ideal Wife" by Jacquelin Thomas. It was basically about a young woman who gets married to a wealthy man and her husband pressures her into becoming something she is not. Yes the storyline is unsettling and even from the very first page of the book I was very hesitant. If you have time for a quick read you can definitely check it out. There were parts of the book that seemed a little far fetched and contrived, but other parts that could very well be true in many marriages. Below is the description from the back of the book:

Marrying a handsome, wealthy lawyer and living in a Hollywood Hills mansion...it's a dream come true for twenty-four-year-old Jana, from the moment Lawrence Collins swept her off her feet and into his luxurious world. True, she put her studies at a local Bible college on hold in order to wed after a six-month whirlwind romance. Beautiful and vivacious, with a stunning body, Jana knows men like Lawrence don't come along every day, and she vows to be a perfect companion -- the ideal wife -- to this sexy, powerful man. But at what price?

From her wardrobe and hairstyle to her friends and her choice of church, Lawrence seems to want to change Jana into someone she's not...and soon, the man Jana thought she knew will test her values and her faith with a shocking revelation that goes against everything she believes. 

The first thing that shocked me is the fact that he asked her to drop out of school and she did it... wow. A man should be encouraging you to further your education. He was also very selfish and unwilling to compromise on many things. Which made for a sad situation on her part. He was insensitive to her feelings and needs and before she knew it Jana started doing things and being someone else just to make her husband happy. I fully agree that you should try and make your significant other happy, but not at the expense of who you are and your own happiness. Thanks to my Line sister for participating in the book exchange.

Until Next Time...

Stop Abuse of Women Worldwide

So any of my "faithful" blog readers know that I love Ted Talks. Last week I started watching a talk by Sheryl DuWann. She is the author of the book, Stop Abuse of Women Worldwide. I had to stop and take the time to create a blogpost on this, not only because the video was moving, but I think it is essential information that people need to know.

I have found myself many times having heated debates/discussions on gender inequities in America and around the world. Honestly the people that I usually have these debates with are men. Sometimes I leave feeling so defeated because I don't know if "male privilege" is really operating that much or do people refuse to see the gender inequalities that span worldwide.



There are some highpoints from this video that really stuck with me.

She talks briefly on Female Sex Trafficking (also known as "modern day slavery", which is at an all time high around the world. This topic has really had an eye opening transformative effect on me, for several reasons. In undergrad my sorority held a Symposium on Sex Trafficking, that was extremely informative. Things are things that often go unlooked and thought about, mostly because it doesn't involve the every day person (or does it?). It's also important to know that many of these women are in fact young girls. As young as 6 or 7. Lisa Ling has also done a wonderfully enlightening documentary on sex slavery.

She also talks about childbirth and how around the world a woman dies every 1.5 minutes while giving birth.

Infanticide is a large issue when it comes to girls, because around the world, even in America...male children are often looked at as being more valued than girls.

DuWann's solution to these problems are to educate girls. Often girls are not given the opportunity to be educated, but instead they are married off at young ages and forced to be domestic servants to their husbands. She also reiterates that when a woman is educated, she tends to have fewer kids, get married later on in life, and also educate her own child. Which would inevitably stop the vicious cycle.

Overall the video is extremely informative, and it is something I think is worth taking a look at, especially for men, who think that we have reached gender equality.The specific stories she gives are so moving and dynamic. For me, it is especially touching as I sit here in my apartment and take a break from studying. I have been blessed beyond measure. There are girls around the world who will never go to school, let alone college and a doctoral program. It gives me strength and motivation to keep going, so that I can help those that are less fortunate.

Until Next Time...

Learning Style Characteristics-Diverger

So my Monocular Sensory Processes (MonSense) professor is apparently interested in our learning styles... Basically his class is hard and people rarely get A's so not sure how this is going to change anything. Anyways...but there are 4 basic learning styles.

1. Accommodator- Doing and Feeling
2. Diverger- Watching and Feeling
3. Converger- Doing and Thinking
4. Assimilator- Watching and Thinking

So based on the characteristics it described it basically came as no surprise to me that I was a Diverger. It pretty much describes me...kinda weird.

Diverger (Main Question: Why Am I learning this?)

• Empathetic and people oriented
• Sensitive to peer group
• Has a vivid imagination
• Has diverse interests
• Recognizes problems in the environment
• Needs emotional inolvement
• Listens and shares ideas well
• Collects information using all senses
• Is artistic and creative
• Likes to participate, collaborate
• Enjoy brainstorming

Yeah that's me... The environment thing caught me off guard...I was like wow..that's me.

So the main question that Diverger's ask is "Why am I learning this"...it's so crazy because I asked that almost every day my first year. I just needed to know how some of that stuff would tie into my optometric career. Now that it is my 2nd week, I am already seeing my many things being tied in so that makes me a lot happier. So the other questions for the learning types are as follows:

Accommodator- What if I did it this way?
Converger- How am I going to learn this?
Assimilator- What am I going to learn here?

I thought it was also interesting to note that, majority of the class were Converger's... (yeah our prof made us raise our hands) and he said in previous years, most, if not close to all of the class were converger's... hmm...makes you wonder. Let me know if anyone is interested in seeing more characteristics for the other learning types. Well that's all for now. "Sundays are for relaxing"

Until Next Time...

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die | Video on TED.com

 So I watched this video a while back when I was studying for finals last semester...it was definitely inspirational... So as most people knows he is the Co-founder and CEO of Apple and creator of Pixar. Steve Jobs is one of those people whose brains I would like to explore...

This was his commencement address to Stanford a couple years back. I am usually always inspired by commencement addresses too bad I always get screwed over ... (ie. Vicente Fox, who barely spoke English and was just ridiculous...I don't even know what he talked about, in fact I don't think anyone knew)

His speech mainly concerned how you have to and can make the best out of even the worse circumstances in life. Amazing...


Until Next Time...

Been Gone For a Minute...

So this definitely proves my free time theory...when I am the most busy and bogged down with stuff to do, that is when I find time to write on my blog. So you can deduce that, that I have lots of free time, because I haven't written on here in quite some time. It's not that I don't have a lot to say (because I have an opinion on lots of things), I just haven't actually done it. In fact I have been slacking on my actual blog reading...

So let me do the usual catchup...hmm... A couple weeks ago I went to Myrtle Beach with my line sisters...It was definitely an eventful and fun filled weekend. :-) Then a couple days later I headed to Puerto Rico for the NOA Convention. I throughly enjoyed the convention... I met lots of other optometry students from around the country, lots and lots and lots of Doctors... We stayed in the Caribe Hilton, which was a beachfront hotel, so when we weren't in meetings/seminars/CE classes I was outside by the ocean, on a hammock, or in the pool. Definitely great... No one can tell Optometry truly isn't a great profession...haha. 

I am in the home stretch of summer, so I have just been tying up lose ends and taking care of business... Ok so this is a pretty boring update. I think I'm going to watch some videos on Tedtalk... You can never have too much inspiration...Until Next Time...

10 Ways to Enjoy Doing Nothing

So I came across an article in one of my new fav magazines, even though I have only read 1 issue.. (my sister gave it to me on the plane)..it's called Real Simple. But it's just a woman's magazine with interesting articles on home and organizing, food and recipes, fashion, work and life, and holidays and entertaining.

So during the school year, things are usually hustle and bustle. I woke up at 7 am, got to class by 8 am., got out of class around 4 or 5, took a nap, ate dinner, worked out, studied then went to sleep around 1 am. Yeah that sounds hectic and crazy...because it was. So now that it is summer time, it is the exact opposite. And I think I have really been enjoying my free time... (stopping to smell the roses). So here's the link to the article. It's a must read...basically take some time to enjoy life for what it is...

1. Banish the guilt
2. Choose the Right Role Models
3. Sketch a flower
4. Go bumbling (wondering around without a purpose)
5. Play the ukulele
6. Bring back Sundays
7. Lie in a field
8. Gaze at the clouds
9. Take a nap
10. Pretend to Meditate

So this is random (as usual), but I have a mini-obsession with hammocks. I really hope my balcony is big enough to have one, because I really really want to get one. Yes I see myself potentially falling out of it, (cause I can be clumsy at times), but it should be fun and semi relaxing..since next year is looking a tad bit hectic. Gosh why can't I just be a fourth year already?

Until Next Time...

It's Been a While

So it is nearing the end of the month and I only have 2 blogposts for June...Yeah I've been slacking. And I don't really have an excuse because I haven't really been doing anything this month. It has been officially summer for 2 days now, and I have yet to do summery things like go swimming or have a picnic in the park. Oh well.. I'm actually surprised that I am up this early. I was really restless last night (I couldn't sleep), but finally I dozed off...

Last weekend I went to NY for my granny's 85th birthday party. I had a really good time. :) Every time I go to NY I confirm how I could never live there. It's a nice place to go visit and come back to ATL. But then again, who knew I would be going to school in St. Louis... lol. I have no real plans for today except to wash my hair, which can sometimes be an ordeal, but then other times it is really easy.

As you can see, I changed the template to my blog...I like it. I can't believe I actually decided on a design, since I can be so picky and indecisive at times.

I'm really excited about the trips that I have coming up. This weekend I'm going to Chicago, then in a couple weeks Myrtle Beach with my Line sisters, then Puerto Rico...woohoo! Even though I am excited about the trips, I don't want my summer to start winding down. I am excited about moving into my apartment... Unlike Atlanta, St. Louis is an old city so they don't have many new housing/apartment developments...which sucks. But the place I decided on, isn't exactly new, but it has most things that I was looking for. Maybe next year I will move into the loft that I want. I have a lot of things that I want to talk about/post, so hopefully this is one of many posts for the day. Until Next Time...

2 semesters down, 6 more to go...

So as I sit lazily on the couch, watching Gilmore girls, with no particular plans for the day. It feels good to think that I am a second year optometry student. This past year has been a whirlwind. From moving out of the glorious south to the midwest.. (yikes), to learning an abundance of information that I knew no idea about before entering opt school. I was going to make a list of all the things that I have learned, but that would take forever. So, I'll just type freely with whatever comes to mind, hopefully you can follow:

-I feel as though I have learned just as much about myself in the past year as I learned information.

-Leaving the womb, Atlanta, helped me grow in sooo many ways, its hard to even try and isolate them.

- I know for sure that I want to raise my family in the south... the midwest thing is not happening. The neighboring states just suck...my classmates and I were looking to go on a mini-vacay and all the states were boring. There were no beaches or warm weather or fun cities or great attractions...thats ok, i'll stay in the south.

- I think it's funny that whenever I tell people how excited I am to leave St. Louis they always tell me that I will miss it, umm they have no idea. Doubt if I will miss it at all this summer...guess we will see...

- I think I learned more actual school information these past two semesters than I have learned in a very long time...I honestly am not sure why so much info was crammed into two semesters, but whatev..

- Whenever I tell someone I am in Optometry school or they know you are in opt school, there is bound to be an eye question...last semester it used to be a little weird because I kinda knew stuff, but not really...NOW I know sooo much more information. I get soo excited when I actually kinda know what the person is talking about, and even better when I can answer the question with a right/definitive answer. Yes I know I have a lot more to learn, but more information than I think...

- This semester I was able to make new friends, go to many different places, and basically just venture out a lot more. I was able to appreciate St. Louis a lot more (even though I still don't like it), but it is just a different city, it cant be compared.

- School wise, I was able to study a little more comfortably... I still wrestled with myself though...I was never really able to study effectively in my apartment, but honestly I was just too lazy sometimes to go to the library, especially when it was cold and snowing.. I didn't get the exact GPA that I wanted this semester, but it's all good.

Wow so I blabbed on a lot...basically I am a much more mature, aware, and smart person after these two semesters.. I guess that is what life is all about.. I thought a rearview mirror picture is appropriate for this post (especially since I learned so much about mirrors and lens in my Optical and Geometric Optics classes)...Whew another post down...

1. Toms Shoes follow up
2. 1 year blogaversary (Recap)
3. First Year of Opt school (Looking Back)
4. Diversity/ Janelle Monae
5. St. Louis/Midwest

Until Next Time...