Christmas Tree

Hey all, I think I will just continue my break (oops) and update quick since I won't have a chance to update for a week or a little more.  Under 2 weeks til the cruise!! WOOT!! This weekend, lets see...I have studied studied, studied, taken too long of a break, watched the newest harry potter movie (I had watched the first 5 out of curiosity of what they were like over thanksgiving break haha), went tanning, went to panera (to study of course), and last night went to Red Lobster with friends (Yummy).  It was a good time and always nice to have the study break. Well, I thought I would put up the pic of my TINY christmas tree that I  have in my room.  Its small, but it works.

                                             

So thats the little bit of Christmas spirit in my room.  I at least have something though!! This week is going to be LONG!!!  Theres 2 tests (Biochem and Physio) and tomorrow morning we have a required hour and a half meeting/lecture at  7:30 am and then on Thursday I have a meeting at 7:45 have class til 4:40 and then have to study for a test the rest of the night.  Oh and the tests on Tuesday and Friday, are at 7:30 am so i have something every day this week at 7:30 except Wednesday which is when I am at Walgreens all day.  Its going to be busy, but I'm sure it will go fast and then theres a 2 week "break".  Well, I better get back to work...I am going to have to leave campus again today cuz i forgot to bring the movie back while i was out and about!! I knew I was forgetting something at the time :( Oh well.  There might be 1 more post before Christmas and there might not.  So if not Merry Christmas!! (but I'll probably get 1 post in when I'm at home!)

Its Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!!!

Well winter is here.   There is a coating of snow on the ground and it is still coming down (along with sleet).  Hopefully it won't be too messy of a drive tomorrow  (Wednesdays are my 1 day a week in the pharmacy).  It shouldn't be TOO bad, but we'll see. Since, its been so long I have a lot to catch up on.  I have some pics to show you what I'm up to as well.  :) 

First, Thanksgiving break.  You know a little about it.  Got a little time in to relax...got to catch up with a bunch of people, saw New Moon and The Blind Side (highly recommended, I would probably pay money to see it again). I spent a lot of money shopping, ate some good food.  I definitely wasn't ready to get back to work by the end.  I had a couple of projects going which were fun.  I made my own Christmas cards, didn't have time to make them from everyone but it was still fun.  I also made turkey cupcakes.  They were cute and yummy.

I also survived the first week of school.  Its going to be an extremely busy quarter.  Tests start next week.  We start off with a bang with both physio and biochem.  It'll be a busy weekend, but a bunch of us are planning on going out for supper so that will be fun :)  I can't believe next week is the last week before christmas...it doesn't seem right because I don't have finals, we just got back from thanksgiving, and this is the first there has been snow on the ground.  But that also means its only a little over two weeks til THE CRUISE!!! AHHH! so excited, it still seems so far away, but I know its not.  I fly out of Chicago for home a week from saturday.

This past weekend I went to Pella for our Christmas.  Since Kent and Dea won't be going on the cruise we got together.  It was fun.   Busy, and I'm a little behind on my studying now, but it was totally worth it (even the extra 10 hours in the car).  It was a lot of fun and good to play with the kids etc etc. The next time I see them there will be another Breems in the bunch :) The sad part is, I have no idea when I will get to see them....I am SO busy and considering how behind I got after going home the first weekend of the quarter, I can't see how I can do other weekends.  If anyone ever wants to see me again, you better come visit :) But it was a lot of fun and I miss everyone already. 

 

 Ava with chocolate on her face and one of her new necklaces

the kids with their new table and chairs

 

Tessa loved the new easel they got to share

Well thats the overview of the last 2-3 weeks.  Hopefully everyone is now up to speed.  I was going to put up pictures of my little christmas tree, but my camera isn't letting me upload the pic right now so it will have to be later.   But hope everyone is doing well and surviving the snow :) Love you all!!!

Mixed Emotions

So many mixed emotions right now.  I knew the fact that my aunt passed away wouldn't set in til I got to the visitation/funeral home/home and til I had a lot of time to think about it. Like I said there are so many mixed emotions.   I am happy I'm through 1st quarter of school. I am happy I am home.  I am happy I get a break.  I am happy I got to see my whole family.  I am happy that my aunt is no longer suffering.  Its been a rough six weeks.  As much as I wish I would have been able to come home and see her before she died, I am glad that my last memories of her were when she was doing something she loved (being at the state fair).  The only thing am sad about was that I didn't even have a proper good-bye that day.  I was in a hurry cuz I had to make it back to P-burg for an appointment and she was on the phone.  But, it was while she still able to get out and it was while she was doing so-so.  I don't have the memories of the horrible condition she was in the last 6 weeks.  She had an amazing testimony and had an amazing outlook on life.  She was always optimistic and she ALWAYS trusted the Lord.  She was a firm believer and there is no doubt in my mind that I will see her again!!!!  I am SO glad I got to spend the summer with her. My mom said to one of my cousin's best friends that Sue was like a second mother to both her and me (ironically we both lived with her for awhile) and its true.  Shes just so caring and she truly is always putting others in front of herself.  Its been a tough week and there will be tough days ahead, but we have comfort and we have hope!! 

Heidelberg Catechism Q & A 1:
What is your only comfort in life and in death?
That I am not my own, but belong body and soul, in life and in death to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.

My aunt was actually buried in my hometown's cemetery. So while people were still standing around talking, I was walking around and I walked over to my grandpa and aunt kathy's grave and then to Jon's grave and especially by Jon's grave I was just thinking WHY? why does God take such young people from us and why do we have lose the people we love.  But at the same time we know that God give trials to those  he loves, and that He will help us through those times.  I also know that those I have lost have it SO much better than us! They are in heaven, worshiping with the angels, and in the presence of God! (how awesome is that?!?!) Well, I am going to curl up in my bed with a movie so I can get a lot of sleep and be rested up for an awesome time catching up with friends tomorrow!!! Sorry this is so long, as you can tell I have a lot on my mind.

The home stretch

Well, here we are.  This coming week is my last week  of classes of my first quarter of pharmacy school.  After that its 1 down 12 to go.  :( Blah.  but 4 of those are when I am on rotations so if we look at it without that its only 8 to go (which sounds a little better).  But in the immediate future, there are 5 more days of classes and 4 days of exams and then its back to the land of nothingness (which I am excited for).  I might have a long drive back because I might stop at my aunt and uncles place, then I may stop at Target Ridgedale to see whoever is working and say hi.  We'll see what happens: such as what time I get done with exam and if I'm packed before I leave.  I can't say I've really done anything since last post so I really won't have much else to say.  Tomorrow I'm going downtown to have coffee with a couple high school friends.  I'm excited for that.  Sad that it ends up taking like a half day, but hey thats alright.  I've been taking it easy this weekend anyways.  I've gotten some stuff done, but caught up on sleep and just chillin as well.

Thanks to everyone.

First of all, Happy Halloween everyone.  Halloween many times is thought of as a horrible holiday by Christians, but honestly it can just be good fun.  Its fun to dress up and get candy  :) I, however, did not do anything exciting. Elizabeth, this year definitely was not near as fun as last year!!  There was a Halloween fest on campus last night that the school puts on for the kids, and I was originally was going to go.  But, I figured it would be better to sleep (take a nap) cuz I had a headache and I want to stay caught up on sleep with all the crud going around.  Definitely can't afford to get sick this time of year.  We have 2 weeks left of classes, 2!!! Then a week of finals and then I'm coming HOME! I'm ready to come home for a bit and i'm ready to RELAX!! Since I do have a week, I would absolutely love to go to either NW Iowa or Sioux falls for a day to see people but I really don't know if that will happen.  Maybe I'll be able to make it work, but we'll see what the plans are when it gets closer.

Now to the title of the post.  I feel like its overdue, and I've probably hinted at it a little at times (before some people knew about the blog), but I want to really stress it now.  I've thought about it a lot the last couple days (probably when I should've been studying).  I really just want to thank everyone for believing in me when I would get down and start to lose faith in my self.  Thank you for reassuring me after my many rejection letters. Thank you for believing in me. Its been a long road and I couldn't have done it without you guys.  All of the times people reassured me that my hard work would pay off, the shoulders to cry on when I thought I didn't get in again, and the joy that people shared with me when I finally got in.  (I could hear it in people's voices how happy they were for me and you have know idea how good that feels) I'll never forget when I moved into my aunt and uncles house this summer (I technically started staying there for  the summer after I got the job and then found out about school) and my I would hear my aunt on the phone and she would literally tell EVERYONE who had a clue who I was that I got in.  Most importantly, thank you for the prayers.  I was starting to wonder if pharmacy was really what God wanted me to do, and I was so confused and I didn't know where to go.  I knew its what I wanted, but its just such a long grueling process I was starting to wonder.  And then on July 10 (yes I remember the date haha) I got the phone call and it was definitely an answer to prayer.  I thank God for each and every one of you and the part you have played in my life.

I guess, I should get back to studying and make all of you proud now :) I can't tell you how glad I am for the extra hour of sleep/extra hour of studying tonight! YAY! This week is another CRAZY week.  I have physiology quiz monday, calculations quiz monday, biochem test on Tuesday, and Calculations FINAL on Thursday (the class is set up different than others so if i get a good enough grade on that first final, then I'm done with the class :) Not going to be a whole lot of time for sleep the rest of the weekend/week, but then we get a little bit of a break before finals with only 1 quiz before finals start.  Well, thats all I have for tonight. Have a great week!

Fall is here

Well, fall finally came.  We had a couple days of absolutely gorgeous weather.  The past 2 days have been very dreary, I wish we had the weather from the beginning of the week again, but at least its not winter yet.

I guess you're probably wondering whats been going on here.  Lets see here. Oh yeah...the last time I posted it was the week from well yeah.  I survived the week.  I didn't do good on those tests but thats a different story.  This week hasn't been TOO bad but the next month will be terrible.  I only had 1 test this week which was a nice break.  Last weekend wasn't too exciting, almost everyone I hang out with was gone for the weekend.  So I got some studying done and watched a couple movies.  I finally saw "The Proposal" it was a great, clean movie.  There haven't been many of those lately.  Last night I went out for pizza with a bunch of people from the frat and it was a lot of fun.  First of all, Giordano's pizza! YUMMY! If anyone wants some good chicago pizza, i'll go there with you! Its so good.  I love it! (even if it is ridiculously bad for you).  It was an amazing break from campus and studying.  As for this weekend, lets see....tomorrow night I'm going out for supper with some people and tomorrow morning I'm going to be helping out at the health fair with a poison prevention booth for APhA-ASP (American Pharmacists Assosciation-Academy of Student Pharmacists) which is another organization I'm involved in.  It should be fun, I'll only be there a couple of hours so it shouldn't be bad.  Then its back to the books.  Well, I think thats all the info I have.  I know my life is not incredibly exciting.  Thats what happens when you're in grad school. :)

Oh and side note.  Update on my aunt: shes still hanging in there, which not to be selfish, but if anything does happen it will be harder for me to make it home from here on it, so thats kind of annoying, but oh well I guess.  Its not up to us, its up to the Lord.  I'll find a way if I need to...it may not be extremely convenient, but thats the way life goes. 

Too crazy for my liking

I guess its about time to update again.  This coming week is going to be crazy.  I have tests in my two toughest classes.  So I've been having a fun day and will have a fun night/and tomorrow/and week! So its going to be a long tiring week.  To add to it, my aunt who I lived with for part of the summer is going down hill fast and they don't know if she'll make the weekend...if she does make the weekend it won't be long after that.  If it does happen I really want to go home for the funeral.  I hope I don't have to move any tests or anything around because its not as easy as at Dordt, but obviously we have to wait to see what happens. It would be easiest if I don't have to go home til Thursday afternoon or so, but we'll see what happens.  Just be praying for her and her husband and kids!  So you know..just a little bit of stress this week.  But we'll see how it goes. 

As for other happenings, last weekend I took the train into the city to go to my cousin Chelsey's.  It was a fun short trip.  The train on the weekend is pretty cheap so that was nice! We did a little shopping and just hung out and then went out saturday night for awhile. It was a fun little trip (despite dreary weather during the day).  I went back on Sunday and then hit the books.  The rest of the week wasn't incredibly eventful (besides the many sporting events to watch lol). On Thursday I went out for supper with a bunch of people from the frat! It was a lot of fun! Then last night I saw "Whip It" which was a really good movie.  At least I really liked it.  Then we went to Maggiano's corner cafe (a little cheaper and faster than regular Maggianos).  It was good and then I got back and hit the books.  I have been alternating watching tv and studying today and was doing alright at getting stuff done til just a little while ago.  Oh well I guess, hopefully I'll get some more done yet tonight! I'm off until next time!!

Its official! Got the coat!

Hey all! Another week is over.  I of course should be studying but am not.  Hopefully soon.  I survived my first test and actually did quite well on it (way better than dordt biochem tests lol).  I can't say I've gotten a whole lot done since the biochem test, but oh well.  Instead of studying and watching tv on thursday night I went and got my haircut and to Maurices to see if they had the size in a pair of shoes i've been contemplating! It was a successful night.  Then Friday, we only had two classes (yay) cuz of the white coat ceremony, which is to symbolize professionalism and we take an oath of professionalism.  I now know my way to O'Hare because the ceremony was in a convention center right by it.  The ceremony wasn't too exciting...got to see 700 some people get a white coat put on them, but it moved pretty fast and was over in about an hour and a half.  They alternated by programs so they continually had people moving up and down.  I'll have to add some pictures later but I have a total of 2 pictures from before the ceremony, the ones my mom took are on her camera and i didn't get the pictures onto my computer.  So I'll possibly add them later. But here are the ones from before

On the left is my suitemate, Nicole and in the middle is Angela.

me and my mother

After the ceremony, we ate at Olive Garden (YUMMY) and then just chilled at their hotel.  Oh and by the way, the shoes from maurices, extremely cute and love them but not good to wear for 7 hours the first time you wear them and have to walk a lot.  My feet were killing me at the end of the night and I wound up with a couple blisters, oh well! The other part of Friday was bid day.  You can put your name in a box to pledge to a frat if you want to join.  They are all professional frats, that do community service etc so I decided it would be a good thing to do and a good way to meet other people.  I had trouble deciding which one to join, cuz you could tell they all had different personalities, but I ended up placing a bid to Phi Delta Chi so I start the pledge process for that on Tuesday. Otherwise this

weekend hasn't been too exciting.  Went shopping with the parents for a little while at Oakbrook this morning, which is an outdoor mall.  I didn't get into too many stores before my parents wanted to head out, but I did get a new coat and a cardigan so that was kind of exciting.  Well, I should really get to work I'm getting myself a little behind in studying for my test on Tuesday! So, hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

Let the games begin

Games, tests, same difference...  This week marks the beginning of tests.  We start out with a bang...Biochem.  All the PS-2s say that Biochem isn't that bad, but we shall see.  It'll be interesting comparing how I do in Biochem and Physiology here compared to Dordt.  Anyways, I can't say there has been a ton going on.  I go to class, study, watch some tv, go to bed.  haha.  I hope to get a really good schedule for my days going very soon here (including working out/running) :) I kind of have a schedule but not really so we'll see if it gets better.  As I mentioned, I'm getting used to things here...doesn't take much for me to get used to it.  Can't say I've been homesick, however I can say just the fact that I've been at school makes me miss Dordt (A LOT).  I'm pretty settled in.  I ran to IKEA with Angela last weekend and I bought a couple things that I that I kind of needed.  I got a lamp for by my bed and then a closet sweater organizer thing (with a couple drawers).  I was wishy washy on buying the thing for my closet, but I absolutely LOVE it! I'm so glad I did and I really did need the lamp, so I was okay with that (plus it was super cheap).  Anyways, As I mentioned before I'm hoping to get back into running...hopefully i'll find a good path to take around here.  If I get into a pattern, I think I'm going to get the Nike + Ipod sensor.  It tracks calories, distance, pace, etc.  It would be kind of nice.  The only bad thing is that my ipod arm jacket is missing...and its hard to find ones that fit my ipod since mine is a 3rd generation and now they are to generation 5 (completely different shape).  I'll just have to do without for a while.  Then hopefully eventually (thats a big eventually) I'll get one of the new ipod nanos that just came out!  Well, I better get to studying...I've been watching a movie for a break and its almost done. I'm off for the night! Have a great weekend all!!

The first couple days...

Well, the first couple days of classes are over, and they don't have me too worried...yet.   I think I have everything I need...just a couple of random forms to get turned in as well as a couple shots and I'm good to go.  Since I am trying to make my blog more interesting...I am going to work on putting pictures on here of random stuff...so here I go.  I tried to take a 1st day of school picture on my computer, lighting was kind of off but thats okay.  So here is my first day (of classes) of pharmacy school picture. (sorry not very clear). 

We also got our IDs which will make everything easier.  Now, I can go into any door of the building I want haha.  They are pretty much our lives, they open doors, let the front gate up, meal plan money, and we use them to activate our clickers! Its a very important piece of our life! :)

  

I warned you i was going to add pictures! haha.  I have to add I don't even have that bad of a picture! 

Finally in the last piece of news, I am also going to be employed.  I was looking into a Target transfer and hadn't heard anything...so I called them and it sounds like it is going to be a go.  They are going to finally start on the paper work.  Apparently their ETL (the pharmacy's manager) has been gone and thats why it was taking so long.  But it sounds like it will be okay to work maybe 1-2 shift a week, so that will give me a little more money and also allows me to keep my Target discount and it should be able to set me up with hopefully tuition reimbursement programs! Thats the best part of it! :) My new boss who I just talked to went to Midwestern as well so hopefully he gives me some good pointers :)

Well, I am going to run to Jewel to get a couple of things while they are still on sale :) .  PS for those you don't know...you don't need to have your own blog to comment.  The page should give decent instructions haha.  I just have a feeling it might have thrown a couple people off. 

Bored

Well, its only Saturday, and I am really bored! I think I may take a nap here pretty soon.  Most of the people I have met are not around this weekend because of the holiday.  There are some gatherings, but most are quite late and I'm just trying to make sure my cold doesn't get worse before classes start so I am getting sleep while I can.  I also heard a bunch of people saying that they were going to get extra sleep this weekend for the sake of classes starting.  I would also go to them faster if I knew at least 1 person.  I hate the idea of going and then being out of place or whatever, but I'll probably still go to a couple.  We'll see what happens. 

I actually even watched the gopher  football game this morning...it wasn't pretty but it was a win.  Typical MN team...either they don't win or its an ugly win, but it works.  I bought my lecture notes for 2 of my classes yesterday, and it definitely confirmed that I will be BUSY.  Here are the notes from the profs for 2 classes...for a 10 week quarter...so this info will be covered in 6 weeks less than a semester. Keep in mind that those are 1 1/2 inch binders...lol...of course those are said to be the 2 hardest classes, but yeah it will be FUN! haha

Well, I really don't have a lot of new news.  Its the same old same old.  Well I guess I will go find something new to do! :) Have a good long weekend everyone and feel free to comment so I know if anyone at all reads this lol!

Here in the city!

As some of you know, I have had this blog for awhile.  But I decided to revamp it and get rid of all the old.  I may also tell more people about it since there are a lot more people to keep in touch with lately.  I can't say this will be an exciting blog or that i will update a ton,  but it will at least keep everyone updated as to how everything is going. 

I got to Chicago on Sunday, but moved in on Tuesday.  We got in a nice mini-vacation on the way.  It was fun complete with a twins game, mini-golfing/pizza in the dells, a tour of the jelly belly factory (you know you're jealous) shopping, and a trip to to the lincoln park zoo.  and Joe Mauer went with us no matter where we went lol. 

 

  

  

 

 Moved in Tuesday and basically spent the day putting stuff away/arranging everything.  Wednesday and Thursday were FULL exhausting days of orientation, but the nights were relaxing so thats good.  I'm SLOWLY meeting people.  Some people of course I've talked to a little more than others, but I also now its going to be a little bit before I've gotten to know people too.  Dorm life here is completely different from dordt..in a lot of ways, a lot more serious.  Everyone here is for a higher degree and are very serious about their studies.  Dorms are a lot quieter here (yes even quieter than East hall lol).  Anyways, I have off til Tuesday.  Not sure what I'm going to do the whole time, but I do plan on sleeping a lot because I'm getting a cold (such perfect timing) Well I'm off...I'll leave you with some pictures of my humble abode (I might do some more rearranging yet..not sure) Yes, its extremely boring...hoping to put pictures up of all of you soon! :) (sorry didn't take pics of the bathroom