Summer, but not summer

It's summer, but not summer. Taking classes during the summer months is the WORST idea anybody ever came up with. I can't concentrate at all, have no motivation EVER for studying, and just want to laze around all damn day and soak up the sun. School of Nursing: heed my words.

So I am sitting in my friend's apartment in Minnetonka, Minnesota chillaxin away and it is pretty fantastic I have to say. We have been friends for a LONG time, but we both go to different schools and have different tracks we are on, so it's hard to see each other. I love her though, because whenever I see her, we pick up where we left off. She's pretty amazing: SO smart, beautiful, top athlete, I am proud to call her friend.

I'm so happy for her. She's started a whole new chapter: branched out, MOVED somewhere. We were talking about that last night: how it seems like everyone is afraid to fly the coop for a while. Yeah, it's scary, let's be honest, but I don't think I could live with all the 'what ifs' if I DIDN'T. It was like I resolved earlier: I want my life to be something amazing, and it's so good to be connected with someone who shares that interest. I find the more "cosmopolitan" I become, the smaller the world gets, which is weird and comforting at the same time.

My current obsession is trying to scrounge up some money to go to Africa next year for my elective. It's going to be an amazing trip where we provide basic health services, do exams and whatnot, and ends with a Safari! I have always wanted to go to Africa and do something like this, so I really hope that I get the trip. If not, there is always the Peace Corps, which I am planning to do in the next few years. I can't decide if I want to go to a Spanish-speaking country so that they can use my skill, or if I want to go somewhere COMPLETELY foreign and unfamiliar. We will see.

I have also been thinking a lot about dating. I've "dated" several guys over the past few months, and I think I'm finally becoming OK with the concept of dating for the sake of dating. Before, from the Catholic school perspective, dating is about finding your husband/wife. Which, let's be real, it IS at some point but dear Lord that's a lot of pressure! Think about it: if you go into every relationship or on every date with that thought in the back of your head, how are you supposed to have a good time?! I remember the first guy that I dated I thought, well... treat it reverently and tip-toe around because he may be Mr. Right. It was so neurotic and weird, and I scared myself off. He WASN'T Mr. Right, and all I did was freak myself out. I have come to realize though, that every person you date is one LESS person you have to date, and every person gives you the gift of knowing what you DON'T want in a person.

Dating is hard. I don't like it. I've always been kind of old fashioned in the sense that I want to be pursued, and not have to be the "forward" one, but I'm realizing that is kind of stupid, I just can't seem to get around my fear of asking a guy out without sending mixed signals. There is one guy right now that I have been friends with for a long time who I may have some interest in, I'm not sure. He's really sweet, smart, funny, we like a lot of the same things, and he's just a good person. If he asked me out I would say yes, but the real dilemma is: do I ask him out if he doesn't ask me? It's always hard because you never know if they will think that is assertive of me, or if it is emasculating... Like I said: dating. is. hard. We'll just have to hope for the best!

well, well, well

I'm halfway through the semester. And this is the point where things start to lag. I am getting to the point of oh-my-god-i-have-no-motivation-whatsoever. It's pretty lame, let's be honest, because well... I still have half a semester to go!

Favorite class: Pathophysiology. It just makes so much sense, and I LOVE learning how the body works and what can go wrong with it.

Most Despised class: Foundations. The content is extremely easy, and somehow, I can't score on the tests! It's the NCLEX style of questions, and granted, my scores improve by like 2 percentage points every test, but gah!!

Favorite Teacher: Anita Winnigate aka Winnie. She is hilarious, and probably the most intelligent person I've ever met. No lie. I just love her class.

I don't really have a least favorite teacher, only a favorite. The staff is awesome, and they are all very common sense oriented which is sweeeeet compared to some of the other classes I've taken in my life. I don't know. I'm still adjusting I think, and some days I get homesick for Lawrence, and for the familiar, but I'm growing I guess, so I just have to nut up or shut up. I feel like this is a huge transitional stage for me. I'm just about finished, but not quite, I want to be out in the world, but I don't. It's a very strange mix.

Big news: I started Accutane about 4 weeks ago now. It's worked wonders for my skin. I don't even remember the last time my skin was this smooth, it's awesome. Though it makes my lips about as dry as the Gobi Desert, I keep a tube of chapstick with me at all times, otherwise my mouth starts yelling at me, and then I can't move my lips for fear of creating a fissure in them. Yikes.

Other big news: My wonderful roommate and I have decided to train for a marathon in the spring. I'm a bit apprehensive since the last time I tried running seriously, I had debilitating shin splints. I think I'm going to see a podiatrist, or at least someone who can analyze my gait and tell me what kind of shoes to buy so that I don't ruin my legs and feet trying to accomplish this. I'm pretty excited! After April, I will be able to say that I've run a freakin marathon, and that, my friends, is a feat.