What you've all been waiting for...Pictures!

Since my birthday is coming up (5 days!!!!) my parents decided that if I could find a good camera at a decent price that they would buy it for me as my one and only birthday gift. I was ok with that considering I've been without a camera for more than a year. I didn't expect to find one so soon because usually I do a lot of research on electronics to make sure I'm getting something really good. But, when I was driving home from Charlotte last weekend I stopped by walmart to get a few groceries. I decided to meander over to the electronics/camera department just to start my research once I was finished getting my groceries, and discovered some great bargains. Walmart had a case of cameras that had red sale tags, but they were still way too expensive, until the sale clerk said that all the cameras in the case were 1/2 off the red tag sale price! I went through pretty much all of the digital cameras in that case before deciding on a sleek blue/gray Olympus digital camera with 12 megapixels. It was on sale for $150.00 according to the red tag and then take 1/2 off and it was only $74.50! It didn't come with a memory card, but I got a $25.00 gift card when I bought the 1 year replacement plan (for only $5.98) so I'll be investing in one soon.

But hopefully now my blogs will be a little less boring and everyone will finally get a glimpse into my life here in North Carolina, especially my life now that I am in graduate school at UNC.

Below are just a few pics of the house I live in because I don't think I've posted pictures of every part of the house, plus it's changed a little bit since my last pictures I posted.

In other news, I received an overall grade of High Pass in my advanced standing bridge course! And I've started my internship at the North Carolina Children's Hospital in pediatric oncology. So far I love it! Granted I haven't done much but observe but I can feel that it's going to be a rewarding experience, and as always I feel right at home at the hospital and comfortable in pediatric oncology. I'm sure I'll have my breaking points, but I will get through them and come out the other side a better person.

Happy 4th everyone!

part of my bedroom, it now has a TV stand, chair, and desk that all came from Michigan

Front porch, I love to sit out here and read when it's not too hot!

View from the front porch It's nice out today only 79 degrees

Kitchen! I love cooking in here, tonight I'm making chicken breasts with italian marinade

My shelves in the entry area . Top shelf has a picture of me, Kara, Amy and Kalen from Christmas Banquet junior year and a picture of me and Lauren G. at Ollies Follies senior year. Middle shelf has a picture of me and my best friend Molly from graduation and a picture of Lauren G. and I at graduation. Bottom shelf has a picture of Courtney E and I from Christmas banquet senior year and a picture of my daddy and I at the social work pinning ceremony.

View of the TV/family room including the shelves with pictures, left shelf is Brandi's right shelf is mine

Cool shelving that Brandi found (before I moved in) that has picture albums and photos of her family and other odds and ends. It is in the entry area/living room. Above the shelving are pictures of Brandi's nephews Jace and Kale. Jace is on the left, Kale is on the right.

My bathroom with the new bathroom curtain and towels Brandi bought after Kelli moved out.

Got a camera! Pictures coming soon....

Momma & Daddy may be buying me a new camera for my birthday, so pictures may come soon.....2 weeks till the big 23!!!!!

DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE!!!!!!!

I'm done with the 6 week bridge course, done done done done done!!!!!!!!! The relief is indescribable. I'll try to post more about what's been going on soon.

I'm getting smarter

I feel like I've been in graduate school for months, and it's only been 4 weeks. Not that I'm complaining, I wouldn't change my life for anything even after the emotional breakdowns, late nights, and group projects. I just have to remember to ask God to sustain me each and every day and keep him the center of my life.

Still no pictures because I still don't have a camera, but maybe I'll get one for my birthday :)

Module 2 finished yesterday, I've officially survived 2 graduate school classes. Can't wait for module 3 to be complete so I can finally start my internship, I'm ready to put what I've learned to use in the real world.

And yes I'm getting smarter, at least it feels that way ha ha.

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

It's been chaotic here lately. I started module 2 and while I love it, it's very challenging and more paper writing than the previous module. The added paper writing means late nights and early mornings for me, making getting into a routine difficult. Luckily the girls in my class are becoming a great group of friends and we push each other to get through each day and we even do stuff together outside of class. Like today we are having a cookout for memorial day which is going to be so much fun.

Overall, life is good can't believe May is already here though, time sure does fly.

Last piece of news is that I received a HP which = a High Pass (100-94) in my first module so I got off on the right foot which is always good.

Module 1 of my 6 week bridge course is complete (for me anyway, we still have class tomorrow but I did my presentation today)! I have successfully survived my first real grad school class, and it feels Amazing. There were times last week when I was having some doubts and wondered if graduate school was something I was going to be able to accomplish. But through the grace of God and an awesome friend, the Lord got me through and here I am at the end of the second week, celebrating that I made it to the finish line.

The advanced standing cohort I am in is totally awesome. There are 17 of us, all girls, and all from VERY different backgrounds and states, bringing a lot of diversity to the classroom. But let me tell you the bridge course caused us to bond real quick. We are even having a party tomorrow night, and we had a birthday party for one of our class members this week as well. It's not anything like the Olivet environment, but because of what I learned at Olivet I'm able to stand my ground and not get swayed by the environment that I am in.

This weekend will be filled with relaxation, preparation for the next module, maybe a visit from my brother and niece and nephew, and working at wendy's (not looking forward to it but hey what can ya do).

Thanks for all the encouraging words and well wishes, I'll try to update as much as possible.