Long Lost Love!

Tonight is a monumentous night. Sometime in the last few years, lactose and me started to disagree. I started having the most painful abdominal cramps either that same day or the next. At first, I tried to just limit my intake of milk and milk products. This helped, but most of the time, I felt better just avoiding all milk products . I tried the lactaid pills and they helped, sometimes.

Regardless, I'm sad to admit that I haven't had real cheese or milk for about 6 months or so now (besides a sneak here and there). If you were to look in my fridge, you'll find soy milk, soy ice cream, soy yogurt, even soy cheese. (By the way, I've started reading that too much soy may not harmful to your health). But tonight-tonight I decided that I've had enough. The chocolate chip mint ice cream was calling my name. Loudly too. It called me from down the hall, through the kitchen and out in the freezer of the garage. Usually I can resist such temptations. Not tonight! The craving started last night and apparantly hadn't left me in my dreams. So, I gave in. And man, was it good!! It was like a party in my mouth. My taste buds ATE IT UP! And it was only American Choice brand (store brand).

Yes, tonight, I found my long lost love: ICE CREAM!! I may regret this decision (I think I'm even starting to regret it as we speak). Nevertheless, I think it was well worth it. A truly delicious way to end my spring break. Tomorrow, Nicole is taking me back to school and 8:00 morning I start up again with a neuroscience lecture. All and all, a pretty productive spring break. Here's to my long lost love of ice cream! Mint chocolate is only second to Peanut Butter Swirl ice cream, at least in my book.

Give yourself a little credit...continued.

You'll have to forgive me. I'm new in the blog world. Last post, I wrote, "give yourself a little credit! You are you! You are gifted in many ways." (I guess I don't need to put my own quote in quotation marks...not like I'm plagiarizing ;) And I believe this. People, myself included, need to be reminded that what they do is important and meaningful and yes, that they are talented!! Today, I went out to lunch with my mom and Nanny (grandma). We ate a Japanese/Chinese restaurant. Besides eating some AMAZING sushi, I also got a fortune cookie. I'll share my fortune, not b/c I believe in power of fortune cookies or that my fortune was even a true fortune- it wasn't, but I'll share b/c it seems fitting:

My fortune cookie:
You are a person with many gifts.

Enough said. Anyway, the reason I'm writing this post is b/c I don't think I finished my thought last time around. So, where do these talents/gifts come from? Are we, ourselves, solely responsible for how good a soccer player we are? Is it like they say: Practice, practice, practice? I think I've opened a can of worms here...surely, there are many sides to this debate. But, this is what I believe: No, I don't believe we are solely responsible. I think we have to give credit to someone much bigger than ourselves. Personally, I give that credit to Jesus, my Savior and God. I believe that apart from God, I can do nothing. In my life, whether I'm teaching my mom how to use the computer, or playing in a basketball scrimmage or studying hard for a neuroanatomy exam, I strive to give the glory and honor to my God. Why? Because I believe that it is only through God's great love and grace, that I am alive and that I am truly myself. So, let me rephrase myself:

Give yourself a little credit. You are you! You are gifted in many ways. You have much to be proud of! But never forget where these gifts come from. Never overlook who made you you!

Give yourself a little credit...

Today I had the joy of setting my mom up with her very own email...her first ever! We had fun. I guess it's teachers do it all the time, but for me, it was refreshing to slow it all down, and explain what everything means...going back to basics, as they say. It's something I take for granted. Email. Internet. Typing. I've grown up with it, it's easy for me. But then, when you have to teach someone something, you've heard the saying, if you can teach it, then you know it.

Mom: So, how do you know when to double click or single click?
Me:(you just do, I think)

Sometimes I wish that I was gifted in one thing...like basketball (too short) or basket weaving. Like Michael Jordan or Martha Stewart. You have to admit that Martha is extremely gifted in home decorating. Anyway, you get the point. But rather I consider myself well-rounded and I've come to be okay that. What's my point? Well, I guess today I realized that we don't give ourselves and other people enough credit. We all have talents and skills that we ourselves may take for granted, but other people have never had the opportunity to learn how to do. Maybe it's the computer. Or video games. Gardening. Cooking. Fill in the blank _____

So today, I say...give yourself a little credit! You are you! You are gifted in many ways! Some gifts may be small and therefore go unnoticed. Others are bigger and therefore more noticeable...like Michael Jordan's and bball. Regardless, you have gifts that I don't possess and vice versus. Use your gifts! You are gifted in many ways.

To-Do's

It's been a while since my last post, but quite honestly, I haven't felt very witty or inspired nor I have felt like writing. I guess that's the beauty of blog. You are in control of the supply and demand. My spring break started on wednesday, and although, I have been spending the first part of the break recovering from a outpatient surgery I had done on wednesday, I am feeling stronger already. No big plans for the second part of spring break. My list of things to do includes the following:

1. get new kicks (sneakers, tennis shoes, whatever you like to call them)
2. get a haircut
3. finish Gray's Anatomy- the biography
4. see some good movies
5. possibly visit a friend at her college


Seems like a relatively easy to-do list to check off. I think I'll go work on #3 right now. Catch ya on the flip side.

Prune Juice

Some things are just embarrassing to purchase at the grocery store. It has taken me 10 or so years to get past feeling embarrassed buying "feminine products;" i always feel sorry if I am in line with a male check-out person. If I am uncomfortable, I imagine he is even more so! But, like I said, I'm just about over that fear.

This morning, I had to purchase some prune juice...b/c I like the taste of course! I would add prune juice to my list of most embarrassing items to buy. I mean, I actually had to wait until everyone left the juice aisle before I put the prune juice in my shopping basket. maybe I'm crazy or a bit neurotic, but I just don't like people making assumptions about me based on the items in my shopping cart. I mean, maybe I really DO like the taste of prune juice!

Connective Tissue

I am currently reading Bill Hayes new book, “The Anatomist” a true story of Gray’s Anatomy. Ever since I took anatomy during my junior year at JMU, I have been fascinated with the human body and I have fallen in love with the study of how the body is organized, aka, anatomy. Thus far, I have enjoyed the Hayes’ book, although I must warn you that very little is known about Henry Gray, the author of the famous text: Gray’s Anatomy. Therefore, “The Anatomist” is not only about the life of Henry Gray himself but also the author’s pursuit to experience Gray’s Anatomy first-hand: he enrolls in an anatomy dissection class. This book is only increasing my excitement to undergo my own dissections this upcoming summer, and I would highly recommend the book.

Ok, I didn’t mean for this to turn into a book review, but I guess it did. What I really wanted to share was the author’s reflection that "life can be compared to connective tissue." By connective tissue I mean, the ligaments, tendons, fascia (fat), etc. that organizes the body. I guess you could say that connective tissue (CT) is the glue for the muscles, bones and other elements of the body. CT provides crucial support and order in our bodies. So how is CT similar to life itself? Well, I think Hayes says it best:

Everything is connected. One can think about life solely in terms of different kinds of CT: The attachments to family and friends that sustain you. The relationships that anchor you…On some deep, unseen anatomical level, connectedness is vital. Without it, you would fall apart.

When I think about my life, I realize that who I am is a reflection of the relationships I have chosen (or maybe, that chose me?). First, I was raised by two wonderfully loving and caring parents. To this day, I still look up to my brilliant and smart and beautiful older sister. I could not have asked for a more loving family. Futhermore, I am blessed to have so many sisters and brothers in Christ that encourage me in my faith and challenge me to live a life aligned with Jesus Christ. And last but not least, my aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends and peers inspire me to live life to its fullest (a lesson I forget all too often. ) Indeed, I would fall apart without the support and love of my friends and family. My body and soul craves to build closer relationships—new and old. Just as the body will fall apart without connective tissue, my life has no meaning separated from my relationship with God and my relationships of the past, the present and the future.

Last One Standing

I know the Superbowl has passed, but let's take another moment to celebrate the Giants Defeat over the Pats!! What a sweet and exciting game that was. In case you couldn't tell, I was rooting for Big Blue!

When the Giants won the Superbowl, myself and the 20 or so people that I was watching the game with, we all went CRAZY!!! People were hugging and high-fiving each other. I imagine that celebrations like these these were occurring all over the US (except New England of course). It was truly a magical night!

Sometimes I think we, as Americans, put too much emphasis on sports, and we get a bit carried away (myself included) when our favorite team wins (or worse, loses). But when it comes down to it, I am thankful for sports. I think that events such as the Superbowl are a great reason to celebrate and get together with our friends, family and neighbors. Sometimes, life can be so depressing and so serious. Watching the Superbowl, life just doesn't seem so serious. Sometimes, I tend to take life too seriously. I need to remember what my parents are always telling me "sometimes you just need to have some fun! "

This reminds me, I better get back to work so that I can go skiing at Blue Mt. this afternoon.

Congratulations, again, to the NY Giants!