Forewarning: Rant

So it's come to my attention many many times, that people in the East Texas area do not appreciate the fact that I'm a vegetarian. Okay, you don't have to agree or want to be a vegetarian and I'm not trying to push my beliefs on you. That's right, these are beliefs and morals. I don't go around saying that all meat eaters are murderers and that what they are doing is wrong. I might not agree with what they're doing, but I'm not throwing paint on people with fur coats or yelling obscenities about them.

In my mind, pointing out that I'm a vegetarian and saying how dumb I am because it's still killing in some sort of way, is like pointing out people who believe in Christ and telling them how their religion is stupid. A person should be able to believe in what they choose and shouldn't be ridiculed for such things. It's really frustrating knowing that so many people are intolerant, and don't even realize that what they're doing is just as bad as what extremists do with their beliefs. By ridiculing me, you're doing the same thing that you're disagreeing with. I know that there are people out there who will get in someone's face and tell them that they're wrong for eating meat, but I am not one of them. To each man their own, and who am I to tell them what to do. I simply implore you that the next time you feel like telling someone their ideals are stupid, think and bite your tongue.

Of course, this idea doesn't only affect people who are vegetarians, but people who have alternative lifestyles, or aren't mainstream Christians. People in the world are always going to be close minded to others beliefs, but the ability to not say anything is a thing of intelligence. No one should be made fun of for what they think or do, but tolerance should be main priority. For example, when I go the gym and see that someone has the hunting channel on, I am disgusted by it. However, I do not start yelling at people for watching it or throw a fit and demand that it be changed. I simply ask if anyone is watching it and if not, I change the channel. Of course, I can not comprehend how someone would want to watch people killing animals, especially when they aren't going to do anything with the animal but kill it. In my opinion, this is like watching a person die in front of you while you stand there and let it happen. I don't know anyone who would want to watch people being killed, and I relate this idea to watching animals being killed. Regardless, I speak of this only to state my beliefs and not to put down people who do actually like that. It's difficult for me to bite my tongue and not say anything, but I do.

Please understand what I am trying to relay here: Be tolerant of others beliefs and morals and keep negative statements to yourself. If you don't like it or agree, then fine. Simply don't say anything, and you definitely don't have to change your own ideals. Sorry for the rant, but it was lying heavily on my heart tonight. I could go on, but I'll end here.

Far Too Much

Today has been a typical lazy Sunday. I slept in until noon and then wrote a couple of papers. I also stuffed my face all day long, and slightly regret it right now. Far too much food is occupying my stomach. However, I didn't eat much yesterday, so I feel like I'm making up for it. Work days are always days where I don't eat much. Not enough time, and I always forget to bring something.

Not much has been going on this past week. I've just been going to class, learning, working, and trying to have somewhat of a social life. I've been going to the gym and working towards my thirteen miles. I'm no where close to where I'd like to be, but I still have until March to get there. Now if I could only get my eating habits in check, I'd be so much better off.

So I met a guy, and it's working out pretty well. I have to say it's been a long time since I've been attracted to someone like I am to him. He gives me that butterfly-in-your-stomach feeling and he's pretty much ridiculous, which I absolutely like. It's still in the beginning processes, but who knows what might happen. I think just finding someone that you enjoy to be around and spend time with is enough for me. I have a good feeling that he feels about the same as I do, so we'll see where this goes.

Plans for this week are to study for my tests on Thursday, work Tuesday as a Night Owl at the camp, and work Friday at the hospital. This is the week that I also plan on waking up early and going to the gym. If I go in the morning, I'll get it out of the way and not have to worry about making time for it later. I might be going to Dallas this weekend with friends, but I'm not sure about those plans. Here's to starting a new week with new ideas and new goals :)

This Week So Far

I really should be doing some homework, but the need to write called. Plus it won't take me long to do my homework, and it won't take me long to write this either.

Let's see...the weekend was spent mostly sleeping. I don't know if my iron or B12 are off or what, but I have been dragging my heels for the past couple of weeks. The weekend full of sleep was nice, and I only had to work one day. I worked my first 6pm shift, which turned out to be easier than I thought it would be. I mean, the work load was the same as usual, but I was glad that I didn't fall asleep.

My sister was here this past week, and I got to see her a little bit. I took her back to the airport on Sunday, but she'll be back this weekend for a wedding. I'm a little sad that I don't get to go to the wedding with her, but there is a necessity for money in my life, and the only way to make money is to work.

So I'm quite excited about my future prospects as of late. It's really nice to meet new people and make friends. I have to say that I have actually started to notice the changes that people have commented on. I think I am a happier, more outgoing person than I was two years ago. I definitely don't have as many personal issues as I did then, and life seems a lot better. Perhaps it's the fact that I only have one more year of school, some of the best friends a person could ask for, and a new love interest that have contributed too this feeling of euphoria. Don't get me wrong, I still have my moments of gloom, but they are heavily outweighed by happiness.

I would really love to gush about people I have met recently, but I'm going to spare them and not take a chance of possibly embarrassing them. Just know that they are pretty awesome people, and I look forward to spending more time with them. And to those friends that I never get to see due to the distance in between us, I hope you know that I care and would love to come see you. I just need to have a vacation in order for that to happen. That's one thing I'll enjoy once I'm done with school: being able to have a job, but still schedule time to where I can travel and see people.

Okay so I started running finally. My lungs have finally overcome their illness and have no more complaints. I didn't run far today, and now I want to go again. Running = happiness = better life. Plus running keeps you in shape and makes you feel better about yourself. I just can't wait until March to see myself running a half and actually finishing it. So exciting.

Now I will go do my homework, and enjoy some relaxation before I go get some extra study help. I'll try and update more, and in more detail because I know this one was kind of vague. I just want to get people's permission to talk about them before I do; you know, so they don't get upset.

Lack of Sleep May Make This Incomprehensible

This week has been full of adventure. Let's start from the beginning.

Monday I had the usual day of school and I started the counselor job that night. By the time we got there, the kids were tired and wanted to stay inside. It was fun for the most part, but I forgot what the mentality of a 5th grader was. Girls definitely do not like bees or roaches, and they are extremely ridiculous. I guess I was probably the same way, minus the not liking bugs thing. The only downside of camp was the fact that I didn't sleep well at all. I don't know if it was the bed or the fact that I had a test the next morning, but I was awoken every hour or so. Regardless to say, I was quite tired when it came time to take my test. However, this didn't hinder my abilities and I made an exceptional grade on my test :)

Tuesday was also a great day. My friend Bryan came over once I got out of class and we went to Andy's. I got a Snowmonster which was delicious. Then, my mum and I went to get my sister at the airport. She's visiting for the week from Missouri and it's good to see her again. After that, my sister and I went to eat with my good friend at Sonoma Grill. Once again, a great choice for dinner. Definitely will be eating there again, just for the grilled vegetables and salads. Anyhow, that was a fun night. Lots of good things happened, and overall it was a good night.

Wednesday I worked the mid-day shift which wasn't too bad. I didn't get much sleep due to getting home around one, but I thoroughly enjoyed working. Nothing really exciting, but the doctor was a lot of fun :)

I got my A&P test back today, which I already knew the grade, but one little thing made it awesome: A smiley face at the top of the page. I don't know why, but little things like that make me overly happy. To know that my professor thought I did well enough to draw a smiley face makes my day. Other than that, the day was monotonous and I finally took a nap for the first time this week. I feel less tired, but I could probably pass out right now. Tomorrow I don't have to work, so sleeping a lot sounds good.

My school's homecoming is this weekend, but I don't think I'll go. I really don't care to see anyone except for the few people I already see on a regular basis from school. Plus, my basketball coach lives right next to my mum so I can see her anytime. Homecoming seems like a silly idea, but maybe the more social people enjoy it.

Okay so things to do this weekend: Write lab reports and papers, work, study for classes, run and sleep a lot, and see my family. Nothing really exciting going on, but it's okay. A nice relaxing weekend will be nice.

Let's Pick Up

Friday was full of exciting cases at the hospital. Bizarre things happen when you least expect them, and Friday seemed to be a continuous flow of it. I really enjoy working there, and I'd probably volunteer if I didn't get paid to do my job. It's good experience and is a nice way to determine whether or not I'm going to want to do this for the rest of my life.

Yesterday I worked again, but it was more of a typical day. After work I went and ate at Fiore with a friend. I've never been there, but it wasn't too bad. I thought it was funny that the hostess was embarrassed about seating us. She made a big deal about not having a table for two people except by the bar. I could really care less where I sit in a restaurant as long as I'm not in the kitchen. Though, the kitchen might be fun, as long as they let me help. Fiore is an Italian restaurant and we ordered a pizza with artichokes and red peppers. I know, I know: It's lame to order a pizza when you go to an Italian place. However, it was highly suggested and it turned out to be decently good. I'd say this is a nice place to go if you're tired of eating at Olive Garden.

Now a change of topic and a little bit of seriousness. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about death. It's probably because I've seen a lot of people die lately, and my grandmother (who I never really knew) died and it has had an effect on my life. Here's the story: My mum has never really been close to her mother and she always joked that she'd be happy when her mother died. I know that she's not happy about it, but it's interesting to see how different things can be without the presence of someone. Now, my mother has been talking to her brother (who she also hasn't talked to in years) and has been helping him out with everything. It's kind of sad that the death of someone is what had to happen for them to talk again. Hopefully my mum doesn't mind me talking about this, but it's different.

Also, I have met a lot of military boys recently and they tell me about what they've seen or done while in service. The fact that one of my friends is about to go into the service has really bothered me. To know the date that he leaves makes you realize that these next couple of months could be the last time I talk to him. I know that's morbid to think of, but it could be reality. I know this is all could be's, and that's not a way to live; to always think of the worse possible scenario. I guess I just care for the safety of people. My basketball coach in high school told me that's why she thought I'd be great at a profession where I take care of people. I'd rather sacrifice my time to help someone in need. If I could enlist and be a medic, I totally would. Instead, I will try my hardest to get to the point that I can practice medicine and take care of the population.

So death is imminent, but at my age people never think that they're going to die. Death could happen at any time, and someone could be taken away in a matter of seconds. Life is precious, and I guess that's just what point in life I'm at. I think about what I'd like to say to people before I die, and maybe I should tell them now so that there won't be any question about how I felt. Living life to the fullest and being honest with everyone seems like the way to go. Insecurities and embarrassment are the two things that probably hold people back. I think this is something that I'm going to work on. I'd prefer there not be any questions when I'm not living anymore, so I hope to make my thoughts and feelings very obvious.

Sorry for that whole splurge there. Just something I needed to write about, and you don't have to read it because you're not forced to. That whole statement makes me want to go workout now. I need to work on my health so that I can make those things possible.

Anyways...I'm going to workout around noon when the gym opens, and then I'm going to watch some football, write a couple of papers, and study for my Anatomy test. I hope your weekend went well dear reader. I greatly appreciate you reading this.

Whew It's Over

Finally done with all my tests! Only sad part is, one of my tests got moved to next Tuesday. At least I'll have some extra time to study :) My lab practical wasn't too bad, but I don't know how well I did. I have an extra incentive to do well in there, since I have already had three years of biology and plus, my lab TA is someone I'd like to impress. I tend to try a little harder when I care about what my teacher thinks. Plus academics are really important to me in the first place.

I also made it to the gym today. It was nice to stretch out my legs and run for a bit on the treadmill. I can tell my lungs haven't recovered from whatever sickness I had because I was sucking wind. I also played a round of racquetball with Jessica and one of the grad students. It was fun and made me miss playing sports. I really want to play basketball now; which I might make my kids at camp this next week play knock-out. That game is fun and I can join in :)

It's only 7 in the evening, and I'm uber tired. I'm going to attempt to sleep early so I can wake up and get some running in before work. I'm hoping lots of orthopedic injuries come in :) Those are my favorite. Not that I want people to hurt themselves or anything, but that type of visit beats out the usual abdominal or chest pain. I think emergency medicine is something I might choose as my specialty, or if I can manage to make it in the orthopedic world, I might do that. First I just need to get into med school!

I'm really excited about throwing my friend a birthday party on Oct 10th. She's never had her own celebration on the account that she's a twin, but this year she shall have her own. I really like doing this sort of thing for people. I hope it goes really well and she likes it. Just need to think of some awesome decorating ideas and things to make :) If you have any ideas, let me know.

This weekend I will hopefully have a chance to catch the Florida Gators game this Saturday at 6pm. I think I may have Sunday off work so that'll give me a chance to catch a NFL game too. This weekend is looking pretty good :)

Week de Examens

This week has gone pretty well thus far. I got back my Chemistry test and I made an A :) I had a Biogeography test Monday, and I probably could have done better, but I didn't feel too horrible about it. Quiz and a test today, which I feel good about both. Now all I have is an A&P lab test Thursday and my week of tests will be over! The lab test will probably be the hardest, but I'll study a lot tonight and tomorrow for it.

So I didn't start running yet... I feel like I'm on empty right now energy wise. However, I do feel the yearning to run. My legs are begging to be used, if you can understand that... Not being active makes me feel horrible. I need to make a schedule as soon as I know what days I must work this next month.

There are far too many distractions in my life right now. 18 hours of classes, 20+ hours of work a week, plus friends and family vying for my attention. I need to just suck it up and do what I know is necessary first, then have fun later.

I just realized I really have nothing to say. I'm kind of bored with my position right now. It's not overly fun or horrible. I want something more, but I'm not sure what that is. Maybe it will show itself soon...

I did have a dream about my ex last night. I don't know why, but I guess I miss that kid. He wasn't a bad person, but we definitely didn't agree on everything. He was kind of creeper in the sexuality department, but I'm pretty sure everyone is. I don't know if I could be his friend or not. I really want to, but it's probably best that I don't. Why is he on my mind so much? He'd probably be happy to know that I miss him, that douchebag. Oh well, if fate have it, we will have our friendship once again.

Besides dreams and tests, that's really all that's gone on. I am on a search for something; something that makes me happy and fulfilled.