2012...

Bring it on!!! The anticipation of this upcoming year is killing me.

With finals right around the corner my mind is filled with cardiovascular diseases, screening criteria for various forms of cancer, important radiological findings, how to interpret studies using biostatistics, etc. But in this moment I have an empty box of Nerds by my side and a snoozing Jack Russell by my feet, and I can't seem to sleep because my mind is filled with thoughts about life. My thoughts are sporadic (nothing new there). A general sense of "life is good" overwhelms me, with both the joy and heartache that comes in this world.

• I'm almost halfway through PA school... how did that happen? I'm so happy I ended up here, remembering His ways are always better than mine.
• Our family member and friend will be making their adoption official in 9 days after much waiting and hoping. What a time to celebrate!
• My best friend goes through her first holiday season since her Grandma's stroke, but she still carries that beautiful smile on her face.
• I've been burning the heck out of this Nordic Pine scented candle. I'm kind of obsessed with scented candles (I'm still trying to understand those flameless ones...)
• I dream about our future kids all the time. I look forward to when that time comes :) 
• I've learned a lot the past few weeks about what it truly means to love your neighbor. I've come to the conclusion that drugs and addiction are one of the most devastating traps to see a person entangled by, but there is a person beyond that worthy of love and grace.  
• Match Day is less than 4 months away!! We'll open a letter that tells us where we're going next. It's another adventure we get to share together-- the next chapter of our lives. Will it be Denver, Nashville, Charlotte, Portland, Seattle, Providence, Philly, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Boston, or Cincy? There's not one of those places I would be upset ending up living. Home is wherever he is. 
• It has been far too long since I've attended an LPA event. I miss all the people. 
• Sufjan Christmas album. Love it. 
• Speaking of Christmas... I hope to get a chance to practice my Russian over the break. I miss Lithuania. 
• Why are cats and dogs at war? I wish they'd get along.
• Making homemade peppermint ice cream will be an essential item on my "To Do" list during finals week. 5 more days before a break.... I can do it. 
• It's now 1:37am. Let's try this sleep thing again.