Yo estoy en mis rodillas.

I normally try to postpone blog posts until I have good stories or thoughts more along the lines of up-beat to share. But there's not much happy or up-beat surrounding the 4th semester class of UAG med school these days, so I figure I must post anyways.

Returning back to class after lunch I was laughing at something (I don't remember what it was about now) as I entered the classroom. A classmate actually thanked me for doing so. My classmates used to be laid back and all smiles; crackin' jokes like nobody's business during the breaks. Laughs are few and far between these days. Looking from face to face of my classmates, they aren't full of smiles like they used to be. The UAG administration is changing rules on us again. I'm not going to go into details. Our class had a short meeting today and by the end of it the only thing keeping us back from storming the administration offices was the fact that the exam moderators had entered and we had to sit down and take our test.

My life seems to be one badly-timed event after another. I graduated high school/entered college in a bad year to do so. Which led me to graduate college/enter med school in a horrible awful year to do so.

I've never felt this helpless before. Even at great decision points in my life there was always something I could be doing. A plan to reach a decision at least. We can't do anything. Granted we talk about it, but what does talking do when you're floating downstream without a paddle.

We are all just really stressed right now. Please join me in praying for my classmates. That we can all remain calm and continue with our studies one day at a time no matter what those days bring. Pray for our administration, and pray that during this difficult time the light of Jesus could shine even brighter.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28


Hasta!

Yo estoy esperando.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHELLI!!!

Upon rethinking my post from last Saturday while in Ixtlan this weekend I realized I was incredible wrong on one point. I do know something. I know the meaning of life. And ultimately, though I stress, and say my test this coming summer will determine my future, I know with assurance that it won't determine my eternity. And that...now that, is a test I'd be afraid to fail.

The wedding in Ixtlan this weekend was a blessing to experience. Two vehicles full from Magdalena made the trip down in addition to family and friends on both sides. The church was the fullest I've ever seen it. I didn't even know that we had #212 in spanish available!! I stayed late on Sunday to partake in as much fellowship as possible. I knew I was exhausted on the way home when I felt my mind trying to slip into autopilot.

With the Happy Couple! L to R: Lourdes, Me, Jonathan (Juantan), Berenice (Bere), Lupita, Issa

Jovenes (young group) singing for the married couple at the reception. We sang The Love of God (El amor de Dios). Carrissa Schlipf is on the left in the red bridesmaid dress.

So now that I didn't get much studying done this past weekend. I must disappear! Yay for invisibility cloaks!


Hasta!

Yo estoy sosegada.

I know I haven't written all week. Honestly, I needed to work up my nerve to blog again. The test on Tuesday did not go well. My blood sugar was all over the place as I really just wanted to be done with the test and hence my attempts at regulating it were quite meager. That of course then lead to a horrible ability to concentrate. The fifth and sixth block of questions were the worse. The seventh I tried to regain composure and finish strong, but alas twas to no avail. I finished 3 questions short!!!! And honestly, those three questions were probably missed because due to lack of concentration I misread something in the question leading me to a wrong answer. That inevitably happens to me. When I saw how I did I felt like I did at the 8th grade track sectional when I cleared the high jump bar with plenty of space to spare and then the tip of my foot hit it. Hopes dashed. Yes, I know soooooo dramatic, but that's how Tuesday was for me. A downward spiral into the knowledge that I. Know. Nothing. Quite a bitter pill.
I keep waiting and hoping that the administration will give those of us who got really really close leave to go ahead and register anyways, but as of Friday I havent' heard anything.

The Mexican government, in an attempt to combat crime, is now requiring all cell phones to be registered with the government, or they will cut the line. No! No! No! (I was stomping my foot to emphasis my dislike for this) A government, though having the responsibility to protect the people of it's country, has no right to eliminate the autonomy of it's people. With sending my information away I feel as if I would be sending my freedom to talk or not to talk on my cell phone. Or for that matter to go where I want, as being able to label my cell signal as mine I could easily be tracked. Of course that's the whole goal, being able to track and limit the communication of the bad guys....but if I realize it, then surely the government must realize that bad guys have their ways and will find away around the cell phones (namely they'll probably pay off someone in the government).
On an aside...this is something that I can see the current US administration trying to impliment. I just wonder what reason they'd give.

I really don't have the best plumbing in my apartment. It's starting to ruin some of my walls. I brought it up with my landlord about two months ago. Showed him, and explained to him the problem. He said he would take care of it. This past week he stopped by and asked to take a look at my bathroom as now the poor plumbing is apparently affecting the ceiling of the apartment underneath me. What urked me is that I had to explain everything to him anew. I made sure that I did everything I could to remind him that I'd brought the problem to his attention previously. For example, saying that "last time it was like this, now it's like this" or "when I showed you last time..." ect... He invaded my apartment the next day and did some work. My toilet is now working much better. Yay!! but he then kind of yanked on the shower head so what once was bad is now worse. Oh well, at least water still comes out. He told me Tuesday he would have someone come and look at it. I'm just afraid that "looking at it" is going to entail tearing apart the tile walls to get to the pipes.

This weekend I'm headed to Ixtlan for the wedding of Jonathan & Bere.

In Him,
Christy

Yo estoy comiendo manzana.

Immunology wasn't too bad. One could tell that the lady teaching us absolutely loves immunology. A concept a bit foreign to me, but she would get sooo excited sometimes. She also made me laugh a bit which always helps. She is, however, a bit blonde. Example: "I have a tricky question. I even tricked myself with it!" Now tell me...how does one trick themselves with a question they wrote themself. I also found it a bit odd that she walked like she had a case of Montezuma's revenge. Which could not have been the case since we had to beg breaks from her.

At one of my zoned-out moments in immunology the other day I was brought back to the earth by the mention of gold digger. Due to lack of context to join in on the discussion of whatever we must have been likening in the world of immunology to a gold digger, I instead broke out singing "but she ain't messin' with no broke bro." Carrie, I blame you for this.

Nooooooo, I wasn't singing out loud! Good grief!

Had to make a trip to the store yesterday, and my license plates finally sparked their intended question. Normally any reaction I've gotten from the parking lot attendants in the past have consisted of...
parking lot attendant: "Are those your plates?"
me: "yes."
At first I was a bit flabbergasted as due to the fact that they are on the car that I'm driving typically one could logically deduce that they are indeed my plates. Someone then explained to me that they have probably never heard of Illinois before. I believe this to be a very acceptable explanation. Anyways, back to the current story, this time as I was putting my purchases in my car an attendant approached. I assumed he was going to offer to help like usual, but instead he asked if I'd really driven from Illinois. He then asked why I had LA PAZ (peace) on my plates. Wide open door of an invitation right there :)

I'm studying this weekend for my midterm on Tuesday. I ask for your prayers. I have to pass this test so that UAG will sign off on me to be able to take my test this summer. My test lasts from 8 to 5 on Tuesday. Thank you! and God Bless

Hasta!

Yo estoy cansada.

Genetics started this morning at 9 and ended this afternoon at 5. I didn't think it would be too terrible. I was wrong. Come 3 I couldn't believe we still had 2 more hours to go, and now I'm having a hard time studying as my brain's already put in over 10 hours of work. booo! Our Genetics assessment is tomorrow at 8. To then be followed by a full day of immunology, and we all know how my brain delights at the thought of that! And then because UAG likes us sooooo much they're making us come on Saturday for another full day of immuno......on second thought perhaps it's more along the lines of UAG not liking us.

Walking to campus on Wednesday for Bible study at 9 there was still a tiny bit of light in the sky. Hooray for longer daylight hours.

Sometimes when I run, and the cars are backed up waiting to enter the round-about, I like to pretend that we're racing....and that I'm winning.

Hasta!

Yo estoy en el sol.

Summer came to GDL while I was gone. I am so thankful to be warm again. Slept with the window open last night! yippee! There were actually more changes than I was expecting in just two weeks. Normally changes don't occur in Mexico that quickly. The main one was some road construction progress. The road construction I'm talking about has been in a seemingly stagnant stage since the beginning of this year, and now in just two weeks they've made progress?!?! The purple trees finally bloomed while I was gone too. Proving that GDL weather is over a month behind schedule as last year the roads were covered with fallen purple blossoms at the end of February instead of now...in April.

I am incredibly embarrassed about this next story, and I'll leave it at that as there are no words to explain. In class today in reference to the topic of why GRAPEFRUIT juice needs to be avoided when taking certain medications one of my classmates asked why just grapefruit juice and why not grapes and raisins too. wha?!?!?!!!!! I heard the girl next to me mutter under her breath that he forgot to ask about grape nuts too.

I've just come across the information that Guadalajara is going to be hosting the 2011 PanAmerican Games. Does this mean that I'm going to be able to cheer in the crowds for Micheal Phelps?!?! maybe...just maybe :)

Hasta!

Yo estoy al fin de mi "vacacion."

I'm at the end of my Spring break. It's been good to be home. Two weeks of having a large variety of food available at any time has been such a treat. My diameter reflects such luxury too! :) Running on flat straight country roads was also a treat. I was a bit worried that I'd get too bored running in a straight line, but I didn't reach that point, which is a good thing. I didn't really see people other than family due to studying. In other words, come July I'm going to be starved for social fellowship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the meantime I'm headed back for Mexico shortly. Until later you ol' US of A!!!

Hasta!