Sunday, January 15, 2012

More difficult than I thought

I know that life gets away from us and new commitments fall by the way, especially in the beginnings of a new year.  But I did not realize that writing down my thoughts would pushed to the side and require so much time!

It has been nine days since I posted last...wow!  But a crazy nine days it has been!

And that is why I was hoping to post more frequently...because I forget!  Whitney celebrated her 29th birthday this month and it makes me sad that more and more of our celebrations are spent apart.  On Sunday, Jan 8th I made my first trek back to Valdosta to get ready for classes on Monday.  Blanton had to work and I promised Cam I would be home for dinner so I packed the car (with as much to take back as I brought!), hit the road by lunch time and was excited about the plans I had.  The great part for my family about us being in Birmingham?  If they can't find it at home, call ZiZi!  I hit Best Buy for Chris (tablet cover) and Target for Saralyn (boots for H) and then 280 out of town.  I got home about 6:30PM Est and the girls were super pumped I was home~ me too!  They were actually in the bathtub so I had a few minutes to catch my breath before bedtime.

Monday begins the regular routine~ lunch with mom at the hospital, Physics II at 1 and Organic Chem I at 2.  I was supposed to go to gymnastics with BB and Robin then to dinner, but both were under the weather so we postponed.  It all worked out perfectly because I spent all afternoon trying to finishing getting books, notebooks, etc together.

Tuesday was about the same.  Physics lab at 11:30, bookstore, library and the UPS store.  For 2 HOURS! Yes, I said hours.  Money is really tight- so instead of purchasing $500 worth of books for Org Chem, I made copies from a friend who already had the book.  Made friends with the guys who work there and even got hooked up with a lab manual and sample notebook!  I  made sure to pay it forward for the help they offered by dropping off a $10 Chickfila giftcard on Wednesday.

Finally had some free time to love on sweet Lawson...such another beautiful baby! Went to Susan's to visit and have some jeans hemmed and headed out to dinner with Robin, 30 minutes late... I HATE being late.  But she was forgiving, the cocktails were nice, the company even nicer.  Sushi at Mori and off to see Shea and Joe at the newest restaurant in town, the Green Iguana.  Javier, Jennifer, Shea and Joe were "testing" out new recipes for their specialty drinks.  Lots of laughs and great conversation sent me home about midnight.  I am super excited for Javier and Jennifer~ this is a big jump for El Toreo to their own business.

Wednesday~ Org lab cancelled, lunch with Stephanie at Cheddars and off to class at 1.  I kept Gage at home Wednesday night, dropped him of Thursday morning and met Kelly for an early lunch.  I love love love all the catching up I got to do while I was home!  After a quick visit to my mom, I was on the road back to Birmingham.  With a few extra germs in tow :(

I have been fighting this chest cold since Thursday and think I have finally kicked it.  I do not have time to be sick right now!  I did decide to add another course semester~ yes I have lost my mind!  Going to go ahead and retake my Chem I lecture while it is all still fresh!

So Friday, Saturday and Sunday schedules have all looked exactly the same~ sun up to past sundown STUDYING!  Phys quiz-check, chem unit-check, OAT flashcards-maybe a quarter of a check

I was hoping this would be a thought provoking, insightful, powerful...BLAH,BLAH,BLAH...blog.  Instead, I realize this going to be my record of the year.  And when the year is over, the insight will be mine.  To look back over a year of accomplishments and blessings and smile because I captured as much of it as I could.  So if you chose to follow me, I hope you don't find it boring!

Heading back to Valdosta tomorrow to begin an very important week.  I have faith...God has continued to remind me of that with the KLOVE verse every single day.  So until after the OAT~ ciao!

Friday, January 6, 2012

My heart is bursting

Second post of the year! Wanted to post yesterday because I have SO much to say~ but the computer got sick and spent all day yesterday scanning and getting well.

Where to start?? This week has been great...Blanton was off Wednesday and we kicked our get healthy together routine into gear. We are doing a variety of workouts and making some minor diet adjustments. It has been amazing having someone to do this with. I know the motivation comes from self, but not giving up or pushing that extra little bit can come from a partner. We started at the apartment gym Tuesday running. I talked him into P90x yoga Wednesday and Kenpo yesterday. So proud of him for hanging in there!

Crazy thing about this week? For the first time in a very, very long time I have not one dime to my name. My savings and checking accounts are zeroed out, no accessible credit and maybe some change I can cash out. But I am more at ease than I have been in a very long time. My heart is only smiling~ and smiling big. Usually by this point, the fear and stress has taken over. I don't sleep, I cry and am perfectly happy staying in bed. But not this time and it is an amazing feeling. I have no money, no "future" and no clue! But I am okay with that.

I had lunch yesterday with a sorority sister from Georgia Southern. It was so nice to catch up, have some "girl time" and finally look forward to new friendships in our new city. We had lunch at a neat tex-mex restaurant Chuy's-- cannot wait for warm weather and drinks on that patio!

A lot of my future is riding on January 19th. As I mentioned before, I have not heard from UAB and I know a lot of that is because my OAT scores are not desirable. So~ needless to say, that test on Jan 19th could determine my next five years. Another part of the craziness of the week? God speaking directly to me concerning that test and the next five years. Usually, when I get to this point, I am praying diligently (begging), asking (begging) for direction, for guidance. This time, I haven't needed to. He knows my desires and chose to speak to me before I even asked. I am a huge advocate of KLOVE~ the positive, encouraging radio station that plays contemporary Christian music and always seems to have the perfect song on at the perfect time. I also subscribe to their "Encouraging Word" - its a daily Bible verse to kick start your day.

Without using way too many words to try and explain the obvious, I will just share the verses beginning December 26, 2011...
But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The Lord is great!"- Psalm 40:16, NLT |

Tuesday 12/27/2011
Let them praise your great and awesome name. Your name is holy!
~ Psalm 99:3, NLT |

Wednesday 12/28/2011
How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!
~ Psalm 147:5, NLT |

Thursday 12/29/2011
He (Jesus) gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.
~ 1Timothy 2:6, NLT |

Friday 12/30/2011
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever
~ Hebrews 13:8, NLT |

Saturday 12/31/2011
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
~ Psalms 73:26, NLT |

Sunday 1/1/2012
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.
~ 2 Cor. 5:17, NLT |

Monday 1/2/2012
For I know the plans I have for you€ says the Lord, "they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
~ Jeremiah 29:11, NLT |

Tuesday 1/3/2012
God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.
~ Romans 8:28, NLT |

Wednesday 1/4/2012
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
~ Philippians 4:13, NLT |

Friday 1/6/2012
Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
~ Proverbs 3:6, NLT |

While I repost, I re-read and all I can say is "WOW! My God is SO good!" My new year started off with him reminding me we are all made new through Him. And He is reminding me every single day that He will give me strength as I continue to seek Him. The comfort for me? My life may be new...my city may be new...a lot of new in months to come, but HE is never new. He stands strong, constant and stable and THAT is why my heart is bursting today. He provides for us every single day.

I will finish today's post with a HUGE grin, a bursting heart and child-like excitement! I love Birmingham, but in just TWO more nights I get to hug close two of my precious angels! I will get to share all my newness with friends (who are already requesting date nights!!!) and family and know that in only a few days I will be back safe and sound with Blanton.  And in just a few short weeks, I will make a visit to FL (my third and final angel) and schedule visits here in Bham with my mom, my best friend from home and my best friend from ATL!

Keep up the encouragement~ I am going to need it! This year will be exciting, but as classes begin Monday so does the time commitment
xoxo
Zi

Monday, January 2, 2012

Here Goes Nothing...

A new year, a new life... why not a new project?  This is my first attempt at blogging, but I figure, why not? A lot  is sure to happen this year and I am miles away from precious friends and family.  So here goes nothing!

Tuesday following Christmas 2011 I loaded the final trailer for Birmingham.  Blanton, Cooper and Piper have been waiting on me since November.  We spent Wednesday, Thursday and Friday unloading, reloading, unloading at the storage unit.  Blanton was quite a trooper~ hung pictures, curtains rods and anything else with little complaint.  And for anyone who knows my decorating skills- that was quite impressive!  Thursday and Friday presented my race against time while Blanton was at work...Shea and Joe were coming on Friday to ring in 2012 with us.  Super excited!  I didn't get the apartment completely finished, but definitely presentable.

It was a low key weekend, but much needed time with friends! Entering the new year, in a new city...2012 will be very exciting!

Blanton and the pups and I ventured out of our apartment today- first chance since I arrived really.  We took the dogs to Vulcan Park, here in the city.  Neat place with great trails to get our ever expanding pups some much needed exercise.  Hope to go back when we can actually climb the Vulcan!  The park offers some amazing overlooking views of our new home~ Birmingham, AL.

Classes begin one week from today~ in Valdosta.  The commuting begins! I have scheduled another test date for my Optometry Admissions Test for January 19.  Very daunting as I have not heard anything from UAB.  The waiting game continues, as does the studying

Happy New Year~ let's make memories