Almost Done!!!

Ok, so I have no idea if anyone ever reads this anymore but I'm going to finish what I started. So here it goes...

It has definitely been a crazy couple of months. It is hard to believe I only have 3 weeks left here at UAB!! I have finally made a decision on what school I will be attending for next semester. I am going to Austin Peay State University. I am already in the process of picking out my classes and I already have my housing and roommates!!! I am so excited to start over and be closer to home. I never imagined it would be this hard to be away from home; having to miss out on my brother and sisters growing up has to be the hardest. I don't have the opportunity to be the big sister that I want to be.

I actually got a job here recently at Papa Johns. Just going to be honest when I say this...I HATE IT!!! Answering phones is just not a passion of mine and I do not enjoy it. Plus, it takes me almost an hour to get there because they like to schedule me to work at 5 (rush hour) and I waste an hour of my life in traffic. I'm definitely ready to quit.

I have made a couple of road trips since my last update. I went to Gatlinburg, Tn one weekend to watch Brianna compete for the Showstoppers. I actually surprised her!! She had no idea I was coming, and even though it took me almost 4 hours to get there, it was totally worth it. I also went to Asheville, NC one weekend with Shelby and her sister, Hailey, for a Lacrosse game. I had a blast, except it was extremely cold and snowed the entire time. I can only handle so much snow, then I am just grumpy. My spring break was in March and I got to go to Gulf Shores, Al with my mom, Brianna, and Shelby (talk about trouble). We had so much fun. Tanning, the beach, my friends and family, and no school...simply amazing!!!

For an update on classes: Math is easy but time consuming. I am in the process of busting my tail to make an A in that class. I am so close, I just have to dominate my final exam (which is possible with a little bit of work). Psychology seems easy, but the exams can be tricky if I don't study the right things. There is so much information that it can be overwhelming at times. History should not even be considered a class. She only has class once before each exam, and this class consists of her giving us the answers. Our tests are online, so all I have to do is plug in the answers she gave us. I have made 100's on all my exams. Chemistry should be called a foreign language that only people that care or want to care can understand. I am currently fighting for my GPA because of this class. I don't even need it for nursing at APSU, it is just going to affect the GPA that transfers there. Basically, I should have taken Biology instead of Chemistry first, because now I'm behind in credits for AP but I have an extra credit from UAB that I don't even need.

Some things I have learned:

1) Studying is something that has to involve self-discipline and determination.

2) Time goes by fast, embrace every moment because when you look back on everything you will find areas in your life that needed attention but just got brushed aside.

3) Ice cream can cure just about anything.

4) If they are in your life, God put them there for a reason. If they are gone, then guess what? They are obviously GONE for a reason.

5) Don't run into walls, it hurts.

6) The best way to escape is to run so far away that you get lost, then fall to your knees and ask God to lead the way.

7) Trust is something easily broken, and even harder to give away.

8) Don't get near Shelby with an ironing board, because it will hit you violently in the head.

UAB vs. Bridgette

So the first month back at UAB has been a roller coaster ride for sure. To start the semester off, I found out that my roommate was moving out and leaving UAB to go back home. 419 misses her terribly; however, I did get a new roommate, Meghan. She is very sweet!!!

I was on the verge of moving back home too. I had planned on going to Vol State because UAB is making me pay way more than I want to; however, I decided to stay here and finish the semester because it was just easier to get the semester over with here. I did have to drop my Anatomy class, which I am very upset about. That class is what made me decide to come here, partially because they let freshman do labs on human cadavers (call me gross, but I was excited!!!).

Shortly after all this drama, my mom received a phone call at 2 a.m. one morning from the police department. Needless to say, she was scared to death!!! There is a good outcome and a bad outcome to this story. The good is that I was ok and nothing happened to me; however, my car window was not. Some IDIOT decided to break into my car. They smashed my driver side window to pieces. The police think they decided to break into my car because my windows were really tinted and I was out of state; which leads them to believe that I may have had a GPS. The stupid idiots didn't take anything, just pissed me off a little and caused my parents to buy me a new window.

I am now in the process of choosing a school to attend for next semester. This has got to be the most pain in the butt thing to do. A small piece of advice, figure out the school you want to go to before you get involved because transferring is not fun at all.

So to update you on my classes...

• Math class is a breeze but the homework is annoying and time consuming.


• I just dominated my Psych exam (97 to be exact). I actually like this class, one of the only classes I have enjoyed while in college.


• My history teacher looks like the "Turtle" guy from Master of Disguise, but his class is easy.


• Chemistry is absolutely kicking my butt!!!!!!!!! This class will be the death of me.

Some things I have learned:

1) Watch out for one way streets, they can be dangerous if your going the WRONG WAY!!!

2) I have no sense of direction. A GPS would be beneficial. I have a stack of directions in my car, but I have no idea where each one takes me.

3) DO NOT take 8 a.m. classes. Especially chemistry lab, when you actually need to be conscious to do something productive.

4) When I spend most of my day tripping over things, I shouldn't be surprised when I completely bust my butt in front of everyone. It was going to happen eventually, I just kept avoiding the fall by tripping many times.

5) Bellybutton piercings hurt, really really bad!!! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

6) Always keep your keys on you, otherwise you will be locked out of your room while all your roommates are out to eat. That laundry room is out to get me!!!

7) Sometimes the random things in life can be essential to everything you didn't know you needed :)

8) I have RECENTLY learned that I have an OCD problem because I sat here for 5 minutes trying to think of something else I learned, just to make my list an even number.

First of all, I would like to apologize for not updating my blog in over a month. So much has happened that I don't even know where to start. I should actually be studying for my final exam on Friday, but Mom won't leave me alone until I update my blog.

Since fall break I have been working really hard to keep my grades up and just making it through another class. I really enjoyed spending time with my family over Thanksgiving. I can't wait until Christmas break. I will have almost an entire month at home. I will need to get rested up because my next semester schedule is going to be tough. I am taking the following classes:

Monday:

• Math 110 9:00-9:50


• Psychology 212 10:00-10:50


• Chemistry 105 12:00-12:50

Tuesday:

• History 121 9:30-10:45


• Biology 115 3:30-4:45

Wednesday:

• Math 110 9:00-9:50


• Psychology 212 10:00-10:50


• Chemistry 105 12:00-12:50


• Biology 115 3:30-4:45

Thursday:

• History 121 9:30-10:45


• Biology 115 3:30-4:45

Friday:

• Chemistry Lab 8:00-9:50


• Psychology 10:00-10:50


• Chemistry 105 12:00-12:50

I was granted a scholarship a couple weeks ago. I am officially in the EANS (Enrichment for Academic Nursing Success) program. They are giving me $100 a month to be in the program and they are providing me with a Nurse mentor that will help me make positive academic choices that will benefit my Nursing School application. They only chose 4 students!!! I was definitely blessed to be offered this opportunity.

I have made some pretty big decisions in my life in the past month. I have met some great people, lost a couple of friends, gained some new ones, and made some friendships stronger. I will miss my UAB friends because next year I will be attending a school in Tennessee. Sometimes things in life just change, and I have learned that sometimes it is ok to do what is right for me. While at UAB, I have learned so much about myself. I have become a stronger and better person and I do not regret my decision to come to UAB at all. I have had a BLAST!!!

My list of things I have learned is huge, so here it goes:

1) Tropical storms are not fun, especially when campus floods and my umbrella almost caves in on me

2) History sucks.

3) Despite everything I have been through, God will always provide.

4) Immaturiy will always conquer.

5) God likes throwing me curve balls.

6) I am becoming more and more clumsy as each day passes.

7) Starbucks can be considered a best friend.

8) I can't control everything, I have to let God take care of things.

9) You should probably learn to say, "ROLL TIDE!!!" We are just that awesome :)

Update on things :)

So I finally had my Fall Break last week. It was greatly appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed. I went shopping with my mom, worked at the park, went to church, carved a pumpkin with Nonna, and just enjoyed spending time with my family. I conquered my fear of driving in the dark and rain though!!! I was absolutely terrified and prayed all the way home and back, and of course God kept his hand on me.

This week I had my first Links-Up Mentoring meeting with my group. Our objective is to take these 6 troubled students and make them leaders in their school. The mentors, like me, do activities to build self-esteem, teamwork, responsibility, respect and other qualities needed to be a leader. It might be an interesting year, because one of our students was suspended and wasn't there that day. I didn't get to have the full experience because I left the surveys in my room and I had to come all the way back to the dorm to get them and by the time I got back to the school there was only enough time to take the survey and then go.

About 3 weeks ago my roommate, Shelby, went to give blood and the recruiter lady kept bugging me to give blood. After listening to her for about 20 minutes ramble on I finally told her I hadn't eaten that day and I couldn't give blood that day but that I would one day. Well little did I know the opportunity would arise today. My friend, Kenna, was going to give blood and asked me to go. Well I didn't have an excuse today because I ate breakfast this morning and just finished my lunch. So I decided that there was a first time for everything. This is where my experience begins. I passed all the initial screening, I had a good weight, iron, blood pressure and all that other stuff needed. I was surprisingly nervous. The needle was HUGE!!! A lot bigger than I expected it to be, but needles don't scare me or anything. I got about 8 minutes into giving my blood when I told the nurse that I was beginning to feel dizzy, so she laid me down and gave me some apple juice. They finished "sucking the life out of me" and I had to lay there for 5 more minutes. I finally felt OK and I finished my apple juice so I got up to leave. I went to pick up my backpack, went to grab some Nutter Butter's and another juice. I walked to the elevator and passed out. I literally just fell to the ground. I couldn't see anything, everything was black. I could hear what people were saying but I had this horrible ringing in my ears. My friend Kenna runs back in there and everyone comes running over there. They pick me up and take me to a place to lay down. I had to lay there for 30 minutes and finish my Nutter Butter's and another juice. This one hour process turned out to be a 2 hour journey; however, I saved 3 lives. GO ME!!! So now my arm feels like it has been punched 10 times and then wrapped in a pretty blue bandage. I think I had a productive day.

Things I learned this week:

1.) My nursing teacher is not as intimidating as I thought he was.

2.) Driving in the dark isn't as scary as I made it out to be.

3.) Money goes fast!!!

4.) I have to get my wisdom teeth taken out this summer and I'm not excited at all.

He is worth the wait!!

Relieved...

So this week has definitely been stressful. My midterms are finally over!!! I still have my history midterm but it's after fall break. I don't think I have stressed myself out this much in almost forever. Friday, after my classes were over, I came to my room and crashed for like 5 hours. I was so relieved it was all over with and I was finally able to relax and sleep. I think I stressed myself out more than I needed to, but I am just afraid to screw it all up.

One thing I have done in order to "relieve" some of my stress is working out. I go to the gym 3 to 4 times a week. I am officially on a mission, operation anti-muffintop!!! It is my official new hobby. It is a good hobby to have I must admit.

I seen my first UAB play the other night. I went to go see A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. It was 3 hours long!!! It was really good & kept me interested. I would encourage everyone to see a play one time or another. It was definitely a good experience. Now I have to write a paper on it, which shouldn't be much fun at all.

Today I did an outreach called 'Into the Streets.' It is where Blazers go out into the community and help make Birmingham a better place. There were options such as Habitat for Humanity, the Humane Society, 5 Points, or going to different schools in the community. I went to Hemphill Elementary School. While I was there, I cleaned and disinfected the inside of the school & landscaped the outside of the school. It was rainy, cold, very muddy and I had to be up at 5:30 a.m. but it was totally worth it. I had so much fun!!

Some things I learned this week:

1.) Sometimes stressing yourself out just isn't worth it.

2.) I tend to be a pushover, but I'm fixing it.

3.) I don't want to be the little fish in a big pond anymore, I'm ready to step out and do something!!

4.) Promises shouldn't be made unless you intend to keep them.

I'm still waiting and I haven't questioned quitting once!!! I'm not giving up, no matter what.

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!!!!!

Sorry it has been so long since I have updated my blog, but most of my free time has gone to studying or sleeping. I have midterms for the next 2 weeks. Since I have slacked off and avoided studying for the past month, I am having to crack down now. So I just got information today that in order to guarantee a seat in Nursing school, I need a 3.2 gpa; however, if my gpa is below a 2.75 after my freshman year, I have to change my major!!! So I am ensuring, through hard work & studying like crazy, that I have a seat in Nursing school.

I had to shadow a Nurse this past Friday at the UAB hospital. I was in Neurology, which is where patients who have had a stroke, seizure, or any terminal illness such as brain cancer are located. I actually didn't get to do much that day except for discharge patients, but they said I could set up an appointment with them and pick a specific area I wanted shadow next time. During the time I was there, I was able to talk to the Nurse I was shadowing and she let me know a lot of information. One very important thing she said was that I needed to start looking at potential hospitals to work at. She told me that Alabama hospitals were one of the lowest paying in the U.S. and that I was better off going back to TN to work because I would make more money (SWEET!!!) She also informed me that there were many jobs in a hospital that I could actually do now!!! She said they would work with my college schedule and possibly only make me work on the weekends. So I applied for a couple of jobs at the hospital the other day. Hopefully, I will be a patient care technician pretty soon.

I am also starting a Volunteer Program called Links-Up Mentoring. I will be going to a middle school once a week to work with troubled 7th graders. My job is to become a "friend" to them and teach them responsibility, respect, and self-esteem. I originally signed up for 3rd graders, but I'm up for a challenge. I have to come up with a way to be "disciplinary" & fun all at the same time....it could get interesting. Just remember how stubborn you were when you were in 7th grade. I'm hoping to avoid bad attitudes. I'm expecting the worst but hoping for the BEST!!!

I finally made it to "The Basement" this past Tuesday. I definitely prayed over my car before I left. It was an amazing experience and I love to watch God move in a place. Matthew 18: 20 says, "For where two or more come together in my name, I am there with them." I could definitely feel him there that night. Matt Pitt is the preacher and he was awesome!!! He relates to young people so well. I'm not perfect, just FORGIVEN!!!

So I'm going to state my opinion on first impressions...they no longer mean anything to me. People seem to put on a "mask" when they first meet others. WHY? Why can't people just be themselves? I strive to be who I am at all times, I don't change my personality based on the people I'm around. If I had known what I know now....I would have made some better decisions on the people I live with. When you live with another person, you need to respect that other person. RESPECT!!!! I think that is a big issue right now. Well I will quit rambling about this because I could go on & on.

Well I'm off to study some more :)
Some things I have learned this week:
1.) People can't drive. ( I almost got in a horrible wreck the other day....stupid IDIOT!!!)
2.) Transitions can be hard.
3.) High school did not prepare me for college.
4.) First impressions are CRAP!!!

1 month down, 8 more to go. I'm still in love and holding on strong!!! Nobody ever said waiting would be easy, but it will be worth it in the end.

"Who knew God would be so hard to find?"

So tonight my friend, Shelby, and I were on our way to a church service called "The Basement." We went all the way to Roebuck, Al (30 minutes away) to find an empty parking lot. I was extremely disappointed because I was so excited; therefore, we headed back to the dorm. When we got back we looked on the website to find out "The Basement" had moved to Church of the Highlands. Although we were going to be 45 minutes late, we decided it would be worth it to still go to the service. We were two miles away from the church and my car breaks down!!! Smoke was pouring out of my car. I run out of the car and say, "Who knew God would be so hard to find?" Little did I know, God was using me.

A man stops to help us and I was a little nervous. We were talking about my car and I mention that we were going to "The Basement." He then started telling us how he always wanted to go but never had a reason and thought he would feel out of place. I began to encourage him to come next week and we all prayed together on the side of the road. It is funny how God works....(let's just avoid using my car breaking down next time, ok God?) Now, hopefully, I will see him at service next week. Praise God for always having a reason for everything :)

Things I have learned this week:
1) Be careful when getting your laundry out of the dryer because you might drop your underwear and someone find it for you. Learn from experience :)
2) Always have your key or you will be locked out of your room for an entire hour!!! Learn from experience :)
3) God always has a plan.

While I'm waiting, I will serve Him.