Burnt Out...

Big time. I think my brain hit a wall today and said enough is enough. Granted I've practically been studying genetics all weekend, but this stuff is hard, complicated, and the tests are super tricky!

I've been in school, going on three years, non stop. I've never taken a semester off, not even a summer. What was I thinking? If I can get through this current semester and next alive, I'll have completed a four year science degree from the University of Georgia in three years. Yes, I'm nuts. Very very nutty.

I cannot wait to graduate, even though I will be rewarded with more school (graduate school). I think I deserve a big fat trip for graduation. It can serve as a "you did pretty good" and a "motivation to do better in graduate school." How about Ireland? Mom? Dad? Oh grandmothers...

So I realize I'm about to reveal to the world what a nerd I am, but here goes. I plan trips. That's right. Trips that I know I cannot afford to go on or have the time to go on at the moment. I plan them. I find flights and accommodations, and tons of things to do while I'm there. I'm currently planning a trip to Ireland. I've always wanted to go there. It's so green and pretty.

Evidence:







See, don't you want to come with?

Oh well. No Ireland anytime soon. Instead, I get all the American genetics I want! Life is grand...

~BK

2 days left on the birthday countdown!

Welcome to....

October.



It's one of my favorite months (but then again I'm a bit partial... my birthday is next Tuesday!).

I finally finished my part of my applications, although I can't say I'm quite done. I still have to keep calling to make sure all my mail-in stuff makes it (letters of recommendation, transcripts, ect).

Not much else to report. Things are consistently busy- with school there is ALWAYS something to do.

I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week and weekend. I have a genetics test to study for, but other than that I plan to get some R&R. I also want to watch the Auburn vs. Vanderbilt football game- it ought to be a good one. Glad the bulldogs get a week to rest and regain composure.

~BK

Gas prices and a few other things...

I agree that the gas issue is getting way out of hand. I agree with this philosophy:



While I'm at it, here's another good video:



Well that's about all for now. I'm trying to breathe through my one nostril that seems to be working. I feel so sorry for the people who sit around me and have to hear all of my sniffling and nose blowing.

Have a good Thursday! GREY's TWO HOUR PREMIERE TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!
~BK

When you...

make it to Wednesday, you can feel the weekend getting near. I can't wait for this weekend! GA vs BAMA at 7:45! The perfect time, place, and season! Plus College Game Day will be in Athens for the first time in quite some time which is also exciting! And it's BLACKOUT! I just hope I'm feeling better by then...

Since I've been back from Australia, I've had a choggy head in the mornings, my nose runs like crazy, and I feel like I can't breathe. About two hours later, it will go away. A few days ago it moved to lasting all day, and then yesterday I woke up with the worst sore throat- I just knew I had strep throat. So I went to see a doctor at the Health Center and he thinks I have a severe prolonged sinus infection. He said that sometimes our bodies adjust to the atmosphere and when they are thrown into a new one, they can't readjust. So he thinks by body got used to that clean air in Australia, and when I got back here, the irritants in the air killed my sinuses. He gave me two antibiotics. I really hope he's right and that I feel better soon.

I baked my firs loaf of pumpkin bread last night. It turned out pretty good. I love it! And it's a perfect fall food to make. :-)

I'm finishing my applications to the graduate programs I'm applying to- two are due next week and one the following week. It's a bit stressful. I'm ready to have them off my hands and to be at the point where I did all I can do. Now, I'm editing every little thing and working on my narratives.

Alright, well I better get moving!

~BK

Ready for the weekend...

even though it will be filled with studying. I have a genetics test on Monday. For the record, I hate Monday tests. I don't think they should be allowed. We'd like a break on our weekends too, thanks.

Not much to report. I agree that this week has crept by so slowly. I had two tests, which always makes things go by so slowly because I study all the time and time seems to sit still.

I went to shadow at the hospital today (I'm shadowing in the Anesthesiology Department/OR).

I saw my first C-Section which I was ecstatic about because I've been wanting to see one. I couldn't help but cry a little. It's so amazing see such a little tiny person be welcomed into the world.

I also saw a triple bypass. The tone of the surgery was different than any other I've watched for the obvious reason. It's tedious and high risk. I loved watching the vein grafts- they were unreal. And seeing a open chest with the heart beating was totally unbelievable. I'm still in awe.

Well one more class and I can call it a week.

Have a good one!

~BK

My Weekend Saga

So this weekend, Justin and I were invited to go to the USC vs. UGA game with a friend named Cameron who we met on our Australia Study Abroad trip as I think I mentioned in the previous post. Cameron is from Columbia so her parents bought tickets and told her to invite friends down. She invited Justin and myself, 4 others from our Australia trip- Steven, Laura Ann, Cortney, and Molly, as well as her 3 roommates Molly, Britney, and Callie.

I had the latest class, getting out at 3:20 so we planned to leave at 4 when I got finished with classes. We had planned to take two cars- Steven's Tahoe and Cameron's BMW. At the last minute, Justin and I decided to take our car as well. Justin didn't realize we were invited to stay Friday and Saturday night and only packed for one night (oops!) and we both decided we could use the extra rest by getting a whole day at home on Sunday rather than not getting back until 4 or 5.

So the three cars head out at around 5. It took that long to load everyone's things and get headed out. Not 5 minutes into our drive we had a huge setback. Justin and I were in the right lane, while the other two cars were in the left. We managed to get through a light ahead of them and were traveling on our merry way. I realized the other two cars weren't in my line of vision and fussed at Justin for speeding ahead when we should of been following, assuming they had turned off somewhere. So as we were turning around Steven called and said "I had a wreck" and he told me where they were. We headed back towards him and Cameron called and said "We had a wreck. Both of our cars are pretty bad." She assured me they were all okay so I didn't ask anymore questions, but we were like WHAT? They hit each other?!?

When we got back to the scene, I could not believe what I saw. What happened was that a car two cars in front of Cameron suddenly decided to turn. Everyone slammed on breaks and came to a complete stop. They claimed it was close, but the were stopped and then WHAM a huge trash truck slammed into Steven, who was pushed into the back of Cameron, who was pushed into the car in front of her.

The driver was extremely nice. He said he was only going 35 but he just couldn't stop that suddenly. He made sure the cops understood he was the only one at fault, that they were stopped. He told Justin he would lose his 10,000 safety bonus which made me so sad. The girl that suddenly decided to turn should of just kept going and turned around. AND, she didn't even stop to see if everyone was okay.

Here's the cars:







It took forever for the one motorcycle cop they sent to get there. Athens's police force is a bit off if you ask me (they'll send four cars to pull over one speeder, but one motorcycle for a four car accident?). He wrote the reports and told anyone if they needed to go to the hospital, to go. Laura Ann wanted to go so I took her while Justin went back to get his truck to help unload all of the cargo from their vehicles. Both cars were towed. The doctor said the X-rays looked fine, but that she did have severe whip lash and that her muscles were having spasms. He prescribed muscle relaxers and 800 mg of motrin. (Cameron's mom is a doctor and she called in the same thing for the others).

By the time we left Athens it was almost 9 p.m. Cameron still wanted every one to come and with her parents buying all that food (they had bought 10 lbs of shrimp to cook for supper plus TONS of tailgating good) and tickets and Cameron being so excited, we re-vamped our plan and all headed down. We left Athens around 10 and got there about 1 AM.

Her parents are so nice! And the rest of the weekend went smoothly. Tailgating was fun. The game was hot and the dogs were making me nervous, but the game was a blast! We tailgated again afterwards and then headed back to Cameron's to shower. Justin and I left Cameron's around 10:30 PM and got to Athens around 1:30 AM.

Here are some photos from the weekend:


Group Shot


Australia Crew


Laura Ann, Molly, and Me


Cameron and Me



Us in front of the Cockabuses (So neat! Tons of Cabooses which people can buy and that's where they tailgate. We got to go into the USC one because Cameron's dad works there. They are sooooo cool!)




He was sitting right behind us!


Final Score. Go dogs!!!

Despite the beginning of the trip, it was a great one!!!

~BK

How about a...

random quick little post that is less philanthropist driven? LOL. Guess Stand Up to Cancer sparked a fire in me.

~I'm heading to my first ever away college football game this weekend. It's in Columbia - UGA vs. USC and I'm super ecstatic about that! A girl we meet on out Australia trip is from Columbia and invited us (Justin and I and four others from our trip). Her parents have extra tickets and we are staying with them. Our only expense is gas (split 6 ways) and one meal! Talk about like winning the lottery for a college student...

~My Auntie Tam and Patty and the girls are leaving Sunday for Disney World. Pray they have a safe trip, good weather, and good times!

~I have two tests next week and one the following Monday so I'm a bit overwhelmed in that area. BUT I just found out I made a 90 on my genetics test. DO WHAT? I hoping there's no mistake with that, lol.

~I've been an emotional wreck this week. A few people I know are going through some tough times. Breaks my heart. I've also been feeling sickly at my stomach. Maybe there's something going around...

~Justin bought a new vehicle! It was my grandfather's and it's perfect for him (it's a Toyota Tundra). He's so excited. He's driven a 93 Saturn since 16 (almost 8 years) and is so thrilled to have a new car. He bought a UGA tag and a new air freshener for it, lol. I'm so happy for him. Maybe the next new car in the family will be MINE?!? Dare I dream...

~My birthday is in 26 days!

Alright enough about me. Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Fall is in the air!

~BK