MCAT

MCAT tomorrow at 8 am.  I am kind of freaking out.  But this quote by John Piper is helping to calm my nerves.

"All true blessings come from His grace, not our labor."

I love it because it could not be more true.
Prayers, and more prayers, and then even more prayers are needed and welcome for both tonight and tomorrow.  Thanks to everyone who reads this and I'll be updating more after tomorrow.

OK. I'm done complaining now that it's out of my system.

Weekend in 5, or maybe 7...

1. Gin's party was super fun.  One of the best nights had with Aimee and Gin and I loved spending time with them before the summer because they're graduated and will be living in Omaha from now on.

Aimee, Virginia, me. See that plastic deal on Gin's finger? It's a giant ring shot glass! haha

2. Waking up after 4 hours of sleep and drinking the night before was NOT fun.  However the drive to Iowa was quick and the scenery was gorgeous.  Iowa is very hilly and this makes the drive east much prettier than heading west through good ol' Nebraska.

3. Hill and I have been friends for over a decade and it was absolutely wonderful to see her graduate (1st generation!).  She was given an award (Undergraduate Presidential Award, or something like that) and asked to give a speech at the graduation.  Everyone cried.

William Penn University had a gorgeous campus!

4. Iowa was also a great because I got to spend lots of time with her family.  Hill and I have grown up together in every sense and I love that her family embraces me as one of their own (as mine does to Hill).  This was the first time since John (her dad) died that I've seen Hill, her mom, and sister be truly happy and content together. Praise.

Me with my second momma. Hill looks just like her, and they're both gorgeous!

5. Sleep in Iowa was slim as well.  Lots of staying out seeing the tiny town of Oskaloosa, Iowa, going to graduation parties, friends sleeping on the couch and snoring much too loudly, and waking up at 3am and again at 8am to move Aubree (Hill's younger sister) out left me beyond tired.

6. I stopped in Omaha on my way back to Lincoln to have dinner with my roommate's family and spend time with them before leaving for summer.  This was awesome because I got to hear how Aimee moved an entire couch out of our apt, into her SUV, and then home without a single person helping (oh Aimes!) and then watch Sister Wives on TLC with her momma.  Me and her momma just get each other.

7. Finding old friends on facebook is amazing.  It's even more amazing when you find out God changed their heart and their life and they're now your sister in Christ.  I cannot wait to reconnect with my old friend when I get back to Mansfield.

Can you tell my favorite color is coral?

I cried

Yes, today marks the first time I've cried over my grades.  I went into my P.Chem final with an A/A- and came out with possibly a C.  44% of your grade being a cumulative final is just too much.  And I didn't make the 94 I needed to get an A.  I guess I was just angry and upset because after an entire semester of working my butt off to improve on every single test grade (which I did!!) and get an A went right out the window after I turned my test in.  I cried walking to the bookstore after my test to sell back my book.  I cried more when they only offered me $25 for it (I bought it new for $180!), an amount which I readily denied.  I cried while waiting for my 'script at the pharmacy.  Good thing I decided to wear a cap and sunglasses today.  I guess I'm all out of tears now, which is good.  I've never cried over grades before and I'd rather not again.  Also, I am so dreading stopping by my BIOC 434 prof's office to pick up my paper grade because I really don't  think I can handle any more bad news.... on the other hand it could be really good news I suppose.
Time to shop for a gift for Gin's party tonight, clean, and pack for IOWA!!  I will now be adopting my usual finals week attitude of "I don't care what my grades are because it always works out in the end!"
I better have made an A in Spanish though because A-'s are the worst...

One more final (7:30 am, gross).
Shopping (not fun shopping, shopping for cleaning supplies)
A bachelorette party in Omaha.
Trip to Iowa for Hill's graduation.
Packing.
Moving.
Cleaning.
HOME.
I'm ready do be home, despite the fun things in-between now and then.

I felt like this topic deserved it's own post.
Today I rejoice in the lives that will be saved as a result of bin Ladin's death, however I mourn the soul that was lost.  As a follower of Christ I couldn't help but cringe when I heard the news to know that another soul will spend eternity in a lake of fire with weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

Also, there was a lot I didn't like about Obama's announcement but I did love the end when he said America is not fighting a war against Islam and especially when he said "One nation under God" and God Bless America.

I wish this was my last finals week.

I currently have one grade in my biochem 435 class (advanced topics in biochemistry).  Just one.  All semester long we've been reading and discussing published biochemistry papers on the crystal structures of various proteins and relating structure to biological function.  Attendance and participation are required, but don't actually account for any points (?).  In April we switched from discussing to watching presentations on our self-chosen research topic.  I presented last Monday (4/25) and found out this weekend I got an A on my presentation.  Almost an A+ even.  Awesome!!  And now the rest of my life (only a slight exaggeration) depends on my final paper, which is worth anywhere from 50-80% of my grade.  I hope Dr. Wilson goes easy on me...
I really REALLY want a 4.0 this semester, something which has eluded me in all of my past 7 semesters.  I've come close, but never hit the mark.  I think I can do it, but so far I only have 1 definite A (biochem 433, which is a 2 hr lab).  In Spanish Lit I'm sitting at a solid A- that can be brought up provided I get an A on the final and an A on my final paper (already turned in).  P. Chem is going to be the toughy.  I'm at an A right now, but the comprehensive final is worth 44% of my grade.  Stressful finals week.  Bored reading about classes you're not taking and school stuff you don't care about? OK, well I'm done.

A more exciting post is in the works.