The Art of mul·ti·task·ing

mul·ti·task·ing (mŭl'tē-tās'kĭng) n. The concurrent operation by one central processing unit of two or more processes.

I'll begin by informing you that I am multitasking at this very moment. Trying to simultaneously eat dinner and type is harder than you may think. I've been wanting to post this for quite a while but I simply haven't found the time--this would be due to multitasking elsewhere. Although far from terrible, it humors me to think that this really is my life. Some days you've just gotta do what you've gotta do to get it all done, and this demands the art of multitasking.

I brush my teeth while I'm in the shower. I eat cereal while getting dressed. I quiz myself before tests while running. I talk on the phone while chatting on gmail. I flash drug notecards while driving down I-85.

I am completely consumed with daily tasks, as I am sure most of you are in some way, and the Lord is constantly reminding me to just be still. So, if you are multitasking like crazy, rest in the fact that He is Lord and He is life.

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Weekend Getaway

Pharmacy school is cutting into my blogging time and I am not a huge fan. P2's have a test in Drugs and Disease III every two weeks this semester, so basically we never get a break. We've already been tested on anxiety, insomnia, and seizures and we've only been in school for three weeks. Lately all I've done is eat, drink, and sleep pharmacy school, so this weekend was a much needed getaway.

Eight of the ten former White House girls retreated to Lake Rabun for a weekend at Brittany's lakehouse. I visited Lake Rabun for the first time the summer after my freshman year of college and I fell in LOVE. It's where I learned to water ski, and I'm not lying when I say it's one of my favorite places in the entire world. Lake Rabun is nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Lakemont, GA. When you're on the water, it seems as though you've escaped to the inside of a giant cereal bowl. I love cereal, so this comparison is great for me, maybe strange for you. Nothing else exists inside this cereal bowl, if you will, except the people you love the most and a glorious creation the Lord allows us to enjoy. A swimsuit is the only essential, you don't have to blow dry your hair, and sun kissed cheeks are the perfect complement. At Lake Rabun time doesn't even exist. The sun is itself your alarm clock, and before you know it, it's already setting directly across from where it had risen.

This weekend we ate our fair share of candy and trail mix, discussed this weird phase of life that we are currently stuck in, went on a hike, reminisced of our college days, dominated Big Bertha (the new 3 seater tube), learned quite a few things from our newlywed, had breakfast in the most peaceful little nook, got the down low on a new boyfriend, job searched, traveled by boat for pizza at Louie's on the Lake, got at least 8 hours of sleep every night, watched the finale of Dawson's Creek, soaked up every glimpse of God's masterpiece that is Lake Rabun, and just plain loved being together.

Brittany and me at Lake Rabun, Summer 2005

She's gonna be a Newlin!

I really don't think I will ever forget this moment. Two weeks ago my phone rang. It was Chris: "I bought a ring." And yes, you guessed it, I nearly had a heart attack. According to Mary Lindsey I've been "so sketchy" lately--now she knows why! I've figured for quite some time now that ML would get married next summer, but it always felt as though next summer was years away. How quickly things change! Next summer is right around the corner and my best friend will officially be a Newlin. I am so excited for them and so thankful for their friendship! I'm calling it--their children will have jet black hair.

Spreading the news...

Priceless. Haley & Maria had no idea.

Celebrating at dinner, despite the tropical storm.

Mary Lindsey's trading me in for a male roommate.

Woe is me.

I've been absent from the blogging world for a little over a week now, not because I've been on a blog strike or anything, but because I've been too busy pouting. As much as I'd rather not admit it, I have thrown my share of pity parties over the past few days. Let's be honest, there is really no legitimate reason to throw these pity parties, but I have certainly made it look as though there were:

Many of my friends have moved on to bigger, better things and are no longer in Auburn (though there are a few still here, which I am incredibly thankful for). School started back in full force Monday and I am already neck deep in notes. The printer in the library ate my Drug Products packet multiple times. I am 22 and shouldn't still be printing things in a college library. Everyone around me seems to be engaged or on the verge of engagement or married, leaving the role of lone ranger up to me. I bought oatmeal yesterday and this morning at breakfast couldn't seem to find it anywhere. It is still missing. Reasons enough to pout, huh?

Well, as of this afternoon, I decided otherwise. The Lord opened my eyes to how selfish I have been lately. Every single reason stated above stems from the fear of compromising my own satisfaction. If my friends were back, maybe I'd be satisfied. If I weren't studying all the time, maybe I'd be satisfied. If the printer hadn't eaten my paper, maybe I'd be satisfied. If I weren't single, maybe I'd be satisfied. And if I could just find my box of oatmeal, maybe I'd be satisfied. But that's the thing, as hard as we try, nothing on this earth is capable of satisfying us like our Heavenly Father. He alone is true satisfaction and we will never experience it to the fullest until we meet Him in glory.

I have been far from joyful this week. I have strayed from the path of peace. What solid truth Alley spoke to me tonight: "Choose joy." Choose the joy of the Lord over pouting in my present plight. Choose His peace over my uncertainties. Trust that He is good. No more woe is me. I choose life abundantly. I choose Christ.

Reunited

It was a weekend of reunions. Reunions of wholesome, solid, salt of the earth friends in my opinion. I'm sad to say that most of these reunions were only for a weekend, but I'll take what I can get. Here goes: 1. Rose, Mary Lindsey, and I are officially reunited and settled into our new apartment. We're excited about cooking dinner together and having people in town for football games. It's going to be a long year with Bugs & Drugs in the near future, but "we're gon' get it." That one's for you, Rose. Oh yea-and our dog, Harrison, is the coolest.

2. White House reunion. Ok, I know I don't live there anymore. Anyway, it was great to get to see Hailee, Megan, Brittany and Lauren. You can't beat our traditional chant at The Duck or lunch at Big Blue. It is strange to think that they aren't returning to the plains for another year, but Atlanta has reclaimed some fun girls that I miss dearly.

3. Kristen. Well, Charlotte was nice enough to lend us their working girl for the weekend. Her visit was way too short, but she'll be back soon enough. I'm still laughing at how our afternoon walk ended at Lupton to reminisce with the new freshmen of our days in the quad.

4. Anna. Back from summer project and back in action! So fun to watch some of the Olympics opening ceremony with her and see our kindred--Anna will appreciate this statement. Anna is a genius and I always love hearing what she has to say. That's because I know that it comes from her heart. She has no filter and she knows that's what I love about her.

5. Perryn. Perryn is back from New York! Unfortunately only for a few weeks. She will return at the end of August as an official New Yorker with some impressive interior design abilities. I can't wait to visit and I admire her for being so independent. She can look forward to all of her NYC favorites becoming the norm.

6. Pearson, Cody, Lauren, and Robert. After one last weekend of Adam Hood live-at least for a while-these folks are headed for East Asia. I'm bummed they're not taking me with them. They will all be missed, but what an incredible opportunity they've been given. I can't wait to hear of how the Lord is using them. How beautiful are the feet of them who bring good news! Romans 10:15

7. Reed & Angie. What a couple. If you absolutely have to be a third wheel, they're the couple to third wheel it with. Not because it won't be awkward-Reed is the king of awkwardness- but because you'll never stop laughing. Favorite Reed quote from the weekend: "You know what I like? Foods you can get away with eating before the blessing..like french fries..or this pickle. See, [while biting into his pickle before the blessing] no one cares that I'm eating this pickle."

Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie

Today was the second day of my week long hospital pharmacy rotation. As of yesterday I wasn't too fond of the hospital setting because: a) besides doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, everyone you see is either sick or visiting a sick person, b) I'm almost positive they keep the temperature at 30 below zero, and c) the pace in the hospital pharmacy seemed slower than Christmas, which means the day passes by even slower. This morning, however, I was sent on rounds with the hospital's pediatric pharmacist. Four words and I was giddy about the day ahead: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Walking through the NICU for the first time was breathtaking. To be surrounded by living, breathing beings that can fit in the palm of your hand is nothing short of a miracle. When I say fit in the palm of your hand, I really mean it. They are tiny. Today I met a 3 day old baby girl weighing .51kg, equivalent to 1.12 lbs. She was born at 24 weeks, approximately 16 weeks premature. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She slept so peacefully, yet I know that her organs were laboring intensely inside her small frame in order to keep her alive. I watched the ventilator fill her lungs with air and couldn't help but wonder if she knew that she was already in the world.

For most of the day I rounded the NICU as the pharmacist's shadow while she calculated TPN's (Total Parenteral Nutrition, for feeding intravenously) for nearly 16 premies, something essential for their growth, development, and general health. While she calculated, I watched. I watched her, but mostly I was watching the babies, reading their charts and converting their weight from kilograms to pounds in my head-- stunned everytime at just how small they are. Today I never once saw a baby weighing more than 3 lbs., but I saw a ton of "mini" everything-- mini diapers, mini bottles, mini IV's, and plenty of mini hands and feet.

Referring back to my cons of the hospital setting: Even though a) the babies are fundamentally sick, b) it felt like thirty below zero, and c) the pace was much slower, I fell in love with every itsy bitsy teenie weenie baby in the Neonatal Unit! I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 Those babies are just that. Fearfully and wonderfully made.

Sunday Lunch

Sunday lunches are my favorite. I'm not sure if it's the food or the fellowship that I enjoy the most, but there's just something different about a Sunday lunch. I've been in Luverne for the weekend and today my family and some friends went out for Mexican. Luverne recently opened it's very own Mexican restaurant, Monarca's, and it has become a favorite for the community. You might think it's a favorite simply because it's one of only three restaurants where we small town folks can gather after the Sunday morning worship service, but I beg to differ. It earns the title of favorite because it really is delicious. So delicious it sometimes makes you wish you'd never eaten it.

That was exactly my experience today. You know what I'm talking about. First, there's that endless basket of chips. Before you know it, you've already consumed probably 2 whole baskets on your own and when your food finally arrives, it would be terribly rude not to eat it. So you take a deep breath, man up, and attempt to clean your plate like your mother taught you. Today I couldn't possibly have cleaned my plate. If I'd tried I might have keeled over right there in the restaurant from gluttony and I didn't want to miss a beat. Sunday lunches at home with my family and friends are too few and far between not to enjoy.

I glanced around the table and just felt like laughing. Lunches with us at Monarca's are usually mad chaos. Everyone tries to get a word in, each one growing louder and louder in an attempt to drown out the other conversations going on simultaneously. But hey, everybody needs a little mad chaos in their life. It gives you something to laugh about. Today I got enough of it to last me a while--and I'm still stuffed.