Beginning with the End in Mind.

Friday was our White Coat Ceremony for the entering class of Pharmacy school. 
The white coat symbolizes a commitment to professionalism and dedication to patient care. During the ceremony, we each went on stage to be presented with our white coat and then we all took a Pledge of Professionalism to begin our time has professional students working towards our Pharm.D.

It's a pretty meaningful ceremony, and I would be lying if I didn't say I've dreamed of the day I'd get that white coat for quite a while now. It's silly how an object can make things seem so real for you, but that white coat made the fact that I'll be in pharmacy classes this week seem MUCH more real.

During orientation the day before our WCC, one of the professors talked about what professionalism means. How would we define professionalism, and what does it mean in the pharmacy profession? You don't realize how hard it is to define professionalism without the word profession until you're asked that question. We spent time going through the Pledge of Professionalism, the Oath of the Pharmacist, and the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists, taking the time to recognize what they all meant to us and what the ultimate outcome of pharmacy school will be-- focusing on our duty and role as pharmacists.

"Beginning with the end in mind," is quote that she shared with us. That's the way we should begin pharmacy school, keeping a large focus on why we're here, why we're entering the profession of pharmacy, and what professionalism in our field means. That quote she shared with us is ultimately what the White Coat ceremony symbolizes.

 

We ended the ceremony with a reception, where we each signed the Pledge we recited.

I was so thankful to have my family there to celebrate the mark of the beginning of my Pharmacy career, I can't tell you how supportive they've been of me up to this point. And I'm sure all of the pep talks they've given me aren't over yet. ;) 

Now, the rest of my weekend is dedicated to studying. Class hasn't even started yet and I'm already behind... pharmacy school has arrived!!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! 

Making History.

WHAT a weekend.
Oh my word, what a weekend.
Friday night we had "Dawgs in the Park" at Six Flags, so UGA students had the park to themselves from 7 until midnight. It. Was. Awesome. Riding those roller coasters at night was so much more exhilarating than in the daylight. Other than the fact that we got stuck on the Georgia Scorcher for a good 35 minutes.. that's not fun.

Then on Saturday we got to be a part of history as they held the first concert EVER in Sanford Stadium. It was awesome. Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan... need I say more?

We got there a little early so we could tailgate for a bit before heading in.

the lighting was TERRIBLE inside the parking deck.

AND I was so excited to finally be able to meet Kerri. I swear, blogging friends are some of the most wonderful people. She is sweet as pie in person, as you can imagine if you read her sweet blog. Jamie was there for the concert too, so we had a quick meet up before all heading in to the concert!

The stadium was packed, it made it feel like a game day... such a tease! 

We sang our little hearts out ALL night and then headed downtown. Seriously, why do weekends ever have to end??

What did YOU do this weekend?

My Pharmacy Decision

I never actually shared my final decision for Pharmacy school.
In fact, I don't think I even shared that I had a second interview at another college.
The last I mentioned of pharmacy admissions was my acceptance to PC in South Carolina.

Back in February I was granted an interview at Mercer's Pharmacy School in Atlanta. I felt much more prepared for that interview, I did my research and practiced with my coworkers so I would be ready for any pharmacy question they threw my way.

The interview went SO well. I loved the students I interviewed with, and the professor I interviewed with. I loved their curriculum, and I left praying for that acceptance letter. Keeping in the back of my mind that regardless, I still had a seat in a pharmacy school for the fall.. and whatever happens will happen.

In the meantime, as I waited to hear back from Mercer I finally got word from UGA's pharmacy school on that Tuesday. If you remember, I interviewed there last year but was put on the alternate list. I met over the summer with the admissions director about how to improve my application, and was crossing my fingers for an interview there again this year. Athens is my home now, and I really didn't want to leave. However, I got the email that I was not granted an interview there this year.. I was heartbroken. Rejection is hard. Reeeeally hard. But obviously, God has a bigger plan for me and it's not in Athens.

If there's one thing I've learned it's that a door may shut, but God always opens a window that has an even better view out there.

Wednesday morning as I was sitting in class I checked my phone and saw a missed call and voicemail from Mercer. I immediately called back, but had to leave a message. All day I was on edge waiting for my phone to ring. I thought, surely they don't call you unless you're accepted right? I mean... they don't call you and say, "sorry... you didn't get in."

FINALLY, at 6:45 that evening they called me back with my acceptance!
I'm so excited that I'll officially be attending Mercer University's Pharmacy School this fall, as the incoming Pharmacy Class of 2017. Holy moly... 2017. INSANE.

I've still got so many things to work out, finding a roommate, figuring out Atlanta... and of course all of the financial aspects (which really suck). I'm so excited to see what God has in store for me in Atlanta, and the fact that I'll be starting pharmacy school this fall seriously makes me teary-eyed. Y'all, I am beyond blessed. God is SO good.

College Lessons

College... "the best 4 or 5 years of your life."
That's what most people say, right?

College has been amazing. (And it will continue to be hopefully.. now that I've got 4 more years ahead of me.)

The past four years have flown by... I've learned mounds of things that I would have never dreamed I would learn about. Organic chemistry? Who knew I would be able to trace where all an electron will move to in a reaction. It'll make your eyes cross.

But most of all, outside of the academics, I've learned a lot of life lessons. College puts you through hell.. at least in the classes I've taken. It makes you question yourself, and question your brains. You think you're smart... and then you get to college and all of a sudden there are these genius kids who come out of no where. (No really... where do they come from?!)

There are days when you find yourself with your face in the mud... and then others where you're on top of the world. And it can all change at the drop of a hat.

I've learned that hard work sometimes doesn't pay off the way you expect it to.
A's are cherished.
C's suddenly don't seem so bad.
And making a 43 on a test? Well... it happens.

I've learned that things always work out even if they aren't the way you planned for them to.
I've learned that a thank you note goes a long way.
Feeling appreciated and showing people they're appreciated, is one of the greatest gifts we can offer.
I've learned procrastination will screw you over... and it's a horrible habit to break.

I've learned that sometimes having no plans, is the best plan.
And ultimately, your plan may not be God's plan... so you have to learn to be okay with that.

I've learned that being passionate about something makes all the difference in the world.
And most importantly, I've learned that sometimes things just aren't meant to be.. but they will ALWAYS work out.



I've grown a lot over the past few years. And as quickly as they've seemed to pass, looking back now, my 18 year old self seems so young and immature. It seems like decades ago that I was stressing over General Chemistry that long summer.. and thinking back over all of the classes I've taken makes me feel so accomplished. Things have really fallen into place here lately. Four years ago I would have never imagined all of the things I've done, or where I've ended up... but it has all been 100% worth it.


Jeremiah 29:11 has never rang truer.

Acceptance.

Well, the last thing I left you with was that I thought I blew my interview...
but it turns out, they still liked me apparently.
I found out the day after my interview that I have been ACCEPTED to Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy! 
Just typing it takes my breath away a little bit.
I got the phone call during my physics class, and I couldn't answer. So I quickly checked my email while the professor was lecturing and saw the acceptance email. I couldn't stop shaking, and I was frantically trying to text everyone to let them know.

I cried the whole way home, and then after I got home.
Happy tears, the happiest tears I've ever cried.

All of the hard work I've put in over the past four years has finally paid off.
The uncertainty of whether or not I'll ever be good enough for a pharmacy school? Gone.
I WILL be in pharmacy school this fall, and it is such an incredible feeling.

I don't even know how to put it all into words, it's just so surreal.
I've waited for this moment for so so long.

and every step of this journey has been 100% worth it.

I'm so grateful for each and every one of you.
For listening to me vent about my struggles, and for giving me the much needed encouragement along the way.

I've still got two other schools I'm waiting to hear from, but regardless of what happens with those.. I've got a seat in a Pharmacy school. And I feel so incredibly blessed. God is so good.

New Year's

Well, I said I'd be better with my posting... and I'm behind.
I never got around to blogging about New Year's because I was soaking up my last few days of break... and studying for the beloved PCAT, yet again.

New Year's we didn't make plans.
Because what always happens when you make plans?
They don't end up happening.. at least with my crazy group of friends that's the case.
So we just planned to head downtown and run into who we run into.
And it worked JUST fine.

Ben came to Athens for New Year's too.. so Jasmine, Ben, and I headed to a small low-key bar before midnight so we could actually talk and move around. And then we met up with the rest of our friends at some other bars as the night progressed.

Downtown Athens was so packed, and with an overload of sequins and stilettos that girls couldn't walk in. It provided some WONDERFUL entertainment. By the time the bars closed most girls were walking around barefoot, and clothes were being lost. (yikes!)
Sometimes you just have to wonder what some girls are thinking...

In the process of trying to find a cab at 2AM we made a lot of friends, some of which are pictured above. ;) You really bond with people when you're all trying unsuccessfully to get a cab ride home, and IN the cab itself is always interesting too. Cab drivers are of a different breed.

All in all it was a wonderful way to ring in the New Year!
Hope your 2013 has been off to a wonderful start so far!

The Year is Winding Down..

When the semester starts to draw to a close I always go through such a mixture of emotions. 
Disbelief, because it always seems to go by so fast.
Stress, because there's not much time left to bring up those grades... and they usually ride on that last final.
Happiness, because Christmas and being home with my family is in SIGHT.
and finally...
Exhaustion, because sleep is limited.. and coffee is brewing constantly.

The past few weeks have been insanely busy, and I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to a little relaxation over Christmas break. I need it.

I'm ready for a little spare time.
Time to get some blog posts done.
Time to catch up on reading other people's blog posts.
Time to READ some books.
Time to satisfy my new addiction to Grey's Anatomy. (Netflix is dangerous.)

but right now, I'm thankful for all of my sweet friendships who keep me going each week.
My amazing coworkers who make me laugh, and keep work so entertaining.
Twinkling Christmas lights, and decorations.
and Surprise "just because" flower deliveries from a special person. ;)

He's a keeper.

Good luck to all of you with your finals! 
and to all of you lucky ducks who don't have to take finals anymore.... get lots of sleep and have lazy couch potato nights for those of us who can't. ;)

Football

Saturday was the last home game of the season... 
which always makes me sad.
Athens on game day is my favorite place to be, and this weekend we played Tech... and the Dawgs did us proud. ;)

It was a noon game, which is kind of the pits. But we made the best of it... mimosas are kind of my  new favorite thing now.

Saturday night we went downtown with friends and had a blast, as per usual.

Now why do weekends ever have to end??
The countdown to Christmas break has officially started... because I'm pretty much dreading class tomorrow morning.

Back Between the Hedges

I hadn't been to a home game since September, so it was so wonderful to be back between the hedges to cheer on the Dawgs against Georgia Southern.

and not only that, but my sweet family was able to come to Athens for their first game day experience this Saturday! They had so much fun tailgating and being in Sanford, they're already trying to figure out a way to make an appearance at this weekend's game. Which just makes my heart so happy!

On a side note: we don't live very far from Athens, so the fact that this was their first UGA game is slightly ridiculous... and Mama & Daddy have already apologized for depriving us during our childhood. 

Ben came to Athens for the game this weekend too, so it was so nice to spend some quality time with him. The past few times we've gotten together on weekends have been with groups of people.. so it was nice to have time to ourselves again.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. We celebrated Jasmine's birthday, celebrated another win with the Dawgs, hit up downtown with friends, and started this Thanksgiving Break off RIGHT.

How was YOUR weekend? 
Absolutely wonderful I hope!

The Rivalry.

It's quite possibly one of the most wonderful weekends of the year: the Georgia/Florida game in Jacksonville.
Also known as, "the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party." And you can bet your bottom dollar we'll be heading down for it this year! The GA/FL game is one of those things that any Georgia fan should experience at some point in their life. You just can't even put into words the amount of fun and craziness that goes down in one weekend.

Here's some flashback photos from last year's trip :) Can't wait to see what this year has in store!

Now off to a weekend of shenannigans! ;) Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Go Dawgs!!