ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
Just went to a presentation for Canadian students to discuss our options after grad. Many thoughts cloud my mind:
-how important is scope of practice to me?
-go into residency or work?
-If work: corporate practice, private practice or academia?
-Most importantly: stay in the States or go back to Canada?
I'm am fortunate to have so many opportunities and yet...
...anxiety.
....fear of the unknown.
What's happened? Why am I no longer excited? When did I start losing the desire to try new things? to learn? to strive for more?
When did I start to settle?
I need to retreat...a time to re-energize. To refocus on why I am WHERE I am. And WHO I am.
"Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do." ~Pope John XXIII
I WANT TO DO EVERYTHING THIS SUMMER!
I need to be still...listen.
Earnestly.
And remember....It's not about me.
1. PHONE CONVERSATIONS...
I was just thinking recently how it's been a long time since I've spent hours on the phone with a friend talking about anything and everything. I'd say the last time was probably in high school...well, maybe once or twice in university. But nowhere as frequent as in high school. I remember even falling asleep on the phone several times!
Anyway, I got to spend some phone-time with my very good friend Jeff last night. It was sooo much fun and reminded me a lot of when we used to talk in Waterloo as an excuse to procrastinate from studying...some things never change! *grin*
So take this as a hint people: I miss talking to you! I know majority of you are studying for exams but if ever you need an excuse to take a break...I'm still in school for another month =)
2. QUIZ TIME!
| Your dating personality profile: Religious - Faith matters to you. It is the foundation that you build your life upon. You trust that God has a plan for you. Athletic - Physical fitness is one of your priorities. You find the time to work athletic pursuits into your schedule. You enjoy being active. Big-Hearted - You are a kind and caring person. Your warmth is inviting, and your heart is a wellspring of love. | Your date match profile: Religious - You seek someone who is grounded in faith and who possesses religious values. You believe that a religious person can enhance your life. Traditional - You need someone who is a bit old-fashioned. A person with traditional values and beliefs will perfectly compliment your lifestyle. Adventurous - You are looking for someone who is willing to try new things and experience life to its fullest. You need a companion who encourages you to take risks and do exciting things. |
Your Top Ten Traits 1. Religious 2. Athletic 3. Big-Hearted 4. Wealthy/Ambitious 5. Liberal 6. Sensual 7. Traditional 8. Adventurous 9. Practical 10. Outgoing | Your Top Ten Match Traits 1. Religious 2. Traditional 3. Adventurous 4. Athletic 5. Big-Hearted 6. Practical 7. Outgoing 8. Conservative 9. Intellectual 10. Wealthy/Ambitious |
Take the Online Dating Personality Quiz at Dating Diversions
HAHAHA...See! This quiz PROVES that I am atheletic. All you people who laughed at me cuz we never won a softball game until I left for Chicago - what do you have to say now??? =P
GUARDING HEARTS
Again, I am torn with whether or not to blog. Often times, I wonder if some things should be broadcasted to everyone on the internet. But then again, I'm curious to hear your opinions and thoughts.
Is there a proper way to communicate? I usually talk to others; spend time with others. How do you spend time and care for others without having your intentions misunderstood? How do you ensure that you are not unintentionally and/or subconsciously leading someone on? Should you keep all relationships with the opposite sex on a superficial level? Should you never be in a one-on-one situation with the opposite sex? Does it cause opportunities for romantic longings to develop? I have to admit that I DO feel closer to someone after spending one-on-one time with them; getting to know who they are, without the pretense that often occurs when other people are around. But is this closeness even good? Is it honourable or is it fuel for improper and untimely wants? Do I just crave the attention and companionship? Is every one-on-one encounter considered a date? I looked up the definition of date: “a social arrangement between the opposite sex, usually of romantic interest”.
Does this mean that if there’s no romantic interest then the meeting’s not considered a date? How can you guarantee that there’s not even a twinge of romantic possibility from either party? You can’t. This leads back to the question I had on the purpose of dating on an old post (see Relationships). I thought all the reasons for dating our cell group had come up with should be evident in every relationship we had and not just with someone you’re dating. However, that post was speaking of dating in terms of being committed to one particular person for an undefined amount of time.
If we used the dictionary’s definition of dating, what’s the purpose of getting together then? This would mean that I’ve been dating this entire time even though it’s not with one particular individual! It also means that I’ve been dating friends who have girlfriends!! This is why the dictionary’s definition doesn’t sit well with me. Or maybe it doesn’t sit well with me because it would mean that I’d have to stop getting together one-on-one with some of my friends. Which makes me wonder why I feel the need to have one-on-ones anyway? Why can’t the conversations we have, also be in the presence of their significant others? It’s not as though we are speaking of anything inappropriate. Granted I know my friends better than I know their girlfriends and so would feel more comfortable sharing about parts of my life that I most likely wouldn’t share in front of their girlfriends. Perhaps this just means that I shouldn’t be sharing those particular details to these friends anymore. Perhaps it means that I am relying on these friendships for support when it’s not suitable. When, where and with whom is the support appropriate then? How do you guard someone's heart? How do you guard your own?
I've had these questions before and still haven't found a good answer. Comments anyone?
RANDOM TIDBITS...
-When using a ceiling fan: turn clockwise to save heat in the winter and turn counterclockwise to cool down in the summer.
-An optometrist can tell that you're Canadian just by the way you read the chart (ie. "Zed" instead of "Zee").
-Don't take Viagra. It terrible for the eyes. It's against the law for pilots.
-People bite their finger nails. Did you know that some people bite their toe nails?
-If I was a boy, I would look "sissy".
-I have orang-utan feet. Apparently my toes are like fingers and the bottom of my feet are red.
(This has no relation to the biting nails mentioned above).
MY BRAIN HURTS...
It's amazing how much you can learn in a day...it's also amazing how much you can forget in a day as soon as the test because over to make room for more info.
I have 4 tests and 3 assignments this coming week. It's going to be like this non-stop until mid-May.
This term is super crazy.
Thoughts to hold on to:
-it's do-able because others have done it before me
-what doesn't kill me makes me stronger
-my mind is the greatest gift given to me and should be used for total devotion
-I have been given a measure of faith
-He is sufficient for all my needs
-There is someone out there who is counting on me to know all this
-THIS IS WHAT I SIGNED UP FOR...LOVE IT!!!
Mental note:
Must stop eating (especially junk food) as a form of stress release...
GRAD DINNER (belated post cuz I lacked internet)
I just got back from UWCCF’s grad dinner. I only knew a handful of people and yet, I’d have to say it’s one of my more enjoyable experiences this past year. I was sitting in the room and I couldn’t help but think how amazing it is – that we could have people from different countries, backgrounds, churches, experiences and stages in life gather together in one room; that the sole commonality that binds all these apparent strangers is our hope and joy in God. How amazing is that?!! Like I said, I didn’t know more than ½ the ppl there but the ones I do know, I consider as close as my family. We may rarely see each other and talk, but when necessary, I know I can get straight to the point with anyone; no superficial conversation is needed. In this day and age, I find that type of trust and openness something hard to come by.
Ivan had shared about what grads should expect now that they’re leaving CCF. I couldn’t help but laugh when he mentioned that wherever we go, whatever we join we’re not going to find something like CCF. I laugh because it’s so true…this is a very special group, one that God has tremendously blessed and one that I am very fortunate to have been a part of (albeit brief). It crazy if you really sit back and look at how much God worked through this group. How many lives have been changed and not just within the people that we know but also meeting older generations and where they are now, all because of their experiences in university. But with blessings come responsibility and that is something that I’ve been learning myself recently. He spoke of taking what we’ve gained at UW and using it wherever we go. That’s the hard part. It’s so easy to get bogged down and just go with the flow; with what’s comfortable and easy, particularly when everyone around you is feeling and acting this way. I enjoy my visits back to Waterloo, not only for the friendships but also as my own spiritual retreat. To be energized, to be renewed with that contagious passion to share God’s love, to be continually challenged, to be reminded of what a community of believers really entails.
I know as the year draws to a close, a lot of grads are reminiscing their university experience. So many memories! For me, one that particularly sticks out was when Jeff handed me a Lifesong invite back in 2nd year. I remember smiling and saying that I’d think about it; but in my mind was “never!” and I threw it out at the first chance he looked away. Who would’ve thought that 9 months later, I’d actually be a part of the Lifesong production? Talk about extremes! That just blows my mind, when I think of how many little seeds have been planted by different people I encountered, each individually not meaning much and yet one day, the balance just tipped. If there was anything that I want to remind myself, it’s that ANYTHING is possible as long as I don’t stay inside my bubble (current struggle).
As a side note: I’m looking forward to coming back home for the summer and hopefully spending more time with certain individuals before we really start to go off in different directions. Be expecting phone calls to get together when I get back…I want lots of quality time this summer! This weekend was such a tease…
I had a blast seeing everyone though!!! *big grin*