Craziness

I never mean to drop off the face of the earth. I really don't. Doctor school is just kicking my booty right now and leaving me with absolutely no free time. I have a major project that is due next week, so I've been spending every waking hour trying to complete it in time. So hopefully I will be back soon because I miss yall!

xoxo

Studying & Strawberries

{keeping my feet cozy in my Freudian slippers}

I am stuck at home today cramming for one of the most important exams I will ever take. I would say it is second in importance only to the licensing exam I will take in a couple of years to be able to practice on my own. I have my comprehensive exam on Friday morning, which basically covers almost everything I've learned in the past 3 years of doctor school. Fun, huh? Hopefully I will pass with no problems because failing means no more doctor school. If that happens I might as well flee to a deserted island and learn to live on coconut water and bananas because I will never be able to pay back my student loans. So say a little prayer for me if you don't mind!

{studying}

On a much happier note, it's officially STRAWBERRY SEASON in Florida!! Yippeee!! I must confess, the start of strawberry season is one of the things that helps pull me out of the post-Christmas slump. Yesterday I purchased our first package of locally grown fresh strawberries at the market for just over a dollar. I'm planning on slicing these little babies up and serving them over homemade multi-grain waffles for supper tonight. Mmm mmm good.

{Plant City strawberries}

Also, did you know that today is officially the start of King Cake season? In the past, I've had to order king cakes from Louisiana to be shipped to me in Florida. Last year I was determined to make one on my own but was just too busy with school. But this year it's going to happen...I WILL make a homemade authentic king cake on my own! So stay tuned to see how it turns out!

There's no turning back now...

I'm officially registered for the Disney Princess Half Marathon on March 7. Eeek! It's amazing what an expensive entry fee can do for my motivation level. There is definitely no turning back now!

It's Resolution Time!

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There's something so hopeful about starting a new year. People are motivated and anything seems possible. I'm super excited about my resolutions for 2010 and have already started working on them.

1. Grow in my walk with Christ.

- Memorize 2 Scriptures a month

- Read God's Word everyday

- Stay active in church and life group

2. Focus on my health and fitness

- Run a half marathon during the first half of the year

- Run a marathon in the second half of the year

- Compete in a duathlon (run and bike)

- Complete another triathlon and beat my previous time

- Run 700 miles

- Incorporate yoga and meditation into my routine

- Eat healthier, including regular detox and juice fasts

3. Focus on the simple joys in life

- Buy less, make more (including dinners at home instead of eating out so much, sewing instead of shopping, making accessories and gifts)

- Send more snail mail and cards

- Explore more of Florida with hubby

- Learn to budget and stick to it

I've ran the past three days and the trail has been packed with people working on their fitness...I love it! I hope everyone is able to stick with it. Wishing you all the best of luck with your resolutions this year!!

Have you started working on any of your resolutions yet?

Reflecting & Resolving

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Happy New Year!!

I've missed you lovely ladies! I just got back to Florida, so it will take me a few days to catch up, but I'm looking forward to reading about all of your Christmas and holiday fun. I had a great trip home to Louisiana. It was so wonderful to see my family (and experience a little cold weather!). I did tons of cooking while I was there and finally learned to make dressing, which I consider to be the Holy Grail of Southern cooking. Since I just got back into town, hubby and I decided to have a low-key New Year's Eve. We had supper with his family and watched football...it was nice and relaxing. I'm one of those people who is guilty of putting too much pressure on New Year's Eve. I always worry about finding the perfect party and the perfect outfit. So to just chill out and spend time with loved ones was really nice.

I also spent a little time last night reflecting on the blessings of 2009. A few of my favorites...

*We found a church and life group that we loved, which introduced us to a wonderful new group of amazing Christian friends

*We actively made time to study God's Word and bought each other new devotional Bibles for Valentine's Day

*I was able to go home to Louisiana three times (every little break I had from school!)

*I passed my CCE-Diagnostic (kind of a big deal in doctor school)

*The running genes I inherited finally woke up and I discovered I actually love running

*I completed my first triathlon

*I fell in love with sewing

*We celebrated our 2nd anniversary in St. Augustine

*We celebrated my 27th birthday at Disney World

*I attended a conference with some of my girlfriends where we learned from Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and Kay Arthur

*My best friend came to visit me and we had a blast at Universal Studios and a fancy beach resort

*I experimented with tons of new recipes and even made French macaroons

*I obtained a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology

*We got to explore a frozen Wonderland of ice even though we live in Florida

I also made my resolutions for 2010, so I will share those with you tomorrow.

Hoping 2010 is full of blessings for all of you!

xoxo