Rest of my grades are in

A in my service learning class (taught science twice a week in an elementary school), A in my microbiology lab techniques course, an A- in my pathogenic bacteria course, and of course the C- in Calculus. I have an indepedent study that is currently in progress, but I will probably not be finished with that until sometime around spring break of next semester. I just kind of work on it when I have time. It's not hard, and it is relatively interesting, and I am expecting an A there. I am hoping to make all A's next semester. I should still finish with >3.6.

Yay! I have never been so relieved that a semester was over in my life. Even the semester with Microbiology, Biochem and Ochem 2 seemed less painful than this one (well, and that semester I had straight A's too - weird).

Tonight some really good friends of mine who had moved to England are back in town, and my group of girls + their spouses are all meeting up at a happy hour and then going to dinner/coffee at Intermezzo afterwards. I can't wait to see my friends!

Tomorrow night is the big date night with Micah! None of my fancy dresses fit, though, so I'm going to have to dig around in my closet for the smallest dress I have to try to see if I can just wear that out. I have gone from around a 10 to a size 2, so even my size four's are too big now. Micah has asked me to not lose any more weight at this point, so I imagine I'll stay put right at 120 now. However, I'm really excited that I was able to get that part of my life under control again and learn to make healthier choices. I like being a size 2 -everything is either too big or it fits!

THEY DON'T CARE!!!!!

I called my school, and they said that they don't care that I earned a C- in that Calculus class. Thank goodness! She was really complimentary to me and my application they had on hand from me, and she said they are excited to have me next year, and they would never take my seat away over a C- in Calculus as it isn't a required course for them at all.

I feel like I can finally believe that I'm going to go to medical school next year. Ever since I got my acceptance, I had been so worried about Calculus and whether or not I would pass, and technically, I don't think I did, but I was given a C- anyway, but it is over!!!!!!!!!!! Forever!!!!!!!!!

For the first time in my life I prayed a Bible verse - 1 John 5:14-15 - and here it is:


And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
—1 John 5:14-15

I asked God to help me make a grade that would pass me and keep my acceptance if it was what He wanted for my life. I feel like I can finally say with even more confidence that this is what I am supposed to be doing. God is ruling my life - and I truly do believe He gives us the desires of our heart. Especially after this experience!

Next semester I have a grad-level public health ethics course, an intro to public health undergrad course, genetics, bacterial symbiosis and prokaryotic biology. It's not going to be a cakewalk, but it will not be a math class. I know I can make all A's and B's without worries. Thank God that this all worked out. Literally.

I got a C-

I got a C-, which isn't technically a C but it isn't failing. I'm not sure what this means to Mercer, but I found out this means to UGA that I don't have to retake the Calc class. It isn't in a certain area that dictates a C or higher in my degree requirements.

Andres - any thoughts on if Mercer will rake me over the coals on this? Will they take it if I make a bunch of A's next semester and no C's? I didn't fail, so that is what matters, right?

Obviously, I am still stressed out about this, but never in my life have I ever had a subject that I tried so hard in and yet failed so miserablely at conquering.

Things to do instead

Ok, so I'm waiting for my grade to post, and there is no way I passed that final. If I get below a C in this class - I will lose my acceptance to medical school.

So, other things I could do with my life is two years of hard work and a career change don't work out.

- Grad school in women's studies?

- Grad school in anthropology?

I don't think I could go to grad school in public health, because it would be too painful to be that near the health field without being a doctor.

- Have a baby? I definitely want a baby, and this would give me a chance to do that?

- Write a nove? I have lots of great ideas, but I've never had the time.


Hmmm...we'll see. I'm trying really hard to trust God, but knowing that my fate is going to be decided by Friday is a lot of pressure. I still have one very difficult final to go, so I'm trying not to think about it, but it is a lot to handle right now. This is the hardest thing I've ever had to trust God with. It's literally the rest of my life, because I can't imagine I would ever get into medical school again after having an acceptance revoked.

The Calculus Final

It happened. It was bad. 15 pages of equations that were downright wacky and really really strange compared the class notes I studied.

Suffice to say - I failed. Definitely. I am praying and praying that God grants me grace and a C in this class. I am not a math person, but that has not stopped me from trying with everything in me to earn a passing grade. The professor knows that if I don't pass his class, I lose my acceptance to medical school. But the kicker is -I have to trust that it is God's plan for me to go in order for me to sleep at night trusting that I will be "gifted" a C. Confused yet? Because I am still crying. Yeah - this is just another challenge in the life of Allison. Sorry to sound jaded, but sometimes I just want something to come easy. Everything I have done in the last two and a half years has been "the hardest thing I've ever done." I'm so so tired. Sometimes I just want something to come easy. Last semester I struggled in particles, electron movement, electricity and all things Physics 2. Not to mention I juggled taking the MCAT for the same time. I got a B in Physics and a 29 on my MCAT. Both feats I am proud of since my section totals for everything but the Physics and Gen Chem sections were off the charts (that Physical Sci section actually is the reason my score wasn't higher) and I got a near perfect writing score. (Yeah - I don't really try hard with this blog - sorry.) The Air Force thing has also been stressful, but exciting. I really really want a really long nap. I'm frankly exhausted. And I'm terrified. Terrifed and exhausted.

Geez, this is a fun post.

Passed Meps!

I passed the medical physical for the Air Force!!!! I'm submitting the rest of my paperwork with the recruiter next week. I'm really excited!

According to my recruiter, I should be directly commissioned in the spring as a 2nd Lt., and then I'll attend the May-June commissioned officer's training. This is the training camp for lawyers, lawyers-to-be, doctors and dentists (and the to-be's) and the chaplains. It's still pretty fierce, though!

I can't wait! My life has changed about 180 degrees in the last ten years. Who I was is still who I am, but who I am today is just a better version of myself. I think a lot of that has to do with finding the right partner for life. Micah just inspires me to be the best person I can be. He's the ultimate helpmate. I have no complaints.

Oh, but my calc final is tomorrow - and I have to pass that! I'm looking at straight A's and a freaking C. I just cannot do math. How pathetic am I?

so Saturday will suck

And maybe this is a little too much info, but I am really really nervous about the Air Force physical. We are supposedly treated better and with more respect than enlisted, since we are officer candidates, but I am supposed to also "let my recruiter know if I am treated badly." WTF? Seriously? Why is anyone treated badly?

And I've already been told that the doctor on duty doing the physical is not really all that nice. Terrific. Not to mention this is a comprehensive physical. COMPREHENSIVE. Meaning - just like going to my annual exam, but without the sugar coated sweetness of my usual gynecologist. This really is scaring the crap out of me, but I know I'll get through it.

I have a Calc test today that I have to do really really well on. I'm so nervous about that. I'm basically going to be a ball of nerves until Saturday sometime around 2pm. Ugh.

And then I get to stress over finals. Yay. I really can't wait til this semester is over, my Air Force paperwork is all through and I get my commission as an officer, and I am finally able to enjoy the Christmas season. We don't even have a tree up yet! :(

Big decisions and big events

So I ran the half marathon on Thanksgiving! It was awesome!!!! Running 13.1 miles never felt so good. I love running so much, and this event was a great decision as it gave me a goal to work for throughout wondering about getting into medical school, and even after I got into school - it gave me something to do other than obsess about next year! Type A much? Definitely. I sure am, and it drives my husband crazy!
I am now going to run the Feb 15 full marathon - yes, all 26.2 miles - in Birmingham. I'm so excited. I'm actually running in honor of my friend Alayna Wier. She lost her brother to suicide a few months ago, and this devastating event left behind his beautiful wife and precious newborn son, Owen. I'm going to send some letters out to hopefully publicize this situation and raise awareness about suicide, as well as hopefully raise donations to Owen's trust fund for college. Everything changes when something like suicide happens, but what shouldn't change are the plans Jeff and Wendi had and have for their son, Owen's, college. I'm hoping other people agree and donate even just five dollars to this family.

Another big decision - I am joining the Air Force! Yes, it is exciting! The Air Force will pay for my medical school, as well as give me and my husband a stipend to live on. I automatically qualify for the scholarship due to my MCAT and GPA, and this gives me peace of mind as I put all my paperwork through - and it is a lot of paperwork! I will hopefully be commissioned as a 2nd Lt. officer in March or April, and then I will go to commissioned officer's training this summer for a month. Then the Air Force leaves me alone during medical school for the most part (there are a few things I still have to do), and then I enter military match for my residency. The rule still applies there - they won't pull me out of school or residency for any reason whatsoever. After I finish my residency, I then pay back to the Air Force in four years of active service. The cool thing is - when I graduate from medical school - I'm actually promoted to a Captain, so I will not only serve as an officer, but I'll serve as a rather high-ranking officer and doctor. What an honor and cool opportunity!!! I'm so excited! I actually have a friend through my husband who is serving as a Captain and doctor in her residency right now, and she seems very happy with her choice. This is very encouraging, and of course, it is an honor to serve in our armed forces. I've always gravitated towards positions of leadership, and this is the ultimate opportunity for me! Then after my fours years of active duty, I will then be listed as inactive reserve (do whatever I want, but let the Air Force know where I am so that in the event of a catastrophe - they can call me up) for four years. And I'll be debt free. No debt from medical school! I can then focus on nonprofit work in Georgia, as well as some things abroad I want to work with. I'm really really excited, and Micah and I feel really blessed that this opportunity exists.

Big changes are coming, and with these changes comes stress and a lot of prayer. We're hoping all of these transitions come smoothly. I can't even believe it is December. In a mere 9 months, I'll be starting school things at Mercer. I can't wait. I've already "met" some classmates through Facebook, and I'm really really happy with who I'm going to school with. Every single person I've communicated with has come off as a really cool person to study with and be classmates with. God really did put me in the right place for medical school. I am meeting today with another friend of mine at UGA who has an interview tomorrow with Mercer. I am really pulling for her, because it would be a complete joy to go to school with her next year. Not only is she quality, but she's one of the strongest Christians I know, a solid person, and I would really feel even more comfortable starting school with a friend like her in my class.

I don't finish this semester until December 17. Yes, you read that right. This is the longest semester of my life! My senior year in my journalism degree was full of project turn-ins for my finals. My senior year of my microbiology degree is full of horrific tests and finals that really suck the very life out of me. Ok, not so extreme, but I have senioritis like the best of them. I just want to go to medical school. It is so hard to concentrate, but I know I will feel so proud when I conquer this degree too.

Love this Picture!

A bit of strong language, but honestly, I've heard my chosen specialty of OB/GYN described time and time again this way. Apparently, really intense people go into it, Type A, a little obsessive-compulsive etc.

In fact, at an AED meeting (Pre-med Honor Society), a doctor came in and someone asked him about specialty choice and personality, and when he described OB/GYN in a comical fashion, he had one of my really close UGA friends hysterically laughing nearly falling out of her chair. She told me that I really just had to become an OB/GYN. There was no other sector for me that fit so well. Ha! Anyway - it is really funny, and I don't mind being a crazy, intense person that thrives on adrenaline and stress. Someone has to. Might as well be me!

Sick Sucks!

There is nothing more miserable than being sick. I have been sick since Thursday, and this is completely miserable. Not only have I not been able to run, because I have some weird respiratory virus and cough thing, but it is definitely impacting my ability to stay focused and learn, which is unfortunate, since I have so much studying to do.

On the plus side, not running has not impacted my eating lifestyle. I am still 128 pounds and a size four, and this also means I've lost 20 percent of my body weight since June. So exciting! I really want to get to around 120, which at my height (5'6" or 5'7" depending on who is measuring) is about as lean as I want to take it.

I can't wait to exercise again, and I am still hoping to make it to my 10K this weekend at Callaway Gardens. They are lighting up their Fantasy in Lights early and doing a 10K straight through it. I've looked forward to this for about a month, and I am going to be so disappointed if I have to miss it. Plus, I've been invited along to a Halloween party on Friday night, and I'd love to go to that since so little my time is ever free for parties. It's just Murphy's Law that I am sick through all this!

Even last weekend on Friday night, I was so sick but still trying to find a way to have a date night with my husband. He even got in the shower to get ready to take me out, but by the time he was out and dressed, I was huddled in bed coughing and with a terrible sore throat asking for a few more minutes - then I'd for sure be able to get up and go. He just looked at my sad, pathetic face and got in bed with me. Yeah, I was sick through our date night.

I am still thinking that I should have taken my grad student friend, Karen, up on letting her swab my throat and streak some plates with it to culture it. I am in the major that does have all these crazy agar plates around that will select for certain bacteria present. I'm still not convinced this is a stupid virus!

Next Summer...hmmm

Ok, so a big discussion around the Overmon house has been where are we going to go for our big trip. Big trip i.e. - last hoorah before Micah and I live separately for medical school except for the weekends.

We finally found a trip with Intrepid Travel for an Active Turkey vacation complete with exploring, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking - all right up our alley. I'm a runner, Micah's a biker, together - we are super active people. Well, except for this weekend. I have some kind of weird virus, but I am finally going to get to run again tomorrow.

Anyway, after deciding we would go there, it just didn't sit well. We have both always felt called to missions, but we've never had to chance to go anywhere. I told him that it wasn't feeling right, and that really what I wanted to do was serve in Africa - where my heart has always been. In fact, African women immigrants are who I directly want to work with when I become a doctor. I intend to specialize in gyn surgery and heal female genital mutilation difficulties. We talked about it extensively, and he said if that is where my heart is it doesn't make any sense in spending a lot of money to go anywhere else. So now, we are praying. I think we are going to spend two weeks in Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan or Kenya. I'm leaning towards Uganda. We're going to see where God leads us, but I'm feeling led to do work at an orphanage. Although it sounds cliche, there is no way to describe how incredibly high the orphan numbers are in Uganda especially. I know we're going to do this, but now it is a matter of where. We are both adamant we volunteer at a Christian orphanage, so we're going to start praying and looking into them. I also want to build my own trip not travel with an organization. I don't want to pay their overhead when I can manage my own travel for the trip myself.

I'm excited about it! We'll see where this goes, but this is the first step towards what we eventually want to do. I intend to start a nonprofit clinic in Atlanta for immigrant women needing GYN surgery here, but I also want to set up a partner clinic in Africa for them there. Although this is an unrelated area, I want to go over and experience and learn more about the culture. I also know for sure Micah and I are going to be adopting at some point, so I'd like to work in that environment. We'll see what happens!

I got a B!

So it's not an A...however, a B on my Calc test is an achievement for me. If I can work hard and get an A on my next test and a B on the final - my B is definitely earned in the class. I should be able to pull a C out no problem. I don't know why math is so hard for me, but I am glad I don't have to withdraw or retake this class. I'm pretty thrilled actually. Ugh - the pressure is on for sure - I'm just hoping I can cut it. There is a whole lot on the line for me.

Anyway - if you are reading this - keep me in your prayers.

Tonight, I'm drinking a little red wine, watching some really bad B TV, and I plan on maybe studying something that I actually don't hate - maybe Pathogenic Bacteria. And yes, I really do like that class! Come on, I'm a future doctor! Let's hope I like it!

:)

Running

This has quickly become my favorite activity. Not only do I most enjoy running about six miles on average - my favorite distance, but I really enjoy even longer runs. My body gets into a comfortable pace that seems to keep going even when your head says to sit down. It's really empowering in a lot of ways. Not only is my weight finally under control and at a healthy BMI, I am finally down to a size four, and I am also able to handle a lot of physical activity that I normally wouldn't be able to - it's so great!

The half marathon is rapidly approaching, and Thanskgiving Day will be here before I know it. I had to run without my running partner last weekend, and I will have to do it again this weekend. It is so much harder without Alicia! It's really nice to have someone there with you as you add distance, and 11 miles this Sunday morning will be so much harder without her. As I add distance, I am sure I am going to be showing up more and more with wet hair and no make-up running in five minutes late to the last church service too! Kind of funny, but I refuse to give up my schedule. I just really like doing my long runs on Sunday mornings. It's almost a reverent time for me anyway.

I'm projecting doing the Snicker's Energy Marathon Bar marathon in Albany in March of 2009. I"m pretty excited about it. I'm waiting til I finish the half so I'll know what pace to estimate my final time with, but I'm averaging about a 10 to 10:30 pace right now for my longest runs (10 etc.), so I'm hoping that I'll finish with a 4 hour 30 min pace group or so for the marathon in the spring. We'll see!

Micah and I are also trying to plan our big trip. We always said we would go somewhere big if I got into medical school, and we are definitely still doing that. I'm torn between doing a marathon on the Australia cost and seeing things there, or taking Micah backpacking through Europe for a few weeks. He's never been, and I would love to show him around. I loved my time there. Anybody have any good ideas?

So what happens after the acceptance?

I figured I would start a new blog to chronicle my life after I was accepted to medical school. For so incredibly long, everything revolved around getting that acceptance. Now that I have it, what happens next?

Well, first things first, I have to get through Calc. I really really dislike math, and I have a very very hard time with it, which really doesn't make much sense since I ended up doing very well in other hard classes like Ochem 2 and Biochem. Oh well, can't make much sense of things like that, I suppose.

I am usually so incredibly demanding of myself - making sure I have nothing but A's in everything, but this semester, I am really trying to do the best I can still, but I am making more time for some friends of mine in crisis, as well as family that has experienced crisis as well as joy. I think this has been really good for me, as I will be looking for a bit of a balance in the future, and it is high time I figure out how to get great grades and still be there for my friends/family in tragic events. Suffice to say - there has been a bunch of car rides with studying going on! (Is that really a balance?) Who knows!

Macon next year...Wow. I'm overwhelmed just thinking about it. Micah is going to keep his job, as he loves it so incredibly much, and we really do need that money coming in. Not only that, we're uncertain how good it would look for him to leave his job after only being there for such a short time - so we will be facing what many couples in our predicament face - married and in love, but living separately for work/school except for the weekends. At least for now.


I know we will do it well, but I am going to be lonely during the week without him. Although we don't have much time right now, just having him poke his head into the room where I'm studying to say hi...I am forever grateful he loves his job so much, though, and it is good for us to have that money coming in right now.

I guess this is the beginning of everything else for us. This is what happens afterwards...