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.