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.