Gail

What began as an innocent trip to IHOP quickly turned into a soap opera. Three friends drove to IHOP at midnight not knowing they would affect the life of Gail. Gail is missing a tooth, running on three hours of sleep, and is 50 pounds overweight (according to Gail). The three friends quickly developed the opinion that Gail may have some additional issues. Gail sat down with the girls at least twice throughout the evening to chat. She hates her boss, is feeling suicidal, AND THERE IS DEFINATELY NO ICE CREAM LEFT AT IHOP TONIGHT. Tears were shed as she told her story to these three friends. At the end of the night, Gail smiled a toothless smile and wiped away a tear as she thanked the girls for making her night bearable.

Wherever life takes you, Gail, we wish you all the best. Keep serving it real. Tell those drunks off like a champ.

2 Things

First and foremost, I'm moving out. I would have never guessed that I'd be moving out merely 7 months after moving here. I wish I understood what was going on. However, I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.
Second, I had a potential exposure at work yesterday. I spent 1 hour in the ER at Methodist in "prophylactic treatment counseling" and having bloodwork drawn. Fortunately, the patient whose wound drain fluid I accidentely splashed on my face was HIV and hepatitis negative. Maybe I need to be less accident-prone...sheesh.

Becoming who I want to be.

This posting is the result of some time I have spent being introspective lately. It's on the "deeper" side of my thinking, so bear with me....

I have definitely been feeling all of the changes in life lately and am trying to learn from all of them in the process of becoming who I want to be. With all of this meditation, I have come to a few conclusions. I will divide this into categories for ease of reading. :)

Current Changes Taking Place
-I am very uncomfortable with change and have been experiencing a great sense of insecurity lately. Life has been different since my graduation and move in December. Most of the changes have been positive, but they are changes and tough to adjust to regardless.
-I spent 4 1/2 years at college being very comfortable with where I was both educationally and socially. I am no longer living in familiar territory, and am beginning to meet people and make friends here, but it takes time.
-I was in Lincoln tonight and was reminded of how much I miss the comfort of knowing people. I ran into several people in town who I knew. I chatted with some old friends, and even got some hugs. This was so comforting. Some days, I miss going to the mall and running into a minimum of 3 people I know on each trip.
-I was also reminded tonight that there are people who understand me entirely and are there to help me through times like this.

What I'm scared of
-Losing friendships. I have felt a great strain on a friendship that I considered very close before graduating and moving. I have been advised to try and "let things go" and "be how they will," but it's so hard. Every time I interact with this person, I am reminded of the kind of friends that I feel we no longer are.

Who I Want To Be/Things I'd Like to Accomplish
-I take these 3 goals I try to live by from a sermon I heard back at LSC.
1. Be close to God
2. Live a life of significance
3. Leave a legacy
-These goals are how I try to live. In addition, I want to make tough times more bearable for people, I want to make a difference, I want to be in love, I want to live close to my immediate family and travel to visit my other family members, I want to be happy, I want others to be happy, I want to stay busy, I want to be involved in church, I want to be needed, I want to be physically in shape, I want to harvest friendships that will last a lifetime.

Basically what I'm getting at is that this is a time in life when many changes take place. It's an exciting time of life, but it's so scary too. Life is quite the adventure and I'm along for the ride!