I'm Going to Medical School!

So I graduated from college just this last December. 

 I feel like I should be buying books and finalizing my class schedule for winter semester but I'm not, I'm done! And it hasn't really sunk in yet. 

Instead, I"ll be working full time, actually cooking dinner (fingers crossed), and attempting to eat/live a tad healthier now that I don't have the excuse of "it's a test week" at my disposal haha. 

But that's only for the next 8 months, because come August, I'm headed to medical school!

I've mentioned it a few times here and there on this blog but I was pre-med my whole time in college, took the MCAT and applied to medical schools last May, have gone out on interviews this past fall, and have been anxiously waiting ever since. Very very anxiously haha. 

Now real quick let me just give you an overview of the situation:

JP is exactly halfway done with law school. BYU law school. Which is located in Provo, UT. 

Most medical schools are located in California, Texas, or on the East Coast. All of which are not in Utah. 

I think the number one question we got when JP and I would talk to people or meet new people was: 

"Wait... what are you guys going to do if Grace doesn't get into the University of Utah [the only medical school in Utah]"

And our answer was always the same, "We don't know!"

Because if I learned anything in college, and I certainly feel like I've learned a lot haha, but the number one thing I walked away with is that when it all comes down to it, after you've made all your plans and done everything in your power you can possibly do, you have to put your trust in Heavenly Father. 

And He comes through for you, every single time. 

And usually not in the way I had planned for or thought was the best idea haha but it always ends up being the exact right thing for me. 

I didn't know what we were going to do if I got into a medical school that was far away. 

But I did know that I had tried my best in all my classes, I had studied hard for the MCAT and felt like I had a good application, so there was nothing left for me to do except pray and trust that Heavenly Father was going to help me get into the medical school that was the best option for me and JP and our mission here on this earth. 

I knew whatever happened would be the right thing for us.

So, when I got a phone call from the dean of admissions at the University of Utah School of Medicine telling me congratulations and that I was one of the first five admitted into their Class of 2018,  I can't remember a time I've ever felt more loved and taken care of by my Father in Heaven. 

It was such a confirmation of Heavenly Father's awareness of me and my particular needs and situation here on this earth. 

So there you have it! I'll be attending the University of Utah School of Medicine in August 2014.

And I'm so excited to start I can hardly stand it!

:)

Those Christmas Lights...

If you live in Utah, it's pretty much not even Christmas until you've been to Temple Square and seen the Christmas lights. 

So, this weekend we (JP and I, with our friends Eric and Kimmi -- remember them?) made the trek up to SLC with a desire to see the lights and try out a certain highly recommended restaurant (which didn't exactly turn out... seeing as someone forgot their ID... that someone may have been me... BUT we ate somewhere fantastic regardless. Now, back to the lights.)

If you want to get in the Christmas spirit, my goodness just put on a million layers, grab some hand warmers, throw on a scarf (it's a game changer, truly) and head to Temple Square! 

It's amazing! And there is always someone getting proposed to right in front of the reflection pond, it's just fantastic haha. 

^^^ hahaha. She'll kill me but it's too funny.

Want to know what else will send you right into the Christmas spirit? 

Listening to THIS. 

Over and over and over. 

You're welcome. 

Weekend Recap:

I officially feel like fall has arrived. 

I think it had something to do with it being conference weekend, as well as Utah experiencing the first truly *cold* day since summer ended. I got my winter clothes out of storage and even put up Halloween decorations (!!!). 

Full disclosure: the winter clothes are still sitting in their boxes in my living room. BUT, they are out of storage :)

I also managed to watch the entire first season of Friends (thanks to a birthday gift from my sis-in-law!) and am currently scouring the internet for access to the 2nd season. Even though I've already seen probably 70% of the entire series... It's fine, I don't have a problem. 

Speaking of TV shows, DOWNTON ABBEY IS BACK! I watched the season premier, cried my eyes out, loved every minute, but no spoilers! I haven't seen the latest two episodes yet. 

Okay, now just so you don't think my life is entirely lived vicariously through others on my computer screen, a little weekend recap:

>>> A few girlfriends and I made it up to City Creek Mall on Saturday and managed to find a few things that we couldn't live without ;)

>>> I also finally tried my first authentic dirty diet coke (think DC + lime + coconut). And I mean, come on, I'm already a huge fan of diet coke so I didn't need much convincing of it's deliciousness. 

>>> We also went out to eat at Pizzeria 712 for the first time in a while, and my goodness! I'd forgotten how much I love that place. 

>>> We had a Sunday brunch with my fam and walked around my parents' block. There really is nothing like Utah in the fall. 

>>> And last, but not least, one of my absolute best friends in the entire world GOT ENGAGED THIS WEEKEND!!! Markell and Jordy! (We sort of dubbed him 'Jordy' because we already had a friend who was a girl named Jordan and it was just far too confusing)

They're one of those couples that are so perfect for each other, they just radiate happiness when you're around them. 

I just couldn't be more excited for them!!

Conference Weekend:

This weekend was the best. 

There was lots of good food, time spent with family,

relaxing, and only a little bit of the never ending homework 

(see below):

I call this "the battle station" 

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We also had a little family party for my cousin that is getting married!

And by "little" I mean "50+ people"...

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Not to mention JP and I got to wake up on Saturday without an alarm (literally can't remember the last time we did that) and lounge and watch conference in our bed! (also can't remember the last time we got to stay in bed in the morning longer than .2 seconds after our alarms go off)

So needless to say, I was a huge fan of this weekend. 

Buuuut now it's time to get into finals mode -- it's a definite state of mind, wouldn't you agree? Because classes end one week from tomorrow! Bring. It. On. 

26 Acts in 28 days

So I realize I'm a little late here, but I've just heard about this "26 random acts of kindness" to honor the lives of those who were killed in the Sandyhook Elementary school shooting, so I've decided to commit myself this month and do it! 

(That's about one a day, giving myself a little wiggle room just in case I forget to on a couple days. )

I think this is the neatest idea! And such an inspired way to try to make this world a better place, even while there are those trying to tear it down. 

I read a quote in one of the articles that said: 

"Can you imagine the impact if every person touched by the bravery of those killed at Sandyhook committed themselves to do just 26 acts of random kindness? I'd like to see a world like that."

So there you have it! I think it's interesting that I'm just hearing about his campaign now -- this past month I've found myself feeling completely overwhelmed and like I don't even have enough time to finish what I need to do, let alone do anything for other people. And as a result I've noticed my happiness narrow, trivial matters consume me, and I've began to lose perspective of what is really important. And I'm tired of feeling like that.

So who's with me? 

#26actsofkindness

via

[Though my work may be menial, though my contribution may be small, I can perform it with dignity and offer it with unselfishness. My talents may not be great, but I can use them to bless the lives of others... The goodness of the world in which we live is the accumulated goodness of many small and seemingly inconsequential acts.]

-Gordon B. Hinckley-

Called To Serve

My little sister is going on a mission!

She opened her call last night and she will be serving in the Morristown, New Jersey mission!

Aaah!! 

I am so excited for her and jealous of the people of New Jersey! 

They are getting one fabulous missionary! 

:)

Any readers from there? Or does anyone know someone serving there?

Happy Sunday!

 

 Here is a little Mormon Message that brightened my Sunday:

:)

 

[Faith is the sense of life, that sense by virtue of which man does not destroy himself, but continues to live on. It is the force whereby we live.]

-Leo Tolstoy-