Slacking

Friends- many apologies. I know I haven't updated this blog recently at all this semester. Rest assured that all is well in Charlottesville. School is going well, I'm still loving Virginia and my family and friends are still the best ever. 

Meanwhile, to keep up with my summer adventures, check out my new blog: jamborwanda.blogspot.com.

Much love,

Lauren

2011 in Review

In 2011, I...

was introduced, trial-by-fire style, to shoveling snow.

turned 23.

saw the NSO at the Kennedy Center.

spent a weekend in NYC.

saw a little show while I was in town.

visited Annapolis.

enjoyed cherry blossoms in the district.

hiked the billy goat trail.

celebrated Mom & Dad's 25th wedding anniversary.

[Kaitie Bryant Photography]

walked under the arch.

earned the infamous peachtree road race t-shirt.

said "see you later" to some wonderful people.

moved from here...

to here.

got a white coat. with my name on it.

rushed the field at a college football game.

spent a week in gatlinburg.

discovered virginia wineries and vineyards.

[Kevin Zhan Photography]

found an incredible group of Charlottesville friends.

so here's to 2011, a year of...

adventure

exploring

change

learning

growing

laughing

...and here's to the possibilities of 2012.

Lauren

Thankful for...

...the chance to follow my dreams in medical school

...the opportunity to be at UVa, my dream school

...living in the beautiful city of Charlottesville

...my supportive, wonderful family

...old friends to remind me where I've been

...new friends that challenge me to keep growing

...every single person in my life who believes in me

...the exciting, unknown future

...fall weather and leaves on the ground

...potluck dinners

...music - all kinds.

...study breaks (like this post...)

...love and laughter

Love from a very thankful Lauren.

When I wasn't studying...

A random, jumbled explanation of life outside of the library...

I went to see UGA play Boise State for the season opener Labor Day Weekend. Crazy long drive for a weekend. Not our best game. But I got to spend a night at home with the fam, catch up with some of my favorite girls and see the Dawgs play!!

Before the game...

in the dome...

sorority sisters...

Dragon Con was going on in Atlanta at the same time. Which meant that we met some guy dressed like The Hangover's Stu. Win.

One weekend in August (so, so long ago...) my fellow Fellow Caryne came to visit! Even though it was way too short because I had a test that weekend (boo) we made the most of the 24 hours, complete with a stroll around grounds and the inevitable rotunda photo op.

Even though I don't have any pictures to prove it, I had another wonderful weekend in October when my parents visited for Parent's Day. I loved showing them a little more of my life in Charlottesville and just spending time together for a few days. It was exactly what I needed and it helped me find a little extra motivation to push through to break. Besides Parent's Day talks, panels and tours at the med school, we also got to go visit Monticello (so cool. highly recommend it.) and walk around the downtown mall. Thanks Mom and Dad! You guys are road trip rockstars!

Last week was a much-needed and highly anticipated week off for fall break, which I spent with 15 other first year med students in a Gatlinburg mountain cabin. So nice to get out of town, enjoy some new scenery, and have nothing to do. I did a lot of sleeping and a whole lot of nothing. With a side of hiking and cooking en mass. Fantastic few days with an even better view...

In a desperate attempt to extend fall break for as long as possible, I took myself on an afternoon trip to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Gorgeous views on a perfect fall day.

Yesterday was UVa's homecoming game against Georgia Tech. Even though Tech was supposed to dominate, I decided I wanted to go just to cheer against the nerds from Atlanta. I am so glad I did, because it was an amazing day and game! Learned the Cavalier cheers, sang the good old song, saw the Cavman, and threw in a few "Wahoo-wah!"s for good measure. It was so fun to be back on a college campus on game day - there really is nothing like it!

Tailgated with some med school friends before the game...

made it to the stadium...

[note my lack of orange. just couldn't bring myself to do it.]

aaaand, surprise, surprise, UVa pulled out a huge upset!! First experience rushing the field after the game = awesome.

the view on the field (mass chaos)...

woah. so cool.

So there you have it! Yes, med school is hard. But obviously I'm surviving (to say the least) and I make it out of the library from time to time. It is a crazy, busy, difficult season of life - but it is also a wonderful one.

Lots of love from Virginia,

Lauren

Life of a Future Doc

Here's a look at the (ideal) day in the life of a medical student... aka why I haven't posted in far, far too long...

6:45am: wake up. try to look presentable. eat brain food.

8:10am - 12pm: lectures/labs/team learning activities/large group discussions.

12pm: eat more brain food. attempt to recover from the waves of information that just crashed over you for four hours. try to talk to people using normal human language and coherent sentences.

1pm: commence frantic studying.

maybe throw in a side of doing laundry, going to the grocery store, cleaning my room, taking a nap, etc.

7pm: dinner time. in our apartment, this comes with a side of yelling the answers to wheel of fortune and jeopardy [probably because we just want to feel like we know something].

8pm: repeat frantic studying, as described above.

Yes, we really are talking about 8-10ish hours of studying a day. This is real life.

12am (ha. wishful thinking.): complete frantic studying. crash.

lather, rinse, repeat.

Is it hard? Yes. Incredibly difficult. I am trying to learn, memorize and understand more information than I am even sure is possible.

Am I enjoying it? Yes. Something like this bonds you to the people you're experiencing it with. We've only been in school for a month and a half, but it feels like I've known these people forever. Plus, I get to be at UVa - exactly where I wanted to be. In Charlottesville - an amazing town. So yes, it is hard - but I really have nothing to be complaining about. :-)

So, until I have a chance to email/call/text you personally and catch up on life - this will have to suffice.

Miss and love you all,

Lauren

"...welcome to the profession of medicine"

A walk through the UVa Class of 2015 White Coat Ceremony - an incredible day celebrating with my family and new friends. Remembering how I got here and where I'm headed. Getting inspired for the next four years and the rest of my career. Being reminded of why I want to be a doctor.

"Congratulations! Welcome to UVa."

Getting my coat from my college dean.

My incredible family that made the long trip up from Atlanta (don't be surprised if you see this picture again on a Christmas card...)

celebrating with new friends.

I'm a Wahoo now!

"...welcome to the profession of medicine."

Lots of love, Lauren

the earth was shaking

my progression of thoughts in the midst of an earthquake (yes, an earthquake) that hit near cville today:

um, how close is this grocery store to the train tracks?

i think this is an earthquake.

wait. what?!?!?

this is an EARTHQUAKE.

in Virginia?!?

EARTH. QUAKE.

if all the shampoo comes off the shelves right now i might be buried.

do i just keep shopping?

everyone else seems confused too.

my greek yogurt is going to go bad if i don't keep shopping.

what if i can't access my online assignments for tomorrow?

i really need to work on my assignments for tomorrow.

i wonder how hard the assignments are for tomorrow...

wait....

i'm still in the middle of an earthquake.

good times.