By the Numbers

Goodness. It has been far too long since my last blogging expedition!! Listen. Life has been a bit hectic lately and blogging didn't make it high up on the list. But here I am, back on the horse! (You can all breathe a sigh of relief).

So. In the interest of not writing a novel to update you all on life lately, I'll employ my favorite, hand-dandy numbering system.

1. I went to Dallas. Had an interview at UT Southwestern. Got to stay with my friend Erin before the interview and with my aunt and uncle afterwards. We ate Mexican food and I was a very happy camper! Also watched The Hangover (oh my word. how does it get funnier every time?!?) and It's Complicated. Super fun, super fast weekend.

2. I got into two med schools! I've been accepted at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and Medical College of Georgia. The process goes on, but a HUGE weight has been lifted! I'm going to be a doctor! :-)

3. Fellows-ing is going well too. We are moving full speed ahead into the end of the semester, so there is a slight crunch in classes and wrapping up ministry stuff for the year. I'm going to start getting involved with the youth group in the spring, which is super exciting! I am really loving my fellow Fellows - we are all real friends now, which makes my life in Fellows that much more enjoyable.

4. Work is great too. I'm working solo and I've moved up to full-time status, so I am spending lots and lots of quality time at the hospital!

5. I had my first grown up [relatively speaking] Thanksgiving this year. I worked several shifts this week, so getting home to Georgia wasn't really an option. So, Thanksgiving afternoon I had a beautiful lunch with my host parents, their daughters who were in town, and Wendy-san. Somehow, Wendy and I also made it to Jill's apartment that night to have Thanksgiving dinner number two and watch every Friends Thanksgiving episode we could find (for the record, it was 5). I was soooo full. But it was a fantastic Thanksgiving!

6. I'm going home to GEORGIA in LESS THAN 3 WEEKS!!! I am pretty darn pumped. There are lots of fantastic plans, places to go and people to see for my glorious 2 weeks off - weddings, family and friends, oh my! Many hours in the car loom ahead of me.... but oh, they will be so very worth it! Let the countdown begin.

7. UGA beat Georgia Tech today. All is right with the world. Glory, glory to old Georgia!!

Whew. I think we've hit the highlights, my friends. Hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving!

Gobble gobble,
Lauren

Dr. Caldwell

SO very much has happened since my last post, it is a little ridiculous. I owe you all a major update!!

But for now, a little teaser...

I GOT INTO MED SCHOOL!!!!

Woohoo!!

Just call me Dr. Caldwell (in four years).

Love from your future favorite MD,
Lauren

The Jacksons!!

Introducing.... Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Jackson*!!

*I don't actually have a picture of the happy couple. But trust me, they are married. And excited. And excited to be married.

So. It was one crazy, exhausting, wonderful weekend! Katie was beautiful, the wedding was gorgeous, the food was delicious (seriously. unusually delicious) and the people were a blast! Friday we had the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner of true Southern food, complete with cowboy outfits. Friday night the bridesmaids spent the night at Katie's house which was so fun! It felt like a little girl's sleepover (except one of the little girls was getting married the next day). Saturday was a remarkably calm day with all things considered... Katie's dad made us pancakes in the morning and we all took our time showering, doing our hair and packing up. Made the drive to the church (stopped on the way and got Katie a free soda at QT! haha) and spent some time doing makeup, getting dressed and eating lunch (not necessarily in that order). From there it was time for girl's pictures and then the looooong wait for the ceremony to start. It was only an hour but we were all going a little stir crazy (especially Katie!). Once the ceremony started it was full steam ahead for the rest of the night!

Here are a few pictures...

The bridesmaids dressed in Western gear for the rehearsal dinner

164 together again!!!! As promised, I freaked out.

Wedding day with the bride!!

164 a little more dressed up than usual...

Fun reunion with UGA friends!!

I made it back to Virginia Sunday night and promptly 1. wrote a paper for class and 2. went to sleep. Yesterday was a looooong day with class and my first solo shift at work!! woohoo! More work this week before heading to Texas for the weekend!!!

Love from your favorite bridesmaid,

Lauren

Sales Pitch

Guys.
Listen.
I am SUCH a fan of Amtrak right now.
Seriously, they should hire me as their spokesperson because I am totally on board.

I took the train from DC up to Philly on Tuesday and back last night. Like I said... huge fan. More leg room than an airplane. Had a whole seat to myself. You don't have to turn off your cell phone. They have wifi. No security check. No hassle getting on the train. Just print your ticket and hop on.
Have I sold you on it yet?

Interview #3 went well (obviously my newfound love of trains helped). It was actually... can you use this word for a med school interview?... fun! My granddad went to this med school, and lots of people in my family after him, so it was pretty cool to be at his school that I've heard so much about so many years later. Philadelphia is a pretty cool city, too! Plus I got to stay with my cousin and her cute cute son the night before! All around, great two days.

Today I'm off to the ATL, tomorrow interviewing at Emory, and Saturday Katie GETS MARRIED!! Should be a stellar few days!

Love from the crazy traveler,
Lauren

P.S. Yes, the Georgia Bulldogs lost last weekend. But they put up a good fight and made it a great game!! I am proud of my Dawgs. Plus, we will always be more classy school thanks to Gator fans like this.

Glory, glory.