Why Dogs Stopped Flying

This amused me. Also I miss my Lulu. 32 day countdown until I'm home for Christmas (and see my puppy)

Why Dogs Stopped Flying

Before humans,
dogs flew everywhere.
Their wings of silky fur
wrapped hollow bones.
Their tails wagged
like rudders through wind,
their stomachs bare
to the sullen earth.

Out of sorrow
for the first humans--
stumbling, crawling,
helpless and cold--
dogs folded their
great wings into paws
soft enough to walk
beside us forever.

They still weep for us,
pity our small noses,
our unfortunate eyes,
our dull teeth.

They lick our faces clean,
keep us warm at night.
Sometimes they remember flying
and bite our ugly hands.

-Kenneth W. Brewer

Perfect

     You know those girls who are absolutely, stunningly, without-a-doubt gorgeous? Perfect hair, perfect teeth, perfect clothes? The ones that everyone wants to be around all the time? They are beautiful when you first meet them but just appear more and more lovely as you get to know them because their insides, which are even more perfect and pure, show through  And try as you might to dislike how perfect they are, you can't because you just love them all too much. Well in my new school year I've met a girl who perfectly (of course) fits this description. She is kind to everyone and sees their potential. She listens and has an endless source of compassion and empathy. While yes her outfits are out of a magazine everyday, what makes her even more stunning is watching her concern for other bus passengers and standing to give away her seat. She's a smart cookie, but she takes the time to help others keep up to speed with the enormous workload we have. She inspires me in a new way every day.
       The other day this girl and I had a heart to heart. She told me about herself and her insecurities, the things that have gone wrong and I came to discover her life, much to my surprise, wasn't perfect.
I really got a lot from this experience. I have learned:

1. Beauty, I truly and honestly believe, comes from who you are. I've never gotten to know someone, who is a wonderful person, and then thought they were physically unattractive. It has definitely worked the opposite way though. There is beauty in everyone.

2. No one's life anywhere is perfect. It's not avoiding hardship, but what you do with it that makes you incredible.

3. Everyone feel insecure to a degree.

4. Your actions, though they may seem small and insignificant are noticed. People are watching. Although they may never say anything the things you say and do can change perspectives, opinions and lives.

5. People, not matter how much you think they are, are not perfect. And isn't that a comfort!

It Is Better To Look Up...And Out

It was mid week and I was fried. My brain was done, my body was exhausted and exams were lying before me for miles. Still, as I sat on the bus ride home I buried my head in my books to cram what I could in the limited space left up there. I fought with myself to stay focused and while I did I could feel the stress rising. I took a moment to just breath. Then looked across the isle from me at a girl. She was staring intently out the window. We were driving across the high level bridge, passing over the river valley. It was gorgeous. The sun was low in the sky and casting a golden light over everything. You could see the yellow of the trees interspersed with deep greens all reflecting back on the river. Passing by pillars rays of sun would burst through the windows and you could feel the warmth of autumn sunshine on your face.

Looking out everything in the world seemed right. Turning my gaze to everyone else on the bus everyone looked how I did just minutes before. Consumed in themselves, and the narrow dirty space we were squeezed into. Not taking a glance out the window or realizing the scenes that were passing by. I'm sure we've all been stuck in places like that in our lives. Times when it seems this is all there is to life. Sometimes we don't even realize all the good and wonderful things that are going on around us or the beauty that is ever present. I thought how every time I seem to overcome some obstacle or challenge another one is waiting for me at the bend in the road. It seems only small moments when my life is carefree joy. But isn't that life? I tried to imagine life without any challenges and how boring that must be! My greatest inspiration has come from those who have overcome huge struggles. Realizing how much growth has come from failing, the satisfaction I get from mastering something hard or how when the world gangs up on you then the small joys and victories are magnified and become diamonds in the rough, I don't think I would trade all my troubles for a carefree life.
 In general conference this past month a story was told about President Monson. He said to a man who had his gaze set on the floor "It is better to look up." And you know what? The view is even better if you look out.

Thanksgiving

Things I'm thankful for this year:
-Family, home, friends
-Contagious laughter that makes you forget you had a care in the world
- Living  30 seconds away from my bus stop
-Cue cards
-Good phone plans so I can call home and vent for as long as I need to
-How much time copy and paste saves
-Snooze button
-Left overs
-Multiple choice questions with only 3 responses
-Non-cumulative classes
-Scrubs
-Naps
-The smell of cooking pumpkin
-Pretty colored sticky notes
- Early bed time
-Saturdays

Sonography Celebrations

It's Sonography week everyone! So in celebration all ultrasound students were invited to an upstairs room of the school that had a great view. We had cake and punch while we played get to know your professor games and looked out onto the city. There were prizes and super nerdy ones, which are definitely my favorite. I'm so grateful for the amazing opportunity to be in this program. I love being in such a small class that my professor knows my name, where I sit and who my friends are. Sometimes I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world.

Goodies :)

My 2 favorite prizes: On the left is a trandsducer keychain and the right is a mini-squirt hand sanitizer. Win! 

Ps. The image on the top is the right lobe of the liver with the hepatic veins. No textbook required. NBD.