My my! You've been busy!

   Between neurotically checking my email for interview invites, I've been quite busy art journaling.  It's been really fun.  It's nice to just lose yourself for a few hours, and sometimes the final results are nice too.  However, the purpose of this is more about the process of creating and less about the finished product.  I mean, I'm not an artist.  I'm just someone who likes to challenge a neglected part of my brain from time to time.

   Here are some of my projects! (Get ready to tilt your head side to side...)

Cover of my Art Journal

Back of Art Journal Cover

   Also, the dean's letter goes out to programs tomorrow, so hopefully we'll all start hearing about  more interview invites shortly after that.  I need to start booking shit! lol

She Had Come So Far, With So Far Left To Go

   When I met her, I didn't know her story.  I didn't ask.  I know enough to know that each woman has her own story, her own journey that has brought her to the moment where she must decide.  I sat with her while she waited, asking if she had any questions.  She didn't, she just felt a little bit nervous about the procedure she was about to undergo.  She was quite calm considering it was her first time.  She had waited long enough to get to this moment.  She was supposed to be here a month ago, but she needed more time to scrummage up the money.  And she was so young.  She had to be about 16 or 17.  But I didn't ask.

   Her partner held her hand during the pre-procedure ultrasound.  As the physician switched from the trans-vaginal probe to the trans-abdominal probe to "see better," I knew something was wrong.  She was too far along.  In the extra time she spent gathering enough funds for the abortion, she had crossed over the maximum threshold that could be taken care of in this particular clinic.  She had waited long enough, and we had to turn her away.

   We referred her somewhere where she could get the services she needed, but this somewhere was even father away, and most likely even more expensive.  And her window of opportunity would not be open very much longer.  The reality of her hopeless situation set in on me, the endless slue of hurdles society throws at women, and I felt so upset for her.  But she was so calm.  She thanked us for our time, and quietly left the clinic.  She didn't get angry, she didn't cry.  She simply thanked us.

   As I drove home, I wondered if she would find the strength to overcome the additional obstacles thrown at her.  I pondered how she had gotten to this point, but I knew it didn't matter.  What mattered is that this women needed our help, and it breaks my heart that we weren't able to give it to her.  The more I thought about it, the more I found tears streaming down my face.  How could she be so calm and gracious in such a hopeless, disappointing situation?  I truly hope she finds the help she needs.

Puppy Wants To Art Journal, Too

   Note to self: if you make a nice charcoal drawing, don't leave it within reach of your dog. He may want to make art with it too.

   In other news, art journaling has been going fabulously.  I haven't decided whether or not to post some of my works here.  I don't really have any artistic talent, so I'm afraid I'll be laughed at, however, I can always pull the "this is my blog" card.

Soooo that just happened...

   Today I officially submitted my residency application.  I applied to a grand total of 32 programs which are on the West Coast, East Coast, and a few random ones in between.  I am couples-matching with BF, who is going into general surgery, so we wanted to apply broadly, just to be safe.  

It was obscenely expensive

   Somehow, all of my stuff got uploaded and is ready to go.  I think one of the most helpful things my oh-so-amazing advisor told me, was to have my application completely ready to go by Sept 1st, even though it isn't due until Sept 15th.  Because of this, I had plenty of time to have it looked over (by her, of course), and as the days counted down to September 15th, I was ready, so was more excited than stressed.  I checked back later today (yep, let the neuroticism begin) and three programs have already accessed my information!  Hopefully, fingers crossed, BF and I will be offered interviews in the next couple of weeks.  I'm both excited/giddy and anxious/worried.  I'm really looking forward to traveling and exploring.  I'm worried about people liking me (wow, that's a first for me... not).  

   So now I just wait. Check my phone and email obsessively, and wait.  And take out my anxiety in the form of arts & crafts, which by the way is going amazingly.  If you read my post a couple of weeks ago, I was aching for the right side of my brain to wake up.  I have been quite successful, and I've really been enjoying relaxing and making art.  I'll post some of my amateur work later!

Honey Boo Boo Child

    As you may know, I'm a huge honey boo boo fan. I record every episode of her show on my DVR and keep them on there for when I need cheering up. Now before y'all hate on this little diva, hear me out. What's not to like?! She is crazy, funny, spunky and over-the-top, of course. But if you actually watched her show, you'd know that she is also a very loving, thoughtful, grounded little girl too. She has a great heart, and I find it refreshing to see a little kid on tv who isn't a huge spoiled brat, demanding more more more. 

Anyway, my mom, my sister and I (yes, they are fans too) sent her a fan letter, and look what we got back two weeks later!

 Now it proudly lives on my fridge...