Home Again

I made the move back to great mountain that is Mt. Morris, leaving Kzoo for the last time on Saturday afternoon. It was sort of bittersweet--so much history has happened to me in that city--but I was glad to go at the same time. Glad to leave another year of hard work behind me, looking out at the last leg of this long journey.

My last final was Thursday morning, and with all the giddiness which I experienced at the thought of never studying again, I was forced up to GR for a grueling 6-hour orientation for 4th year. The orientation, although informative, was the most boring and long-winded buzz kill I've ever experienced, during which they pretty much told us how 4th year will suck just as bad as the previous three, and then let us go with a mocking "Have a nice summer!" Ugh. F U pharmacy school, as always.

I was supposed to go to a baseball game with some GR friends after orientation Thursday night, but I just couldn't pull it off. Not after sleeping for only 10-12 hours over the entire course of finals week. Instead I went home and tried to stay awake long enough for Mike to get there.

Friday morning we had to get up early to head to Big Rapids for the award ceremony which I was invited to. It was the first time I'd ever been invited to the awards, so I felt pretty honored for being recognized there. However, it was a little disheartening to see some of the other students, who are so used to getting all A's and getting scholarships and pats on the back that they don't even seem surprised or grateful for the attention. Then there's me. Someone who starting out on the waiting list three years ago, struggled through my first year with B's and C's, and worked my way up to the A's and B's that I earn now. I've never once been ashamed of my grades. Never. But there are people in P school who get 4.0s every semester, and the mere thought seems so beyond my reach. And now, they're so used to it that they expect it. Me, I'm grateful for every success that comes my way. Maybe this sounds conceded, but I feel like I might have been more deserving than any of them. I fought my way up from the bottom. From #195 on that stupid waiting list.

I was given the Merck Award, which consists of two Merck desk references for health care professionals. One has every disease state and how to diagnose it, and the other has every chemical compound (thousands of pages worth). Both books are embossed with my name, and I love them. They're symbolic of the improvements I've made as a student over the past three years.

After that, Mike and I came back down to Kzoo to move me home. It took pretty much all day yesterday, but now I'm settled and back in my old bedroom, where I'll remain until I marry Mike next June. Tomorrow I begin my hospital IPPE internship in Saginaw for the next three weeks. I feel nervous but there's no time to be scared, really.

Mike and I also picked up my wedding ring, which is beautiful! Once we get his I'll post pictures. :) It's hard to have something so pretty and just not wear it yet. But I take it out often to admire it. :D