Stronger

1. What is something that bothers you if it's not done perfectly? 
This is really strange, but I hate it when my bed isn't made up perfectly.  As a child, I always hated to make my bed up before school--I thought it was pointless! I mean, why make up a bed when you are just going to mess it all up again that night? It made no sense to me until I came to school.  When I was in undergrad school, I would skip a few days of making my bed; at first, it felt good, & then, I started feeling sluggish. It was like my room was missing something. So, I started making up my bed, & ever since, I've realized that making my bed actually makes me feel good. As you all know, I'm somewhat OCD, so all my lines on my comforter have to match up, & all the sides have to be even (same length to the floor). I think I became this OCD about making up my bed when I was in undergrad. I was so close to home (45 minutes) that I would go home on the weekends. Apparently, I'm a slow learner--it took me a while to figure out why my bed was messed up every time I came back home. At first, I would just ignore it & fix it until I found our room a total mess. My bed was completely totaled, my belongings were broken (including a $50 lamp that I had to have to meet dorm requirements). I was so angry. I asked her about it, but she never admitted it. I heard it from my RA that it was my roommate that not only trashed the room, but the whole entire dorm!! I explained to the RA that I was home on the weekend & I had proof that I was. I don't really know if she really believed me, but that's not my fault. I called my dad, & yes, he came & got me. I spent that night at home. So, if you want to be on my good side, don't mess my bed up *lol*.


2. Do you think a 6th sense exists? Explain. 
Sometimes, I do think one exists. I will sometimes get a "bad" feeling in the pit of my stomach, & usually something bad will happen that day. That sounds soooo depressing, I know. Like today, I had an exam today, & I just had this odd feeling. Unfortunately, I didn't get an A, I got a B (still good, but I wanted an A) & then about 2 hours later, my boyfriend texted me & said that he had an earthquake today!! Thank the good Lord that he's all right.  He said it shook his whole entire bank! But a great ending to today was that my dad's blood work came back really good!! Thank God!!! God is good, isn't He?

3. Do you say your goodbyes slowly, quickly, or not at all? 
It just depends on the person. For example, when I'm leaving to go back to school, I tend to drag out my good-byes because I don't want to go back. I'll hang around the house for a while until the last possible minute. However, if I'm talking to someone that I don't want to spend 5-10 minutes talking to them, I will act like I'm in a rush to head back to school. I know that's bad of me to do that, but I don't like to hurt anyone's feelings & just walk off without speaking.

4. On a scale of 1-10, with ten being hot hot hot, what level of spice do you like in your food? What's your favorite 'spicy' dish? 
I do not like spicy food at all. On this scale, it would be 0. I'm not much of a spicy food-eater.  I don't like to be miserable when I'm eating.


5. What is one of your all time favorite commercial jingles? 
It's definitely gotta be the Oscar Mayer bologna commercial. My nephew, Nate, loves, loves, LOVES bologna!! My sister & I are trying to teach him the Oscar Mayer commercial jingle. He's starting to sing now, so we thought that this was the perfect opportunity to teach him!! He kind of gets it, but not good enough yet to be singing it fully. We're still working on it.




6. Plane, train, boat or auto...your preferred method of travel? 
I've been on a plane & I have a car. I don't remember my plane ride, so basically the only thing I know of is traveling by automobile.  However, I'd like to travel by plane again--maybe to the Florida Keys, Hawaii, Europe, & the Bahamas.  I have been on a boat when I went parasailing. I wasn't on it much, but for the little while I was on it, I did bob up & down constantly with the waves. But, a cruise to Alaska (whale watching) is definitely in my future!

7. What is something you take for granted? 
I try my best not to take anything for granted because I know how easily it could be taken away from me. Personally, I think that today's inventions (t.v., internet, cell phones) have in a way disrupted our daily living. I remember before there were cell phones. That's when there was more family time & everyone actually enjoyed each other. I think I take a lot of my relationships for granted--my family relationship, my relationship with friends. I think I do this because honestly, I've never really been without them. Sometimes, I look back & humble myself for taking these special people in my life for granted. In one second, they all could be taken away from me.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Here is one of my favorite songs. When I'm having a bad day, I youtube this song & listen to the lyrics. So, hopefully, you have a great day today, & I hope this song serves as a little "pick-me-up" for you. 

Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather

Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you ...

Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares

'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger

Live Happily

 1. Using what's in your frig right now what sort of meal would you be able to make for guests who are knocking at the front door this very minute?
Wow!! This is a really hard one for me because I don't really have much in my refrigerator.  I only have some salad mix, & some left over lasagna.  So, I think that's definitely what I'd have to do.  Sorry for my guests, but leftovers it is :).

2. What is something about yourself that you hope will change but that probably never will? 

I would have to say that my accent is something I've always wanted to change, but that's probably never going to happen.  I get called "hick" all the time here at school.  There's not many people here from Southwest Virginia.  You can imagine me with my long I's & not saying "-ing" but instead saying "-en" at the end of words instead.  I also use sayings like, "Shoot fire & save matches"--what's so hard about understanding that one??? My accent, no matter how hard I try, will never change.  I can't help where I come from; it's always going to be in me.


3. What's something about yourself that you hope will never change?
My perseverance, or my ability to chase after my dreams, no matter what life throws at me.  Not many people that read my blog know that I've had two open heart surgeries.  The doctors never thought I'd make it this far in my life, but I've stumped them.  Somehow, by God's grace & mercy, I am still living, & loving life.  I'm the child that wasn't supposed to make it, but I"m making it right now.  Ever since I was 12 years old, I wanted to be a pharmacist because I wanted to help people.  I'm 23 years old, & almost finished with pharmacy school (1 more year!!).  So, I know I've got it in me to keep going so I can make a difference in other peoples' lives.

4. Do you usually send serious or funny greeting cards? Why? 

I usually send serious greeting cards; however, I'm pretty funny in person though.  I feel like if I send a serious card, the message to the person is more meaningful & heartfelt. I feel like if I'm being serious. the message will get across to the receiver.


5. Bird watching, shell gathering, or star gazing- your choice for whiling away the hours?
I've always wanted to lie on a blanket in pitch-black darkness with a telescope & look up at the stars.  I think stars are wonderful & so beautiful.  It amazes me when I look up at the starry sky & just think that God made all these stars for us to enjoy here on earth.  

6. Do you double or triple check things? If so, what? 

I'm OCD--BAD!! I triple check things.  I triple check my lock on my door, when I'm home & when I'm leaving for school (yes, that does include I check the door even with that leg/arm thing propped up against it), I check my cell phone to make sure it's charging, I make sure I've unplugged everything (hairdryer & flat iron), make sure I've shut off all the water in the sinks, make sure the stove & oven are off (even if they haven't been used in a while), make sure my computer is charging at night, etc.  I know--I'm OCD.


7. What's your favorite place for people watching? 
Honestly, I don't have a favorite place to watch people.  I don't pay much attention :/. Maybe it's because my mind is always running 24/7 on drugs & diseases.  

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Tomorrow, I start my rotations at the nursing home for the whole year.  I'm very excited to see my patient & get to meet with her.  I just hope she likes me :).  I'm nervous at the same time, too.  Hopefully, I can be a great asset to the team.

Live Happily

 Share a favorite song lyric.

This song is by a contemporary artist--Chris Tomlin--"I will rise".  That's my favorite song lyric.  If anyone wants to listen to this great & wonderful song, please go to youtube & type in Chris Tomlin.  I advise you to shut your eyes & just listen to the song.  This was the toughest question, because I love every lyric of this song.  We sing this song in church about once a month, & there's not a dry eye in the congregation.  It's perfectly OK if you cry too when you are listening to this song.  The song is so powerful, & I guarantee you that you will most definitely get chills all over you when you hear this song.  I know I get chills, & I'm getting them right now.  Believe it or not, there's not many radio stations in Grundy, but I finally found a contemporary station (I've been looking for one for 10 months or so).  The radio station is K-Love (follow them on facebook, they're great!), & they play this song.  This morning I was feeling kind of "down & out".  Mom & Dad are on vacation while I'm stuck here at school (boo!!), but when this song came on the radio, my day brightened up.  I cried & sang all the way to school because I know that there's only one true thing that matters in life: are you going to rise when your name is called by the great & awesome God?

2. When was the last time someone yelled at you?

Oh my goodness!! My mom yelled at me just this past weekend!! I was home from school (I come home every weekend during the summer), & I was swinging & didn't see my little nephew.  Luckily, I didn't hit him with the swing, but I feel really bad about the whole situation.  My mom told me she was sorry; I know she was just trying to get my attention.  I still feel terrible about it!!!

3. Money, fame, happiness...are they mutually exclusive?

Money, fame, & happiness are mutually exclusive.  Of course, you have the NFL players or NBA players & what not, which completely allow these three things not to be mutually exclusive.  But, let's not talk about them, let's talk about the real world.  There are many people who have money, who are rich, but who do not live happily.  My grandmother's neighbor is one of the richest men in our town, but yet he's not fully happy because he doesn't have his health.  My boss that I work for isn't famous, but he has plenty of money (he's a pharmacist you know *lol*), & he's probably one of the happiest men I know.  Look at some homeless people.  They will tell you that they are very happy, even though they have no money or fame.  I'm completely happy with my life, & look, I"m just a poor pharmacy student.  The most important of these--money, fame, & happiness--is happiness.  If you're not happy, what does money & fame really mean to you?  If you are happy, what does life mean to you?  That's why my motto is "live happily" because happiness gives your life meaning.  If you're not happy doing your job, what benefit is it to you or to your other coworkers?  Yes, of course you can say money, but is money all that matters?  To me, it's not.  Just living happily means everything.  So, today: LIVE HAPPILY!!!

4. What is your favorite dish to prepare for family and friends that doesn't require turning on the stove, oven or an outdoor grill?

A salad.  Honestly, that's one of my favorite things to eat.  I love eating a nice, refreshing salad with red wine vinaigrette dressing on a hot summer's day, kind of like the weather we've been having.  I'm very picky about my salads, though.  I just usually do lettuce, cheese, deli meat (honey ham or some deli turkey, just depends), salad toppers (which my dad & sister like to call "bird seed"), & dressing.  Nothing else gets more refreshing than that, other than drinking sweet tea with the meal.

5. The first week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week. What is one thing you could do this week to simplify your life? Will you do it?

I don't see how much more complex my life gets.  I make calendars & schedules, I use my computer & phone to remind me of any updates for school or anything important, I continuously make notes (usually by hand so I can remember them), I have a routine I do every single day (& yet, it never gets boring).  So, I'm not quite so sure if there is anything I can do to make my life more simple right now.  That's probably not the greatest answer, but I'll keep thinking of ways & randomly post a blog if I think of anything.

6. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being 100% and 1 being not at all) how tuned in are you to your country's national political scene?

Haha!!! Good question!! I am tuned in at about a 1.5.  I only score myself on that because I watch the news & The Today Show as I'm getting ready for school.  I basically tune most of the political stuff out.  Usually, the only t.v. time I get is the morning or right before I go to bed (I leave my t.v. on at night--later story).  So, I am not up-to-date on any political stuff, but if you guys have any questions about medication/medication articles, I'll be more than willing to help. *lol*

7. What are your final parting words to the month of July?

Hmmm...Those words would be: I wish I actually got a vacation."  My body has been going to school in this terrible heat wave, but my mind has been traveling to the beach where I can stick my toes in the water & sand. 

 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Only one more week until break!! Friday, hurry up & get here!!!! I'm ready to leave for Pigeon Forge--next Monday, hurry up...please!!!!!! I'm ready for a break!!!!

Oh the Joys of Summer--Ice Cream, Cleaning, Exercising, & More!

1. July is National Ice Cream month...your favorite flavor? Soft served, hand dipped, or frozen yogurt...which do you prefer? And technically yogurt is not ice cream but its hot outside so I'll let that slide for today.

There's nothing better than eating ice cream on a sweltering day.  Sometimes, after my boyfriend & I finish walking the Creeper Trail, we will stop by Dairy Queen.  We each get an ice cream cone, & usually, mine is chocolate dipped. Choosing which ice cream is my favorite is difficult to choose.  I don't just have one favorite flavor, I actually have two: chocolate chip cookie dough & cookies & cream.  Just recently, Chilhowie has an ice cream shop, & I haven't visited it yet!! I'm ashamed of myself!!  Since ice cream is one of my favorite foods, I am not big on frozen yogurt.  If you're going to eat ice cream, you've got to have it hand dipped.  That's THE only way to eat it!! Of course, Dairy Queen gives hand dipped a run for its money. 

2. When you travel do you tend to pack too much or too little?

I pack way too much--everything BUT the kitchen sink.  I look at it like this: I'd much rather pack too much than too little.  You never know when you're going to need something.  Of course, the day I don't pack something, I need it!! Don't you hate that?  Since I am going to be a pharmacist, I tend to pack every medication I can think of--tums, tylenol/ibuprofen, Children's tylenol (for my nephew, Nate), Neosporin, peroxide, & of course my handy first aid kit.  No one ever needs any of the medicines I pack, but as soon as I don't pack them, someone will need it.  I'd much rather be safe than sorry.

3. What's your favorite cleaning product?

I can say I am somewhat OCD about how clean my apartment is; but, I am not as bad as my mother!! I'm sure this question of hers will be full!!  My favorite cleaning product is definitely Scrubbing Bubbles.  Its not too strong of a smell, but it gets the job done.  I love cleaning with this product because I can see the shine once I'm finished.  It gives my apartment a nice & clean feel to it. 

4. Which is the greater tragedy-an innocent person imprisoned or a guilty person set free? Explain.

I think the greater tragedy between the two is the guilty person set free.  This is so because the victim never gets justice.  We'll never really know if Casey Anthony murdered her child, but in my opinion, she did.  Her daughter will never be served justice for what her own mother did to her.  When the guilty is set free, that doesn't mean that person will not harm others again.  However, we must forgive the guilty of their crime, as hard as it may be.  

5. What's the longest trip you've taken by car?

Well, my dad is scared to death to fly.  I'll never forget when we were going on vacation to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  From Chilhowie to Orlando is about a 12-13 hour drive & about 1-3 hour flight (if that long).  Of course, dad didn't want to fly, so we drove--the whole 13 hour drive!! Needless to say, that was our last time going to Disney World.  

6. tennis-golf-canoeing-biking...pick one.

My favorite of these is biking.  Before I went to pharmacy school, I used to bike 2-3 miles a day.  It was so relaxing!  I can remember how nice it felt to have the breeze blowing through my hair as I biked.  To me, it's one of the "perfect" exercises because you're sitting down, you've got the wind blowing through your hair as you peddle so you don't get all sweaty, & it's a great cardio builder!! On the other hand, one of the worst things I've encountered is dogs (sorry dog lovers).  They chased me constantly when I rode my bike!! It was fine though because I was able to peddle faster & work harder. 

7. What sound drives you crazy?
The most annoying sound to me is someone smacking their mouth when they're chewing gum.  Also, I don't like it when we're in church & people start to pop their bubbles.  That's so rude.  I can go on & on forever about this subject, so I'm just going to stop here.  

8. Insert your own random thought here.
This past weekend I worked RAM (Remote Area Medical) which brings free healthcare to poor populations (Wise, Grundy, & one is coming to Bristol).  I saw at least 1000 people; and I worked the dental area.  I'm not going into detail on that part, but if you really want to know, just ask me.  I realized how lucky I am, & working RAM made me very thankful for what I have.  Once I finished my shift at RAM, I became sick (I hope I didn't catch anything from RAM). Nothing is worse than being sick when you're in school & when you're mom is out of town on a retreat.  Plus, it's very hot outside,which makes it worse.  I can't breathe & I've developed a cough, not to mention my voice is gone (my boyfriend likes that part, I'm sure).  I hope I get to feeling better by the end of the week so I can enjoy my weekend!!  

From Space to Randomness

1. July 20th marks the anniversary of the first time man stood on the moon. Flash forward 42 years to July 8, 2011 which marked the start of the final Space Shuttle mission. Should we continue to explore space? Should nations devote more or fewer of their resources to exploring space? Would you want to go into space if the opportunity arose?
I do not think we need to continue to explore space. I think that now, we as a nation need to devote our time & effort to more important things, such as finding a cure for cancer or AIDS. I think we as a nation would not benefit as much anymore if we continued to go to space. This is so because we keep experiencing the same thing every time we go into space. In my opinion, I think that we're not really "helping" anyone by going into space. Therefore, we need to shift our focus elsewhere to better improve our nation. If I were asked to go into space, I would not go, not that I don't think it's interesting, but I'm just scared *lol*.

2. What are three things in your freezer?
Honey BBQ chicken wings, Chicken, & Ice.

3. If you could see any band/artist perform live tonite who would it be? It has to be someone living...no Beatles, Elvis, etc.
I haven't been to very many concerts, but my favorite concert was Casting Crown's. They're a Contemporary group. At their concert, I just feel free to worship God by raising my hands & singing right along with them. I think why I enjoyed their concert so much was because it was more of a worship service than a concert. It's amazing when you are surrounded by folks you've never met, but yet worship the same God that you do! Everyone there is so positive as well! It's such a great atmosphere. My boyfriend & I have discussed going to one soon, but we can't find a concert close :(. Hopefully, the band will be close to home soon!! 

4. Ice-cubed or crushed? Or are you one of those people who don't like ice?
Cubed!!!

5. The owner of a small restaurant outside of Pittsburgh recently announced he was banning children under six, saying they regularly disrupted other customer's meals. You can read the story in more detailhere but isn't this a perfect topic to discuss in our Wednesday Hodgepodge? Have at it friends...what are your thoughts?
I love children, & yes, I know that they can be loud in restaurants. However, kids are so innocent & precious. They're human beings as well, they're not dogs. Dogs are what you ban from businesses, not children. Even though they're children, they need to be respected just like adults do. Just because of this owner's actions, I'm sure he's not going to get too much business anymore. 

6. What was your first car? How did it come to be yours?
A Nissan Frontier. I saw it when my dad was driving my sister & me to school. His cousin, Ricky, was a used car salesman & he had it parked at Dad's office. I told Dad to stop & look at it. The next thing I knew, Dad had told me that Ricky sold the Frontier. I was absolutely devastated! I cried for several days. When Christmas rolled along, I noticed that I had more presents than anyone underneath the tree. However, as I began opening them, the so-called "presents" were nothing but empty boxes with questions for me to answer. This is how sad it was: my sister offered me her presents because she felt sorry for me! She's never known to share, especially with me of all people! Well, come to find out, my parents yelled at me to get downstairs to the garage. It was time to clean out the litter box. Well, below & behold, there was my truck!!! I cried because I was so happy! I literally got in the truck & just sat there for an hour, just running my hands along the steering wheel, the cloth seat, the mirrors. I'll never forget that day!

7. If I had a nickle for every time I _________________ I'd be rich.
Heard my mom say "shew"

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Mom is going to be gone this weekend on her sorority trip to Asheville, NC. It's just going to be Dad & me...oh boy. What fun will we get into???? 

Hodgepodge: 7/13/11

1. How has your hometown changed since you were a kid? What has changed most about the neighborhood you grew up in?

My hometown (Chilhowie, Va) hasn't really changed since I was a kid. The only thing that's really changed, if you can call it a change, is that we got a one way street. How many towns that have 2,000 people really need a one way street? Apparently, my town! We still even have only one red light, which in my opinion, we need another one! My first "real time away from home" was when I went to school at King College. I didn't come home very often, but I'll always remember the very first time I came home from college. I began driving through town just enjoying it when all of a sudden, I realized that I was driving the wrong way. I began looking around, & then I realized the street I was on was now a one way street. Of course, I called my parents & told them what I had just discovered. They just laughed at me. Needless to say, I don't drive down that street anymore. Currently, I am attending pharmacy school, & I rarely get to come home. Just this weekend I came home for my dad's birthday. And yet, it's the same ole town I grew up in. Nothing has changed, & that's the reason why I like my hometown so much. It stays the same. I've moved a total of 4 times in my life. The longest I've lived in one house is 12 years, but I can honestly say that where I'm living now has been my favorite. My first house was a beautiful two-story home that my uncle & papaw built. The house was in an area I like to call "the country"--for those of you who don't understand what that means, I didn't live in town, like I do now. I was on the outskirts of town. My second home was a beautiful one story house out on the west end of town. I lived right beside of one of my best friends. Needless to say, we moved 6 months later to a two-story brick home in a subdivision. We lived there for several years. I loved that house. We had such great neighbors--everyone was so friendly, & my favorite neighbor is now my boss. The home I am currently at is right in the middle of town. My neighbors are my godparents. As you can see, my neighborhood has changed because I have moved several times. 

2. What song makes you laugh?
"Entrance of the Gladiator"--the circus theme. It's hilarious! Every time I listen to this song, all I picture are clowns riding around on their little bikes or unicycles, & yes, for some reason, I picture The Three Stooges doing something ridiculous. That makes the song funnier! Enjoy--it's a funny song & I hope it brings you laughter like it does me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0CyOAO8y0


3. Are you a fan of Harry Potter? Read the books? Seen any/all of the movies? Will you be standing in line somewhere close to midnight later this week? For those of you playing along today who live outside the US or UK is Harry Potter a phenomenon in your part of the world?
I am a huge, & I mean HUGE Harry Potter fan!! I have all the books, & I've watched all the movies as well, but I only own movies 1-3. In order to make up for it, I do have the Harry Potter play station games, which I haven't finished playing all of them yet. However, I'm not crazy enough to stand in line for a movie ticket. No way Jose! That's not going to happen with this gal. However, my boyfriend & I plan to see the movie in theaters sometime next week once most of the crowd has died down. He's also a Harry Potter fan. This past weekend, Harry Potter has been playing on ABC family, & yes, I watched the movies all over again. No matter how many times I watch the movies, I never get bored of seeing them. I can literally watch them over & over again! My favorite Harry Potter movie is the first one: Harry Potter & the Sorcer's Stone. What's yours? I like this one so much because it followed right along with the book, & didn't leave out much detail. I like movies that follow straight from the book & are in good detail. If you haven't read the books, I encourage you to do so! They're a terrific read for all ages!! 

4. If the truth hurts, will you tell a lie? Are we better off as a society in a world that allows no form of deception whatsoever?
Unfortunately, I hate to say this about myself, but yes, I will tell a little white lie just to keep from hurting someone's feelings. If that person has tried really hard to look his/her best for something & yet, they don't match or something is a little off, I tell that person that he/she looks fine! I do so because I know they've tried hard to make an impression on someone, & I don't want to burst their bubble! I am just kind-hearted; I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. In order to keep me from telling lies, I try to get out of the situation if I can. I don't necessarily call a "white lie" such as the one above "deception". To me, deception is knowingly doing something that you probably shouldn't in order to gain something. Telling a "white lie" is really not deceiving--you're trying to prevent from hurting someone else's feelings. Deceiving is similar to "tricking" or "cheating" in order to make yourself look better. I disagree with deceiving others. I think it's completely wrong in every way. The Bible even mentions how the serpent "deceived" Eve to eat the apple from the tree. The serpent did this in order to get back at God for kicking him out of Heaven. Therefore, what the serpent did was wrong, which was deceiving. In the context that deception is similar to tricking, I think we are better off as a society without deception. Haven't you noticed that most arguments today start because someone cheated someone else out of something? If deception would not exist, half of the arguments would cease to exist. As a society, I think the American people would be happier & more satisfied with themselves if deception ceased to exist. 

5. What is your favorite 'sauteed in garlic and butter' food? Or garlic and olive oil if that makes you feel better.
Honey, this is the south--there are no foods that are cooked in garlic & olive oil! It's all cooked in butter & sauteed garlic!! One of my favorite foods sauteed in garlic & butter would be shrimp. My dad usually fixes shrimp out on the grill, in which he coats them in garlic & butter. However, I'm not a huge "shrimp on the grill" type of person. I like my shrimp cooked with pots & pans. Nothing brings out the shrimp flavor than garlic & butter. 

6. Attending any reunions this summer/year? High school? family? Other? Do these events stir up excitement or dread?

I plan to be attending my family reunion (the Clapp renunion). Unlike other people who dread going to their family reunions, I thoroughly enjoy going to mine, & I look forward to coming every year. I get to visit with my cousins, & of course, my cousins can cook!! The food is amazing. Good food, friends, laughter, family, enjoyment--what else can you ask for at a family reunion? Our family reunion is held at the Old Quarry United Methodist Church in Saltville, Va. It happens once a year--either the last Saturday & Sunday in July or the first Saturday & Sunday in August. The festivities usually begin Saturday morning at around 11:00 a.m. where everyone signs in under the family tree. Many picture albums are available for us to look at once we're waiting on everyone to arrive. I'm in several of them (about being drum major, being accepted into King College, & being accepted into the Appalachian College of Pharmacy). Some of the pictures date back many years, while others are current & are of newspaper clippings of all of the kids' achievements in life. Then, it's eatin' time! Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, breads, pasta salads, baked beans, desserts (all of which are homemande) are completely eaten up & all gone by 1:00 p.m. Usually by 2:00 or 3:00, mostly everyone is heading back home with empty crockpots. On Sunday morning, everyone meets back at the church for service. My sister usually sings at the reunion that morning as well. Then, right after the service, everyone departs to go home until next year.

7. Lilac, hydrangea, peony...pick one.
Lilac--they're beautiful & they smell wonderful! I have a Lilac bush outside my apartment, & I can smell it when I come home from school! It brightens up my whole day! Not to mention, lilac is one of my favorite colors as well.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm so ready to be out of school & a pharmacist already! I don't like going to school in the summertime, but I know it'll be worth it once I'm finished! I've got less than 1 year now until I begin my full 5 eight week rotations! Let the countdown begin! 

Hello everyone! I'm Amanda & I'm completely new at blogging! I've never "blogged" a day before in my life until my mom talked about her blog. I have the best parents anyone could ask for. They have provided me with support & love everyday for the past 23 years of my life (I'm 23 years old, by the way). I have an older brother, who has a son, Nate. Nate is the cutest nephew ever! I love that boy! I also have a younger sister, & even though she's younger than I am, I still look up to her. She is one of the strongest people that I know. I know we don't talk that much, but I know she loves me, & she knows that I love her, too. Being the older sister, I could really embarrass her right about now, but I'm not going to *lol*! I am currently in a relationship as well. I'm a second-year student at the Appalachian College of Pharmacy. I've only got 1 more year left until I'm a "legal drug dealer" better known as a pharmacist. I absolutely love it at ACP. I recommend this school over any other school in the country! Upon graduating, I plan to own my own pharmacy close to my hometown of Chilhowie, Va, & after graduation, I'm heading to Key West, Fla. My parents just bought me a brand new Amazon Kindle, & I love it; so, I'm sure you've already guessed that I like to read. My all time favorite book is The Help. I'm currently reading The Hunger Games (on the last book), & it's one of the best series I've read. My favorite animal is the Orca/Killer Whale. I own all of the Free Willy movies, & they're one of my favorite movies. I can't say I watch a lot of t.v. because I spend most of my time studying--pharmacy school is hard work!! I'd just like to say thank you for stopping by! Have a great day, & don't forget to live happily. Nothing in life is worth being sad or mad about.