Starbucks Give Away Winner

Back from my 7 mile run this morning.  It went ok, but I could definitely tell I took a week off.  Today wasn't my actual long run day but it was Kelsey's so I decided to stick with her and go at her pace.  It worked out well.  And now it's time to give out some Starbucks!

The winner of the lucky $7 Starbucks card is...Amy San Pedro! :)  Email me at vdsamantha@gmail.com and I'll have the Starbucks eGift sent to your email :)

I had over 80 page views yesterday but you didn't comment..I'll have another give away sometime so you can take advantage of it.

Now its off to packing for me,  hopefully leaving for NC tomorrow morning.  I plan on spending 80% of my time at the beach reading, 10% in Chapel Hill, and the other 10% doing who knows want.  If you're in the Jville/Chapel Hill/Raleigh/Wilmington area and want to hang out, send me a message :)  I definitely want to see you!  I hope you all have a fun Friday!!

Enjoy your Starbucks Amy :)

I passed Neuro!! So who wants some Starbucks?!

I passed Neuro!  And with a B :)  If you read back a few posts, you'd see a B wasn't looking likely.  I’m thankful God gave me the patience, dedication and brains to get through this course.  My brain is so exhausted from having to think about itself.  So it’s time for some rest and relaxation.  Today to celebrate my accomplishment, I’m making cupcakes with my roommate!  I wish I could share them with all of you but unfortunately I don’t think cupcakes taste very good after they’ve gone through the mail (although I can’t be certain).  However, I can share a coffee with you from 500+ miles away :)  How you may ask?  With a Starbucks eGift!  So in celebration of my passing grade I’m giving away a $7 Starbucks gift card to someone who comments on this blog.  I wanted to give away $7.29 for my birthdate, July 29, but Starbucks doesn’t allow it so I’m going with $7.  7 is also a lucky number.  I hope this card makes someone just as happy as I am about passing Neuro :)

So this is how it works:  all you have to do is post a comment.  Any comment you’d like, but I like ones that make me laugh.  Ask my friends, I love to be entertained! If you aren't funny it's ok, just say hi :) Everyone who comments get’s their name written on a sticky note and throne into something fun for drawing.  I’m posting this kind of late in the day so I’ll make the cutoff 8 am tomorrow.  When I return from my long run tomorrow I’ll announce the winner.  You have 11pm to claim it before it goes to the next sticky note (so remember to check my blog again tomorrow!!)  In addition to spreading happiness, I hope this is an incentive to those who read my crazy thoughts often.

Anyways, Good luck! And may the odds ever be in your favor! (cheesy hunger games plug…couldn’t help it!)

I Am Second

I was just telling my roommate that I’ve been itching to write in this blog.  There is so much I want to blog about, my love hate relationship with neuro, the wedding I attended on Sat, my birthday on Sunday, the I Am Second movement etc.  However, if I wrote out everything I wanted to share I’d definitely lose your attention as it would go on and on.  I had no idea what to pick to blog about so I just opened to the verse of the day in my You Version Bible app (probably one of my most useful and favorite apps on my phone) and read  “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew6:33).   This verse spoke volumes to me and I think in a way it incorporates all of the above topics.

So I’ll start off by saying that this past weekend was awesome!  A much needed break from the dreaded neuro class.  One of my friends from the AuD program got married in Orlando.  I along with several others went to celebrate with her.  I had so much fun, the photobooth and dancing was a blast.   My friend was absolutely beautiful on her wedding day, and both the ceremony and parts of the reception made me teary eyed.  Kelly and Carlos looked perfect for each other and so in love.  I couldn’t help but dream about experiencing love like that one day.  I had to constantly remind myself that it’s in God’s hands not mine.  I have to learn to wait on him…I assure you it’s a constant struggle in my boy crazed world.  Anyways…at midnight I turned 24 :)

Sunday morning (my birthday), we drove back to Gainesville super early so I wouldn’t miss church on my birthday.  As most of you know, Kelsey and I, go to the same church but our other roommate usually sleeps in…well this week she surprised me with coming to church with us!  What an awesome birthday present :)    We all had a nice lunch after church followed with more awesome surprises and gifts. 

The tag that came with these shorts does not lie.
          Two people today asked or made a comment on the logo.
Awesome!

I think my favorite gift this year came from my mom. (Thanks mama!) She sent me these running shorts.  They’re absolutely perfect!  These are not just any old running shorts but very special ones.   They come from the I Am Second movement.  It’s a constant reminder that I am indeed second.  So who is first?  Christ.  I find it really easy to think about me, talk about me…I can be really vain sometimes caught up in all of my accomplishments.  I also sometimes catch myself feeling envious of what others have.  Not a good feeling.  Instead of working so hard to achieve my every desire, I need to be focused on God’s wants for my life.  Now back to Matthew 6:33 (I told you it pulls it all together)  seeking his kingdom first will bring much greater things than I could ever provide for myself.  If you remember from my, I am not a runner, post I don’t run for me; I run to intentionally make room for Christ in my life.  It’s difficult to stay focused on living Second but my runs help me carry my cross daily. 

I encourage you all to check out I Am Second to discover what it means to be Second.  For me, it’s putting God before all my needs, wants and desires…doing everything first and foremost for His glory.  He is my rock, my provider, my everything :)

http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/whispering-danny/

This is the first “I Am Second” video I ever watched and it still sends chills through my spine. 

A Fish Out of Water

Lately in class, I’ve been feeling like a fish out of water.  I just don’t understand neuroscience..Im convinced my brain just doesn’t work that way.  I failed my first test last week scoring a whopping 65.  For someone like myself with a Type A personality, this is very stressful.  I don’t think I’ve failed a test before well besides the zero I took on a test in Intro to Rock music sophomore year.  No worries, I overslept and missed the test…I actually do know a bit about rock music but we can talk Nirvana, Elvis, and Metallica some other time.  I’m pretty sure all of my classmates with the exception of 1 or 2 are Type A people as well.  We all strive to do well, and have done well, or we wouldn’t be in this program in the first place.  Even though we’re repeatedly told that GPAs no longer matter we all want A’s.  B’s disappoint us, C’s make us anxious, and D’s and F’s…well that’s a stomach ulcer and a punch to the gut all at the same time.  So you can imagine how I felt when I saw that 65 after studying so hard…like a failure.  A fish out of water trying to survive.

Today while studying, I was reminded that a failure is an event, never a person.  This is so true.  To be a failure as a person I’d have to define myself by my performances and that is not want I want to do.  God accepts me not because I score perfectly on all of my tests but because I’m in need of Him.  (Matthew 5:3) Even though I complain about it often, I strangely like this class because it is a constant reminder that I am not perfect and that is more than ok.  I don’t have to be perfect.  This class is just a season…not even a season…more like a week of bad weather in my life and it shall pass. By the grace of God I know I’ll get through it :)  Now I’m going to dive back into the brain…wish me luck!  18 more days until this insanity ends!

On another positive note my birthday is in 8 days!! It’s not like I’ll be doing anything super exciting with all of this brain stuff on my plate but I’ll take the time to enjoy a cupcake :)

I’m going to be an awesome neurosurgeon one day..Ha JOKE

Working for the Mouse

I don't think one day goes by when I'm not asked about Disney.  People see my Disney ID when I open my wallet and jump at the chance to ask me about it.  My poor roommate is usually with me and has to hear this Disney talk over and over.  She's a good sport.  First, people ask if I work at Disney and then 100% of the time jump to "what do you do" and then to "what is it like."  Never fails.  My job is definitely weird and out of the ordinary but a ton of fun.  I'm learning that people are intrigued by Disney and want to know all about what it's like be a part of the company.  So,  I'm sharing a little of the magic with all of you today :)  Half of this you won't understand but I can't share everything...that'd spoil the fun of Disney.

You know you’re a Walt Disney World Cast Member when:

All your conversations start with “One time at Disney . . .”
You never point with one finger.
You’ve worked with or lived with people from every state and at least 5 other countries.
You know where all of your friends are every Monday night.
You know that “my Friday” could easily fall on a Tuesday (and it probably does).
Wendy’s, Sweet Tomatoes, Earl of Sandwich, Buffalo Wild Wings… enough said.
You can calmly say “Yes, the wait really is 30 minutes” 50 times within 10 minutes.
You know what an alpha-unit is.
You know what a protein spill is, and you can smell Voban from 50 feet away.
You never wait for more than 10 minutes for any attraction.
Anything heartwarming that happens is now a “Magical Moment.”
You can spot a hidden Mickey anywhere.
You regret not having a FastPass every time you have to wait in a line.
You know it’s a costume, not a uniform.

It’s no longer have a nice day but instead have a Magical day.
You can spot a Mickey antennae on any car that is a mile away.
You can recite preshows and even entire attraction spiels without even thinking about it.
You have saved a baby elephant from deadly poachers several times.
You use the following terms in normal conversation:  ER, MK, the tunnels, DAK, CP, Vista, Commons, Chatham forgetting that no one has a clue what you’re talking about.
You start friendly conversations with complete strangers.
You know how to perfectly plan your day so that you can see both Illuminations and Wishes.
Anytime you go anywhere you wonder what the story is behind the particular place.
"The Man" now becomes “The Mouse”.

A mouse signs your pay checks.
Any WDW commercial brings a tear to your eyes.
You have the overwhelming urge to offer to take people’s pictures.
You know how to smile and politely answer the question “Why is it raining?” (YES, we seriously get that one.)
You think nothing of walking up to lost people and offering directions.
You can spend a day at WDW without going on any rides and you still have the time of your life.
Guests ask you for directions… when you aren’t in costume.
You can speak Spanish…or at the least the Spanish part of the monorail. “Por favor mantengase alejado de las puertas.”
You know what “EPCOT” stands for.
It’s not unusual to have lunch at a pub in England and have dinner at a sushi bar in Japan while stopping at Norway for a quick dessert.
You love using doors that open “Automagically.”
You know that Ghiardelli’s gives away free chocolate…and you have a hat to get that second piece…
You know how to answer the question “Do you know what time the 3 o’clock parade is?” (Most common asked question!!!)
All of your best friends are princesses.
You can carry on a brief conversation without saying a word.
Not “customers”, but “guests.”

It feels like Disney is the only place you fit in.
You know what it is like to actually “live” where you work.

Now you know what it’s like to work at the most magical place in the world.

I hope you all have a “Magical” day.

ºoº .•:*¨¨*:•.Samantha.•:*¨¨*:•. ºoº

Blueberries and Wine

Blueberries and wine... today was a good day :)  My day started at 6:30am with a 5 mile run.  It’s the farthest I’ve ever ran.  I ran 2 miles before taking a walking break.  At mile 4 I was starting to feel a bit tired in the legs.  No huffing and puffing but heavy legs.  I feel like no matter the distance the last mile is always the toughest.  I think it must be a mind thing…My time is still improving so I’m happy :)  I’ve decided my goal is to finish the half marathon in under 2:30.  That’s not fast or anything but I think it’s a good goal for me as I just started running a month or so ago.   I’ve been recording all of my workouts and posting them on facebook via mapmyrun or dailymile.  It helps keep me motivated as I feel accountable to keep up with my weekly runs.  I like mapmyrun because it allows me to keep track of the pace and how far I run.  And I like dailymile because it gives me a better overall picture of my training.  I also like the motivation I receive from other runners and to look at their workouts…its inspirational as some of them are really hardcore.  I know not all of you are friends with me on facebook so I added a tracker on my blog so you can see how my training is going :)

Now that I’m just starting to get into my longer runs I decided it was time for a new pair of running shoes.  I got myself a nice compfy pair of Asics and they’re super cute too :)

After my run I ran some errands and then met my friends for a fun afternoon of blueberry picking and wine tasting at the Bluefield Estates Winery. Yumm.   I tried the following wines:  sweet blueberry, blackberry bliss, green apple affair, raspberry romance, sweet strawberry sensation, watermelon wonder, Windsor white, and peachy perfection.  Can you tell I like sweet dessert wines? haha

They were all good but my favorites were the strawberry, blackberry, and peachy wines.  I was really surprised that I liked the strawberry and blackberry wines because I don’t like strawberries or blackberries hahah.  Peachy perfection was all of our favorites but sadly they were sold out.    So I ended up buying a bottle of the Sweet Strawberry Sensation wine before leaving.  My roommate got 2 other flavors so we’re set on wine.

After wine tasting we went blueberry picking.  I’ve never been before…it was such a great time.  It was fun playing in the blueberry bushes with my friends.  Nice not worrying about school for an afternoon.  Just enjoying each other’s company and snacking on sweet blueberries in the warm sun as we filled our buckets :)

I had a lovely Saturday and hope you all did as well. 

Burn Outs and Inspiration

Anybody who has talked to me knows that I’m burned out right now.  Mainly with school but sometimes life is just exhausting.  Recently, more days than most I’ve found myself wondering “what am I doing?! And is it really worth it?”  I have a midterm tomorrow that I haven’t put as much effort into studying as I usually do and I think it’s just because I’m feeling burned out.  What happened to summer vacations?  I just had a week and a half off not too long ago but I don’t feel recharged at all.  Usually I can’t wait to get back in school…that feeling didn’t come for me this past time. 

I’m very thankful for how supportive my friends and family have been these past few weeks.  They are a constant reminder that what I’m working towards is definitely worth it. I thank God for giving me a passion for this field or I don’t think I’d make it.   Just take a look at this video and you just might get a tiny glimpse as to why I have such a passion for Audiology.

Little Boy Hearing for the First Time

How amazing is that?!  Yes I see reactions like this and it just warms my heart and inspires me to keep on pushing through.  Constantly thanking God for all of life’s little blessings.

I’m also really enjoying my runs now.  I’m running regularly 3-4 times a week and I look forward to them.  They’ve become encouraging as I’m improving and the half marathon is definitely something exciting to look forward to.  God is showing me in Him ALL things are possible.  I couldn’t be more in love with Him.  I’ve never felt so burned out and inspired at the same time.  Haha 

Taking it day by day

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  (Matthew 6:34)

I can do all this through him who gives me strength  (Philippians 4:13)