Life's a roller coaster and I'm not strapped in.....

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Goodbye 2007....Hello 2008!!!

WHAT IS THIS?? DID STACY REALLY JUST UPDATE HER BLOG??!!??!! Yeah, I know. I've been a HUGE slacker, and I'm very sad for this. I really do miss getting the opportunity to write about life, my thoughts, fears, dreams, feelings, etc. It's hard to convey what I go through on a daily basis as a PT student so that you an understand why blogging is simply not high on my priority list. I know most of you have bachelor's degrees, and you can at least understand excessive caffeine consumption and sleep deprivation, but on the grand continuum of things, you in no way could understand what it's like to be in a program as intense as MCG's PT program. I'm just thankful that you all appreciate what I do and hopefully understand the reason for my absence as a blogger.

Enon's cousin's girlfriend (mother's sister's dog, haha) inspired me to write this blog. While I may not have been able to go through this year consistently discussing what was going on in my life, I do think it's important to sum up the good things that have happened in 2007. 2007 was the most stable year I have had in a while. 2003 and 2004 were filled with some lonely times and I struggled a lot to find happiness for myself and really understand what God's plan was for my life. 2005 was haunted by a roller coaster of emotions ranging from my father's death to graduating from UGA. I was thankful for the support I received while going through these milestone events, but the instability of it all makes it hard to find pure happiness in the midst of the turmoil. 2006 was a recovering year for me that was also marked by huge changes as I made the trek down Highway 78 towards Augusta to begin PT school at MCG. It was highlighted by meeting Enon who continues to be a huge blessing in my life, but I was also faced with many challenges as a student physical therapist that often drained my energy and put stress on my relationships. I finally got into the swing of things, though, and a reunion with my brothers and sister in New Hampshire after Christmas time was a nice ending to a rebuilding year that I feel like I got through with flying colors.

2007 was the first year that nothing really dramatic happened. The stability of my emotions (which could be a valid explanation for my lack of blogging and 15 pound weight loss) helped me to focus on the things that are really important. I have continued to make good grades in PT school and have inspired Enon to want to do better and stay more focused. I spent 2 months in the clinic this summer in which I successfully treated patients with orthopedic problems and was given the opportunity to observe surgery and do other things that I never though I'd be able to do. I watched two of my best friends from high school get married and it was so good to watch them be so happy. I got to see my old Perry and UGA friends more often this year, and even in the midst of how busy I am, I kept up better with a lot of people. I spent 2 months at home and really grew to appreciate my parents more. I started running again, and man, it felt so good (until I sprained my ankle in October and had to quit). I've educated my parents, aunt, uncle, grandmother, and brother on how they can be more healthy and have inspired them to make the lifestyle changes necessary so that can maintain an optimal health status. My stepdad also began running again, and has reported that he has lost 20 pounds and his cholesterol has stabilized. My mother also aimed towards losing weight and continues to walk 2 miles a day and has reported to reach her weight goal of 125 pounds. When you've lost a parent to a health condition, it's promising to know that where I couldn't have made a difference in my Dad's life, I can in the rest of my family's because I know more and am better trained to educate them on how to effectively make the necessary changes to enhance their health. Even Dean has reported cholesterol that is within normal limits and a blood pressure that is sometimes less than 120/80. Must be because he's eating those Cheerios like I told him to! ;) Either way, it's awesome that I have been an effective PT to the people who matter the most to me, and I hope that I can continue to inspire them in 2008.

2007 was also marked by an AWESOME summer, and an AWESOME football season. This summer, I went to the beach 4 times which was the first time I had been since 2002. I loved being able to soak up the sun and truly be mesmerized by one of God's most amazing creations. Then there was football season. Ok, so the first two games of the season were not good due to 1) too much alcohol consumption, and 2) a loss to Spurrier's Gamecocks. Then, of course, there was the horrible beating by Tennessee, BUT......there's really been a turnover in the Dawgs this year. I can feel it and truly hope and pray that I will get to witness a National Championship season in the near future. We beat Florida and Auburn in the same season for the first time since 1982, and how sweet it was! It was amazing to be down in Jax with all my Ptown friends doing the Gator Chomp in all of the trashy Florida Fans faces. We sacked Tim Tebow more times in one game than he had been sacked the entire season up to that point. It was great to notice that in the clips they showed during Tebow's Heisman run, there weren't any from the day that we defeated them! Then, there was the Auburn BLACKOUT which was by far the best game I have ever been to. The game was close at first, but those black jersey's really inspired the Dawgs to come through and blow it wide open. And seeing Sanford Stadium completely black was just so awesome, and I was so proud to not only be a fan, but to be Alumni. It may not mean a lot to some people, but my name is written in that school and it's so great to know that I am part of something special.

Lastly, 2007 was a great year to watch my relationship with Enon continue to grow. Even though he drives me absolutely crazy sometimes, Enon makes my heart smile more than anyone I've ever known. I appreciate his patience, and he puts up with my lack thereof. He does so much for me, and I just don't think that there is anyone better in the whole wide world than him for me. Plus, my family likes him which is definitely a first for me. I think that speaks volumes...

So....2008. I hope to start the New Year with a big fat kiss from Enon followed by another Blackout victory for the Dawgs over Hawaii in New Orleans. I hope to continue to be successful in school as I have only 2 more semesters left in the classroom before I take on two semesters of clinical. The end is so close I can taste it! I hope that I continue to find patience with all that I do, and I am also making it my goal this year to start spending more time with God and focusing on his word. Lastly, my brothers and I are making the trek to Arkansas to spread my father's ashes. We've mended, we've grown, and we've found peace in our loss. It's time to fulfill Daddy's wishes and put him to rest in the mountains of Arkansas. It's bittersweet, but it will be a great memory to cap what has been a long, painful, grieving process. He will always be in my heart, but I'm ready to let go.

So, that's about it! Happy New Year everyone! Love y'all!

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