Less than 3 weeks away...

I will be home in less than 18 days!!!! Thank goodness it is starting to get COLD...

Snow in the forecast for Thursday woohoo but the 22 degree weather is not all that great.
Just 2 portfolios, 1 exam, 4 finals, and a few little papers and I will be on my flight home to CALIFORNIA... I am so excited to be coming home for the holidays. I cant wait to see everyone especially my beautiful family.

Love you all off to study and do Homework!!!!!

:)

Thanksgiving.

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. - W. T. Purkiser
 
This year was my first ever Thanksgiving without my family. I live in St Louis a million miles away from home and I was faced with the reality that I might be alone.



However, I have many amazing friends and so Cathy decided to have the 8 of us that remained and create a makeshift thanksgiving, in which we could all be together and appreciate what we have given and what we have all received these past 3 months. I am blessed with friends whose lens of life is one of love and friendship. Individuals who do not see the at times immature 23 year old girl whom is searching on her journey towards an unknown density but are able to see all the love I have to give. 


I am blessed with love from all people. I felt it hard yesterday and am so grateful that my family and friends all made the effort to share love with me. I felt God as the snow fell down on me- kissing my cheeks and big flower headband.


So after Olin's turkey lunch, Lori, Brittany and I journeyed through the snow to Cathys house. We enjoyed christmas movies and cooked together while enjoying great conversations and laughter. After everything was finally cooked we had a beautiful sit down dinner with a beautiful circle of expressions of thankfulness. After eating everything and more, we enjoyed a relaxing Mary Poppins showing followed my Wii games. BEautiful evening, beautiful friends, and what an amazing time.


It might not have been NORMAL thanksgiving but I know I was given a gift of love and friendship. I am blessed. I am thankful.


And now count down to home continues... 24 days :)


Hugs and Love <3

snow outside my building.

snow...

turkey dinner

Olin Family Thanksgiving..

We had Thanksgiving on Saturday. It was a blast. Allison and I spent all day at the mall enjoying life and SHOPPING.. we needed hats and we were successful. :) Along with adding a million new things to my Santa Wish List, I got items to help keep me warm and cozy.

Hats,

adorable

some of the olin family

the cooks

very proud of dessert

AMAZINGGG

Stephanie and Lori made everything from Turkey to scallop potatoes to gravy... so amazing and filling. We finished the night with Adult Mad Lips and laughing about life.

I am so blessed to have such great people around me!!!

-love

amanda

BTD and Lighting the city

I have really come to love my Tuesday nights at the barn. Melanie lets me ride every week after the lessons which consequently makes me sore for the next two days. But we had one young man on Tuesday that made my night. He walked in crying and in panic, his caregiver explained this happened once in a while and there was no way to stop it. We got him up on Turbee and after one lap around the area, the boy was laugh and singing to the horse and to the sidewalkers and myself. He was so happy and gleeful. I was beautiful and made me realize that simplicity is the heart of happiness and joy. It was touching and mushy gushy me definitely shed a tear at the end of the 30 minute session. This young man who was my age had been handed some major disabilities and struggles and he did not complain. He allowed this world to be full of joy and love. He knows the Lord and all of His gifts to us. The everyday simple gifts. I was uplifted! Wish everyday was Tuesday!

The rest of the week was difficult and as I struggled to keep from drowning in assignment I ate some really good foods and took naps. Also wore the onesie mom and Emmi sent to me- it is red with monkeys on the feet. I must say I look GOOD in it!!! :)

Then we saw Harry Potter Friday and I was blown away by how good it was!! We went to chase plaza again and this time they had an organist playing before the show.. oh st Louis!



Finally Friday night was the lighting of st Louis. FredBird (cardinals), Rampage (Rams), Yoga, and many more odd mascots came to help Santa and his friends LIGHT up the trees downtown followed by fireworks. It was beautiful and what a view it is to watch fireworks from a amphitheater downtown looking out to the Mississippi river with the arch and fireworks.  AMAZING. We followed this with an amazing Italian dinner. AND then returned to study!! Gosh I wish every night did not end with "and then we studied". ha- on side note a child standing next to us started bad mouthing Disneyland and i told him off, "excuse me lil child, but have u ever BEEN to Disneyland..I think not, don't talk shit!!".

Today is essay finishing day, Hat shopping, and my first of 3 turkey meals!!!
<3 I come home in 29 days!!!!!! Cant wait, Peace and LOVE

Oh St Louis

It's getting colder.. slowly but surely. And peppermint mochas are here!! :)

School is crazy as everyone tries to finish up the piles of homework before they had head for break. I am staying here so have plenty of time to work and enjoy the fall leaves and the winter air. I bought a coat and scarf and boots and am ready for the colder weather.

Friday is the lighting of st louis parade and an Indian Event... so much to do in St Louis...and then Olin Turkey night on sunday!! Finally my friends and I are having thanksgiving on thanksgiving in our PJs! :)

I love school and st louis!!

<3

Pies and Friends

I love PIE.... Tonight Allison and I made pies... Mine- Pumpkin Pecan Pie and Allison- Good old hearty pumpkin pie.

After a LONGGGG day!

Pies plus friends plus miracle on 34th street.

pumpkin and pumpkin-pecan

YUMMMM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin

YUM, cant wait to come home and bake some more pies and cookies!!!!  I am sure these wont be the last though.

<3 yummm

Decisions.

Today I went to a meeting about deciding which program I want to pursue.

Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy (2)
or Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (3)

I am so confused about which is best for me. I have so many things I want to do, so many paths I can take. I want to give now but find myself sitting in class. At times I feel so defeated. I have so much love to give and no one to give it to. I want to HELP and create change.
Dr. Baum empowers me. She is a huge role model in my life but there are things that I want for my life that she doesn't feel are important. Yes, I want to be an amazing therapist and create additional evidence for the interventions we provide but I also want MY own life. My own family. Where is the balance? How do I balance everything?

So the balance... first I need to decide what difference I WANT TO MAKE! Do I want to create a change in the care of pre-mature infants in the NICU, do I want to help returning/ active armed force members reenter society or return to war, do I want to be in school districts and aid children with mental illness or sensory modulation issues. ?!?!!? I want to change it ALL!!!!

So many decisions...so many options...Pro and Con list here i come!!!

<3 me

Studying..

My second BIG-HUGE anatomy test is now upon us. It is monday at 3pm and so I have 2 days to study...and wow is it not fun. Although yes it is interesting, staying in on the weekend when its finally back in the 50s is horrible. This exam is mostly about the upper extremity including the brachial plexus and the entire hand which may be small but has a ton of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, etc.
On a side note, we have now finished dissection of "Jane aka Daphne" from now on we will just see prosection which are done by the TAs.

I bought a new coat for the cold weather! It is adorable. Redish and girly and adorable. I was told today that I look like lil red riding hood. haha I guess that is good.

And now BACK to studying!!!!!

<3 me