On Busy-ness

One of my friends from college texted me yesterday, asking when she'd see me again. My response was... well, my typical response. Yeah, hopefully soon. I've been crazy busy. Which, if you know me, is very much the truth. In fact, I think I enjoy keeping extremely, insanely busy. But why? I don't quite know if it's the fact that I actually enjoy being busy so much as I enjoy having things to do and I always have a ton of goals. I'm always looking for ways to push myself, get myself out of my comfort zone, and keep growing in general. I don't think I really like being stressed, that's for sure. In fact, I sometimes wonder if I can be too willing to keep myself occupied with things that I'd like to do that I don't leave enough time for the things that I absolutely should be doing. Things like doing devotions, reading books to gain a broader knowledge base, cleaning up my room that somehow seems to really obey the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics to a T. In my ideal world, I'd have time to keep up with friends on Facebook, get 7.5 hours of sleep, hang out with family and friends, complete all my apps for med school, get all my studying/homework in for my orgo class, work 40+ hours a week, and still have time left over for keeping up with my favorite TV shows, decorating my room, getting involved with a small group at church, and go running/work out. As I'm sure you're thinking by the length of that list, it's very much impossible. Well, at least with 2+ hours of commuting each day. So, something, somewhere must go. And someone, right here must organize. And get back to being disciplined. Because if I don't, I won't be able to get everything that I consider critical on that list finished when it needs to be complete. Back to the college schedule of ignoring all other activities when it's bedtime. When the clock says it's bedtime. Bedtime it is. And when the clock says it's time for devotions, that time it is. And when my working hours should be complete, they must be. For otherwise, there simply isn't enough of me, however busy I am, to get it all done.

So About the Economy...

We hear that the economy's doing pretty well. At least, that's what looking at the stocks would lead one to believe. But based on the job situation for many of my fellow recent graduates, I'm persuaded to conclude otherwise. It's not only recent graduates, I'm finding. Stress is high at my workplace because, well, it's a company. And companies exist to make money. And if a company isn't making enough money, it'll take steps to ensure that it can make it through the year and the next, and so on. At least, in the ideal situation that's what happens. In order to stay afloat, though, it often means cutting costs. When all other costs have been cut, it's employees who must go. And so, people are scrambling. There's less work to do when people have less money to spend, so the competition is up. And we're searching. Searching for that next project. Something more to boost our metrics. Because at the end of the day, we all want to stay employed so we can continue to pay those bills, those student loans, cover those costs, whatever they might be. We definitely feel for those who don't have jobs. And we hope that the people who haven't been able to find one are able to do so soon...

I'm Back to Solving Psets!

Just for a little while, though. :) Taking a 6 week orgo crash course. Lol. Who woulda thought I'd be back in school so soon after leaving?!!

A List of Things I'm Thankful For

I haven't sat down to think about things that I'm thankful for in a while... so here goes!

- Family. We can sit and eat dinner, laughing and talking for hours on end - time just flies by. How awesome is that?
- My job. It's been a blessing that I initially didn't recognize. I have a great, supportive team at work. I have time enough to do things outside of work. Cough studying for the MCAT, taking an orgo class, writing applications. Which, given my line of work is really quite unheard of. Thank you, God. I totally did not recognize how much of a blessing this one was going to be...
-Time. Time to sleep (kinda), time to laugh, time to write.
-Friends. Keeping in touch with college friends is one of the highlights of my social life. Lol. Actually, most of my social life I should say. But what can I say? They're awesome people.
-Faith/ Life in Christ. I feel like this is one that I all too often overlook. And yet, it's such a great gift that I've been given. The joy that I've found in Christ far surpasses anything else I have known. The peace that comes from being held in His hands is far deeper than any other source I've seen. The love that comes from Him is far greater than any other. And carried along in His arms I can live life to its fullest - the way I was meant to live.

Busy...

My class is keeping me crazy busy! I was pretty plum tuckered out after the trip, but orgo kept reminding me  that it still existed. So, yesterday I sat down and cranked out 20+ book problems in about 2 hours. I'd forgotten how good it felt to get that much work done so quickly! Guess I'm going to have to do that again tomorrow night... Test on Thursday, and homework's due... So yeah, that's what I've been up to recently. Until later!

The Backpack of a MechE

I was cleaning out my backpack as I packed for my flight (read travel-proofing). Of course, there were all kinds of things in there. Screws from some class project. A mini Swiss Army knife. A sharpie, pencils, sticky notes, receipts. And, oddly enough, a pair of earrings. Backpacks don't get cleaned out so often when you're a busy college student I guess. And since starting my job, I haven't used it so it's almost a snapshot in time of life as a busy (but happy) mechanical engineering student. Ah, yes. the backpack of a MechE. At one point last year, there were all kinds of random things poking out - PVC tubing, wooden boards, clamps, superglue, the list goes on. Always projects to work on. You think about it when you're awake, while making breakfast, running to class, sometimes in class... and definitely at night while you're sleeping. But it's fun. And, I've learned so much in the process. Not only about material properties and how to build things, but about life and working in teams, and how to make projects go more smoothly. But more on all of this later...

Heading to a Wedding

I'm up extra early today. I have a flight to catch. It's for my really good friend's wedding so it's all good.

To my friend:
I know you'll read this and since I won't have access to Internet while I'm there...

Congratulations! May God bless you both and your marriage now and 50 years from now. May your love for each other continue to grow and blossom, and may your home always be a happy place where God is honored.

After All

Here I am. It's July. And things are about to get a lot harder. Way harder. Life is going to fly by for the next few months. It's not going to be easy on many different fronts. And as I face these next few months, I'm praying. Praying that I'll have the strength to do all things - and do them well. Praying that I'll have the peace to live life not just in a state of limbo until the next calm, but as a ship anchored firm within a storm. Praying that in all things, His will shines through. Praying for joy and contentment as one who knows the victory is already won. As one who knows that life's trials are merely battles to get to the finish line, where we will be able to enjoy the victory that Christ has already secured. I'm praying that in all things, I will be able to live and to truly enjoy the relationship that I have with Christ. Instead of pushing everything back until tomorrow, I want to live today to its fullest. Enjoying every precious moment. Working harder than ever, but never going at it by myself.

"After all, You are constant. 

After all, You are only good. 

After all, You are sovereign. 

Not for a moment will You forsake me."    

- "After All"  (Meredith Andrews)