End of Year 1

As you can see, I haven't posted for about 2 months.  A lot has been going through my head and unfortunately I haven't taken the time to type them all out.  So I guess over the course of the next couple weeks/months, I'll do some recap of what's been on my mind lately.  And hopefully with summer starting, I'll have more time to update consistently.

As of this past Thursday, May 21st, 2009, I finished my first year in optometry school.  It's hard to imagine that I'm a second year now, and that 3 months from now there will be a whole new batch of optometry students eager to learn, and not yet ready for what's about to come at them.  I remember starting the year off being disappointed that I wasn't accepted into the Berkeley optometry program.  So my motivation to work hard was that I wanted to be skilled for my career and that I wanted to be the best because I didn't get into Berkeley.  As the first couple quarters went by.  I did well, and of course they don't just allow dummies into optometry school, so I know there were others doing better than me.  However, I was satisfied with how I was performing.  I'm not sure what changed, maybe it was the hassle of moving, the stress that I saw other classmates experiencing, or just that the courses in the Spring were not as interesting or engaging.  I got off to a rocky start this quarter, but I think I managed to avoid any C's.  Nonetheless, I remained at ease and calm while I saw a lot of my classmates stressing out.  I continue to work hard and try to live up to my potential, but I also try to remain grounded.  Knowing that God is sovereign and that He has a plan in the best and worst times, is a placating reminder of that I can't do it alone, and whatever I accomplish is not because of me.

Again I can't imagine that it has been 9 months since I started optometry school.  I don't think I've changed too much, but I think the friends I have at school have influenced me in the things that I do.  It's been nice living down here and going to school, and meeting new people, but I think I'm ready to go home to the Bay Area.  I haven't been back in 3 months, and I'm ready just to be free of some responsibilities for a while.  I'm ready to see my friends.  I see my classmates almost 7 days a week.  I mean I do live with 2 of them, so it's a welcome break from my classmates, and just to enjoy the time with family, friends, and familiarity.

It was weird having dinners and hanging out with classmates knowing that I wouldn't see them for about 3 months, at least most of them.  Next year will be harder, and I will be more organized.  But until then, I just want to cherish the fact that I completed my first year.  Whatever obstacles and difficulties that will be presented to me next year, I know God is working behind and through everything to shape me, and test me.  This summer, I want to continue to build my relationship with God, and understand how much I need and depend on Him because without Him, I am nothing.  Without salvation and God as my cornerstone, I have no foundation, and that when I become someone of this world.

Life isn't always about school, and the next best thing, but it's about serving God, and living your life for Him, and letting others see that.  Life is different, life is changing, but God is constant, and truth.