Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thanksgiving break.



I hope it's really a break.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

'Tis True.

Never thought I'd see the day. . .


Drinking Turkey Hill Iced Tea, made in Pennsylvania, sold in Ohio. What?! Now sold in Ohio??!


Oh well, I'm happy! : )

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Quote it.

Peace is not the product of terror or fear.
Peace is not the silence of cemeteries.
Peace is not the silent result of violent repression.
Peace is the generous,
tranquil contribution of all
to the good of all.
Peace is dynamism.
Peace is generosity.
It is right and it is duty.

- Archbishop Oscar Romero

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Times Like These.

Yet again, it's times like these that make me think about life, the precious state of life and it's unpredictability.

In about 24 hours, two people I know passed away. I only know them by name/face association, but it's still enough of shock to make you think twice about life. One was a primary school classmate... He was 20-years-old and died on Tuesday evening from injuries sustained in a horrible car accident earlier this week.

The other attended the same high school as me... She was in her late teens, a freshman in college. She received a diagnosis of acute leukemia two weeks ago, but, despite chemo, it was already life-threatening. She passed away last evening.

I'm sure that several people impacted by one of these young deaths are also impacted by the other. Especially for these people, losing two people unexpectedly in 24 hours is sure to be heartbreaking. If either of these situations come to mind, please remember and pray for the families and friends of these young adults.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Time Left.

Only 3.5 weeks of school left in this semester. 4 weeks by the calendar, but 3.5 or less when you subtract Thanksgiving break! Wow.

Made my end of the semester schedule... I think I will have more than enough of projects, quizzes, tests, finals, etc. etc. Yay. Ha.

Somehow the motivation is lacking at the moment... but it needs to kick into high gear----there's a pharm test tomorrow! Yikes.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Antimicrobials.

The next few days of my life consist of . . .

- antimicrobials & antibiotics
- dysrhythmic drugs
- anemia
- labor and delivery care plan
- case study on a mom, newborn and family
- surrogate mothers
- sterile dressing changes

Jealous?

Thursday, November 06, 2008

An Excerpt.

An excerpt from an article in a Sojourners email that landed in my inbox today. On some of the changes in politics. . .
Third, we see a broadening of the agenda with fewer
single issue voters. “Pro-life” voters are realizing that their faith calls for
a consistent ethic of life from "womb to tomb.” Voters are now judging
candidates based on who best addresses all the threats to human life and
dignity. And for some, a more pragmatic strategy of serious abortion reduction,
rather than a strategy of continuing only to try to make abortion illegal, is
appealing. It is becoming a common ground that could break the ideological
deadlock of the past 30 years. This consistent ethic of life has caused a
significant shift in the political agenda of many Christians by expanding their
definition of what it means to be pro-life. They are tired of political
pandering to the issue that seems to be more about winning elections than
pragmatic solutions.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Agreed.

Even though it's post-election, some thoughts from Derek Webb, singer/songwriter, brought to my attention from a friend on Facebook:

Part 1: A Brief Statement On Matters Of Conscience

Depending on when you’re reading this, we could be on either side of one of the most evocative elections in our country’s recent history. It shouldn’t really matter, as this writing isn’t necessarily about our current election but rather on living an honest and integrated political life. Even so, there is no time for clever stories or introductions. I’ll cut right to the chase: ultimately our problems will not be solved by the right man (or woman) in the White House. It simply doesn’t work that way. We live in a democracy, a representative form of government, where it’s as much if not more our responsibility to love and take care of our neighbors than our politician’s responsibility. Real and lasting change comes from knowing and loving the folks who live in the houses that sit next to ours rather than saving all of our longing and hope for the voting booth.

Now that’s not to say that we shouldn’t make informed decisions, be involved in the process. Of course we should. I mean, if your conscience allows, you can even vote. But that’s tricky, especially in a two party system (but I definitely don’t have time for that).

But in all seriousness, I want to be perfectly clear on this point: it is never advisable, in any decision that you make, to violate your conscience. As it applies to this election, you might have serious moral conflicts with both candidates, and therefore feel as though you must vote in a defensive manner or for the lesser of two evils.
Now let me say before I go any further that that may not be you. And in terms of the body of followers of Jesus, it would likely be sinful if we were all reaching the same conclusions on how to best love our neighbors, so there’s plenty of room for a difference of opinion there. But if that is you, I have a few suggestions:

1. Look through your bible for a mandate that you must vote.

2. When you don’t find one, listen to that conscience of yours. That’s what it’s there for, to be a guide and a red flag when you’re making difficult and significant decisions.

What I’m not saying: you should not vote.

What I am saying: if your conscience is seriously conflicted over both candidates, you are at liberty to not vote.

Part 2: Some Common Objections

Some would say that not voting is giving your vote over to those who seek to use the governmental process for evil. I would actually argue the opposite. By voting, especially when based on just one or two issues, you’re giving your ‘yes’ and ‘amen’ to that party’s entire platform, which likely goes far beyond the statement you’re trying to make on these few issues. This is certainly more perilous and less nuanced than abstaining altogether. No party can co-opt a vote that isn’t cast.

Others would say, ‘Jesus said to “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.” Therefore we have a biblical obligation to vote.’ And of course Jesus said that. That’s why I pay my taxes and try to drive the speed limit. These are among the laws of the land. But my conscience doesn’t belong to Caesar, therefore I don’t render it unto him. Caesar cannot force me to violate my conscience. Voting is a legal right, like carrying a gun or having an abortion. And I can abstain from doing anything that I have a legal right to if it violates my conscience.

Some say that we’ll never completely agree with the agenda or platform of a politician, that if we wait for a candidate that we line up with 100% we’ll never vote. I completely agree. There are many issues upon which I can disagree with a politician that don’t amount to a crisis of conscience. So there will always be necessary and acceptable compromises to make when engaging in the system of politics, but never when your conscience is on the line.

Which brings my to the last common objection: our forefathers fought and even shed blood so that we would have the right to vote. While there’s obviously nothing in this statement that I would disagree with, there is a context to consider. Even greater than our forefather’s sacrifices are those of our heavenly Father, who also shed blood in order to stir in us an allegiance greater than that of nation. We have an ultimate allegiance to our King and the Kingdom he’s building in and through us that trumps all others.

In the early 1520s Martin Luther famously stood before a general assembly in Germany, at the beginnings of what’s known as the protestant reformation. In his legendary speech Luther risked excommunication and death in order to keep from violating his conscience when he said, “To go against conscience is neither right nor safe. I cannot, and I will not recant. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me.”

These matters of conscience are serious and should be considered at great length. I have many friends who have considered the issues of this current election in all their nuances and have chosen to vote for either Obama, McCain, or a 3rd party candidate, and I support them in doing so. Again, we are diverse members of one body in our following of Jesus. It would be suspicious if we all reached identical conclusions to such complex problems. So again, maybe there is no conflict of conscience for you in this election. By all means vote. But if there is, be at liberty not to vote.

Our ultimate hope is not in politicians or powers or governments, but in a day coming when all things will be made right. And our ultimate concern isn’t success but faithfulness. So if you find it necessary to abstain from voting in this election because to do so would be a violation of your conscience, be at liberty to remain faithful and leave the worry of success or outcome to God. He, after all, created governments in the first place.

Monday, November 03, 2008

Give Me Your Eyes

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black tile
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos.
All those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?

Chorus:
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
yeah
yeah
yeah
yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide whats underneath
Theres a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work
He's buying time
all those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?

Chorus:
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
yeah
yeah
yeah
yeah

I've Been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all alone

Chorus (x2)

Give Me Your Eyes, Brandon Heath

Hmmm. yesssss.

Saturday, November 01, 2008

::(in)sanity update::

The days and weeks continue to fly by; I guess that's one advantage to the lengthy list of assignments, quizzes, tests, observations, projects. . . But, there are times when I feel like I hardly have time to breathe. It's good I didn't know that this is what it would be like, lest I may have backed out before I began. I knew it would be hard; but this insane, and this draining?! Just a glimpse: I have an project due on Monday in clinical, a quiz in clinical on Tuesday, a test on Wednesday, another quiz on Thursday and more skills validations on Friday.

That's just this week.

The whole process keeps repeating itself until December 12th.

More and more I find myself longing for graduation. . . longing for a life free from homework in the evenings, studying on the weekends and reading 1000-page books. I know life after college will hold it's own demands, responsibilities and stresses. But, I am looking forward to the change in pace. And hopefully some kind of relaxation.

At this point, I almost don't have time to think beyond the tip of my nose or the next day on the calendar---which is absolutely pathetic. Thankfully, Sundays have been a true day of rest including time for reading (for fun) and thinking. Allowing God to poke and prod and pull, as He continues to mold my ideals, my interests, my cares, for His glory and His Kingdom. That's been happening a lot over the last several months; lots of new thoughts: sometimes jumbled, but always interesting thoughts!

Jesus, please give me patience. Why one would ever pray for patience, I'm not sure. But, I'm in the circumstances, now I need the patience.


And please make it quick!