I love this picture...it was taken in Southern Iowa on a trip back from K.C. one weekend. Several times people have laughed when I say I am "from Iowa." They think we all wear overalls, drive buggies, and still use tin cans to talk. They are amazed that we have cars, let alone the internet! It is quite hilarious to me the people (generally from the coasts) think that Iowa is so far behind in the world. I, however, am proud of our farms and think they give this state beauty that no other state can know. Our people are generally very friendly and our air is much cleaner than most. I am quite happy to live in Iowa and if I have children someday, I will raise them no other place than in Des Moines where the school systems are nationally ranked and , though we are a bigger city, we have a small town feel! ;0) So there you have it, I'm a proud Iowan and most of all a proud supporter of the Iowa Hawkeyes! ;0)

Someone asked me today why I wasn't blogging more and I said "because I don't want to blog about being sick." Then they made me realize that this could be healing and that sharing my feelings will keep people posted as well as serve as a bandaid for the heart and soul. So...I will attempt to do my best in sharing about my days in an uplifting, yet honest way! Today was a struggle...mostly because I was wishing I could be in Atchison watching so many of my friends walk across the stage as they graduate today. I wanted to be there cheering them on to their new stage of life and I couldn't. That was rather frustrating. Not being able to do as I am used to is certainly annoying---but I think they know I was there is spirit, yelling loudly as they received their degrees and toasting them with a Corona and slice of lime afterwards!

Last year at this time we were up all night celebrating our graduation at 'the guys' house' on 2nd at Laramie. We made a late night McDonald's run...enjoyed time by the river...tapped out several kegs, and laughed all night. Senior week is one of my most cherished memories...I would have to say Freshman year and Senior year were the best years of college...all of them great, but those two were remarkable. Today I did a lot of thinking about how wonderful college was. Yes, it had its ups and downs and I had some issues with Benedictine, but for the most part, I wouldn't have changed it for the world or gone anywhere else in the world for my education. I only hope the Seniors who walked across the stage today will be as happy about their own experience a year from now! I, however, had imagined I'd be a year into medical school by now or doing something remarkable with my life, another reason I am so frustrated with spending most of my days asleep and not feeling well...but it seems life works out for a reason and with all that is going on right now with my health, its a good thing I'm not in medical school or on a mission in a foreign country. I guess Dr. Bowen was right "life will work itself out, you're just along for the ride, kid."

Here's to the class of 2008---CONGRATUALATIONS! I AM SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU!!