Procrastination

This is how to not study for a final:

1. Paint your nails
2. Do push-ups (helps keep me awake)
3. Pack for Haiti
4. Pick up my room (which is already pretty clean)
5. Wrap my sister’s birthday presents
6. Text people
7. Fill up my water bottle
8. Go to the bathroom because I keep drink my water bottle
9. Calculate my grade
10. Scan notes for a classmate (okay, this one is actually important)
11. Write a to-do list (seems productive but actually does nothing)
12. Take a nap
13. Go get the mail
14. Practice the piano
15. Change into comfy pants
16. Make dinner
17. Do the dishes
18. Clean up the kitchen
19. Fold the sheets I was suppose to fold yesterday
20. Workout
21. Water the plants
22. Organize my backpack
23. Sharpen pencils for the test
24. Find fabric for Haiti
25. Ship back textbook

Twenty-five pointless things I did yesterday to keep from studying, but guess what? I am free! Done. Finished. Accomplished. And may I say it feels lovely! I feel like I am actually on summer holiday now. This is probably in part because I can now wear dresses and opened-toed shoes again since I will no longer be in a lab five days a week! I am glad I took the class, but I am even more relieved that it is out of the way. 

And how am I celebrating? With shots! ...well at the doctor's office. (Nursing humor?) I have to go and get one more shot for Haiti, and I am apparently behind on a couple of others too. But after that I am celebrating with my mom, we're going out to dinner and staying up late because I don't have to get up at seven tomorrow.

*Joy of the day: Gleefully emptying out my backpack, and putting it in my "to go to Haiti" pile!

"Sarah Logic"

     Whenever I seem to have a big test or project coming up I always find a way to avoid it. I am not necessarily a procrastinator, doing work at the last minute makes me nervous, instead I seem to find myself doing other work that isn't due until days after the test or project. This week I am starting to study for two tests; anthropology and physiology. The -ology at the end means "study of..." and it certainly does mean the study of... a lot of material!

     I am most nervous about my physiology test. The material is very interesting and I am fascinated by the class, however there is a lot of very specific information and technological terms that I'm going to have to learn before this test. At the beginning of the semester I planned on studying a little bit every day, reviewing my notes later that day after class, going to my professor's office hours when necessary; the usual requirements for staying on top of a lot of material. But I never fully implemented that plan, I've kept up with parts of it but not enough where I feel prepared for this test! 

     Now it is over a week before my tests, and I am trying to start studying while keeping up with my other homework. But I'm doing classic "Sarah logic." I'm avoiding the tough part. I'll do all my other work, maybe even read a little bit ahead just so I don't have to open my physiology notes and find out all of the information I don't know. I'll bribe myself with little breaks if I can make it through six slides of information... SIX! That's pathetic. I know that if I studied and worked hard that I would learn the material with plenty of time to spare before the test, but because I am so apprehensive about it, I'm avoiding it. If I don't know about it then it doesn't exist right? This is the "Sarah logic."

     I was thinking about my "logic" this afternoon, and God pointed out to me that school work isn't the only area that I apply my "Sarah logic." In my life I will avoid making changes that I know are going to be difficult and lengthy, because I know they are going to be a challenge and I am afraid of failing. If I pretend those areas of weakness aren't there, then maybe I won't have to fix them for a while longer. But this "logic" doesn't fix anything, in fact it tends to make things worse.

     When I avoid I get anxious, I get tired, and I try to control things that I have absolutely no control over. Through spending time in God's word I've realized that the changes he wants me to make are for the best, always. That I have to start with baby steps to end up going anywhere, otherwise I'm going to become cemented in one spot or complacent. God also realizes that this isn't going to be easy, which is why he promises to never leave me and to love me through the challenges. He throws my "Sarah logic" out the window.

Philippians 4:6-7  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

1 Peter 5:7  "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

1 Corinthians 9:26-27  "Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

Romans 8:28  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

      Don't doubt that the Lord has given you anything you can't handle, any change that is too big. He is with you and knows your worries and fears. God has a perfect plan for those that love him, but you must surrender control. And in this trial and change don't be aimless, do the hard work so you can bask with God in the joy that will come!

*Joy for the Day: Beginning the week after a fabulous weekend with family and a sweet friend! And then having God use something very concrete in my life to speak truth into my life.

New Quirks

            Over the past week and a half I have been getting used to new classes. Which means new professors who each have their own syllabus, and like things a particular way. Yes the beginning of another semester. I actually greatly dislike the beginning of new classes. I am not a fan of learning all of a professor’s quirks. The way they like the headers on papers, how they want assignments turned in, and how hard their tests are. I don’t like getting use to a whole new set of rules. Why do professors get to be so picky?

            A little dramatic, yes but I just want to get into the swing of things and forget learning the minor details that each professor throws at me. As a nurse isn’t it more important that I’m learn about diseases and how to treat people instead of where to put my name on a page? I just get really excited when I'm in some of my classes, which sounds kind of weird. Since when is any kid excited about a class, other than kindergarden? I just want to be a nurse so badly, I want to leave the classroom and go out into the hospital or to wherever God is calling me! I want to learn so I am prepared and equipped to treat and care for patients with the best of my ability. But I need the knowledge to get there first, and I don't want these silly little details standing in my way.
            In the end it's not about the professor's quirks, it's about mine. My impatient quirks that have me itching to travel the world treating children in third world countries who die daily of diseases we easily prevent. Diseases caused dirty drinking water, malnutrition, and diarrhea. Working somewhere with orphanages or hospitals in Africa or Asia because God has called me to go and care for His creation! To bring mercy, hope, joy, and healing around the globe in His name. And I get impatient when a bunch of professors try to slow this process by telling me where my name goes on a silly paper. That paper isn't going to save that child's life! So in the end I guess it's my quirks that are getting in the way, not theirs. And I am going to have to grow to be more patient.
           I am really interested in my classes this semester though! I am taking an anthropology class, which I have no experience with and it’s actually really interesting. We were talking about how a McDonald’s in China is called Americanization, but a Chinese restaurant in America is just another meal. And then I’m taking three classes focusing on chronic illnesses. Overall it should be a very interesting semester!

*Joy of the day: getting to see friends again that I wasn’t able to see over break! Laughter truly is the best medicine.

Freedom!

     Finally. Done! No more libraries, textbooks, powerpoints, office hours, or Starbuck!!! Well at least for the next three weeks because I am done. I am finished with finals! And to reward myself I'm starting my blog that I've wanted to create for several weeks now but realized it would become a large distraction during the last few weeks of classes. And thought it might become a priority to studying during a time were studying normally becomes priority to everything, including (and most unfortunately) sleep.
     I must admit that I feel rather accomplished. I have taken three major tests this week therefore completing three courses and getting that much closer to getting into the nursing program. A friend this week said that the feeling you have after leaving your classroom upon completing your last final is the most satisfying feeling. It is one of complete freedom. And she's right, you have nothing to do! No classes to attend, no more tests to study for, you are not responsible for anything for school. And it feels wonderful!
     Now that my freedom has officially begun I want to make sure it counts. While I will be working some at the coffee shop while I'm home and catching up with friends, I still wanted to make sure that I got all of the things on my "craft check list" done! It ranges from things to finishing a quilt, to starting a dress for a friend, to scrapbooking, and to starting this blog.
      Look at that. Day one and I can already cross one thing off of my list! So here is to hoping that my productivity continues!

*Joy of the day: I saw three rainbows on my drive home from school today!!! THREE! It made the normally scenic drive that much more delightful!