tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59819272562347035362024-03-13T10:02:14.228-07:00easily amusedRoberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-86288751325115738252010-09-30T18:35:00.001-07:002010-09-30T19:10:50.202-07:00Blog killer...I'm figuring out that the best way to kill anything is to just not feed it. This can be the case with your favorite pet, your favorite friendship, your favorite sin, and yes... even inannimate objects like your blog.<br />I think I killed my blog by not blogging.<br />I'm going to try to resuscitate it with some pictorial and written inspiration.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAw55FfSMU_zTp4e5hVudm00FLRdokOFK7DQbxnaM4BvA9XLZ7Z2eDPGoMDjPuGQt8igtyKc9wrH8CMgvRhaGTK-_5-aMeuTXIQbfo2Y_y3E8E-a9_mKwCtdQ8R0Lab-x-sKwzFauTbg/s1600/Imported+Photos+00001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAw55FfSMU_zTp4e5hVudm00FLRdokOFK7DQbxnaM4BvA9XLZ7Z2eDPGoMDjPuGQt8igtyKc9wrH8CMgvRhaGTK-_5-aMeuTXIQbfo2Y_y3E8E-a9_mKwCtdQ8R0Lab-x-sKwzFauTbg/s320/Imported+Photos+00001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522887207016843378" border="0" /></a>This picture is of a piece of paper that used to be the back of the Switchfoot CD - "A New Way to be Human." Yesterday it was magically transformed into a piece of paper that has JOHN FOREMAN'S SIGNATURE!!! :) Thing is... it would look a lot more dramatic if I'd offered him more than just a fine-point sharpie, and if he'd written more than just "john." Oh well... you can see it for yourself if you don't believe me. Actually I didn't even meet him, I just have to thank my mom for it. <br />In other news... my nose has abandoned me and is currently running like crazy. The last few days have been less than fun at least in terms of that. Started some antibiotics today but after learning about antibiotic resistance mechanisms in microbiology it makes me scared to take them for fear of creating some kind of mutant bacteria that is going to infect the rest of the human race.. . not cool.<br /><br />I feel like I've pretty much adjusted to post summer-in-Africa living. Honestly, I felt like because of the way things ended in Uganda, that it was easier leaving than I'd expected. In the last week I was there I had gotten what looked like malaria. On top of that, my last patient in Uganda died on the table and it really hit me hard, especially considering the way that it all went down. It made me realize that medicine is a good thing, but it can't fix everyone; and even if it can fix people - it's only a temporary thing. <br /><br />Finished the first test block - wow. This year is like riding a 7 hill rollercoaster... with the last hill being the biggest (USMLE Step 1.. the big test). Every six weeks consists of five weeks of class followed by a week of tests. More or less. In one sense, it gives us more freedom to do things at our own pace in the first few weeks, BUT the last few weeks of the block feel like lockdown. It's just wearisome and then you just hope your effort paid off in the ways you had hoped. During those couple of weeks at the end, it's easy to lose perspective of what's important when everyone is dropping everything to get hours in the books. Sleep, friends, relationships, exercise, and anything else at the time that seems superfluous. It's during these times that you see what is truly important to you. Do I "have to read" my Bible? Or is it that I won't make it through the day if I don't? I have to admit, I've felt both ways - depending on my self-reliance at the time. <br /><br />Well, this post is a good start. Hopefully I'll get back to blogging more often soon.<br />-Roberdeau<br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-21843533393020603442010-09-13T07:36:00.000-07:002010-09-13T07:37:01.673-07:00Africa Presentation<div class="ReadMsgBody" id="mpf0_readMsgBodyContainer"> <div class="ExternalClass" id="mpf0_MsgContainer"> <style>.ExternalClass .ecxhmmessage p { padding: 0px; }.ExternalClass body.ecxhmmessage { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma; }</style> <style>.ExternalClass .ecxhmmessage p { padding: 0px; }.ExternalClass body.ecxhmmessage { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma; }</style> Hey guys,<br /><br />I don't think I've e-mailed since returning to the States... So if you weren't sure, let this be confirmation to you that I am alive. School has started back and it has taken me a few weeks to get to where I can actually organize my thoughts and pictures from the summer.<br /><br />I wanted to let you know that I'll be presenting about my trip this past summer to East Africa on <strong>THIS Wednesday</strong> after Wednesday night church at Highlands Presbyterian. By all means, feel free to come whether you go to Highlands or not - I just figured it would be a time and place that was somewhat convenient and would hold a decent number of people. <br />I'll be telling a few stories as well as sharing some of the things I learned. <strong>I'm hoping not </strong>to spend too much time flipping through a bunch of random pictures (i.e. here is a giraffe, here is a person, here is a building, here is a tree, etc...).<br /><br /><strong>Details:</strong><br /><br /><strong>Where: </strong> Highlands Presbyterian Church (1160 Highland Colony Parkway) (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH: Highland Colony Baptist, Highland Chapel, or Church of the Highlands...)<br /> Drive to the back of the church and there is a Youth building called "The U" that we'll be hosting it in. <br /><strong>When: </strong> 7:40pm, Wednesday, September 15, 2010<br /><strong>For whom:</strong> Anybody! This is not a closed invite.<br /><strong>And the most important question... HOW LONG? </strong> 15-20 minutes. <br /><br />Thank you for all your prayers this summer. It was very encouraging to know that the Body of Christ was praying on my behalf. <br /><br />Roberdeau<br /><br /><em>"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your parnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3-6</em><br /></div></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-58853342729286527122010-05-23T13:39:00.000-07:002010-05-23T13:43:59.783-07:00A little transition...I'll be updating throughout the summer at http://roberdeau-uganda.blogspot.com/<br />Hope you'll check it out- I leave tomorrow a.m. - wouldn't mind you lifting that up for me. <br />Thanks!Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-29138754079120633262010-05-12T08:29:00.000-07:002010-05-12T08:39:22.912-07:00Too close...I don't know why I feel a compulsion to update my blog when I'm looking down the barrel of the next 48 hours of exams with Neuroanatomy and Physiology. Maybe it's my altruism that wants to update you on my life - but I would bet it is more likely my concerted and tenacious effort to avoid studying. <br /><br />I am currently an M1.97 (.o3 refers to a neuro test, neuro board, and phys test). Can't wait to be an M2!! <br /><br />Interesting things I've learned lately.<br />"Sleep may be the cost of staying awake."<br />"You can fall asleep in most any position if you're sleep deprived enough."<br />"Sleep is like a reversible coma state."<br /><br />Don't you wish YOU were in med school? All this esoteric information that the general public would never be able to get their hands on. Haha<br /><br />On another note - Africa preparation is going very well. I just wish I could be wholehearted in my preparation right now instead of having to study for finals right now. I fly to Pearl River, NY which is the main office of African Inland Mission on May 24 to train for a day or two and then fly to Kenya! (indirectly... you have to fly through Europe first.) Can't believe that it is less than 2 weeks away.<br /><br />I'll leave you with this video (it comes highly recommended):<br /><br /><a href="https://webmail.umc.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=62e6c9c0f7b240108e065c39a348ad41&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3dz2BgjH_CtIA" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2BgjH_CtIA</a><br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-23192675171932231032010-05-01T14:42:00.000-07:002010-05-01T14:58:34.511-07:00Taking on the role...It has been truly fascinating to me how in the past year - even BEFORE I started medical school, people have begun to consult me about medical information. After I'd finished at MSU and had not started school yet, I still got asked what I thought about "this bump on the head" and "that kind of pain." <br />The reason this comes to mind is that in the past week I've been around when two people sprained their ankle. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> People turned to ME and asked ME what to do. </span>Ha. - I'm the first one to admit that I am "just an M1 and not a doctor." Fortunately, I have never sprained an ankle bad enough to have to do anything about it. Unfortunately, I didn't know much about what to do about it. Thankfully, the first lady whose ankle was sprained had experience in wrapping her own ankle, - she was able to instruct me on how to wrap it. -Last night while at a church "lock-out" I was on my own when a student turned her ankle. It is amazing the confidence she and her friends had in me. <br />This is something I'm going to have to get used to - instilling confidence in my patients. I'm getting small opportunities to get to do this at times. I'm sure this will happen a LOT this summer. It is not that I will always know the answer - but that I am willing to investigate what the answer is. I'm discovering it is not necessarily the good doctors that know everything - they are just willing to find out the best answers. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">On another point</span> - Please keep Mississippi in your prayers. It is so sad to think about all that has happened right now. Tornadoes near Yazoo - oil spill on the coast. They've compared this oil spill to Hurricane Katrina in terms of it's impact on the gulf coast. It breaks my heart to see that area have more struggles than they've already had in the past few years. I know the economy has struggled a lot down there and jobs are so dependent on the waters. Pray that the Lord would minimize the damage as the oil slick approaches today. <br />On a statewide level - this is just one more thing that hurts the MS budget even more when we've already had a terrible budget crisis in this state. I don't know how this is going to be handled. <br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-88270441297054491502010-04-03T06:31:00.000-07:002010-04-03T06:40:25.373-07:00What to do when you should be studying?Update your blog that you haven't posted since December! Sounds good to me...<br /><br />Easter is here. I am sad that I haven't reflected more on it up to this point. We didn't get Good Friday off, which was a first, and then I have to study all day today to get ready for the 6 hours set aside for tests on Monday. I have noticed that the test days seem to get longer and longer....<br /><br />Just for a quick update - went to Colorado over Spring Break. Went skiing at Arapahoe (sp?) Basin with Mississippi College's RUF. Had a GREAT time and we DROVE the WHOLE way there. I am sad to report that I don't have any pictures to speak of because my camera "done broke." Actually, there is little evidence that I'm even alive this school year seeing as my social life has diminished significantly and I live in a library. I do try to pop my head out every once in a while though.<br /><br />Since spring break, we've jumped into hyperdrive at school taking Neuroanatomy and Psychiatry. Both proving to be rather interesting on most days. Like most things in school, few of the things are "hard" - there's just a lot.<br /><br />I REALLY do want to start blogging more - and I've even set up another blog for the summer! http://roberdeau-uganda.blogspot.com/ I hope you'll keep up with what is going on during my trip this summer.<br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-29448799449729033412009-12-10T07:00:00.000-08:002009-12-10T07:10:22.090-08:001 semester down... 13-21 to go..This post is a bit premature, but I am certainly feeling like the semester is over.<br />I came into this semester prepared to be utterly miserable. It has been far from the case.<br />Granted, there were weeks that were pretty ridiculous, but it has surprised me how it hasn't been as bad as I expected. This is only true though because I expected the worst.<br /><br />Christmas seems so far away, not in terms of how it is already December 10, but in how it has hardly crossed my mind yet because I'm still in school. By this time of the year for the past 5 years, I've been out of school for several days. Guess that is just a change in pace I'll have to get used to. <br /><br />We just finished a big block of tests (physiology last Thursday, Histology written and practical on Friday, Developmental Anatomy and Gross written and practical on Monday...) and even though Biochem hasn't wrapped up yet, things feel so much lower pressure right now. We've got a week to prepare for that board exam. <br />Last night was our "coat-burning party" and I was really impressed. When I finish a class, it never feels like a big deal, but they really made a big deal about being done with Gross and I'm thankful for that. The school didn't hold back, and they had a huge turnout of the class at Luckett Lodge - look on facebook and you might see some evidence of what went down. It wasn't a night to forget, ha. Nothing like standing by a fire that is stoked with the lab coats, books, and shoes of 100+ medical students. Thankfully there was some wood in the fire so I don't just smell like formaldehyde (sp?) but theres a campfirey smell to my clothes too. <br />It's been a while since I've posted, maybe I'll get some inspiration during the holidays to do more posting.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-55158782294408304992009-10-04T12:41:00.000-07:002009-10-04T12:56:32.001-07:00A return to normalcy...Life has a way of becoming normal, doesn't it? No one can constantly have new, exciting, riveting things happening all the time, and I think that might be where I'm at. That doesn't mean that I'm not enjoying where I am, but there hasn't been a lot of change going on in my life the last couple of weeks like there were at the beginning of the semester. All the classes I'm going to be taking for a while have begun, CMDA has been happening half a semester, the new Sunday school class is getting its stride.(shameless plug: Come to Highlands and join The Well!!) This is when LIFE happens... when things are "normal." This isn't a bad thing, in fact, times like these give us the time and sanity to reflect on what we're doing here and who we are and who we want to be. It's hard to do this when everything in our world is changing quickly.<br />So this is a good thing. "A return to normalcy" as President Warren Harding once put it (don't worry... I had to look that one up).<br />To play catchup on Rob's life: been dissecting the abdomen in gross lab. We didn't find a gallbladder, ascending colon, or an appendix. This is not because we weren't observant, but rather because they weren't there! So we've been learning a lot and it has been interesting when it doesn't stink too much. <br />In other news, we're about to begin an exciting two week series of tests that will have us spending copious amounts of time in the library and in lab. Friday is physiology, Monday is Gross and Developmental Anatomy, Friday is Biochemistry and the next Monday is Histology written and practical exams. mmmmm.... but it'll be fine, just gotta put my head down and do the work. Enjoying most of the material has definitely made it easier. I hope this continues, but I know there will be times it it harder to stay motivated. <br />If you read this and have a blog, feel free to give me a link to your blog! I use bloglines.com to keep up with blogs and it lets me know when y'all update.<br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-67949860057297752612009-09-14T18:04:00.000-07:002009-09-14T18:18:47.631-07:00oh Gross!This is a good day for me my friends...I just took my first gross anatomy test. It is funny how the drama in my life has been reduced to tests.<br />I think it went well. Things so far have gone well w/school, but that probably has to do with my aims and goals. If my goal was to be in the top 10, well... I might be dissapointed, but anyways.<br />I really have felt cared about. When everyone in the school knows that "you have a gross test" coming up, and CMDA (christian medical and dental association) brings homemade goodies to the test for when you're halfway done, it is encouraging to know that other people know what you're going through.<br />Overall, I really am enjoying most everything I've been up to for the last 6 weeks. I can't say that every moment is filled with joy and excitement, but I like it more than I had guessed I would. I tend to expect the worst beforehand for most things. Then I tend to be overoptimistic afterwards (like with a test...ha).<br />Have you ever felt like life was on hold? I'm trying hard not to do this. It is tempting to say...well, I'm adjusting to things - I'll do "this" when I have time, or when I'm not adjusting anymore. or I'll do "that" next semester, I've got too much on my plate. I really don't want to be at a personal standstill in life right now. It is too easy to do this. With music, with relationships, with church, with God. It is so easy to say - later will be a better time for "this." Certainly this is true with some things. For example - buying a house or traveling to europe is just something I probably shouldn't do right now, but there are a lot of smaller things that I CAN do - so that my life is not on "hold." Otherwise I know one day I am going to wake up when I'm 30 and am going to feel like I haven't even lived. I don't want to think that I'm going to start living when I get out of medical school or get out of residency, or when I get married, or when I am making money (some day far far in the future, ha). I'm called to live RIGHT now, and for some reason that seems hard. Need to start living in the present....<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-34650920957004201452009-08-30T15:01:00.000-07:002009-08-30T15:33:50.235-07:00UntitledI couldn't think of anything else to call this post... so there you go.<br />Highlands recently began a young adult's class called "the Well." We went to the new Beagle Bagel Cafe after church today. Good times.<br />I've always had a different view on the Sabbath and it has definitely changed over the past few years. I used to be a lot more legalistic about it. I would miss out on opportunities to see and fellowship with people in order to follow what I feel was right. I also found myself being more judgemental of people who would do things that I didn't agree with.<br />In more recent years, I've started to see it as a gift. God created us, right? And he know's how we're made, right? Well, when he tells us that you can't work ALL the time, I think he knows what he's talking about. With this statement, I'm not here to draw out lines that everyone is supposed to follow. BUT... I think that He really does call us to intentionally set aside time for Himself with us and time for us to have as a rest from our labors. That may not look the same for everyone, but it is a mandate from our Maker.<br />The Sabbath used to be a burden to me. "I can't do ____; I can't do ____"<br />Now, I'm realizing it's a gift. "I don't HAVE to do ________ 24/7. This doesn't have to consume me" This has especially become more apparent and more important since beginning medical school a few weeks ago. Time has become a lot more hard to come by although it's not impossible to find time for things. I'm learning that I genuinely cannot study ALL of the time. I discovered this after staring at an anatomy book for 5 hours and nothing is sticking anymore. <br /><br />Hoping to start posting more often. By the way, bloglines.com is a great way to keep up with all your favorite blogs. It lets you know when you're friends update their blogs. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-10648720633025978522009-08-24T20:02:00.000-07:002009-08-24T20:15:26.281-07:00A roller coasterThe past three weeks have certainly been a roller coaster. Only 5 weeks ago my daily duties included doing a daily cabin cleanup check and walking around checking on my counselors. The stress level there was preeeeettttty low. I had it good :)<br />I'm starting to understand why medicine is such a club. I don't consider myself a member of this club yet (and I don't mean it as a status thing. It's more of a camaraderie among people with something in common.) because I'm still at the beginning. Never have I been able to work all day long and still not really have enough time to feel like I've mastered the material. Never have I sat with a group of 6 people in the library with all of us being quiet doing our schoolwork. It's hard to stick out in a group like this. <br />In one sense it has been such a privilege to be able to study something in such depth that so few people get to experience. And I can admit that although I'm interested in the material, the lectures sometimes go more deeply than my interest would normally take me, but that's the nature of the beast. Do I REALLY want to know every step of the Krebs cycle? well... no not really, but it's probably a good thing that I've learned at least somewhere along the way. Ha.<br />Anatomy has been amazing so far. I know I'm gonna grow weary of all the hours put into gross anatomy and just as many hours sitting over a cadaver in the gross lab (which is an interesting experience!) and saturday mornings asking questions in the lab to make sure I can identify all of the structures. I know I'm gonna get tired - even the best tell me this. I pray God can give me what I need to keep going. <br />So far things are going fairly well. I feel kept up for the most part. I've been able to study even despite the fact that I don't have a test for a couple of weeks. Knowing how hard to study can be a battle because I'm trying to maintain some sense of sanity and balance. You really can't know everything. You can't...therefore you just do the best you can. A big adjustment for most in my class.<br />I know I keep blabbing, but there's just been a lot going on lately. I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of Christians in my class. UMC feels very open to the church and ministry. It's been really encouraging -especially CMDA (christian medical and dental association) which will have Pastor Wheat speaking tomorrow for lunch. I'm pumped...<br />Well, I think I'm gonna turn in early tonight, but I figured I'd update this thing or else I risk this blog becoming obsolete. <br />Hope to post more often.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-30472756244516092432009-02-16T19:39:00.000-08:002009-02-16T19:56:31.956-08:00A whole new life...The last month and a half have certainly been one of the most demanding I've ever experienced. Going from a schedule where I could pretty much pick my working hours while in college, I've had to become used to being constrained to a classroom for at least 8 hours a day. I originally mentally made (what I thought to be...) the liberal commitment of working 50ish hours per week to be a high school math teacher. Well this didn't last long. Before I knew it, I was putting in 60 hours easy. I tell you what, never, never, never will I have only a little respect for schoolteachers. I understand what it takes to do a good job now. You must put a lot into it to get a lot out of it. The hours have settled down a little, but there's still a lot of work to be done...not to mention the Biology class I'm trying to get through. :P<br />Funny how perspectives change so fast.... only a few years ago I was on the other side of the desk, never giving even the slightest thought to my teachers and their life they led while away from the classroom. It always seemed strange to see my teachers at the grocery store. I guess I thought they just slept in a cot somewhere in the janitor's closet, haha.<br />Highschoolers are a fickle species. One day they love you and the next one they don't. During the time that they like you, you really do get attached and want to befriend them. Then they get lazy and think that things will be easy just because they like you. Then they do crappy on the test they didn't study for... then they don' t like you. then yo have to convince them that if they just study more and come by for help, they'll do better. Then they believe you and do what you say and the cycle starts all over. - It really is kinda funny.<br />I'm thankful though. The Lord really has given me a tremendous opportunity with these kids. He is not only allowing me to improve upon what they were receiving before I got there, but I can sense some of the relationships that are building with the students. Unfortunately, because of my age, I feel like I'm a bit limited as to how close I can get with my students. When they feel like they are your 'buddy,' they tend to feel entitled. (...aka.. not a good situation). I need to be praying for them more. Seeking opportunities not only to serve and educate, but even to witness - if not just in word, but also in my daily interaction with them.<br />I've been asked several times. "Is this something you'd want to do forever?" -....mmmmm....eehhhh... - no. I really don't feel called to teaching high school long term. I really enjoy what I'm doing, but I think it is mostly because I know I can put my all into it and then be done in a couple of months.<br />Anyways. That's my life as of late. Hope yours has been as interesting as mine :)Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-87729442878437646282009-01-01T21:48:00.001-08:002009-01-01T21:59:31.491-08:00I haven't disappeared... I just haven't been bloggingYou can call me Mr. Cochran for the next 5 months. I'll probably need the practice. <br /><br />A little over a month ago, I got the offer to teach math at Starkville Academy and I took it. I really am excited about it, but it will certainly be a challenge and a big change. I'll be teaching Calculus, Trig/Pre-cal and Statistics throughout the spring semester.<br /><br />Monday, Monday... that's when it all goes down. So much of my mind has been directed towards this day I've not had time to think about much else. Truly, I need to direct my thoughts upwards more often lately. I always need strength from the Lord (although I deny it most of the time), but I am especially feeling needy lately. Monday has the potential to be the start of something really awesome. A chance to impact juniors and seniors that are going to hit college soon. I really hope to be able to be there for these students, but I also can't be their buddy. It just doesn't work that way it seems.<br /><br />Lot's to think about, and I know it sounds weird, but I just want Monday to get here! Tired of thinking about it, know?<br /><br />Happy New Year to you guys, I'm really hoping this one's better than the last.Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-47076232850505315892008-10-31T14:39:00.000-07:002008-10-31T15:07:05.590-07:00And it just got better...My last post was about having a good semester thusfar... It seems like it only getting better lately. A couple of weeks ago I found out that I got into UMC medical school in Jackson! woot!! :) I was/am pretty pumped. Now just to figure out what to do for the next 8 months of my life!<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Keep reading to see what the options are looking like.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Options: </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Hang around starkville, get a job, and spend time with some of my favorite people. </span> This could include staying around until may or until school started. If I stuck around until May, it would allow for me to spend some time next summer doing some other stuff. (camp/lagniappe/something else...)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pros: </span> Make some money (probably not the most), get to hang out a lot, don't have to leave my friends yet. <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cons: </span> I won't be establishing myself in Jackson at all and will be moving there with little time before school starts. Also, this option may limit my ability to save in the meantime.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Go somewhere, do something! where? what? I don't know! but somewhere! </span> But seriously, I could go do anything for 8 months, but I just don't know what that something would be. <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pros: </span> Probably form some amazing memories, enjoy a last hurrah before holing away for a few years. <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cons: </span> Probably not make much money, won't get to see people that I know here very much.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Co-op somewhere with an engineering company (this could be anywhere!)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pros: </span> Certainly this would probably pay the most. This would be a great way to make money that I'm not going to be making in medical school.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cons:</span> This would be the biggest commitment and would also make taking a class in the spring difficult. I may or may not have to move away in order to work this job.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Go home, get a job, and start 'establishing' myself before the fall time. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pros:</span> It is true that I'm eventually going to be living in Jackson. I will eventually have to say goodbye to everyone here in Starkville either in December or in May/August. In one sense I'm delaying the inevitable by staying (somewhat). This would allow me to make a few friends outside of school and reunite with the friends that I already have there. <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cons:</span> I'm going to be in Jackson for a long time. I am not in a big hurry to get back. <br /><br />Really, I have no idea what is going to happen. I am excited to be almost done with mechanical engineering (it's about time) but I don't know what is going to happen. If you think about it, pray for me. I'd hate to waste this time, but I know that the Lord is going to provide just as He has so faithfully done so far. <br /><br />The Lord has been so good to me lately. I've been so aware lately of how unworthy of all this I am, but all I can do is be thankful for all the things he's been lavishing onto me.Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-36853537382173866512008-09-20T12:46:00.000-07:002008-09-20T13:00:09.486-07:00What a great semester * (thusfar)Now that the MCAT (try #2) is over, and I hope I never take that thing again... I feel like I have time to see people again :)<br />Living at the Prisock's house this semester, which has been an amazing change for me, for the good that is. It is weird that this has become normal for me by now since I've been here for about a month. <br /><br />Why is it that it always takes so long to really get attached to a place, and then by the time you get attached, it is time to leave? I look forward to the fact that maybe one day I can get a little more 'settled,' whatever that means. Thing is, one day I'll probably be so settled that all I want to do is move away! I guess we're never really content with things as they are.<br /><br />I've really never been shown grace to such an extent. I always feel like I have to 'earn' everything I do. I feel like living here has been a constant challenge to my pride. For example, I don't necessarily cut the yard here because they 'make me,' but for two other reasons. One thing is it is a way for me to give back to them. At the same time, because I take responsibility for the yard, if it looks bad, I know that to other people on the outside, it makes me look bad. For a while I couldn't get around to cutting the back yard and it was killing me because I knew that people probably thought I was a lazy bum... pride. gotta hate it.<br /><br />So weird that I have no idea what I'm doing next semester. I mean, if I get into med school, then there is really no reason to leave Starkville yet. I can just get a job here, maybe take a class or two, and then hang out. I'm not ready to say goodbye to everyone here yet. I really have come to love this place, which really means I've just come to love the people in this place. If I don't get into school, then I'm just going to have to reevaluate, which could very well lead me to moving back home to Jackson to get me a job at UMC. Either way, these are just some things that I really need to be on my knees over.<br /><br />RUF seems to be going well at MSU this fall. We're going to Lagniappe in a couple weeks, which I'm really getting pumped about. The best thing is when it isn't just my close friends that decide to come, but it is a lot of people that I don't know and that don't know each other. This brings RUF as a group a lot closer. This was definitely the case last year.Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-74051783571424732072008-08-03T19:38:00.000-07:002008-08-03T19:43:23.865-07:00How did this happen?It all started when I was vacuuming my car and Michael Phillips called.<br />"Hey Rob, I'm about to leave for Lagniappe and was wondering if you'd like to come. Can you meet me in 20 minutes?"<br />Well, those weren't his official words, but they were close. Within a little over an hour, Michael, Ben, and myself were all headed to Lagniappe.<br />They headed back today and I'm still here :) (until Friday!)<br />Yeah, crazy. There is some free medical clinic in Biloxi that I can go shadow/work at for a couple days this week. This could be a really great opportunity to see what medical ministry looks like! I'm excited about this and hopefully it will give me a little bit better picture about some opportunities and my calling.<br />So, if you think about it, I'd appreciate you prayers over my time here for some extra validation during my time here.<br /><br />On other things, it feels like I'm starting to see my first wave of people 'dispersing' and 'growing up.' My friends are getting real jobs, they're going to graduate school, and even though I've seen people get married in the past, now some of them are younger than me and getting married (Allan and Jane Gray Bledsoe!!! congratulations!). Several people who were in starkville ever since I've been there will be absent this fall and that is sad to see. I am very happy that I have at least one more semester in starkville. I am not quite at the point of saying goodbye, but I know that day will come.Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-40639175252751024272008-07-06T19:24:00.000-07:002008-07-06T21:14:35.870-07:00Love and Intentionality-ism-nessExperiencing love (not eros... erotic, romantic love) is something that we have all experienced, but maybe to different degrees. Agape love, as I've heard it described is sacrificial love. It is that kind of love that I experienced today from one of my friends. Let me expound:<br />I went to Lagniappe this weekend with a couple of my friends from Jackson. They wanted to come home soon after arriving, so I needed to find a ride home. They left Friday night. With an offer standing to let me leave Saturday morning I figured I would just do that until my friend John tells me if I'll just hang around, he'll take me home on Sunday. Now, in case you haven't noticed... gas isn't cheap these days. When it's your family, I think we come to expect certain things just because they are family and feel obligated to do such things. This is one of the most powerful things I've ever been offered. That this guy would give his entire afternoon to take me home even though it cost him an arm and a leg. <br />This is love... (okay, this is when you put your big people pants on and don't laugh that I'm talking about my guy friend).<br /><br />This next semester (the fall) presents me a very unique situation. I have no class on Mondays and Fridays. I think it is going to be real challenge to my ability to prioritize and plan.... in short, it will challenge my ability to be intentional about my time. What a blessing to have 4 (four!!!) day weekends every weekend. The only question is how well they will be used. I pray I don't reach December and think I wasted all that time. My propensity is to not plan, but rather just to hope things kinda come together when it comes to my schedule. When it comes to some things.. i.e. Bible study and talks, I am good about planning. When it comes to what I am doing this Friday night, I won't usually think about it until the afternoon of. This isn't always true, but it is more true than I'd like to say. <br />Therefore, I'm planning to plan!Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-41095929305719542762008-06-26T23:40:00.000-07:002008-06-27T00:09:15.214-07:00Shout-outsSemester in Review II will come... some day, but not at 1:40 in the morning<br /><br />Organic I is toast.<br />Yes, it is done and as much as I'd like to chunk all that I just so diligently filed away into my brain, alas, I must use it for another month as a foundation to build on during Organic II! And as much as I'd like to chunk that information after I finish that class, alas again... I'll need it for the next time I take the MCAT.<br /><br />This summer has been a mixture of being great and dull at the same time. Let me explain.<br /><br />I don't really have to discuss the dullness in detail. First of all, that would bore you, thereby declining your readership to my blog. ...and we can't have that<br /><br />This summer has been a little dull because I'm in school a lot and b/c I am not working in some great camp/ministry setting in which each day presents itself being surrounded by tons of other great staff people who you are around 24/7 and provide unceasing amounts of fellowship and entertainment. I think I've just gotten used to doing this with my summers, so it has taken some adjustments to get used to.<br /><br />On the other hand, it has been a great summer so far.<br />I attribute such greatness to this summer because of all the great people that I have met. People make the world go round, or at least mine. Let me give props to a few people for making my summer better while living in Jackson. Please forgive me if I've forgotten anyone.<br />The Bassett family! Joel, Jonathan, and Rachel... (in alphabetical order, I can't play favorites!). Y'all have been so gracious to me this summer. I can attribute many meals to you all. Thanks for your terrific friendship, I only hope I can pay you back with some of my corny jokes and maybe a meal someday.<br />Anna G. and Nathan B. - Thanks for running with me- I've been a lone runner for a long time, and I want to throw up at the end of each run thanks to y'all! (Just in case you were wondering, that's a good thing in my book). Have a great trip in Peru, Anna!<br />Mom and Dad! -thanks for the food, the room, the friendship and your patience with me<br />John Monteith - dude, I'm really glad you're in Jackson now -enjoying our Sunday get-togethers<br />Daniel Boyett - thanks for your endless availability to hang out and to always supply me with more philosophy than my little brain can handle. it's always a joy to go over and hang out. Glad your dad is gonna get to come back this summer!<br />Joy Richardson! - Thanks (7 hours in advance) for going to help me pick out glasses! You are such an encouragement I have to say. Good luck in Nursing school.<br />BenJAMMIN' Ratliff - watching a rockband marathon says it all. where else could I go to get my fix or to get a cheap sonic burger? Let's go to Lagniappe next weekend!<br />Mr. Jason Collins, Drew H., Courtney B., Hannah K., and Chris C. - thanks for your friendship in Organic I. I really enjoyed hanging out with you guys despite the setting :)<br />Lance -thanks for your persistence in our friendship. Ole' faithful. And yes, we need to finish our conversation.Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-59226767517331180022008-06-08T14:43:00.001-07:002008-06-08T19:29:45.378-07:00The Semester in Review...For the 'millions' of you reading from facebook (I wish that many people had interest in my blog :) ) I don't think these pictures are showing up... so you may have to go to the 'view original post' link.<br /><br />Well, I finally got a little gadget that helps me pull of the pictures from my computer. I'd lost my cord and my pictures were 'stuck' in my camera. Here is my semester in review:<br /><br />Nic, Ross, Libbie, Christy and myself all decided to go to the Yonder Mountain String Band concert in Oxford. It proved to be a great time. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnXy9AaQm7pTHSttG3WFh5TKHnPTBHmgprzcJEJ_aeGdBxpDKtnA2nRaqVv7kfCd4ykX3ZHwobCMpBP57sJtxa_BSdXb-IDVn5IaT8F72J8ANCbOSuhSy3fw-sBSNvT4Z93rBGU364DA/s1600-h/P1030383.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnXy9AaQm7pTHSttG3WFh5TKHnPTBHmgprzcJEJ_aeGdBxpDKtnA2nRaqVv7kfCd4ykX3ZHwobCMpBP57sJtxa_BSdXb-IDVn5IaT8F72J8ANCbOSuhSy3fw-sBSNvT4Z93rBGU364DA/s320/P1030383.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209630695086938786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Suzie and Aaron got married! I worked at Twin Lakes with these two, and it was great to see them together. Riding up with Kate, Aubra and Debbie proved to be as fun and<br />interesting as one would expect<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohZXPYLwUjub3MAZXYYjiSW9lUe7g22n6YenKKrlQmoe4hqWAni1cxHhShHBnT7efvYfup57XIOa4bs-waX8JYSObMgD6OdN0B9T3fsnbrlL0XMK43QIAfLwwUZpCa2rgasW8CONYs-U/s1600-h/P1030413.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohZXPYLwUjub3MAZXYYjiSW9lUe7g22n6YenKKrlQmoe4hqWAni1cxHhShHBnT7efvYfup57XIOa4bs-waX8JYSObMgD6OdN0B9T3fsnbrlL0XMK43QIAfLwwUZpCa2rgasW8CONYs-U/s320/P1030413.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209630710299458594" border="0" /></a><br />Andrew Reed made it one more year in life. Yes, this was his birthday party at McAlisters. I think this may have been the night we took sidewalk chalk and wrote all over the pavement near the bakery. In the paper a couple days later, turns out someone had reported us for 'vandalism.' I guess they didn't appreciate our 'good morning' and 'have a great day' messages.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3tqNq45ICyetpSBgEQuqP7lKR017k-yT8KpZlVBI7FWFtzjPhDpMxs2HtG4PoN13GnDKSSfxBwsZOhINZ4ZKHi-cMuXSAbRt43Ocp1sqbVSUdfh0ozMq_JhbYRo8uJr4w5Zfu-sNXJs/s1600-h/P1030400.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3tqNq45ICyetpSBgEQuqP7lKR017k-yT8KpZlVBI7FWFtzjPhDpMxs2HtG4PoN13GnDKSSfxBwsZOhINZ4ZKHi-cMuXSAbRt43Ocp1sqbVSUdfh0ozMq_JhbYRo8uJr4w5Zfu-sNXJs/s320/P1030400.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209630718209865442" border="0" /></a>After the tornado hit Jackson, TN, Marielle got to come down to MSU and stay for a few days. She got to meet all my crazy friends. Poor girl.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sG84YXNbqsbNchkDCGOHS6meaQ_6b3HNtWjO9TUOkRO2eaE783NppxuOYedQa3IXZcJBTPJu02yCwmci9vvpE5yBQiC7CfoKciKwUdq96Itl40dE_YpSSjsmUOTBkIOOmAd4vbYoc_w/s1600-h/P1030430.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sG84YXNbqsbNchkDCGOHS6meaQ_6b3HNtWjO9TUOkRO2eaE783NppxuOYedQa3IXZcJBTPJu02yCwmci9vvpE5yBQiC7CfoKciKwUdq96Itl40dE_YpSSjsmUOTBkIOOmAd4vbYoc_w/s320/P1030430.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209632402920931826" border="0" /></a>Lagniappe took up my first half of spring break. Aubra and Ry accompanied me and we had a blast with a group from Delta State. This was the second of 3 trips for the semester... I just love that place.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro2ArcOWqlCDx9FHWiYQyXJwYhEk8wx0Apr47KuxAXR5JfcNJrhrvJTG_1_jOoB8eKlRTzJjAgPy_MWoS_Y2zYPFSVF1Oj40CZy_uxFvnnY-IszB8jOu5BLiOY4nkswKeJSNhRsBFKpA/s1600-h/P1030455.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro2ArcOWqlCDx9FHWiYQyXJwYhEk8wx0Apr47KuxAXR5JfcNJrhrvJTG_1_jOoB8eKlRTzJjAgPy_MWoS_Y2zYPFSVF1Oj40CZy_uxFvnnY-IszB8jOu5BLiOY4nkswKeJSNhRsBFKpA/s320/P1030455.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209632412219459474" border="0" /></a>This is a result of not checking on the foods in your refrigerator very often. Yes, this is an onion. And yes, it's awesome.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctowtI3UnNOBqjCNn0fmOqth-KDVycLUatBDw6EQ02FfRo8cGpbNsYd8eDapEQU8cCXGpL8H4mQ3Tp5j_FdLJUPlgBpJH0ZqDistxu7L1Jta_K_aJnrpP_fIN-3SJdNLrrln6Vo7bJwc/s1600-h/P1030433.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctowtI3UnNOBqjCNn0fmOqth-KDVycLUatBDw6EQ02FfRo8cGpbNsYd8eDapEQU8cCXGpL8H4mQ3Tp5j_FdLJUPlgBpJH0ZqDistxu7L1Jta_K_aJnrpP_fIN-3SJdNLrrln6Vo7bJwc/s320/P1030433.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209632393080164626" border="0" /></a>Brent McLemore and I took a little weekend trip up to Maryville College. Wow, this was a great trip! We got to do a little family visiting (for me), job scouting (for him), and checking out some of the mountains, but certainly not as much as I thought. Some of these pictures are from when we went to a music get together called "Rocky Branch' where people all just got together on friday night and played bluegrass music.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGLPMXVPqHdBggmres8xsRHAWRw6tvDyVHI0szH7fzssbJXTUelQlMV8exlyPyqw6akkMh6qVXy1gBCevE_DBHscS_UuiHdF80jpqYStowaQ__Bt449bnXgGPWbpVf3JNJsHK2nk0o3Y/s1600-h/P1030471.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGLPMXVPqHdBggmres8xsRHAWRw6tvDyVHI0szH7fzssbJXTUelQlMV8exlyPyqw6akkMh6qVXy1gBCevE_DBHscS_UuiHdF80jpqYStowaQ__Bt449bnXgGPWbpVf3JNJsHK2nk0o3Y/s200/P1030471.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209638020022895058" border="0" /></a>My pastor from Maryville and family!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-PVy9CiensuXTYql9hmN0Xpeu3Q9LrYmDHJSldtKTcW85Ukhyphenhyphen5kj29Ecw1ENI0jGrDLD80DBK9yJhvBNS1q_RI5BhxEvxvavX5P6l2jr2U6xKwlilhXcSdBqbNoqs-OMdaunu1vd3yk/s1600-h/P1030476.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-PVy9CiensuXTYql9hmN0Xpeu3Q9LrYmDHJSldtKTcW85Ukhyphenhyphen5kj29Ecw1ENI0jGrDLD80DBK9yJhvBNS1q_RI5BhxEvxvavX5P6l2jr2U6xKwlilhXcSdBqbNoqs-OMdaunu1vd3yk/s200/P1030476.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209638039036280242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUAZQAwn0dW94hvc3TGx9INJXqQZl0jv9glsPZZqmSXLZDf_pNPd9yoarNk1qTpfLpGO04YtxdZTAw6eYvaL4vUW341kQSUJaBMFM0ivAmjGrF8KOrFbUKEpeH5Flm7TY5O6ywJZqTgI/s1600-h/P1030473.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUAZQAwn0dW94hvc3TGx9INJXqQZl0jv9glsPZZqmSXLZDf_pNPd9yoarNk1qTpfLpGO04YtxdZTAw6eYvaL4vUW341kQSUJaBMFM0ivAmjGrF8KOrFbUKEpeH5Flm7TY5O6ywJZqTgI/s200/P1030473.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209638029169193314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPFP2YA96d_k3N66LdKBhzD87cFzgyo8Me0esWJmhY7rRaGtGTjRo5aT0sqE-ucMVbFvaE1QrjvumE3wFaED5tu0Qq8Snkm-_WjtF0Q04c8QNPI6oCueoRSoIgLCP__P-WLQNtQvK7_g/s1600-h/P1030495.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPFP2YA96d_k3N66LdKBhzD87cFzgyo8Me0esWJmhY7rRaGtGTjRo5aT0sqE-ucMVbFvaE1QrjvumE3wFaED5tu0Qq8Snkm-_WjtF0Q04c8QNPI6oCueoRSoIgLCP__P-WLQNtQvK7_g/s200/P1030495.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209638044148288242" border="0" /></a><br />Following a wonderful spring break was Easter w/ the family. Here are me and the parentals. I don't think Suzanne made it in that weekend.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YRrSt_X6CDLfDu6FIypcNpvf_cpK5PW0Gwp7r-CUB5Um837hKjp4AC-rVuZyr2e1WS7fkhHF14uYT6BF1Y4YjdeEsxnruareGkEyyo15DWgjTWE_ziS3AM6_WJrm5T0pRBUvBDfh3qY/s1600-h/P1030579.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YRrSt_X6CDLfDu6FIypcNpvf_cpK5PW0Gwp7r-CUB5Um837hKjp4AC-rVuZyr2e1WS7fkhHF14uYT6BF1Y4YjdeEsxnruareGkEyyo15DWgjTWE_ziS3AM6_WJrm5T0pRBUvBDfh3qY/s200/P1030579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209641965269078386" border="0" /></a><br />Followed by easter egg dying! One of mine dropped...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEBiUsKqxr8tnU2PwiIxGzOVceUIC48P-lb98JXHMtn__0JCYO8YnnAAGsGDx0OlQQSJ15oCLJE6AF-maJYngMDcQr9yl8N_i5kvb90Qn3jzvidFe3hfxwGBa4KVplOLJZ-97EkRUbO0/s1600-h/P1030588.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEBiUsKqxr8tnU2PwiIxGzOVceUIC48P-lb98JXHMtn__0JCYO8YnnAAGsGDx0OlQQSJ15oCLJE6AF-maJYngMDcQr9yl8N_i5kvb90Qn3jzvidFe3hfxwGBa4KVplOLJZ-97EkRUbO0/s200/P1030588.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209641975821070242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I was invited to a formal at the "W" in Columbus, so Ben, Ross, Annalissa, and I hightailed it over to Columbus to rock out the night at the dance. When we got there, no one was dancing. By the time we got through with it, everybody was dancing! :)<br />The boyz...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1VQD30JojKLctCPBIxd8wmepbhB7SvfQgOOnddsSIrh7J5_v7rTnj5VgqJh6Z7XOYr9J0PR3UX8YxN4FUu5NKAqBUI-aLSjhFXwYbEHLWX1OL97uuBZACLhJYdqhejtWWLXyLgvocQs/s1600-h/P1030635.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1VQD30JojKLctCPBIxd8wmepbhB7SvfQgOOnddsSIrh7J5_v7rTnj5VgqJh6Z7XOYr9J0PR3UX8YxN4FUu5NKAqBUI-aLSjhFXwYbEHLWX1OL97uuBZACLhJYdqhejtWWLXyLgvocQs/s200/P1030635.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209641984311411874" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The guhz...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9w-_i-2IMETCPi7RCtwDW26qekTK9orPBg-P4EwxqYu3No55edRX-P4t4hlLlwWtXNpQ6maGADmmCKXE_apgx92-hd-W7U83Ks0YfjquNaZSX7gIOiO-zj2yMC5F6BJHRebq4CktOpU/s1600-h/P1030625.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9w-_i-2IMETCPi7RCtwDW26qekTK9orPBg-P4EwxqYu3No55edRX-P4t4hlLlwWtXNpQ6maGADmmCKXE_apgx92-hd-W7U83Ks0YfjquNaZSX7gIOiO-zj2yMC5F6BJHRebq4CktOpU/s200/P1030625.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209641998640314770" border="0" /></a>So this isn't chronological... but who's counting.<br />RUF Crawfish Boil 2008! I think the best part may have been Suicidal Margarine (ya know, how the butter always dives out of the fridge when you open the door?)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcD9fmJBWLzeuOUzHhHtx3lhXm1Ju8-ribuSf34T2kTqlxhjJxiFmOKcWegJr_EAnsI0lK9gcBYgZKLf2X8FfPGivGpUVqZ0uKsj7_XUMF3yt3fXwX4HUKwsSHQvWx8o1qcudHfSI50wQ/s1600-h/P1030606.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcD9fmJBWLzeuOUzHhHtx3lhXm1Ju8-ribuSf34T2kTqlxhjJxiFmOKcWegJr_EAnsI0lK9gcBYgZKLf2X8FfPGivGpUVqZ0uKsj7_XUMF3yt3fXwX4HUKwsSHQvWx8o1qcudHfSI50wQ/s200/P1030606.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209644353589210578" border="0" /></a>The famous John Sabin came up with Sarah and Ruth from Lagniappe to come cook our crawfish. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtK21ejH0BWGKZ5x6sOyGk_XHcu9RliH7BZbolOyClIQNeit6sBQoqI-_9_cT4L21Iasi3UvXQGRJDlk1TLbAFhtPHHSYjst1bQYYhfFIgSCC2SAN2HeFAPT1jncmKYWYv89Jtvp2R08E/s1600-h/P1030611.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtK21ejH0BWGKZ5x6sOyGk_XHcu9RliH7BZbolOyClIQNeit6sBQoqI-_9_cT4L21Iasi3UvXQGRJDlk1TLbAFhtPHHSYjst1bQYYhfFIgSCC2SAN2HeFAPT1jncmKYWYv89Jtvp2R08E/s200/P1030611.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209644367947114370" border="0" /></a>RUF "Dudestorm" was quite an experience. The viewing of "There will be Blood" says it all...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Gcs8IB4kFB7y57eZpsJljTwEucXzGyqTn8dOkx5b4UFZMjZZFKnxmoZ5252AdWBIR0PH6wkS9VDsfZRU-XoRJ_iYm_nPiGtMIoDGFe_V2rUZF9JtyEfYhuuoeYku-GfFTVa696iGeP4/s1600-h/P1030646.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Gcs8IB4kFB7y57eZpsJljTwEucXzGyqTn8dOkx5b4UFZMjZZFKnxmoZ5252AdWBIR0PH6wkS9VDsfZRU-XoRJ_iYm_nPiGtMIoDGFe_V2rUZF9JtyEfYhuuoeYku-GfFTVa696iGeP4/s200/P1030646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209644384868360866" border="0" /></a>Wow, this was a good semester, I haven't even mentioned Wil Prisock's birthday party...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeqWS28_QIW7-DWyZ7VTs1W1RcUfGCICsbBUQ0J5ZRK2DvrmLgnoND4C9-AOYGaxqTyCzt-brQHuPrcOwsZDAXzTmJyMAjbV-8RYKDouTy3GzHViXBTKHtiNaHLaD_ov8dg37VzRADFU/s1600-h/P1030699.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeqWS28_QIW7-DWyZ7VTs1W1RcUfGCICsbBUQ0J5ZRK2DvrmLgnoND4C9-AOYGaxqTyCzt-brQHuPrcOwsZDAXzTmJyMAjbV-8RYKDouTy3GzHViXBTKHtiNaHLaD_ov8dg37VzRADFU/s200/P1030699.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209644375829307586" border="0" /></a>And for those of you who think I only hang out with people and never do schoolwork. No, this is not true, I just don't ordinarily take pictures of me and my friends doing our homework. Except on this occasion. I'll share this one with you ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGV284aq3sFo_uduI7GlLMLKeeAf80HJmUX1BpfxO3KJe-0PtfArCWDp4BzDsUMtEVEV0II1MjCr6awJHpBOXSuofASroAlmTV1Zve2mBIhaKJYeYdBfH7b1tRNmWCRVwYupUt4ZMhUU/s1600-h/P1030657.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGV284aq3sFo_uduI7GlLMLKeeAf80HJmUX1BpfxO3KJe-0PtfArCWDp4BzDsUMtEVEV0II1MjCr6awJHpBOXSuofASroAlmTV1Zve2mBIhaKJYeYdBfH7b1tRNmWCRVwYupUt4ZMhUU/s200/P1030657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209644394513627202" border="0" /></a>I am blessed. That's really all I can think to say.<br />Have a great sabbath.Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-25564082527715310142008-05-31T11:43:00.000-07:002008-05-31T11:47:10.571-07:00It's over... Praise the LordI don't know how the MCAT went to be honest. Parts of it went really well. Other parts... eh.. we'll see.<br /><br />Now I can have a life! Until I start studying again that is. But I don't have to feel guilty for hanging out with people anymore! :)<br /><br />Nothing really enlightening on my mind right now, but just thought I'd put some words out there to let everyone know (that reads this thing) that I'm still alive.Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-78144535020098846272008-05-22T06:08:00.001-07:002008-05-22T06:17:39.079-07:00haha<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccQiG8q3oKy94JFlgWwQ3HF3jJwrI9ovuNQ8H_VXoyWnVzdyDBGL1z3k5opXdnAtO4Ag68VTnoFeJOYSUc0soYv3AqGBVYJJcXqiuJaYNXyJ5BL3Q0iDrmsMWGf29_fhJQf-Lon5GRt4/s1600-h/peeing+dog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccQiG8q3oKy94JFlgWwQ3HF3jJwrI9ovuNQ8H_VXoyWnVzdyDBGL1z3k5opXdnAtO4Ag68VTnoFeJOYSUc0soYv3AqGBVYJJcXqiuJaYNXyJ5BL3Q0iDrmsMWGf29_fhJQf-Lon5GRt4/s320/peeing+dog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203189204056378514" border="0" /></a>This was a pretty funny picture I saw in an e-mail from my mom. Yes, that is a little puppy peeing on a computer.. haha, poor computer owner<br /><br />Unfortunately, there really isn't much to update people on. I wake up, eat, read, study, do practice tests, shadow, sleep, and visit people who have had surgery. That's about it.<br /><br />Yesterday, I did get to shadow Dr. Fyke (a cardiologist in Jackson, who actually took care of my grandmother a few years ago) and I was just amazed by his way of dealing with patients. He was so sensitive and caring despite the circumstances (as a cardiologist, he deals with a lot of people that aren't doing well). I had a good time with him, and he said I could come back anytime!<br /><br />If you think about it, please pray for me as I prepare for the MCAT on May 31. It is coming ever so quickly and I still have a decent amount of ground to cover, although I've had the chance to cover a lot of ground in the past couple weeks.<br /><br />Hope y'all will still be friends with me when all this is over :)Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-86718783976600530992008-05-06T18:18:00.000-07:002008-05-06T18:34:43.181-07:00oh the fun...This summer....<br />could be the best/worst summer of my life. I'm hoping for the former. I'm gonna do my best to make it that.<br /><br />I thought moving home would make me completely incapacitated in terms of getting things done, but fortunately it hasn't done that completely. It does make it harder to roll out of bed early though, because I don't have class.<br /><br />Something funny I came across...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlsyxSPSZxlkORRxczfvYgNQ2aXzc7UrVdhnGFPouxZ2_n3cFHs-NkqaE7OgHPaOz3tbi_mzSDttpnSPEwGC3mThGPhPG6-bmFHgcf8QKlY8yz1_EUWGkiqBV3Bzn1R4BnG1no80L-4E/s1600-h/porkchops2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlsyxSPSZxlkORRxczfvYgNQ2aXzc7UrVdhnGFPouxZ2_n3cFHs-NkqaE7OgHPaOz3tbi_mzSDttpnSPEwGC3mThGPhPG6-bmFHgcf8QKlY8yz1_EUWGkiqBV3Bzn1R4BnG1no80L-4E/s320/porkchops2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197440300854518658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJOMT2jrTidTN_Zsb6CbWDOgGkVIwNAU8JSQdEfjqiCY1ZSH39Gi2vHRFXAD8Q7jpgf_yCtJ6Y-i-J0_PMOU1hnL2kMmZG2yrb6fqhWVcA3CyYJ1mFBU_c_kMWtjmU3EzklYqn51Pmjc/s1600-h/porkchops1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJOMT2jrTidTN_Zsb6CbWDOgGkVIwNAU8JSQdEfjqiCY1ZSH39Gi2vHRFXAD8Q7jpgf_yCtJ6Y-i-J0_PMOU1hnL2kMmZG2yrb6fqhWVcA3CyYJ1mFBU_c_kMWtjmU3EzklYqn51Pmjc/s320/porkchops1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197440300854518642" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So here's the story on these photos. This tiger had triplet cubs and because of their low birthweight, they died. The mother got depressed because her cubs died and she started to decline in health, so the zookeepers started looking for other cubs around the country that could be adopted by this mother tiger. To their chagrin, they didn't find any, so they decided to dress up some pigs and let the mom 'adopt' them, and the pictures tell the rest of the story :)<br /><br />Anyways. Going to Lagniappe for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and I feel like it is my vacation for the rest of the summer. Wow, I really can't wait for it - there is something refreshing about working with your hands and seeing people that you love in a place that you've grown attached to. <br /><br />Well, that's it for my first real post, hope you're doing well!Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981927256234703536.post-47602868410078634172008-04-28T18:24:00.000-07:002008-04-28T20:44:19.843-07:00this is my new blog... enjoyConsidering finals are going on right now, I really can't say much, but I am excited about finally getting a blog that people are more likely to see. I think xanga died in the past year or two. <br />I'm hoping to be more persistent/consistent in my posts this time :)Roberdeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451057837416783520noreply@blogger.com3