Christmas

So, of all the times of the year I believe that Christmas time is one of the best. It is the time I get to think about the Savior. I get to walk along the streets singing Christmas songs to myself. I get to hear the Salvation Army Band play as people bustle around doing Christmas shopping. I mean I know that the holiday season has become quite trivial and all, but I still get a good feeling when people say "happy holidays" everywhere I go. I feel like its the one time of year when people aren't afraid to talk to eachother in the street. I know that I have to deal with the wonder of having finals, and stress, and all that other good stuff you experience at the end of each semester, but ya know... its worth it. Christmas is so wonderful... well at least the season is... I don't really like the day per-say but hey, I love the feeling!

Help from the Lord

So, this week is finals. Hooray! (not) Well, I guess in reality it is a hooray. I mean I will finally be done with my first semester of grad school. Who knows if it will be my only semester of grad school or not. I mean I already know that I failed one class, and if I don't get a 3.0 this semester then I am out of the program... or if I fail another class (which means below a B-) I am also out of the program. Not that I am planning on failing, or not getting a 3.0, but let me tell you... as of right now I am cutting it close. I am praying, and praying hard to be able to stay in my major, because I don't know what else I would do with my life if not. This semester has been tough, not because the work is tough (because, it isn't) but because I have discovered the depth and breadth of my ADD. For some reason I can't get on top of assignments... they are easy, but somehow they slip my mind no matter how many reminders I give myself. I have had the hardest time turning things in, which has greatly affected my grades. I have also discovered that it is really difficult for me to study. I mean I always knew that I didn't study, but I don't think I knew that I had a hard time studying. I just figured it was because I didn't need to. Now, I need to (and I mean it isn't like I need to study for hours on end, I just need to study) and I haven't been able to focus for long enough to do so. It has been a blessing in discuise though. I have learned the ways I can study. For example- if I have to memorize anatomical stuff, I need to draw it. I draw it and lable it once from the book, and once from memory, and bingo. I know it. This weekend I finally found out how to study other information. I was praying really hard to be able to study, and I asked the Lord to help me know how to study so that things would stick in my mind and I would be able to learn what I needed to know. As I sat there listening I learned that if I would read the information aloud and then try to recite it from memory immediately afterward I would be able to memorize the information. So... I tried it. Never in my life have I been so successful. Never. Literally I read something one time out loud... then I close my eyes and say it out loud, and it doesn't leave my memory again. If that isn't a blessing, I don't know what is. The Lord has helped me out so much this semester. I just hope that I am able to remain in my major long enough to apply the things he has taught me. If not, I will still know that he loves me and has a plan for my life. I am glad he does... because believe me... I don't know where I am going. So, those of you who read this... pray for me... pray that I can stay in my major, if it be God's will, but that if not... I will know what to do with my life instead.
-Catherine

The City Where I Live

I cannot believe I live in this wonderful city!
I went on a walk in the rain today. I don't really know why. I was on the phone, and just decided to walk (since I can't go into the T without loosing reception). I walked all around the city (which isn't really that hard, since its not that big of a city) I walked up to the North End, then over to Government Center, and then to Feneuil Hall, and through Quincy Market (where I ate lunch) I saw the old state house, the park street church, etc. I sat down to eat, and people watched for a bit. There was a group of school kids (probably in middle school) sitting and eating, and all I could think "they are so lucky... they live here... they actually get to live in Boston" and then all of a sudden, it hit me, I do too. I live in Boston. I am so glad that I do, I mean I can't even explain how amazing it is here. There is so much to do, and see. Even on a rainy day the beauty of this city can't be beat. I love it here!