1 year down, slightly over 2 to go!

I can't say that I'm relieved to be done with 4th quarter because it's been my favorite quarter of my entire first year of chiropractic school. It does help that quality of life went through the roof when we moved within 5 minutes of school and my friends. Now, we're involved in a weekly Bible study or growth group where we've met some really awesome people who share a common love of Christ and deepness of their faith and knowledge of God's word. It also sometimes take close to a year to figure people out, to know who you really want to spend time with and who your real friends truly are. And have I been exceptionally blessed with great friends over the years, there've just been some years where they weren't any closer than a long-distance phone call away. So, it's nice to have relationships with people that you can see face to face on a regular basis. Also, we live next to the beach, enough said. Talk about great workouts (Steve cycles on the beach daily), and I love sand runs.

Now that I've completed a year of school, I feel compelled to write about what I've learned and what I desire to accomplish in the remaining time I have left in the program. When I first started school, I studied for everything with intense fervor, because I really didn't know what was important and what wasn't. I didn't have the luxury of working in several chiropractic practices prior to coming to school. So, I attacked everything with equal fury, and as a result I burned myself to a pulp by each quarter's end . . .until now. I figured out how to pace myself and still do well in school. And, I think I've gained a clearer perspective on HOW I want to practice and what techniques I want to employ. So, now that I've found my focus, that is where I put my time and energy, and I get out of the rest of it what I can, because I never know when it may be crucial to know to which family trematodes belong. They're protozoans in case you were dying to know. So, although I think it's essential to find focus and to polish that focus to become an expert, I recognize the importance of keeping an open mind about other techniques, philosophies (I do use that with a bit of tongue in cheek), and research. But, chiropractic school is only ~3 years, one can't learn everything about every technique available and become a good practitioner besides.

So, for now, my focus is to do well in school and get out of it what I can. My focus for techniques is definitely Pettibon with increasing interest in sacro-occipital technique. I've delved into Pediatrics club, but I expect to put time into sports chiropractic (extremity adjustments) in the near future. I also aspire to learn how to market myself and to attract new patients through Body By God's Teach the World About Chiropractic club and conferences. I'm fortunate that I get to practice these skills 1 year out from seeing patients by helping with cold contacts and spinal screenings at the mall for the Yachter clinic in Lake Mary. Through all these components, I will transform the world through chiropractic! (Josh, that was just for you).

Now that this is starting to sound like new year's resolutions, since I am starting a new year in school, here's a few more things on my list.

• I will spend more time with Steve--less commute time means more time with husband which shouldn't be crowded out by other distractions.
• I will be more serious in my time reading the Bible, this includes reading commentaries, introductions, and really digging into the information within each verse. Steve even got me a new Bible for the pursuit.
• I am blessed to have a new prayer partner. I haven't prayed regularly with a woman face-to-face in years, and it is a precious and wonderful thing. I will uphold this newfound treasure and commit to our weekly meetings.
• I desire for Steve and I to spend time with mutual friends, now that we're living in a community where we're surrounded by them.
• I will publish an article by the time I graduate--for the experience of the learning process, and to accomplish a hurdle so that it seems less daunting.
• I will write a love song, in spanish, which I will sing and play on my guitar.
• I will run a 26 minute 5k and reduce 1 more dress size

OK, I think that's enough for the upcoming school year. Definitely attainable goals, all of which are important to me, although some are definitely higher priorities than others.

Feel free to add your comments and let me know what you think about this post!