3....2.....1, Happy New Year!

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.

– Albert Einstein

 

 

Where did the time go!? It feels like I was just at Time Square freezing as I rang in 2016! As the year comes to a close I can't help but reflect on the past 12 months. I always see a new year as merely a continuation in the pursuit for greatness, happiness, and love. For me, 2016 was not horrible but interesting to say the least. It was challenging academically but in a good way; I finished up my first 2 years of medical school and began studying for my board exam. My goal was to take Step before the year ended but I've once again been reminded that my time is not God's time and his timing is the best so I will take it in 2017. From a personal life perspective, 2016 was full of lessons but no regrets, I've learned to just take one day at a time and enjoy life as it comes; everything will fall perfectly into place at its proper time. I'm looking forward to the new year and everything that it will bring! I'll be starting my third year of medical school and beginning my clinical rotations; I could not be more excited about that! I'm also hoping to take a few trips outside the country if time permits! I've decided to take a break from social media until after Step 1,  (I've never really been a fan of it, lol) but be sure to subscribe and I look forward to my posting my experience, advice, and study tips at the end of each rotation!

 

Happy New Year!

 



Dream Big

Simply a rose that grew from concrete ✿❤

 



Song of My Life



 

 



Happy Holidays!

 

Happy Sunday!! I hope you all have a lovely week! Yesterday, I spent the day with my older brother, we watched the movie Collateral Beauty, I would highly recommend it...just bring tissues!

 

 Last weekend, my sister and I went to the Annual Christmas parade in Downtown Hampton. We started going to it years ago when we both attended Hampton U together; it was so much fun, as always Santa was there!

 I usually don't bring my phone with me into the library while I study but I forgot it in my coat jacket! I took a snap of how my day usually looks Mon to Sat, minus the lunch box full of snacks so I can make it through the day there, lol



Gym Flow, my happy place :)

My sis and I had Sunday brunch today with a couple of friends from church. They're both engineers and musically inclined so we're trying to get a karaoke night lined up in the near future the next time all of our hectic schedules line up!

 If you're ever in the Hampton area Tommy's is the go to spot, so good!

 

 



Rockefeller Tree Lighting

So last year I was in Dominica, but I promised my brother that I would make a trip up to New York the following year to see the lighting of the Rockefeller Tree. It was a quick trip but I had so much fun; I was able to see my Oma, aunts, uncles, cousins, and my bro!

It was freezing cold, but so worth it! We were actually standing next to the extended family

members that owned the tree, small world!

Being a complete tourist!

 After the lighting of the tree we headed over to Broadway where we watched

the musical production, Something Rotten

The next day, my bro and I met up and we took on New York City

together ♡



 After the election, New Yorkers took to Union Square subway station and left a wall of anonymous notes; it was pretty amazing to see in person

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/11/nyregion/subway-notes-offer-a-form-of-therapy.html?_r=0

 The coolest thing ever!

I can't count the number of times I've traveled up to New York. It's one of my

favorite places to visit, you never know what you're going to see or who

you might meet. Being able to spend time with family is always priceless, they mean so much to me.

One of the highlights of my trip is always stopping off

at one of the rest stops and picking up a cinnamon roll from Cinnabon....soooo good! 

I'm 100% sure I get back on the road smiling ear to ear....awkward if anyone looks over and sees

me driving, haha! 

Have a lovely week, I have an exam coming up so I'll be living in the library!



The Birthday Girl

This past week my sister celebrated her birthday! Perfect timing, my mom

was also in town so we headed over to Cheesecake Factory

to celebrate another year!

 



Oh Look, Pie!

 

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving, I had a wonderful day spending time with loved ones. I've missed the past 2 Thanksgivings with my family because I was in Dominica so this was super special for me! I'm so grateful for my family, their support and understanding during the past 2 years have been much appreciated. Of course, the food was amazing!

All smiles! After studying at the library all day, I had to get a quick workout in the night before Thanksgiving!

 

 

I usually make my "famous mashed potatoes" however, this year I switched it up and made candied yams for the first time. They didn't last long so I'm going to assume they were alright! ;)

 

http://www.wbur.org/npr/502068751/the-standing-rock-resistance-is-unprecedented-it-s-also-centuries-old

Praying for the Standing Rock Sioux  ❤

Back to it; knocking out a set of Becker questions while enjoying Christmas music

at Barnes and Nobles, their eggnog lattes are so delicious! ❤



Cast A Stone

Good morning, I hope you all had a lovely week!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

 

 

This week I made a sun-dried tomato cream Mediterranean dish. I found the recipe on Allrecipies.com and then modified it

a little bit to make it my own! It tasted wonderful!

 

Morning devotion ❤

 

Food for thought 

 

Dragon needed a bigger home; he was moving so fast that I could barley take a

picture of him!

Gym flow, pit stop to Starbucks, continue studying...

sounds about right!

  

This is such a quick and yummy breakfast to make on those days

when oatmeal just isn't going to cut it!

H&M has started their Black Friday promo, I wanted to buy the entire store!! Later that evening, I curled up with a good read for some much needed R&R.

Burnout is so real, you have to know when to take a break, then

get back to it!

Sweet tooth ❤

 

 



Week In Review: Election Week

 

Say hello to my little friend....Dragon!

With the weather cooling down I had taste for chili, I added a side of rice to go with it. It was really simple and quick to make, directions are on the

back of the McCormick chili packaging. I chose the 93% lean beef, it was lower in

total fat.



So glad I was able to take my granny to vote, so worth the day off from Step prep
xoxo



Study, Rinse, Repeat <3



 

Cozy Weekend Indoors

 

My Favorite Vloggers ❤

Have a lovely weekend! Below are some of my

favorite YouTube vloggers and and special vlog from my brother!

Such inspiration!

 

https://www.instagram.com/thestrivetofit/?hl=en
 

 https://www.instagram.com/lauralacquer/?hl=en

 

 https://www.instagram.com/ms_jennale/

 

 https://www.instagram.com/janejanethechoochootrain/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/janeandjady/?hl=en

 

 

Love What You Do

 

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.

 ~Steve Jobs

 

In my natural element, study time

Pathoma and Sweets

Because what's life without chocolate? :)