just like honey from the bee.

Van Morrison says it best.  She's as sweet as... Tupelo Honey.  Who is SHE might you ask?  SHE is any girl who grew up going to either Joyner, Rankin, Thomas Street, or Church Street school- and eventually THE high school,  knows there's nothing better than a Connie's biscuit for breakfast, claims that showchoir was "really cool" where she grew up, has shopped at Reed's, the Lollishop, or The Corner Shoe Store, looks forward to Gum Tree every year, LIVED on yahoo messenger from 5th to 8th grade, has been on "The Mornin' Show" with Kay Bain, compares every Mexican restaurant to Las Margaritas, believes every word said by Debbie Milton, took ballet from either Sharon or Sarah, was in chorus from 7th-12th grade, has played "hide-n-seek" in cars before, has a song for every event in life, writes in a journal,  is still best friends with all her friends from high school, may have been somewhat sheltered but thankful for it, loves her church- whichever church it may be, and even though she may eventually leave it, she knows where her home is. That is a Tupelo Honey.

Tonight I had dinner with my best friend growing up.  We hadn't seen each other in a few years...

Tyler, Elena, Lyndie and I sat at the Grill tonight for 3 hours reminiscing.  We talked about things that I haven't thought of in YEARS!  I wish I could tell you everything, but there is just too much! I could post every day for the next 10 years and still not cover it.  What I CAN say is that I grew up with the most incredible people in the most incredible place.  I've always said I couldn't wait to go somewhere else, but in all honesty, I've realized what a BLESSING it was to grow up in Tupelo, Mississippi.  There's just something about it that all of us cannot escape.  Its a weird bond that everyone in college makes fun of us for.  So what if we may make everyone we meet watch our showchoir videos?  We can't help it. We love it.

After dinner tonight, I decided to look through some old pictures...

Weren't we funny?  I laugh at myself with those platform denim shoes and giant hoop earrings... what was I thinking?  Everyone is awkward in 7th grade!

Oh, beach trips. We've had quite the experience with our beach trips.

 And who doesn't love a good birthday party at Joe's Crab Shack? BAHAHA

Tupelo Girls always make a statement wherever they go! Especially in NY on the Today Show.  Look at those tie-die hats... ohhhh me. I can't remember who's idea it was to put starbursts on paper plates.. ha ha.

I love that you can see a sweet GG smile in that picture!

We've been roommates in Undergrad.... (and perhaps before... at ballet camp). Only Em would share a twin bed with me when I'm scared :)

And will be again post-grad... (Elena and Tyler, I apologize for the sweaty cheercamp picture) 

Basically, I had the best friends a girl could ever have...

And lucky for me.... I STILL DO.

We're just a little bit grown up, that's all.
WOW how time flies.

She's an angel, that Tupelo Honey... of the first degree.

Tuesday Nights

Being home this summer has been very relaxing- so much that I'd wager to say that I have officially managed the status of anti-social.  However, I can always count on one night of my week to be spent in wonderful company... TUESDAY NIGHT.  It's pretty much the highlight of my week.

 

Some of my sweet friends from home and I have been doing a Bible Study and it has been truly wonderful.  Tonight, we finished at 10:30- which is an all-time record early ending.  We are talkers, no doubt! We've been doing a 7-10 study which is only Scripture- no book.  Its been so great because I'm not distracted by anyone else's commentary... its just the Word.  And it's some good good stuff. 

Friday is Ty's birthday so I decided to bake some cupcakes in her honor... I had a little help from my favorite eight-year-old, Caroline.  (It seems like I bake every time I babysit).

 

She and I decided to go with Strawberry Cupcakes!  What did we do for icing?  NUTELLA of course! We went with cream cheese icing on a few.  As you can see, we went for taste, not so much looks.  I will say, the strawberries on top made a nice touch in the taste department:) I LOVE berries, remember?

 
Well, that's all for me today.  Oh yeah, I CHOPPED my hair today.  I feel like a different person... my pony tail feels like a little girl's!  I don't even know what to do with it!  I told her if she did something that I would have to "style" everyday that I would never come back.  I don't dry my hair on a regular basis and don't plan on starting.  We'll see how this goes. 

Happy Tuesday (or technically Wednesday, now).  

HART

seeeesterly love

When people ask my about my family, I say that I am basically one of four girls.  On a complete technical level,  I'm the only child that my mom and dad had together... However, I see my sibling status quite differently...

I was blessed with a wonderful step-sister.  When you meet her, there's a chance you may think she's shy.  THINK AGAIN.  Although she's a great listener (especially at midnight when I tend to get most talkative), she has such an outgoing spirit.  AND she's the daredevil type.  You name it, she's probably done it.  Two words for this girl:  NO. FEAR. She dates a rocket scientist, too.  Literally.

And two little sisters:

I know. As precious as they come. Now, if you want to get super technical with it, they are my 1st cousins.  However, we live right by each other and see each other basically every day- so they really are my little sisters.  Austin, the beautiful thing to the left, is a senior this year... I can't really get my mind wrapped around that.  When I talk to her now, I feel like she's my age.  NOT RIGHT.  She has the sweetest and most gentle spirit of any girl I know... she's as easy-going as they come and loved by many.  My sweet Ausycar!

Now, that one to the right.....  don't be deceived by that sweet little grin. (She strategically posed for that one, I'm sure.)  She's a handful right now at 6.  I don't even want to KNOW what the girl will be like at 16.  A couple of weeks ago she got out her Justin Bieber poster collection and pointed to the ones that she's "kissed."  Tonight, she sang Rhianna "Rude Boy" to me via iChat on her sissy's new computer.  That's right.  But get this, Anne-Daniel is the most LOVING little girl there is.  She will tackle you with a hug and demand your attention for an entire night... and she'll win you over just like that! So beware- she's quite the charmer! Oh, and she's a wonderful helper when it comes to baking cookies too:)  Oh, the D!

I love my family.  More to come on them later.  Time for sleep- I hope this thunderstorm keeps up! 

a little name change...

So I've changed my name. It hit me when I was writing my last post!  Although joy is something I wanted to be associated with my blog, I thought I'd go ahead and make a pun on my name (since everyone else seems to do so).

My new title does have two meanings, and things that mean a lot to me: First, it's in reference to one of my favorite verses seen above. Secondly, I've realized the importance of being "me" and staying true to myself (as cheesy as I may sound). Everything around me seems to be changing so fast and sometimes I seem to lose sight of who I really am.  Ultimately my identity lies in Christ, so hopefully through my ramblings of everyday life or small joys in random basement finds, may you see Him in some way.

not losing heart!

Sometimes, you just have a "bad day."  I'm pretty sure everyone's bad days are different... and some most people would probably think my version of a bad day is not merited in any way- and that is probably true; however, to whatever extent of whatever reason, sometimes things just don't go the way we planned and its ok to say you had a bad day.  What really matters is how we react and what we take from our experience.  One of my favorite quotes is one in which I share with my Dad.  It's by Charles Swindoll:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

 

 I always kept that quote in the front of my binder in middle school....ha ha remember how we used to keep those "Have A Great Day" notes?  Anyway, I think I should put it back in my binder... or whatever I look at the most these days... Does a Patho book count?  HA! Anyway- just a little encouragement from a girl who didn't have such a hot day... 

 

Also- I always said that when my day hasn't been that great, I'll post some of Chad's African kid pictures from Kenya... they'll make anyone smile:) 

"Therefore, we do NOT lose heart!  Though outwardly we are being washed away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an ETERNAL glory that FAR outweighs them all!  So fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal."  2 Corinthians 4:16-18  

That's been my favorite since 7th grade... and it gets me everytime. 

 

 

Sincerely, Dr. Doerksen

Dear PY2s,

I will be teaching the introductory portion of MEDC 416 (fall PY2), in
which we introduce the basic concepts of medicinal chemistry. Then the
course proceeds through different drug classes and continues to treat
fundamental and applied medchem throughout the fall course (some of
which I also will be teaching) and through the spring MEDC 417 course.
Of course you already had a medchem course from Prof. Rimoldi, but
that focused on biotech and biological drugs, whereas the PY2 series
focuses on what we call 'small molecule' drugs. Thus there will be a
bit of overlap but not too much.

Meanwhile medchem itself overlaps somewhat with organic chemistry
which you took before or biochemistry or the other pharmacy topics,
but it also is much different from those subjects.

We have no required text books for MEDC 416 or MEDC 417, but we do
recommend three books (see below). The first two are voluminous,
comprehensive texts which cover many topics in detail. The third book
(Review of Organic Functional Groups: Introduction to Medicinal
Organic Chemistry) is a small one which focuses on what is relevant to
medchem for the various functional groups (such as ketone or amine)
commonly found in drugs. It is this third book that I recommend to all
the rising PY2's to consider as enjoyable and beneficial summer
reading. The book, a paperback, is light enough to be conveniently
transported on one's vacation, whether to the beach, the mountain
hike, or on a crowded subway train. The individual chapters are short
and can be read in a short time, but most beneficially are studied
over many days in order to be well absorbed.

I am looking forward to teaching you all in August, though I sure
you'll agree that it is great to be able to do other things in the
summer first.


Sincerely,
Dr. Doerksen


Gee, I really can't wait to take it on my mountain hike!
Really?

old habits die hard... but they can die.

Spring Break 2007.
Destination: Steamboat, CO

Yes, this is my suitcase.  (Photo courtesy of Elena- she thought the warning label attached to my suitcase was worthy of capturing).

Summer 2010
Destination:  Washington DC

You see it!  Just call me low maintenance, cool, simple, conservative, a minimalist... whatever you like.. HA!

Now, maybe I'm only going for a few days compared to a week.  And maybe I'm not carrying snow-skiing clothes, but I will say I had to bring both business attire AND normal clothes (and the white coat).  I call this a success!  (I wouldn't even have to carry the backpack if I didn't have to take my computer and binder.)

I'm also looking forward to this character picking me up from the airport...

 This is Christie.  She's not as mean and hardcore as she looks.. quite the contrary- she's perhaps one of the funniest people I know! Get her and Callie together and you really can't breathe from laughing.  SO GLAD this girl will be in Oxford again next year interning with Crusade!  You can read her by clicking right HERE!

I will be away from the blog world until next week... so until then...
SEE YOU.

HART

so far, SO good.

I am ever so grateful for the people in my life.  I have an incredible family and the most amazing friends.  Today was super special.  I may have worked for 8 hours, but from the moment I woke up until right now, as I'm lying in bed, I have recieved and felt one constant birthday gift...

Love. 

Thank you for the phone calls, the voice-mails, the birthday cards, the text messages, the wall posts, and the tweets.  I have listened to and read each and every one of them.  For YOU, dear friends, I am grateful.  Thank you for making my day. 

And Leah, I have eaten some cake... Em made me a strawberry-fruit-pizza--ish one that was deeee-licious.  I will have to say, however, that the one you baked me via blog looks incredible.  Thank you. .

22, you've been too good so far.

HART

element

I'm currently in my element.  Actually, I have many elements, most of them involving other people and new places; however, tonight, I'm in my alone in my room element.  What does this involve you ask?  Well...

*Kroger must have known my birthday is tomorrow because there was a manager's special on all the SUNFLOWERS! My favorite!  So... what did I do?  Bought them of course.  Then, I arranged them all over my house and room in mason jars and my favorite pottery.  The perfect place?  Naturally in my giant mason jar next to Hidan's (my grandaddy) favorite old wine bottle :)

Also got some mini roses..

I LOVE flowers.

*What else did Kroger have to offer me on my birthday eve?  BERRIES!  If you didn't know, I could eat berries every day for the rest of my life and be completely happy.  Seriously.  That and Dove or Hershey's dark chocolate with almonds... So, yes, I got all the blueberries, black berries, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, kiwi, and dark chocolate I could find. (I know peaches and kiwi aren't berries, but still...)

Yes, both bowls of goodness pictured above are sitting right next to me as I'm blogging.


*Before my "in my room" element" (the preparation, if you will) was dinner with Chacha.  Who is Chacha?  If you know me, you DEFINITELY know who the Chach is.... but, if you don't, she's my beloved oh-so-wonderful Grandmother! (yes, the one with the basement).  She's incredible. I enjoy spending time with her SO much. We are so much alike it's really scary- actually she's ten times more generous than me.  I hope I'm half as generous as she is one day.  I FULLY intend on spoiling my grandchildren... rotten.  

*I am currently listening to my "Summer Road Trip" playlist... no, I'm not road tripping, but you know what kind of music that is... just your good worry-free, feel good tunes that remind you of a worry-free and relaxing summer roadtrip....   This naturally includes....   Ingrid Michaelson, The Beatles, Ray Lamontagne, The La's, the Weepies, Joshua Radin, Ellie Holcomb, Jillian Edwards, the Cranberries, the Lovin' Spoonfool, Sufjan, King Harvest, Stevie Wonder, Feist, Norah, and some other random people that many of you have never heard of.  Nevertheless, I'm very happy.

*My Voluspa candle is burning next to me on my bedside table, my white lights are strung in the canopy  above my head, and my down pillow below my head.  

*Next to me sits a book, magazine, and chickflick... currently debating which pleasure to indulge in...

Yes. I'm in a state of... not really sure.  But thought I'd share my element.

Tomorrow?  I turn 22.  Unfortunately there's no big milestone that occurs with turning 22.  Just a year older... but birthday's are fun anyway- each year they remind me what wonderful friends I have.  They remind me how the Lord has blessed me beyond belief with the amazing people in my life who care about me and make me feel so special :).  Thank you dear friends!

HART

surprised

Surprised would be an understatement.  So, the preface this, my birthday is Tuesday- there's nothing too excited about 22.  However, Friday night, Mom told me that I HAD to go with her to an over-the-hill party in Fulton... It ended up being a lot of fun, but we headed out a little early.  When we pulled into the driveway, another car pulled up right behind us...
Mom:  Hart, I'm REALLY tired and don't feel like company, who all are you expecting over here.
Me:  I haven't invited anyone, so I don't know who that is.
Mom: You don't?  Well you know how it is, people always dropping in over here... I'll see who it is.
(Mom runs real fast back to the car)
Mom:  I don't know who that is, lock the door.
(I'm freaking out and start locking the car door- meanwhile, some man is approaching us from the car).
They guy is now standing outside my window and I refuse to look up.
Mom:  LOOK!!!!

Just a good Chad.  The guy left work early and drove 9 hours from Dallas just to surprise me for my birthday, having to drive back today.  It was a sweet surprise.

I know my posts have been few and far between.... just been surprisingly busy!

Now:  watching the Harry Potter marathon.
Confession:  I've never seen all the movies.
Truth:  I HAVE read every book.

The movies somewhat disappoint me.  I read all 7 books last summer... I wish I could read them again for the first time... I read them so fast, however, that there are so many things I've forgotten... Looking forward to picking them up again in a year or so. 

Back to watching.
HART

14212 Orleans Drive.... aka FRATERNITY ROW.

Who needs fraternity row when you can go to the Berry's?  I spent the weekend in Little Rock with the following people.  I will post the boys in blue and the girls in red:
1. Chad

2. Jack

3. Vann

4. Dana

5. Taun

6. Ryan

7. J Rich

8. Josh

9. Dave

10. Clay

11. Andy

12. Peter

13. Matt

14. Yinz?

15. Trent

16. Luke
17. Brandon
18. Bear (the dog). I forgot him the first time.

..... maybe some other's- I lost count.

Yep.  I haven't seen many girls lately. Thank goodness for Dana:) One of the most patient women I know!  Needless to say, I had a fully entertaining, always eating, late night scavenger hunting, basketball dunking, orange cone "borrowing", scary movie watching, only rap listening, female escape shopping, happy birthday celebrating, sometimes embarrassing conversing, youtube video watching, catch-up talking, fireworks shooting, and very very very GOOD TIMES having Fourth of July Weekend.

Happy LATE Fourth of July, Everyone!
HART