again: this post, written on 2/3, actually occurred 12/17-18
title translation: 2 of the greatest steps in my life up to now!
Since my interview on Dec 3, I have been in agony waiting for a phone call from LMU. On some occasions, I am excited for a call because I am confident in their decision. Ironically, its the arrogant confident thoughts that always bring me to the reality they might decline me a position. I try to mask the agonizing thoughts with the excitement of GRADUATION!! I cant believe its finally here! I have finished my bachelor's degree a semester early and ready/prepared scared to move on, in all honesty! On the senior-itis days, I am so glad to have a break and then go onto PA school. The other days I am scared to become a REAL adult: pay for things, actually be responsible. and face the workworld. The only thing keeping me unruffled, besides knowing I am part of God's plan, is that I only have a few months until I resume student status. After graduation of PA school, I will REALLY have to deal with those emotions.
Dec 18
I decided to wear my suit from my interview to graduation. Noone will see it because of my gown, and I kinda like how it looks me (very professional!) Graduation morning, I had to report at like 8am sharp for a practice or else I would not be able to walk! I made it in time and we went over the order of service while I 'illegally' texted and talked on the phone to help family and friends find the Burg (location of graduation). Before graduation was scheduled to begin, we were led to another building because we were to walk at the beginning of the graduation. Let me mention- it was oh so cold, but I'm not complaining- would have preferred it cold than hot! So we get to the holding building, all lined up, and start walking back towards the Burg when my phone drops out of my gown and the screen CRACKS!! I have gone a year and a half without a phone cover and it has never cracked! never! That definitely made graduation not-so enjoyable because I was worried what my dad would say and if would operate with the crack. Graduation began and went as smooth. I managed not to trip/fall while walking across the stage and they even gave me the right diploma! After graduation, I met with some friends to take pictures and then I headed over the 'Sweet Tomato' to eat lunch! My family and some close friends joined me. I had such a great time getting to talk with all them and eat. Note: I left my phone in the car this whole time because ANYONE who need to contact me was with me (that I knew of)! So I get back in the car, check my phone (bc im OCD -haha) and I have like 2 missed calls from a number from TN!!!!! I am riding with Claire and Alyssa, and I begin to freak out because I know its from LMU and they are calling to let me know if I was accepted or not! I see they leave a message and I confidently anxiously check it! They tell me to call them back, and after much coaching by Claire, who assured me it would be fine. Michele (the dean) was actually on the phone with another student when I called, so she had to call me back. We were playing phone tag! She calls back and I ...answer. Shes does this whole small talk thing, congratulating me on graduation, and OFFERS ME A SPOT IN THEIR PROGRAM!! I excitedly accept. She asks if I have any questions and I am so stunned at what I just heard that I say no and get off the phone quickly! Claire and Alyssa can tell I got in and when I hang up the phone, I literally start BAWLING!!! No joke, the waterworks/flood gates were OPENED!!! I am like huffing and puffing because I am so overwhelmed with what just happened! Claire almost starts crying from seeing me cry- one big crying party! After I gained a little composure- some not much- I call my dad and try to tell him I got accepted. He cant understand me through my sobbing and he thinks something happened to us. He starts looking out the mirrors (bc he was a car ahead of us) and he cant see anything. I am so loud on the phone my mom can hear me and she starts wondering whats going on too! I mean, the last they saw me, I was happy to graduate and be with family and friends! When I finally speak clear enough for him to hear, he screams and tells everyone else in the car. I proceed to call all my family and friends and tell them the good news! They are all so excited for me! I get back to DBU and get the last few things from my apartment and make the ride to my new home for the next 6 months! Needless to say, I will never forgot December 18! It was a monumental day in my life!
Here are some pictures of the day :)
forward: although written today (2/3) this actually happened sometime in mid November-Dec 3.
One day while I was sitting at lunch on campus at the Patriot Cafe, eating quickly before I headed to work, my phone rang. I didnt recognize the number, which made me excited because I was expecting to hear from PA schools. I answered and found out it was a lady from Lincoln Memorial University! I was so excited to learn they wanted to bring me in for an interview! She gave me the choice of 3 dates of which I had to get back to her because I couldnt decided right then. I would have to plan out flights and when it was best to miss school. I returned her call the next week with my interview confirmation of Dec 3. I was so excited about this interview yet VERY nervous at the same time. My dad and I began looking at flights and where to stay and how to get around while I was there.
I flew out of DFW on Dec 2 at 12:30pm. Dylan dropped me off at the airport with a bittersweet attitude. He was sad to see me leave for a few days, but just as excited to see me get to start the interview stage of PA school. It was the first time I had flown by myself and I was a bit nervous. I had already checked in online and reserved my seat ( I made sure to get a single seat by a window)! So when I got into the check-in area, I didnt really know what to do. I managed to get a print out of my ticket and make it through security without any trouble. God was watching over me :) Once in, I had some time before I boarded, so I had lunch at chilis, by myself, like a loner. LOL. I moved to my gate and waited to board. It finally came time to board, and I made it to my seat. The flight was short and we made it without and problems in the air. When we began the descend, I could see the landscape of TN (it was my first time there). I was so impressed to see it looked straight out of the woods! There were trees everywhere! The airport was so small and very cute! The decorations represented to wooded scene of Knoxville and I was excited get out of the airport to see it all. My dad and I decided to rent a car to drive from the airport to the hotel. I follow directions to the rent-a-car place (of which I got a discount for being with LMU.. FTW). My assigned car was a new Jeep Cherokee with push start- very cool! The trip was supposed to take a little over an hour to make, but I made it in a little over 2 hours. The delay was because ALL the roads are like on winding mountains, I didnt know where I was going so went slow to not miss any road, and it was getting dark. When I finally made it to the hotel, I checked in, dropped my bag off and got out to find something to eat for dinner. I also needed to make a trip to walmart cause my purse didnt match my suit for the interview- gotta be in style for the first impression- LOL! The hotel was in Middlesboro, KY and it was so small there was not many restaurants. I ate some tacos, found the necessary purse, and went back to my room. I had a paper due the next day in a class I was missing back home, so I had to sit down and write it. Between paper writing and cramming for interview information, I went to sleep nervous/anxious/excited/prepared for the interview.
I did as much preparation the night before for getting ready as I could so that waking up and getting ready would be easier. The morning of Dec 3, I made the last minute preparations and headed down to put my bags in the jeep. I came back in to grab some breakfast. In the lobby, I noticed other students in suits and I knew then they were other people going to the interview! They were waiting to ride the shuttle to the interview. Although I shouldnt have started comparing myself to how 'smart' they looked (how I could tell that by their appearance, IDK), I did. It didnt make my nerves very calm. I followed the bus to the school, parked, and went to check in. In all there were 7 students there for the interview. We were led up to a meeting room and given a folder. The folder had contents about the school, profession, and schedule of the day. We sat through some presentations about the program and then the interviews began. I was VERY LAST to be called. Dont be worried, the order was preplanned and I knew I was going to be last from the beginning- made my nerves calm down even LESS! While waiting to be called, those not in the interview chatted and got to know one another. When I was called back, I met with the dean of the college and her assistant. It was much more laid back that I expected. Afterwards, I knew there were better ways I could have answered the questions, but it was over! I was DONE with my first INTERVIEW!!! I was so excited, much better than I thought! They werent trying to stump me or ask me questions I wouldnt know. They were more interested in myself rather than knowing I knew everything about the profession! After I had finished my interview, we were led to lunch where we were able to get to know the other interviewees better. We were then able to tour some of the student housing and the campus. After all that, we were taken back to the DO/PA building and allowed to leave. I got in the Jeep and called my parents, Claire, and Dylan to tell them I was headed back and how the day went. They were all very excited for me.
Back at the airport, after parking my rental car in the wrong return spot (woops), I got some food and waited to board. It was then the nerves of 'will they accept me??' started. Their website said a response will be given in 4-6 weeks. A PA 1st year student told us he got a call the monday after his friday interview. So from then until I got the call, I was on pins and needles not knowing when they were going to let me know. I landed back in Dallas and was picked up by Dylan and headed to Sherman to rest and relax from the stressful few days!
Best part about the whole interview process: the very impressive school, God delivering me through the interview, and meeting the other interviewees (esp Kelcye!!, who I have now talked to every day since then and is a highly potential roommate :D )
Here are some pics to help you get a better picture of this adventure
I am about to get caught up on blog posting! This will entail MANY posts as I have gotten VERY behind! Enjoy :) xoxo
