“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”
~ Morrie Schwartz

This is a picture of my cousin, McKensie, swimming with dolphins on her 21st birthday. I am not sure where they went, but it sure looks like fun.....So happy belated birthday, McKensie.

I hope everything is going well at home. I went running last night with my friend Eunice at the gym....Today is the day I am taking off because we have eight hours of class. I have a lot of studying today. We have had all the lectures that are going to be on our exam, however, it is still a lot to learn.

Well, again, I am sorry that it is so short....but we talking about GI bleeding....lots of fun!!

~nat

This is a picture of Georgia's Stegman Coliseum on the night they beat UK.....I believe it was last Wednesday. It is really amazing to see it so full since it was always empty when we were there. They also beat LSU last night in a big win....

I don't have much time because I am in class. I just wanted to tell my family from Hillsboro....I was in Subway yesterday talking to a girl in first semester. She told me her name was Allison Hamiliton and has a sister named Natalie Hamiliton.....and they are from Hillsboro. It is just a reminder of what a small world it really is.

I hope that everyone has a great week! Talk to you soon~

~nat

“The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.”
~ Sven Goran Eriksson

These are pictures from my trip the Salybia Mission Project clinic in the Carib Territory....The first pictures is me, Maria Antonucci, Eunice Koh, and Kristy Smith. The next picture is of Maria, Kristy, me, Eunice, Lisa Espiritu, and Laurel Grimm. There were two guys that went but they did not make the pictures. The bottom picture is of the Atlantic ocean. The waves were huge that day....almost two and a half people tall!

Today was a good day. I slept later than normal. I was really sore from playing basketball last night so I did not run. However, I plan to run tomorrow morning before church. We did have bible study tonight at Eunice and Lisa Cole's house. I also ate at Tomato's for the first time. I had seared Ahi tuna with wasabi....the next closest thing to sushi. I love my Bible study group. Though it has dwindled from 6 to 4, I feel that I am going to enjoy it very much. We are doing a Beth Moore study called "living beyond yourself" based on the fruits of the spirit. It is nice to have that comraderie (spelling?) here....and in life.

I am going to try to get through one more packet of notes tonight so I wil talk to you all later. I look forward to comments, emails, pictures, cards, packages, anything......Though I have been here a year, I still miss home! Love you guys....

~nat

Some Kind of Ride





....feels like some kind of ride but it's turning out just to be life going absolutely perfectly~ from www.storypeople.com

First, I apologize for taking so long to write. I have been busy but that is no excuse. It has been an eventful week, at least from afar. It was my mom's birthday on the 23rd and my cousin McKensie turned 21. (I am sure she was on her best behavior.) Our minister at church left this week so we went to the airport to see him and his wife off. They are on furlow back in the states. We have class this semester from 8 to 5 every Monday and Wednesday, 1 to5 on Friday, and Tues and Thur are clinical days at the hospital or with patient simulators. Needless to say it is quite busy around here, at least for fourth semesters. Of course, every semester I felt busy.

My running is going okay. I am up to two and half miles without any problems. Granted, I am tired but I can physically do it. I have to be at three solid by February 5th.....I know I can do it but THIRTEEN MILES still seems like forever. Day by day it gets better. Today though is my "crosstraining" day.....which means I am playing basketball instead of running. I really look forward to this day!

I hope that everyone has a good weekend. I will be at home studying if anyone wants to call. I will talk to you later! Love you guys!

I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future......

In all of the issues surrounding going to Miami, staying in Dominica, med school classes, future rotations, my board exam, I try to focus on the verse above. It is nice to be reminded, though, that as big as my problems may seem to me, it is really not all about me. Abe, a guy I go to church with, has a 15 month daughter in the hospital at home in the states who just had spinal surgery. His wife is with her and their 2 other daughters while he goes to school here. Needless to say, when hearing a story like that, I feel guilty for not trusting God with my so very small issues. These are just my thoughts.....

I hope that everyone has a great rest of the week.

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
Epicurus

Here are some funny pictures JT and I took at Christmas. There is one of JT in his hat and sweater thinking he is cool (but looking quite hot). We are trying to take a self portrait with Asia (but we missed), and other one is on our last date before I left....we went to old spaghetti factory. But I guess the picture that everyone is concerned with is the crazy one of me. My mom got me the pajamas for Christmas. The shower cap, yes it has bows on it, is so that my hair treatment that I have to sleep in does not ruin my sheets....Nevertheless, it makes for a funny picture.

I have one more hour of class left for today but I wanted to say hello! Have a good day everyone!

~nat

“Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.”
~Tom Krause


This quote goes out to two groups of people, JT's team pictured at the left, and to all those trying to train for a half marathon. I have 23 days to be able to solidly run three miles and dont know how I will ever do it, much less 13.... Granted, I know that I will finish but I may die trying.....The same thing goes out to JT's team. IT is does not matter how many games that they win or lose but how hard they play. Yeah yeah, everyone, myself included, wants to win. However, to try hard and play hard even when the odds are against you, to me that is more honorable than winning when you are expected to.

Anyways, that is my little diatribe for today. I must go study some "intro to clinical medicine" and pharmacology (heart drugs).......Love you guys and miss you all so much already.

JT and I were playing with my mom's bedroom decorations......we are bad children..... But the pictures are hilarious. At least I think so.... Sorry it has been a few days since I posted. I have been getting settled and feeling overwhelmed with all of the school that we have coming at us. I already feel behind. Plus I have to make a decision about staying here or going to Miami.

I am still doing my running. I ran to Portsmouth and back this morning. It is about 2 miles but the way back was mostly walking. I am struggling with this running thing. It was easy when it was only to lose weight but now that it is actual training, it is much much harder. Or at least harder than I thought it would be causing a lot of frustration for me. I know, though, that I will pull through it and finish.

I hope everything is good at home. I hear there have been snow flurries since I left.....not a surprise that it did not snow the entire time I was there but it happens now! Oh well!

Have a good day.

~Nat

“Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.”

Well, I am back in Dominca rather against my will because I had trouble leaving the Louisville airport. Yet I am back and in class and ready to go. This is my fourth semester and last semester of basic sciences. Next semester can either be done in Miami or Dominica. I am not sure yet where I will be.

I had a really good Christmas break. I got to see a lot of people that I had not seen. I missed seeing a few people like Melissa and Jacqueline and Stacey, all of which I wanted to see, but with limited time it was really hard. I did have a great break. I saw my mom and bob, which by the way, Bob made great sausage balls, as seen in the picture above. I got really good gifts from my family for Christmas....from mom and Bob....real pearls, dress clothes, a Grey's anatomy coffee mug, and much more.....from dad and Terri....perfume, a text book, and money........from Sharon and Jimmy....a traveling Bible, Grey's Anatomy season 2, House season 1 and much more. But more than the gifts, it was great to see everyone. I got to watch JT's team play six games. They were 3-3 with me and were playing very well when I left. I enjoyed getting to know his players because they are a lot of fun and good guys.

I greatly enjoyed all of the time I spent with JT. Our marriage needed time. It was hard leaving this time because I have realized how much I truly love him and how lucky I am because I stole him from the rest of the women of the world. We went running and watched a movie, Rocky 6, together (yes, I am good wife), visited friends and family, and so much more. I tried to soak up every minute. Gosh, I love him so much. This year we made a New Year's Resolution together.....We are going to the Louisville Half Marathon which is part of the Kentucky Derby celebration. I can not wait. Granted, training will be hard....running from 3 to 13 miles and on race day, April 28, running 13.1 miles. However, I am so competitive that I could not let JT run it without me. He may be beat me but I will finish; there is no doubt about that....or at least I will die trying. I am still thinking of a few more resolutions. I will let you know when I decide.

I hope to hear from you soon. Love you guys

~nat