NO ONE LIKE ME.

So. glad. that. is. over.

So I got a glimpse into what normal medical school life was like those last three weeks of the semester... and I was all like "oh wait, ALL I HAVE TO DO IS STUDY. Well this is easy." But really. You truly learn to appreciate the little things when you don't have the little things for a while. Fifth floor of the UTHSC library, you were my haven and I actually had a lot of fun with your other residents those last few weeks. I mean, I could tell some people were a little confused when I was skipping down the hallways on the way to a four hour study sesh while everyone else looked completely miz. But have to study or not, I wake up each day with a smile on my face, thanking God for this new beautiful day that I am alive. I am pretty sure I made every random person (that got too close) toast to that very same thing on Saturday night "to being alive and living every day to the fullest!!"

And lately I have been living each day that I can to the fullest. Seeing friends and family and smiling a lot!  I am even trying not to let this awful head cold get in my way- even though it did take a couple of days away from the fun and gave them to the couch! (sad puppy face) Oh well, I am feeling much better now and looking forward to spending lots of time at the pool and lake (if these clouds would go away!! geez life can't you just be as warm and sunshiny as I feel right now!! please and thank you)

Speaking of friends and family. Lately my life has been full of warm encounters and exciting reunions. And it made me think about how these people who I love and who love me shape my life. But not just them; every single person who I have encountered in my life has changed me in some way or another. Hopefully mostly for the better. We are all just big collages made from bits and pieces of each other. Each others habits, blessings, judgements, praise...

And since being home most people have slathered on the praise and admiration like crazy. In a way that almost makes me feel uncomfotable. ALMOST. (do y'all even know me? LOL)  But what it made me realize is this: I don't deserve all this. I was, AM, just a girl who did what she had to do. What made sense to me at the time. What seemed to me as my only option. I would honestly be crazy impressed with someone who could sit on their butt for six months with only cancer to fill their mind and make it out of THAT situation alive.

But I guess it does kind of put things in perspective for me. It was kind of a big deal, what I did. And it feels AMAZING to be able to say that in the PAST TENSE. Aaaaand get ready for this y'all:

I AM SO INCREDIBLE. 

But guess what, so are so many others out there in this crazy world. And I am friends with a lot of those incredible people. And as incredible people we deserve nothing but the best. Nothing but people who love me with their everything.

Basically, what I am trying to say is that if you are lucky enough to call yourself my friend then you are one amazing person. But I am also lucky to have you in my life. And that is what life is all about. We all have a part in shaping each other. You all had/have a part in shaping who I AM TODAY and who I will become. You all have a part in pasting one more photo on to that "Olivia collage." So make it a good one.

Cheers to living life and loving life. And being lucky enough to have friends like you.
Liv

Manners take a second look and you'll see
There is no one like me
Th-th-there is no one like me

Manners you better reconsider cause you will never do better
There is no one like me, like me
Manners take a second look and you'll see there is no one like me