Life is Happening

I'm fighting obesity and encouraging everyone else to as well

I went to Utah

I realized just how much I love these little people and living with them.

I went to Hawaii.

I did a photoshoot with my cousin Brittany.

I started working.

I'm loving my new crew

I'm dating this boy.

I'm happy. Really happy with life.

Dearest Cathy

I love you for this. And a hundred other reasons.

Einstein's Best Wishes

I've recently gotten a few really fun things in the mail from a couple of the LDS acquaintances I have in Boston. Its was such a nice surprise and really sweet and thoughtful. It made me feel kinda special. And in the case of the last one, laugh out loud. I know I'm hard on Boston and the mormon population here, cause I don't often feel like I've clicked with a lot of people, but there are some really great people out here. And I think if I hadn't been in dental school during my sojourn here, I could have had a very different experience. Even as it is, I'm very grateful for the people who stop and notice me. Part of my irrelevance and anonymity is due to my schedule and time constraints - I know I'm not very involved in any sort of single's scene - so having people think of me is doubly thoughtful because I am so out of sight. 

I went to a V-Day Birthday Party. We made valentine bags. This little number ended up in mine.
Very strange but I'm twisted enough to like it :)

Riding High

High on what you say? High on life baby. Lately I have been feeling such overwhelming joy. Yes, sometimes Dr. B makes me want to punch something. Yes, I still get stressed and feel insecure. But riding below the surface of all of that is a happiness. A joy about where my life is. I feel secure despite the uncertainness of my future. And I would have to say that a large part of this recent feeling is due to an increased effort of mine to be more open. I feel such satisfaction, because instead of worrying and wondering, I have made the bold move to vocalize my thoughts, feelings and needs. There is such gratification in this new approach. I honestly don't know why I ever held out. Because knowing>wondering.

Wanna know the nitty gritty of things that are making me happy in the last few days?

1. I heard a hilarious story the other day, that has had me grinning like a fool every time I think of it. And I think of it often.

2. One of the assistants took me grocery shopping at lunch today. I bought this pesto and sun dried tomato cheese... Oh, Lordy. It is freaking unbelievably good. I had my doubts... but goodness gracious. Expectations? Blasted to smithereens.

3. My father is the bomb. Yes, sometimes I ask for things short notice. But he always does his best to make me happy and give me what I ask for. He's kinda great like that. And I'm extremely lucky.

4. My Alberta flights are booked. And I found out that the patient I was debating coming back from Alberta for, can come on other days besides Friday. Thus negating my need to come back early. So that is a flight scheduling win.

5. And did I forget to mention that I'm coming home for Thanksgiving too? Yup, booked my flight on Monday. Epic sibling reunion? I think so.

I'm just happy. And thats kind of noteworthy.

Grateful IV

1. For a mother who lets me call and talk to her for large amounts of time everyday of the weekend.

2. For Canadian friends, who throw impromptu Canadian Thanksgiving Dinners.
John and Tamsen are the most glorious hosts. Not only is Tamsen a phenomenal cook, but she is also wonderfully generous. Yes, I got left overs. And yes it made my day. And add to that the fact that John then drove me back to Externship. Those Canadians... good solid people.

3. For recognizing progress.
Yes it is rare for me to not curse growing up, but occasionally I will do something and then realize what progress I have made. I feel pride in those moments where I realize the strides I've made. Of course there are days where I can't see the progress. Which is what makes moments like this so poignant.

4. For the farsees.
A few weeks ago, this guy gave a talk in my ward. He told this story from his mission about asking for directions from a man. The man told him that he needed to go three farsees and then turn right. "Farsee? I'm not familiar with that distance. How far is one farsee?" And the man replied a farsee was as "far as you could see".
The point of the story is that often we don't know the plans that God has in store for us. We can't see the future. But we only need plan for as far as we can see. Nothing more than that is asked of us. Sometimes we can only see 6 months or a year away. But we don't need to plan any farther than we can see.
I often feel nervous that I don't have a future plan for after dental school. There is a certain amount of built in shame, for not having concrete life plans. But right now, the farthest I can see is graduation. So I plan for that point and try not to worry about any further ahead than that. I'm choosing to hope that once I get there I'll be able to see and plan a little further ahead.

Grateful III

1. Lights. The lights in my room have slowly been dying. First the closet light (who needs to see what clothes they pick out of the closet anyways). And then the main light (this one I cant rationalize away... its dark in my room). I usually am a total solve-it-myself kinda girl, but when I took off the light cover to have a gander at my dying light, it was a weird fluorescent circle light bulb. Nope... not doing it. So after a weekend of flickering lights, my light died last night. I stopped procrastinating and called my landlord to ask about it. I came home from clinic tonite and was pleasantly surprised with the "new" lighted ambiance in my room. Its pretty awesome. (And results in me not having to strain my eyes - Win Win Win).

2. Short Clinic Appointments. I dont care that my appointment today was kinda weak sauce. Getting out of clinic before the mad rush at the end is the BEST FEELING EVER.

3. Checking things off my to-do list. Booya - Aliginate Impression Summative? Check Check Check. I love it when I cross off a busy-work task.

4. Realizing I'm developing a patient repoire. And that during the waiting moments of the appointment, that I am not just sitting awkwardly in silence.

5. Snagging a Perio Assist. Believe me people, those dang assists are hard to get a hold of. We are required to do ten perio surgery assists with the Perio Residents. And it is a total whored out crap shoot trying to nail those down. Either they dont have any when we have free time, or there's fifty billion of us all trying to assist the same person, or the patient cancels. But after months of trying unsuccessfully to do another one, I have one planned for tomorrow morning. Cross your fingers the patient doesnt cancel.

Grateful II

Did you know that my parents (specifically my father) call me twice every week? Cause he does. And its not like he calls for some lame five minute conversation to make sure I'm still breathing. He calls and listens and talks to me. Tonite, we talked for an hour and a half. I love the consistency of it all - that despite it all, my parents have not forgotten me. Its something I really appreciate. That even far away they are taking care of me and me them. Its nice to know. A lot of time I think it comes down to feeling like someone hears you - really hears you. Often I just let my dad chat away and sometimes I think he needs these phone calls more than I do. Distance usually makes the fond heart wander. But not with family. Before I left to come back to school, as I was saying goodbye to my father at the airport, he hugged me and told me that I could always call him if I needed to and that other people may come and go but he'd always be my best friend. I love that level of loyalty, that level of love. Basically I love my dad. 

Grateful I

One - Cousins. 

And in particular Maikal and Jesse.

They are great cousins.

And I love when we do family dinners.

They just make everything so easy. They are crazy fun.

And their love and acceptance is a breath of fresh air.

Two - Boy Posses

I love that when I go anywhere, I usually go with a posse of boys.

It makes me laugh a little. Cause I've been traipsing about like this since highschool.

The original crew was Matt, Josh, Will, Dallin and Danny Waugh.

Sure they're always mostly related to me, but I love it.

Tonite's crew: Ben, Maikal, Jesse, Iohane, Nathaniel, Brandon, Marshall.

Three - Family Chats

I love chatting. And I love even more chatting with the family.

We talk about everything. We arent afraid to call each other out on ridiculousness.

(Turns out everyone is horrified that I on occasion take rides from strangers)

It is so comfortable. It is wonderful.

The Lowry side comes with loud voices, used to make our points.

And sometimes you cant even hear what is being said because everyone yelling all at once trying to make their point. But that is family.

Four - Baking.

Especially when other people are doing it.

Brandon and Marsh made puffed wheat squares and milkshakes.

Five - Live Music

I love talented people. I love when people sit at the piano and play and sing.

I wish daily that I had more talent like that (but know that really it would just take time to practice). But listening to other people. I could sit by someone's side for hours and just listen to them sing and play. I loved that Jesse and Brandon sat and played on the piano for a long time. I loved that Brandon knows Wakey Wakey - Brooklyn as well as a few other gems. Good music is not overrated. Musical talents are not overrated.

The End. For now anyways.

Superbowl Present

Ben is thoughtful like this.

As is my poppa.
See that sandal? Ya... about three years ago my favorite sandals of all time finally bit the big one.
Which was fair since I'd had them since grade nine.
Six years for one pair. But the devastating part was that I couldnt find another pair that I loved as much. Apparently, since that point, my dad has been looking for a replacement for me.
My dad is awesome.
I love superbowl parafanalia.
And I love sandals that can be worn with socks in the winter.
My dad knows me too well.

Here's To Happy.

The other day I was talking to a classmate, who said this...

"You need to learn to be happy in whatever stage of life you are in, cause if you are constantly looking to the future saying 'then I'll be happy', it never happens. Cause there are problems and disappointments in every stage of life."

So here are some things that currently make me happy:

1. These two crazy faces.

I love that my name is Aunt Missy. I love that I can play rough and then convince them that they loved it, even if they didnt. I love that you can teach them to do funny things - like pound it or cheat at thumb wars. I love that they both have these completely unique and distinct personalities. I love that I see my family in them.

2.

"Hey wanna come with me?"

"Where are we going?"

"We're going crazy!"

3. That these two fell in love and had the gumption to know that being happy takes more than just love.

4. That this kid is a righteous kid.

It may sound weird but Matt is slightly my pride and joy. I miss him like crazy.

5. Staying connected via stalking...

I have many blogs that I love to read.

Family, friends, people I admire.

Its quite the long list.

So if you're updating, I'm loving it.

6. That my boyfriend and I have decided to become a little more serious this year.

Last year we saw each other on a casual basis. This year its going to be a lot more up close and personal. Sparks will fly. I promise you that.

7. That I am a smart girl.

Is it vain to be happy I'm not dumb? Cause if so call me vain.

I know what I want and I know what it takes to get it.

Not everyone is so fortunate... or decisive.

8. This beautiful place.

I dont care if I'm a million miles away. Alberta will ALWAYS be my home.

9. That I have my own room.

Yup.

It is bloody brilliant

to have my own

personal little hideaway.

10. That I was raised with boys.

Sorry Takahashi's... I'm calling this one. Growing up with boys... AMAZING. I would of had it no other way. And getting to be tight with them? Unlike no other.

11. That my besties are two of the funniest people I know.

And thats saying something.. cause I've experienced some very funny people in my time.

12. That this crew is always there for me.

For some, distance doesnt make the heart grow fonder. But with the distance from my family, I have definitely noticed that we have become a tighter knit family. Sure its out of necessity. But I wouldnt trade it for anything.

13. I also love lists.

There is nothing better

than displaying your

life neatly via point form.