January 17, 2011

TODAY WAS MLK DAY! NO WORK!

So, I found out last night that I didn't get into Emory, which honestly came as a complete shock. I have awesome GRE scores, a great GPA from a great university, great references, and great experience. I guess there are just better applicants out there, which makes me REALLY REALLY sad. However, that makes me happy since these people are going to be huge game changers, going out into the world and making a difference in the health of thousands around the globe, so I guess I should be mature and be happy for that :) I took the night to cry, eat cookies, and watch mindless tv, but I really really really appreciate my family and the few friends I mentioned this to, who all called and left me some nice voice mails and text messages. :D My mom sent me this email this morning:

Good morning Darlin.

I hope you are feeling better today.

I’ve been doing some thinking about the Emory decision. Here’s what I have come up with:

You cannot let one institution of higher learning determine what and how you learn. It can only determine where you learn.

Emory rejected your application, they did not reject YOU. It is not personal decision, it is only business to them. So don’t take it personally. Apparently, there are many people with great resumes wanting to do the same thing you want to do. This might just be a blessing to the world.

Now is the time when your courage and faith are being tested. It is time to accept the challenge of finding the right place to go to school and have faith that you will excel wherever you go to school.

I have faith in you. You will be fine. So put your “big girl” panties on and go to the zoo. Don’t let a good day go to waste by being sad.

Hugs and kisses from a girl that has graduated from several fine universities of hard knocks

I have a great Mom.

So today I decided to just let it go and start being awesome again. I threw that stupid rejection letter in the trash can, along with their stupid info packet they sent me, and got on with my life. I was going to donate some stuff to the Salvation Army, when I saw a sign for an oil change for $19.99. Yes please. I stopped in, and the guy was SO NICE. He had all these repeat customers coming in, and he remembered exactly what kind of car they had, what their problems were, etc. They all talked about how great this place is. Cool! So it's my turn:

Guy (German accent): How can I help you?
Me: I saw your sign for your oil change for 19.99 and I want one.
Guy: Oh, well I will have to charge you a little extra (with a laugh so I thought this was a joke)! What is your name?
Me: Emily
Guy: Oh that is a very popular name. We have many customers named Emily.
Me: That's because Emilys are the greatest.
(he laughs and goes to get my car)
Guy: Emily the greatest, your car is ready.

YES.

And then another lady came in and was finalizing my paperwork:
Lady: $29.99.
Me: What? I thought it was $19.99...
Lady: Oh, that price is for smaller cars. they didn't tell you?
Me: NO! (well, I guess he actually did, but I thought he was joking...)
Lady: Oh! Okay! Well we will charge you the special price then! Add us on facebook.

YES.

And then Kate and I went to the Fort Worth Zoo. It had at least 7 giraffes, a baby chimp, baby flamingos (which are gray and super fuzzy... who knew?), bears, tigers, lions, and otters, etc. And every single animal was out playing around. I guess they appreciated the rare afternoon of sunshine we had today, after about a week of freezing temps and rain. We went to the botanical gardens, threw leaves at each other, stopped on the way back for ice cream sundaes, and it was a great day.