Today I donated blood.

It had been nearly three years since I last donated. Thankfully, everything went smoothly, and they were able to get the full amount of blood out of me this time. And the best part was the cookies and juice afterwards, plus I got a 3-time donor pin.

This whole week has been absolutely beautiful. Today the temperature was probably into the 20s. Yesterday, I dug out my sandals and wore them for the first time this year. It was a good feeling. I'm glad that it is the end of the term, or I don't think that I would be able to make myself stay focused. This week has been pretty much a "do nothing" week. School-wise, very little has gotten accomplished this week. I wrote a lab test on Monday, and tomorrow, on our last day of classes, I write my final test of the semester. I should really be studying for that right now.

On Monday, I went for a walk with the two little neighbour girls, Megan and Melissa. I had only met them once before, but they were so excited to see me, and to go for a walk. They very subtly dropped the hint that they wanted to go to Tim Hortons, so I grabbed my Tim Hortons gift certificates, and we headed off together. They're pretty cute. As we were walking down the street to Tim Hortons holding hands, one of them says, "I'm so glad that I met you so that we can be walking together to Tim Hortons, and learning so much about each other." It made me smile! On the way home, we walked through the cemetery that runs behind my house. Upon entering the cemetery, they told me that they wanted to look for Jesus' grave. They said that his grave is the one of the ones with a lamb on top of it. I tried to explain to them that I didn't think Jesus' grave would be found here, but they seemed fairly certain that they would be able to find it. Ah, kids . . . they are the greatest! It was fun to spend some time with kids. I miss all my "little" friends from home, and so I was thankful to spend some time walking and playing.

Finals start one week from today. It is hard to believe that it is already time for finals once again. Didn't I just write the ones in December? I feel much better going into finals this semester - just because I have enjoyed the classes so much more, and have done lots better in a lot of the classes.

Okay, time to get back to studying. I'm moving from the cornea to ocular circulation. Pretty thrilling stuff.

Oh yeah, one last thing. I'd like to ask a favour of those of you who read this. I just found out today that Karen, one of my good friends from school, grandma died recently. She is heading home early next week for the funeral, and will be back to write our finals starting next Thursday. We're under a lot of stress as it is, with upcoming finals, but to add this on top of that has got to be so difficult. So, please just keep her and her family in your prayers. Thanks.