HUGE UPDATE!!!

Steve and I on the airplane to Cali!

Our Christmas Tree!!

The amazing pop-up card!

Cutest couple ever!!

Ok... I have to apologize for not being a very good blogger! I in no way mean to keep my life such a secrete. From my last blog up till now so much has occurred and an update could take days. I will try my best to bring you all up to par on my life over the past 4 months. I did finish up my rotations in Denver Colorado along with a relationship that I felt was not right for me nor right for the other individual. I do not know what it is, but calling off a relationship with someone that you have spent so much time with and had so many experiences and memories with is never easy. Dating is really a hard part of life. No one likes to hurt the feelings of others or get their own feelings hurt, but nothing is more rewarding then noticing later on that your choice to call things off was absolutely the right choice. Throughout my life I feel that I have been blessed to be guided in the right directions to learn what I need to learn from people in order to improve on my own character and progress to where I am at this time. For me timing seems to be everything. Those of you who know me well and know about my past experiences are well aware of how through the right timing I have been able to accomplish and do so much in my life. Here are just a few examples:

1. When I returned to Salt Lake after attending Snow College for two years. I had my EMT license and no work experience. My father ran into a gentleman who worked as a physician at LDS hospital ER. Through him, I got the number of a man who hired EMT's in the ER. I had no idea even what the work title was but I call the man and asked about the job. Here is the response I got "yeah... we have a tech job. In fact we are interviewing today. So bring your resume and we will interview you at one o'clock!" Yep... that is how I got the job in the ER which eventually lead to an RN job and helped provided a great resume and letters of recommendation to get into the PA program.

2. My first semester into the nursing program I had a roommate that had served a mission. I do not know why but the thoughts of going on a mission were on my mind everyday. i decided to pray about it and my answer came as a yes. I did not know this but the U of U nursing program allowed students to take a leave of absence for a religious mission. I put in my papers around march/april and when I got my call a week later, I was called to Taibei Taiwan but was not scheduled to leave till september. I did not understand this, I put my availability for June.  Again, the timing of my mission was understood when I returned home from my mission and started my ER job two days after being home from the mission thanks to a tech breaking his leg the very day I went in to say hi to my old ER crew. Also, when I went back to nursing school the program had changed from a 5 semester to a 4 semester allowing me to graduate about 6 months earlier. September was perfect timing to leave on my mission.

3. Last example... all the people I have dated have been a wonderful blessing in my life and have been there at the right time in my life. I have learned so much from each of them. As mentioned above, timing has been everything. Before my mission, when I was dating and hanging out with a lot of different individuals, I was introduced to an individual who is described in my journal as "absolutely amazing and way too good for me!" The two of us dated for about 3 weeks and for some reason (maybe not the right timing!), I just did not feel anything for him at the time. I did not even know his last name while we were dating. I let him go and went on my way dating others. Upon returning from my mission, I ran into an old friend who said she had meet someone that I used to date. They said his name and for a moment I could not remember him, then it dawned on me. He was the absolutely amazing guy that I not only did not feel anything for at the time but also did not know his last name the whole time we were dating. It had been about 6 years since I had seen or even heard his name. About a week later I received a phone call from him and we went for a run up city creek canyon. It was a nice long run which gave me plenty of time to apologize for not ever knowing his last name. We got all caught up on the past 6 years and the adventures we had been through. A week later I met Brock and over the course of a year dated him and learned from him what I felt I needed to. The last month in Denver when my heart knew that things with Brock were not right and I had informed Brock of this, the man, who I now new his last name, contacted me. Absolutely perfect timing. Through our phone conversations he requested I make him a pop-up card inviting him to come to Denver to drive back with me to Salt Lake (see picture above!). His request was granted and the drive home to Salt Lake was the start of an absolutely amazing relationship. There were many things I had to learn over the past 7 years and adventures that I needed to experience. Now seven years later I am the happiest I have ever been with someone I still can't believe I dated over seven years ago. Life is full of surprises and everything happens for a reason especially when the timing is right!

After moving back to Salt Lake at the end of November, I have continued my schooling in the Salt Lake valley. I am currently doing my ER rotation with all my friends up at LDS and IMC. I really enjoy what I do and am excited to be graduated at the end of July. Still no exact thoughts as to which area I would like to practice in, but I know that everything will workout in the right timing. I have been dating Steve LUKER (yep... I am certain of his last name now!) for about 3 months and never have I been so excited about someone and so connected. Those of you that have met him know what I mean when I say he fits me well! I do not know what happened seven years ago that turned me away from him and everyday I think about how perfect the timing is. I would not have had all my past adventures or be where I am today if I had realized how amazing he was seven years ago. Above are a few pictures of the adventures Steve and I have already experienced and memories we now share together.

HELLO...Does anyone remember me!!

In case you have forgotten... my name is Ashley Lawrence. I am 5 months older since my last blog and the only real new thing in my life is probably the prescription in my contact lenses. I apologize for not writing at all. Much has happened but unfortunately none of it is truly exciting. I have not even used my camera in the last 5 months, so... no new pictures. At least I can give ya'll a quick update...

I finished up my first year of school and said good bye to the classroom and hello to patient care, pimping of doctors, days of humility and long hard hours of trying to find out what to do with each patients case. I have learned so much already but I am no where near feeling completely comfortable on my own.

I moved to Denver Colorado the first week of august to be a little closer to Brock. i felt that the distance was too hard and this was the only way to give the relationship a fair chance. Denver is a wonderful city. The weather is just perfect and the people are so pro-exercise. Love that! I found a basement apartment near the city about 10 minutes from Brock's place.

My first rotation was hard to find and I ended up doing it at an Occupational medicine clinic. (yep... dealt with work related injuries and insurance companies... sounds fun hah!). My second rotation was much better then that. I got put on with the trauma surgical team at St. Anthony's central. Loved it! I was doing 80 hour weeks but I loved every minute of it. Surgery was the best. I can totally see me in that line of work in the future. I saw some of the most interesting cases. I will spare you all the details but let's just say that the fastest 6 and 1/2 hours of my life occurred as I helped with a repair of a torn abdominal aorta. I could not believe it, 6 1/2 hours standing over an intubated patient and not being able to move more then about a foot and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was absolutely fascinating.

i am now on an internal medicine rotation and really liking it. My preceptor is Taiwanese and we get along extremely well. I do not know what it is with me and the Asians. I will be at this rotation till the end of October and then who knows. The options are few and in between here in Denver and so I think for educational purposes it would be better to return to Salt Lake. Who knows what the future holds.

At least in 10 months my life will be mine and no longer tied to school and assignments. Yeah!!

Memorial Day!

I actually have had a little time today cause class got cancelled and so I would like to do a little update for all those who are wondering. For memorial day I was in denver and spent time with Brock. We were able to go to the Denver Zoo and go boating up in Granby colorado with some of the friends we have met here in denver. School is back full swing with tests just around the corner. I have only 10 weeks left of my didactic year and then I am onto rotations. I have my first 12 weeks set in Denver and if all goes well I will be satying throughout the winter. I will be moving in auguest to Denver colorado where I will be starting my rotations. Things with Brock are going well. We are just really taking time to get to know each other and we think that eliminating the long distance will be benificial for the two of us. I am looking forward to the summer sun and the studying by the pool. i am sure that will help decrease the depressed mood I have been developing with always being inside studying. i miss the great out doors!! I do have to say that when I do graduate I will probably never set foot on an eliptical with a book again! Blahhh!

Yes... I am still alive!!

O.K. I know that it has been way too long and that many of you have been wanting to know what I have been up too. To tell you the truth my life is still the same old, same old! School is crazy as ever and Brock is in Colorado!Over the past few months or at least since I have had an update, i have spent most of my time with my face in the books. i did attend my white coat ceremony in January which seams all to crazy to me. My grandfather came and it was a treat to have him there. He has a huge love for people in the medical field and I could sense his excitement throughout the evening. As far as school goes...I am getting so burned out of being in the little basement room with four rows of tables and 36 individuals. not having windows for the past year has been almost unbearable. I have one semester left before I start my internships in the hospital. I can not wait. i have 6 finals left for this semester but who's counting.
Over the past three months I have been able to go to Colorado to visit Brock about twice a month. He is just trying to adjust to the crazy life of working for KPMG or should I say getting use to not having a life working for KPMG! The two of us are still finding a little time for US in between all the hectic life's activities! He will finally be in town for conference weekend and both he and I are excited.
I have recently started a new job thanks to Amberly croft. I am able to take a break from my studies every Monday evening and teach a tumble/cheer class at her studio. It is one of my favorite activities of the week.
Last Thursday I was able to (for about 2 1/2 hours) forget about my studies and participate in an activity I think that rest of the world has been enjoying for a while. I spent about an hour straight playing Rock Band at Amberly's house. I loved every minute of it and just like Jacob warned me... it is addicting! I loved it, even though I was horrible at it. i think that Amberly's little girl scored better then me in every instrument!
I know that it had been way too long and I apologize about it! I will try to update more often!

(sorry about my spelling! i wrote this really fast!)

Let's here it for ALYESKA!!

Just got home and boy was it a vacation to just die for. I have come to find that in my life the vacations that I truly come to love and enjoy are those where I try to fit right in with the locals. Alaska was all about that. I was able to stay in the small town of Girdwood (about an hour south of anchorage) in a little 400 square foot condo with my girlfriend from the PA program Darcie and her boyfriend Chris. The condo was right by the lift and so we just skied from the door to the lift. I don't think life could get any better. Within the space of 6 days I enjoyed 4 days on the slopes, one day back country, two movies at the blue tooth restaurant in anchorage, a Blues Travelers concert, fireworks, a 9 mile run, watching a tow truck pull someone away from two cars that it slid into, a fire down the hallway of the condo new years eve, 8 episodes of Grey's anatomy (which I am now addicted to!) and of course some amazing sleep (since it does not get light till about 10:30 am). Alaska is just an amazing place and if you love mountains, wild life and snow it is the place to be. I did get a few pictures but I just forgot my camera most the time. Now back in town I am getting ready for school that starts on Monday. Brock moved to Colorado this week and am going to go visit him before Mondays first day of school. I think that life just keeps moving forward at an extremely fast pace. I love it!!

I love the Holiday breaks!

Just thought that I would do a little update since my last blog. I made it successfully through the last of the semester. i think that 8 finals in two weeks is enough to make anyone go insane. I am proud to say that I did not and I am now enjoying my break from school and just enjoying time at the hospital (I am working a little bit) and spending time with family and Brock. The recent snow fall has been amazing and I have been able to enjoy a little of it. Life at the Lawrence home has just been completely enjoyable and it is always fun to have family gathered around this Holiday season. Besides baking and just enjoying the festivities I am preparing myself for a trip to Alaska. I have been lucky enough to have a friend up there that is willing to let me crash at her place. It will be a week filled with skiing, skiing and more skiing. I will take as many pictures as possible. I wish all those who read this a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and hope that the holiday season brings much joy and warmth into your lives. I am grateful for close friends and family.

THANKSGIVING!!!

I know that it has really been a long time since I have posted anything on my blog. Friends tend to remind me when I see them on random occations and all I can say to them is "My life is the same day in and day out". It has been a while since I have even pulled out my camera. School has been going full force and finals are coming one right after the other (litterally)! With two and a half weeks left and six finals in that amount of time you all might realize that a Thanksgiving breaks was needed. From the pictures added to this entry you might notice that the dinner was held at my parents. To start the day off right I talked (they would say tricked) my brother and Brock Beal into doing our own little turkey trot. For Alden I knew that he was capible of the 7 mile run but would be a little rusty. Brock on the other hand was being tested on his running skill and wether or not he could catch up with me. (for those that do not know Brock - he and I have been dating for a little bit and I am extremely fond of the guy). He toltally passed the test and both boys held up pretty well the whole run. My whole family enjoyed the home cooked meal and the warmth of the family gathered together. Someone as you might notice enjoyed the company in spirit but allowed for laughing entertainment as his head bobbed back and forth. I do have to say that I love my family and the huge gatherings that take place this time of year. My nephew Josh pointed out to me and to the rest of the family how close we are and how important a husband and wife's relationship is towards the family unit. I could not agree more! I extremely happy with my life and all the joy that I have in it.