Girlfriends
This is for my girlfriends, who have always been there for me :) (Skip to the end if you think the body of this post is too long...)
My girlfriends have always been a huge part of my life, and so I value them as I do my family. Since I was in kindergarten I can remember having a best friend. Annie Tran, kindergarten/1st grade. Then she told me I had fat fingers and that friendship crashed and burned. 2nd and 3rd grade was Ra-Ro (that was my nickname for her, hers for me was "Ya"). We were horse friends, and we lived 3 blocks apart. She moved away in 4th grade, yet until we were about 16 or 17 we each made a trip to see the other at least once a year. And we were pen pals, we made these great drawings to each other of islands we would like to live on. Most of them revolved around our pets, her guinea pig Roxie and my hamster, Hambone. Haha.
At my new school, from 4th-8th grade I had a best friend whom I still get along with like we never were apart. I only see her when I go home, but everytime we hang out its awesome, like no time ever past.
In high school I met Landy (nickname again). We have been best friends ever since. We spent almost every day together. We walked the dogs all the time, her Sami and my Marge. We went to a bed and breakfast in Calistoga one time and took the dogs as a weekend trip, so much fun. She taught me tennis and about humility. And she could always, and still does, tell me how it really is. No sugar coating.
In college I made a whole new group of amazing friends each one different and amazing in their own ways. Lins, the first real friend I made, probably single handedly one of the nicest people I have every met. We don't talk as much as I wish we did, but when we do its always so fun. DB- we met on the equestrian team and turned out we had ridden for the same trainer at different times back home. We are still very close now, and always have the most ridiculous stories and experiences together. K-rizz, what can I say? Met working on a project for school, never looked back. Who would have thought one rap song could bring two people so close. Even today we probably talk on a daily basis. Foodstamp- Another one of my fellow equine buddies, and who would have thought how far we have come? We always have the most awkward and silly times together!
And now vet school! So many new wonderful girlfriends I know will stay with me for many years to come.
And so here is the tribute, a few words for those of you in my life now and how you inspire me.
Foodstamp: You inspire me to work more patiently with my animals. I always try to think to myself, what would she do? You are patient, kind, and always do your research! Another way you inspire me, to take my education upon myself. Not just school, but life. If something in the house isn't working, to go look up what could be wrong and how to fix it. You inspire me to be resourceful. And you remind me to tone it down sometimes. When I get to hot headed or need to be more understanding of someone else or their situation, you can remind me. And you are very selfless. If I am out till 2am I can count on you to come look for me. And you never judge me. You put your friends and family first. And we are some of the goofiest people. I could not get through vet school without you!
HP: You inspire me to be more adventurous! You know that you want to see the world so you make it happen. I think so many people let what could be experiences pass them by, but you seek them out. And you figure out how to make them happen. I think we could all use a little more adventure in our lives. And you love with all your heart. You take risks. You inspire me to have more passion in my life.
NF: You inspire me to be a more organized, stronger, and healthier person. You know who you are, and you embrace yourself. You said you have spent your life making something out of nothing. That in itself is amazing. You have made your life what it is. That is something very few of us can say. You inspire me to be a better student, to organize and to focus. And to improve my omlette making skills. You know what is important to you in your life and you don't compromise what you believe because school is too busy or whatever other excuses most of us make. I will try to make less excuses, and just get work done!
KRizz: You inspire me to be a better friend. You are always the most thoughtful, send me cards, gifts, thoughtful messages. I often feel selfish or that I do not reciprocate, so you inspire me to work harder at my friendships and put my friends in front of other things in my life. And to be more open and less fiesty. You have created your own path, you have overcome hard times, and are an incredibly strong person. And you are one of the most genuine people I know. I always try to think when I meet people or am talking to someone I am not super close with, how would you interact with them? You make anyone you are talking to feel important and you always are genuinely interested in others and how you can help them or just listen to them. And you make the best chai tea with extra foam :)
Landy: What can I say? Its been a trip. You followed your heart, literally. And you are living a life I will probably never have any real idea of. You have made true sacrifices for love, you are focused on your education, and you are one of the most selfless people I know. You are the most down to earth, kind, and caring person. And after all this time, I know I can tell you anything. You will never judge me. And you tell me how it is. You make time for me. Something I wish I was better at for you. I could sit in a room in silence with you or talk for hours. But it always feels like home. Even though we can never pick a movie to watch and like to fight over the radio, I would sit on a couch or road trip with you any day. I miss you all the time. I can't wait for your return.
And so my friends, I love you.
Goodnight.
