Happy New Year!

My sister recently commented to me on how new years were a bit saddening to her. I have to agree, as I'm often looking forward to the future but sad to see what has passed, and 2008 has been quite a year.

In 2008, I started my first "real" job at UR, loved it, and left it. In 2008 I lost my first grandparent, and no holiday or celebration is ever complete without him. In 2008 I graduated from undergrad and said goodbye to some of the best friends I have had in my entire life, and the town that I called home the past 4 years. In 2008 my first cousin gave birth to the 4th generation of our amazing family. In 2008 I was accepted into medical school, moved out of the country, made new friends from around the US and London, and finished my first semester of medical school in Grand Cayman.

December 31st last year I celebrated with my best friend from Brockport, Ruthie, and my biggest fan-my mom. I had no idea what would happen this year, and even if someone would have told me-I wouldn't believe it. While I'm one who likes to know what will happen in the future and the next years are somewhat planned out, I can only imagine what surprises will come in 2009. This year, I will be surrounded by the angels (the girls whom I owe surviving 2008 to), and my best friend from home, J. I hope that 2008 was an amazing year for you and your family, and best wishes for 2009!

Welcome back!

After the long lines, paperwork, and airport stresses that come with traveling, I've come to decide that welcome back are two of my favorite words that go along with reentering the United States. I don't live in a scary country, and am not coming back from battle, or huge sacrifice, but when the customs officer welcomes me home, I can't help but have a huge smile on my face. I was practically jumping through Buffalo airport, and am settling in just fine with our beautiful home and pleasant company of my mom.

Leaving Cayman was bittersweet, but it was definitely time for a break from school and I am so happy for all of my classmates who were not as lucky as me (to sneak home), and saw their families for the first time in over three months. Even my 23 year old guy friends just "wanted to see their moms." In the past week, I moved into our new place, and didn't do too much siteseeing but was out on the beach and saw some amazing sunsets. I woke up this morning with a smile on my face, then I realized that is 11 days until Christmas! I look forward to shopping and catching up with friends and family. My mom has offered her phone for catching up, and I'm unable to find my list of numbers from when I discontinued my phone, so please give me a call! 585.356.9492. Below are some pictures from my last week, which was much less stressful than my first 12! I hope everyones holiday preparations are going well :)

Starting to sink in...

Its been almost 36 hours since I finished my first semester of medical school, and I'm just starting to believe it. I woke up several times last night thinking I had overslept/ had something to do today. And for the first time since August, I didn't have a thing to do. I slept until 2:30pm. I wasted the rest of the day. I swam in the ocean. I watched the sunset. I went to dinner with some of my closest friends I've made here, as my roommate and friend Shazia are flying out in the morning. Its hard to believe that I met these people just three months ago, and while its sad to say goodbye, the fact that we'll spend the next year and a half next to each other every day, makes these goodbyes less sad.


Tomorrow we're moving into our apartment officially, but we've had the keys since Monday and have been enjoying the beach here and there in between. Grand Cayman is beautiful right now, and I plan to take a bunch of pictures which I will post and have home with me, when I'm home for over 3 weeks starting Saturday! Thanks to everyone for all the good luck wishes. I'm not sure if our internet is hooked up yet in the villas, so I may not post until I'm home. Hope all is well in the states, I cannot wait to be back!

She's somebodys hero

I remember going through the phase just like everyone else, where there was nothing good about myself. Now, even with pimples surrounding my face and thousands of miles between myself and my loved ones, I can't help but feel completely blessed. One of my favorite parts about myself-my middle name. Kowalczyk stands for strength, for family first, for sacrifice and unconditional love. (Ok, it also stands for stubbornness and loud laughs, but I love that too!) I used to think that my grandparents and mom would live forever. Now, even when it is their time, they can live on through their grandkids/children.

Today is my grandmothers (the cutest grandma in the world) 93 birthday. What she has gone through in a lifetime is still amazing, and she continues to smile when I see her-even after losing her best friend and husband of 60 years this year. I was lucky enough to see her every Monday night while at Brockport, and I wouldn't trade those ten minute drives for anything in the world. I'll never forget the I miss yous over the phone, or the fact that even at 93 gram still has quite the strong hug! I can't wait for so much Grandma time starting next week, and especially for Grandma/Abby time!

Happy Birthday Gram, lets break $500 tonight! I love you, see you in 1 week!

One final push...

Greetings family and friends...I'm completely exhausted but have so much to update on! I had an absolutely amazing time in the states last week. I will never forget skipping through customs in Miami, hugging my brothers girlfriend Ali in the airport, or my mom, sisters, best friend's and grandma's faces when they saw me. I relaxed, studied, and ate american food! It was great to see J, Sue, Em, and Lindsay, and I really look forward to more friend and family time for the remainder of December. My siblings, and Ali and Andy are my greatest friends and favorite people in the world to do absolutely nothing with. I get goosebumps thinking about just how lucky I am to have them in my life.

Coming back to Cayman, however, was a nightmare. My flight left out of JFK only 20 minutes late, but we hit "head winds" and it took almost 4 hours to get into Miami, so I missed my connecting flight to Cayman by literally 5 minutes. After 3 hours of lines and my mom's phone call to American Airlines, I got onto a flight on Cayman Airways the next day. So, I stayed in a hotel alone in Miami, and I hadn't eaten a thing since breakfast with my brother and grandparents on long island! Wednesday morning I had a gut feeling something would go wrong, so I showed up 3 hours prior to my flight. After 3 hours of lines in both American and Cayman air, I finally got onto the plane and landed in Cayman. All the tourists with me were so happy. I was relieved to be back in time for my tests, but I wouldn't describe it as happy.

However, my roommate/close friends made me feel really missed while I was gone, and I realized that amidst all the drama and crap that comes with med school, there are some things that make this crazy ride worth it. Thursday and today I had shelf exams in Histology and Anatomy, respectively. Shelves are standarized tests taken by all US and Caribbean schools to make sure we all are doing ok, and ready to pass the USMLE to be admitted for rotations. The Histology exam was really difficult, but the Anatomy one went well today. Monday I have comprehensive (which are somehow easier) exams in Embryology and Patient-Doctor. Monday at 3:45pm I am officially done with my first semester of medical school!

Last, I have to write about how December-April is tourist time in Cayman. There are people EVERYWHERE! Which means, more events on the island. I had to laugh Wednesday when I flew in and a local handed me a brochure for a three day concert event this weekend, that is actually taking place right next to the residence hall. The lead act is tonight-Michael Bolton, and I can only hope he sings "I'm not made of Steel" as good as I used to.

I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving and that I get to see all of you over Christmas!