I can hardly believe that the month is over, I can still see midnight on new years eve, the comfort of home, friends and family, and 1/12 of 2009 is already in the books.
I am doing well, but am soo busy this semester. Classes are consuming my life, as I'm in class for 7 hours more a week than last semester. Sadly, our professors are not as good as last semester, so I find myself "teaching myself" during or after classes. Our second research club meeting was today, and after our amazing turnout two weeks ago, there were 14 kids there today. We were disappointed. I still love my house, my roommates, and medicine. I have learned way more clinically based scenarios this semester, which I love. I learned why Aspirin can give someone a stomach ache, how it travels to the area of pain, what Boniva actually does, the cellular differences between diabetes type 1, 2 and mellitus, and so much more. Now if I can just find the cure for baldness, my dad would be content. I think that's next week's lecture? Blocks (yes, they never go away), are next Monday and Tuesday. I have Neuroscience and Biochemistry Monday, and Tuesday morning is Physio. Three tests doesn't seem too bad, but they total 25 credits (compared to my 5 tests on 19 credits last semester).
Our internet at our condo has been terrible-our router isn't working and three girls (of which I am the most computer savvy, which is sad) trying to fix something like that is basically a waste of study time. After our exam, our friends are going to come over and give it a go. I've become immune to not sleeping and being hooked on caffeine already-a much easier transition than I would have imagined after my 14 hours of sleep every night/day at 30 Park. In fact, I'm getting headaches if I haven't had a coffee in 4 hours or so! But, I'm eating well (don't worry, mom) and the view out my sliding glass door motivates me for next tuesday at 11am, when I'll be hanging out in my backyard floating in the ocean!
Hope all is well in the states, stay warm! All my love.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Best Sunset yet!
Hi everyone,
I just realized I hadn't posted in a while, and didn't want anyone to think I fell off the edge of the world-I've just fallen back into my Cayman one.
The semester is already a bit crazy. I'm currently taking the following classes: Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Physiology, and Patient-Doctor 2. And, Accounting. Thats 30 credits total. Most days I'm in class for 6 hours a day, with a 2 hour review many evenings. Its a lot more classtime than last semester, and I find that after 6 straight hours its very difficult to study. So, I take breaks. I know what you're all thinking, Laura doesn't take those, but I'm actually letting myself. One day I went grocery shopping, one day I took a nap, and today I watched the sunset. It was the BEST sunset I've seen in Cayman. I will post pictures soon.
I am also Vice President of research club this semester, and today was our first meeting. We ordered 10 large pizzas, and expected about 60 students to attend. (Many times last semester, only 20 or so would, but the 1st semesters showed a lot of interest at orientation). There were 113 students at our meeting, we didn't have enough drinks or even pizza for us! The dean came and gave a really awesome speech, and I'm super proud of my fellow officers and am really excited for our big projects for the semester. I was also chosen last semester as SMU Ambassador for our class (graduating May 2012). I am scheduled to give my 2nd and 3rd tours to prospective students this week as well. I decided not to tutor/TA any classes this semester. I'm not sure I'll have time?!
Hope all is well in the states, drop me an email laura.k.schiraldi@gmail.com to let me know how you are/whats new, I know a lot of people (maybe some I don't even know do) read this, I want to hear from you too!
...on a sad note, my classmate from WCS died 11 years ago today. I can still remember the day so vividly, and still can't grasp the time that has passed since.
Kenny Chesney's "I go back" will always echo in my every day life...RIP, my friend
I just realized I hadn't posted in a while, and didn't want anyone to think I fell off the edge of the world-I've just fallen back into my Cayman one.
The semester is already a bit crazy. I'm currently taking the following classes: Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Physiology, and Patient-Doctor 2. And, Accounting. Thats 30 credits total. Most days I'm in class for 6 hours a day, with a 2 hour review many evenings. Its a lot more classtime than last semester, and I find that after 6 straight hours its very difficult to study. So, I take breaks. I know what you're all thinking, Laura doesn't take those, but I'm actually letting myself. One day I went grocery shopping, one day I took a nap, and today I watched the sunset. It was the BEST sunset I've seen in Cayman. I will post pictures soon.
I am also Vice President of research club this semester, and today was our first meeting. We ordered 10 large pizzas, and expected about 60 students to attend. (Many times last semester, only 20 or so would, but the 1st semesters showed a lot of interest at orientation). There were 113 students at our meeting, we didn't have enough drinks or even pizza for us! The dean came and gave a really awesome speech, and I'm super proud of my fellow officers and am really excited for our big projects for the semester. I was also chosen last semester as SMU Ambassador for our class (graduating May 2012). I am scheduled to give my 2nd and 3rd tours to prospective students this week as well. I decided not to tutor/TA any classes this semester. I'm not sure I'll have time?!
Hope all is well in the states, drop me an email laura.k.schiraldi@gmail.com to let me know how you are/whats new, I know a lot of people (maybe some I don't even know do) read this, I want to hear from you too!
...on a sad note, my classmate from WCS died 11 years ago today. I can still remember the day so vividly, and still can't grasp the time that has passed since.
Kenny Chesney's "I go back" will always echo in my every day life...RIP, my friend
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Weathering the storm
I convinced myself before I left Warsaw that I could do the distance thing a lot better this semester. I had a chance to meet up with/talk to so many people at home, and the words of encouragement and the "we're proud of yous" mean more than any tangible gift I could get. I love home, my friends, and family more than anything in the world. But next, is the idea of one day being a doctor. So, I have to leave what I love for what I love. And I was totally ok with that.
And still, bad news from home makes this big dream of mine hard. I think there's some kind of saying, "the best point in life is when your family become your friends and your friends become your family." My brother lost a friend this past weekend. I think it was just my last post when I said that my siblings are my whole world, and their happiness means everything to me. My brother has taken care of our family, especially my sisters and I our entire lives, and I wish I could be there to hug/pester him to cheer him up. Yesterday, one of my closest friends, an angel, found out that her husband is getting deployed to Iraq in March, 7 months early. Rachel was my roommate senior year, and held me together when my med school dreams were falling apart. We got to watch her fall in love with her husband, and married them off to California in May. I wish more than anything myself and the girls could be there with her during this difficult time.
Some days I feel really far away from everything important. I still see the big picture, and can't wait for my big brother, Caleb, Rachel, and all of you to celebrate when I finish this crazy ride I'm on! I hope you all know that even thousands of miles away you're in my thoughts and prayers and I miss you all like crazy.
And still, bad news from home makes this big dream of mine hard. I think there's some kind of saying, "the best point in life is when your family become your friends and your friends become your family." My brother lost a friend this past weekend. I think it was just my last post when I said that my siblings are my whole world, and their happiness means everything to me. My brother has taken care of our family, especially my sisters and I our entire lives, and I wish I could be there to hug/pester him to cheer him up. Yesterday, one of my closest friends, an angel, found out that her husband is getting deployed to Iraq in March, 7 months early. Rachel was my roommate senior year, and held me together when my med school dreams were falling apart. We got to watch her fall in love with her husband, and married them off to California in May. I wish more than anything myself and the girls could be there with her during this difficult time.
Some days I feel really far away from everything important. I still see the big picture, and can't wait for my big brother, Caleb, Rachel, and all of you to celebrate when I finish this crazy ride I'm on! I hope you all know that even thousands of miles away you're in my thoughts and prayers and I miss you all like crazy.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Round two!
Greetings friends and family! I am writing to you following my first day of second semester, from the balcony of the wonderful villa I call home.
But first, about my favorite place on earth. In my 22 days home for break, I have never felt more blessed, happy, and relaxed. My mom knows how to do Christmas/birthdays/life perfectly, and having friends and family to share it was beyond wonderful. Some, but not all highlights, were first, having all of my siblings with me home for Christmas. My favorite times are with them, and goodbyes are always hard because I hate the time between all of us together. The night before my birthday, my three closest friends from home "code red fam" came over with a bottle of my favorite wine, and I wouldn't trade those girls or catching up with them for all the birthdays in the world.
Christmas eve, I met my cousin Kris and Carey's newest edition to our family, Abby, and she was even cuter than I could have imagined. While I fed her a bottle, I explained to her that so many people think obstetrics and are grossed out, but when I see her, it only reaffirms my career goals. Christmas day, everyone came to our house, including my grandma, who had missed the night before. I was soo happy to have four generations of family together, and the cherry on top was my little sister playing her guitar for us. I spent three days on Long Island with my family and finally saw Michele Cella, which was wonderful. One night I played catch phrase with my family, and I laughed so hard my stomach ached. I couldn't remember the last time I laughed that hard that much.
I spent New Years eve with the best friends a girl could ask for, my best friend Jess from home and the angels. It is refreshing to know that when everyone's lives are changing after undergrad, my friendship with those girls never will. The girls drove from all over the state in snowy weather just to be together and I can't thank them enough-it meant the world to me to bring in 2009 with them. The last few days I got a chance to see some friends from home and brockport, my big sister, mr. lee, and some family friends. I ate some new york pizza and wings one last time and said a hard goodbye to my grandma. My mom and sister brought me to the airport really early Sunday, and I was on the beach by 3pm. It is refreshing to not be in the residence hall anymore, we walked home today for lunch and went grocery shopping tonight and made real dinner!
I will write again soon to catch up on my cayman excitement, but know I am already missing everyone in the states. Whether I got to see you or not on my trip, I hope everyone is doing well and I will continue receiving updates from the states as well! Take care.
But first, about my favorite place on earth. In my 22 days home for break, I have never felt more blessed, happy, and relaxed. My mom knows how to do Christmas/birthdays/life perfectly, and having friends and family to share it was beyond wonderful. Some, but not all highlights, were first, having all of my siblings with me home for Christmas. My favorite times are with them, and goodbyes are always hard because I hate the time between all of us together. The night before my birthday, my three closest friends from home "code red fam" came over with a bottle of my favorite wine, and I wouldn't trade those girls or catching up with them for all the birthdays in the world.
Christmas eve, I met my cousin Kris and Carey's newest edition to our family, Abby, and she was even cuter than I could have imagined. While I fed her a bottle, I explained to her that so many people think obstetrics and are grossed out, but when I see her, it only reaffirms my career goals. Christmas day, everyone came to our house, including my grandma, who had missed the night before. I was soo happy to have four generations of family together, and the cherry on top was my little sister playing her guitar for us. I spent three days on Long Island with my family and finally saw Michele Cella, which was wonderful. One night I played catch phrase with my family, and I laughed so hard my stomach ached. I couldn't remember the last time I laughed that hard that much.
I spent New Years eve with the best friends a girl could ask for, my best friend Jess from home and the angels. It is refreshing to know that when everyone's lives are changing after undergrad, my friendship with those girls never will. The girls drove from all over the state in snowy weather just to be together and I can't thank them enough-it meant the world to me to bring in 2009 with them. The last few days I got a chance to see some friends from home and brockport, my big sister, mr. lee, and some family friends. I ate some new york pizza and wings one last time and said a hard goodbye to my grandma. My mom and sister brought me to the airport really early Sunday, and I was on the beach by 3pm. It is refreshing to not be in the residence hall anymore, we walked home today for lunch and went grocery shopping tonight and made real dinner!
I will write again soon to catch up on my cayman excitement, but know I am already missing everyone in the states. Whether I got to see you or not on my trip, I hope everyone is doing well and I will continue receiving updates from the states as well! Take care.
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