February Birthdays!

“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”
~Anthony J. D'Angelo

Since the beginning of the month in Cayman, many members of my class have been celebrating their birthdays. (I count 7, but I swear I'm missing someone). Gifts or even cards don't usually occur, sometimes someone will make/buy a cake, or we'll all go out to eat (more so at the beginning of the block, than now). And not to mention 3 angels who have birthdays this month. Plus Miss Rase, and my beloved Miss Donahue (Yesterday :)).

I love birthdays. They're days to celebrate good people and surround yourself with good friends. Well my birthday will always bring a bit of saddness, I have always felt completely blessed to always be surrounded by family every birthday. I think that's why we make a bit of a deal about birthdays here, because it is so hard to be away from yours (for many people, the first time).

Today is my old roommate, Sajitha's 23rd birthday. I know I posted on her last semester, a lot, and I should write more about her this semester. We would have these deep conversations about home, important people in our lives, and serious plans for the future. No matter how stressed out she was, how much she missed her family, or how focused she was, when I walked in the room at night she'd drop everything to "check up on me". She was/is truly a blessing, and is one of the sweetest and most caring people I have ever met. (Characteristics that will make her a fantastic doctor, I might add.) The best way to describe Sajitha, is that on my sunny and cloudy days, she is my sunshine. So, on days I forget to bring my sunshine, I have her.

This is probably my last post until after blocks, as I have an exam tomorrow and 3 early next week. I'll write after I survive! I miss and love you all a lot.

ankle weights

I'm not sure if I wrote about it last semester, but I had a professor who told us to basically stop whining about how hard medical school is. He told us, "you tied weights to your ankles they jumped in. Now figure out how to deal with it."

But, since he doesn't read my blog..the days are still ridiculous. There is soo much information this semester, and having extra classes and review every day, I'm in class for about 9 hours a day. Afterwards, I feed myself then hit the books. My master's classes are getting a bit more difficult, so I have been looking into taking next session (7 weeks off), and taking my next class at the beginning of July. It will be a nice break from business, and a chance to focus on what is "the hardest semester" here.

Today is my first (ok, second) Brockport friend Jess Kovall's birthday, and tomorrow is my beloved Rachel Childs'. I want to wish them the happiest days, and a welcoming to the 23 club. Wish I could spend your days with you girls! Also, I know I'm behind on responding to emails, phone calls, web chats-I need you guys/gals to stick with me! I'll try to catch up on them asap! Otherwise, know that everyone at home is still the reason I haven't let the weights win, and still have my head above the water.

Scorpion Juice!

The days in class are really long. For example, our neuroscience professor scheduled an extra hour of class this morning (since usually we get to come into school an hour later at 9, he told us to come at 8). So, we had 7 hours of class today with an hour break. Most days we have 6 hours, with no break. It's 9:30pm, and I've been stimulating my cortex for over 12 hours now. Anyway, needless to say, days we get breaks-I usually sleep during them. Wednesday we have an hour, and I was woken up during my nap by a loud banging on our front door. My roommate Sarah answered, and I heard her talking to a man. Too lazy to get up, and figuring she'd take care of it, I drifted back to sleep. A minute later, the knock was this time on my door.

I opened the door to find a nice looking island man, in grey slacks, a long-sleeved button up red dress shirt, and a bug extinguisher gas mask on. (Needless to say, I didn't notice the outfit at first). He informed me that the villas have him come in every three months to 'spray for bugs'. I hopped up on my bed, and watched him walk around with a little squirt gun (which looked like bob barker's microphone on the price is right). Trying to create conversation, I asked him what kind of bugs he was spraying against. His reply, scorpions. I think all the hairs on my body stood up. I didn't fall back asleep for my nap after he left, and our house smelled like bug (scorpion) juice until today.

At least we won't have any 6, or is it 8 legged visitors soon! Ok, Friday night study break is over-back to it :) Love and miss.

Friends are therapeutic

Last night, I was talking to my friend Shaz who is going through a difficult time. Her family was worried that she didn't have people close to her to confront in, which she denied. She told me, friends are therapeutic.

On my difficult day yesterday, I had my roommates by my side. Dana stayed with me while I cried getting ready, my roommate from last semester Sajitha took me aside for a hug, and my roommate Sarah said a Jewish remembrance prayer for him. My study partner and very good friend Prash told me that we could do whatever I wanted all day, and didn't struggle with me during short tear up moments. My friends came over last night to hang out, even when we should have been studying.

And by far the best therapy, was my phone call with miss Ruth Deemer. There has been thousands of miles between us for most of our friendship, yet one phone call is the best therapy I think any doctor could suggest. There are way too many days between the best day of her life and my chance to share it with her.

I can't help but think of the army of friends that surprised me at my grandpa's calling hours, or the Brockport Womens soccer girls who were waiting with cards and food in Brockport for me when I returned home. There is no replacement for really good friends-they are truly therapeutic.

A hard day, and amazing family

Of all the days to be away, today has been the most difficult day to not hug my mom, be in Bergen at 6pm, and be surrounded by family. One year ago today, my grandfather William passed away. There have been so many hard days without him here. But today leaves an extra sting, and extra reminder of how much my family misses him.

The day he passed and days leading up were difficult. I spent most evenings by his hospital bed, holding his hand and trying to understand the machines that filled his room. Each night I left him with a kiss, and a promise to return. He was so strong. The day he died, I will never forget being surrounded by family in prayer. We all said our goodbyes, and my mom kissed him for each of her missing siblings and their husbands, all of his grandchildren, and his great-grandchild-to-be. My heart broke the day I lost my grandpa.

However, today is also a wonderful day to remember so many amazing things about one of the strongest men I have ever known. My family was unconditionally loved by him, we spent endless Sundays at my grandparents home, barbecuing or watching movies. He attended so many important events. He was a man of few words-you have to be with 5 daughters and a wife!-but he was respected and loved by his wife and family. He would be so proud of how our family has survived and taken care of each other-and my grandma since his passing a year ago. My family is undoubtedly my favorite part of who I am. I cannot wait for the day that we're all together again. We miss you, Grandpa.

Good news and cold front!

I got an email yesterday morning letting me know that I won a leadership scholarship from the school. It was exciting news (less money to pay back later), and meant a lot that the little extra things I'm doing at the school are not going unnoticed. I didn't apply for the scholarship, but was nominated by my professors and the director of student services.

Last night, Dana, Sarah and I went grocery shopping. The girls are so funny-they wanted to make "real dinner" and as they traversed down the processed food isle, I picked up some pork spare ribs, potatoes, and barbecue sauce. The girl's helped a little and do the dishes, and I'm somehow the chef of the house? My little sister would be proud. (Still, no food network for me though.)

Then, after some studying...I walked across the street to watch Grey's with a few friends. When a layman watches Grey's, they think about the cute doctors, perhaps bad acting at times, or get engulfed in the storyline. When medical students watch Grey's, we yell out diagnosis hypotheses, medical terminology, and erupt in laughter. Any normal person would have been worried last night with how in depth our commercial conversations became.

Last...I figure I should write about the cold front in Cayman right now. Yesterday it was 68 here. I felt like I was back at Brockport, getting ready to face the wind tunnel and 2 feet of snow. I was in long pants, long sleeves, and a sweater all day. I laughed in bed last night thinking about how sorry I knew everyone in the states would be feeling for me. Its back to 72 today, but still a bit chilly. I hope it warms up for Sarah's sister, who flies in today!

Happy Birthday to Kelsey Rase and Val Parnell today :)

Block one done :)

My friend Rachel once commented on how she didn't like that our tests were called blocks. I don't like it either. Still, I survived. My neuroscience and biochemistry exams were straight forward. Physiology, however was really difficult. I walked out of that test (with only 3 minutes to spare) wanting to throw up and not knowing if I made a passing grade of 70. My stomach ached, as I studied soo much for a test and still struggled through so many questions. Luckily, my grades have come back and I'm not coming home anytime soon, I actually did well on my exams.

School can be absolutely stressful, sometimes I don't talk to my mom for days, but the sad part is that outside of 6 hours of class, I don't take enough time to see the people here that mean the most. Last night, I made dinner for my roommate Sarah, my four closest girlfriends and two closest guys. We sat around eating baked ziti and garlic bread (which, turned out super tasty), and laughed soo much. My face still hurt this morning from smiling.

Block two started today. I still can't get used to the transition from gut-wrenching tests to 6 hours of class. Tonight, a family friend of Sarah's took us out for burgers at a local restaurant. Sarah's older sister is coming to visit this weekend, so it will be nice to meet her and have another taste of the states soon. I hope everyone is doing well in the states, I miss you all very much!