Losing my mind to medicine!

So, there are definitely days where I forget where I am, what year it is, and how long since I've talked to family or friends. I just pulled one the best "shes lost her mind" stories in a long time last night.

As I've mentioned before, I study with a guy from New York named Prashant (Prash for short). Today is his birthday, and with it being 5 days before blocks, there was little we could do for him. Which, when you're turning 24, you wouldn't think a celebration was needed, but 1-we don't have much to celebrate/look forward to down here, and 2-everyone gets a surprise or birthday party. So, I talked to his roommate and we decided to surprise him with cake at midnight last night. I took him for a walk when we finished studying, 15 of our friends took study breaks and came over and awaited our return. He had no idea. People don't take study breaks this close to tests. It was an awesome plan.

Yesterday morning, my friend Mike drove me to Dairy Queen to pick up Prash's favorite-ice cream cake. The cake was awesome, probably like 8 inches high, this great ice cream cake. It kept me studying all night. Everything worked well, I convinced him to come get some fresh air w/me. Long story short, we walk into the house for the surprise, and the cake looks very little like the one I had picked up 12 hours previously. My friends told me, ice cream cakes need to stay cold! My response, I know, thats why I put it in the fridge. Then, the light bulb. Ice cream stays colder in the freezer.

I think I'm losing my mind. Tests Monday and Tuesday, then trying to regain my sanity/pictures from Choo's graduation!
Much love

Back and busy!

Hey everyone, I made it back from the weekend in the states, to work-and tons of other things as well. The weekend was absolutely fabulous, and pictures/memories to share are on the way. Going to the states is always a breathe of fresh air, and being with so much family made it even more refreshing. I begin my time tutoring tonight, as student can come to me for a three hour span and ask me anything on first or second semester. Crazy, I know...but I need to remember these things anyway! Tomorrow night, there is an auction at the Ritz Carlton, and last semester when students were asked to volunteer, guess who did? So, that will take up most of my night tomorrow. This weekend I'm going to be a studying/paper writing (for my masters) machine. Wish me luck!

The work is starting to pile, as blocks are June 1 and 2. It is always hard to leave family, and the states, and jump right back into the semester. However, I saw a friend of mine Tuesday after I got back, and told her how quick the trip was. Her response, "I felt like you were gone forever." Little reasons, that even in this "paradise", some days aren't so bad.

Miss and love everyone back home. Congrats again Choo, I'm so proud of you!

Island fever!

We don't learn about it in school, but I'm convinced that Island Fever is truly a disease. Everyone needs to be off this island-and there's a point when you feel like one more day might kill you. I'm getting there.

So, I'm fighting the urge to blow up, and getting so excited for my little sisters big weekend in Nashville. I'm feeling healthy, and counting on good flight times to get me to my mom, aunt, and all my siblings by approx. 9:30pm tomorrow-in the U.S! It's been four months and 10 days since I've seen them, a small deal to most. However, growing up so close, being at school 45 minutes from home with almost weekly visits with my family-I am so excited for a boost.

Yesterday was my friend Shamil's birthday. She is a driven girl, who wants more than anything to be a doctor-probably why we clicked instantly. All she wanted for her birthday was to ride the banana boat. Its an inflatable banana that is pulled by a rope attached to a motor boat. Below are some pictures from the event!

See you tomorrow family, I can't even wait :)

What did you do on Mother's day?

It is late, but I'm going to squeeze this mother's day post in on time for one of the most important days of the year. (Ok, mom-the most important.) Its a day to be thankful for our mom's-all of them.

I was lucky enough to take a study break tonight and talk to my mom, both my grandmas, and my aunt. My mom is my favorite person to talk to, as she fills me in on all the gossip I want to know, and keeps me going. My Grandma Schiraldi always answers my calls with, "Laura! Where are you?!" (I'm almost always in Cayman.) She was a little lost today, thinking her trip to Nashville was in "a few weeks", but it was great to hear from her and say/really mean-see you soon! She asked me what I did on Mother's day, I said, "studied." There will be other mother's days, and I figure the best gift I can give my mom is to not flunk out of this place. Last, I talked to my grandma Kowalczyk-which with the language barrier is always fun. Luckily, Happy Mother's Day, I love you, and Jadwiga are all bilingual. I asked how my cousin's baby was, and she just laughed and said, "Oh, Abby". I assume that's good? A very happy Mother's day to my cousin Kris, as it is her first official one as a mom!

As for me, I'm just keeping on as a second year medical student. Nothing too exciting yet to report on. My classes are afternoon classes now, starting at 10, 11, and 1 o'clock. Once the workload picks up I figure I'll have to get used to the change of schedule. I'm trying to keep up on work but am literally counting the seconds til my belated mother's day hug with my mom and my little sister's big weekend! Every morning I wake up I can hardly control my excitement. I hope everyone had a wonderful mother's day, I love you mom!

A wonderful vacation

I've finally put together a slideshow of my vacation. Most of my friends thought I was crazy for staying on this island-maybe because they missed home so much, or because all this island has ever brought us is block exams and pimples. But, as Michael J. Fox says, its good to look on the up side of things.

Some of the first pictures are of my friends Mike, Josh, and Anish from Florida, London, and West Virginia. They were here through the first week. Another 5th semester was here the entire break, and her cousin from Canada came to visit and we had many beach days. At the end of break my very good friend Prash, from Newburgh NY came back to spend a week with me. It was in the wake of finding out about the girls, and so necessary to have someone close. It was a wonderful vacation-I went sailing, beach sleeping, swam with sting rays, picked up sea turtles and much more. Enjoy the show, and book your tickets! Your cayman vacation can be around the corner!

I started my third semester Tuesday, and my first official master's class Monday. I will update on that soon!

Much love, I miss you all so much.