Happy belated Fathers Day!

I feel as if everything is belated, these days! Only 52 days to the states. But who's counting?

Just wanted to let everyone know that I survived my first PD exam. I was randomly put on a vital signs exam, and ear examination. To my surprise, I looked in my volunteer patients ear to see a perforated ear drum. You'd think they'd take it easy on us the first time, but then I was also glad that it wasn't me that had caused this perforation!
The picture below was taken of myself, and my friend Dan.

Just wanted to wish my dad, my godfather, my grandpa, and all the dads out there a very happy father's day. Today is also my cousin Carey's first father's day, so a very special one to him. And of course we always remember and especially remembering my grandpa today, who is with the Father for his second father's day. There is not a day that I am not grateful to have had all of these wonderful men in my life.

Block exams are one week from today (Monday), so I'll be off until then. Have a good week everyone!

Where did 2009 go?

I realized today, that I have hit my half way point in Basic Sciences, in Grand Cayman. I can still remember the day I left for this island in September, the airport with my mom, meeting my roommate Sajitha in Charlotte, and my still favorite friends here at KFC that same afternoon. Has it really already been 10 months? In 10 more, I will hopefully be starting my clinicals somewhere in New York, happy to have my feet back on U.S. soil.

This week, I have my first clinical examination. Before now, all of my tests have been paper and pencil examinations, multiple choice, the answer right in front of me. However, in medicine, we all know it doesn't quite work like multiple choice. So, Thursday I have an exam in Patient-Doctor, where my professor will watch me examine my first patients (volunteer students from lower semesters). The examinations I may be doing are Vital Signs, Thyroid and Cervical Lymph Node examination, Eye Exam, Ear Exam, or Nose, Mouth, and Sinuses exam. We have to complete 2 of those exams randomly, finding out seconds before what to do and having no checklists in front of us. Imagine if doctors had to memorize all of this, and write nothing down! I am nervous, but ready. Think good thoughts for Thursday!

Half way there :)

Making time

Lately, it seems like I have no time. (Ok, maybe more than lately.) I have no time to sleep, eat, study, attend class, and keep in contact with everyone from home. (Don't worry Mom and Roo, I am eating.)

The other day I convinced myself that in all the stress, I would have no friends remaining when I got home because I gave them no attention for two years. Probably not true, but when you're emotional, anything is possible. The past few nights I've been taking a few minute breaks to talk to some really good friends from my past, not so hectic life. I spoke with a friend who is getting married, honeymooning in Europe, quitting his job, moving to Phili, buying a house, and starting graduate school-all in the next 2 months. He made me feel a bit less stressed out about my life. I tried catching up with my best friend from home on her birthday-but missed her. Her voice on her voicemail made me feel closer to home. Last night I spoke with my college roommate, and two members of my previous soccer team I was sure had forgotten me. Is is absolutely uplifting to laugh out loud (sometimes doesn't happen for days), and just realize that amidst this insaneness, nothing changes. I am going to make an effort to continue these 30 minute breaks from reality, to my favorite part of my life-all of you.

Thank you friends, for the smiles. You put a smile back on my face, and remind me every day that underneath the books, miles, and stress-I'm still the girl with the best friends ever.
Miss and love.

(Miss Lottes, have a safe flight this weekend. I expect to hear when you've landed safely in London.)