Scene
It's Angers, France...not a lot of anger angers. After a 6 hour train trip from London to Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare du Montparnasse to Le Mans to Angers, it's safe to say that I arrived at Angers quite exhausted. However, my cousin to the rescue! I haven't seen her in about 17 years. She welcomed me with a thorough walk through Angers...as I had a ~30-40lbs backpack still strapped on. After a half hour walk, we got picked up by her husband. How wonderful it was to let go of the backpack!
In no time, like every other Vietnamese hosts, her husband and she stuffed me with french food: bread, cured meat, pate, and cheese. Like, stuffed me. Plus a bowl of good ole Vietnamese pho. Man, it was refreshing to slow down a bit after a mad dash through London that left my feet aching in satisfying pain. They continued to feed and feed and feed me the next two days. Different kinds of french cheese including Roquefort, pate including one made from pig's head meat, and canard au confit. It was literally a crash course through rustic french food. It was a culinary pleasure.
And did I mention the wines? Had my first Bordeaux and a semi-sweet Coteaux du Layon. The supermarket wine aisle beats the corner wine store in the States. Better and more variety with tremendously better prices. There were some wines that were cheaper than bottled water. I could have just been drunk on wine the whole time. But, I behaved.
All in all, there isn't much in Angers, just a huge old castle in the smack middle of downtown. The castle had a ridiculously amusing ancient tapestry of the Apocalypse that included the portrayal of a prostitute and Saint Jean eating a book. Important matters to cover in the Apocalypse. You never know when you just have to resort to eating books.
The most important reason why I came to Angers was to visit my cousin. She took care of me when I was young back in 'Nam. She embarrassed me with a lot of stories when I was young. Apparently, I had spiky short hair that never stayed down. It was just great to see how despite a 17 year gap, we still bonded so tight being family. It was just good on this long trip to meet someone who knew me. Although it was liberating and free to meander around new places basically as a stranger, I really could have used a companion to just talk and slow down a bit.
What struck me the most was how much more revered I was because she knew I got into med school. It was "being a doctor is important," "being a doctor is special in the family," "you're the first doctor we'll have." It was a big deal to her...and to the whole family, apparently. A good number of family members have tried to study medicine back in the days in 'Nam, but didn't succeed because of one reason or another. I really didn't know that becoming a doctor was that important to the family. It's not like I need more pressure...sometimes I just wish my family would treat me as an ordinary, regular person. No doctor this, med school that, or med student anything. I don't like it when I'm reminded being in med school, especially when I'm on break.
To my sister: that chateau is my house!
Paris next!
Oh, I got my first ever pair of jeans about a month ago. It's growing on me despite never owning one. But, the pockets are pretty much useless.
Question
Who helps you slow down when your life is going way too fast?
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
#11: London
Scene
Ever since undergrad started, I've always wanted to backpack through Europe (or originally the Scottish Highlands) after graduation. However, with the uncertainty of acceptance into med school, I didn't have a free summer to just travel, but rather I had to find activities to improve my appeal to med schools for the next application cycle.
So here I am as I just finished MS1. I decided to spend some me time. No research this summer. I've done that for too many summers and years in undergrad. I needed to refresh my mind, take time and distance away from med school, chillax, and recharge for, basically, the next 3 years. Like I said, I didn't have this opportunity before to refresh before med school started, so there's no better time than now.
I'm just some wandering backpacker through Europe conspicuously lost among the ranks of locals. I'm not obnoxiously getting in people's way with a family or in a tour group with a queue of other tourists with fanny packs behind me. Just me somewhere in the crowds, but with a huge noticeable backpack. I really should have dressed up like Waldo. Someone better get on that idea ASAP. Anywho, a bit sidetracked, that's how I like it: "Yeah, you're a tourist, but you've got a backpack and you're alone. We respect that. Props to you." At least that's how I'd like to think of it.
Casey was supposed to go with me, but she had other plans and concerns to take care of before moving away and heading off herself to med school. Sad she couldn't come. She wanted to see London and from what I've experienced, she would have loved the city.
Let's see where to start...I must say I love the ticket counter agent who gave me an exit row seat for the first connecting flight and a bulkhead seat for the transatlantic flight. Talk about leg room galore and I made sure to take full advantage of it flying across the Pond. I must, however, say that service from the flight attendants were...piss poor. Grumpy or some unnecessary displacement of stress.
Anyhow, I arrived in Heathrow on 4 hours of sleep the night before and ~3 hours on the plane on and off. First thing I learned that "a line" is "a queue." Apparently, the border patrol officer knew the hostel where I would be staying. The most striking initial observation was that everything was on the left side. I knew that driving would be on the left, but walking also? After a few hordes of people plowed into me...message taken.
Surprisingly, the Tube, the actual carriage itself was pretty small. Much narrower than the metro or subway cars in the states. I mean, British people who use the Tube were quite fit unlike us Americans. And my, my, Londoners know how to dress. Suits fit, especially pants. Women wore proper skirts. But, everyone pretty much had impeccably styled hair. Even the students dressed superbly well.
Arriving at the hostel, I was greeted with an extremely cute receptionist. Welcome to freakin' awesome London. She was Italian and my Italian failed to impress, but elicited a few laughs. One brownie point for me. Back on track here, I went for a stroll, a long stroll through Hyde Park on this brisk afternoon. Wearing shorts, you could pick me out from everyone else. Seriously, everyone wore pants, or rather, trousers. Pants are underwear. Kensington Palace and garden were magnificent and gorgeous. Hyde Park was a proper park with clear open spaces, ponds, and wide paths. Very well kept compared to American standards.
After getting disoriented in Hyde Park, I ended up meandering about through Kensington High Street, Notting Hill, and nearby communities. Quintessential London townhomes with each door painted a different color. Just like in Notting Hill, but how I wish I was an American boy standing in front of a British girl asking her to love me. Tis a pity that didn't happen.
Returning back to the hostel, I met and got to know the only Brit I could find. Ben was a fine chap from Birmingham visiting London for the first time. We went for some fish and chips at a local pub sharing a pint of Stella and Guinness. A proper pub. No dance floor, no blaring music, no shouting across the table, no completely smashed hooligans. Just proper booths with proper conversations. Most importantly, a proper pour of Guinness with just the right amount of head unlike the thin crappy layer back in the States. That was a good pint.
The second day in London was a tour de force. British Museum, St. Paul's, Fleet Street, Globe Theater, Tate Modern, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, Leceister Square, Picadilly Circus, Covent Garden, and Harrod's. These were all proper visits, as in I just didn't walk by or stopped by. I walked around, went inside, perused about, and actually stopped to take in the surroundings.
Best site: the Globe Theater. Hands down. It's a bit off the beaten path, but it's breathtaking and engaging. The tour guide was a slicked hair deadpan sarcastic bloke. Well worth every pence...and no, he wasn't a prostitute. Really wish I could have seen a play in the outdoors at the Globe. That would have made me even more chuffed. Can't have the cake and eat it too I suppose.
That evening, Ben, Reana(?) (another hostel roommate), and I went to grab some Indian food for supper. My first ever exposure to Indian restaurant food. Lamb tikka masala. I was extremely adventurous. Left quite a good first impression and I'll definitely seek out Indian food in the near distant future.
Gorgeous city. Of all the urban cities I've visited London is up there with Montreal as an urban city I wouldn't mind living in. I'm not a city person, so that speaks volumes. Most of all, the ladies.
Random observations:
English girls...oh dear lord, they're just downright good looking, from their attire to physique. Not sure if I had an adequate sample size, but I don't care. Ok, fine, I'll stop. Maybe not. Emma Watson. That's it.
I almost got run over by a cabbie...because I can't seem to look in the right direction since the Brits drive on the wrong side. It was really a matter of inches. No lie.
Everything is on the left side. People walk, drive, and ride their bikes on the left. If you walk on the right side, you're not from around here.
Hyde Park is ridiculously huge. Huge. But, extremely calm and peaceful.
With the hostel situated in South Kensington: 20 Porsches, 15 Aston Martins, 10 Ferraris, 5 Bentleys, and 2 Rolls-Royce later, it was basically a Top Gear show.
I've found more foreigners in London than actual British folks. Americans were everywhere. Literally, everyfreakinwhere. Americans got in my way more. So frustrating when they're quite oversized.
If you think you live the high live and flashing the dough in the States when you go shopping, then go shop (or rather, browse) at Harrod's. That'll shut you up and put your money where your mouth is. If you think your local shopping mall has high standards, you haven't seen real class until you go to Harrod's. Seriously, a barber and gentleman's lounge? Proper.
That's what London is: Proper. Minus the Americans.
Question
What's your favorite European city? Why?
Ever since undergrad started, I've always wanted to backpack through Europe (or originally the Scottish Highlands) after graduation. However, with the uncertainty of acceptance into med school, I didn't have a free summer to just travel, but rather I had to find activities to improve my appeal to med schools for the next application cycle.
So here I am as I just finished MS1. I decided to spend some me time. No research this summer. I've done that for too many summers and years in undergrad. I needed to refresh my mind, take time and distance away from med school, chillax, and recharge for, basically, the next 3 years. Like I said, I didn't have this opportunity before to refresh before med school started, so there's no better time than now.
I'm just some wandering backpacker through Europe conspicuously lost among the ranks of locals. I'm not obnoxiously getting in people's way with a family or in a tour group with a queue of other tourists with fanny packs behind me. Just me somewhere in the crowds, but with a huge noticeable backpack. I really should have dressed up like Waldo. Someone better get on that idea ASAP. Anywho, a bit sidetracked, that's how I like it: "Yeah, you're a tourist, but you've got a backpack and you're alone. We respect that. Props to you." At least that's how I'd like to think of it.
Casey was supposed to go with me, but she had other plans and concerns to take care of before moving away and heading off herself to med school. Sad she couldn't come. She wanted to see London and from what I've experienced, she would have loved the city.
Let's see where to start...I must say I love the ticket counter agent who gave me an exit row seat for the first connecting flight and a bulkhead seat for the transatlantic flight. Talk about leg room galore and I made sure to take full advantage of it flying across the Pond. I must, however, say that service from the flight attendants were...piss poor. Grumpy or some unnecessary displacement of stress.
Anyhow, I arrived in Heathrow on 4 hours of sleep the night before and ~3 hours on the plane on and off. First thing I learned that "a line" is "a queue." Apparently, the border patrol officer knew the hostel where I would be staying. The most striking initial observation was that everything was on the left side. I knew that driving would be on the left, but walking also? After a few hordes of people plowed into me...message taken.
Surprisingly, the Tube, the actual carriage itself was pretty small. Much narrower than the metro or subway cars in the states. I mean, British people who use the Tube were quite fit unlike us Americans. And my, my, Londoners know how to dress. Suits fit, especially pants. Women wore proper skirts. But, everyone pretty much had impeccably styled hair. Even the students dressed superbly well.
Arriving at the hostel, I was greeted with an extremely cute receptionist. Welcome to freakin' awesome London. She was Italian and my Italian failed to impress, but elicited a few laughs. One brownie point for me. Back on track here, I went for a stroll, a long stroll through Hyde Park on this brisk afternoon. Wearing shorts, you could pick me out from everyone else. Seriously, everyone wore pants, or rather, trousers. Pants are underwear. Kensington Palace and garden were magnificent and gorgeous. Hyde Park was a proper park with clear open spaces, ponds, and wide paths. Very well kept compared to American standards.
After getting disoriented in Hyde Park, I ended up meandering about through Kensington High Street, Notting Hill, and nearby communities. Quintessential London townhomes with each door painted a different color. Just like in Notting Hill, but how I wish I was an American boy standing in front of a British girl asking her to love me. Tis a pity that didn't happen.
Returning back to the hostel, I met and got to know the only Brit I could find. Ben was a fine chap from Birmingham visiting London for the first time. We went for some fish and chips at a local pub sharing a pint of Stella and Guinness. A proper pub. No dance floor, no blaring music, no shouting across the table, no completely smashed hooligans. Just proper booths with proper conversations. Most importantly, a proper pour of Guinness with just the right amount of head unlike the thin crappy layer back in the States. That was a good pint.
The second day in London was a tour de force. British Museum, St. Paul's, Fleet Street, Globe Theater, Tate Modern, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, Leceister Square, Picadilly Circus, Covent Garden, and Harrod's. These were all proper visits, as in I just didn't walk by or stopped by. I walked around, went inside, perused about, and actually stopped to take in the surroundings.
Best site: the Globe Theater. Hands down. It's a bit off the beaten path, but it's breathtaking and engaging. The tour guide was a slicked hair deadpan sarcastic bloke. Well worth every pence...and no, he wasn't a prostitute. Really wish I could have seen a play in the outdoors at the Globe. That would have made me even more chuffed. Can't have the cake and eat it too I suppose.
That evening, Ben, Reana(?) (another hostel roommate), and I went to grab some Indian food for supper. My first ever exposure to Indian restaurant food. Lamb tikka masala. I was extremely adventurous. Left quite a good first impression and I'll definitely seek out Indian food in the near distant future.
Gorgeous city. Of all the urban cities I've visited London is up there with Montreal as an urban city I wouldn't mind living in. I'm not a city person, so that speaks volumes. Most of all, the ladies.
Random observations:
English girls...oh dear lord, they're just downright good looking, from their attire to physique. Not sure if I had an adequate sample size, but I don't care. Ok, fine, I'll stop. Maybe not. Emma Watson. That's it.
I almost got run over by a cabbie...because I can't seem to look in the right direction since the Brits drive on the wrong side. It was really a matter of inches. No lie.
Everything is on the left side. People walk, drive, and ride their bikes on the left. If you walk on the right side, you're not from around here.
Hyde Park is ridiculously huge. Huge. But, extremely calm and peaceful.
With the hostel situated in South Kensington: 20 Porsches, 15 Aston Martins, 10 Ferraris, 5 Bentleys, and 2 Rolls-Royce later, it was basically a Top Gear show.
I've found more foreigners in London than actual British folks. Americans were everywhere. Literally, everyfreakinwhere. Americans got in my way more. So frustrating when they're quite oversized.
If you think you live the high live and flashing the dough in the States when you go shopping, then go shop (or rather, browse) at Harrod's. That'll shut you up and put your money where your mouth is. If you think your local shopping mall has high standards, you haven't seen real class until you go to Harrod's. Seriously, a barber and gentleman's lounge? Proper.
That's what London is: Proper. Minus the Americans.
Question
What's your favorite European city? Why?
Sunday, June 19, 2011
#10: Looking Back on 1st Year
Scene
No question this time. I ask that you just hear me out. This is my year in review, not anyone else's, so don't judge med school based on my experience. Forewarning, the first part is a bit gloomy, but it gets better. Trust me.
Let's start off way back before med school. A lot, I mean, a lot of people told me med school was rough, but how rough would be determined by what you make of it. No doubt the work load would be difficult, more often than not. No doubt the emotional and stress toll would be difficult. In that personal statement for the application, you had to, basically, write about why you want to pursue a career as a physician in medicine. You wrote about how medicine excites your curiosity, how it has an emotional impact on you, how rewarding it is, how there's nothing else you would rather do, how it's a lifelong dedication. In med school, you better put your money where your mouth is. I wrote all that. Guess what? I got all my wishes...and more.
When you boil it down, the beast really is not the school or the education, but rather yourself. How far are you willing to push yourself? How dedicated are you? How determined are you? How much stress can you handle? How do you handle stress? How do you handle success and failure? How do you handle your classmates? Your family? Your friends? Your significant other? All of this on top of the meducation.
Here's a wise food for thought question in med school: "Do you like pancakes?" (http://rumorsweretrue.wordpress.com/2006/11/01/pancakes-every-morning/ and made into a Youtube video by students at Saint Louis University SOM). Well, I've learned that it doesn't matter if you do or you don't, you just have to eat them. But, the way I see it, pancakes are just more than the loads of mechanisms, pathways, disorders, treatments, and material med school serves. That's just the meducation part. What a lot of people who are not going or have not gone through the meducation don't understand is that studying and training doesn't really stop. Not at this point in the first 2 years. Lectures every day in the morning/afternoon. Studying in the evening/night. Here's the catch: studying on the weekends, on the holidays.
In reality, pancakes encompass all the other stuff that never really did cross my mind when I dreamed of getting into med school. Did I imagine the stress and pressure of med school would have affected me that much that I essentially shoved other life problems away so that I wouldn't have more problems to deal with? No. That was the hardest part as problems compounded and I just didn't want to deal with them.
Don't get me wrong. Med school so far has also been awesome. Fawesome. It's pretty much a love-hate relationship. I absolutely love what I'm learning and the clinical practice. The best moments were with patients. Interviewing them, learning from them, and applying words from books into real life actions. It's an awakening each time I see a disorder, a disease, an illness described in books and lecture notes. Sure, there are pictures, but nothing compares to the sight, the feel, the smell, and the emotions of witnessing medical conditions in the flesh. It was extremely rewarding to interact with patients in the first year. Last but definitely not least, I'm actually learning about stuff about which I want to learn and have dreamed of learning. I now know what is Wernicke encelopathy. Great success!
It's been a lot of work, a lot of hard work. Never have I worked so hard to be this mediocre. I find that relying on cramming and talent doesn't get me as far as they did back in undergrad. I have to work basically everyday even if it's for a little bit.
I've learned the main lesson so far is that med school is what you make of it. I can't get through it alone that's for sure. Although it's my journey, I need support and reality checks every now and then from the people I care most and when least expected, from strangers or people who I haven't really gotten to know. I'm a quarter of the way done, but there's a lot of miles left to travel. It's been rough, awesome, sad, happy, frustrating, relaxing, and anything else oxymoronic. Onward!
For those interested in or heading off to med school, remember when you we're a kid and your parents told you the stove top was hot? But, you couldn't just take their words and had to test it out for yourself. It's hot. Trust me. But, touch it anyway. You just have to. You could read that a million times and after a millionth time, you still wouldn't take my words for it. You shouldn't. That's the beauty of journey through medical education and training. You really don't know what's going to happen. Will you be able to handle the incessant studying? The incessant criticism? The loneliness? The mind games? The self-doubt? The highs of success? The love of others, or more preciously, the love of another? The relief of overcoming a hurdle? The loss of a relationship? The growing distance with close friends? The new bonds made in med school?
I would like to end this post with the absolute best advice I got for med school and a career in medicine from my clinical preceptor, "You need 4 things to get you through:
1) Something to do outside, a hobby, something to get your mind of school and training (and it may change from time to time)
2) Something you're passionate about in medicine
3) Someone to love you
4) Someone to love
I would totally do it again.
PS: Looking back, I really should have deferred acceptance a year to work, travel, and have an actually life/break before med school. Could have really used a year to just live and enjoy freedom.
No question this time. I ask that you just hear me out. This is my year in review, not anyone else's, so don't judge med school based on my experience. Forewarning, the first part is a bit gloomy, but it gets better. Trust me.
Let's start off way back before med school. A lot, I mean, a lot of people told me med school was rough, but how rough would be determined by what you make of it. No doubt the work load would be difficult, more often than not. No doubt the emotional and stress toll would be difficult. In that personal statement for the application, you had to, basically, write about why you want to pursue a career as a physician in medicine. You wrote about how medicine excites your curiosity, how it has an emotional impact on you, how rewarding it is, how there's nothing else you would rather do, how it's a lifelong dedication. In med school, you better put your money where your mouth is. I wrote all that. Guess what? I got all my wishes...and more.
When you boil it down, the beast really is not the school or the education, but rather yourself. How far are you willing to push yourself? How dedicated are you? How determined are you? How much stress can you handle? How do you handle stress? How do you handle success and failure? How do you handle your classmates? Your family? Your friends? Your significant other? All of this on top of the meducation.
Here's a wise food for thought question in med school: "Do you like pancakes?" (http://rumorsweretrue.wordpress.com/2006/11/01/pancakes-every-morning/ and made into a Youtube video by students at Saint Louis University SOM). Well, I've learned that it doesn't matter if you do or you don't, you just have to eat them. But, the way I see it, pancakes are just more than the loads of mechanisms, pathways, disorders, treatments, and material med school serves. That's just the meducation part. What a lot of people who are not going or have not gone through the meducation don't understand is that studying and training doesn't really stop. Not at this point in the first 2 years. Lectures every day in the morning/afternoon. Studying in the evening/night. Here's the catch: studying on the weekends, on the holidays.
In reality, pancakes encompass all the other stuff that never really did cross my mind when I dreamed of getting into med school. Did I imagine the stress and pressure of med school would have affected me that much that I essentially shoved other life problems away so that I wouldn't have more problems to deal with? No. That was the hardest part as problems compounded and I just didn't want to deal with them.
Don't get me wrong. Med school so far has also been awesome. Fawesome. It's pretty much a love-hate relationship. I absolutely love what I'm learning and the clinical practice. The best moments were with patients. Interviewing them, learning from them, and applying words from books into real life actions. It's an awakening each time I see a disorder, a disease, an illness described in books and lecture notes. Sure, there are pictures, but nothing compares to the sight, the feel, the smell, and the emotions of witnessing medical conditions in the flesh. It was extremely rewarding to interact with patients in the first year. Last but definitely not least, I'm actually learning about stuff about which I want to learn and have dreamed of learning. I now know what is Wernicke encelopathy. Great success!
It's been a lot of work, a lot of hard work. Never have I worked so hard to be this mediocre. I find that relying on cramming and talent doesn't get me as far as they did back in undergrad. I have to work basically everyday even if it's for a little bit.
I've learned the main lesson so far is that med school is what you make of it. I can't get through it alone that's for sure. Although it's my journey, I need support and reality checks every now and then from the people I care most and when least expected, from strangers or people who I haven't really gotten to know. I'm a quarter of the way done, but there's a lot of miles left to travel. It's been rough, awesome, sad, happy, frustrating, relaxing, and anything else oxymoronic. Onward!
For those interested in or heading off to med school, remember when you we're a kid and your parents told you the stove top was hot? But, you couldn't just take their words and had to test it out for yourself. It's hot. Trust me. But, touch it anyway. You just have to. You could read that a million times and after a millionth time, you still wouldn't take my words for it. You shouldn't. That's the beauty of journey through medical education and training. You really don't know what's going to happen. Will you be able to handle the incessant studying? The incessant criticism? The loneliness? The mind games? The self-doubt? The highs of success? The love of others, or more preciously, the love of another? The relief of overcoming a hurdle? The loss of a relationship? The growing distance with close friends? The new bonds made in med school?
I would like to end this post with the absolute best advice I got for med school and a career in medicine from my clinical preceptor, "You need 4 things to get you through:
1) Something to do outside, a hobby, something to get your mind of school and training (and it may change from time to time)
2) Something you're passionate about in medicine
3) Someone to love you
4) Someone to love
I would totally do it again.
PS: Looking back, I really should have deferred acceptance a year to work, travel, and have an actually life/break before med school. Could have really used a year to just live and enjoy freedom.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
#9: Homesick
Scene
You know what really sucks about going to school here? There's absolutely no country radio stations. I miss Maryland (yes, a little tid bit about me).
Not sure if anyone really knew this, but I've been pretty much homesick throughout 1st year. There, I admit it. First time I moved away from home, ever. No country music. No real close friends. No Casey. No home cooking. No real places to get away. The culture around where I go to school is different. Let's just say it's more cosmopolitan. Hustle and bustle. You know, "with it." Not really my scene.
Looking back, I should have gone home more often. Not attend class so much and just come home while studying from recorded and scribed lectures. I could have been happier. What people don't really tell you about med school is that you should figure what works best for you. Stick with it regardless of what people say.
To be honest, I'm still not really comfortable going to school here. It's not the school or the meducation. It's just the place. I was really rushed into going to school here. Never really had adequate time to savor the last bits of home before leaving, especially the people back home.
It's just been taking a while to get adjusted to things.
Question
When have you been homesick?
You know what really sucks about going to school here? There's absolutely no country radio stations. I miss Maryland (yes, a little tid bit about me).
Not sure if anyone really knew this, but I've been pretty much homesick throughout 1st year. There, I admit it. First time I moved away from home, ever. No country music. No real close friends. No Casey. No home cooking. No real places to get away. The culture around where I go to school is different. Let's just say it's more cosmopolitan. Hustle and bustle. You know, "with it." Not really my scene.
Looking back, I should have gone home more often. Not attend class so much and just come home while studying from recorded and scribed lectures. I could have been happier. What people don't really tell you about med school is that you should figure what works best for you. Stick with it regardless of what people say.
To be honest, I'm still not really comfortable going to school here. It's not the school or the meducation. It's just the place. I was really rushed into going to school here. Never really had adequate time to savor the last bits of home before leaving, especially the people back home.
It's just been taking a while to get adjusted to things.
Question
When have you been homesick?
Sunday, June 5, 2011
#8: Daydreaming
Scene
Sometimes I wish that life would just be so easy. The things and the people you care about or want to care about just come together like a neat puzzle. All the obstacles, all the worries, all the failures...just poof, gone. Everything is just fine and dandy. After a year of mess, I believe I deserve it. I deserve to just have things work out the way I want them to with minimal effort. Selfish? Yes. Foolish? Yes. Relaxing? Hells yes.
On the flipside, if you care about something or someone, then happiness shouldn't come easily. It would be rather meaningless and less valuable if you didn't make an effort. However, may I and can I have, just for a brief moment (maybe a week or 2), everything go my way as I see it in my mind? Please? Pwetty pwease with a cherry on top? Sure, it's an easy way out, but everyone deserves some good karma every now and then. Nowi-ish would be awesome for me. I would like that very much. Make it happen oh great powers of the universe.
Question
If you could have one thing (or person or whatever) to make you happy, regardless of how improbably the scenario may be, what would it be? Why?
Sometimes I wish that life would just be so easy. The things and the people you care about or want to care about just come together like a neat puzzle. All the obstacles, all the worries, all the failures...just poof, gone. Everything is just fine and dandy. After a year of mess, I believe I deserve it. I deserve to just have things work out the way I want them to with minimal effort. Selfish? Yes. Foolish? Yes. Relaxing? Hells yes.
On the flipside, if you care about something or someone, then happiness shouldn't come easily. It would be rather meaningless and less valuable if you didn't make an effort. However, may I and can I have, just for a brief moment (maybe a week or 2), everything go my way as I see it in my mind? Please? Pwetty pwease with a cherry on top? Sure, it's an easy way out, but everyone deserves some good karma every now and then. Nowi-ish would be awesome for me. I would like that very much. Make it happen oh great powers of the universe.
Question
If you could have one thing (or person or whatever) to make you happy, regardless of how improbably the scenario may be, what would it be? Why?
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
#7: Shenanigans
I have a problem of thinking further ahead than what I'm actually writing, typing, or speaking. I often skip words, mash words together, or switch words. For example, I get a lot of flak for having said "swink trums." If you come across an error, think of it as a mind game challenge. Fill in the blanks, that sort of thing. I'm unintentionally helping you keep your noggin tip top ;0)
I hope you take some time to post a comment answering the question or addressing the post or providing input or whatever (remember, NO "First!"). You don't have to write a whole bunch of stuff. Just a few words would do. I really look forward to reading what you have to say. Also, if you like this blog, please share it with other people. Thanks!
I saw from the blog's stats that, on multiple occasions, I have visitors from Germany. Who are you? I really want to know :0) Hi! Guten tag! Danke for reading my blog (yeah, my expansive knowledge of German ends there).
Scene
A disappointing and often time frustrating part of med school has been the limited time I get to see my close friends. Sure, there are breaks and holiday weekends, but here's the thing: you can go as far away as possible from the school, but it never ends. You can leave the lecture hall at 4PM, but the work load haunts you til you go to bed. It's really a full time job and some more. It really is relentless most of the time. It's not that horrible, but there are only a few rare handful of moments you can completely forget about med school. Unless you're transitioning from one block to the next, there's always the next barrage of exams. Gotta study, gotta study.
I really admire the people who can parse their time very efficiently to maximize both studying and zoning out to chillax. But, I can't really do that. I study when I'm back at home staying with friends or when we're on I-81 to Canada. Yeah, I'm a party pooper. sad face.
Thus, on this ever growing list of ways to improve to be happier, I have written down: Keep better in touch with friends. Although most of the time I abhor texting, it is a way nevertheless. Emails, too. Oy, even Facebook. Smoke signals if I have to.
But, nothing replaces face to face time and random shenanigans. From throwing darts at each other's face to camping through a hurricane to window prom dress shopping to attending a football game in the soaking rain, those are what memories are made of.
Question
What are your plans with friends this year? What do you want to do with friends, but haven't had the time to do so?
I hope you take some time to post a comment answering the question or addressing the post or providing input or whatever (remember, NO "First!"). You don't have to write a whole bunch of stuff. Just a few words would do. I really look forward to reading what you have to say. Also, if you like this blog, please share it with other people. Thanks!
I saw from the blog's stats that, on multiple occasions, I have visitors from Germany. Who are you? I really want to know :0) Hi! Guten tag! Danke for reading my blog (yeah, my expansive knowledge of German ends there).
Scene
A disappointing and often time frustrating part of med school has been the limited time I get to see my close friends. Sure, there are breaks and holiday weekends, but here's the thing: you can go as far away as possible from the school, but it never ends. You can leave the lecture hall at 4PM, but the work load haunts you til you go to bed. It's really a full time job and some more. It really is relentless most of the time. It's not that horrible, but there are only a few rare handful of moments you can completely forget about med school. Unless you're transitioning from one block to the next, there's always the next barrage of exams. Gotta study, gotta study.
I really admire the people who can parse their time very efficiently to maximize both studying and zoning out to chillax. But, I can't really do that. I study when I'm back at home staying with friends or when we're on I-81 to Canada. Yeah, I'm a party pooper. sad face.
Thus, on this ever growing list of ways to improve to be happier, I have written down: Keep better in touch with friends. Although most of the time I abhor texting, it is a way nevertheless. Emails, too. Oy, even Facebook. Smoke signals if I have to.
But, nothing replaces face to face time and random shenanigans. From throwing darts at each other's face to camping through a hurricane to window prom dress shopping to attending a football game in the soaking rain, those are what memories are made of.
Question
What are your plans with friends this year? What do you want to do with friends, but haven't had the time to do so?
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