Busy Bee in MD3

I must say that I know why all the upperclassmen were running around like their heads were cut off.  This semester has things constantly due and quizzes to always study for.  And then, when you think you studied enough, you haven't at all.  Then you go back to the slides to review the same material you may have reviewed 15 times before.  And sometimes even after that, you must reread them again.

I can honestly say that this semester will be more of an isolation type deal.  I think I have communicated with my family less than I have in previous semesters.  Mainly communication is about the upcoming big day or White Coat.  Although it isn't until next semester, it is still something to look forward to and be excited for.  Plus it is a mechanism for keeping my eye on the prize.  So far, it looks as if it will be August 13th which is the week after Carnival.  Talk about a bit of excitement.

I will mention that this semester has challenging classes but it may only be considered challenging because class is everyday until 5 pm.  Yes, we have class from 8 am to 5 pm.  Monday through Friday.  Three of my five classes are five days a week as well.  It sounds worse than what it actually is.  At the end of the day, you want a doctor knowledgeable in diagnosing infections, knowing the drugs to treat the condition and if there should be any other conditions to consider.

This is also going on while my friend and I are trying to accomplish a project of educating community members on CPR (this is the undisclosed project I mentioned in my previous post).  We have had everything come together at this point and it is really looking like we will be great at what we are doing.  We have our school's support and students leaving this island will have one item on their AICM checklist completed.  In case you are unaware of what AICM is, it is the fifth semester in which students have review for the USMLE Step 1 and preliminary rotations at the hospital in Chicago, Jackson Park.  From what I hear, they are trying to move the fifth semester to the island but rumors aren't true until it becomes reality.

By training the students for a reduced fee, we are saving the money to train community members.  This project is a very large commitment and more than what I expected but it is really making me rethink a lot of decisions.  The fact that I have the ability to educate others in something they need makes me want to make a life long goal of educating people of this gift that I have.  So that may be an introduction for a program I may want to execute in the future.  Or maybe one day call Anguilla home.  Who knows what the path of life will bring?

Not to mention that I am also involved in a research project of glaucoma prevelance on the island.  A professor had an idea to potentially pinpoint the amount of people that would be living on the island with Glaucoma.  There is no research about it thus far but we should have information regarding this eventually.  Although it may appear to be a lot, it is still what I think I am called to do.  I am greatful for the opportunity to participate in all of these lovely activities.  After attending church yesterday, I can only end with this:

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13, NLT

Later this week, I have an assignment to visit a senior citizen's home.  If I am allowed, I will try to take a few pictures and get a few good stories to give readers some entertainment.  If you would like to help me with my project for educating Anguilla on CPR, please do not hesitate to email me.  To all, stay blessed and I appreciate your prayers for greatness!  Have a blessed week!

Happy New Year! (Sorry for the Late Post)

Hello World.  I am so sorry for not posting sooner but I went home and Christmas plus New Year's happened so....yea.  My bad.  And yes it is 12 days past the new year and I still think it is an appropriate greeting.

Life has been happening.  Since I last wrote, I attended the MD4 White Coat Ceremony.  I had a few friends to graduate and I will admit that I cried.  I spend an awful amount of time in the library and everyone that I would be in the library with is now gone except for a few.  It was a great ceremony.  It includes a few teachers speaking on how the students professional careers may be, reciting the Hippocratic Oath and of course, receiving their white coats.

After the ceremony, I proceeded to study and pass my courses better than I did in MD1.  I was so proud of myself.  Woohoo!  So maybe, if I want to, I can be a tutor for something but I have some other plans that I will disclose over time.  The big news is that I am now a MD3 student which means I only have 8 more months on this island left.  Sounds great but it can be or not!

So over Christmas break, I did do something useful and became an American Heart Association BLS Instructor.  I am proud of myself for doing something productive besides going shopping, eating all my favorite foods and gaining 10 lbs.  I say all of that but it really did happen.  Christmas with my family includes a lot of eating so I made sure to make up for all the homecooked meals that I missed out on especially at Thanksgiving.

I flew back to Saint Martin from Raleigh Durham Airport or RDU this time because it was cheaper to stay with my grandma for a night or two than to fly from Anguilla this time.  I must say she continued to feed me.  Now I feel like I have eaten an entire pig and I have to get back to eating right like I was before.

This semester will be a little different with new people joining the island.  Students and teachers included.  As well as new classes with different teachers.  This semester does have a longer schedule with classes 8 am to 5 pm each day but they all serve their purpose.  I am very optimistic although it is Day 4 of class but I am sure that I will be busy this semester for better reasons than none.

I will also mention that I moved again but I think this will be my final move on the island before I leave.  I probably wouldn't recommend all this moving however I can say that I had a very good tour of the island because of it.  I am now close to the ferry and am back to the alarm clock of roosters and chickens.  Oh how I missed it so much I had to find another place with the blessed sounds.  I will upload some pictures after I am completely settled but as for now, I have to get back to studying.

To everyone else, be safe and keep God first!
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:6, KJV