What happened??

Hello.  I am sure that some people believe that I have fallen off the face of the earth.  I just want to let you know that I have not.  The last eight months have been fascinating.

After getting back from the cruise, I continued "studying."  I say it like that because now, I don't think I was studying to the best of my ability.  I retook the NBME on May 25, 2017.  And you guessed it.  I failed again.  I was so angry with myself that I said I wasn't going to study for a while.  Now, why would I do that?  Waste of money to be in Chicago, right?  Shouldn't I just go home?

Well, I could have gone back to Georgia with my parents or North Carolina where the rest of my family is but I don't want to look like a failure.  But I have skipped over a little bit of information.  Let's rewind to Easter Sunday.  My boyfriend and I went to church as usual at the sunrise service.  After service, we had breakfast at church and spoke to a few members socially.  We came back to the apartment and worked on our computers for a while before getting the idea to go to Walmart.  He finally got on one knee and asked me to marry him.  <----- equals="" excitement.="" p="" that="">
So fast-forward to June after getting my NBME results, I decided just to plan a wedding since I was so angry at my progress which amounted to nothing.  I was so upset, I called the school asking for reassurance, and I did not get the response I wanted to hear.  So I made my path.  I QUIT studying.  A lot of people would say this is stupid and I agree.  Looking back, I was stupid.  I wasted a lot of time just looking online at wedding stuff I couldn't afford.

By now, you have realized that I like to defy the norm and if there is a cheapskate method for accomplishing a task, I take the risk.  Well, I order the wedding dress on eBay from China.  Yep.  Pretty stupid idea but the dress came out very nice.  The best part was it was less than $200.  So in June, I flew to Atlanta, GA to try on my dress and get it altered because I did not want my fiance to see it.  I also saw the wedding venue I booked the internet for the first time.  I know this sounds like a disaster, but I promise this is on a medical student budget. 

By now, I am teaching very regularly with Chicago Heart Training.  July comes, and James gives me an alternate location where I teach weekly.  I paid for the entire wedding with this extra money.  And maybe a little bit on a credit card.  Overall, it was a hot August wedding in Georgia.  It wasn't over 60 people, and it was a great day.  Here's a video of the big day.  Unfortunately, YouTube caught some songs for copyright infringement, and one of the songs is missing, but the video is still great, however.

After the wedding, we went on our honeymoon.  Our honeymoon was a 5-day cruise in the Caribbean.  We had a blast.  We visited Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, and Nassau.  We overate, laughed, enjoyed each other's company and beat one another at Connect 4.  

Back to reality, my husband went back to work, and it was time for me to get back to work.  We moved apartments just before going to Georgia to get hitched, so there was a little unpacking left to do.  Then it was study time.  I still was trying to work at Chicago Heart, but it wasn't working out.  It was a big distraction with all the phone calls daily about classes and such.  Plus it was heartbreaking to hear about the devastation of Hurricane Irma to Anguilla.  So represent Anguilla well, it is time to study hard and get that MD!

So lately, I have been confined to my computer answering questions on UWorld and watching YouTube videos while reading through First Aid.  It has been a challenge, but life is supposed to throw curveballs.  No road is straight and narrow; they are all filled with hills and valleys.  My family has been blessed.  Although my brother has not recovered from his accident, I am still hopeful that God will heal him in the manner that He wants to heal my brother.  My father will get a kidney if it is God's will.  With the obstacles in my way, I still smile.  And can only be happy and shout Hallelujah!

So, I will try to make this blog more of an accountability partner and write about the latest things I have studied.  I am currently working on Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Behavioral Science.  Next week, I plan to start on dreadful Pathology.  My source for Pathology is the gold standard, Pathoma.  I am excited to get going very hard and heavy.  I have signed up to take the NBME during the testing period of December 25 through January 7, 2018 (I missed the deadline for the end of the year period).  If anyone wants to be an additional accountability partner, don't hesitate to email me periodically and ask me questions.

Thanks for stopping by and have a BLESSED day!!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9, NIV

Updates on Life

Hello all!  I know I should have written by now but I can't get out of the air.  Literally.

So recently, my dad started having some health issues and I actually flew home to see him at the end of February.  I actually skipped one of courses at Chicago Heart.  I went to help my mom care for my dad.  I came back to Chicago for a few days before going on a cruise for a week.  I would just say that I needed that time to just relax.  And I will say that I feel so much better.  Well, unfortunately, I wasn't able to come back as planned because my dad started to get worse and I could only continue to pick the doctor's brains about the condition that he was in.  Still he isn't what he was before all this happened but he is alive.

So I came back in time to take my NBME which I was not very optimistic about and I must say that I see what I am studying so hard for now.  I don't know why I took so long to take it in the first place but I honestly should've taken it sooner.  I can say that I probably have a clearer map of what my study schedule should be opposed to what it was.  I also will add that I did not want to purchase UWorld until I got back from the cruise and I honestly probably should've subscribed sooner.  I love this question bank so much better than the Kaplan Qbank we got access from the school.  The lectures are there if I need them but I can clearly see that I wasted so much time going through that thing. But I don't want to give advise just yet because I am waiting for the results of my NBME at this point.  I want to be optimistic about the results but realistically, I hadn't studied since February because all that has gone on.  I tried to here and there but it was way too crazy for that to happen.

At this point, I am continuing to study for Step 1 aiming for a new goal of June.  My original goal was to take the test in April but that has come closer than expected.  I think now that I know what to be prepared for, I am not worried about anything else at this time.  I would ask for continued prayers for my dad and his health and all the other students at this time also studying for Step 1.  Match day was a while back and SJSM still hasn't posted anything about the people that have matched this year.  I would presume a lot because the school has grown and more and more people are passing Step 1 than before.

So before I go, I promised some pictures of me while I was on the cruise so let me show you some of my happiness.

Chicago Car Show for My Birthday

Hair for my birthday!

Cruise boat: Carnival Fantasy

Towel animal while on the cruise

Cozumel's San Francisco Beach

I hope these few pictures do justice of all the fun I seemed to be having but I assure you that I am not having any fun with the UWorld questions.  I would ask for continued prayers for success.  I thank you all for reading about my adventures to becoming a doctor.  If you have any questions about SJSM or Caribbean medical schools in general, please don't hesitate to send me a message and I try to respond within a few hours no matter what time of day it is.


For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

The Last Days of MD2 and Residence Rules

Well, it has been a long, long journey but I must say that this semester was fun.  I think I am well rested for what is to come because the next semester surely isn't easy as well as the more intense studying that is needed.  It may be because of the additional assignments and presentations but I don't know.  I will tell you when I get there!

So, it is only a week and a half before I go home.  Today I had my last quiz of MD 2 in physiology.  I must say that I am very proud of myself because I did a lot better on this quiz than I did for all of my other quizzes.  Yay for me.  Just another victory before I start more journey home.  It also sounds like I am going to have a very eventful winter break as well.

So in the past week, nothing eventful has taken place.  I have been receiving a lot of emails however in regards to what to expect when you get to the island.  I can't really say because everyone's experience is different.  It honestly depends on how much spending you plan to do as well as your comfort level.  I would like to label myself as a very frugal person (or just plain cheap).  I don't like to spend more than I need to if I can help it because I don't see the point if there are little children around the world starving for food and I have the luxury of better things.  That's just my opinion.  However, some people expect rainbows and unicorns.

So by now, I am on my third landlord of which I am comfortable being with.  Next semester, I am a little indecisive as to whether I would want to move or not but I will surely keep you updated.  I really like the opportunity to try different areas that can help future students on what areas to live in and what areas to stay away from.  Also, pricing of apartments is a common question.  The answer will always be it depends.  If you live alone, you could pay from $550 on up.  The usual rate I keep hearing from people is around $650 but if you find something cheaper, you've definitely gotten a good deal.  Just make sure that the landlord is nice and they won't try to keep your security deposit.  I actually have one landlord now that owes me about $500.  The problem with trying to sue her is that the courts move very slow here and they usually favor in the Anguillians side.  So if I see her, I will try to convince her to give me something.  Because that money would have been very useful.  Two bedrooms can help cheapen the expenses because the electric bill will be shared.

Some things to think about when getting a place include getting a lease.  Some landlords insist that they will just take your word for it and not give you a lease.  Get some type of documentation in case you have to sue them.  It happens and sometimes you have to do what you have to do.  Also, try to get the utilities covered in the rent.  Unfortunately, if you have air conditioning, this is very difficult.  Most landlords don't want to pay for electricity because students in the past have had bad habits of leaving the air conditioning on.  The electricity is not like it is in the United States.  The electric bills here tend to be very high and the utilities are not very efficient.  I suggest that when you leave your residence that you unplug everything and turn off fans.  This could reduce your electric bill and possibly make your landlord happy that they have a tenant that isn't a hassle.

Another major point to talk about is the water.  Water is not a renewable resource as it is in the United States where we have water treatment facilities.  The water that runs from the facet is not palatable.  If you do decide to attempt to drink it, you will notice a very salty taste.  Water sometimes becomes scarce especially during the seasons when it doesn't rain as often.  It seems now that we are in the rain season but this summer when I came, it was very dry.  Below the houses are well-like structures called cisterns.  Water is pumped into them when they are empty from the water companies on the islands and also when it rains.  Be aware of where the opening is located so you can check your water usage as needed.  So just be aware of when you're washing your hair, brushing your teeth, washing that extra load of laundry and doing dishes of how much water you are using because it can be expensive.  So now that you know it isn't a good idea to waste water, I know you are wondering, what do I drink?  I actually drink a lot of water.  Many students tend to buy bottled water when they get here and save the bottles.  The school has a water fountain.  That's all I am going to say so you can't say I told you to do anything.  *Whistling as I walk away.

Finally, transportation can be another issue for people.  I think many of you experienced the journey of how I obtained a car on this island with me.  Transportation is dependent on you.  I honestly think I could have not had it but I just can't study outside of the library for some reason so coming to school on the weekends helps me remember the information better.  So, again, it depends.  Where is your study space?  It could be at your residence, school or someone else's place.  It doesn't matter.  If you live within walking distance of some places and you feel comfortable walking, go for it.  And occasionally a classmate may see you and pick you up on the way as well.  Renting is pretty easy to do and the rates are about $300 per month.  Buying a car seems like more of a hassle however you may get the cost of the car back in the end.  So the return on investment is better.  Overall, it is your choice.

Well this post went in a direction that I didn't plan on but I again hope this was very helpful.  This weekend is the White Coat Ceremony for this semester's MD4s. I have a few friends that will be transitioning to Chicago and I will include pictures at their discretion.  We have exams next week and I think I have a beach trip planned before I return home on the 19th.  I will be sure to update you after I can call myself a MD3 but before the new year.  Before I go:

Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

-Romans 14:4, NKJV

Physiology and Biochemistry Woes....

Hello all once again!  I just wanted to give you all a brief update on my life.  It feels like it's been a long week although it's only Wednesday.  This week has been full of interesting little things.  Yesterday we had our first physiology quiz which seemed way too easy.  With that said, I will let you assume how well it went for me!

But how should I start this off.........

Well on Sunday, I came to the library.  I used to get rides from the librarian because we went to church together but since I've been back to the island, I have been more solitary.  I absolutely HATE asking for rides.  It is honestly just so annoying that I would rather hitch one than be that person that you talk about that you are always giving a ride.  As the library closed, I honestly did not know at all how I was going to get home.  It is not the greatest feeling either so it just so happened that a lovely young man with a good heart decided to take me home.  It was a nice gesture but that is the last time I ever want to be stranded like that.

When I got home, I called my mom to discuss possibly getting a car.  As I have mentioned before, I don't have a lot of money nor do I come from money so this was all the money that I have remaining until I receive my financial aid from Walden.  So, yes.  I'm pretty much hurting for money but because I need it, I will get it.  We agreed on what I should do which is not let me be stranded again so that equals get a car.  I think I've found one but I will definitely post my chariot when I get it.  Just FYI, the cars here are not always the greatest but if you remember that they are only to get you from point A to point B, you will be fine.

Another thing that I did consider was the fact that since I am purchasing a vehicle that all maintenance is up to me.  Yes, I see why people rent a car but being that I have met so many people on the island that are like family to me, I have faith that I will be alright.  Plus I will have to sell it but I think I will stay on the island until the end of the month after my MD 4 semester.

Monday and Tuesday were spent studying for physiology of course but I have honestly neglected studying for biochemistry since the beginning of the semester hence the title.  I honestly feel bad but I am truly leaning on my background in chemistry from college but I don't think I can any longer.  I just started literally studying for it in the last three hours.  Two PowerPoint's down and eight more to go!  And yes you read that right.  I don't need the ridicule because I know that was a bad idea.

Not to mention that last night I went to dinner with the Walden University representatives and a few students.  Oh my, the shrimp was so good but I do regret that two hours that I could have been in tutoring for physiology.  Oh well, I can't change what happened now.  The Walden representatives did pitch an idea for us, the students, to develop a way we can organize something that could potentially impact the island.  It is a very good idea but I am trying to fit in the time to do Walden and this program in itself.  And that's stressful enough.  But I have some ideas in the back of my mind.

This post is getting a little long and I have to return to studying so I will leave you guys with this:
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

-1 Corinthians 10:4, KJV

PS: I promise if I do get some wheels that I will take a picture and list ALL the relevant details in case you would want to do the same.

Quitting Time

So, Quit Day!

Literally, I just walked into my bosses office and said, "Sir, I would like to turn in my two weeks notice now."  He said he had no clue about this going to take place.  Of course he wanted to know if I was going to a competitor but I responded that I was going to medical school in the Caribbean.  Anguilla to be exact.  And the response I received was, "okay."

So much for a lot of drama and action from someone who "values" you, right?  It's okay because all of the events leading up to this moment told me that I wasn't supposed to be here.  I really thought that I was supposed to work here when it all started and work here until I retired but that isn't the case.  I just don't want to work anywhere where because I don't have a PhD determines if I can be a chemist when in fact, I am a chemist when I graduate college.  Sounds a little demeaning, right?

Other than that, it was really hard telling my coworkers that I was leaving especially the ones I consider my "sisters."  They were happy and mad in the same sense but for good reasons.  The ones that I had told previously, were rooting for me to turn in my notice so the "celebration" could begin.  I must say that it felt really good to turn it in and get the secret over with.  Now, time seems to be going faster than ever.

So, instead of having the option of not working my two weeks, I was told that I had to work.  According to the policy, it says you have an option.  So honestly, that means that I will sit in my office for the next two weeks with my feet propped up.  I did not leave them without some direction of some of the things that I was doing.  I at least wrote procedures and notes on how I did a lot of the processes we used.

The group meeting we had on the following Monday was pretty interesting as well.  I assumed that my boss was going to inform the group of my decision but he actually deferred that to me.  It took everything in me to say, "Well, I quit."  That isn't exactly very professional sounding I would say but it would've gotten my point across.  It seemed everyone was happy for me; even the people who falsely accused me of harassing them.  But that's a story for another day!

So, I have gotten rid of a lot of things in my office to other employees and I am ready to say farewell now but I am sure that this torture is going to last longer than I want it to.  Thank God for sick days though because I don't know how I would make it without it.

Also, for a school update.  Since last week, I submitted the final document needed for traveling and have received my official acceptance letter to go to Saint James School of Medicine.  I can't tell if I am more nervous, scared or excited to be chasing my dreams.  I also received an invite from my peers in a group on Facebook which is helping us to get to know one another.  Seems like our class size will be really small but I guess time will tell.

This new path is starting to take shape and I hold my trust and faith in God.  He has made it absolutely possible for me to accomplish everything from birth to now and I owe everything to Him.  The scripture below is a brief description of how I feel right now!

 For I’m going to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Don’t you see it? I will make a road through the wilderness of the world for my people to go home, and create rivers for them in the desert!

-Isaiah 43:19, TLB

Am I Really Ready to Leave?

That is the question of the hour.  Well, there are many factors to that question that I have to consider but I would rather talk about 4 of them.  The factors that matter the most about my decision to go to school are: my job/career, my family, my friends (or what little I have of them) and my church.

Gulfport, MS

I think from the earlier posts, you can tell that my job will be one of the easiest transitions.  I honestly don't like my job.  I never thought I would grow to hate going to work every morning but it is very hard to be the only optimistic one at work on most days.  I will miss the trips that I got to take to places such as New Orleans with my boyfriend, Gulfport, MS with a coworker and Wilmington, NC with coworkers.  These are just a few of the excursions I got to experience while I was employed with this company which are the highlights of what happened while I worked here but it doesn't match up with the day to day things that I have to deal with in the office.  I have heard from many individuals that have worked here and left here to find another employer due to the lack of advancement.  I have no intentions of going to graduate school for chemistry due to my failure before (yes, I flunked out of a chemistry masters program) because my passion lies elsewhere.  I like what I do and I will take my knowledge with me.  I just know that waiting 30 years to only be called a scientist is a waste of my time, talent and knowledge and this is the best move to make me happy.

New Orleans, LA with the Boyfriend

Secondly, my family will be a major factor of questioning my readiness to leave.  I am worried about my parents who will not have anyone to lean on except our church family being that they moved to Atlanta, GA from North Carolina to be closer to me.  My father is on disability while my mother has yet to find a job after searching for over a year.  I'm sure they will be fine but I am just hoping that everything happens to them in their favor.  Also, my oldest brother has found the one and I am scared that I will miss out on this important stage of his life.  He also has my niece and nephew which I will have to miss out on this part of their lives.  One of my younger brothers is getting his life together as well as figuring out life with his daughter.  She is only 3 years and my little buddy but I think she will forgive me in the long run.  Also, my youngest brother is just now starting to realize how to live life.  That's all I can say about him because he needs me more than he knows.  And last but not least, my sister.  I finally started to have a relationship with my younger sister after not seeing her for over 10 years for that to abruptly change and I not hear from her in over a month.  I wish that our families were on better terms so that she can see how it is possible to achieve her dreams as well.

Random Walking Downtown in Atlanta, GA

My friends do mean a lot to me but I do understand that they want what's best for me.  I saw one friend get married this weekend.  My best friend is trying to figure out her dream and be what she can be.  I don't have very many close friends so this is the easiest portion of all.  And last but not least, the boyfriend.  I would think it would be more difficult but being that we have dated less than a year and I tried to cram a year into 8 months after he didn't want to, it is a lot easier to leave.


My church is very special to me.  Other than work and home, this is the most likely place that you would find me.  I just love how I am able to learn so much from these people biblically.  It's not always the classes that teach you something but their actions that tell you they are living the way that they teach.  Although some don't teach at all, their actions speak volumes.

Finally I have finished my resignation letter to be handed in on Friday.  I have been avoiding it but I have finally completed it.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be but I also told my best coworker.  That was a heavy weight because she is out on leave at the moment but she won't be back until I leave.  I just felt the need to tell her that I was run off from here but it is for a better me!

$122.62

I’ll ask the question that you may be thinking: Why did she title this one $122.62?

Last week, I went to my leasing office of my apartment complex to pay my rent with a check since they don’t have it set up to pay online anymore.  I asked them the total of my water bill so I could write the correct total on the check.  Well, the leasing laws with the state of Georgia are entirely different from what I initially thought of them to be.  All in all, if you are not going to renew your lease, give a written notice 60 days before your lease is supposed to end.  I did not know this information.  So I gave 60 days’ notice to vacate in February.  My lease was supposed to be terminated on March 4.  Of course there was a fee and it now cost me approximately $400 more than I budgeted for housing than I expected.  I literally almost cried as I wrote that check and handed it to the staff there.  I must say that it was a lesson learned. 

At work, I finished a project for another person to be told that I wasn’t the project manager for that project.  I also wrote a 25 page report that was reduced to 12 by my boss saying that the information I included wasn’t “necessary” for the audience of the report.  I just continued to bite my tongue about it and then realized that the report was no longer my report at all and he had completely rewritten everything I worked so hard on.  I didn’t want to dwell on these feelings but it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when you don’t feel like you’re moving fast enough to see it.

Also this week, I went to visit a woman I consider a grandmother before going to bible study every week like I always do.  When I was leaving, I contemplating whether even going to bible study when my mother called begging me to come and eat some chili at church.  So I can’t say no to that.  I get to church and it’s just so happen that the guy I sit next to knows someone who is currently attending Saint James.  He sent him a text for him to call me.  He claimed that there were some things that I should know before going to school there.  What those things are, I may never know because I never got that call.  But who knows?!

As if I couldn’t get any more clouds of doubt in my head, I checked the mail and received my electricity bill.  I opened it swiftly because I was anxious to see if that was in its normal range.  The bill was for $122.62.  I just cried and cried.  I was starting to have doubts about leaving especially after the week I had and the amount of money that people were all of a sudden thinking that I was made of.  My boyfriend came over that night and told me that I was going to school because that was my plan.  I immediately dried my eyes and said thank you.  I think that was all I needed to snap out of my funk that I had. 

Overall, you can’t let things happening around you and other people’s opinions determine your fate on how things are supposed to go.  In other words:

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

-John 1:5, ESV

My Life Before Deciding the BIG Adventure

Hello All!  I am currently at work sitting in my office once again because my boss will not give me anything to do.  It is really annoying because I feel like I paid for an education and I'm not using my investment.  But I'm sure I will fill you in soon about that later.  So let's get to the real deal here.

Hello again!  My name is Ariel and I am currently 25 years old.  I am currently a Chemical Technician III for a very large corporation in research and development and I have no children which includes humans and animals.  I decided over a year ago that my plan for life does not include my job.  Or it was divine intervention.  Or just extreme dislike for my current boss.  Either way, the idea came to mind that I didn't want to work in this field.

This all started after a meeting my company had back in February 2014, where they decided it was a good idea to group people in a way they had never done before.  Why not just move people together because it appears that they do the same type of work, right?  Well, I had a plan with my old boss for how I was going to progress in my work but I got moved into a group with the boss that I had as a temporary employee.  My boss doesn't talk and just constantly looks mad.  Honestly, I think he looks a little like Squidward from SpongeBob but that's just my opinion.  Needless to say, I knew that if I continued under his leadership that I would not be happy in the long run.

Well, it just so happen that I was listening to the radio on the way home and I hear a commercial on the radio for Ross University School of Medicine.  They were holding an open house somewhere in Atlanta and it said to log on their site for more information.  So being that this was my first dream, I sped home to Google it!  I noticed that it was in the Caribbean and I also noticed the price.  Everyone I know, knows that I am very cheap.  If there is a way to get something of the same quality for a cheaper price, that is normally the route that I tend to take.  So also shown on Google for Caribbean medical schools was Saint James School of Medicine.  The catch line here was "Affordable, top Caribbean medical school. No MCAT needed." That was all I needed to check it out.  And just so happen that they were also holding an open house event in Atlanta on the 20th which I thought was a treat right before my 24th birthday.

I attended the open house event at the hotel downtown and it seemed like everything I ever wanted.  I have always been afraid of large schools which is why my undergrad was as small as it was.  I was always fearful that medical school was going to be just as large but that idea changed when I learned of Saint James.  So of course, later I filled out the application, had a phone interview and was accepted in March 2014.  Yes, less than a week later, I had to also submit a $1000 deposit.  But then I had to develop a plan on how I wanted to finance my education and how I was to attend.  Then I decided that it would be best to begin attendance in Summer of 2015.  It would give me time to save up enough money for the first semester of school without having to rely on student loans.

I would like to say that this plan was orchestrated by God but I have no proof of that other than everything has worked out in my favor.  I don't know what this path has for me, but I do know that it could only lead to great things.  To end this post, I would like to end it with this:

And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.

-Isaiah 42:16, ESV