Entertaining myself

So I had a routine optometry appointment this morning, and they put the pupil dilator eyedrops in…..so me, being the nerd that I am decided to take pictures of my eyes, looking out the window…….because the eyes are the “windows to our soul”……so I thought it would be a cool pic, except you can see a shadow of my arm and the camera in it…….and yes, I know I’m a geek.

If you click on the pic you can see an enlarged version of my eyeball.

Gearing down and back up

It’s been four days at home. I figure in another two, my eyes will start twitching. Since I’ve been home I’ve gone to Somerset (a posh mall for the rich folk where I peruse the sale racks) in the States, and to the grocery store. After getting over my initial culture shock of the mass consumerism (as I do every semester), and only a minor panic attack from visual overstimulation, I’ve been avoiding making that dreaded trip to Walmart to replenish the toiletry supplies.

Now that I’m home my mind is blank over what I should write about. I’ve scheduled my test date for the board exams, which gives me a little over 6 weeks to prepare. It’s definitely been great taking a much needed break from studying since finishing in St. Vincent’s, but I’m ready to be out of my house and get down to business. I finally unpacked my bags and did my laundry, but it does suck a little knowing that I’m just putting most of my stuff back into the suitcase to leave for London so I can study. Since I’ve been home I seemed to have picked up a lovely mucous filled upper respiratory infection as which seems to be the pattern every time I come back up north. Anyways, here's a pic from a recent jaunt out on the water in a friend's new boat (good times are definitely ahead).

Home bitterSweet Home

Well after much contemplation over what I should do with this blog, I debated over a few different ideas:

I should continue this blog.

I should stop being a narcissist and keep my thoughts to myself.

I should start a new blog so the rents don’t know the url and I can write about what’s really going on - and how I’m actually not in medical school but am a breeder/trainer of the majestic sea horse.

First off, I’ve decided to keep it, and continue with fluffy reflections (as if there were any other type). Perhaps a recipe section will be added or something....i dunno yet (if you have a suggestion you can anonymously post a comment). Given the title of the blog, and where my next location will be (Detroit!) I may have to change it to 65 days of sun instead of 365. Instead I’ll leave the title as a double entendre of what has passed, and my outlook for the future (whoa…..deep thoughts).

Anyways, I have to gear up to study for the next six weeks or so for my board exam....which is why it is a little bittersweet to be back at home.....along with the fact that its friggin cold people!

What I will miss from my time in Vinnies:

A minimum of 3 emails a day from my pharmacology professor, stating his every thought and intent without spell/grammar check.

Waking up and opening my balcony door to the turquoise-blue sea, palm trees, and the wafting scent of cannabis from the neighbors.

The school gym with its ghetto weight selection, boxing bags and a beautiful view of a harbour.

The friendliness of the locals pretty much everywhere you went.

I imagine I’ll start to miss the incessant cat calls/compliments/stares – it really starts to feed a girls ego.

The sun

The warmth

Crazy but relaxed driving style – people don’ honk because they’re angry, they honk to say ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’.

The serenity

The vegetable and fish market – you can’t beat the freshness.

All of my friends

The rum - they don't pour drinks anywhere else in the world like they did there!

Anyways, thanks to all of you who have taken the time to read my blog over these last two years. I want to give a special thanks to all of you who have left me comments (mostly Nick), as it has encouraged me to keep writing.

And so begins my life back on the mainland.........

One more to go

Call me crazy, but I actually felt a tinge of sadness today while I was writing my last pharmacology exam. I'll be honest......I don't wanna go home yet! One more exam to go - pathophysiology, where I try yet again to understand the magic of breathing, only this time in a diseased state.
For the past two days Soca/reggae/50s oldies music has been blaring to announce the start of Vincymas - basically the biggest few weeks of partying on the island of the year. Hearing this definitely does not keep me in the studying mood.

Anyways, I know this is a random and slightly disjointed post, but here is a picture from the health fair we did a couple of weeks ago up at the north end of the island. It was a nice last community experience down here, but it was definitely sad to see how most of the problems were eyed related - nobody wears sunglasses down here, and so many people have diabetes and hypertension.

The End of an Era

Today is the last day of classes. Not only is today the last day of lectures for the two years of the basic sciences component of my medical studies, this completes the end of my classroom life as I know it. I have been in a classroom learning setting for the last twenty years of my existence. Holy #$&%, scary considering I have nothing to show for it other than some abstract paintings my mom kept from kindergarten, and a few pieces of paper with stickers and ‘important’ signatures.

So after thinking about this and its meaning while beginning to pack my things for going home, this was the first thought that popped into my mind:

“So I guess I should probably stop dressing like a 15 year old tomboy wearing cheap t-shirts with tacky pictures on the front”.

Somehow I just couldn’t figure out where a shirt with a Pegasus would be appropriate in the next stage of my journey. There’s always pajamas….

A Letter to My Housemates

It has been an absolute pleasure living with you all this semester. One could not find a more motivating and well-balanced combination of people to live with. You have kept my goals in check, and my health habits on the wagon. Whenever I would feel myself wavering, it was impossible not to notice the dedication of everyone around me. It has been fabulous to be able to share information with you all and learn from each and every one of you. You are the future doctors that others should aspire to, in exemplifying what it truly means to take care of your health. I feel very appreciative to have found myself in such a supportive environment.

To Lindsey (my motivation to keep going) – I am enamored by your energy, and your flawless phenotype for which I will forever strive to achieve.

To Megan (my secret femme crush) - I am inspired by the way you are able to balance all aspects of your life in a non-neurotic way. I will always smile when I think of your ‘free-spirited’ running.

To Augustine (my aspiration when the going gets tough) – It has been wonderful to have someone to communicate health and life philosophies with. You are a wealth of wisdom, and a great listener.

Thank you for helping make this my best semester ever!

Love Dana

So I guess it wasn't the landlady....

Click on the pic to read the article.