Thursday, August 16, 2007

The calm before the storm... literally.

Just about a day out and I want OFF this island!!! There is so much to talk about but first of all our final exam. Due to the storm looming ahead we were given the option earlier today to take the final exam or "opt" out of it and average out 3 midterm scores to give us our final exam grade. Of course, mind you, we have no idea what we got on mini 3 yet! It was SUCH a crapshoot: do you take the average and risk what you got on mini 3 or take the final and risk being screwed because of all of these distractions?

Well I chose to take the average. I was studying but very slowly. The Weather Channel is all I could seem to watch - just watching the storm get closer and close - and of course, on the day I am suppose to leave. BUT, since I am getting out of the final, I decided to do something about it. Tomorrow, or I should say today, I am leaving at 5ish-am to go to the airport and try to get standby for a flight. The chances do not look good but I am desperate. IF I can get off this island I am good to go and should get home fast but it is very hard getting out of here and am not very optimistic about the morning. But I am praying and hoping. There are tons of people taking charter flights out of here but at 700-900 (and I have even heard of $1200!!!!) JUST to get to Puerto Rico it was just not worth it to spend that much. That is an insane amount of money just to take you 150 miles and frankly I just couldn't afford it either. But I don't think it is worth it either. Worst case I am hoping I can get out Sunday - but we will see.

If flying out tomorrow doesn't work, it looks like I will be riding out the hurricane here. I can't stay in my apartment because it is basically a death trap. Okay, it isn't that bad. My room though is exposed to the elements (on the balcony) and there are 3 big windows so I can't stay. We will have to see. I packed up most of my room (papers, pictures, etc.) and hid it away in my closet space which is a little off the ground. I am hoping nothing gets ruined!!!! I might take some pics to the airport with me, just because I am afraid of that.

Sigh, so - yet again, we will see how this goes. I miss you all and hope I can get back to you all again really soon. Getting home would just be so wonderful and I'm sure I'll cry when I see D-town again... Please keep praying and I'll see you soon.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Hurricane Dean???

Ha, well as luck would have it - there is a tropical storm brewing out in the Altantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. The Weather Channel says that it is a depression now but is most likely to get stronger and hit the Lower Antilles (where I am) in the next 4-4.5 days (when I leave). UNBELIEVABLE! Not to mention I still have 2 other test to take while waiting this news out, haha... No problem.

I'll keep you all updated but it looks like things are going to get kinda close to whether I will just miss the storm or have to stay here and ride it out. Of course, I want out of here but I am also worried for those that will miss their flights and the locals as well. I just hope everyone is safe...

Prayers would be great on this - not just for safety but for me to get home :(...

Saturday, August 11, 2007

5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

Finally it is here - the final week of the semester! I got my path lab exam back - got a B. I was hoping for higher but doesn't everyone, haha? I am happy with it though and will gladly take it. I heard alot of people did really poorly so I am grateful. Next, I took my behavioral shelf. I was really happy with how that went and am hoping it went as good as I thought! So... what's next on my agenda??? Mini #3 time on Tuesday and my final exam (gulp) on Thursday. Studying is going alright but I still have alot to do to get ready for it. Pharm is giving everyone a really hard time but I am starting to think that I will be able to get a handle on it. But there is still all the other subjects to worry about too. I just hope I can get through it all. We will see.

This has been on my mind and I think It's kinda funny how now that I think about when people say "I would never go to a doctor that got Cs". Okay, I'll admit I got one already - biochem in my 1st year - big woop. But the time that they give you to study for some of these exams is just ridiculous. I have my final exam 36 hours after my mini... While - yes, it is possible to work on final stuff before - it is not as easy to let go of studying for the mini exam. You want to do well and giving up precious time to study for the final - well it is a toss-up. What to study for? Same when I was in second and even now I am reminded when I hear second semeters talking about it. They have - what - 5-6 Shelf exams in a week??? THEN a mini two days after? Now come on. I do understand some people have "the gift" and think that "oh it's not so hard if you just try". Right, lol... It is very hard and even if they are showing off like they "supposedly" have it all under control... Well, I call your bluff lol. :)

Just a little rant that caught my attention lately. Not being a perfect 4.0 doesn't mean you won't be a good doctor and if patients don't come to you for that reason - well who needs 'em anyway, right? Just kidding! Haha - what I mean is though that I think that they are missing out because most of whom are not book-worms make up for it in character. I know too many people that - well, it just comes easy for them and I am happy for them - really. But at the same time I think it doesn't really help them in the end because they (some not all, so no one yells at me) have never had to be pushed, never had to persevere over some hard times and keep going. That's at least how I think. I think with all the hard work I have put in, while I am not a 4.0, I make up for it in so many other ways and in the end I will be a well-rounded, competent and respected physician that will be a great teacher and guide to those that I will mentor in the future - which is something I am looking forward to more and more everyday!

Okay, more work to be done if I am coming home this week!!! Well - either way I'm coming home :P but you know... Love, love, love! :D

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Three exams to go...

The path lab final has come and gone. I know I messed up a couple easy ones but I finally got over it so I am moving on lol. My behavioral shelf exam is tomorrow morning. I hate 8am exams! What if I don't wake up?? Haha, I always worry about that. But I feel really good about it and am ready to get it over with.

After the exam I am probably going to the gym, shower, then we have our semesteral OLAS dinner! Yay, free food at Tomatos! I am proabably going to be studying at home tomorrow too and start back up on campus Friday. Have my LAST two exams next week and then I am homeward bound! 8 days... wow. I can't wait! I have SO much work to do for my last two exams, mini #3 and the final. The final, we never had 2nd semester but we did way back when I was a little first semester lol. But I will bust my butt so I can do well and just GET HOME!

This is kind of short I know but I just haven't posted in a while and wanted to give an update. Nothing much new is going on besides my ridiculous studying schedule and exams. Just trying to make it to 4th semester (FINALLY!) and get out of here for good!

I'll post more soon but until then - have a wonderful day :)!