France

I was offered to live in France for a month, the whole month of July. My sister said that she'd pay for half of the air travel + place I'm staying expenses. It seems like a wonderful oportunity to live my dream, practice French everyday and do something completely different. The price seems fair, without taking the French course at the university de la Sorbonne it comes to about $3,000, plus expenses. That's where the trouble starts. I took a quick trip to the bank, they said, I could have an international ATM card, ties to my bank accounts, but it takes a week for the card to get here (meaning, once I leave, I probably won't have that card). Then, I called to see if I could raise my credit card's credit limit. the guy sai that I'd need to prove that I'm a student and have proof of my earning, what earnings? I don't work, plus I still don't know how much in scollarships I'll get.

I know that I can probably work around those two problems, but it seems like not having my money in check will probably be a pain to work on living in Paris for a month.

Living in Paris for a month, that phrase just sounds like a dream come true to me. But what to do? Go and come back a poor girl, with no money left, having to use loans for living in medical school. Or stay, and know that this opportunity will not be coming ever again. If I take a trip it'll be more expensive that this is, in terms of air fare and lodging. I can always loose weight by eating bread and juice all day.

And then I talked to Karen and saw all the possible places I might be going to. Centre de Pompidou, Notre Damme, Arc de Triomphe, ALL THE FREAKING MUSEUMS. And a little café where I can sit to have coffee while I read a book. I'd probably have lots of time to read, places to discover, people to meet, a new experience.

What to do? Say, screw money, go and the take student loans and screw it I'll pay them when I pay them. Or stay, save my money and be super duper responsable.

Run!

Today I woke up at 9am, spent all day with Karen and José. We did a bunch of things all over the metropolitan area, even managed to watch a really bad movie that made me cringe through most of it. After dropping Joz off at his house, I decided that the night wasn't over yet, so I called someone and met up at a coffee shop. I'm really going at 100mph and there is no stopping this train. My room is a mess and I haven't taken time to sort out documents or read. Bad, bad, bad. Too bad I already made plans for tomorrow, and figured that I should get up at 7:30am if I want everything done. Why am I still up? because I'm listening to music.

Dad gets home the day after tomorrow, Emilio on Thursday,
My Graduation Saturday, Father's day Sunday.

Very excited, but I feel like I only have a day to get ready.

Point of no return one second to go

In life, we all make decisions, some good, others bad, and well some own up to the consequences, others run away from them. Yesterday, marked the first time in a while where I felt like I had complete control over my life and the course it was taking. A lot can happen in a week. Yesterday, made for an interesting fun day. At night, we went to SoFo's (South Fortaleza) Culinary Festival at Old SJ. The streets were filled with good food, good people and great music, ranging from jazz to cuban music. The funny thing was, that after a stop for drinks, we missed out on the chance of eating at Trois Cent Onze (311) where I wanted dine. We then had to leave the festival to grab a bite where there wasn't a 2 hour waiting list. It still was fun.

Sad when my "brother" turns shy.

Today, I've been examining ants with my niece while looking into a second trip with an excited friend. Putting a tiny piece of cracker in my hand so that ants will crawl on it would've sounded pointless, but it wasn't, they tickle.

Children and I

I was talking to one of the trainers, Miguel, at the gym. He was asking me about med school, specifically about which residency I was inclined to pursue. My reply is always the same, "I'm not sure quite yet, by third or fourth year I'll have a better idea." To which he refuted with a familiar phrase : "You look like a pediatrician!!".

There have been countless times where that has been said. Friends, strangers, old, young; seem to share the same thought. I love children; there is an intrinsic quality to them that emits honesty and a pure sense of self. Children know exactly who they are, what they like, don't like. Adults lose their self later on, some regain it, and others don't.

Children enjoy me too, I think it's because I treat them just like I'd treat anyone, I am also not afraid to act silly, or listen to them.

Now, I can't seem to point out what exactly about the way I carry myself says pediatrician. A few thoughts have crossed my mind.

Perhaps in the future I'll end up working with kids, we'll see!

100th post

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
-Viva la Vida, Juegofrío (Coldplay)


These weeks have been quite busy and it's because I've forced myself to stay home as little as possible. As I decided that today I was going to stay home and sort out the hundreds of papers that need to be recycled, I get a call. "Hey, want to come over and do something?" My initial reaction was:"YES!" since I've said just that to everyone, everyday. But then, I remembered that I had planned to see a movie with my sister. I guess the recycling center will have to wait, 'til then I’ll keep accumulating water bottles in my car.

Also, I’m becoming a better cook. A delicious omelet will be made for lunch in a few minutes.

Today Emilio displayed some unacceptable behavior and accepted that I manage it accordingly when he comes home. I won’t forget.