Med School - Week 2

I've spent more than 7 hours in the Gross Anatomy Lab today. I probably smell really bad, but I can't tell anymore, I'm wearing blue scrubs. I need to study but I'm too sleepy to do so. Hungry? what does that mean? I'm scared as I can ever be of the first Structure and Development (S&D) exam but within all this I feel happy.

The Experience of a Lifetime

The Panthéon, with it's tombs and pendulum inside
I'm back from Paris, France a changed woman.

If you want to know everything I did in France, I must disappoint you and say that it's impossible for me to tell every moment, there were just so many. All will come in typical conversations with friends when something said would remind me of one of those moments and then it will be re-lived as someone else hears it.

I LIVED in my dream city, spoke a ton of French (daily!!!), walked a lot, ate chocolate deserts everyday (mmmm), danced with no self-consciousness, saw the art, the people, the gardens, the city, the sites, and broke a few hearts while feeling the most free I've ever felt. Living on my own was great, it felt right.

Vincent and I.

And then something happened, a moment that made this experience be one of a kind.
This....
meeting them.
It was at that very moment, in that restaurant where I had drinks with some of my classmates (and David, Diana's husband from France) that I realized the significance of this gathering. So many different cultures, backgrounds, life experiences, ages, all together having the best time, with nothing but true love for French and life. There was no bickering, no dirty looks, just smiles, laughs and interesting conversation. That moment, was in fact, what I've desired. I've always wanted to see how it was like to be with so many different people, how interesting it would be to learn from them what I can't by reading a book or seeing the news. When in France, I didn't expect that to happen, and I'm very grateful it did.


Outside Raspail, where we took classes. July 29 2008.
Countries represented in this group of friends: Puerto Rico, Spain, Serbia, Italy, Brazil, Colombia, Belgium, Mexico and Jerusalem.

My last night, I decided not to stay at Cité Universitaire with the girls and spent some time with my new friends, or as we like to refer to ourselves as "The Internationals". After finding a Spasnish bar closed we decided to hop over to the Eifel Tower. It was a great time, finding myself singing Puerto Rico's national anthem and listening to other songs from their countries. We them spent about 2 hours looking for the right bus stops, but I didn't care, my last night in Paris was the perfect night to end such a wonderful experience.

Paris et moi

I thought that I would have the chance to write everyday, but Paris demands that I give it the most attention possible. Being able to speak French on a daily basis, communicating properly with locals and international students has been one of the most satisfying experiences I've had. I am in love with this city, everyday I've met different people, from various cultures and countries. My first week in Paris has been, vraiment (truly), a success. I'm still trying to get used to the day ending at 10pm, it makes me sleep less as I usually do. French people are very polite, of course, there will always be meanies around, but I've found them to be quite charming and interesting, as opossed to comments I've heard from friends who have visited Paris. My room at La Fondation de Belgique (Cite Universitaire de Paris) is comfortable and gives me lots of independence and privacy. Today, marked the first day that I didn't see any of my mates from Puerto Rico. I stayed around campus, had a cheap lunch at the Cafeterie of the Maison Internationale while I did some homework. Now, being almost 11pm, I must study fast so I can have a nice rest, its my birthday tomorrow!!!!

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!