Happy Sunday!

Ready to start this week and make the most out of each day! Hope you all have a happy week! 

xoxo

As of late

Hello! Sorry it's been so long. The past couple weeks have been busy and stressful, to say the least. Work has been incredibly overwhelming, and incredibly unsatisfying. However, there have been moments in between it all, that has brought many joys to me!

Two weeks in pictures...

Out with the beautiful Linda and some of her friends! We had a small photo shoot prior to leaving the apartment.  Let's just say I'm no model, but I sure do like to pretend! 

Siting because our feet hurt! I realized two things that night: 1) There is a reason that I only wore those gold heels once before. 2) I may be getting to old for clubs...by the first hour I was wishing that I took an energy shot and was ready to leave by hour 2. Either way, it was a great night! 

The following weekend Melinda and I went to Orlando to catch up with Courtney!! It was our own little Roatán reunion! I've had the blessing of meeting some of the greatest people throughout my years, experiences, and adventures. It was absolutely perfect. We sat over sangria at Ceviche's and discussed life, travel, and men!

The following morning, we woke up to a beautiful view! Courtney got called into to work, so Melinda and I took a 10 minute walk and had brunch at this quaint little restaurant in downtown Orlando, Zilly Bee Cafe. The service was terrible, but the food was delicious! 

BBQ! The following week I had dinner with RJ at Big Pappas Pit. BBQ is never something that I crave or think of when I'm trying to figure out where to have dinner. When he suggested it, I was a little hesitant, mainly because I was thinking of a different restaurant. Woops! I'm so glad I didn't say no, because it was absolutely delicious! I've been wanting to go back this entire past week- but have refrained!  

FaceTime- best invention ever!! :) Seeing him (Aayden, my little cousin) always brightens my day! He's such a happy baby and you can't help but love him! I got to see this happy face on Tuesday! 

AND Thursday, I got my rug!! I've been slowly making my apartment feel like home. This has been taking place for the past 2 years. Hehe! All in time...right! I was so excited when  I got this rug on Groupon. It's a little smaller than I thought, but I absolutely love it! There are a number of things on my list I would like to get for the living room and bedroom, but my next purchase, will be this Bliss Chair and A Half  from West Elm. I want it in performance velvet; color, Dandelion. It's definitely a little pricey, but I plan to keep it for a really long time!! 

So there you have it. These are a few moments that have kept me sane, while dealing with the stressors and unhappiness that work brings. There was also a halloween block party in between there, in which I had a blast. It was on Dia's (old roommate) block in St. Pete! I didn't take any pictures, but I was a bumblebee, courtesy of Melinda! I didn't want to spend money on a costume. 

Studying begins again tomorrow! Strange, I'm excited this time around. Not sure if it's because I get to take my test in Tennessee, which means I get to spend the night and weekend after the test with Colleen (SO EXCITED) OR because I'm just confident that I can do really well this time! I've started working on secondaries, which is kind of fun. It's like writing down you dreams and aspirations on paper, not so bad. My fingers are crossed that this happens for me, whether it's this year or next! :)

I'll end with this. On Wednesday, my boss noticed that I was incredibly stressed at work, so at the end of the day she sent me a little email that read: "Rosa, you are a wonderful person. Be happy- you have a lot to look forward to in life, so stop stressing, or you will miss it (trust me)." Not only did it mean a lot, but I really took it in, because it is true. Sometimes, I find myself worrying or stressing so much that I forget about the little things throughout the day, week, or month that brought me happiness. I really need to do better at taking the time and focusing on those moments! 

Any great moments in your life you like to think of? 

My HoneyNut

This post is a week and one day late...but I had to do it. Last Saturday, October 18th, my little cousin Danielle (AKA: my HoneyNut) turned 18! Holy crap, I'm getting old. I have had some of the most memorable moments with this girl and the more and more I reminisce, the more and more I realize how much I adore her! We've gone from playing "house" and dress up (I was the mom, she and her, just as beautiful sister Racquel, were my daughters) to her visiting me in my own home and going to comedy shows. There are numerous, numerous stories I can share, but that could go on and on. So, I will share one. One which I believe will show how warm of a heart she has, no matter how "hard" she tries to be sometimes. I don't even think she will remember this.

I had to be about 12 or 13, so she was 4 or 5.

Before going on, please note that I was...okay, still am...a very sensitive person. I hate people being mad or yelling at me, particularly my mom. When I get yelled at, I cry. I can't help, I just do. 

Anyway, Danielle and the rest of the family came to visit my mom and I. Earlier that day, we had gone to the community pool. Carelessly, I left my glasses at the pool. Later that night, I realized that I didn't have them and I could not for the life of me remember where I put them! So, after an hour of squinting and trying to look for them I realized I needed to tell my mom. Frustrated with my carelessness (I lost my glasses about one a week), she began to yell at me; even though I'm sure she said, "I'm not yelling Precious, I'm speaking sternly and loudly" but at that age, anything above a normal decibel for indoor speech, I considered yelling. Anyway, I started crying. Not just a few tears, but sobbing. My mom then made me go to the pool to look. And behind me, came little Danielle. She walked with me to the pool. Initially, I couldn't find the glasses, so I just sat and kept crying. A few seconds later, I looked over and Danielle is crying as much as I am. "Why are you crying," I asked her. She looks at me and says, "because your mom yelled at you and made you cry." In that moment, I was like this little girl has one of the sweetest hearts I have ever known.

Growing up, she at times had a rough exterior (for reasons that are clear to me), but no matter what, I saw that she was more than that and she cares hard for her family and friends. Has there been days where she has annoyed the crap out of me or that I have been so mad at her I've wanted to strangle her, absolutely. But, no matter what- she will always be my little Danielle that I love oh so much!

Words cannot express how proud I am of her. Throughout the years, she has had her difficult times, but she has grown into one of the most poise, confident, and beautiful young ladies I know! I truly hope that she continues to keep her head on her shoulders, keep dreaming big, and accomplish all her goals.

To my little HoneyNut- no matter how hard life gets, I wholeheartedly believe that you will make it through. Know that I am always here for you. I love you and welcome to adulthood!

So Cute and Innocent

My other 2/3rds. Sisters!!

I have no words....

Road Trip!

That smile....

Palm Beach for Lexie's recital! ~'05

Sean's 1st birthday! Also, one of my favorite pictures of her!! ~'06 

Her 14th Birthday, October 2008

December 2010

May '12, Pool Party!

Her first job! Working on her 18th birthday. Told you adulthood is lame ;)

Night of her 18th birthday. Looking absolutely fabulous for her homecoming dance.

The time will pass anyway....

MCAT score came. Before I divulge into that, I HAVE to THANK all my family, friends, and co-workers who supported, encouraged, listened, and sat by my side while I've been going through one of the most mentally exhausting processes I've ever gone through (and I know it's only the beginning....). With them, I truly feel like anything is possible. So, thank you! :-)

Anyway,...scores were released on Tuesday. Am I upset?- no. Disappointed?- a little. I didn't get my "dream" score, nor is it a very competitive score, however, with my grades, experience, motivation, and passion, I think I have a small chance of getting into a school...so that makes me happy.

For the first time, in what seems like forever, I can see a future for myself. That sounds a bit dramatic, so let me explain. For the past 2 years, I have known what I have wanted, but honestly, I felt like it was SO far out of reach. There were times that I had so many different thoughts racing through my mind:

• "I may not ever get into medical school...what can be my back up so I can still accomplish my goal of helping others? PhD? hmm...not for me. DrPH?- maybe...though I would miss not having clinical knowledge" 
• "Is it worth it to keep going?" 
• "Gosh, by the time I get there, I will be soooo old!" 
• "What about a husband and kids, will that happen if I keep so focused on this?"

The list can go on and on. But, for the first time, I can answer these questions. Yes, I will get into medical school. Yes, it is all worth it. No, I won't be soooo old, just a little old ;). And, the husband and kids will come when the time is right.

For the first time, I don't feel envious (embarrassed to say because I'm not an envious person) of those who are my age and already have everything in order.

For the first time, I feel like "I have a chance." That's all I've ever wanted. Because I improved (many points since the first time I took it), I have gained even more confidence that I really can do this and I can only keep getting better. I took the past couple days to really think about what I want to do. So, I made the decision to apply; even to schools I know I most likely wouldn't get into, but what the heck. right? But, I've also decided to retake the MCAT in January (for the 4th time may I add) because I truly feel that I can improve my score even more. So, if I don't get in anywhere (which I'm okay with), I can be on top of it for next application cycle. Just gotta keep going....

Time. It's one of those things that freak me out. Like I've mentioned previously, I like to plan and plans don't always go accordingly. As a woman, it's sometimes hard to want to have that "dream" career, but to also want to have a family, so, naturally I worry about that (and I know I'm not the only one). As I said above, I sometimes think that this career path I've chosen for myself is taking so long and sometimes, it makes me want to rethink it...but then, I snap out of it and I believe I can make it work. I just gotta go with it.

A friend of mine posted this quote on her Facebook Tuesday afternoon and I loved it. If I had to give someone advice- a person who is struggling to accomplish some goal or dream, whatever it may be, I would say the following....

Weekend Recap

This past weekend was one full of wonderfulness! How could it not- it included time with one of my best friends, a baby shower for another great friend (CONGRATULATIONS Rachel and Mike!), crab fest (not an actual fest- we just ate lots of crab), twisty treat (best ice cream parlor ever!), and Taken 2 (trachea!).

Ala decorating her cards! Instead of buying baby shower cards, we are asked to write on stationary, either a note to Rachel on motherhood or a note to the baby- such a cute idea! 

Arts and Craft on my hotel bed (definitely not as neat as Ala's)- I really don't have an artsy side, but I sure do love to pretend ;)

Final product- our gift to Rachel! We got her a nursery rhymes book, complete with CD, a Disney storybook (a must have in my opinion!), and a picture frame all packed in a pretty pink storage basket!  

Gifts everywhere! :)

Not only was this cupcake gluten and dairy free, it was absolutely delicious!! And pretty!

Rachel (on the right) opening our present and reading the card!! 

Three Amigas! She's so cute pregnant- love it!

SO much crab!! I was in heaven!

Excited for her crab!

Loving our bibs!!!

On a different note- week 5 of my 5K training starts tomorrow! :) Half way there, it's definitely becoming a little more difficult, but I'm pretty determined to keep going. It's really not so bad. The thought of running is always a bit miserable, and while I'm actually doing it, I pretty much just repeat motivational phrases in my head over and over (hehe), but it's the BEST feeling when I'm done!

And a final note...tomorrow's the day! MCAT scores are released at 5pm, so I will check once I get home. I have a number of thoughts running through my head. I just really don't know what to think. I try to keep them positive, but truthfully, sometimes it's hard. One minute, I envision myself seeing the score and feeling overjoyed. Immediately signing on and hitting submit on my applications (I made the decision to put it off because I cannot fathom spending money if my score is not competitive enough). After, I immediately rip down the three notecards I have stuck up with my "dream" score (1 on my bathroom mirror, 1 at my desk, and 1 on the back of the front door). Then, jump in joy at not having to retake this exam. But, then the next minute, I envision myself seeing my score, feeling extremely disappointed, embarrassed, and unintelligent. Then, finding ways to get my courage back up, so that I can start studying again in the next couple weeks. It's been the constant back and forth in my head this entire month, because I honestly don't know how I feel, one minute I know for a fact I had to improve, but then I think of the questions I missed and passages I didn't know or understand and think, Oh Gosh, I probably did worse.

I have kept my faith in God and believing that everything happens for a reason and I will end up where I am meant to be. It's just hard when I truly, wholeheartedly believe that I'm meant to be a physician and community leader. It's where my passion lies! Anyway, I will go to bed tonight, pray, and no matter what happens, keep my head held high; no matter what, I know that I'm blessed in so many ways :)

Hope everyone had a Happy Monday!! :)

Smoothies, Cupcakes, and Grey's Anatomy

The past week and a half has been pretty stressful at work; my supervisor has been out sick, a friend of mine had his last day, and HIV research is booming! The work keeps piling up, but I feel like I'm not making a dent in the stack. For a type A personality, like myself, feeling like I'm not in control of my work is quite unsettling. I felt this way once before, when I first started, about a year ago and a half ago. After 6 months, much work, including working during my off week at Christmas, I was finally able to get things under control. I felt like I knew what I was doing and met my deadlines without much stress. I want to get back there, now. I do not plan on working during Christmas break again- no bueno.

Anyway, today was particularly stressful for me. It all just hit me, I have SO much to do, in so little time. Normally, I would take a step back, regroup my racing thoughts, make a plan, and start from there. However, today, I decided to take a step back...eat a cupcake, drink a guava, coconut, and mango smoothie, and watch Grey's Anatomy (three of my favorite things)!

Turned out to be a great lunch break :)

I had been craving a cupcake for days now, but have been staying away. But, after a day like today, I just said "whatever," grabbed my keys and wallet, and drove over to Gigi's Cupcakes, which happened to be next door to Tropical Smoothie (the workers here were so nice- didn't hate me for basically coming up with my own smoothie!). So, the cupcakes, totally worth talking about because they were delicious! I had actually never been there before, and I must say, worth the hype. I actually didn't realize that this was a franchise until I googled it after. I got the Wedding Cake (white cake with frosting) and the Pumpkin White Chocolate. I indulged in the Wedding Cake first. So moist, dense, and a texture close to that of an angel food cake. I was pleasantly surprised. I ate the pumpkin 4 hours later (planed on saving it for tomorrow, but who was I kidding). Anyway, it had a similar texture as the wedding cake, with little white chocolate surprises throughout! YUMMY! I will say, it was a little too much icing for me, but that's because I'm not big on icing, just the cake part.

Anyway, this nice break did help clear my head a bit, though I still don't know where I'm going to start tomorrow. But that's okay, because I know that in the end, I always get it done! *fingers crossed*

Happy Tuesday (AHH! I get my MCAT scores a week from tonight), here's to a better tomorrow (can't indulge in cupcakes everyday)! :)

Workout Fail...

I started week 3 of my 5K training! Yea! I'm really excited. Even though it's only been 3 weeks, I'm quite surprised with myself. Normally, I would have skipped the end of week 1 or week 2 by simply justifying it: "I can already run 2:00, walk 1:30 easily, so I'll just start in 3 weeks at week 5 when it really gets tough for me." But, I didn't, so yay!! "Just keep going." This is what I chant to myself as I run.

Now to the post title. Today was definitely a fail, kind of. I'm not the best at doing laundry in a timely manner...actually, I just plain out suck. I will wait until the VERY last moment before doing laundry. Well, since I've been so diligent in my workouts, I ran out of proper workout gear, in particular (hope this isn't too much information for a blog)...a sports bra. Well, I had to work out so, I decided to use an old sports bra from like 6 years ago! I'm not a hoarder, just, I don't like to always get rid of things because you never know when you will need it, like in this stance. Well, let's just say that jumping up and down in my apartment a couple times to make sure it still fit, is NOT equivalent to jogging at a 10 minute/mile pace. In fact, it was a major fail. Needless to say, I had to return to my apartment and change (yes, I put on a dirty sports bra...am I grossed out by myself...a little...but I really want to stay on track).

Anyway- the week's began and even though I feel like it should be Thursday, it's only Tuesday. This past weekend was awesome and what really topped it off, was meeting cute Catey posted below.

She's not my puppy. Ala and her mom got a her this weekend! She is the one of sweetest and calmest puppies I have ever met. I'm pretty sure she slept 70% of the time...AH! So cute...I want one.

Well, Happy Tuesday!

"True friendship isn't about being inseparable, it's being separated & nothing changes"

**

My weekend in a few words: Football, Great Food, AMAZING FRIENDS!

I spent the weekend in Gainesville with two of my great friends, watched Gator football ("It's great (uh huh), to be (a what?), a Florida Gator*), ate yummy food, and did a lot of dancing. I also got to talk to another friend who has been in South Africa for the past year and ended my weekend by having lunch at one of my favorite mexican restaurants with another one of my best friends!

This weekend is one of those weekends that makes me look at my life and think: "man, I'm so blessed." It helps me realize that I don't have to take things so seriously, all. the. time. (which I tend to do). It's great to just let go, laugh, and have fun!

I definitely need to work on maximizing my free time, by spending it with friends and family because in the end, they are who and what matters!

Hope you all had a great weekend!! Do anything fun?

*I am not a Gator- just an honorary one for the weekend! :)
** Two bottom pictures are actually not from this weekend- basically, I was having so much fun, I forgot to take pictures. The people posted are those I got to spend time with/ talk to this weekend! :)

Never Forget

I'm sure we all remember where we were and what we were doing 11 years ago, today, as we heard the news of the tragedy that unfolded in New York City. I was sitting in third period Geometry. At the time, I did not grasp the magnitude of it all. I remember feeling confused, not completely understanding what was happening, why it was happening.

Today was the day to put away all the political banter and come together as one to take a moment to remember and honor the lives that were lost, as well as the brave souls who ran towards what many of us would have ran away from. And to remember and pray for the families who lost loved ones on this day.

First time for everything

Macarons, 5K Training, and Blogging: there is a first time for everything. 

So, today was my first time...trying macarons, training for a 5K and BLOGGING! I decided that today was the day. About a year ago, I discovered the world of blogging. It's actually quite remarkable the copious number of creative, inspirational, and intelligent people in this "blogosphere." At first, I never actually thought that I would want to blog, but then 6 months ago, I started to think about it more and more. I kept putting it off; first it was: "I need to focus on the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)," then, "I really need to catch up on life," then, unfortunately, I had to re-take the MCAT, so it was once again, "I need to focus on the MCAT." Well, the MCAT is over, and though I do need to catch up on life, I knew that if I didn't just sit and do it, there would always be something. 

A couple things to know about me before I continue: 

• I am planner, and not the normal kind. I actually, sometimes, feel the need to plan my day out, hour by hour. 
• Then, I stress when things don't go according to plan, which is about all the time. 
• I set goals (such as running a 5K) and fail to complete, which then leads me to disappointment, because my plan to run the 5K didn't work out, which then causes me to stress. 

See a pattern....

On the plus side, I am starting to realize this about myself and slowly I'm working to control it. Yes, control, not change it. In the past year, I have had some disappointments which have really opened my eyes and made me realize, that most of the time, things don't go according to plan. Seems simple enough, but it really wasn't for me. I always had a plan for my life- no matter how it was changing, I always had a plan. Graduate high school, graduate college, obtain my Masters, obtain my Medical degree, become a Family Physician, save the world. Yup, that was the plan and things went so smoothly- up until "obtain my Medical degree." That is currently the obstacle I face- so, needless to say, there will be blog posts about how I am slowly working to kick this obstacle's ass. Because, I will not give up, though there will be times that I will want to very much, I will not. End of story. 

Anyway, so, I am also hoping to use this blog as some sort of accountability tool (I'm just going to assume that there are many people following me and I can't let them down! :-)). Like I mentioned earlier, I tend to set goals and not complete them. Well, I'm trying again. I just recently turned 26 and decided that each year, I'm going to set one, very, reachable goal for myself (it's me, so I have about 100 more in my head), but let's focus on the one- to complete a 10K, by August 2013. Since, I have NEVER ran a 10K, I decided to start from scratch! I have done a couple 5Ks in the past, but seeing as I haven't actually ran in months- I must start over. So, today, I counted as my first day. I am using the iPhone app, Couch to 5K. A friend of mine suggested it and so far, it seems do able. It's over the course of 9 weeks (3 times a week) and utilizes the walk/run method (may take me a little longer, but that is okay). Once I complete the 5K, I will move on to the 5K to 10K training, using the same app. Fingers crossed! X So, day one complete- walk 1:30s, run 1:00 for 30 minutes. Distance and Pace: 1.92 miles; 15:38 per mile. 

So, yea, today was my first time and as with the first time for anything, I am completely nervous, but extremely excited. I hope that you join me on my journey, as well as some stops along the way to enjoy the randomness that is my life. 

Oh yea! It was my first time trying macarons too at this new French Bakery le macaron.  There was definitely no nervousness there, just pure excitement. I tried the basil white chocolate, sicilian pistachio, and the walnut. All were brillantly delicious, but my favorite was the sicillian pistachio. Another thing to know about me...I love food!