Part II: Year One in Pictures

Can you believe it's already the second of August!?! I'm pretty sure it was just June! Wow- summer break is over in T-9 days! I should have 16 more days, but recently found out that our orientation (the D.C. site only) got pushed up a week. No big deal, I'm ready, no, I will be ready in 9 days to start second year strong. Enough with the small talk, this post will be a continuation of my first year in pictures. Ready, set, here ya go! I think I left off right before Thanksgiving.

November 2013: Thanksgiving Day! This is a genuine smile! I had just finished NMSK B (and passed!).  From here on out, med school didn't get easier, but I sure got better! 

Thanksgiving day: Delicious thanksgiving preparation by Pauline! Puts me to shame. I was trying so hard to think what I brought to the thanksgiving dinner, then I remembered: ingredients for S'mores. I know...shame. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't cook- I don't know how. I'm pretty sure I've only made a meal for a total of 4-5 people in my life and that's probably because they forced me. I have this strange fear of cooking for others. 

December 2013: This was the start of Cardio-pulmonary I (CPI): Lana and I are in anatomy lab preparing to  dissect a pig heart. SN: we learned so much in CP I, including how to read normal and abnormal EKGs. Yesterday, while I was in clinic conducting some research, one of the attendings handed me a patient's EKG and asked: "what's wrong with this patient." Me: "uhhh...well, I see a peaked wave...." I stared at her blankly and thought, shit, which wave is that? T? but why don't I really see PQRS...maybe it's P? Either way, what does a peaked P or T wave mean....mind blank...I remember nothing. I have lots of studying to do people! 

December 2013: SALSA DANCING! There was this Lebanese restaurant that had salsa lessons on Friday nights, so we went 3-4 times during the year on an "off" weekend. SO much fun...I basically can be a professional salsa dancer now  still suck at salsa dancing. 

December 2013: Secret Santa between me and ma' girls! 

December 25th, 2013: CHRISTMAS DAY! I was so excited to see my babies! 

December 25th, 2013: Jordan and Aayden enjoying the new iPad. 

December 2013: My other babies! We are just a hot mess. 

January 1st, 2014: ringing in the New Year with friends! Krystle (girl on the far left) is actually visiting me and another friend this weekend! 

January 12th, 2013: Lana's birthday dinner! I think she looks so beautiful in this pic. This was such an epic night! We started off at a REALLY fancy French restaurant and then even fancier wine bar. 

Danced the night away at a club. 

Ended the night on my bathroom floor. I call that success. 

This picture is incredibly random, but it deserves a post. This is February, so I had been in school for about 7 months and this was my 5th water bottle! I know, it's not normal for someone to lose water bottles as much as I did. It basically became a running joke. HOWEVER, I did not lose this one because pretty much at least 1/3 of my class knew what my water bottle looked like so if I left it anywhere, it was always returned. :) I am happy to report that I am still a proud owner of this water bottle! 

February 2014: Med school prom! I'm sad I didn't get more pictures from this night.  

February 2014: Day after the med school prom. We decided to participate in a 5K (the color run). It was so much fun, I would definitely do one again! 

March/April 2014: Umm.....I think this was in our Renal course, I had been studying ALL weekend and this is how I felt...crazy.

March 2014: My acting debut. Our Women's Health group put on a production of the Vagina Monologues in order to raise funds for a women's domestic violence center. I was honored to be a part of it.  I performed the part: "The Little Coochie Snorcher that Could." I barely remember my performance because I was SO incredibly nervous the entire time! 

Spring Break 2014: The Grand Canyon. This was such a wonderful trip, with some of the most beautifully spirited group of women. Beginning in the second semester, I started to journal. A friend of mine captured this picture of me eating lunch, journaling, and taking in my blessings. It was a big moment of reflection. I had completed more than 1/2 of my first semester and after this break, I would be entering the final stretch of first year. I realized how much I had changed and grown, but more so, realized how much I will continue to change and grow- hopefully for the better.

I will stop here. Krystle, Sami, and I will be going to a baseball game tonight! I'm really excited to spend more time with these ladies and enjoy the last bit of my summer. Hope you enjoyed reading.

xoxo