WWII

Well, today, aside from suffering from jet-lag and being absolutely exhausted at around noon today (6am NY time) and being woken up at what would normally be my bed time (thank goodness I was able to get some rest), was pretty interesting.  We took about a 1 hour train ride to Mons, Brussels, where they hold an annual commemoration to an American invasion, so to say, to kick out those Germans.  So, they were plenty of people walking around in American uniforms, most of which didn't exactly go together, eating fries with mayonnaise, drinking beer, and digging trenches.  Oh, and going joy riding on a 60-something year old tank in the mud.  What I found to be very interesting is that back at home, those who are interested in the history of World War II all seem to be aging, and dying off, it does not take the interest of many people, say my age.  But here, kids were running around, helmet and toy machine gun and all, eagerly climbing into tanks and crawling into foxholes and tents for pictures.  I guess World War II is a whole lot more interesting to those over here in Europe, since it all basically took place here.  I remember sitting in American History with Mr. Carp (may he rest in peace), and getting excited to begin the World War II chapters, and being kind of disappointed in the lack of content.  I guess most of it had to do with the fact that I've gone to see so many different important sites of the war since I was little since my Dad is such an enthusiast, that since the American's didn't enter the war till Pearl Harbor, pretty much the tail end of the  war, there was not much to fill the textbook with.  I guess here, there'd be so much, and its probably just a train ride away from anywhere in Europe to go see one of the sites, which I guess makes the learning experience a whole lot more interesting, makes the war, which ended 65 years ago, that much more real.
It's too bad, there's so much more to World War II than most of us in America learn about.  I hope the enthusiasm for the war doesn't die back home.

People Make Me Sick

A dear friend of mine sent this to me.
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2010/08/muslim_cab_driv.php
I'm not angry at what the author of this particular article said, but what the article was talking about.  People are such insensitive, inconsiderate, immature, and stupid assholes.  Just because the media is making out one particular group of people look like horrible, suicidal killers, does NOT mean they actually are.  Seriously, before you go and stab a complete stranger, sit down with one of them - get to know them, OPEN YOUR EYES, don't listen to the media for once - form your own opinion, you'd be surprised to see how different they are than what "everyone else" wants you to think.
I actually really like what the author said.
"Note to racist assholes: You are also idiots."
Not only are you idiots, but your IGNORANT idiots, and trust me you can't get much lower than an ignorant idiot.
Idiots just don't know. Ignorant idiots have ways of knowing, and choose not to, choose to take the easy way out and go with whatever is the general population's idea. LIVE YOUR OWN DAMN LIFE.
Okay - I get it. Everyone's angry about the mosque being built, but really, its not AT Ground Zero, and was it not there from wayyy before?
So what, no one would be mad if it were a church? or a temple?
What if it was an Orthodox Jew who blew up the World Trade Center towers?
What if it was someone like YOU? Someone who shared your religion, someone who shared your point of view, someone who came from wherever your family came from?
Would you like to be the target of such awful hate crimes? I bet not.
So, really. Grow up, get away from the television and radio, and just go out and meet them.  They really are just like you and me.  They are not all like the people who the media is making them out to be.

Packing My Life Again Into 2 Rolling Bags

No, I'm not leaving for college.  I live close enough to school that I commute a short 20 minute drive back and forth to school.  Hey, tuition is free, so I'm not really complaining.  At least, not at the moment.
I'm all packed and ready for a short 10 day trip to Brussels, which will include several side trips within Belgium, and a day trip to London.
Woohoo! Vacation! I can finally get away from this place, and just relax, see things, and eat good food and come home with a day to recover from jet lag before I start what will probably be a really crazy semester.
Till I return,
Au revoir
<3A.V.

My first paying job?!

I finished orientation on Wednesday for being a Supplemental Instruction leader at school today.  It was a 2 day thing, from 10am-1pm and I must admit it was a whole lot more engaging than I thought it would be.  I never knew that there were so many ways to passive aggressively get students to participate, or even shut up.  I was told I must go through several steps before the "I'm sorry, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?" Too bad, because that's usually an effective way of telling someone they're extremely rude without flat out saying it to their face.  However, I really do hope the group of students I get won't make me go there.
During this whole orientation, I actually also got to learn more about myself.  I found out that I'm kind of sort of over my fear of going in front of a group of people and taking the floor, taking charge, being like HEY LISTEN UP I HAVE SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO SAY TO YOU.  Not only did I learn that my Public Speaking class might have actually been somewhat effective, I learned about what kind of person I am according to some guy who came up with a method in determining what kind of personality you have.  Are the results I got really true? Or is it just another load of bullsh*t?  Well, it depends on how you look at it.  I used my results to look deeper into myself, my habits, and I looked to see if I can make any adjustments to make me a better student, a better person, a better doctor.

The Lion King

The Lion King the musical on Broadway must have been the most incredible experience I've had at a Broadway show in quite some time.
Whoever it was that sang the opening note - I wanted to give her a big hug - gave me chills down my back, something that actually never happened to me Click to Hear turn your speakers all the way up and the volume on YouTube all the way up before it starts - and imagine it live.  I melted in my seat.
I kind of regret not seeing it sooner, but honestly, it was a great movie coming up to my 20th birthday - a show about growing up, and learning as you go, and leaving the past behind you and growing from it. 
I would definitely recommend anyone of any age to go see it. Truth of the matter is, you can't outgrow Disney. You just can't, especially a classic like the Lion King.  Just the colors of the scenery, the music, the dancing, those tight African chords makes it worth however much the tickets cost.  Not to mention all the laughs, the tears, the mixed emotions, which are all priceless, makes me kind of want to watch it again, and I'm usually not a fan of watching Broadway shows more than once.
*flies off to watch the original Lion King*

Mixed Emotions

Well, I finished my internship at the hospital today.  Don't really know how I feel about it.  I love the hospital, and being in the hospital, and seeing patients, especially smiling, happy ones.  I don't really love the idea of having to wake up at 7 in the morning to head over to the hospital, but it's something I can quickly get over.
During this internship, I met some really great people, and some not so great people. 3 students that I absolutely love, they were willing to learn, and go the extra mile, and willing to get yelled at a little bit if it ensured that they at least went home able to say they learned something new.  5 Interns and Residents that were always open to include me in different discussions, even though some of it I didn't understand, I wasn't invisible. 1 student that was one lazy SOB (no, not the medical shortcut for SOB, the other one.) But hey, he got his karma right before I gave a big hug to the intern and student, a baby peed all over him.  Officially my favorite baby EVER.
So my dad asked me, "now what are you going to do?"
Well to answer, I'm going to start really enjoying my summer, seeing my friends, my love, and unfortunately, hit the books again to start studying for the MCATs *shudder*.
All in all, I'm going to miss a majority of the people there, and learning as much as I can and get as big of a jump start as I can in preparation for medical school.  But, I'm so happy that I can finally relax during the day, and continue going through my House season 5 DVD box set.
But for now...
*FLIES OFF TO NYC*

And So I Begin to Sell That Part of My Soul

I've recently been working at the hospital, doing an internship for school (YAY I can finally get credit for the hours that I spend there).  One of the Interns that I recently started working with, and quite frankly, I really wish she had come in sooner - I was not too thrilled about the last resident, had suggested starting a blog and just keeping track of all the really weird things you see from day to day, so that by the end of your career you can look back on it and think, "Damn, I had one hell of a ride."
So I think I'll start this - I have several blogs, none of them really I kept up with.  I don't know what makes this one different but I'm determined to keep up with it.  Update with my experiences in the hospital, my life, my misery in preparing for medical school, and other miscellaneous things.
So why Sell Your Med Soul? Because I'm a nerd - I've heard Solu-Medrol a billion times during this internship. Play on words I guess - and appropriate.  I'm determined to stay on track to complete my dream - but at the same time keep up with the rest of my life and keep it in tact.  Only selling part of my soul to medicine.  The medical part of my soul.
The entire month of June I was in the hospital 9-4.  Which basically means I'm there 15 minutes before, and 15 after.  During those 7.5 hours at the hospital I've seen so many incredible things, learned so many things, met really incredible people, and some not so incredible people.  Definitely an experience I'll never forget, and definitely an experience that confirmed my dreams.
Last night I actually sat down with my MCAT book and started studying - Goal was to make it through Lecture 1.  I got 80% of it done, not bad I guess.  I'm off now to continue studying and continue updating my log for school (I'm up to July 14, I'm a little behind... I should get on that right?)