White Coat Fever

First off, I just want to apologize for not updating my blog sooner. With Ryan being on the island over the weekend and 3 upcoming tests, I've been a little busy! So where do I start?

Ryan got here last Thursday night. It was weird waiting for him at the airport..I felt like it was our first date! It makes me wonder what it will feel like the next time when I see him after 4 1/2 weeks. His time here was filled with lots of errands and activities. He was and is my lifesaver. I don't know how I ever functioned without him.

While he was here he had our accent walls painted, my stuff put away and organized, and food in the fridge! These are some of the many things I've neglected the last week. He definitely reduced my stress levels! We did have time to go to the beach both Saturday and Sunday and of course he was here for my White Coat Ceremony.

The ceremony itself was great. We all had to recite the honor code and sign it in a big book with a white feather pen (very official!). Then we individually walked on stage (all 165 of us) and said our name, college and major. At the end of the stage we were helped into our white coats. It was so surreal. The Dr. putting mine on said, "You're a natural." I know he probably said this to everyone..but hey let me believe that he really meant it!

Afterwards there was reception at Bamboo Bernie's Bar and Grill. It's hilarious watching the older professors drink along with everyone else..very different from college! In the end, a great night but the beginning of week 3 of medical school (dun dun dun).

This week has been brutal. I go to school, come home for 1 1/2 hours and go back to the anatomy lab to review muscles, nerves, arteries, veins, ligaments and bones. My brain hurts just writing about them. It's exactly what I expected however. Not harder, but definitely not easier. All in all, as my dad says, "It is what it is."

Oh, but yesterday I did do something not as monotonous as my everyday schedule. I went to a diabetes training and learned how to take blood glucose and blood pressures. Now that I'm trained I can assist the Diabetes Foundation in St. Maarten with diabetes screenings on Saturdays for the locals outside of Cost U Less. I think it'll be a good experience. On the 28th of this month I will be taking a phlebotomy training class...and we get to practice on each other! Also, I joined the Christian Medical and Dental Association which works with local orphanages. On the 23rd of this month we are taking the orphans to the beach! It should be fun. I'll update everyone at the end of this week as I prepare to take my first 3 tests of medical school.

P.S. If anyone remembers...will ya'll pray for me this week? I really want to honor on all my tests. And I can't do it without God.