Unique

I'm a little disappointed in myself that I haven't posted much this semester... especially the reflective-type pieces. I've had a back log of ideas (and I know I keep saying this) but I can't seem to sit down and write a coherent blog post that is more than just describing my days here on Saba.
So, I'm going to challenge myself to sit down and do it by the end of this weekend :)

In the meantime, as a blogger I love reading and following others in this 'blog world'. (Most of my study breaks consist of this and watching TED Talks!) So, the other day I stumbled across this amazingly unique/ weird art by Matthew Cox -- embroidered X rays. Something about it is intriguing. Maybe because it is so innovative, so different or, most likely, the fact that it combines anatomy and art.

I realize it's an art that will not be appreciated by everyone but,
if nothing else, it definitely captures your attention.

A-lo-ha!

A little delayed, but here is the picture we took at the end of our 2nd week. Love the amount of colour and the fact that we all look so happy (and well rested)!!

appealing to the population

Stumbled on this video.
In theme with my last post on breast cancer, this is a great way to catch attention and motivate women. I think using social media to really expose underlying issues and raise awareness is the new stream of public health promotion - especially when targeting the younger generations.



Even if the number of self-checks don't increase, I think it will become one of those "viral" videos or at the least catch attention... which is what it was meant to do in the first place.
Innovative idea.
What do you think?

Be aware, it's October.

October is breast cancer awareness month. Be aware.

my new necklace.

Breast cancer, unfortunately, affects almost everyone. So why not raise awareness about the importance of noticing self changes and performing self examinations.

The women's medical student association (WMSA) held our annual community event today! We walked around 'the bottom' and had a short informative session about breast cancer and how to raise awareness (including a great demo using breast models from the school to break the stigma/ embarrassment around doing self breast exams).

The turn out was great... see for yourself :)

I had a chance to talk to some friendly Saba locals about the impact breast cancer has had on their life.
successful study break?! I think so.

Takin' it easy

Sushi dinner on friday night!

After all the stress and frustration third semester has caused, a group of us caught a great deal on flights to St. Maarten and needless to say we made a trip  of it! Spent two nights in st. maarten and a full day at Orient beach (on the French side). It was so nice to be able to relax and hang out with friends outside of school.



Highlights?
Great food, swimming at 4 o'clock in the morning, enjoying island music, cocktails on the beach, sea-doos,  driving around st. Maarten in our rental cars and many ... adventures :)

finally got all 3 of us in the air!... only took 20 tries 

Amazing weekend. Can't say I came back well rested, but it definitely helped clear my head and de-stress. Ready to jump right back into it for the second half of the semester as long as this cold/flu doesn't get the best of me.

A 2 day vacation can do wonders on motivation.



here we go... 2 months till christmas break.

on our way back to Saba 

3.2

What a hectic day. 3 exams between 8am and 3pm. Fun!

Glad to say this block went much better all round than first. Not where I want to be but it will hopefully get there.... lesson learned? hard work pays off. Second lesson? my body doesn't respond as well to lack of sleep as it did in undergrad. I used to be able to pull all nighters (without the aid of caffeine or energy drinks - so bad for you) and now 4 hours of sleep did not suffice. Probably because undergrad is no where near the intensity and pressure of medical school.

__________________________

As a side note, I've been trying to get a new page at the top of the blog going for posting ongoing hobbies, interesting topics and the like - pretty much anything outside the medical school world (when it comes into existence after each set of exams). However, I couldn't seem to figure out how to do multiple posts.. so if anyone knows please send directions my way :)

Till then, I wanted to share this with you... super cool for a sci-fi reading nerd like me (don't make fun!)

books to read...It's been added on to my bucket list (still in the making but I think I will post a temporary one soon just so I can start checking things off :) )
For those new sci-fi lovers out there I would also recommend anything by Aldous Huxley.

away

I've been away. Hiding in my new found spot... the library. Studying for the upcoming exams on monday has taken up all of my time. (I even realized that I've forgotten to eat 3 meals a day this week... I know, I know. That will change after these exams).

I just wanted to let you know that I am alive :)

.. and to expect lots of postings after exams! I have a back log of topics to share as our classes are getting more interesting - especially psychology. It's started up my curiosity in researching and questioning rather than just rote memorization and learning. BUT, that's going to have to wait.

In the meantime, I would like to send a virtual "hello" to Nemo's mom! I meant to do it earlier and let you know that your hug was transmitted - it was actually the first thing he did ...before introducing himself. Ha ha ha. So, thank you for reading my blog.

3.1 - done!

Don't have a lot of time tonight so I will make this short.
Block 1 exams are done and they just seem to be getting harder every semester. Although not worth a whole lot of your mark, they definitely used the scare tactic on our class again. not fun!
Anyways, they are over and done with so on to the next challenge...

Ethics class is officially done and we started Psychology/Behavioural Sciences on Tuesday. Really interesting class thus far and I love how the Prof. is making it interactive (we have audience participation cards, with numbers on them for choosing an answer. It's kind of like the old-school version of iClickers for those who are familiar with them).
Here is a video to leave you with a glimpse of the class... needless to say that I am wide awake all afternoon :) It's great to have professors that know how to connect with the class.

Friday.

Sorry I have not been back on until now but as you may assume they have thrown us into the deep end once again! Great. Thanks Saba. I would've thought we've proven ourselves by third semester...

A lot of things have happened last week so here is a 'high yield' summary. (hehehe, can you tell I am back into study mode?)

So friday was that time of the semester; we got to meet the incoming class, attend their white coat ceremony and speak to our assigned mentee about life at Saba. I really love this tradition because it reminds you of what you are here for and that you are definitely not alone in taking the unbeaten path. Met some great 1st semesters and I would like to thank those of you who came up to me (or screamed "blog girl!") - really made my day :).
We also had our welcome back party that night and needless to say it was fantastic to see everyone out... I think pictures will give you a feel for the night better.

a local came up dressed like this,
no clue why but it was entertaining

Half-way through happiness

the usual gun show!

potential roomies next semester :)

LASTLY, the construction in front of my house seems to never end. Every morning I literally step out into a construction site full of dust clouds, newly poured concrete, metal bars, drilling and hammering. Awesome! *rolls eyes*. Really hoping this ends soon...

my house is what you see in the bottom left corner. Isn't it a great view?!

EDIT: still waiting on the Hawaiian Friday class picture - will post once I get it :)

Aloha

Aloha. A-lo-ha. A-lo-haha. A-lo-hahaha. 

This is how we started our ethics class on the first day. Our professor taught in Maui for a while and has really embraced their culture so every time he wants to greet us he says aloha and we respond back!

It means…

Alo – to share an experience

Ha – the breath of life, a channel

Loha – to listen carefully

Oha – spreading, thriving, affection, love, greetings, healthy, something which grows of something else.

As childish and insignificant as this sounds our whole class is laughing and smiling after we greet him back. It really works.

I dare you to try it when you need a boost from a not so great day.

Ethics, so far, has been an unusual class in that is completely different than anything else we’ve had. We have watched an Ali-G clip on medical ethics (hilarious by the way), we will be doing role playing next week, and tomorrow is dress up in Hawaiian shirts day! (he brought us shirts to chose, wear and keep as a reminder!)

Overall, 3^rd semester is a whirlwind of massive amounts of information. We already have 300 slides to go over for neurology and it just seems to keep piling up. It’s been hard to get back into the studying mode… it’s not just me; the entire class having trouble with this concept of ‘studying’. Well we better get it back soon since our first set of exams are a week from Monday!

Break was too short but it’s great to see everyone again. Happy start to the semester.

And look forward to posting a picture of my Hawaiian outfit for tomorrow!